Synthesis and characterization of TiO2/ZnO heterostructural composite for ultraviolet photocatalytic degrading DOM in landfill leachate

In order to investigate the photocatalytic degradation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in landfill leachate, TiO 2 /ZnO heterostructural composite powders were fabricated combining with hydrothermal synthesis and solid-state reaction method. The prepared TiO 2 /ZnO composite powders consist of anatase TiO 2 nanoparticles distributing on the surface of wurtzite ZnO particles. The optical band gap of TiO 2 /ZnO powder is less than that of pure ZnO or TiO 2 powder. TiO 2 /ZnO catalyzers show high ultraviolet-degradation efficiency for methylene blue and dissolved organic matter. The degradation rate of TiO 2 /ZnO powder for fulvic acid–like substances in landfill leachate is 2.99 times that of pure ZnO powder, and is 1.30 times that of pure TiO 2 powder. The degradation of fulvic acid–like substances by TiO 2 /ZnO photocatalyst reduced some molecular weight of benzene ring structure substances in leachate. The effective separation of electron and hole in heterostructural TiO 2 /ZnO photocatalyst is the main reason for its high photocatalytic degradation efficiency of DOM in landfill leachate.