Synthesis of TiO2-based photocatalyst from ilmenite Bangka Belitung for photocatalytic degradation of wantex

In this present study, titanium dioxide (TiO2)-based photocatalyst material has been successfully prepared from ilmenite Bangka Belitung by combining roasting and hydrochloric acid leaching process. The mass of ilmenite and soda ash (Na2CO3) concentration was varied to determine their effect on the physical and photocatalytic properties. The phase transformation and mineral component of ilmenite were analyzed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), respectively. The result showed that the XRD peaks shifted by increasing the mass ratio of Na2CO3 up to 1.0. The concentration of Ti element increased up to 4%, and Fe concentration decreased to 70%. The treatment process also influenced the band gap energy change from 1.57 (ilmenite) to 2.47 eV. Based on the photocatalytic measurement, the prepared photocatalyst material was more active under UV light than white light irradiation. After photocatalysis, 100 ppm of Wantex as an organic waste model was successfully decomposed down to 35% under UV light irradiation.