Enhanced photocatalytic decomposition of VOCs by visible-driven photocatalyst combined Cu-TiO2 and activated carbon fiber

Abstract

Abstract Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) threaten the environment and human health, as many of them are highly toxic and carcinogenic. For this reason, a larger of VOCs control techniques have developed. This study, Cu-TiO2 combine with activated carbon fiber (Cu-Ti/ACF) was prepared and used as visible light-driven photocatalyst material for removal of toxic VOCs (benzene and toluene) in aqueous solution. The Cu-Ti/ACF was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), specific surface area (BET), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–vis spectrophotometer. The adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of benzene and toluene was test under different condition including the solution pH (4.0–10), catalyst dose (0.01 to 0.5 g), reaction time (0–180 min) and initial concentration ranged of 10–200 mg/L. Under the visible light, the degradation efficiencies of benzene and toluene were up to 81.2 and 97.8%, respectively. Reusability of Cu-Ti/ACF was tested and the degradation efficiencies for benzene and toluene were not affected after three cycles. The introduction of CuO and TiO2 onto ACF effectively extended the spectral response of TiO2 to the visible light. On basis of these evidences, the mechanism degradation of benzene and toluene by Cu-Ti/ ACF was proposed. The paper suggests that the Cu-Ti/ACF has potential for degradation of benzene and toluene in aqueous solution.