Maximizing photocatalytic efficiency with minimal amount of gold: Solar-driven TiO2 photocatalysis supported by MICROSCAFS® for facile catalyst recovery

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2024.112043
• Publication Date: 2024-01-25T12:30:19Z
• Authors: Sofia Moreira Fer...; Beatriz Trindade ...; Jéssica Verger Na...; M. Fátima Montemor; Ermelinda Maçoas; M. Conceição Oliv...; Carla C.C.R. de C...; Alessandro Lauria; Markus Niederberger; Ana C. Marques
• Keywords: Photodegradation; Methyl orange; Titanium Dioxide; Degradation; Titanium oxide

Multicomponent oxide (i.e., SiO2-TiO2) microspheres with interconnected meso and macroporosity, called MICROSCAFS®, are attractive for various applications. Here, we present them as robust efficient catalyst supports, facilitating straightforward purification of wastewater through solar-driven photocatalysis, an easy recovery reuse. We report on the immobilization titanium dioxide (TiO2) gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) into MICROSCAFS® their characterization using analytical techniques. The supported catalysts were tested solar (1 sun) photocatalytic degradation two different pollutants: organic dye methyl orange (MO) antibiotic minocycline (MC). results showed that presence Au NPs, in nominal concentrations between 0.02 0.08 wt.%. improved performance, achieving up to 20% higher MO, compared sample without gold. In case MC, observed initial 45.5% adsorption, followed by complete photodegradation under irradiation less than 1 h. also demonstrated good recyclability, performance decreased adsorption tendency subsequent cycles. transformation products (TPs) elucidated high-resolution mass spectrometry experiments. For generation three TPs, lower toxicity aquatic species, while MC there only which completely removed within 2 h irradiation. Overall, this study highlights potential photocatalyst support pollutants light