Synthesis and adsorption-photodecomposition properties of mesoporous SiO₂–TiO₂/WO₃ composite

Abstract

Gaseous volatile organic pollutants may be removed from the environment through photocatalysts combined with adsorbents. Herein, a mesoporous SiO₂–TiO₂/WO₃ composite was fabricated by the sol–gel method in order to remove acetaldehyde in the gas phase. TiO₂ and WO₃ were well-dispersed in the SiO₂ matrix. The adsorption-photodecomposition properties of mesoporous SiO₂–TiO₂/WO₃ were evaluated through a three-step kinetic analysis, including direct-decomposition, adsorption, and adsorption-decomposition. The composition of WO₃ in the SiO₂–TiO₂ increased the acidity and improved the affinity between the photocatalyst and acetaldehyde. This effectively enhanced the initial removal rate of acetaldehyde. The atomization of WO₃ further improved the affinity between the photocatalyst and acetaldehyde and enhancing the photodecomposition rate constant.