Highly branched TiO2 nanowires (TiO2NWs) were synthesized using TiCl4 as the precursor in an acidic media by a hydrothermal procedure. The as-synthesized TiO2NWs showed homogeneous size and shape with pure rutile crystal structure phase when characterized with SEM, XRD and Raman (See figure 1). The photocatalytic activity of the TiO2NWs was tested using two pharmaceutical active ingredients of UV-filters as organic pollutants. The reaction took place in a home-made photoreactor during 180 minutes. It was found that p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and benzophenone-4 (BP-4) could be removed at least in 90% when the reaction is carried under optimal experimental conditions. A slight acidic media was found optimum since the zero point charge of TiO2NWs promotes the reaction in this environment. It was demonstrated that the catalyst loading influenced the catalytic activity since threshold were found due to light screening effects. Also higher catalytic activities were achieved when the pollutant concentrations were lowered due to ideal interaction with the catalyst and the contaminants.

Photocatalytic degradation of UV-filters mediated by as-synthesized TiO2NWs

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.