화학공학소재연구정보센터
Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol.162, No.1, 111-119, 2009
Photodecomposition of dyes on Fe-C-TiO2 photocatalysts under UV radiation supported by photo-Fenton process
Fe-C-TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by mechanical mixing of commercial anatase TiO2 precursor with FeC2O4 and heating at 500-800 degrees C under argon flow. These photocatalysts were tested for dyes decomposition: Methylene Blue (MB), Reactive Black (RB) and Acid Red (AR). The preliminary adsorption of dyes on the photocatalysts surface was performed. Modification of anatase by FeC2O4 caused reducing of zeta potential of the photocatalyst surface from +12 to -7 mV and decreasing of their adsorption ability towards RB and AR, which were negatively charged, -46.8 and -39.7, respectively. Therefore, unmodified TiO2 showed the highest degree of RB and AR decompositions in the combination of dyes adsorption and UV irradiation. Methylene Blue, which had zeta potential of +4.3 in the aqueous solution was poorly adsorbed on all the tested photocatalysts and also slowly decomposed under UV irradiation. The high rate of dyes decomposition was noted on Fe-C-TiO2 photocatalysts under UV irradiation with addition of H2O2, it was observed, that at lower temperatures of heat treatment such as 500 degrees C higher content of carbon is remained in the sample, blocking the built in of iron into the TiO2 lattice. This iron is reactive in the photo-Fenton process resulting in high production of OH radicals and also high activity of the photocatalyst. At higher temperatures of heat treatment, less active FeTiO3 phase is formed, therefore Fe-C-TiO2 sample prepared at 800 degrees C showed low photocatalytic activity for dyes decomposition. Fe-C-TiO2 photocatalysts are active undervisible light irradiation, however, the efficiency of a dye decomposition is lower than under UV light. In a dark Fenton process there is observed an insignificant generation of OH radicals and very little decomposition of a dye, what suggests the powerful of photo-Fenton process in the dyes decomposition. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.