Characteristics of supported nano-TiO2/ZSM-5/silica gel (SNTZS): photocatalytic degradation of phenol.
Photocatalytic degradation of phenol was investigated using the supported nano-TiO(2)/ZSM-5/silica gel (SNTZS) as a photocatalyst in a batch reactor. The prepared photocatalyst was characterized using XRD, TEM, FT-IR and BET surface area analysis. The synthesized photocatalyst composition was developed using nano-TiO(2) as the photoactive component and zeolite (ZSM-5) as the adsorbents, all supported on silica gel using colloidal silica gel binder. The optimum formulation of SNTZS catalyst was observed to be (nano-TiO(2):ZSM-5:silica gel:colloidal silica gel=1:0.6:0.6:1) which giving about 90% degradation of 50mg/L phenol solution in 180 min. The SNTZS exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than that of the commercial Degussa P25 which only gave 67% degradation. Its high photocatalytic activity was due to its large specific surface area (275.7 m(2)/g), small particle size (8.1 nm), high crystalline quality of the synthesized catalyst and low electron-hole pairs recombination rate as ZSM-5 adsorbent was used. The SNTZS photocatalyst synthesized in this study also has been proven to have an excellent adhesion and reusability.
Zainudin
Nor Fauziah
NF
School of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Seri Ampangan, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia.
Abdullah
Ahmad Zuhairi
AZ
Mohamed
Abdul Rahman
AR
D002384:Catalysis; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D036103:Nanotechnology; D019800:Phenol / Q000737:chemistry*; D010777:Photochemistry; D058428:Silica Gel; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
C009495:titanium dioxide; D019800:Phenol; D058428:Silica Gel; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D014025:Titanium