Understanding the photophysical and surface properties of TiO2-Al2O3 nanocomposites

TiO2-Al2O3 nanocomposites (2-50 wt% Al2O3) were synthesized by the sol-gel process, simultaneously gelling aluminum and titanium alkoxide. Focusing on surface phenomena and thermal stability of synthesized nanocomposites, this research describes the way by which alumina binds to the TiO2 anatase phase and how the new framework modifies the photophysical and surface properties to achieve complete 2,4 Dichlorophenoxiacetic acid (2,4-D) degradation with t1/2=38.3 min−1. The nanocomposite with 5 wt% of Al2O3 shows optimum textural, adsorption abilities, and photocatalytic properties.