Preparation of Ta2O5/TiO2 by Pechini method and utilization in dye photocatalysis

Abstract

The need to degrade effluents containing dyes becomes essential because of the toxic properties of these residues and the care that must be taken with the water resources available for human consumption. In this sense, advanced oxidative processes emerge as a possible treatment considering that waste is destroyed and could generate simpler compounds such as CO2 and H2. Therefore, this project has the premise of studying photocatalysts based on Ta2O5/TiO2 prepared by the Pechinni method to degrade dyes in the textile industry. The materials will be prepared in different Ta/Ti ratios, calcined at different temperatures and for different times, being further characterized by ATG/DSC, XRD, X-Ray Fluorescence, FTIR, RAMAN, N2 Physisorption, Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy in the UV region -Vis, Complex impedance, SEM/EDS. In addition, photocatalytic tests will be performed with Congo Red, Rhodamine B, and Methyl Orange dyes using Hg vapor lamp. It is expected with this work to obtain superior photocatalytic properties with the use of Ta, considering that Brazil is the world's largest producer of this ore.(AU)