Enhanced Photocatalytic Kinetics Using HDTMA Coated TiO2-Smectite Composite for the Oxidation of Diclofenac under Solar Light

Slow kinetics is one of the capital issues photocatalytic technology because its heterogeneous nature, which involves multi-step processes. Herein, we show that simple modification sol-gel-based TiO2-smectite composite by hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA) significantly boosts adsorption and efficient light towards removal diclofenac from water. Three photocatalysts were prepared, including TiO2, TiO2-smectite, HDTMA-TiO2-smectite. The materials characterized to understand surface interaction crystal characteristics. In terms photoactivity, it was found addition HDTMA improved rate twice. changes functional groups allowing enhanced photoactivity through so-called Adsorb Shuttle process. recycling tests HDTMA-TiO2-smectite can be used up four times with good performance. This approach could intensify pollutants water instead using complicated costly techniques.