Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl blue by TiO2 Nanoparticles Incorporated in Cement

Abstract

In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles incorporated with cement were synthesized by a simple casting method as a function of the concentration of TiO2 (0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1, and 2 wt%). The prepared samples were characterized using the techniques of Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and UV-Visible spectrophotometer, which were used to measure the adsorption spectra. The observed photocatalytic efficiency of TiO2 nanoparticles (NP) incorporated with cement was investigated by decomposing the dye methyl blue (MB) solution under sunlight irradiation. According to the slope, the value of the k constant at the best sample is 0.8 wt%, k = 0.8265 min-1. FESEM images of the TiO2/cement with 0.8 wt% content show the TiO2 NPs were well-attached to cement particles, and they covered the cement surface. The increase in photocatalytic (PC) activity was due to an increase in TiO2 concentration in the cement, which best occurs at 0.8 wt% of TiO2 in cement. The degradation at the MB (5 ppm) was 98.864 % after 120 min of sunlight irradiation. The method involves easily and simply preparing TiO2/cement that is used in self-cleaning and studying the effect of different festive factors, including the concentration of the dye. The preparation of TiO2/cement was successful as a photocatalyst for a self-cleaning surface.