Construction of NiO/H2Ti3O7 nanotube composite and its photocatalytic conversion feature for ethyl mercaptan

Abstract

Ethyl mercaptan is a typical stinking organic sulfide, which is harmful to the human and ecological environment. Ethyl mercaptan in chemical raw materials is also toxic to catalysts. Therefore, it must be removed before use. In the present study, NiO/H2Ti3O7 nanotube (NiO/H2Ti3O7-NT) composite was used to adsorption and decomposition of ethyl mercaptan. The NiO/H2Ti3O7-NT composite was synthesized by a facile hydrothermal synthesis and one-step calcination method. The as-prepared NiO/H2Ti3O7-NT and its precursors were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron-microscopy (TEM), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), N2 adsorption–desorption measurement and UV–Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS). Adsorption and photocatalytic oxidization performance for ethyl mercaptan were evaluated under dynamic condition. The results show that the spectral response characteristics of the as-prepared composite are changed significantly, responsiveness ability of visible light is a marked improvement. There is an obvious interaction between host H2Ti3O7-NT and gust NiO particles. The photocatalytic reaction results show that the as-prepared composite has a photo-degradation activity for oxidation of ethyl mercaptan under simulated sunlight irradiation. A possible photocatalytic mechanism was discussed.