Methylene Blue decomposition under visible light irradiation in the presence of carbon-modified TiO2 photocatalysts

Carbon modified TiO2 was used for Methylene Blue (MB) dye decomposition under artificial solar light irradiation. TiO2/C photocatalysts were prepared by modification of commercial anatase TiO2 (Z.Ch. POLICE Company, Poland) in different alcohols atmosphere at 120 °C for 4 h under elevated pressure. Termogravimetric analyses shown that the amount of carbon present in TiO2 depends on amount of carbon in used alcohols. Modification does not change the specific surface area of photocatalysts. Used low temperature and elevated pressure conducted to change the amorphous phase presented in pristine material to anatase structure and also conducted to increasing of crystalline size of anatase. The optimal amounted of carbon needed to increasing the activity of photocatalyst under visible light irradiation amounted 0.02% of mass.

► Methylene Blue dye was decomposed by carbon modified TiO2.
► The different alcohols were used as a source of carbon.
► Decomposition was conducted under visible light irradiation.
► The highest activity had photocatalyst with 0.02% mass of carbon.