Aluminum sheet-based S-doped TiO2 for photocatalytic decomposition of toxic organic vapors

S-doped TiO2 (S-TiO2) films were immobilized on flexible low-cost aluminum sheets (S-TiO2-AS) using a sol-gel dipping process and low post-processing temperatures. The photocatalytic degradation of toxic organic vapors using the prepared films was evaluated using a continuous-flow glass tube under visible light exposure. The surface properties of the S-TiO2-AS and TiO2-AS films were examined by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The photolysis of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene (BTEX) did not occur on the bare AS. In contrast, the photocatalytic degradation efficiencies of the target pollutants using S-TiO2-AS were higher than those obtained using reference TiO2-AS photocatalyst. In particular, the average photocatalytic degradation efficiencies of BTEX using S-TiO2-0.8-AS (S/Ti ratio = 0.8) over a 3-h process were 34%, 78%, 91%, and 94%, respectively, whereas those of TiO2-AS were 2%, 11%, 21%, and 36%, respectively. The photocatalytic decomposition efficiencies of BTEX under visible irradiation using S-TiO2-AS increased with increasing S/Ti ratios from 0.2 to 0.8, but decreased when the ratio further increased to 1.6. Thus, S-TiO2-AS can be prepared using optimal S/Ti ratios. The degradation of BTEX over S-TiO2-AS depended on the air flow rates and initial concentrations of the target chemical. Overall, under optimal conditions, S-TiO2-AS can be effectively applied for the purification of toxic organic vapors.

Graphical AbstractThe photocatalytic decomposition efficiencies of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and o-xylene (BTEX) over S-TiO2-aluminum sheets at different S/Ti ratios were higher than those achieved over reference TiO2-AS under visible light.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide