SOL-GEL DERIVED ORMOSIL-EXFOLIATED GRAPHITE-TIO2 COMPOSITE FLOATING CATALYST - PHOTODEPOSITION OF COPPER

A new class of floating photocatalyst that can be used for recovery of copper from aqueous solutions is reported. The photocatalyst is compr ised of a dispersion of titania nanocrystals in exfoliated graphite us ing organically modified silicate (Ormosil) as a binder. The composite materials were prepared by a two-step acid catalyzed sol-gel preparat ion protocol. The efficiency of copper recovery under UV irradiation i s compared for the floating catalysts, nanocrystalline titania suspens ion, and titania films. The floating catalyst could be used for prolon ged duration, showed good regeneration capability and considerable amo unt of the recovered copper ''peeled off' in metallic form, and could be in solid form without further acid redissolution.