Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of TiO2-halloysite and Fe2O3-halloysite nanocomposites for photodegradation of chloroanilines in water

The TiO2- and Fe2O3-halloysite nanocomposites were prepared using acid treated halloysite from Poland. The TiO2-halloysite nanocomposite was synthesized using titanium isopropoxide as a precursor under hydrothermal treatment at 65 degrees C. The Fe2O3-halloysite nanocomposite was obtained using the sol-gel method. Gelatinous ferric hydroxide was applied as a ferric precursor. Chemical and phase composition, particle morphology, and physical properties of these nanocomposites were studied with the use of wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF), X-ray diffraction (XPRD), electron microscopy (TEM), FTIR technique, and N-2 adsorption/desorption isotherms. The photocatalytic activities of TiO2- and Fe2O3-halloysite nanocomposites for aniline, 2-chloro-, and 2,6-dichloroaniline degradation under the UV irradiation were determined. The TiO2- and Fe2O3-halloysite nanocomposites showed significantly higher photocatalytic activity in decomposing aniline and its chloro derivatives than that of the commercial TiO2, commercial photocatalyst P25, and halloysite contains natural TiO2 dispersed on their surface.