Abstract

TiO₂ was supported on HZSM-5 using a sol-gel method. Anatase TiO₂ phase is found in both pure TiO₂ and the supported x%TiO₂/HZSM-5 samples. The well distribution of TiO₂ on the surface of HZSM-5 leads to shrinking crystallite size of anatase TiO₂. After loading TiO₂ on HZSM-5, surface area of the composite x%TiO₂/HZSM-5 becomes much larger than that of pure TiO₂. The 50%TiO₂/HZSM-5 sample contains comparatively small pores in a narrow pore size range between 5-14 nm. The supported x%TiO₂/HZSM-5 has enhanced photocatalytic activity as compared to pure TiO₂. Full oxidation state of titanium does not change after loading TiO₂ on HZSM-5, while electron binding energies of Ti2p_1/2 and Ti2p_3/2 shift to higher energy end. Photocatalytic degradation efficiency is 92.8% on 50%TiO₂/HZSM-5 after 100 min of irradiation, which is much larger than the degradation efficiency of 66.1% on pure TiO₂.

Keywords: HZSM-5, Methyl orange, photocatalysis; TiO₂.