RGO doped S0.05N0.1/TiO2 accelerated visible light driven photocatalytic degradation of dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide

Abstract

In this study, modification of TiO2 was carried out by doping of non-metal elements (S and N) and various contents of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for photocatalytic degradation of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS). Among the tested photocatalyst, 0.1wt%rGO/S0.05N0.1TiO2 had the best photocatalytic degradation efficiencies for both DMS and DMDS. Reduction of band gap and increment in surface area might be related to the improvement in photocatalytic activity. Examination was followed by the study of various parameters influence, reaction kinetics, and proposed reaction mechanism using 0.1wt%rGO/S0.05N0.1TiO2. Dry and 1% relative humidity in gases promoted photocatalytic activity yet higher water vapor contents led to adsorption competition and reduced DMS and DMDS conversion. Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics model 4 presented the best suited result for photocatalytic degradation of DMS and DMDS using 0.1wt%rGO/S0.05N0.1TiO2. Furthermore, proposed reaction mechanism for each type of pollutant was assembled from byproducts analysis during the reaction.