Synthesis and Characterization of TiO 2 /SiO 2 Monoliths as Photocatalysts on Methanol Oxidation

• Published in: International journal of photoenergy Vol. 2018; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Regalado-Raya, Rigoberto, Romero-Romero, Rubí, Avilés-García, Osmín, Espino-Valencia, Jaime
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 23-09-2018
• ISSN: 1110-662X; 1687-529X
• DOI: 10.1155/2018/8478240

Photocatalytic materials based on silica-titania (SiO
2
-TiO
2
) were synthesized by sol-gel and dip-coating method. TEOS and titanium butoxide were used as precursors of the silica-titania, respectively. A thin film with anatase phase was obtained on the surface of the support. The effect of variables as dispersion mechanism, immersion time, and number of treatment cycles were studied. The materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion scanning, and N
2
adsorption-desorption. The highest crystallinity of TiO
2
on silica, high specific surface area in TiO
2
-SiO
2
materials, and thin film formation were obtained by using a stirring plate and minimum immersion time. The so synthesized catalyst allowed the production of formaldehyde from the photocatalyzed methanol oxidation in a packed-bed reactor.