Powder Quartz/Nano-TiO2 Composite: Mechanochemical Preparation and Photocatalytic Degradation of Formaldehyde

Powder quartz(PQ)/nano-TiO2composite was prepared by a mechanochemical method. Based on as-prepared PQ/nano-TiO2composite, we prepared interior paints and investigated the degradation efficiency of formaldehyde(DEF). Scanning electron microscopy showed that nano-TiO2got well dispersed by the adding of PQ. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the mass ratio of 4:1 was a relatively good proportion for the most production of PQ/nano-TiO2composite. Fourier transform-infrared spectrometry showed that the peak position of Ti-O-Si bond varied with the milling time. At the early stage, no characteristic peak of Ti-O-Si bond was observed, while at the later stage, new peaks at 902 cm-1and 937 cm-1appeared. Meanwhile, PQ/nano-TiO2composite-based interior paint exhibited significant DEF of 96.3% compared to that consisting of sole nanoTiO2of 92.0% under visible light illumination. As an abundant mineral resource, PQ would make interior paints with HCHO purifying effect much more efficient and cheaper.