Dependence of Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2-SiO2 Nanopowders

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Department of Engineering, Tonekabon branch, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, Iran.

10.7508/jns.2014.04.005

Abstract

Structural properties and chemical composition change the photocatalytic activity in TiO2-SiO2 nanopowder composite. The SiO2-TiO2 nanostructure is synthesized based on sol–gel method. The nanoparticles are characterized by x-ray fluorescents (XRF), x- ray diffraction (XRD), tunneling electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), UV-vis. Spectrophotometer and furrier transmission create infrared absorption (FTIR) techniques. The rate constant k for the degradation of methylen blue in its aqueous solution under UV irradiation is determined as a measure of photocatalytic activity. Dependence between photocatalytic activity and SiO2 content in the composite is determined. Rate constant k is found dependent on the content of SiO2 in the composite that calcined at 900 oC. The addition of low composition SiO2 to the TiO2 matrix (lower than 45%) enhances the photocatalytic activity due to thermal stability and increasing in the surface area. The effects of chemical compositions on the surface topography and the crystallization of phases are studied.

Keywords


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