GRAPHITE/TITANIUM DIOXIDE COMPOSITE

Nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO2) in its anatase form is the most frequently studied and as well as used photocatalyst. There are several syntheses procedures which enable to achieve photocatalytic TiO2. The sol-gel method utilizing titanium alkoxides is used most often. Alternative precursors such as titanium tetrachloride and titanyl sulphate are also frequently employed. Nowadays the environmental aspects connected to application of nanoparticles are widely discussed. As a possible solution how to avoid potential negative impact of nanoparticles is their fixation on the surface of suitable substrate. In this work we focused on the preparation of graphite/TiO2 composite (with 10 and 50 wt% of TiO2, respectively) using non-alkoxide precursor. The phase composition of prepared samples was studied using X-ray diffraction method; specific surface area of the samples was evaluated using BET method. Photocatalytic activity of prepared composites was determined by the means of UV induced discoloration of aqueous suspension of the composite and acid orange 7.