Floating photocatalysts of fly-ash cenospheres supported AgCl/TiO2 films with enhanced Rhodamine B photodecomposition activity

Floating fly-ash cenospheres supported AgCl/TiO2 films photocatalysts were prepared by a simple sol–gel method. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermo gravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimeter (TG-DSC), and UV–vis diffuse reflection spectrum (UV–vis DRS). The results show that the fly-ash cenospheres are coated with about 2 μm thickness of AgCl/TiO2 nano-composite films. The fly-ash cenospheres loaded the films of AgCl/TiO2 photocatalysts exhibit high visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of Rhodamine B waste water. When the photocatalyst contained the dosage of 0.21 g AgCl, the photo-degradation rate could reach 94.96% in 180 min under visible light irradiation, and removal rate of TOC could reach 20.34% in the same condition.