Abstract
Carbon–phosphorus–titanium composites (CPT) were synthesized by Ti-impregnation and carbonization of cellulose. Microcrystalline cellulose used as carbon precursor was initially dissolved by phosphoric acid (H3PO4) to favor the Ti-dispersion and the simultaneous functionalization of the cellulose chains with phosphorus-containing groups, namely phosphates and polyphosphates. These groups interacted with the Ti-precursor during impregnation and determined the interface transformations during carbonization as a function of the Ti-content and carbonization temperature. Amorphous composites with high surface area and mesoporosity were obtained at low Ti-content (Ti:cellulose ratio = 1) and carbonization temperature (500 °C), while in composites with Ti:cellulose ratio = 12 and 800 °C, Ti-particles reacted with the cellulose groups leading to different Ti-crystalline polyphosphates and a marked loss of the porosity. The efficiency of composites in the removal of the Orange G dye in solution by adsorption and photocatalysis was discussed based on their physicochemical properties. These materials were more active than the benchmark TiO2 material (Degussa P25), showing a clear synergism between phases.
Highlights
Environmental catalysis tries to overcome the increasing pollution generated by a progressively more industrialized society through the search and development of novel materials and treatment technologies
The closed structure of Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) required a previous solubilization with H3 PO4 before
This acid treatment improved the dispersion of the Ti-active phase on the cellulose support and, functionalized it simultaneously with different phosphorus-containing groups leading to carbon–phosphorus–Ti composites
Summary
Environmental catalysis tries to overcome the increasing pollution generated by a progressively more industrialized society through the search and development of novel materials and treatment technologies. Exponential growing population, intensive agricultural practices, among others, are the major factors affecting the availability of freshwater resources worldwide [1]. Desalination and reuse of water intend to mitigate water scarcity. Porous and catalytically active materials are continuously developed to be applied in different treatment processes for the removal of organic pollutants in water by adsorption and/or advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Heterogeneous photocatalysis has demonstrated to be an excellence treatment technology to remove water pollutants by the action of highly reactive oxygen species (e.g., hydroxyl radicals) generated from a semiconductor.
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