Efficient dye removal using adsorption and photocatalytic capabilities of titania-supported vanadia

ABSTRACT

V₂O₅ has been recently reported for its promising adsorption capability. However, the desorption using V₂O₅ at room-temperature is not possible. The commercial TiO₂ is well-known photocatalyst; however, it shows negligible adsorption under dark. Herein, four different TiO₂-supported V₂O₅ samples with 10, 20, 30, and 40 mole% V₂O₅ loadings were fabricated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy confirmed TiO₂ and V₂O₅ phases in all the samples. All TiO₂-supported V₂O₅ samples showed 100% adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye during the adsorption experiment; however, the desorption was only observed in 10% V₂O₅ sample. Moreover, TiO₂-supported 10% V₂O₅ sample also possessed the significant photocatalytic activity. TiO₂-supported 10% V₂O₅ sample showed 15% improved performance in the removal of MB dye than that of pure TiO₂ during adsorption followed by photocatalysis cycle. Thus, TiO₂-supported 10% V₂O₅ sample possessed promising dual properties of adsorption and photocatalysis.

KEYWORDS:

• V₂O₅
• TiO₂
• dye
• adsorption
• photocatalysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.