Mechanosynthesis preparation of controlled-composite particles for sorption and photo-oxidation applications

Abstract

Activated carbon/TiO2 composites are a solution to manage solar discontinuities, especially for continuous wastewater treatment applications. Mechanical milling has recently shown its potential to develop AC/TiO2 composite powders. This work aims to highlight the possibility of controlling and modulating the spatial distribution of the adsorbent and photocatalyst within the composite structure. Here, our objective is to develop composites with core–shell structure where AC core is covered with photocatalyst. Spatial distribution of the component was controlled by modulating the elaboration procedures through mechanical grinding. They lead to the composite structure whose sorption and photocatalytic properties are preserved and identical to those of the constituents alone. Thus, these core–shell composites offer a double functionality: (i) accessibility to adsorption sites of the adsorbent material and (ii) a maximum light harvesting by the photocatalyst.