Sand Supported Mixed-Phase TiO${}_2$ Photocatalysts for Water Decontamination Applications

Abstract

Using an organometallic precursor, TiO${}_2$ coatings were fabricated on surfaces of quartz, zircon and rutile sands. X ray Diffraction, X ray Fluorescence, UV Vis spectroscopy and surface area measurement were used to characterise support materials. The phase composition and morphology of the coatings were characterised by laser Raman spectroscopy and SEM respectively. A packed bed reactor was used to study the inactivation of Escherichia coli in recirculating water by the supported photocatalysts. It was found that the sand grains were well coated with a homogenous layer of TiO2 and coatings were well adhered, exhibiting a mixed anatase rutile composition after firing at 850C. Photocatalytic activity was highest in coatings applied to quartz sand, although sterilisation of the recirculating water was not achieved with any of the materials investigated. The advantages of quartz as a TiO${}_2$ photocatalyst support material are likely a result of this materials higher purity and optical transmittance. Potential enhancement through Si doping cannot be ruled out.

References in corpus (4)

• Morphology and photocatalytic activity of highly oriented mixed phase titanium dioxide thin films
• Single- and Mixed-Phase TiO2 Powders Prepared by Excess-Hydrolysis of a Titanium Alkoxide
• Sand Supported Mixed-Phase TiO${}_2$ Photocatalysts for Water Decontamination Applications
• Abnormal grain growth of rutile TiO2 induced by ZrSiO4

Cited by in corpus (2)

• The effects of copper doping on photocatalytic activity at (101) planes of anatase TiO2: A theoretical study
• Sand Supported Mixed-Phase TiO${}_2$ Photocatalysts for Water Decontamination Applications