Halloysite and sepiolite –TiO2 nanocomposites: Synthesis characterization and photocatalytic activity in three aquatic wastes

D. Papoulis, D. Panagiotaras, P. Tsigrou, K. C. Christoforidis, C. Petit, A. Apostolopoulou, E. Stathatos, S. Komarneni, I. Koukouvelas

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Abstract

Two different nanoclay minerals were combined with nanophase anatase TiO2 for the synthesis of clay-based nanocomposites for improved photocatalytic properties. A new Halloysite (Hal) + Sepiolite (S) - TiO2 ternary nanocomposite was prepared using halloysite from Utah, USA and a recently discovered sepiolite from Greece. Three nanocomposites were synthesized with Hal-TiO2, S-TiO2 and [Hal+S] to TiO2. As a result, TiO2 particles (anatase) were homogeneously deposited and dispersed on the clay surfaces. Phase composition, particle morphology and physical properties of these nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, ATR-FTIR, FE-SEM, DRS-UV–Vis and N2-sorption/desorption isotherms at 77 K. The photocatalytic activity of the clay mineral-TiO2 nanocomposites was examined in the decomposition of paracetamol and tetracycline antibiotics as well as dye Rhodamine-B. The nanocomposites exhibited higher photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation for the decomposition of the targeted pollutants than the benchmark in the field, i.e. TiO2- P25 photocatalyst.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-8
Number of pages8
JournalMaterials Science in Semiconductor Processing
Volume85
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Materials Science(all)
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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