formic acid decomposition using synthesized ag/tio2 nanocomposite in ethanol-water media under illumination of near uv light

the effect of ethanol-water media on the synthesis of ag/tio2 nanocomposite was investigated with 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5 (wt.%) of ag content. ethanol was used as hole-scavenger enhancing the photodecomposition of ag+ ions under illumination of near-uv light. the nanocomposites were further calcined to 300˚c and 400˚c under controlled atmosphere. the synthesized nanocomposites were tested for photocatalytic efficiency decomposing formic acid as an organic pollutant under irradiation of a 4w near uv lamp with lmax at 365nm and the results were compared with that of non-modified commercially available degussa tio2 (p25). the synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using xrd and sem micrographs. the photocatalytic studies have revealed a constant overall performance for all synthesized nanocomposites. the initial rate of decomposition was observed to increase with decreasing ag content, in the case of 0.05 wt.% having the best initial rate. calcination of the nanocomposites was found to have activating properties on the synthesized nanocomposites where nanocomposite with 0.05 (wt.%) ag content calcined at 300°c was distinctively advantageous overother calcined nanocomposites.