Hybrid Hydrogel and Aerogel Membranes Based on Chitosan/Prussian Blue for Photo-Fenton-Based Wastewater Treatment Using Sunlight

Abstract

Hybrid hydrogel and aerogel membranes composed of chitosan and Prussian blue were prepared by the dispersion of PB nanoparticles in chitosan solution, followed by gelation. The photocatalytic and photo-Fenton degradation of methylene blue (MB), as a model dye, was studied under simulated solar irradiation using these hybrid membranes. The hydrogel-based membrane was shown to show higher photodegradation activity than its aerogel-based counterpart toward the dye molecules. Furthermore, the hydrogel-based membrane showed superior recycling behavior compared with that of the aerogel-based membrane. Based on these experimental results, the CTS/PB-hybrid hydrogel membrane is a new, reusable, photo-Fenton catalyst for the treatment of wastewater using sunlight.