Photodegradation of bromophenol blue with fluorinated TiO2 composite

Abstract

Fluorinated TiO2 composites were prepared by the sol-gel method. The photocatalytic activities of the composites were evaluated with bromophenol blue (BPB). Composites which contained carbon nanotubes showed the highest photodegradation (98%) of BPB at 20 min as compared to pure TiO2. Photodegradation by-products of BPB such as Br- and [SO4]2- ions were monitored with ion chromatography. All catalysts were characterized with microscopic techniques, including transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy which were both equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrophotometer. The polymorph of TiO2 was verified by the use of Raman spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. © 2011 The Author(s).