Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of Calcareous/TiO2 Nanocomposites under UV Light Irradiation using Methylene Blue Dye

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) occurs in three basic modification anatase, rutile and brookite. Anatase is widely studied due to its very good photocatalytic properties, which may be used in additives to paints and construction materials, degradation of organic pollutants in air and water etc.,. In the present work, the synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of calcareous/TiO2 nanocomposites on the removal of methylene blue dye were carried out by using solvothermal method. Synthesized nanocomposites was characterized by using XRD, SEM, EDAX and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The XRD pattern reveals the course of composites formation and calcareous/TiO2 nanocomposites containing anatase phase of TiO2 were found. The higher photocatalytic activity was obtained in anatase phase of TiO2 than rutile. It is concluded that the higher photocatalytic activity in anatase is due to parameters like band gap, number of hydroxyl groups, surface area and porosity of catalyst. The spherical morphology of calcareous/TiO2 nanocomposites was observed in SEM analysis. The photocatalytic efficiency of various operational parameters like concentration, time, catalyst loading and pH on methylene blue dye was also studied.