Hierarchical mesoporous TiO₂/starch-based microparticles used as an efficient and reusable adsorbent for removal of...

The widespread use of organic dyes in various industrial applications, driven by rapid industrialization, has become a significant environmental concern. Thus, highly efficient and reusable adsorbent for removal of pollutant dyes have gained increasing attention in water treatment. In this study, we present TiO₂ nanoparticle-embedded mesoporous starch-based microparticle (TiO₂@MSMP) with hierarchical rose-like structure were synthesis by using acetone precipitation of short-chain glucan (SCG) obtained from waxy maize starch. The resulting TiO₂@MSMP exhibits an A-type crystalline polymorph and mean particle size of approximately 2 μm, displaying a type IV adsorption isotherm with a mean pore diameter of 19 nm and an average surface area of 12.34 m²/g. The adsorption ability of TiO₂@MSMP towards methyl orange (MO) and crystal violet (CV) were 85.8 mg/g and 103.8 mg/g, respectively. The reusability of TiO₂@MSMP was achieved by UV irradiation, which resulted in photodegradation of the adsorbed dye over 80 % while maintaining good absorption ability and structural stability during the recycling process. Given its cost-effectiveness, high adsorption capacity, and excellent reusability, TiO₂@MSMP holds promise as an effective and environmentally friendly adsorbent with significant potential for removing dyes from aqueous solutions and purifying water.