<![CDATA[Peat water is a potential raw water source in Central Kalimantan; however, its utilization is limited due to its high acidity (pH 3–5) and high organic matter content, which causes a brownish-red color. This study aimed to synthesize and characterize TiO₂–ZnO nanocomposites using the co-precipitation method and evaluate their effectiveness as photocatalysts for the purification of peat water from Sei Gohong Village, Palangka Raya. The nanocomposites were synthesized through the co-precipitation method using low-temperature processing (<100°C). Material characterization was carried out using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy–Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM–EDX), and UV–Visible spectroscopy. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of TiO₂ and ZnO crystalline phases, with the main diffraction peak positions at 2θ of 54.67° (A1), 49.02° (A2), 55.70° (A3), 54.06° (A4), and 54.97° (A5). SEM–EDX characterization of sample A2 showed an average particle size of 180.51 ± 2.03 nm. Photocatalytic performance testing demonstrated that the A2 nanocomposite (75% TiO₂:25% ZnO) exhibited the highest peat water purification efficiency, achieving an absorbance reduction of 67.35% after 5 hours of UV irradiation and increasing the peat water pH from 4 to 7. These findings indicate that the synthesized TiO₂–ZnO nanocomposite has good potential as an effective photocatalyst for peat water purification.]]>
Copyrights © 2026
