Nano Sized C-doped TiO2 As A Visible-light Photocatalyst For The Degradation Of 2,4,6- Trichlorophenol

Abstract

Nanosized bare and carbon (C)-doped TiO2 were prepared using reverse micro-emulsion method. Synthesized powders were characterized with the help of X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDX) and UV-visible spectrophotometer. EDX study reveals that as calcination temperature increases amount of C on TiO2 decreases. SEM and TEM images show that TiO2 particles are spherical in shape and after increasing the calcination temperature size of particle increases. Particle size of TiO2 obtained from TEM data varies between 10 to 17nm. Visible light photocatalytic degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) aqueous solution was carried out using nanosized bare as well as C-doped TiO2. UV-visible spectrophotometer and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques were used to analyze the concentration of TCP during the degradation process. In presence of visible light C-doped TiO2 obtained after calcination of precursor at 300°C shows better photocatalytic activity. Parameters affecting the photocatalytic process such as calcination temperature, amount of catalyst and TCP concentration are investigated. TCP photocatalytic degradation process was optimized. It is observed that to get better photocatalytic activity optimum amount of photocatalyst and concentration of TCP solution required are 1.0 gL -1 and 20 mg L -1 respectively. Reusability study indicates that C doped TiO2 prepared in the present work is highly stable and reusable photo catalyst.