Graphite-based N-TiO2 composites photocatalyst for removal of HCHO in water

Abstract

Graphite as support for catalysts has attracted a lot of attention because of its unique structure and physicochemical properties. Using graphite as substrates, the N-TiO2/graphite photocatalyst (N-TiO2/GC) was synthesized via a simple synthesis method that involved dip coating of substrates into an organic/inorganic sol composed of ethanol, acetic acid, tetrabutyl titanate, and faecula, followed by calcination of the coating at 400°C. The crystal phase of N-TiO2/GC was characterized using methods such as X-ray diffraction, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope technology. The photodegradation performance of the optimized catalyst was investigated using degradation of an aqueous solution of formaldehyde at different preparation conditions under visible light irradiation. The N-TiO2/GC composites exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity, which was influenced by post-calcination temperature and the pH of the reactive system. The experimental result showed that degradation rate of the formaldehyde was 92.45% under the condition of pH 3.5 for 4 h and the natural light intensity in summer.