Synthesis and characterization of titania-magnetic activated carbon composite for photocatalytic degradation and mineralization of p-nitrophenol

A novel, magnetically separable composite photocatalyst, titania coated with magnetic activated carbon, is prepared by depositing TiO2 onto the surface of magnetic activated carbon which was prepared by directly adsorbing of magnetic Fe2O3 nanoparticles onto activated carbon. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and vibration sample magnetometer. Specific surface area is determined by BET method and is found to be 381 m/g. The photocatalytic activity of the composite is determined by degradation of the model contaminant of water, i.e., p-nitrophenol. The degradation rate of p-nitrophenol by composite was higher than 90% after the composite was reused for five cycles. The synergy factor for the degradation of p-nitrophenol by titania coated with magnetic activated carbon was found to be 1.45. The composite can be easily separated by a magnet.