ENHANCEMENT OF PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF TITANIUM(IV) OXIDE WITH MOLYBDENUM(VI) OXIDE

The addition of MoO3 to TiO2 enhanced its photocatalytic properties by 100%. This may be related to an increase in the rate of transfer of e lectrons from the TiO2 to the outer system, via the formation of a red uced molybdenum species. Samples of MoO3/TiO2 mixed oxide powders were prepared by two methods: (1) the incipient wetness impregnation of am monium paramolybdate onto TiO2 (P25), followed by a heat treatment, an d (2) the ultrasonic nebulization and flame hydrolysis of a mixed etha nol solution of molybdenyl acetylacetonate and dipropoxy-titanium-bis( acetylacetonate). The photocatalytic activities of TiO2 based catalyst s were evaluated by the degradation of 1,4-dichlorobenzene (DCB).