Relationship between the Surface Composition of Titanium Oxide(IV)/Zeolite Nanocomposites and Their Photocatalytic and Adsorption Properties: X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Data

Abstract

Titanium oxide(IV)/zeolite nanocomposites obtained through the introduction of Beta(25), ZSM-5(12), MOR(5), and Y(2) zeolites into the reaction mixture, during the hydrolysis of titanyl sulphate, exhibit greater photocatalytic activity in the photodegradation reactions of methyl orange under ultraviolet radiation and a higher adsorption capacity to extract P(V) and As(V) from model aqueous environments compared to zeolites and nanoscale anatase prepared in the same way. The increase in the functional properties of nanocomposites is due to a higher amount of OH groups (photocatalytic activity and adsorption capacity) and lower amount of H₂O (photocatalytic activity) on their surface, which is revealed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Moreover, spherical shape of particles with smaller average sizes than those of zeolites, which are characterized by a more diverse morphology, increases the photocatalytic activity and adsorption capacity of the nanocomposites.