Palladium-modified TiO2 Photocatalysts: Synthesis, Characterization, and Environmental Application

Abstract

Sol-gel method was used to prepare palladium-modified TiO2 powder photocatalysts (Pd atomic percentage range of 0–1.00). The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2 physisorption, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Photocatalytic activity was tested for phenol degradation, with UV and visible lamps. The optimum palladium content was determined (0.10% atomic Pd), showing phenol degradation of 100% under UV irradiation (2 h) and 68% under visible irradiation (5 h). The presence of PdO particles was revealed on this material. Furthermore, the immobilization of this material on glass slides was studied by dip-coating method to overcome the limitations of the slurry mode. This film presented photocatalytic activity under UV and visible irradiation (5 h), reaching 80% and 23% of phenol degradation, respectively. This film is a promising alternative to degradation of pollutant using solar irradiation effectively.