Photodegradation of Gaseous Flowing Low-Concentration Toluene by TiO2 Loaded on Activated Carbon Fibers Felt

Degussa P25 TiO₂ loaded on activated carbon fibers (TiCVACFs) was prepared by using the sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as the adhesive. The surface morphology and microstructure of TiCVACFs photocatalyst were characterized by SEM, EDS, BET and XRD. The photocatalytic activities of TiCVACFs to flowing low concentration gaseous toluene (1-3 mg/m³) were investigated. It was observed that TiO₂ loaded on ACFs was in the form of small clusters. From EDS spectrum, the main elements of TiCVACFs were C, O and Ti and a small quantities of Na, P and CI. Compared with original ACFs, the surface area and pore volume of TiCVACFs decreased slightly, while the average size remained unchanged. With the XRD patterns, the characteristic peaks of anatase phase were more obvious, however rutile phase were partly covered by the ACFs carrier peaks. Compared without UV irradiation, the degradation rate of toluene by TiCVACFs with UV irradiation remarkably increased. When the amount of the added CMC was 0.25%, the degradation rate of toluene was the highest and could maintain a longer time in a stable degradation rate. The results were well consistent with the characterizations above.