A NEW METHOD FOR PREPARATION OF POTASSIUM-PILLARED LAYERED TITANATE APPLIED IN PHOTOCATALYSIS

A new photocatalytic material (K-TiO2) based on commercial TiO2 has be en prepared. The heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation of phenol over illuminated K-TiO2 has been investigated. The photocatalytic properti es of this new material have been compared with commercial TiO2. In th e preliminary tests at 4.5 h of u.v.-illumination using K-TiO2 photoca talyst (0.6 g/dm(3)), 100% phenol decomposition was obtained. The effe cts of illumination time, photocatalyst content and initial pH of a so lution on the phenol decomposition degree have been studied. The optim um activity was achieved at the following conditions: initial pH of th e solution -4.5-5 or 8.5-9 and photocatalyst content about 0.4-0.5 g/d m(3).