Removal of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and its cobalt complex by layered double hydroxide/titanium dioxide from aqueous solution

TiO2-LDH photocatalysts as mechanical mixture (MCPC) and core-shell (CSPC) were successfully synthesized and characterized by XRD, TEM, and EDX techniques. The band gaps were determined by UV-vis diffuse reflectance. The photocatalytic efficiency of the catalysts for removal of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and its cobalt complexes (Co(II)-EDTA) was evaluated under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Results showed that the employed catalysts not only has higher removal efficiency for both EDTA and Co(II)-EDTA than TiO2, but also easily separated from the aqueous phase. Removal percentages of about 83 and 88% (for EDTA) and 71 and 81% (for Co(II)-EDTA) are achieved by MMPC and CSPC, respectively.