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Effect of TiO2 nanoparticle loading by sol–gel method on the gas-phase photocatalytic activity of CuxO–TiO2 nanocomposite

  • Original Paper: Sol-gel and hybrid materials for catalytic, photoelectrochemical and sensor applications
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Abstract

In this study, multicomponent CuxO–TiO2 (x = 1 or 2) nanocomposite was used as a photocatalyst to eliminate 2-propanol in gas-phase media under both UV and sunlight-type irradiation. The specimens were fabricated by a two-step synthesis including solution treatment–thermal oxidation for CuxO and consequently sol–gel method for applying TiO2 nanoparticles. The present study focused on analyzing the role of TiO2 content on the photocatalytic behavior of the CuxO–TiO2 nanocomposites with varying Ti/Cu atomic ratio. The results showed that the nanocomposite formed successfully in desirable structure and morphology. Moreover, the nanocomposite material having Ti/Cu = 0.6 displayed improved activity concerning both reaction rate and quantum efficiency. Furthermore, it is proved that these nanocomposite materials are stable for photoactivity application. Finally, the kinetic study was carried out with modeling 2-propanol degradation based on the reaction mechanism. The experimental and predicted data obtained under different operational working conditions were in good agreement.

Multicomponent CuxO–TiO2 nano-photocatalyst was synthesized to eliminate 2-propanol in gas-phase media under both UV and sunlight-type irradiation. The material having Ti/Cu = 0.6 displayed improved activity concerning both reaction rate and quantum efficiency.

Highlights

  • CuxO–TiO2 (x = 1 or 2) nanocomposite were fabricated by a two-step synthesis method.

  • Catalysts formed in desirable structure and morphology with different TiO2 content.

  • TiO2 content in the nanocomposite system plays a significant role in photoactivity.

  • Kinetic study proved the good fitness between experimental and predicted data.

  • CuxO–TiO2 composite photocatalysts are stable for photoactivity application.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the University of Tehran and the Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council for this research. CSIC is acknowledged for supporting experiments carried out at ICP.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Fahimeh Ansari & Saeed Sheibani

  2. Instituto de Catálisis y Petroleoquímica, CSIC, C/Marie Curie, 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain

    Uriel Caudillo-Flores & Marcos Fernández-García

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  1. Fahimeh Ansari
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Correspondence to Saeed Sheibani.

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Ansari, F., Sheibani, S., Caudillo-Flores, U. et al. Effect of TiO2 nanoparticle loading by sol–gel method on the gas-phase photocatalytic activity of CuxO–TiO2 nanocomposite. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 96, 464–479 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-020-05388-8

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