Enhanced photocatalytic activity of a mesoporous TiO2 aerogel decorated onto three-dimensional carbon foam

Abstract

TiO2/carbon composites have been well studied as solar-light photocatalysts because they combine the advantages of TiO2 (good photocatalytic activity) and carbon (enhanced charge carrier separation). Mesoporous TiO2 aerogels are fragile by nature and the addition of free-standing three-dimensional (3D) porous carbon foam (CF) not only makes it easy for separation and collection after photocatalytic treatment but also acts as a scaffold for the long-term application of TiO2 aerogels in the photocatalysis. Hence, recent reports have shown that mesoporous TiO2 aerogel/CF composites synthesized by the carbonization of a polymer followed by using the sol-gel method are significant for use in photocatalysis applications. In addition, the 3D macroporous CF not only acts as a support for TiO2 aerogels but also improves the efficiency of light use and extends the photoresponse of TiO2 to the visible region. The TiO2 aerogel was homogeneously distributed onto the 3D CF because of the vacuum infiltration used during the synthesis of the composites. The simulated solar-light irradiated photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B organic pollutant was used to evaluate the TiO2 aerogel/CF composite catalysts, which was higher than with a pristine TiO2 aerogel. This facile synthesis approach for 3D foam type TiO2/carbon composites could be useful in the treatment of wastewater.