Title of article :
Formic Acid Decomposition Using Synthesized Ag/TiO2 Nanocomposite in Ethanol-Water Media Under Illumination of Near UV Light
Author/Authors :
Pipelzadeh, E Chemical engineering department - Sahand University of Technology , Valizadeh Derakhshan, M Chemical engineering department - Sahand University of Technology , Babaluo, A.A Chemical engineering department - Sahand University of Technology , Haghighi, M Chemical engineering department - Sahand University of Technology , Tavakoli, A Chemical engineering department - Sahand University of Technology
Abstract :
The effect of ethanol-water media on the synthesis of Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite was investigated with 0.05, 0.1
and 0.5 (wt.%) of Ag content. Ethanol was used as hole-scavenger enhancing the photodecomposition of Ag+
ions under illumination of near-UV light. The nanocomposites were further calcined to 300˚C and 400˚C under
controlled atmosphere. The synthesized nanocomposites were tested for photocatalytic efficiency decomposing
formic acid as an organic pollutant under irradiation of a 4W near UV lamp with lmax at 365nm and the
results were compared with that of non-modified commercially available Degussa TiO2 (P25). The synthesized
nanocomposites were characterized using XRD and SEM micrographs. The photocatalytic studies have
revealed a constant overall performance for all synthesized nanocomposites. The initial rate of decomposition
was observed to increase with decreasing Ag content, in the case of 0.05 wt.% having the best initial rate.
Calcination of the nanocomposites was found to have activating properties on the synthesized nanocomposites
where nanocomposite with 0.05 (wt.%) Ag content calcined at 300°C was distinctively advantageous over
other calcined nanocomposites.
Keywords :
Nanocomposite , TiO2 , Ag , Calcination , Photocatalytic Activity , Ethanol-water media
Journal title :
Astroparticle Physics
