Preparation of titanium oxide photocatalysts loaded on activated carbon by an ionized cluster beam method and their photocatalytic reactivities for the degradation of 2-propanol diluted in water

Titanium oxide catalysts were prepared on activated carbon fibers (ACF) using an ionized cluster beam (ICB) method and their photocatalytic reactivity for the degradation of propanol diluted in water was investigated. The utilization of the ICE method under oxygen atmosphere enables the preparation of titanium oxide photocatalysts onto ACF at relatively tow temperatures in the range of 400-500 K without causing any damages to the supports, Characterizations of these catalysts by means of SEM, XAFS and XRD techniques showed that titanium oxide clusters are formed on the supports in an anatase structure. UV irradiation of these catalysts in a diluted aqueous solution of 2-propanol led to the formation of acetone and CO2, indicating that the titanium oxide clusters exhibit efficient photocatalytic reactivity. Thus, the present results have clearly demonstrated that the ICE method is useful in the development of a combination system of titanium oxide photocatalysts and porous supports such as activated carbons without calcination treatment at high temperatures.