Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol Using Al2O3-SnO2 Mixed Oxide

Al2O3 and SnO2 mixed oxide were obtained by the coprecipitation method at different Sn4+ contents, from the urea hydrolysis at 95 degrees C using nitrate salt as metal precursor. The studies of X-ray diffraction and reflectance diffuse UV-Vis spectroscopies and N2 adsorption-desorption show important changes. The photocatalytic efficiency test for the mineralization of phenol was determined from UV-Vis spectroscopy. The Al2O3-SnO2 mixed oxide with 10% mol of Sn4+ improved the photocatalytic activity in the elimination of phenol under UV light irradiation, where the photodegradation rate was 2 times more active than Al2O3 unmodified and 1.4 times more active than the reference photocatalyst TiO2-P25. The high activity observed was discussed as a function of the small particle size of SnO2.

Photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol with MgAlTi mixed oxides catalysts obtained from layered double hydroxides

MgAl and MgAlTi mixed oxides were obtained from the thermal treatment of LDH materials synthesized by the sol-gel method; these materials were characterized by N2 physisorption, XRD, UV-vis, XPS, EDS-SEM and TEM techniques. According to the results, Ti was incorporated in the LDH layer when content in the material was low. The MgAl and MgAlTi mixed oxides were evaluated in the photo-degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in the presence of UV light. A superior efficiency in the photo-degradation of 2,4-DCP, in comparison with the Degussa P-25 TiO2 reference catalyst was observed, reaching a total decomposition of the 2,4-DCP molecule in less than 60 min. According to the results, Ti was incorporated in the LDH layer when the content in the material was low. The MgAl and MgAlTi mixed oxides were evaluated in the photo-degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in the presence of UV light. A superior efficiency in the photo-degradation of 2,4-DCP with the MgAl and MgAlTi mixed oxides, in comparison with the Degussa P-25 TiO2 reference catalyst was observed, reaching a total decomposition of the 2,4-DCP molecule in less than 60 min.