Korean Journal of Materials Research 한국재료학회지 ISSN:1225-0562(Print) 2287-7258(Online)

This study is to manufacture a titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalyst by recycling sludge generated using titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) as a coagulant. Compared to general sewage, a TiCl₄ coagulant was applied to dyeing wastewater containing a large amount of non-degradable organic compounds to evaluate its performance. Then the generated sludge was dried and fired to prepare a photocatalyst (TFS). Scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen oxide reduction experiments were conducted to analyze the surface properties and evaluate the photoactive ability of the prepared TFS. After using titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) as a coagulant in the dyeing wastewater, the water quality characteristics were measured at 84 mg/L of chemical oxygen demand (COD), 10 mg/L of T-N, and 0.9 mg/L of T-P to satisfy the discharge water quality standards. The surface properties of the TFS were investigated and the anatase crystal structure was observed. It was confirmed that the ratio of Ti and O, the main components of TiO₂, accounted for more than 90 %. As a result of the nitric oxide (NO) reduction experiment, 1.56 uMol of NO was reduced to confirm a removal rate of 20.60 %. This is judged to be a photocatalytic performance similar to that of the existing P-25. Therefore, by applying TiCl₄ to the dyeing wastewater, it is possible to solve the problems of the existing coagulant and to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide generated, using an eco-friendly sludge treatment method. In addition, it is believed that environmental and economic advantages can be obtained by manufacturing TiO₂ at an eco-friendly and lower cost than before.