Photocatalytic degradation of 2-chlorophenol over TiO2 powder

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) powder was prepared by hydrothermal route. Titanium isopropoxide, ammonium hydroxide and nitric acid were used as the starting materials. The final pH value of mixed solution was 1 and treated at 80 and 100 °C for 2-6h. The phase transition of TiO2 powder was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Multi-phase of anatase and rutile of TiO2 powder were obtained at 80 and 100 °C for 2-6h without calcination steps. The morphology of TiO2 powder was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The particle was highly agglomerated and irregular in shape with the range of particle size of 0.1-0.3 μm. The chemical composition of TiO2 powder was examined by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The element chemical compositions show the characteristic X-ray energy level as follows: titanium Kα = 4.51 keV and Kβ = 4.93 keV and oxygen Kα = 0.52 keV, respectively. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) over TiO2 powder was determined by gas chromatography (GC). It was found that TiO2 powder prepared by hydrothermal route at 80 °C for 2h was the best efficiency for photocatalytic degradation of 2-CP. © (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.