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Photo and Chemical Reduction of Copper onto Anatase‐Type TiO 2 Nanoparticles with Enhanced Surface Hydroxyl Groups as Efficient Visible Light Photocatalysts
Author(s) -
Eskandarloo Hamed,
Badiei Alireza,
Behnajady Mohammad A.,
Mohammadi Ziarani Ghodsi
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
photochemistry and photobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.818
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1751-1097
pISSN - 0031-8655
DOI - 10.1111/php.12455
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , anatase , copper , nanoparticle , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , visible spectrum , adsorption , materials science , chemical engineering , catalysis , nuclear chemistry , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , metallurgy , optoelectronics , engineering
In this study, the photocatalytic efficiency of anatase‐type TiO 2 nanoparticles synthesized using the sol–gel low‐temperature method, were enhanced by a combined process of copper reduction and surface hydroxyl groups enhancement. UV –light‐assisted photo and Na BH 4 ‐assisted chemical reduction methods were used for deposition of copper onto TiO 2 . The surface hydroxyl groups of TiO 2 were enhanced with the assistance of Na OH modification. The prepared catalysts were immobilized on glass plates and used as the fixed‐bed systems for the removal of phenazopyridine as a model drug contaminant under visible light irradiation. Na OH ‐modified Cu/TiO 2 nanoparticles demonstrated higher photocatalytic efficiency than that of pure TiO 2 due to the extending of the charge carriers lifetime and enhancement of the adsorption capacity of TiO 2 toward phenazopyridine. The relationship of structure and performance of prepared nanoparticles has been established by using various techniques, such as XRD , XPS , TEM , EDX , XRF , TGA , DRS and PL . The effects of preparation variables, including copper content, reducing agents rate (Na BH 4 concentration and UV light intensity) and Na OH concentration were investigated on the photocatalytic efficiency of Na OH ‐modified Cu/TiO 2 nanoparticles.