Locardi F
Italy
Research Article
Photocatalysis in Darkness: Optimization of Sol-Gel Synthesis of NP-TiO2 Supported on a Persistent Luminescence Material and its Application for the Removal of Ofloxacin from Water
Author(s): Alberti S, Locardi F, Sturini M, Speltini A, Maraschi F, Costa GA, Ferretti M and Caratto VAlberti S, Locardi F, Sturini M, Speltini A, Maraschi F, Costa GA, Ferretti M and Caratto V
In the present work, a new photocatalyst based on a new persistent luminescence phosphor, PeLM, and NPs- TiO2 was synthesized and the synthesis was optimized using a chemometric approach. A solid-state synthesis was used to obtain the persistent luminescence material while a sol-gel synthesis was used to obtain anatase NPs-TiO2. Each sample was then characterized by means of XRD, SEM and BET analysis, while the photocatalytic activity was evaluated testing the percent degradation of a methylene blue aqueous solution. Two different kinds of experiments were performed on the optimized sample, using a continuous irradiation or halving it with darkness cycles. It’s been demonstrated that the PeLM acts as an internal source for TiO2, providing the excitation required for the photocatalysis and so allowing to continue photon absorption even in darkness con.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2157-7439.1000501