Investigation of ZnTiO3/TiO2 composites and their application in photocatalysis

Abstract

In this work, we report that ZnTiO3/TiO2 composites, which were synthesized by hydrothermal method possessed photocatalytic and potential spraying properties. The obtained ZnTiO3/TiO2 composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction techniques (XRD). Photocatalytic activities of ZnTiO3/TiO2 composites were evaluated by using Rhodamine B (RhB) as a model pollutant under visible light irradiation. The experimental results showed that the as-prepared ZnTiO3 (2%)/TiO2 composite exhibited better photocatalytic activity than that of pure TiO2.

Response surface optimization and modeling of caffeine photocatalytic degradation using visible light responsive perovskite structured LaMnO3

“…Using the BET plot as shown in Figure 3b, the specific surface area of the LaMnO3 photocatalyst was computed with the BET equation to be 68.566 m 2 /g. The BET surface area of LaMnO3 photocatalyst reported in this study is significantly higher than the 25.0 m 2 /g value reported in the literature [21][22][23][24][25][26] The discrepancy might be attributed to the differences in solvents, and the calcination temperature used in the photocatalyst synthesis. The higher specific surface area is a good indicator of the activity of the photocatalyst.…”

“…The specific surface area of a photocatalyst plays an important role in its activity since it increases the contact area between the pollutant's particles and the photocatalyst. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the surface area the more active a photocatalyst will be as a result of an increase in surface for adsorption [21]. The BET isotherm and corresponding BET plot of LaMnO3 photocatalyst are shown in Figure 3.…”

“…Some of the methods that have been widely explored to improve the visible light responsiveness of wide-bandgap semiconductors photocatalyst include doping [19], dye sensitization [4,20], and surface property modification [13]. Despite the research efforts been exerted in trying to improve the visible responsiveness of wide-bandgap semiconductor photocatalyst [21]. It can be said that minimal success in largescale application of photocatalytic degradation is achieved.…”

“…In another study, perovskite structured LaMnO3 was utilized to effectively degrade rhodamine B dye [23]. Some of the reports indicate the usefulness of perovskite structured LaMnO3 and its modified forms in the photodegradation of various organic dyes [17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. Given the successes LaMnO3 recorded as a photocatalyst, it is interesting that little work is done on its utilization as an efficient photocatalyst for the degradation and mineralization of recalcitrant emerging pollutants.…”