Photocatalytic degradation of phenolic compounds with new TiO2 catalysts

New TiO2 catalysts have been synthesised by means of a sol–gel method in which aggregates have been selected before thermal treatment. Sieving and calcination temperature have been proved to be key factors in obtaining catalysts with greater photoactivity than that of Degussa P-25. These new catalysts have been characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), BET surface area, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), UV–vis spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The different parameters studied were compared to those obtained from two commercial catalysts (Degussa P-25 and Hombikat-UV100).The photocatalytic efficiency of the new catalysts was evaluated by the degradation of various phenolic compounds using UV light (maximum around 365 nm, 9 mW). The catalyst sieved and calcinated at 1023 K, ECT-1023t, showed phenol degradation rates 2.7 times higher than those of Degussa P-25. Also in the degradation of different phenolic compounds, this catalyst showed a higher activity than that of the commercial one. The high photoactivity of this new catalyst has been attributed to the different distribution of surface defects (determined from FTIR studies) and its increased capacity to yield H2O2.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ New photocatalysts were obtained by removing larger aggregates before calcination. ▶ The catalyst ECT-1023t is 2.7 times faster than P-25 at phenol degradation. ▶ FTIR studies have revealed that sieving reduces the number of surface defects. ▶ The catalyst ECT-1023t yields more H2O2 than P-25 during the photocatalytic process.