Author(s)

Du Yuanyuan, Shan Ping

Corresponding Author

Du Yuanyuan

Abstract

The rectorite (REC) is used as a raw material to modify REC with nitric acid. The modified REC-TiO2 composites were formed by sol-gel method on the surface of acidified REC sheets, and their adsorption properties and photocatalytic properties were studied. The results showed that the adsorption amount of methylene blue (MB) by REC, modified REC and modified REC-TiO2 composites increased with the increase of equilibrium concentration. The adsorption capacity of REC, modified REC and modified REC-TiO2 composites increased with the increase of temperature. The adsorption of MB on modified REC-titanium dioxide composites is endothermic. At 25 C, the maximum adsorption capacity of REC is 93.985 mg/g, the maximum adsorption capacity of modified REC is 107.006 mg/g, and the maximum adsorption capacity of modified REC-titanium dioxide composites is 120.773 mg/g. The degradation rates of MB and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by modified REC-titanium dioxide composite under illumination were 99% and 98%, respectively. The degradation rates of MB and 4-NP of modified REC-TiO2 composites were 50% and 0.8% respectively under dark conditions. The degradation rates of MB and 4-NP of modified REC-TiO2 composites were improved under light conditions.

Keywords

Rectorite; Modification; Titanium dioxide; Sol-gel method; Photocatalytic