TiO₂Supported in Ceramic Foams Used for Photocatalytic Applications

Abstract

The study evaluated the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 supported on ceramic foams. In order to obtain these foams it was used a polymeric spongeprocess through replica method. Alumina ceramic foams were obtained with interconnected and open cellular structures allowing access of light through the material pores. The photocatalyst used was the commercial TiO2 P25 Degussa impregnated into the ceramic foam by dip-coating method. These steps were used in the photodegradation of organic dye in an aqueous system. The photocatalytic tests showed 81 % efficiency in decolorizing the solution of Rhodamine B 20 mg L- 1 with a kinetic constant of 9.6 x 10-3 min- 1