Application of FSM-16 impregnated by TiO2 as an efficient photocatalyst for elimination of benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene, adsorptive removal of degradation products by MCM-41

A novel photocatalyst was prepared by immobilization of TiO2 on the surface of FSM-16 catalyst support, and was characterized by different techniques. Optical properties of synthesized sample studied by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence analysis indicated that after immobilization the bang gap energy of TiO2 was shifted to visible region, and electron-hole recombination was reduced. The degradation tests performed at various conditions under UV and visible lights showed that at optimized conditions 91% of benzothiophene and 77% of dibenzothiophene were eliminated. Degradation products were identified by GC-MS, and were removed by MCM-41 adsorbent. The used photocatalyst was highly regenerable. (C) 2019 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.