Cellulose acetate–zirconium (IV) phosphate nano-composite with enhanced photo-catalytic activity

Cellulose acetate–zirconium (IV) phosphate nanocomposite (CA/ZPNC) was synthesized by sol–gel technique at pH 0–1 and was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal analysis (TGA/DTA/DSC). Ion exchange capacity, pH titration, elution concentration, elution behaviour, thermal stability and distribution coefficient were investigated to explore ion exchange behaviour of CA/ZPNC. The nanocomposite showed an ion-exchange capacity of 1.4 mequiv. g−1 for Na+ and was highly selective for Pb2+ and Zn2+ over many other metal ions. The photocatalytic activity of the CA/ZPNC was explored for degradation of a model Congo red dye from aqueous phase. 90% of dye was removed in 60 min of irradiation. Simultaneous adsorption and photocatalysis had synergetic effect on dye degradation.