Abstract
The photocatalytic and physicochemical properties of titanium (IV) oxide modified by yttrium and niobium oxides were studied. It is shown that modification is a powerful way to increase the efficiency of catalysts' photocatalytic properties and improve the photocatalytic process as a whole. Commercial and laboratory-synthesized titanium (IV) oxides were used as catalysts for modification. Modification of titanium (IV) oxide powders in an amount of 1 wt. % by appropriate modifiers was performed by the hydrothermal method, after which they were characterized by diffraction and X-ray fluorescence methods. The structural characteristics of modified and non-modified titanium (IV) oxide samples by the method of low-temperature nitrogen adsorption-desorption have been studied. A slight increase in the specific surface area was found: from 61 m2/g to 70 m2/g for the commercial sample and from 172 m2/g to 180 m2/g for the synthesized one in this work. Similar dependencies are observed when studying the optical properties by the spectrophotometric method. Determination of surface properties (surface acidity) of modified and non-modified photocatalysts based on TiO2 showed different effects of modifiers on TiO2 acidity: in the modification by yttrium oxide, the acidity decreases, and in the case of niobium oxide – increases. Studies of photocatalytic and sorption activities with respect to dyes of different nature are not the same – the photocatalytic activity after modification increases, the sorption capacity with the cationic dye decreases, anionic – increases. Additional studies on dye destruction are in full accordance with photocatalytic and sorption experiments.
Highlights
The high level of negative impact on the aquatic environment, which is widely contaminated with organic pollutants, causes considerable interest in finding new methods and materials for their removal
Heterogeneous photocatalysis [12] is the most promising and rational for extracting organic pollutants at low concentrations, i.e., advanced treatment. This is due to the high efficiency of the photocatalytic process and the ability to oxidize organic matter to CO2 and H2O. This fact is confirmed in the study of discoloration of colored waters, where the methylene blue extraction degree is more than 90 % at a pollutant concentration of 10 mg/l [13]
The results of research [23] on the effect of modifiers on the photoactivity of catalysts, TiO2, indicate a significant interest of scientists in rare-earth elements (REE). This is associated with experimental results after modification of titanium (IV) oxide by REE
Summary
The high level of negative impact on the aquatic environment, which is widely contaminated with organic pollutants, causes considerable interest in finding new methods and materials for their removal. Promising materials include the titanium (IV) oxide (TiO2) photocatalyst, which has already shown good efficiency in the destruction of toxic organic compounds in water treatment processes [1]. It is very promising to modify titanium (IV) oxide by transition metals ions [5]. The latter has received more attention due to less research and the fact that titanium (IV) oxide modified by rare-earth metals has a high efficiency [7]. The study of the effect of modifiers from among rare and rare-earth elements on the photocatalytic activity of semiconductor materials is highly relevant, the results of which will increase the efficiency of photocatalytic extraction of organic pollutants from water bodies of different origins
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
