Preparation of Flexible TiO₂/zeolite Composite Sheets for Removal of Sulfamethazine from Wastewater Using Papermaking Technique

Abstract

Flexible composite sheets consisting of TiO₂, zeolite, and organic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers were prepared using papermaking techniques, and its strength, durability, and performance in removing sulfonamide from water were evaluated. TiO₂ and zeolite powder were successfully incorporated into the sheet with high retention and a flexible, easy-to-handle, sheet-like TiO₂/zeolite composite was obtained. The composite sheet is durable enough for wastewater treatment due to the inclusion of heat fusible PET fibers as a supporting matrix. The wet strength of the composite sheet was enhanced with increasing the amount of heat fusible PET fibers or drying temperature. Infrared spectroscopy revealed that the sheet strength and the integrity of the PET fibers were unaffected by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The TiO₂/zeolite composite sheet removed sulfamethazine from water by adsorption and photocatalytic degradation and its performance was also unaffected by UV exposure.