Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of TiO₂-Coated NaY and HY Zeolites for the Degradation of Methylene Blue in Water

Abstract

The TiO2-coated zeolite photocatalysts were prepared by dispersing zeolite powders in dilute titanium tetraisopropoxide solution. The characterization of the catalysts was carried out by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption. The presence of TiO2 on zeolite surface was confirmed by UV−visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2-coated NaY and HY zeolite was investigated by degradation of aqueous solution of methylene blue dye. The highest photocatalytic activity was obtained with 1% TiO2-coated zeolite catalysts. This study demonstrated that the photocatalytic activity of TiO2-coated catalyst is higher than that of bare TiO2 at a low amount of TiO2 coating on the zeolite surface.