Photocatalytic performance of TiO2@SiO2 nanocomposites for the treatment of different organic dyes

Abstract

Photocatalytic degradation of pollutant using TiO2@SiO2 nanocomposites (NCs) is a well route for the treatment of the organic waste in aquatic life. The recent work focuses on the removal of many organic dyes like methylene blue, eosin and safranin and study the pollutant degradation of them using the activity and high efficiency of titania as well as nanostructured titania@silica. The impregnation of silica with anatase-type TiO2 was carried out through a sol-gel way. The obtained powders were checked and characterized using N-2 adsorption-desorption complete isotherm at low temperature, BET, FESEM, XRD, PL, UV-Vis spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectra and the photocatalytic activity to attain the homogeneity distribution of the nanostructure particles inside the matrix. TiO2@SiO2 material displayed good photocatalytic properties compared to a pure titania. Different parameters as the type of the photocatalyst, pH of solution, amount of the photocatalyst and adsorption were studied. In addition, reusability for dye removal under consecutive cycles was also investigated. Photocatalytic activity and the excellent properties of the TiO2@SiO2 NCs displayed that these materials can consider being good candidate considered in water treatment applications.