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Photocatalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol using TiO2 + Fe2O3 and TiO2/Fe2O3-supported bentonite as heterogeneous catalysts

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Abstract

TiO2/natural hematite-supported bentonite (TiNHB) was successfully synthesized as a heterogeneous catalyst for photodegradation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in aqueous solution. Supporting on TiO2/hematite rendered a significant increase in specific surface area of bentonite. X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analyses confirmed the presence of both TiO2 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles in the TiNHB catalyst. The photocatalytic performance of TiNHB was investigated using reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) as model reaction. The results showed that TiNHB converted nearly 98 % of 4-NP under UV254nm irradiation with optimum operating conditions of 0.025 g/L TiNHB, pH 3, and 20 mg/L 4-NP. The reaction kinetics of the photocatalytic reduction of 4-NP were studied by UV–Vis spectrophotometry, and the apparent rate constant was determined for comparison with TiO2 + Fe2O3. This work is expected to shed new light on the development of new photocatalysts for removal of environmental pollutants.

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  1. Inorganic Chemistry and Environment, University of Tlemcen, P.O. Box 119, 13000, Tlemcen, Algeria

    Hafida Gaffour & Malika Mokhtari

  2. Research Unit in Renewable Energies in the Saharan Medium, Adrar, Algeria

    Hafida Gaffour

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  1. Hafida Gaffour
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Gaffour, H., Mokhtari, M. Photocatalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol using TiO2 + Fe2O3 and TiO2/Fe2O3-supported bentonite as heterogeneous catalysts. Res Chem Intermed 42, 6025–6038 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-016-2436-8

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