Zeolite supported TiO2 with enhanced degradation efficiency for organic dye under household compact fluorescent light

Crystalline zeolite immobilized TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using conventional liquid impregnation (LI) method and were employed to achieve efficient decomposition of basic cationic dye, Methylene Blue (MB). The novel aspect of physical modification (impregnation) with zeolite was found successful to overcome the UV light requirements for photocatalytic reaction involving TiO2. Moreover, the effects of different calcination temperatures i.e. 500, 700 and 900 degrees C were examined. The composite materials were characterized using SEM/EDX, TEM, XRD, XRF, FTIR, DRS UV-vis and point of zero charge (pH(PZC)) analyses. The present research indicates that the biphasic nature (anatase = 85% and rutile/brookite = 15%) due to high calcination temperature and the presence of zeolite support enhanced the photocatalytic degradation of MB up to 4 folds as compared to the pure anatase TiO2. The highest photocatalytic removal efficiency for MB under household compact fluorescent light reached to 155 mg l(-1) (q(m) = 62 mg g(-1)). The effects of technology parameters, such as basic pH and the presence of electron trapper, Cd2+ ions, enhanced the removal efficiencies to maximum. The physical regeneration method exhibited comparatively high degradation efficiency (135 mg l(-1) MB removal, q(t) = 54 mg g(-1)) after first regeneration.