Clinoptilolite supported rutile TiO2 composites: Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity on the degradation of terephthalic acid

Abstract

Clinoptilolite supported rutile TiO 2 composites were synthesized for the enhancement of its photocatalytic performance in the degradation of the aqueous terephthalic acid solution under UVC illumination by the increase in its surface area and to simplify its recovery from the treated solution after use. The XRD spectra of the composites revealed the formation of pure rutile TiO 2 on the surface of the clinoptilolite. The SEM images showed the formation of the spherical TiO 2 clusters were composed of nano fibers on the surface of the clinoptilolite. For all composites synthesized, the dispersion of the TiO 2 particles on the clinoptilolite led to a surface area larger than that of the bare TiO 2 and clinoptilolite. The materials synthesized in the present study exhibited higher catalytic activity compared with the commercial Degussa P25 and anatase. Among the catalysts synthesized the TiO 2 /clinoptilolite with a weight ratio of 0.5 was found to be the most photoactive catalyst even though it contains a lesser amount of active TiO 2 . The kinetic of the reactions for different catalyst was found to be consistent with the pseudofirst order kinetic model. The results of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model showed the slight contribution of the adsorption on the degradation. The activity of the TiO 2 /clinoptilolite with a weight ratio of 0.5 decreased after repetitive use due to the accumulation of the TPA molecules on the surface of the catalyst.

SnO2-Containing Clinoptilolite as a Composite Photocatalyst for Dyes Removal from Wastewater under Solar Light

“…These observations confirm the partial loading of SnO 2 into the zeolite pore system. Such shifts have been observed in combination with other nanoparticles supported on clinoptilolites, such as TiO 2 , ZnO, SnO 2 -ZnO, SnO 2 -NiO, and CuO [14,17,30,38].…”

Photocatalytic degradation of alachlor by TiO2 nanoparticles from aqueous solutions under UV radiation

“…Photodegradation with TiO 2 as a photocatalyst has recently attracted much attention as a promising method of water purification, because TiO 2 is relatively inexpensive, photochemically stable and non-toxic and can be easily recycled on an industrial scale [18][19][20]. The anatase phase of TiO 2 has been accepted as the most photoactive TiO 2 .…”

“…Studies have generally focused on the calcination temperature for the formation of the anatase phase on a support [21]. Nevertheless, increasing attention has been paid to rutile TiO 2 synthesis in the recent years due to superior properties, including thermodynamic stability and possession of chemical inertness even in acidic and basic conditions [18,20]. In general, the adsorption ability of rutile TiO 2 hardly depends on temperature (the adsorption ability of rutile TiO 2 becomes low at high temperatures).…”

Enhanced Activity of TiO2/Natural Zeolite Composite for Degradation of Methyl Orange under Visible Light Irradiation

“…The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 for organic pollutant decomposition is mainly influenced by the crystallinity, particle size, crystal phase, and surface area of the TiO2. A study conducted by Yener et al (2017) revealed that the anatase form of TiO2, which has a small particle size and high crystallinity, is needed to obtain high photocatalytic activity. However, the presence of a certain amount of TiO2 in the rutile phase can increase photocatalytic activity.…”

“…Using this method, anatase, rutile, and brookite TiO2 nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized (Zhang et al, 2014). Zhang et al (2018) successfully made rutile and anatase TiO2 nanoparticles, whereas Yener et al (2017) successfully produced TiO2 nanoparticles in the mordenite structure.…”