Department of Chemistry, Vaal University of Technology, Private Bag x021, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa; Department of Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag x1314, Alicee, South Africa
Sanni, S.O., Department of Chemistry, Vaal University of Technology, Private Bag x021, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa; Idemudia, O.G., Department of Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag x1314, Alicee, South Africa
Visible-light-responsive material based on Rhodium doped on titanium dispersed on dealuminated clinoptilolite (TiOHCP) was synthesized via a combination of the sol-gel method and photoreductive deposition technique. The photocatalyst surface characterization, structural and optical properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and UV-visible spectra (UV-VIS). Doping TiOHCP with Rh imparts a red shifting of the absorption band into the visible light region according to UV-VIS. The prepared composite materials were evaluated for their photocatalytic activities on pentachlorophenol (PCP) degradation under sunlight irradiation. The Rhodium doped TiOHCP exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity and can be considered as a potential photocatalyst in wastewater treatment. © 2014 Saheed Olalekan Sanni and Omoruyi Gold Idemudia.
Complexation; Energy dispersive X ray analysis; Gravimetric analysis; Herbicides; Light; Optical properties; Phenols; Photocatalysis; Photocatalysts; Rhodium; Scanning electron microscopy; Sol-gel process; Sol-gels; Thermogravimetric analysis; Wastewater treatment; X ray diffraction; Energy dispersive x-ray; Photocatalytic activities; Photocatalytic performance; Structural and optical properties; Surface characterization; Synthesis and characterizations; Thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA); Visible-light-responsive; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy