Photocatalytic Degradation of Ethylbenzene by Nano Photocatalyst in Aerogel form Based on Titania

Abstract

In this study, a composite of Cu, N co-doped TiO2@SiO2 aerogel as a photocatalyst with enhanced optical absorption in the visible region as well as high specific surface area was synthesized by the sol-gel method and ambient pressure drying process for degradation of Ethylbenzene. The physicochemical properties of the photocatalyst were examined by X-Ray Powder Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope, Photoluminescence, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy, Brouner Emmet Teller Isotherm/Barrett Joyner Halenda analysis. The structure of samples consisted of titanium dioxide crystalline phases in the dominant phase of the rutile and the amorphous structure of silica. The appearance of the Ti-O-Si peak confirmed the formation of TiO2@SiO2 composite. Based on the results of the characterization analysis, the type and concentration of dopants can be effective on the crystalline structure, bandgap energy, particle size, specific surface area, and the recombination of charge carriers. The sample contains 3 at. % of copper and nitrogen was able to degrade Ethylbenzene more efficiently in comparison with mono-doped TiO2@SiO2 nanocomposite under visible-light irradiation. The synergistic effects of Cu and N co-dopants were responsible for strong visible light absorption and effective separation of electron/hole.