[en] Three types of photocatalysts were synthesized by metal organic chemical vapor deposition and impregnation
methods using the almond shell activated carbon as support. These photocatalysts denoted by (TiO2/ASAC
(V), TiO2/ASAC (I1) and TiO2/ASAC (I2)) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray
diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and
nitrogen adsorptionedesorption isotherms. SEM observation shows that TiO2 was deposited on activated
carbon surface. XRD results confirm that TiO2 existed in a mixture of anatase and rutile phases. The DRS
spectra show the characteristic absorption edge of TiO2 at approximate 380 nm corresponding to the optical
band gap of 3.26 eV. Besides, FTIR spectrum indicated the presence of (TieO) groups. The specific surface
area of photocatalysts decreased drastically in comparison with the original activated carbon. The catalysts
were very efficient for the photodegradation of total organic carbon (TOC) from industrial phosphoric acid
solution under UV irradiation. The kinetics of photocatalytic TOC degradation was found to follow a pseudofirst-
order model. The prepared TiO2/ASAC showed high photoactivity for the photodegradation of TOC in the
following order: TiO2/ASAC (V) > TiO2/ASAC (I1) > TiO2/ASAC (I2) > ASAC > TiO2 (P25).
Disciplines :
Chemistry Materials science & engineering
Author, co-author :
Omri, Abdessalem; Université de Sfax
Lambert, Stéphanie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie appliquée > Génie chimique - Nanomatériaux et interfaces
Geens, Jérémy ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie appliquée > Département de chimie appliquée
Bennour, Fetten; Université de Sfax, Tunisie
Ben Zina, Mourad; Université de Sfax, Tunisie
Language :
English
Title :
Synthesis, Surface characterization and photocatalytic activity of TiO2 supported on almond shell activated carbon