Synthesis of TiO2/SiO2 Nano Composites for Photocatalysis Applications via Sol-Gel Procedure

TiO2/SiO2 nanocomposites have been prepared via a two-stage, acid–base sol–gel procedure using different molar ratios of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as precursors. TiO2/SiO2 nanocomposites were mainly characterized by means of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) techniques The results revealed that the sol–gel route is an efficient procedure TiO2/SiO2 nanocomposites preparation. The optimum performance was obtained with 1% molar ratio of TiO2: TEOS. Addition of TiO2/SiO2 nanocomposites to nitrocellulose based resin demonstrates reduction of photodecomposition of rhodamine–B (RhB) compare with neat TiO2 nanoparticles. Modification of photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticles reduces decomposition of resin structure.

Keywords:

Grafting , Photocatalytic , Nano-particle , Sol-gel , Binder