Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

TiO2/T-PVA Composites Immobilized on Cordierite: Structure and Photocatalytic Activity for Degrading RhB Under Visible Light

  • Published:
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A novel immobilized visible light-active photocatalyst (TiO2/polyvinyl alcohol after thermal treatment (T-PVA)/cordierite honeycomb (CHC)) was successfully prepared by a simple and convenient method combining sol–gel and thermal treatment using tetrabutyl titanate (TBOT) as the titanium source, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the precursor of conjugated polymer, and CHC as the support. The synthesized photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that PVA was dehydrated to produce conjugated unsaturated T-PVA. The T-PVA not only extended the response spectrum of TiO2 to visible light region, but also strengthened the adhesion of TiO2 to CHC. The TiO2/T-PVA/CHC showed both outstanding adsorption properties and excellent photocatalytic performance under visible light on the decolorization of Rhodamine B. Over eight cycles, the photocatalyst continued to maintain perfect photocatalytic activity, showing good stability.

Schematic illustration of TiO2/T-PVA/CHC composite photocatalyst

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aguedach, A., Brosillon, S., Morvan, J., et al. (2005). Photocatalytic degradation of azo-dyes reactive black 5 and reactive yellow 145 in water over a newly deposited titanium dioxide. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 57(1), 55–62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alinsafi, A., Evenou, F., Abdulkarim, E. M., et al. (2007). Treatment of textile industry wastewater by supported photocatalysis. Dyes and Pigments, 74(2), 439–445.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, C., & Bard, A. J. (1997). Improved photocatalytic activity and characterization of mixed TiO2/SiO2 and TiO2/Al2O3 materials. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 101(14), 2611–2616.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Asahi, R., Morikawa, T., Ohwaki, T., et al. (2001). Visible-light photocatalysis in nitrogen-doped titanium oxides. Science, 293(5528), 269–271.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, J. A., Eggins, B. R., Brown, N. M. D., et al. (1998). Immobilisation of TiO2 powder for the treatment of polluted water. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 17(1–2), 25–36.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chatterjee, D., & Mahata, A. (2002). Visible light induced photodegradation of organic pollutants on dye adsorbed TiO2 surface. Journal Photochemistry Photobiology A, 153(1–3), 199–204.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, X., & Mao, S. S. (2007). Titanium dioxide nanomaterials: synthesis, properties, modifications, and applications. Chemistry Review, 107, 2891–2959.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Choi, W., Termin, A., & Hoffmann, M. R. (1994). The role of metal ion dopants in quantum-sized TiO2: correlation between photoreactivity and charge carrier recombination dynamics. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 98(51), 13669–13679.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ding, Z., Hu, X. J., Lu, G. Q., et al. (2000). Novel silica gel supported TiO2 photocatalyst synthesized by CVD method. Langmuir, 16(15), 6216–6222.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dong, W., Lee, C. W., & Lu, X. (2011). Synchronous role of coupled adsorption and photocatalytic oxidation on ordered mesoporous anatase TiO2–SiO2 nanocomposites generating excellent degradation activity of RHB dye. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 95, 197–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fabiyi, M. E., & Skelton, R. L. (2000). Photocatalytic mineralisation of methylene blue using buoyant TiO2-coated polystyrene beads. Journal Photochemistry Photobiology A, 132(1–2), 121–128.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fujishima, A., & Honda, K. (1972). Electrochemical photocatalysis of water at a semiconductor electrode. Nature, 238(5358), 37–38.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gelover, S., Mondragon, P., & Jimenez, A. (2004). Titanium dioxide sol–gel deposited over glass and its application as a photocatalyst for water decontamination. Journal Photochemistry Photobiology A, 165(1–3), 241–246.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holland, B. J., & Hay, J. N. (2001). The thermal degradation of poly(vinyl alcohol). Polymer, 42, 6775–6783.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, M., Xu, C., Wu, Z., et al. (2008). Photocatalytic discolorization of methyl orange solution by Pt modified TiO2 loaded on natural zeolite. Dyes and Pigments, 77(2), 327–334.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kamat, P. V., & Fox, M. A. (1983). Photosensitization of TiO2 colloids by Erythrosin B in acetonitrile. Chemical Physics Letters, 102(4), 379–384.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, D. S., & Park, Y. S. (2006). Photocatalytic decolorization of Rhodamine B by immobilized TiO2 onto silicone sealant. Chemical Engineering Journal, 116(2), 133–137.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leng, W. H., Liu, H., Cheng, S. A., et al. (2000). Kinetics of photocatalytic degradation of aniline in water over TiO2 supported on porous nickel. Journal Photochemistry Photobiology A, 131(1–3), 125–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, X., Wang, D., & Cheng, G. (2008). Preparation of polyaniline-modified TiO2 nanoparticles and their photocatalytic activity under visible light illumination. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 81, 267–273.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, X. Z., Li, F. B., Yang, C. L., et al. (2001). Photocatalytic activity of WOx-TiO2 under visible light irradiation. Journal Photochemistry Photobiology A, 141(2–3), 209–217.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang, H. C., & Li, X. Z. (2009). Visible-induced photocatalytic reactivity of polymer-sensitized titania nanotube films. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 86(1–2), 8–17.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liao, G., Chen, S., Quan, X., et al. (2011). Remarkable improvement of visible light photocatalysis with PANI modified core–shell mesoporous TiO2 microspheres. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 102, 126–131.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matos, J., Laine, J., & Herrmann, J. M. (1998). Synergy effect in the photocatalytic degradation of phenol on a suspended mixture of titania and activated carbon. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 18(3–4), 281–291.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez, P., Meille, V., Pallier, S., et al. (2009). Deposition and characterisation of TiO2 coatings on various supports for structured (photo)catalytic reactors. Applied Catalysis A: General, 360(2), 154–162.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sakthivel, S., & Kisch, H. (2003). Daylight photocatalysis by carbon-modified titanium dioxide. Angewandten Chemie International Edition, 42(40), 4908–4911.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salem, M. A., Al-Ghonemiy, A. F., & Zaki, A. B. (2009). Photocatalytic degradation of Allura red and Quinoline yellow with Polyaniline/TiO2 nanocomposite. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 91(1–2), 59–66.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, M. V. P., Sadanandam, G., Ratnamala, A., et al. (2009). An efficient and novel porous nanosilica supported TiO2 photocatalyst for pesticide degradation using solar light. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 171(1–3), 626–633.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, P. S., Guerbois, J. P., & Russell, G. F. (2001). FTIR study of the thermal degradation of poly(vinyl alcohol). Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 64, 501–508.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, T. L., & Yates, J. T. J. (2006). Surface science studies of the photoactivation of TiO2—new photochemical processes. Chemistry Review, 106(10), 4428–4453.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Hal, P. A., Christiaans, M. P. T., Wienk, M. M., et al. (1999). Photoinduced electron transfer from conjugated polymers to TiO2. The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B, 103(21), 4352–4359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, D., Wang, Y., Li, X., et al. (2008). Sunlight photocatalytic activity of Polypyrrole-TiO2 nanocomposites prepared by in-situ method. Catalysis Communications, 9(6), 1162–1166.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, X., Liu, Y., Hu, Z., et al. (2009a). Degradation of methyl orange by composite photocatalysts nano-TiO2 immobilized on activated carbons of different porosities. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 169(1–3), 1061–1067.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y., Zhong, M., Chen, F., et al. (2009b). Visible light photocatalytic activity of TiO2/D-PVA for MO degradation. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 90(1–2), 249–254.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, S. B., Gu, L. X., Wu, K. L., et al. (2012). The influence of the oxidation degree of poly(3-hexylthiophene) on the photocatalytic activity of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/TiO2 composites. Solar Energy Matematicas Solar C, 96(1), 286–291.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, Y. F., & Dan, Y. (2010). Photocatalytic activity of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/titanium dioxide composites for degrading methyl orange. Solar Energy Matematicas Solar C, 94(10), 1658–1664.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, Y. F., Xu, S. B., Jiang, L., et al. (2008). Synthesis and characterization of polythiophene/titanium dioxide composites. Reactive and Functional Polymers, 68(10), 1492–1498.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant nos. 50573052 and 51173116) for the support of this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering of China (Sichuan University), Polymer Research Institute of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China

    Jianling Zhang, Yuanqing Song, Haigang Yang, Shoubin Xu, Long Jiang & Yi Dan

Authors
  1. Jianling Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yuanqing Song
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Haigang Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shoubin Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Long Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yi Dan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yi Dan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhang, J., Song, Y., Yang, H. et al. TiO2/T-PVA Composites Immobilized on Cordierite: Structure and Photocatalytic Activity for Degrading RhB Under Visible Light. Water Air Soil Pollut 224, 1555 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1555-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1555-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation