Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Retarding effect of surface hydroxylation on titanium(IV) oxide photocatalyst in the degradation of phenol

Journal Article · · Materials Research Bulletin; (United States)
;  [1]
  1. Indian Inst. of Science, Bangalore (India)

Heterogeneous photocatalytic mineralization of organic pollutants on semiconductor particles is a promising method for wastewater treatment. Nanosized powders of TiO[sub 2] (anatase) were prepared by the hydrothermal method, acid-medium hydrolysis or by vacuum freeze-drying of sols, and annealing at temperatures < 700 C. Photocatalytic activities of these powders in the mineralization of phenol, were evaluated in comparison to that of Degussa P25. Kinetic data indicated that surface hydroxylation had a retarding effect on the degradation of phenol. Formation of stable peroxotitanium species were observed on hydroxylated powders, whereas only V[sub Ti]-O[sup [minus]] hole trap centers were detected by EPR on the heat treated samples. The data supports direct hole oxidation of the substrate preadsorbed on the photocatalyst, which is otherwise blocked by surface hydroxyls.

OSTI ID:
6569992
Journal Information:
Materials Research Bulletin; (United States), Journal Name: Materials Research Bulletin; (United States) Vol. 30:2; ISSN MRBUAC; ISSN 0025-5408
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English