The photocatalytic performance of benzene-modified TiO2 photocatalysts under UV-vis light irradiation

Abstract

In this study a photocatalytic performance of new carbon-modified titanium dioxide photocatalysts was discussed. Benzene was used as carbon precursor. It was found that the photocatalytic activity of obtained samples increases with the increase of modification temperature and decrease of carbon concentration present in TiO2/C samples. This could be related to the kind of interactions between TiO2 surface and carbon from thermal decomposition of benzene. The higher calcination temperature the less carbon deposits on the surface of modified samples and the higher probability of the Ti and C interaction confirmed by means of UV-vis/DR studies. It was proved that the photocatalytic activity of carbon modified titania nanomaterials strongly depends on carbon content in TiO2/C photocatalysts. Modification of starting TiO2 with benzene is a promising method especially by taking into account the mineralization of phenol and the co-products of its degradation.