Catalytic photodegradation of organic compounds using TiO2/pillared clays synthesized using a nonconventional aluminum source

This study evaluates the photocatalytic degradation of 2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP), triclosan (TCS) and bisphenol A (BPA) by ultraviolet (UV) visible (VIS) light in presence TiO2/catalysts synthesized wet impregnation followed calcination. The catalyst supports used were three alumina pillared clays (Al-PILC) using various aluminum sources montmorillonite (Mt) as raw material. One Al-PILC was prepared following conventional method (Al-PILCCM), a commercial salt, other two saline slag, with being extracted alkaline (Al-PILCBE) or acid (Al-PILCAE) method. Mt impregnated amounts titanium (1, 5, 10, 20 wt% Ti) evaluated for photodegradation aforementioned pollutants, comparing results those obtained anatase. Due to higher conversion rates, 10 Ti chosen impregnate evaluate performance. All materials characterized several techniques, which confirmed successful formation TiO2 anatase phase. In all cases, when UV most photodegraded pollutant TCS (85.15 ± 0.49%), 2,6-DCP (65.43 0.79%) and, lesser degree, BPA (36.15 0.65%). showed percentages, Al-PILCAE exhibiting highest values both types light. An analysis photoproducts HPLC-MS suggested that preferred pathway depends on type used.