Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic activity evaluation of micro- and mesoporous TiO2/spherical activated carbon

The influences of heat-treatment temperature and activation time on the properties of TiO2 supported on spherical activated carbon (TiO2/SAC) were investigated. Nano-sized TiO2 was dispersed on the spherical activated carbon with the size of 10–30 nm. Some anatase phase of TiO2 was transformed to rutile phase of TiO2 with an increase of heat-treatment temperature. All of the TiO2/SAC photocatalysts had microporous structure, with the mesopore volume increasing over an activation time of 6 h. The TiO2/SAC photocatalysts obtained at activation times of 6 h and 9 h were observed synergistic effects between adsorption and photocatalysis in the removal of humic acid.