Nano-ilmenite with Dual Functions of Photocatalysis and Adsorption

• DOI: 10.1007/s11837-018-3078-7
• Publication Date: 2018-08-10T12:33:04Z
• Authors: Yen-Hua Chen; Fu-An Li
• Keywords: 0103 physical sciences; 7. Clean energy; 01 natural sciences; 6. Clean water

Water pollution, including the generation of wastewater, is becoming an increasingly serious global issue. In this study, ilmenite (FeTiO3) nano-photocatalysts were synthesized via a simple sol-gel method to determine their applicability to wastewater remediation. Methylene blue was photocatalytically decomposed by visible light in the presence of nano-ilmenite, and batch experiments were performed to study the adsorption characteristic. The results reveal that nano-ilmenite exhibits good photocatalytic activity under visible-light illumination (rate constant, 0.029 min−1) and possesses a high adsorption capacity (22.2 mg/g) for copper ions. These results indicate that nano-ilmenite is a good photocatalyst. The photocatalytic activity combined with its high copper ion adsorption activity renders it a suitable material for wastewater treatment.