Systematic evaluation of experimental variables in magnetic nanoparticle preparation and hybrid catalyst application in the heterogeneous catalytic ozonation process.

Praseodymium doped TiO2 nanoparticles were successfully prepared by the sol–gel method and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm, and UV–vis spectroscopy. The effects of the dopant on the crystallite size, specific surface area, average pore diameter, pore volume, and bandgap energy were investigated. The photocatalytic activity of the catalysts was evaluated by bisphenol A degradation and mineralization, which is a representative endocrine disruptor. Furthermore, under visible light irradiation the Pr-modified TiO2 photocatalysts exhibited higher photocatalytic efficiency than unmodified TiO2. When praseodymium was loaded (1.0–5.0%) onto the surface of TiO2, the rates of degradation and mineralization were increased 3–5 times.

Ciccotti, L.; Preparation of magnetic catalysts for application in heterogeneous photocatalysis and heterogeneous catalytic ozonation of emerging pollutants. 2014. 201p. PhD Thesis-Graduate Program in Chemistry.