Synthesis of nanosize MCM-41 loaded with TiO2 and study of its photocatalytic activity

In recent years, nanosized mesoporous materials have received significant attention due to their impact in different processes. Several diverse applications of these materials, e.g. high density magnetic recording, magnetic fluids, magnetic refrigeration as well as in photocatalysis, solar cells, photosensors, have triggered considerable research activities in the area of nanotechnology. In this work, nanosize MCM-41 was synthesized and loaded then with TiO2 using tetra butoxy titanium (TBT). As prepared TiO2 loaded materials was investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The photocatalytic activity of the prepared TiO2 loaded MCM-41 was finally evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange under irradiation of UV light. The result showed that TiO2 loaded on nanosize MCM-41 has higher photocatalytic activity than that of TiO2.