Application of a Taguchi method for optimizing the preparation and degradation parameters of composite photocatalyst TiO2-MWCNTs

This article presents an application of Taguchi´s robust parameter design to optimize both the preparation and degradation phase parameters of composite photocatalyst TiO2-MWCNTs. The Taguchi methodology was used to find the appropriate settings for the robust parameters or factors. And assignment of weight was used to solve the multi-response problem. The preparation parameters included the added amount of carbon nanotubes, time of magnetic stirring and the temperature of heat treatment and two objectives were the degree of the specific surface area and TiO2 remaining mass. The degradation parameters including the added amount of samples, type of light and PH value were investigated by Taguchi statistical experiments to realize the highest degree of degradation of methyl orange. The physicochemical properties of the optimal prepared samples were investigated using BET, XRD, TGA and UV - vis DRS spectroscopy. The optimal level of preparation parameters identified in experiments are shown as follows: The added amount of carbon nanotubes was 0.025g, Time of magnetic stirring was 60min. The temperature of heat treatment was 500 °C, and the optimal level of degradation parameters are gotten finally also.