Effect of calcination temperatures on the photocatalytic activities of commercial titania nanoparticles under solar simulator irradiation

In this study, the effect of calcination temperatures on the photocatalytic activity of commercial TiO2 photocatalysts (Evonik P25, Evonik P90, Hombikat UV100, Hombikat N100) was evaluated for degradation and removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide under solar simulator irradiation. The calcined samples were prepared by heating commercial TiO2 photocatalysts at 573 or 773 K for 4 hours. It was confirmed that before calcination treatment, the P25 TiO2 showed similar activity to the P90 TiO2, which activity was higher than those of Hombikat UV100 and N100 TiO2. The activity of P25 and P90 was reduced when the photocatalysts were calcined at 573 K and 773 K. On the other hand, the Hombikat catalysts showed an improved activity with the increase of calcination temperatures