Hybrid matrices of TiO2 and TiO2–Ag nanofibers with silicone for high water flux photocatalytic degradation of dairy effluent

•Novel hybrid TiO2 and TiO2–Ag silicone nanoporous matrices were developed for the photocatalytic degradation of dairy effluent.•The water flux of TiO2-Ag silicone matrices is high (12229 l/m2 h).•The TiO2–Ag silicone matrices showed 60% degradation of the dairy effluent.•The hybrid nanoporous matrix of TiO2 silicone showed 3399 ml/g h rate of hydrogen production.

TiO2 and TiO2–Ag nanofibers were produced by electrospinning technique and surface coated on silicone elastomer (diameter: 10.0 mm; thickness: 2.0 mm) by dipcoating method. These coated hybrid nanoporous matrices were characterized by various morphological and physicochemical techniques (like SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, EDS and UV). These characterizations reveal that the surface morphology of electrospun nanofibers remain intact by the dipcoating technique. The produced hybrid matrices of TiO2 and TiO2–Ag silicone were utilized as photocatalysts to degrade dairy waste water with an efficient water flux and water photosplitting properties.

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