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Significant effect of ph on photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants using semiconductor catalysts

Jaafar, N. F. and Jalil, A. A. and Triwahyono, S. and Ripin, A. and Ali, M. W. (2016) Significant effect of ph on photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants using semiconductor catalysts. Jurnal Teknologi, 78 (8-3). pp. 7-12. ISSN 0127-9696

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Abstract

Photocatalytic is one of the inexpensive and non-toxic techniques for degradation of organic pollutants into harmless substances such as water and carbon dioxide. In this study, simple electrolysis method was used in preparation of Ag/TiO2 and α-Fe2O3/HY catalysts. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were studied using XRD, FTIR, FESEM-EDX and surface area analysis. The pH of solution plays an important role in the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants which influences the surface-charge properties of the catalysts. Ag/TiO2 and α-Fe2O3/HY were used as catalyst on degradation of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) and methyl orange (MO), respectively. The effect of pH on degradation of 2-CP and MO were investigated over a pH range from 2 to 9. Higher degradation of 2-CP and MO were obtained at pH 5 (74%) and pH 2 (80%), respectively. This finding might be explained by the amphoteric performance of the catalyst using point zero charge (pHZPC). The pHZPC for Ag/TiO2 and α-Fe2O3/HY was found to be at pH 6.3 and pH 7.2, respectively. Hence, the activities of the catalysts may have been affected by the existence of a strong electrostatic field between the positively charged catalysts surface and negatively charged 2-CP and MO caused a pH value lower than their pHZPC give greater degradation.

Item Type:Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:2-chlorophenol, Ag/TiO2, Methyl orange, PH, a-Fe2O3/HY
Subjects:Q Science > QD Chemistry
Divisions:Science
ID Code:74320
Deposited By: Widya Wahid
Deposited On:27 Nov 2017 09:02
Last Modified:27 Nov 2017 09:02

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