Photocatalytic Degradation of Humic Acid by TiO2/Zeolite and Its Application in Peat Water

Humic acid is one of the major organic compounds present in peat water; contributing to its brown colour, increasing the organic matter content, and reducing water quality. One effective method for reducing humic acid levels in peat water is photocatalysis using a TiO2/zeolite catalyst, which is able to break down complex organic compounds into simpler ones. This study aimed to synthesise a TiO2/zeolite catalyst, evaluate its photocatalytic activity for humic acid degradation, and investigate its application in peat water treatment. Characterisation of the catalyst using FTIR, XRD, and SEM-EDX confirmed that TiO2 was successfully impregnated onto the zeolite surface without altering the crystalline structure of the zeolite during synthesis. The concentration of humic acid before and after photodegradation was analysed using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, whilst changes in the degradation products were examined using HPLC. Optimum photodegradation conditions were achieved at an irradiation time of 120 minutes, a catalyst mass of 1.00 g, and a solution volume of 10 mL. Under these conditions, the TiO2/zeolite catalyst achieved a humic acid degradation rate of 89.49%. These results indicate that the combination of TiO2 and zeolite exhibits better photocatalytic activity than the use of TiO2 or zeolite alone. Furthermore, the application of TiO2/zeolite catalysts to peat water resulted in a degradation rate of 56.79%, thereby improving water quality by reducing the concentration of organic compounds.