Toluene Photocatalytic Degradation on TiO2 Loaded on Nitrate-Modified Activated Carbon Fiber
1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; 2. College of Resources and Environment, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; 3. Zhejiang SUPCONScientific Instrument Co., Ltd, Hangzhou 310027, China
Abstract TiO2/ACF catalysts were synthesized by depositing TiO2 on activated carbon fiber (ACF) modified by nitric acid. The physical properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectrum (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), Raman Spectrum and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of humidity, nitrification extent of ACF, and TiO2 loading on toluene photocatalytic degradation were investigated. The results showed that nitrification introduced rich oxygen-containing groups into ACF surface, which could lead to a more uniform TiO2 distribution and about 3.5 fold of toluene conversion. With the increase of humidity, the toluene conversion first increased then decreased. This was due to the fact that a high humidity resulted in a high water adsorption amount on the catalyst, therefore, reducing the toluene adsorption capacity. With the increase of nitrification extent of ACF, the toluene conversion increased due to the enhanced water adsorption capacity. With the increase of TiO2 loading, the toluene conversion first increased and then decreased too, because a high TiO2 loading changed the particle morphology on the catalyst surface.
