Optimization of Preparation Conditions of F-N-TiO2/AC Composite Photocatalyst for Degradation of Printing and Dyeing Wastewater

Abstract

Abstract A novel composite photocatalyst loading titanium dioxide particles onto activated carbon and co-doping with fluorine and nitrogen (F-N-TiO2/AC) was synthesized using the impregnation-hydrothermal method for the degradation of printing and dyeing wastewater. The optimal preparation conditions of the composite photocatalyst were determined using orthogonal experiments. Through range analysis and variance analysis, the optimal preparation conditions were as follows: a molar ratio of anhydrous ethanol, glacial acetic acid, and tetrabutyl titanate of 3:175:100, and hydrothermal temperature of 150°C and hydrothermal time of 12 h. The catalyst prepared under these conditions showed high catalytic activity, with 100 % degradation of methyl orange when irradiated with a xenon lamp light source for 60 min, and the preparation conditions were feasible. The F-N-TiO2/AC composite photocatalysts were characterized using x-ray diffraction and nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements. On the basis of this analysis, it was found that the doping of fluorine and nitrogen did not change the anatase structure of titanium dioxide but affected the grain growth and changed the structural properties of the F-N-TiO2/AC photocatalyst. Good reusability properties were also found.