Improvement in photocatalytic activity of morphologically controlled Pd-supporting TiO2 particles via sol–gel process using inkjet nozzle

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to prepare palladium-supporting porous titania particles via a sol–gel process using an inkjet nozzle and to improve the photocatalytic activity of the particles. The morphology of titania particles produced by the sol–gel process using an inkjet nozzle was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen physisorption measurements. The photocatalytic activity of the obtained titania particles was evaluated using the changes in the concentration of a methylene blue solution under UVC light irradiation and the effect of palladium supported on the inner and outer surfaces of the titania particles on the photocatalytic activity was investigated.The titania particles prepared by inkjet processing exhibited spherical porous structures. The particle and pore size distributions of the obtained titania particles were more uniform than those of the titania particles prepared using the non-inkjet nozzle. The titania particles supporting palladium on the inner and outer surfaces exhibited a faster rate of photocatalytic degradation than the titania particles supporting palladium on only the outer surface, with anatase titania particles exhibiting the highest rate of photocatalytic degradation. Thus, we have successfully improved the photocatalytic activity of titania particles by supporting palladium on the inner and outer titania surfaces. This sol–gel process using an inkjet nozzle is an effective method for the preparation of porous titania particles supporting palladium on their inner and outer surfaces.