Optimizing Carbons for Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants

A series of carbons were obtained by polymerization reaction of resorcinol and formaldehyde. The control of the pore structure and chemistry composition of carbons allow to evaluate different variables involved in the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. Adsorption kinetic constants and surface density of the molecules adsorbed, besides kinetics of the phododegradation, were evaluated. It was found that the mean pore size of the carbon support has a remarkable influence on the adsorption and photodegradation of yellow-5. It has been observed a maxima photocatalytic activity of the neat carbon support with pores of 20 nm. The addition of TiO₂ to the carbons studied allowed to evaluate the influence of the support upon the photoactivity of the semiconductor, as well as the synergy effect between them. This work is a step forward in the optimization of a free-semiconducor carbon-based material for photocatalytic remediation of pollutant in water streams.