High performance nano-titania photocatalytic paper composite. Part II: Preparation and characterization of natural zeolite-based nano-titania composite sheets and study of their photocatalytic activity

A novel paper composite with high photocatalytic performance was fabricated using natural zeolite (clinoptilolite)-based nanosized TiO 2. Photocatalytic materials, from sol–gel derived TiO 2 colloids to its coupling with zeolite, have been designed, prepared and characterized. As-prepared anatase TiO 2 on zeolite particles were readily used in photocatalytic paper, which revealed zeolite-TiO 2 particles dispersed on a dense network of fibers with microvoids. Natural zeolite-based TiO 2 composite sheets described here decomposed gaseous toluene very effectively after UV irradiation and its removal efficiency was higher than that accomplished by photocatalytic paper made with Degussa P25 TiO 2 or Ahlstrom commercial photocatalytic non-woven paper.