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Utilization of Shrimp Shell Waste as Nitrogen Source in N-Doped TiO₂ for Degradation of Polyethylene Microplastics
Summary
Researchers synthesized nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles using chitosan from shrimp shell waste as the nitrogen source and tested their ability to degrade polyethylene microplastics under visible light. The optimally doped nanoparticles achieved approximately 30% degradation of microplastics over 50 hours, nearly six times more effective than undoped titanium dioxide, demonstrating a sustainable approach that repurposes seafood waste for environmental remediation.
Microplastic pollution presents a significant challenge globally, posing serious threats to aquatic ecosystems. This study explores the photocatalytic degradation of microplastics in aqueous solutions by applying nitrogen-doped TiO2 (N-TiO2) nanoparticles under visible light. The N-TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized via the solvothermal method, utilizing chitosan derived from shrimp shell waste as a nitrogen source. The photocatalytic efficacy of the N-TiO2 nanoparticles was assessed for degrading model polyethylene microplastics, illuminated by a 50-watt LED lamp. Characteristic peak shifts in the FTIR absorption spectrum, notably at 3429 cm-1 to lower wavenumbers, and diminished amide I absorption at 1621 cm-1, confirmed the successful extraction of chitosan from shrimp shell waste. The synthesized N-TiO2 nanoparticles were in the pure anatase phase, exhibited a reduced bandgap of 2.97 eV, and showed enhanced absorption in the visible light spectrum (λ=400 – 800 nm) compared to undoped TiO2. The incorporation of nitrogen into the TiO2 matrix was validated by vibration bands at approximately 1035 cm-1 and 535 cm-1, corresponding to the Ti—N and Ti—O—Ti bonds, respectively. Optimal results were attained with TiO2 nanoparticles doped with 50% nitrogen, achieving a degradation rate of approximately 30.45% of a 250 mg/L microplastic solution over 50 hours of visible light exposure—nearly six times more effective than undoped TiO2. This study highlights the sustainable use of shrimp shell waste as a nitrogen source for enhancing TiO2 nanoparticles, showcasing their potential for environmental remediation applications.