Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the photocatalytic performance of copper-doped TiO2 (Cu-TiO2) specimens on the degradation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) represented by a model humic acid (HA). TiO2 was synthesized by sol-gel method from an alkoxide precursor. Cu-doped TiO2 specimens containing 0.25 wt% and 0.50 wt% Cu were prepared by wet impregnation method using sol-gel synthesized as well as bare TiO2 P-25 and characterized by XRD, SEM, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, UV-DRS, and BET measurements. Their photocatalytic activities were evaluated with regard to degradation kinetics of HA in terms of UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopic parameters and organic contents. HA fluorescence excitation emission matrix (EEM) contour plots indicated that the solar photocatalytic degradation pathway was TiO2-type specific and Cu dopant content.
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30 March 2024
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Acknowledgements
The authors are thankful to Prof Neren Okte, Bogazici University, Chemistry Department, for BET and UV-DRS measurements. The authors are also thankful to Assoc. Prof. Serap Acar Derman, Yildiz Technical University, Department of Bioengineering for zeta potential measurements.
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Financial support provided by the Research Fund of Bogazici University through Project No: 13381 is gratefully acknowledged.
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Turkten, N., Cinar, Z., Tomruk, A. et al. Copper-doped TiO2 photocatalysts: application to drinking water by humic matter degradation. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 36096–36106 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-04474-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-04474-x