Sonochemical Degradation of Reactive Black 5 with a Composite Catalyst of TiO2/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

• Published in: Jpn J Appl Phys 2013-07, Vol.52 (7), p.07HE08-07HE08-5
• Main Authors: Cho, Eunju, Choi, Jongbok, Lee, Yonghyeon, Park, Jeong Min, Khim, Jeehyeong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0021-4922; 1347-4065
• DOI: 10.7567/JJAP.52.07HE08

In the sonocatalytic process, composites of TiO 2 -carbon were used because carbon provides more adsorption sites and acts like an electron sink to prevent the recombination of an electron/hole. Therefore, in the present study, the characteristics of a TiO 2 /single-walled carbon nanotubes catalyst (TiO 2 /SWCNTs) have been investigated, and the optimal weight ratio of SWCNTs and the dose for degradation of reactive black 5 (RB5) were also evaluated. TiO 2 /SWCNT composite was characterized using Brunauer--Emmett--Teller analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction microanalysis and spectra, and X-ray diffraction patterns. The degradation rate constants of RB5 with the ratio of SWCNTs were found to depend on the adsorption phenomenon of a surface catalyst, light absorbance, and the recombination of electrons and holes. As a result, the optimal ratio of carbon in the sono-TiO 2 /SWCNTs process for degradation of RB5 was $\text{TiO$_{2}$}:\text{SWCNTs}= 200:1$. Additionally, the optimal dose of the catalyst was 0.5 g/L.