The Effect of Support on the Surface Properties and Photocatalytic Activity of Supported TiO₂ Catalysts

Abstract

In the present work two series of TiO2/SiO2 and TiO2/Al2O3 photocatalysts were investigated. The content of the active component was varied. Photocatalysts were prepared using the heterogeneous deposition method. It was revealed that the prepared photomaterials demonstrate high photocatalytic activity in decomposition of organic compounds in water solutions, and application of SiO2 aerogel as a support ensured the incorporation of TiO2 into the structure of the support via formation of Ti-O-Si bonds. The prepared materials, in which the active component is under the influence of electron-acceptor media, demonstrated enhanced selectivity of the surface towards the ability to generate electronic vacancies (about 90%). According to the experimental data, TiO2/SiO2 photocatalysts proved to be more active in comparison with TiO2/Al2O3 materials.