Carbon/TiO ₂ Materials From Textile Waste: A Sustainable Approach for Dye Removal

ABSTRACT This study synthesized carbon/TiO 2 composites from textile waste through titanium isopropoxide impregnation and calcination to address dye contamination in wastewater. The composites exhibited enhanced specific surface area and pore volume with higher TiO 2 content. The characterization techniques (XRD, Raman, SEM‐EDX, FTIR, XPS) confirmed the formation of anatase TiO 2 , amorphous carbon, and Ti–O–C interfacial bonds, demonstrating strong chemical coupling between the components. This interfacial modification led to a substantial narrowing of the band gap energy, decreasing from 3.26 eV to 2.38 eV for TiO 2 to C T /TiO 2 ‐1. The C T /TiO 2 ‐1 composite achieved complete removal of methylene blue dye in approximately 60 min, via synergistic photocatalysis and adsorption. On the other hand, C T /TiO 2 ‐5 and C T /TiO 2 ‐10 composites required 300 min for full photocatalytic degradation, with prior adsorption capacities of 93% and 71%, respectively. The experimental kinetic data for the photocatalytic process follow the pseudo‐first order kinetic model, and the adsorption kinetics data were best fitted by the pseudo‐second‐order model, suggesting hydrogen interactions and π–π interactions. The composites demonstrated remarkable reusability, maintaining full photocatalytic efficiency and 90% adsorption after UV regeneration across multiple cycles, outperforming pure precursors. The conversion of textile waste into high‐performance materials contributes not only to the mitigation of environmental impacts but also to the development of economically viable and sustainable technologies for industrial effluent decontamination. Thus, this study supports the principles of the circular economy by transforming environmental liabilities into technological solutions, promoting efficient resource use, the reduction of water pollution, and the environmental impacts associated with the textile industry, while positively contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.