Comparison of the Effectiveness of different Titanium Dioxide-Based Composites on the Photocatalytic Removal of Dyes from Aqueous Solution

Author : Nucum, John Andre Velasco
Major Adviser : Arocena, Rhebner E.
Committee Members : Eusebio, Ramon Christian P.; Herrera, Marvin U.
Year : 2020
Month : July
Type : Thesis
Degree: BS
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Abstract

TiO2 has been gathering great interest in the field of photocatalysis. It has numerous benefits, and its drawbacks are being removed by pairing it with other materials. Different nanocomposites – TiO2–PANI, TiO2–GR, TiO2–CdS, and TiO2–CuO – were investigated to determine their efficiencies under visible light. Some of the experimental setups that gave the best efficiency for each nanocomposite were investigated for upscale feasibility. Several factors were considered in probing on the feasibility of large-scale operations: ease of recovery, required mass of photocatalyst, energy requirements of light source, and miscellaneous operations. These nanocomposites had differences in their applicability, but the most favorable according to criteria was determined to be TiO2–CdS. It decomposed different dyes almost completely under sunlight, thus, no electrical power was needed. Moreover, the required mass of photocatalyst was found to be only half of the other photocatalysts and no other operations were needed to have the same efficiency. It was evident that all studies synthesized these nanocomposites without a template or substrate. Studies on innovative ways of attaching these nanocomposites on a substrate are advised to improve their practicality in large-scale operations. Some of the experiments showed relatively low efficiency which suggests improvement for the nanocomposites. Design of system or equipment for photocatalysis could also be done.


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