Photocatalytic properties of TiO_2 bonded active carbon composites prepared by SOL-GEL

Photocatalyst of TiO2 bonded active carbon （TiO2/AC）, was prepared via sol-gel method from a mixture of TiO2 sol with active carbon. Post heat treatment was performed at 250 ℃ for 2 h in air and then kept at 400 ℃ to 600 ℃ under a flow of nitrogen for 2 h. The TiO2/AC composites obtained were characterized by SEM, XRD, UV-vis and BET. The photocatalytic activities of the TiO2/AC composites were studied in comparison with TiO2, AC, P-25 and a mixture of TiO2 and AC, respectively. The Ramnant rate of Rhodamine B absorbed by the active carbon is found to be almost 70% and the remnant rates of the Rhodamine B decolorized by TiO2 and the mixture of TiO2 and the active carbon are 30% and 25%, respectively. However, nearly complete removal of Rhodamine B is observed for a TiO2/AC composite after 200 min under UV irradiation, which will take the P-25 commercial product 5 h. Therefore, the TiO2/AC composite is much more effective in decolorization of aqueous Rhodamine B. In addition, the composite can be easily separated from solutions.