Performance characterization of photocatalytic degradation of nitrobenzenes by Cu_xTi_(1-x)O₂ and optimal Cu doped ratio

Copper doped TiO₂ prepared by the sol-gel method was used to enhance the performance of a photocatalytic degradation reaction. The optimum mol ratio of Cu to TiO₂ was also analyzed and measured. As determined by XRD, FESEM, and Jade analysis, Cu doped TiO₂ with a mol ratio of 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, and 1.0% has better characteristics than German P25 TiO₂, with grain sizes of 20-50 nm. In particular, 1.5% Cu doped TiO₂ with a fine grain size had the highest and finest degree of crystallinity of TiO₂ according to its XRD peak, and the reunion phenomenon was the weakest among all the Cu-TiO₂. Combined with the Cu doping structure, micro stress changes, as well as the performance of the degradation of nitrobenzenes (NBs), the optimum mol ratio of Cu doped with TiO₂ was 1.5%. With light degradation of NBs using 1.5% Cu-TiO₂ for 180 min, the removal efficiency was twice as high as Germany P25 TiO₂. The photocatalytic degradation reaction of NBs by Cu-TiO₂ followed first order kinetics. Synthetically, FESEM, ESD, and the degradation of NBs performance confirmed that the optimal formula of Cu_xTi_(1-x)O₂ for the degradation of NBs is Cu_{0.018 3}Ti_{0.981 7}O₂. Based on the varying concentrations of C and N elements in the solution, the intermediate reaction of NB degradation by Cu_xTi_(1-x)O₂ included the processes of benzene ring mineralization into CO₂ and NO₂- bond rupture.