Sol-gel synthesis of χTiO2/HZSM-5 and photocatalytic degradation of phenol

Composite.TiO2/HZSM-5 photocatalysts were prepared by a sol-gel method and were used for photocatalytic degradation of phenol in aqueous solution. The external surface of HZSM-5 is coated with a layer of TiO2 with different thickness, according to TiO2 loading content. Anatase TiO2 is found in both pure TiO2 and the supported.TiO2/HZSM-5, while crystallite size of TiO2 becomes smaller after loading. The supported.TiO2/HZSM-5 has enlarged surface area that is in accordance to the content of HZSM-5. The 50% TiO2/HZSM-5 sample has the maximum photocatalytic activity, on which total degradation of phenol molecules in the solution is achieved after 120 min of irradiation. At the same time, organic groups in phenol molecules are thoroughly degraded into inorganic substances, which are proved by UV-Vis absorption spectra, FT-IR spectra and TOC analyses.