Chlorella vulgaris meets TiO2 NPs: Effective sorbent/photocatalytic hybrid materials for water treatment application

A new class of bio-nano hybrid catalyst useable in downstream wastewater treatment was developed. We combined the sorption potentialities of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae with the photocatalytic properties of TiO NPs in order to investigate unexplored synergistic effects that could push the algal remediation technology toward a more promising cost-effective balance. We exploited non-living C. vulgaris, which keeps the biosorption properties of the living microalgae, but greatly enhancing the overall processability. C. vulgaris biomass was coupled with TiO NPs and the nanosols were then dried by means of a spray freeze drying (SFD) process able to produce highly reactive granules. A widespread physicochemical characterization supported the preparation and the performance evaluation, so highlighting the key-role of C. vulgaris/TiO interaction at the colloidal state. Heavy metal adsorption, tested for copper ions, and photocatalytic activity, assessed for Rhodamine B (RhB) photodegradation, were evaluated as key performances. The results pointed out a positive synergistic effect for hybrid samples consistent with the enhancement of metal biosorption which ranges from 103 mg g, for pristine C. vulgaris, to about 4000 mg g, when the biomass was coupled with the inorganic nanophase. The photocatalytic activity was well preserved with a complete RhB conversion after 1 h and even advanced in presence of SiONPs into the inorganic counterpart, so increasing the kinetic constant from 8.70 to 10.7 10 min. The results pave the way for the integration of these sorbent/photocatalytic hybrid materials into water remediation systems in an innovative sustainable design perspective.