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Comparison of rhodamine B degradation under UV irradiation by two phases of titania nano-photocatalyst

Mahlambi, Mphilisi M and Mishra, Ajay K and Mishra, Shivani B and Krause, Rui W and Mamba, Bhekie B and Raichur, Ashok M (2012) Comparison of rhodamine B degradation under UV irradiation by two phases of titania nano-photocatalyst. In: JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY, 110 (2). pp. 847-855.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10973-011-1852-7

Abstract

Titania (TiO2) nano-photocatalysts, with different phases, prepared using a modified sol-gel process were employed in the degradation of rhodamine at 10 mg L-1 concentration. The degradation efficiency of these nano-photocatalysts was compared to that of commercial Degussa P25 titania. It was found that the nanocatalysts calcined at 450 degrees C and the Degussa P25 titania had similar photoreactivity profiles. The commercial Degussa P25 nanocatalysts had an overall high apparent rate constant of (K-app) of 0.023 min(-1). The other nanocatalyst had the following rate constants: 0.017, 0.0089, 0.003 and 0.0024 min(-1) for 450, 500, 550 and 600 degrees C calcined catalysts, respectively. This could be attributed to the phase of the titania as the anatase phase is highly photoactive than the other phases. Furthermore, characterisation by differential scanning calorimetry showed the transformation of titania from amorphous to anatase and finally to rutile phase. SEM and TEM characterisations were used to study the surface morphology and internal structure of the nanoparticles. BET results show that as the temperature of calcinations was raised, the surface area reduced marginally. X-ray diffraction was used to confirm the different phases of titania. This study has led to a conclusion that the anatase phase of the titania is the most photoactive nanocatalyst. It also had the highest apparent rate constant of 0.017 min(-1), which is similar to that of the commercial titania.

Item Type: Journal Article
Publication: JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
Publisher: Springer
Additional Information: Copyright for this article belongs to SPRINGER, NETHERLANDS
Department/Centre: Division of Mechanical Sciences > Materials Engineering (formerly Metallurgy)
Date Deposited: 21 Dec 2012 03:38
Last Modified: 21 Dec 2012 03:38
URI: http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/45482

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