Preparation and application of TiO2/CNT photocatalysts for water and air purification

Fotokataliza je okolišno prihvatljiva metoda ubrojena u napredne oksidacijske procese za pročišćavanje voda i zraka. Koristeći sunčevu energiju, mikroonečišćivala poput pesticida moguće je vezati na površinu fotokatalizatora. Najrasprostranjeniji fotokatalizator je titan dioksid s raznim primjesama. U ovom radu testirana je priprema ugljikovih nanocjevčica (eng. „Carbon nanotubes“, CNT) vakuumskom pirolizom otpadne plastične boce (PET). Primjese titan dioksida i CNT-a te Pd/C-a (paladij na ugljiku) kao fotokatalizatora aktivnih u UV i vidljivom spektru sunčeva zračenja imobilizirane su na prikladnom nosaču. Provedeni su uspješni eksperimenti fotokatalitičke razgradnje modelnih onečišćivala, pesticida imidakloprida i metilen blue, u hibridnom reaktoru s prirodnim izvorom sunčeva zračenja.Photocatalysis as an effective advanced oxidation process is an ecological method for purification and remediation of contaminated air and water. Based on solar energy, photocatalysis materials adsorb micropollutants like pesticides. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and its composites are widely used for photocatalytic reactions. The aim of this paper was to test the synthesis of CNT (Carbon Nanotubes) from plastic waste (PET) by using vacuum pyrolysis. Nanocomposites of TiO2 and photocatalysts active under UV and visible solar irradiation (CNT and Pd/C) were immobilized on a support. Successful photocatalytic degradation of pesticides imidaclopride and methylene blue were conducted in a hybrid photocatalytic reactor under sunlight irradiation