In this study, MgO loaded TiO2 Degussa P25 powders were prepared by wet impregnation with difference in the amount of Mg content ( ). X-ray patterns studies have not proven the new phases in the MgO loaded TiO2 catalysts as well as BET and SEM studies have not shown the change of its particle size and specific surface area in compared with initial TiO2. | An Giang University Journal of Science – 2017, Vol. 5 (2), 59 – 65 MAGNESIUM DOPED TiO2 PHOTOCATALYST ON DEGRADATION OF PHENOL UNDER UV-VISIBLE LIGHT Pham Phat Tan1 1 An Giang University Information: Received: 16/03/2017 Accepted: 01/04/2017 Published: 06/2017 Keywords: Photocatalyst, Mg-doped TiO2, phenol, degradation ABSTRACT In this study, MgO loaded TiO2 Degussa P25 powders were prepared by wet impregnation with difference in the amount of Mg content ( ). X-ray patterns studies have not proven the new phases in the MgO loaded TiO2 catalysts as well as BET and SEM studies have not shown the change of its particle size and specific surface area in compared with initial TiO2 . The PZC values of TiO2-Mg samples were higher than that of TiO2-P25 and increased with the additional amounts of Mg. The higher the PZC values were, the lower the saturated adsorption of TiO2 surface to phenol was, because of the basicity of MgO and the negatively charged catalyst surface. The photocatalytic degradation of phenol by using MgO loaded ( w/w in Mg) TiO2 catalysts has been studied. A catalyst with ~1% w/w Mg content shows a better catalytic behavior than non-loaded TiO2. If the Mg amount was increased by more than 1%, the activity of Mg coated TiO2 decreased. The MgO enhancement of photocatalytic activity of TiO2 with optimal content ~1% Mg under UV-Visible light may be due to the ability of MgO to trap photogenerated electrons. strong oxidizing agent plays a major role in the oxidation of organic contaminants (Colmenares, Aramedía, Marinas, Marinas, Urbano, 2006). 1. INTRODUCTION Recently, scientists have focused on research to enhance the activity of TiO2 in combination with solar energy. It can be considered as one of the “Advanced Oxidation Processes” (AOPs) (Herrmann, 1994; Trần Mạnh Trí & Trần Mạnh Trung, 2005). For this to happen, TiO2 must be doped in order to reduce band gap energy to expand the absorption in the visible light range or .
