Original ArticleLow-cost composites based on porous titania-apatite surfaces for the removal of patent blue V from water: Effect of chemical structure of dye

Hydroxyapatite/titania nanocomposites (TiHAp) were synthesized from a mixture of a titanium alkoxide solution and dissolution products of a Moroccan natural phosphate. The simultaneous gelation and precipitation processes occurring at room temperature led to the formation of TiHAp nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction results indicated that hydroxyapatite and anatase (TiO2) were the major crystalline phases. The specific surface area of the nanocomposites increased with the TiO2 content. Resulting TiHAp powders were assessed for the removal of the patent blue V dye from water. Kinetic experiments suggested that a sequence of adsorption and photodegradation is responsible for discoloration of dye solutions. These results suggest that such hydroxyapatite/titania nanocomposites constitute attractive low-cost materials for the removal of dyes from industrial textile effluent.