Synthesis of TiO2/carbon aerogel composite and its photocatalytic degradation of gaseous formaldehyde

Abstract

In this study, TiO₂ was modified with carbon aerogel (CA) derived from organic polymer to form a photocatalyst material to remove formaldehyde vapor in the air. TiO₂/CA samples were synthesized under different calcination temperatures and different TiO₂ and CA ratios by sol-gel method. Modern methods like scanning electron microscopy(SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDS), Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm were used to analyze surface morphology, crystal structure, and surface area characteristics. The results indicate that TiO₂ with CA modification enhances surface area and minimizes clumping in synthesis. The formaldehyde vapor treatment test was performed with 0.1g of the catalyst dispersed on the surface with dimensions of 5 ×20 cm under UV lamp (365 nm, 36 Watts), gas flow 1.5 l/min. The highest efficiency of the TiO₂/CA sample was about 61% compared with 49% of the pure TiO₂ sample.