Performance of TiO2/Graphene (cocoPAS) Composite as Photocatalyst for Removal of Phenols in Aqueous Solution

Abstract

As one of the hazardous industrial wastes, an excessive amount of phenol in the environment can cause damage to the biological ecosystem and nutrient cycle. Phenol removal can be done by photocatalysis process using photocatalyst materials such as titanium dioxide (TiO2). The photocatalysis activity of TiO2 can be improved by making TiO2-graphene (cocoPAS) composite. The obtained TiO2-graphene (cocoPAS) composite was characterized by Scanning Electron Miscroscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR), and Breneur Emmet Teller (BET). The performance of the TiO2-graphene (cocoPAS) composite in phenol degradation was tested in a photocatalysis process with variation are the concentration of phenol (10, 20, and 30 ppm, respectively) and photocatalysis temperature (30, 40, and 50 °C, respectively). TiO2 particle loaded on the graphene sheet and Ti-O-C bond was formed at 719 cm−1. The size of anatase and rutile crystals are 26.39 nm and 27.39 nm with the fraction of anatase and rutile are 57% and 43%. The surface area of the TiO2-graphene (cocoPAS) composite is 40.9 m2/g. The highest efficiency of phenol degradation was achieved when the concentration of phenol is 10 ppm and photocatalysis temperature is 50°C which efficiency of phenol degradation is 96.9%. The higher concentration of phenol will decrease the efficiency of degradation but the degradation efficiency of phenol increases with an increase in photocatalysis temperature.