Nanocrystalline TiO₂ Powders Prepared by Xerogel Hydrothermal in Water: Characterization Photocatalytic Oxidation of Acetone

Abstract

Cu/N-codoped TiO₂ was able to degrade solution under light irradiation with significantly. However, the photocatalytic activity of acetone gas-phase seldomly reported. In this research, we have developed novel method to photooxidation of acetone. The photocatalytic efficiency of different Cu/N-codoped TiO₂ powders, prepared by a novel modified hydrothermal method at different temperatures, has been evaluated through the Cu/N-codoped TiO₂ photo sensitized degradation of acetone. The as prepared samples were studied for their physicochemical property using XRD, SEM, UV-vis and N₂ sorption analysis. Results indicated that when the temperature below 220°C, Cu/N-codoped TiO₂ facilitated formation and stability of anatase and brookite phase. The sample prepared in 150°C (Ti–H₂O-150) exhibited highest surface area and photo-absorption in the visible light region. The sample prepared in 150°C (Ti–H₂O-150) shows highest photocatalytic activity (80.4%) with a rate constant k = 1.62 × 10⁻². Cu/N-codoped TiO₂ can be considered as a promising visible light-sensitized photocatalysts for removing acetone.

Fig. 3 (a) Nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms; (b) pore size distributions of as-prepared Cu_0.6N₄/TiO₂ in different temperatures.