Preparation of TiO<sub>2</sub>-Pillared Montmorillonite as Photocatalyst and Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange

Abstract

In order to obtain TiO2-pillared materials, montmorillonite (MMT) from Xinghe Co. of Neimeng as matrix, was used. The tetrabutyl titanate was used as precursor for the preparation of the TiO2-pillared montmorillonite, which was applied to introduce TiO2 into its interlayer space (15 mmol Ti/g clay). The as-prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The XRD patterns and the SEM photograph illustrated that the layers of MMT were delaminated and all samples were of the anatase phase. The TiO2-pillared montmorillonite was shown high photoactivity for the photodegradation of methyl orange dyestuff in aqueous solution under UV irradiation. The results showed that TiO2-pillared montmorillonite containing the anatase phase of TiO2 by calcination at 773 K and it was with the highest photocatalytic activity. Comparative photodegradation experiments were also conducted under different conditions. The experimental results demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing TiO2-pillared clays as a catalyst for removing methyl orange from water.