A new method for preparation of potassium-pillared layered titanate applied in photocatalysis

A new photocatalytic material (K-TiO2) based on commercial TiO2 has been prepared. The heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation of phenol over illuminated K-TiO2 has been investigated. The photocatalytic properties of this new material have been compared with commercial TiO2. In the preliminary tests at 4.5 h of u.v.-illumination using K-TiO2 photocatalyst (0.6 g/dm(3)), 100% phenol decomposition was obtained. The effects of illumination time, photocatalyst content and initial pH of a solution on the phenol decomposition degree have been studied. The optimum activity was achieved at the following conditions: initial pH of the solution -4.5-5 or 8.5-9 and photocatalyst content about 0.4-0.5 g/dm(3).