Application of TiO2-mounted activated carbon to the removal of phenol from water

TiO2-mounted activated carbon was prepared through hydrolytic precipitation of TiO2 from teraisopropyl orthotitanate and following heat treatment at 650-900 degreesC for 1 h under a flow of nitrogen. The removal of phenol from its aqueous solution under UV irradiation was measured on TiO2-mounted activated carbons thus prepared. Although BET surface area of TiO2-mounted activated carbons decreased drastically in comparison with the original activated carbon, the efficiency of phenol removal under UV irradiation was high. The sample heated at 900 degreesC, which consisted mainly of rutile phase, showed the highest total removal of phenol. Efficiency of phenol degradation is reduced because of phenol adsorption on the catalyst. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.