Synthesis and Characterization of Cellulose Templated (N, S) Co-doped TiO2 Photocatalyst for Degradation of Methylene Blue

Abstract

In this study, Sulphur and nitrogen were co-doped on TiO2 in the presence of cellulose which was extracted from paper mill sludge as a template, and a hydrothermal synthesis method was used. The synthesized materials were characterized by X-Ray powder diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Field Emission Scanning electron microscope (FE SEM). Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), Thermal analysis technique (DTG), UV-visible spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectrons spectroscopy (XPS) were done in Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and national Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan. The photocatalytic activities of the cellulose templated (S, N) co-doped TiO2 with varying the amount of dopants from 0% up to 6% were evaluated for the degradation of Methylene blue (MB) dye. At 2% of Sulphur and nitrogen doping level maximum degradation efficiency of MB dye was 95.6%. However, the pristine TiO2 degrades only 59.3% of MB dye. The pH value and the calcination temperature affect the removal efficiency of dyes. 97.5% of MB was removed at pH=11 owing to the higher adsorption of MB to the negative surface of the 2NS-T photocatalyst. The 2NS-T calcined at 700 oC also shows remarkable removal efficiency than calcined at 600oC and 800oC. The higher catalytic efficiencies of the cellulose templated (S, N) co-doped TiO2 catalyst could be due to the low recombination of charge carriers, high absorption of visible light, agglomeration free and high porosity. Therefore, 2% (S, N) Co-doped TiO2/cellulose catalyst is the best candidate for removing organic dyes from wastewater in the practical application.In This Study, Sulphur And Nitrogen Were Co-Doped On Tio2 In The Presence Of Cellulose Which Was Extracted From Paper Mill Sludge As A Template, And A Hydrothermal Synthesis Method Was Used. The Synthesized Materials Were Characterized By X-Ray Powder Diffraction (Xrd), Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (Drs), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (Fe Sem). Fourier Transform Infrared (Ft-Ir), Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (Pl), Thermal Analysis Technique (Dtg), Uv-Visible Spectroscopy, And X-Ray Photoelectrons Spectroscopy (Xps) Were Done In Department Of Materials Science And Engineering, And National Taiwan University Of Science And Technology, Taiwan. The Photocatalytic Activities Of The Cellulose Templated (S, N) Co-Doped Tio2 With Varying The Amount Of Dopants From 0% Up To 6% Were Evaluated For The Degradation Of Methylene Blue (Mb) Dye. At 2% Of Sulphur And Nitrogen Doping Level Maximum Degradation Efficiency Of Mb Dye Was 95.6%. However, The Pristine Tio2 Degrades Only 59.3% Of Mb Dye. The Ph Value And The Calcination Temperature Affect The Removal Efficiency Of Dyes. 97.5% Of Mb Was Removed At Ph=11 Owing To The Higher Adsorption Of Mb To The Negative Surface Of The 2ns-T Photocatalyst. The 2ns-T Calcined At 700 Oc Also Shows Remarkable Removal Efficiency Than Calcined At 600oc And 800oc. The Higher Catalytic Efficiencies Of The Cellulose Templated (S, N) Co-Doped Tio2 Catalyst Could Be Due To The Low Recombination Of Charge Carriers, High Absorption Of Visible Light, Agglomeration Free And High Porosity. Therefore, 2% (S, N) Co-Doped Tio2/Cellulose Catalyst Is The Best Candidate For Removing Organic Dyes From Wastewater In The Practical Application.