Study of the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B on TiO2/clinoptilolite

A series of TiO2/clinoptilolite catalysts (different calcination temperature, different particle size and different loading) were prepared. The catalysts can degrade organic dye RhB under UV irradiation. The results show that they have a better catalytic reactivity when the calcination temperature is 500°C, the particle size is 180-200 mesh and the authentic mass fraction is 6.18%. It was compared with P25. The results show that its degradation rate is slower than P25: After UV light irradiation of 84 minutes, COD change of P25 is 100%. But after UV light irradiation of 5.5 h, COD change of TiO2/clinoptilolite calcinated at 500°C is 71.8%. But TiO2/clinoptilolite catalysts are easier to reuse. Because the particle size of P25 is smaller, its sediment rate is slower and it can't fastly be separated. XRD, TEM, BET, TG-DTA, UV, and Visible diffuse reflectance spectra were employed to characterize these catalysts. The experimental results show that they will have a better photocatalytic reactivity when their BET surface area is bigger.