TiO2-coated alveolar clay foam as a photocatalyst for water detoxification

Abstract

3D-clay foam support having alveolar open-cell structure of polyurethane sponge was produced by shape memory synthesis to enhance exposed surface area of TiO2 photocatalyst film for both light harvesting and liquid contact. The TiO2-coated alveolar clay foam photocatalysts were characterized in terms of compressive strength, mineral phase, light transmission ability and TiO2 film properties. The photocatalytic performances were evaluated as material and removal efficiencies of CHP solution under UV-A irradiation and TOC analysis. The material efficiency results of the photocatalysts coated with TiO2 films, synthesized by sol–gel method at various pHs, pointed out that the TiO2 film of pH 2 gave the highest CHP removal. It was also selected to repetitively operate in a recycle mode, and 94–96% of fresh CHP removal was retained in all the four runs.