Decomposition of methylene blue by new porous photocatalysts and analysis of decomposed products using high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry

Abstract

Three photocatalysts were newly synthesized. The materials consisted of Al2O3 or SiC and anatase-type TiO2. The characteristics of the materials were analyzed by X-ray spectroscopy and TEM. Also, the photocatalytic activity upon the decomposition of methylene blue was investigated by measuring the decomposition rate of methylene blue with the UV(λ 369 nm) irradiation time. In addition, the derivatives of methylene blue produced after 2 and 4 hours of irradiation were analyzed by HPLC and MS. As a result, azur A and azur B were observed.