High-performance titanium dioxide photocatalyst on ordered mesoporous carbon support

Anatase TiO₂ photocatalysts supported with the ordered mesoporous carbon, CMK-3, were synthesized by the incorporation of TiO₂ into CMK-3 followed by heating at 700 °C. The structural properties of the TiO₂ on CMK-3 were investigated by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption and electron microscopy techniques. In particular, TiO₂ was observed both inside and the external surface of CMK-3. The photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ on CMK-3 under UV-light exhibited higher efficiency in removing the Rhodamine 6G dye solution than the commercial photocatalyst P25 and TiO₂ on activated carbon. It was attributed to the synergistic effect of large surface area adsorption provided by mesoporous CMK-3 and the distinctive location of TiO₂ on the external surface of CMK-3.