Photocatalytic performance of palladium and carbon modified TiO2 using solar radiation

Abstract

TiO2 photocatalysts were synthesized by the sol–gel method in the presence of Pd2+ ions and Tween 80. For each material, the effect of the synthesis conditions was studied by its characterization. Photoactivity was evaluated for the selective degradation of phenol (as model pollutant) with Aldrich humic acid (as usual interference) in the reaction mixture, using UV or visible lamps, and under natural sunlight. The materials were able to efficiently degrade phenol, even in the presence of humic acid in the mixture. The solar radiation experiment showed the outstanding photocatalytic activity achieved by TiO2 modified with carbon and palladium: 74 % of phenol degradation (70 % of mineralization, without Pd leaching) after 5 h of exposure.