Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants Under Visible Light Using Ag-Modified TiO2 on Activated Carbon Fibers

Ag-modified TiO2 on activated carbon fibers (ACF) was synthesized and successfully used for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in this work. The physical properties of the materials were characterized using various methods such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, Fourier transform infrared, UV-Vis, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and reusability tests. Besides, the effects of reaction parameters on photodegradation such as silver loading, light source, organic pollutant species and initial pollutant concentration were investigated. The results showed that Ag significantly increased the number of surface adsorption sites, improved the electron transmission rate and suppressed the complexation of e(-) and h(+). Under visible light, 1.5-Ag-TiO2/ACF [n(Ag:TiO2)=1.5] revealed the best catalytic activity and reusability for dye removal and toluene adsorption. Based on the experimental results, a possible photocatalytic mechanism of Ag-TiO2/ACF was proposed. This study will provide a theoretical basis for the application of Ag-TiO2/ACF photocatalyst in the field of organic pollutants treatment.

Automated summary

In this study, Ag-modified TiO2 on ACF was synthesized and effectively used for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. By investigating reaction parameters, 1.5-Ag-TiO2/ACF was found to exhibit the best catalytic activity and reusability under visible light.