A TiO 2/AC composite photocatalyst with high activity and easy separation prepared by a hydrothermal method

Abstract

In the present work, a TiO 2/activated carbon (AC) photocatalyst with high activity and easy separation was prepared using a hydrothermal method. Phenol, methyl orange (MO) and Cr(VI) were used as target pollutants to test the activity and decantability. SEM, XRD, FTIR, diffuse reflectance spectra (UV/DRS) and N 2 adsorption isotherms were used to characterize the crystalline and electronic structure. Results show that the AC composite has a significant effect on the TiO 2 activity. With suitable AC content, the TiO 2/ xAC catalysts prepared were much more active. The TiO 2/5AC catalyst exhibited easy separation and less deactivation after several runs, and was less sensitive to pH changes. UV/DRS revealed that no electronic bandgap changes in TiO 2 occurred on addition of the AC. SEM and XRD results suggest that better TiO 2 distribution can be achieved when an optimal AC content is used. A Ti–O–C bond was formed and a slight conjugation effect appeared between the AC bulk and TiO 2. The advantages of the obtained TiO 2/5AC catalyst revealed its great practical potential in wastewater treatment.