Photocatalytic activity of hydroxyapatite-precipitated potassium titanate whiskers

Photocatalytic properties of hydroxyapatite (HAP)-precipitated multifunctional potassium titanate (KT) whiskers were investigated in terms of the decomposition of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution under UV irradiation. Hydroxyapatite was formed on the surface of KT whiskers through a biomimetic process in simulated body fluid (SBF). The SBF used in this investigation had concentrations of calcium and phosphate ions 10 times greater than those of human plasma. Results revealed that hydroxyapatite precipitation enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the KT whiskers. In the case of unreacted KT whisker, complete degradation of methylene blue took 5.5 h, on the other hand degradation time decreased to 3.5 h when the whisker was precipitated with hydroxyapatite.