The sepiolite support possesses fibrous structure. X-ray diffraction analysis pointed out that the TiO2 particles are firmly distributed on fibrous sepiolite matrix. All TiO2/sepiolite samples were tested for the degradation of rhodamine B and showed a high catalytic activity. The experimental data showed that the degradation efficiency of rhodamine B is correlated with the amount of TiO2 loadings and oxidant behavior. At room temperature, the conversion of rhodamine B reaches to 99-100 % over wt% TiO2/sepiolite catalyst. | Vietnam Journal of Chemistry, International Edition, 55(2): 183-187, 2017 DOI: Catalytic activity of TiO2/sepiolites in the degradation of rhodamine B aqueous solution Nguyen Tien Thao1*, Doan Thi Huong Ly1, Dinh Minh Hoan1, Han Thi Phuong Nga1,2 Faculty of Chemistry, VNU University of Science – Vietnam National University, Hanoi 1 2 Faculty of Environment, Vietnam National University of Agriculture Received 7 July 2016; Accepted for publication 11 April 2017 Abstract TiO2/sepiolite catalysts were prepared by suspension of titanium dioxide and support in solvent accompanying by calcination. The characterization of the obtained powder has been examined by some physical means including XRD, SEM, FT-IR, and UV-vis. The sepiolite support possesses fibrous structure. X-ray diffraction analysis pointed out that the TiO2 particles are firmly distributed on fibrous sepiolite matrix. All TiO2/sepiolite samples were tested for the degradation of rhodamine B and showed a high catalytic activity. The experimental data showed that the degradation efficiency of rhodamine B is correlated with the amount of TiO2 loadings and oxidant behavior. At room temperature, the conversion of rhodamine B reaches to 99-100 % over wt% TiO2/sepiolite catalyst. Keywords. TiO2, rhodamine B, sepiolite, degradation, photocatalysis. 1. ITRODUCTION The development of economy and industry in Vietnam also leads to some environmental issues during the last decades. A large quantity of organic contaminants in wastewater was exhausted into environments [1, 2]. Many of them are highly chemically stable, low biodegradable, and potentially harmful to the human society. As Law on Environmental Protection came ỉnto effect from January 01, 2015 in Vietnam, all toxic contaminants in exhausted wastewater must be treated before releasing water into rivers, fields, etc. Organic dyes and colored compounds are the source of considerable water consumption and contamination. Thus,
