Synthesis and properties of novel photoactive composites of P25 titanium dioxide and copper (I) oxide with inorganic polymers

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• 作者：Mahroo Falah ; Kenneth J.D. MacKenzie
• 关键词：Geopolymers ; Photocatalyst ; Copper (I) oxide ; Titania ; Nanoparticles
• 刊名：Ceramics International
• 出版年：2015
• 出版时间：December 2015
• 年：2015
• 卷：41
• 期：10
• 页码：13702-13708
• 全文大小：1601 K

文摘

The synthesis of novel composites of spherical Cu₂O nanoparticles and P25 TiO₂ with aluminosilicate inorganic polymers (geopolymers) is described and the morphology of the homogeneous oxide nanoparticle dispersion within the geopolymer matrix demonstrated by SEM/EDS and TEM. XRD and FTIR confirmed the formation of a well-reacted geopolymer matrix that was unaffected by the insertion of the Cu₂O/TiO₂ nanoparticles. Experiments in dark conditions and under UV irradiation showed that these materials efficiently remove a model organic pollutant (methylene blue dye) from solution by a dual process of adsorption on the geopolymer matrix, and photodecomposition of the dye without destroying the geopolymer structure. The adsorption kinetics are described by a pseudo-first-order model and Freundlich-type isotherms. Incorporation of 10 wt% Cu₂O/TiO₂ nanoparticles into the geopolymer composites decreases their adsorption ability by blocking the active adsorption, sites, but at higher Cu₂O/TiO₂ concentrations, dye adsorption is facilitated, probably by expanding the geopolymer matrix structure. Under UV irradiation, the composites remove the MB dye by a combination of adsorption and photodegradation without destroying the geopolymer structure. The combination of nanosized Cu₂O particles and photoreactive P25 titania in an aluminosilicate inorganic polymer matrix is a more efficient photocatalyst under UV irradiation than geopolymer composites containing either of the individual oxides alone. These new geopolymer composites show promise as ecologically-friendly materials which can efficiently remove organic pollutants from water or the atmosphere.