Role of activated carbon features on the photocatalytic degradation of phenol

In this work we have investigated the role of porous carbon material used as a photocatalyst and a catalyst support in the carbon/titania composite in the photodegradation of phenol, and compared the results to those of bare titanium oxide. The immobilization of titania on an activated carbon provoked acceleration of the degradation rate under UV irradiation, which is likely to be attributed to the porosity of the carbon support. The identification of the degradation intermediates detected in the solution showed that the presence of the carbon support affects the nature of phenol degradation mechanism through the formation of different intermediates. Additionally, phenol photodecomposition rate over the carbon support outperformed that attained in the carbon/titania composite, suggesting an important self-photoactivity of the carbon support.