Nanocatalyst from solasol doping of TiO2 with Vanadium and Cerium and its application for 3,4 Dichloroaniline degradation using visible light

Sol of Cerium and sol of Vanadium were used for doping with TiO2 by hydrothermal calcination method. The prepared catalyst referred to TiaV and TiaCe were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS), BET surface area, diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The prepared catalyst based on the characterization studies indicated that the particles were nanosize and TiO2 was in anatase phase. The DRS analysis, showed that TiaV showed more shift towards visible region than TiaCe which reflected in the better activity of degradation of 3,4 Dichloroaniline. The TiaV photocatalysts showed higher photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. This is attributed to the synergetic effects of red shift in the absorption edge, higher surface area and the inhibition of charge carrier recombination process. The degradation process followed First order kinetic model with two regimes and the rate constants were found to increase after 45 min of irradiation. The major intermediates formed were determined using HPLC which showed the reduction of the aromatic compounds to carbon dioxide, water and salts. The 7 intermediates formed were qualitatively confirmed using GC/MS analysis.