Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Waste in Visible light using TiO2 Nanotubes Array

Abstract

Photocatalytic degradation of organic waste using TiO2 nanotubes array has been investigated. The phenol was used as organic waste in this research. The Titania nanotubes were obtained by anodization method with 98% ethylene glycol and 0.5%wt NH4F as electrolyte solution at 50 V for 2 hours. The prepared catalysts were characterized by different techniques such as electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-vis reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS). The effect of pH and initial concentration of phenol has been evaluated. The results showed that the best pH for degradation phenol was obtained at pH 5. In this condition, the phenol has been reduced from 40 ppm to 6.9 ppm for 180 min.