title: Synthesis and Characterisation of Silica-Modified Titania for Photocatalytic Decolouration of Crystal Violet.
abstract: In the past few years, silica-modified titania has drawn increasing attention due to their special properties making them ideal candidates for a wide range of applications. In this study, we report a novel method for the synthesis of silica-modified titania by a sol-gel method using sodium silicate solution (1 M). The hydrolysis and condensation reactions of titanium dioxide (TiO2, Degussa Aeroxide® P25) in sodium silicate solution proceeded with citric acid (3 M) as a catalyst. The orbital shaking method was followed for the removal of sodium salt formed during the sol-gel process. Solvent exchange was carried out using methanol and hexane. Finally, chemical modification of the gel was conducted using trimethylchlorosilane followed by ambient pressure drying. The obtained silica-modified titania was characterised for nanostructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements were employed to investigate the BET surface area, pore structure and pore volume of specimens. Thermal gravimetric analysis showed exothermic peaks at temperature range of 90-190 °C representing the oxidation of organic groups from--Si-R network. The silica-modified titania showed high photocatalytic activity and an easy recovery using crystal violet as model water pollutant.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shahid
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: El Saliby
authors.forename: Leonard D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Tijing
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McDonagh
authors.forename: Se Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Kwang Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ho Kyong
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Shon
authors.forename: Jong-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim