Analysis of the Photocatalytic Potential of the C/TiO₂ Composite

Abstract

The control of environmental pollution has led to an intensive search for innovative and efficient technologies for wastewater treatment, especially those with toxic or non-biodegradable compounds. In this sense, this work involved the preparation of a hybrid composite of TiO2 with amorphous carbon by partial pyrolysis method and the analysis of their photocatalytic potential using phenol red dye as a test molecule. The composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The evaluation of morphology and the structural characterization of the powder confirmed the formation of the hybrid composite of TiO2 dispersed in a carbon matrix with turbostratic structure, organized in the shape of overlapping plates. The composite presented a discoloration rate of 67% after 4 hours of irradiation. The photocatalytic reaction follows a kinetics of first order type.