Photocatalytic behaviour of nanocarbon-TiO2 composites and immobilization into hollow fibres

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Luisa M Pastrana Martinez (Author) Other; Sergio Morales Torres (Author) FEUP; Sergios K Papageorgiou (Author) Other; Fotis K Katsaros (Author) Other; George E Romanos (Author) Other; Jose L Figueiredo (Author) FEUP; Joaquim L Faria (Author) FEUP; Polycarpos Falaras (Author) Other; Adrian M T Silva (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

Vol. 142

Pages: 101-111

ISSN: 0926-3373

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 48 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 59 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Chemical engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-006-72Z

DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2013.04.074

Abstract (EN): Nanocarbon-TiO2 composites were prepared by the liquid phase deposition method using TiO2 and three different nanocarbon materials: carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and graphene oxide. The photocatalytic efficiency of these composites was studied for the degradation of diphenhydramine pharmaceutical and methyl orange azo-dye compounds. The results suggest different synergistic effects between the carbon phase and the TiO2 particles depending on the nature and content of the nanocarbon material employed. Among all the materials tested, the titania composite containing 4 wt.% of graphene oxide exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity under both near-UV/Vis and visible light irradiation, outperforming the synthesized bare TiO2 and the benchmark Evonik P25 TiO2 photocatalyst. The high efficiency of the composite containing graphene oxide was attributed to the optimal assembly between the TiO2 nanoparticles and graphene oxide sheets, making the material to act simultaneously as electron acceptor and donor, thus suppressing charge recombination. Aiming at technological applications, this photocatalyst was immobilized into hollow fibres, showing significant catalytic activity and stability in continuous operation.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

Notes: DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2013.04.074

No. of pages: 11