Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity of TiO₂–SiO₂nanocomposites

Abstract

Introduction of complex chemical compounds in the wastewater treatment plants challenged the biological process efficiency. Photocatalyst oxidation was newly introduced to remove the trace organic contaminations. Since their surface area determined the production of hydroxyl radicals, the pure TiO 2 surface area was increased by the preparation of TiO 2 -SiO 2 nanocomposite using sol-gel technique. Later on, the X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy diffraction spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-vis reflective dispersion spectroscopy, and adsorption of nitrogen gas were deployed for its characterization. Anatase phase was detected as the dominant form of nanocomposites made in this study. Furthermore, rise of calcination temperature, increased the nanoparticle pore size. Therefore, 600˚C was selected to gain the optimum nanoparticle pore size (around 10 nm). Finally, the photocatalytic activities of the synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated for removing Acid Blue 9 (AB9) dye. The photocatalytic performance of the most optimized ratio TiO 2 -SiO 2 nanocomposites was three times higher than that of pure TiO 2 and even commercial nanoparticle.

Study of Elemental Depth Distribution in the Multilayer Material \(\text{TiO}_2\)/\(\text{SiO}_2\)/Si by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS)

“…So that photocatalytic effects are restricted only for the ultraviolet region of the light spectrum. In recent years, numerous studies have shown that TiO 2 supported on SiO 2 exhibits an enhanced photocatalytic activity that makes TiO 2 /SiO 2 particularly attractive for catalytic application [12][13][14]. In this work, the modification at interfaces of TiO 2 /SiO 2 /Si structures after implantation as a function of energy and atomic mass of the implanted ions using RBS method will be presented.…”

Photocatalysis of nanocomposite titania–natural silica as antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

“…28 Among the various types of supporting metal oxides, SiO 2 has various advantages because it minimizes recombination, increases adsorption capacity, and prevents agglomeration. 29 Erdural et al (2014) added synthesized SiO 2 to TiO 2 photocatalyst with various concentrations, leading to inactivation ranging from 14.2 to 99.9% for E. coli bacteria. 30 SiO 2 is obtained through synthesis or extraction from natural materials, both biological and non-biological.…”

The effect of pH on the photocatalytic degradation of cationic and anionic dyes using polyazomethine/ZnO and polyazomethine/TiO2 nanocomposites

“…Jamal et al (2014) summarized the major threatening in producing a good PNCs mainly falls on choosing a relevant nanostructured semiconductor particle and its compatible nature with the polymer matrix. Ijadpanah-Saravi et al (2014) recommended the development of appropriate handling system to diffuse and disseminate the nanostructured semiconductor material inside the polymer matrix has become a main concern. The following cationic dyes like methylene blue (MB), bismarck brown (BB) & malachite green (MG) and anionic dyes like methyl orange (MO) and alizarin red S (ARS) are selected for the present research study using polyazomethine/ZnO (PNZ) and polyazomethine/TiO2 nanocomposites (PNT).…”