Preparation of TiO2-diatomite composites by ball-milling and its photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange

• Published in: Water science & technology. Water supply Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 121 - 127
• Main Authors: Deng, Yanxi, Wang, Xuming, Yin, Jinfeng, Li, Yanfeng, Ding, Hao, Chang, Fei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London International Water Association 01.03.2011; IWA Publishing
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Ball milling; Buildings. Public works; Degradation; Diatomaceous earth; Diatomites; Dosage; Dyes; Electron microscopy; Exact sciences and technology; Particle concentration; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; Pollution; Powder; Scanning electron microscopy; Titanium dioxide; Water supply. Pipings. Water treatment; Water treatment and pollution; X-ray diffraction; Scanning electron microscopy; Water treatment; Diatomite; Ball mill; Nanoparticle; Photocatalysis; Experimental study; X ray diffraction; Composite material; Characterization; coatings; Water pollution control; Preparation; Fourier-transformed infrared spectrometry; organic compounds; Titanium oxide; composite materials
• ISSN: 1606-9749; 1607-0798
• DOI: 10.2166/ws.2011.018

TiO2-diatomite composites were prepared using a two–stage ball-milling technique and they were subsequently characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and FTIR, showing that nanotitania had been successfully supported on the surface of diatomite. The as-prepared TiO2–diatomite composites were used to decompose methyl orange (MO). Good degradation efficiency was observed. The effects of milling conditions, such as milling time of diatomite suspension, the diatomite particle concentration in suspension, weight ratio of ball-to-powder, milling time of the mixed TiO2-diatomite suspension and dosage of titania, on photocatalytic degradation performance were systematically examined for the sake of achieving the best efficiency.