Microwave-assisted preparation of TiO 2/activated carbon composite photocatalyst for removal of methanol in humid air streams

Yong Tao, Chang Yu Wu, David W. Mazyck

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

TiO 2/activated carbon composite photocatalyst was prepared by a microwave-assisted impregnation method and was employed for the removal of methanol from humid air streams. A commercial microwave oven (800 W) was used as the microwave source. Under 2450 MHz microwave irradiation, titanium tetra-isopropoxide (TTIP) was quickly hydrolyzed and anatase TiO 2 was formed in a short time (<20 min). As a result of the volumetric heating and selective heating of the microwave, the solvent and byproducts were quickly removed which reduced energy consumption and processing time. The formed submicrometer TiO 2 particles mainly deposited on the external surface of carbon. In a packed bed reactor with an empty bed contact time of 0.35 s, the prepared materials maintained a 40% removal efficiency at an inlet methanol concentration of 39 ppm. When the TTIP-conversion was complete, neither the irradiation time nor the water/TTIP ratio could further change the photocatalytic activity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5110-5116
Number of pages7
JournalIndustrial and Engineering Chemistry Research
Volume45
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 5 2006

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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