Photocatalytic Performance of a Nd-SiO2-TiO2 Nanocomposite for Degradation of Rhodamine B Dye Wastewater.
The photocatalytic performance of a novel Nd-SiO2-TiO2 nanocomposite catalyst prepared by a sol-gel method was examined in the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB), a notorious organic compound present in dye wastewaters. The prepared samples were characterized by low-temperature N2 adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic analysis indicated the enhanced chemical bonding of O--Ti and O--Ti--O with introduction of Nd and SiO2 dopant species into TiO2. The Nd-SiO2-TiO2 nanocomposite was found to exhibit a much higher photo- catalytic activity toward the decomposition of RhB under both UV and visible light irradiation as compared to a commercial TiO2 photocatalyst. The photodegradation efficiency of RhB (5 mg/L) was greater than 93% under visible light irradiation after 90 min. Addition of SiO2 was shown to not only inhibit crystal growth and TiO2 anatase-to-rutile phase transformation, but also enhance the adsorption of organic compounds. Nd doping has been suggested for slowing down the radiative recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes in TiO2, extending the photocatalyst light response to the visible region. The synergetic effects between Nd-SiO2 and TiO2 are described; the prepared Nd-SiO2-TiO2 represents a noteworthy contribution to the study of pollutant degradation in dye wastewaters.
Jinlong
J
Li
Tao
T
Liu
Guozhe
G
Sui
Deshuai
D
Zhen
D002384:Catalysis; D008422:Materials Testing; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009354:Neodymium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010316:Particle Size; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D013784:Textiles; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
D009354:Neodymium; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D014025:Titanium; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C009495:titanium dioxide