Photocatalysis of SiO2-loaded TiO2

SiO2 was loaded to TiO2 by sol–gel method, and the resulting SiO2/TiO2 was calcined at different temperatures. The loading of SiO2 improved photocatalytic activity of TiO2. The optimum calcination temperature was 300 °C, and the optimum amount of loaded SiO2 was 1.5–4.8 wt.%. This modified photocatalyst was tested for the degradation of nitrobenzene (NB), benzyltrimethylammonium chloride (BTMA), phenol and propionic acid. The highest effect was observed for BTMA, and attributed to electrostatic interaction between BTMA and SiO2/TiO2. Whereas simple mechanical mixing of TiO2 and SiO2 was not effective.

Graphical abstractSiO2-loading enhanced the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 for the degradation of several substrates. The highest efficiency was observed for cationic compound, which was attributed to electrostatic interaction of negatively charged SiO2/TiO2 and cation. On the other hand simple mixing of SiO2 with TiO2 resulted in no effect. Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide