engleski

N/TiO2 nanocomposites: microwave-assisted synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity

In the last 20 years, organic micropollutants (OMPs) have gained significant attention because of their possible impact on the environment. Besides, they cannot be easily removed by conventional wastewater treatment technologies. TiO2 heterogeneous photocatalysis is actively studied as an alternative technology for the degradation and/or removal of OMPs. Therefore, this study focuses on the synthesis of enhanced photocatalyst, which could use visible light for activation, using the non-conventional microwave-assisted method, and evaluating the role of the temperature and reaction time on the morphological properties of the synthesized materials. Nitrogen-doped TiO2 (N/TiO2) photocatalyst was synthesized by the microwave-assisted method using varying temperatures and reaction times. The obtained materials were characterized by XRD, FTIR and N2 adsorption isotherms. The only crystalline phase present in the N/TiO2 materials was anatase. Higher crystallinity and greater crystallite size were achieved for synthesis at higher temperature. N/TiO2 materials’ photocatalytic activity was evaluated for the degradation of ciprofloxacin under UV and visible light. They show photoactivity under both UV and visible light, while commercial photocatalyst Degussa P25 TiO2 shows activity only under UV light. Better photoactivity was achieved with materials synthesized at a higher temperature, whereas reaction time in the microwave oven has a negligible effect on the morphologic and photocatalytic properties. Temperature was found to be the crucial parameter in the synthesis of N/TiO2 by the microwave-assisted method.

Ciprofloxacin ; microwave-assisted method ; N/TiO2 ; UV light ; visible light

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