Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl blue by TiO2 Nanoparticles Incorporated in Cement

Abstract

In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles incorporated with cement were synthesized by a simple casting method as a function of the concentration of TiO₂ (0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1, and 2 wt%). The prepared samples were characterized using the techniques of Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and UV-Visible spectrophotometer, which were used to measure the adsorption spectra. The observed photocatalytic efficiency of TiO₂ nanoparticles (NP) incorporated with cement was investigated by decomposing the dye methyl blue (MB) solution under sunlight irradiation. According to the slope, the value of the k constant at the best sample is 0.8 wt%, k = 0.8265 min^-1. FESEM images of the TiO₂/cement with 0.8 wt% content show the TiO₂ NPs were well-attached to cement particles, and they covered the cement surface. The increase in photocatalytic (PC) activity was due to an increase in TiO₂ concentration in the cement, which best occurs at 0.8 wt% of TiO₂ in cement. The degradation at the MB (5 ppm) was 98.864 % after 120 min of sunlight irradiation. The method involves easily and simply preparing TiO₂/cement that is used in self-cleaning and studying the effect of different festive factors, including the concentration of the dye. The preparation of TiO₂/cement was successful as a photocatalyst for a self-cleaning surface.