Photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B using SiO2 supported on activated carbon

Abstract

SiO 2 sol was prepared by using Silicic acid with Tetrahydrofuran in the ratio of 1:2 along with Isopropanol solution and mixed with Coccinia indica bark activated carbon (AC) prepared using acid impregnation method. The grain size of the particles was calculated by X-ray diffraction, SEM and EDAX analysis reported the surface morphology and chemical composition. The crystal structure and elemental composition was analyzed by Fourier transform spectroscopy, band gap was calculated using UV-Visible spectroscopy. The photocatalytic experiments were performed with aqueous solution of Rhodamine B for 2h irradiation, direct photolysis of AC-SiO 2 contributed 85% decomposition in solar radiation for the optimized concentration of Rhodamine B dye.