Optimization of degradation of potassium ethyl xanthate using Fe2O3/TiO2/Flyash nanophotocatalyst using Taguchi statistical approach

Xanthate from mineral processing wastewater is a major threat to the ecosystem. Photocatalysis is emerging as the most effective process with the invention of new nanophotocatalytic materials. The present research focuses on developing the ternary nanocomposite Fe₂O₃/TiO₂/Flyash by a facile hydrothermal method combined with a water bath precipitation method for the efficient degradation of potassium ethyl xanthate (KEX). Taguchi’s experimentation (L₁₆) orthogonal array is used for the optimization of process parameters to get maximum KEX degradation efficiency. The optimized parameters are found to be calcination temperature 400 ^OC, photocatalyst dosage 0.7 g/L, pH 5, pollutant concentration 10 mg/L, and light intensity 100 W. The percentage contribution of each parameter is obtained through the ANOVA statistical approach as calcination temperature > pH>pollutant concentration > photocatalyst dosage > light intensity. The adsorption mechanism follows the Freundlich isotherm and fits well with pseudo-first-order and second-order kinetics. Material characterization is also done to analyze the crystal structure and morphology of the newly developed nanocomposite to gain a better understanding of the mechanism. This study indicates that the newly developed nanocomposite photocatalyst can effectively degrade potassium ethyl xanthate under light irradiation for 60 min.