Application of TiO2–zeolite as photocatalyst for photodegradation of some organic pollutants

Immobilization of catalysts on the surface of some inert supports makes therecovering step easier. Because of the specific physicochemical properties, zeolites are good candidate as catalyst supports. In this study, zeolite X was synthesized by natural kaolin and TiO2 was incorporated into zeolite phase by impregnation method. Degradation of Safranin Orange, methylene blue and 2,4–dinitroaniline was studied in the presence and absence of ultraviolet radiation. The effect of experimental parameters including TiO2 loading,photocatalyst amount, irradiation time, pH and initial concentration were studied. Adsorption and photodegradation of the pollutants followed first–order kinetics.Adsorption isotherms were analysed using Langmuir and Freundlich models. The higher activity obtained for TiO2supported onzeolite X is attributed to the greater adsorption of the pollutants on the zeolite surface as compared to pure TiO2.