Prevenient dye-degradation mechanisms using UV/TiO sub(2)/carbon nanotubes process

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 163; no. 1; pp. 239 - 244
• Main Author: Kuo, CY
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 15.04.2009
• ISSN: 0304-3894
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.06.083

Photocatalysis research heavily emphasizes increasing photo-efficiency. This study presents the application of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to increase the photocatalytic activity of TiO sub(2). It elucidates the effect of CNTs dose on the decolorization efficiency of aqueous azo dye, C.I. Reactive Red 2 (RR2), determines the effects of SO sub(4) super(2) super(-) formation and removal of total organic carbon (TOC), and measures the effects of various ultraviolet wavelengths. Scanning electron microscopy was used to elucidate the mixing phenomenon and the size of TiO sub(2) and CNTs; X-ray diffraction was used to determine crystallinity; a BET meter was used to measure surface area and a spectrophotometry was used to determine the decolorization of RR2. Experimental results indicated significant effects of photodegradation on the combination of TiO sub(2) with CNTs and electron transfer is higher for 410nm irradiation than for 365nm, revealing that solar light can be used. The electron transfer in the TiO sub(2)/CNTs composites reduced the electron/hole recombination and increased the photon efficiency and the prevenient dye-degradation mechanisms using UV/TiO sub(2)/CNTs were established.