Photocatalytic properties of TiO2 bonded active carbon composites prepared by SOL-GEL
(1. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jishou University,
Jishou 416000, China;
2. State Key Laboratory of New Ceramic Fibers and Composites,
School of Aerospace and Materials Engineering,
National University of Defence Technology, Changsha 410073, China;
3. Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine,
Academy of Military Medical Science, Tianjin 300050, China)
Jishou 416000, China;
2. State Key Laboratory of New Ceramic Fibers and Composites,
School of Aerospace and Materials Engineering,
National University of Defence Technology, Changsha 410073, China;
3. Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine,
Academy of Military Medical Science, Tianjin 300050, China)
Abstract: Photocatalyst of TiO2 bonded active carbon (TiO2/AC), was prepared via sol-gel method from a mixture of TiO2 sol with active carbon. Post heat treatment was performed at 250℃ for 2h in air and then kept at 400℃ to 600℃ under a flow of nitrogen for 2h. The TiO2/AC composites obtained were characterized by SEM, XRD, UV-vis and BET. The photocatalytic activities of the TiO2/AC composites were studied in comparison with TiO2, AC, P-25 and a mixture of TiO2 and AC, respectively. The Ramnant rate of Rhodamine B absorbed by the active carbon is found to be almost 70% and the remnant rates of the Rhodamine B decolorized by TiO2 and the mixture of TiO2 and the active carbon are 30% and 25%, respectively. However, nearly complete removal of Rhodamine B is observed for a TiO2/AC composite after 200min under UV irradiation, which will take the P-25 commercial product 5h. Therefore, the TiO2/AC composite is much more effective in decolorization of aqueous Rhodamine B. In addition, the composite can be easily separated from solutions.
Key words: TiO2-bonded composite; sol-gel; photoactivity; active carbon