Synthesis and characterization of titania-magnetic activated carbon composite for photocatalytic degradation and mineralization of p-nitrophenol

Abstract

A novel, magnetically separable composite photocatalyst, titania coated with magnetic activated carbon, is prepared by depositing TiO₂ onto the surface of magnetic activated carbon which was prepared by directly adsorbing of magnetic Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles onto activated carbon. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and vibration sample magnetometer. Specific surface area is determined by BET method and is found to be 381 m²/g. The photocatalytic activity of the composite is determined by degradation of the model contaminant of water, i.e., p-nitrophenol. The degradation rate of p-nitrophenol by composite was higher than 90% after the composite was reused for five cycles. The synergy factor for the degradation of p-nitrophenol by titania coated with magnetic activated carbon was found to be 1.45. The composite can be easily separated by a magnet.