Characterization of a Novel MnS-ACF/TiO2 composite and photocatalytic mechanism derived from organic dye decomposition

Abstract

Activated carbon fiber (ACF) was modified with MnS nanoparticles to prepare MnS-ACF, and it was employed for preparation of MnS-ACF/TiO2 composites with titanium (IV) n-butoxide (TNB). The properties of MnS-ACF/TiO2 composites were characterized by XRD, SEM, and EDX. EDX results showed the presence of C, O, and Ti as major elements and traces of the metal elements Mn and S. The photocatlytic activity was evaluated by degradation of methyl blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dye. The results demonstrated that as-prepared samples could effectively photodegrade MB and MO under UV irradiation. Subsequently, the decomposition of MB solution showed the combined effects of adsorptions by ACF and enhanced photocatalytic effect by TiO 2. Finally, the photocatalytic effect increased due to photo-induced-electron absorption effect by ACF and electron trap effect by comodified MnS nanoparticles.