Structural and photocatalytic properties of hydrothermally-prepared boehmite/TiO2 coatings

Abstract

The rapid increase in the photocatalysis-based treatments of various pollutants such as dyes, pesticides and pharmaceuticals has given rise to the ecological concerns regarding secondary pollution by the catalyst itself. While researchers primarily focus on the production of more efficient and cost-effective catalysts, equal or even greater weight should be put upon the research of minimising the negative impact of wear and erosion of photocatalytic nanoparticles that are washed into the environment as a form of secondary pollution. The proposed immobilisation of photoactive TiO2 nanoparticles as a coating prepared by one-step hydrothermal method offers an efficient way of adhesion of photocatalyst on the substrate to improve ease of handling, minimise the erosion into the environment while still retaining photodegradation capabilities.

Keywords

• Photocatalysis
• TiO2
• Boehmite
• Coatings
• Wastewater treatment
• Hydrothermal synthesis