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Phosphate Modification of Nano Titania and Its Effect on the Photodegradation of EDTA

Abstract

The surface of nano titania was phosphate modified and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and elemental analysis (CHN) to show the existence of phosphate in the modified nano titania. The resultant phosphated nano titania was applied for photocatalytic degradation of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA) in aqueous solution. The crystallite size and crystalline phase showed no considerable change after modification, hence photocatalytic effect improvement of phosphate modified nano titania compared with the pure nano titania could be probably due to the existence of phosphate groups on the surface. The changes of the initial pH, photocatalyst dosage and EDTA concentration were tested in the degradation experiments. The pseudo-first-order kinetic model described the dynamic behavior for the photocatalytic degradation of EDTA using phosphate modified nano titania.

Keywords:
photocatalytic degradation; phosphate modification; nano titania; EDTA; o-phosphorylethanolamine


Introduction

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is mainly used as acid and sodium salt extensively, in several industrial and domestic applications like photo and paper industry. Using EDTA prevents sedimentation and tarnishing of metal surfaces and moreover intensifies the cleaning effect. Different products formulated to incorporate EDTA are distributed to a large number of outlets thus resulting in the disparate entry of EDTA in the aquatic environment.11 EDETIC ACID; Summary Risk Assessment Report; Institute for Health and Consumer Protection; European Chemicals Bureau, 2004, p. 7. The total application volume of EDTA as an ingredient of household detergents, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food is released via the household sewage without elimination in treatment plants. Unfortunately, volatilization from aqueous solution will not occur, due to its ionic properties and high solubility in water. The toxic effects of EDTA are considered to be related to metal deficiencies, especially a deficiency of zinc. It is well established that EDTA influences chromosome breakage by mutagenic agents, affects the inhibition of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis in primary cultures of mammalian cells and also leads to morphological changes of chromatin and chromosome structure in plant and animal cells.22 Heindorff, K.; Aurich, O.; Michaelis, A.; Rieger, R.; Mutat. Res. 1983, 115, 149. Removal of EDTA is not possible by biological treatment processes,33 Hinck, M. L.; Ferguson, J.; Puhaakka, J.; Water Sci. Technol. 1997, 35, 25. using chlorine is not always efficient,44 Brauch, H. J.; Schullerer, S.; Vom Wasser 1987, 69, 155. and retention of the compound is hardly possible by activated carbon filters.55 Schullerer, S.; Brauch, H. J.; Vom Wasser 1989, 72, 23. Some advanced oxidation technologies for EDTA degradation have been established like ozonation,66 Korhonen, M. S.; Metsarinne, S. E.; Tuhkanen, T. A.; Ozone: Sci. Eng. 2000, 22, 279. UV with different oxidants,77 Tucker, M. D.; Barton, L. L.; Thomson, B. M.; Wagener, B. M.; Aragon, A.; Waste Manage. 1999, 19, 477.,88 Rodriguez, J.; Mutis, A.; Yeber, M. C.; Freer, J.; Baeza, J.; Mansilla, H. D.; Water Sci. Technol. 1999, 40, 267. radiolysis99 Krapfenbauer, K.; Getoff, N.; Radiat. Phys. Chem. 1999, 55, 385. and other combined techniques.88 Rodriguez, J.; Mutis, A.; Yeber, M. C.; Freer, J.; Baeza, J.; Mansilla, H. D.; Water Sci. Technol. 1999, 40, 267.,1010 Kagaya, S.; Bitoh, Y.; Hasegawa, K.; Chem. Lett. 1997, 2, 155.

The application of titania as a photocatalyst is limited due to its band gap of 3.2 eV.1111 Goswami, P.; Nath Ganguli, J.; Bull. Mater. Sci. 2012, 35, 889. Several methods have been applied to improve the photocatalytic efficiency of titania, which include various modifications. A considerably smaller number of studies were devoted to phosphate modification of nano titania. Colón et al.1212 Colón, G.; Sánchez-Espana, J. M.; Hidalgo, M. C.; Navío, J. A.; J. Photochem. Photobiol., A 2006, 179, 20. found that phosphoric acid treatment led to decreasing the photoactivity of titania comparing with other oxoacids like nitric and sulfuric acid, while increasing the photocatalytic efficiency of titania was shown by Yu et al.1313 Yu, J. C.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, Z.; Zhao, J.; Chem. Mater. 2003, 15, 2280. after phosphate modification. It was reported also that titania was modified with some anions like sulfate, tungstate and phosphate and used as supports for several solid catalysts.1414 Hino, M.; Arata, K. J.; J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 1980, 851.,1515 Larsen, G.; Loreto, F.; Nasity, M.; Petkovu, L. M.; Shobe, D. S.; J. Catal.1996, 164, 246. It was shown that post-treatment with phosphoric acid led to improve the thermal stability and acidity of mesoporous materials1616 Ciesla, U.; Schacht, S.; Stucky, G. D.; Unger, K. K.; Schuth, F.; Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 1996, 35, 541.,1717 Chen, H. R.; Shi, J. I.; Hua, Z. H. I.; Yuan, L. I.; Yan, D. S.; Mater. Lett. 2001, 51, 187. and zirconia.1111 Goswami, P.; Nath Ganguli, J.; Bull. Mater. Sci. 2012, 35, 889.

This paper describes the photocatalytic degradation of EDTA in the aqueous solution using phosphate modified nano titania with the final aim of establishing the best degradation conditions (optimized pH, photocatalytic dosage, and initial concentration of EDTA) in terms of the highest degradation amount and lowest needed time.

Experimental

Materials

Nano titania, P-25 (TiO2), with a purity of 99.5% (80% anatase, 20% rutile, 21 nm average particle size) was purchased from Evonik, Germany, and used as obtained for surface modification. o-Phosphorylethanolamine (OP) was purchased from Merck, Germany, with a purity of 98% and purified through recrystallization from distilled water before using. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate (EDTA) was purchased from Aldrich (Sigma grade, USA) and used without further purification. Copper(II) sulfate (CuSO4.5H2O, ≥ 98%) and indicator grade 1-(2 pyridylazo)-2-naphtol were obtained from Aldrich. Nitric acid (65%) and sodium hydroxide (99%) were purchased from Merck, Germany.

Methods

The sonication of the samples were performed with an Ultrawave sonicator (30 kHz). A calibrated Inolab pH meter was used to measure the pH of the samples. Thermal treatment was performed using Flli MANFREDI furnace. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra were recorded on a Bruker Tensor 27 ATR-FTIR spectrometer equipped with a ZnSe single crystal. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns were recorded with a STOE STADI-MP diffractometer (40 kV, 30 mA) and equipped with a Cu Kα radiation source (λ = 1.5418 Å). Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and elemental analysis (CHN) were performed on a REM CamScan-4DV and varioMICRO CHNS respectively. The amount of EDTA in the aqueous solution was determined titrimetrically against standard Cu2+ using 1-(2 pyridylazo)-2-naphtol as indicator.1818 D1767-89: Standard Test Method for Ethylen Diamine Tetraacetate (EDTA) in Soaps or Synthetic Detergents, 2003. A Metrohm 765 Dosimat was used to perform titration of the samples.

Modification of nano titania

Nano titania (TiO2) was reacted with o-phosphorylethanolamine (OP) according to our previous work1919 Iravani, E.; Allahyari, S. A.; Shojaei, Z.; Torab-Mostaedi, M.; J. Braz. Chem. Soc. 2015, 26, 1608. as follows. Nano titania was added in a round bottomed flask containing 50 mL of 0.01 mol L-1 of OP with a mole ratio of TiO2/OP: 10/1 and stirred with a magnetic stirrer for 24 h at ambient temperature. Afterwards the powders were filtered and washed with water and ethanol and then eluted in a Soxhlet extractor with water for 24 h. The product was then dried in an oven at 120 °C for 24 h. The filtered powder (TiO2-OP) was washed with ethanol and then calcined at 400 °C for 2 h with a heating rate of 10 °C min-1. The calcined sample was washed with distilled water and ethanol, filtered, dried at 100 °C, labeled as P-TiO2 and was used as the photocatalyst in the performed experiments.

Design of photoreactor

The photoreactor was a cuboid type, with dimensions of 45 × 8 × 10 cm containing two glass reaction vessels separated by a glass divider with a capacity of about 1000 mL (Figure S1). The photoreactor was equipped with a 15 W UV lamp with a length of 40 cm built into the quartz lamp housing. There were three ports for sampling, gas purging and outlet on the photoreactor cover for each vessel.

General procedure of the photocatalytic experiments

EDTA aqueous solutions with known concentrations between 250-1000 mg L-1 were prepared with distilled water. The certain amount of photocatalyst powder (P-TiO2) in the range of 0.125-0.75 g was added in 650 mL EDTA aqueous solution with the given concentration (P-TiO2 dosage in the range of about 0.19-1.15 g L-1). When needed, the pH of solution was adjusted using nitric acid or sodium hydroxide solutions. The final mixture was sonicated prior to irradiation for 10 minutes to disperse it well. The concentration of EDTA after sonication was determined titrimetrically and used for the next calculations as the initial concentration. Then the solution was put into the reaction vessel. The photocatalyst was continuously dispersed in the aqueous solution by a magnetic stirrer. The air was purged in the dispersed solution during the irradiation. The experimental conditions for optimization treatments (18 experiments) were shown in Supplementary Information section (Table S1).

Samples were taken periodically for analysis every hour. The degradation efficiency (d%) was calculated by applying equation 1:

(1)

where C0 and Ct are the initial and after t hours EDTA concentration, respectively. The degradation experiments were always repeated one more time after that calculated degradation efficiency showed no more change to verify the maximum amount of the degradation.

Results and Discussion

Phosphate modification of TiO2

Surface modifier selection

Only a few studies have focused on photocatalytic activity of phosphate modified nano titania. Phosphate modification can be performed in situ or ex situ. In situ modification can affect some parameters like particle size, crystalline phase or stability simultaneously.2020 Zhao, D.; Chen, C.; Wang, Y.; Li, H.; Ma, W.; Zang, L.; Zhao, J.; J. Phys. Chem. C 2008, 112, 5993. So it will not be easy to focus just on the effect of phosphate groups on photocatalysis.

Phosphoric acid and different inorganic phosphates have been already used to modify nanoparticles. Depending on heating temperature and duration, phosphoric acid can dehydrate to form pyrophosphoric acid, metaphosphoric acid, or even polyphosphoric acids.2121 Holleman, F.; Wieberg, E.; Wieberg, N.; Lehrbuch der Anorganischen Chemie, 101st ed.; de Gruyter: Berlin, New York, 1995. The mentioned heating products could be probably formed as various titanium phosphates in the presence of various titanium salts as precursors. Among different titanium phosphates, titanium pyrophosphate is UV reflective which is able to suppress the photocatalytic activity.2222 Onoda, H.; Yamaguchi, T.; Toyama, T.; Phosphorus Res. Bull. 2013, 28, 1. That is why that thermal treatment should be performed cautiously to avoid forming titanium pyrophosphate.

Raza et al.2323 Raza, M.; Bachinger, A.; Zahn, N.; Kickelbick, G.; Materials 2014, 7, 2890. have prepared phosphonate modified nano titania using organo phosphorus agent. Stability of the P−O−Ti bond against UV-irradiation was shown in this study, while the alkyl chain was degraded. It was assumed that a phosphate species was left on the surface after illumination.2323 Raza, M.; Bachinger, A.; Zahn, N.; Kickelbick, G.; Materials 2014, 7, 2890.

In this study, nano titania P-25 (Evonik) was modified ex situ using OP. It has been already shown that using long alkyl chain phosphates led to increase the van der Waals interactions between the alkyl chains, all-trans conformation of the chains, increasing the packing density and therefore more surface OH groups are replaced with phosphate groups2424 Pori, D. M.; Venkataraman, N. V.; Tosatti, S. G. P.; Durmaz, F.; Spencer, N. D.; Zuercher, S.; Langmuir 2007, 23, 8053. which is not favorable to photocatalysis process (Figure S2). OP with chemical formula (OH)2(O)PO(CH2)2NH2 was chosen to modify TiO2 because of possessing short alkyl chain in order to assemble into a less dense structure.

Characterization of P-TiO2

Non-bounded or weak-bounded OP and soluble titanium phosphate complexes were washed away in Soxhlet extraction, while the bounded OP remained on the surface of nano titania. According to the reported 1313 Yu, J. C.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, Z.; Zhao, J.; Chem. Mater. 2003, 15, 2280.C-CP MAS NMR (cross-polarization magic angle spinning carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance) of OP-TiO2 in our previous work, there was enough space for the alkyl chain (−CH2CH2NH2) to be laid out parallel to the surface making hydrogen bond.1919 Iravani, E.; Allahyari, S. A.; Shojaei, Z.; Torab-Mostaedi, M.; J. Braz. Chem. Soc. 2015, 26, 1608. This could be a proof to have a less dense structure. Accordingly it seemed to exist enough surface OH groups for photocatalysis.

Heating of OP-TiO2 at 400 °C for 2 h led to decompose the organic rest and strengthen the interaction between the phosphate anions and the titanium sites. According to elemental analysis (CHN), the calcination product (P-TiO2) did not contain carbon or nitrogen any more, while EDX analysis of P-TiO2 showed that the calcined sample contained about 1.04 atom% or 0.67 wt.% phosphorus (Figure 1).

Figure 1
EDX analysis of P-TiO2.

XRD spectra of pure TiO2 and the modified one before and after thermal treatment were displayed in Figure 2. There were no peaks of the organic agent to be recognized in the spectrum of OP-TiO2. Surface functionalization in such a low amount could not affect the internal lattice parameters of a solid, or generate any diffraction peak. The crystalline phase after phosphate modification was a mixture of anatase and rutile as the pure nano TiO2 with no obvious change. The average crystallite size for P-TiO2, estimated from the broadening of the diffraction peaks by Scherrer formula was about 24 nm, also just about 3 nm more than the original TiO2 (reported by the producer to be about 21 nm). As expected, the crystallite size and phase of nano TiO2 could not be influenced considerably during ex situ phosphate modification. No considerable anatase-rutile transfer (ART) was observed after heating of OP-TiO2 at 400 and even 600 °C for 2 hours. It seemed that phosphate could have stabilized the anatase phase up to 600 °C. This type of effect has been also observed in sulfate2525 Zhao, B. Y.; Xu, X. P.; Ma, H. R.; Gao, J. M.; Sun, D. H.; Wang, R. R.; Tang, Y. A. N.; Acta Phys.-Chim. Sin. 1993, 9, 8. and phosphate2626 Kandori, K.; Uchida, S.; Kataoka, S.; Ishikawa, T. J.; Mater. Sci. 1992, 27, 719. on TiO2 and α−Fe(O)OH, respectively.

Figure 2
(a) XRD spectra of pure TiO2; (b) OP-TiO2 before heating; and after heating at 400, 600, 800 °C (c, d, and e, respectively).

Thermal treatment of OP-TiO2 at higher temperature about 800 °C led to the formation of titanium pyrophosphate (TP) (Ref. code: 00-038-1468).

The evolution of ATR-FTIR spectra for phosphate modified nano titania before and after heating at 400 °C (OP-TiO2 and P-TiO2, respectively) was shown in the Figure 3. The broad peaks around 3400 and 1600 cm-1 corresponded to the surface-adsorbed water and free hydroxyl groups.2727 Ding, Z.; Lu, G. O.; Greenfield, P. F.; J. Phys. Chem. B 2000, 104, 4815. For OP-TiO2, there were two sharp bands centered at 2933 and 2901 cm-1 related to symmetric and asymmetric stretching vibration of −CH2− groups of OP, which demonstrated the presence of organic material. The absence of these vibration bands in the spectrum of P-TiO2 suggested the removal of organic material after heating. However, an absorption band around 1090 cm-1 (characteristic frequency of PO4 3−)2828 Bhaumik, A.; Inagaki, S.; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 691. appeared on the shoulder of −Ti−O−Ti vibration band in the spectrum of P-TiO2, which revealed that phosphorus might have been incorporated on the surface of nano titania. The result of EDX analysis also supported this finding.

Figure 3
ATR-FTIR spectra of OP-TiO2 and P-TiO2.

Photocatalytic experiments

Effect of surface modification

EDTA (1000 mg L-1) was slowly degraded under UV irradiation without any photocatalyst and the maximum amount of degradation was less than 40%. Degradations under UV irradiation, in the presence of TiO2 or P-TiO2 as photocatalysts (0.5 g, 0.77 g L-1) and at natural pH of about 5.5 were performed much faster. Using P-TiO2 showed about twice more degradation of EDTA comparing to TiO2 (Figure S3). This meant that surface modification led to more degradation of EDTA under the same normal condition without any optimization. The maximum amount of degradation and the needed time were compared in Figure S4.

Effect of initial pH

In order to check the pH changes, degradation of 650 mL EDTA (1000 mg L-1) in the presence of P-TiO2 (0.5 g, 0.77 g L-1) was performed first without adjusting the initial pH under UV irradiation. pH of the solution was measured periodically every hour. According to the results shown in Figure S6, pH of the solution was increased during the photocatalytic reaction from the initial pH (about 5.5) to about 9, which could be probably a sign of producing basic intermediates.

The effect of the initial pH was investigated in the present study in the range of 4-9. Both kinetic and efficiency of degradation were decreased with pH increasing.

Accordingly acidic pH were more suitable for photocatalytic degradation of EDTA (Figure S7). An increase of pH about 1 unit led to decrease of achievable degradation level and increase the time needed. This observation was more considerable in basic range of pH. Adjusting the initial pH of the solution about 4 (the optimized amount) led to about 30-50% less time and 12-16% more degradation efficiency of EDTA.

Generally in the pH range 3-8, the EDTA chemical species and its metal complexes are anion in the solution,2929 Sugiyama, T.; Dabwan, A. H. A.; Katsumata, H.; Suzuki, T.; Kaneco, S.; Open J. Inorg. Non-Met. Mater. 2014, 4, 28. therefore the adsorption on the surface could be probably performed in acidic pH better. To investigate this point, the dependence of EDTA adsorption (650 mL, 1000 mg L-1) on the pH of the solution (in the range of 3-9) in the presence of P-TiO2 (0.5 g) was studied (Figure S5). According to the results, EDTA adsorption on the P-TiO2 was faster at the acidic pHs compared with the basic pHs. It means, the fast kinetic of EDTA degradation using P-TiO2 under UV irradiation in the acidic pH compared with the neutral or basic pHs could be due to the increased EDTA adsorption.

Effect of photocatalyst dosage

Four experiments were established at optimized pH 4 by using P-TiO2 with concentrations 0.19, 0.38, 0.77 and 1.15 g L-1 to degrade EDTA solution (1000 mg g-1). Increasing of the photocatalyst concentration to 1.15 g L-1 had a negative effect on degradation efficiency compared with 0.38 and 0.77 g L-1. Increased light scattering and consequent reduction in light penetration through the solution could be mentioned as the reason (the effect of light masking by suspended excess catalyst particles).3030 Parra, S.; Stanca, S. E.; Guasaquillo, I.; Ravindranathan Thampi, K.; Appl. Catal., B 2004, 51, 107. Increasing the amount of photocatalyst from 0.38 to 0.77 g L-1 caused just about 2.24% more efficiency, which did not satisfy using twice more photocatalyst. To investigate this point more precisely, the experiment was repeated under the same condition using 0.54 g L-1 photocatalyst. Degradation efficiency increased with increase the amount of photocatalyst from 0.38 to 0.54 g L-1 and then decreased from 0.54 to 0.77 g L-1. Degradation efficiency and approximately needed time (experimental value) to degrade 50% of EDTA using three amounts of photocatalyst (0.38, 0.54, 0.77 g L-1) showed no considerable difference. According to the results showed in Figure 4, 0.38 g L-1 was reported as the optimized amount of P-TiO2 to obtain the highest degradation efficiency and lowest half-life time.

Figure 4
The effect of photocatalytic dosage on maximum amount of EDTA degradation and experimental half-life time.

Effect of EDTA concentration

Optimized amount of P-TiO2 (0.35 g, 0.38 g L-1) was added to EDTA solutions at different initial concentrations ranging 250-1000 mg L-1 at optimized pH 4 and the resulted suspensions were irradiated under UV light. The normalized concentration profiles of EDTA revealed that the degradation was faster and the total conversion took place in less time, when the EDTA concentration was lower (Figure S8). ln C was plotted versus time for various initial EDTA concentrations and shown in Figure S9.

The approximately linear decrease in the logarithm of the EDTA concentration with irradiation time was consistent with the pseudo first order kinetic expression (linear form) shown by equations 2 and 3:

(2)

(3)

The apparent rate constants (k) obtained from the least squares analyses (Figure S9) were decreased with increasing EDTA concentration (Table 1).

Table 1
Pseudo-first order rate constants and t1/2 values (experimental and calculated) for different initial concentrations of EDTA

Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic is the most commonly used kinetic model for heterogeneous catalytic processes during the photodegradation of many organic contaminants in solution.3131 Kabra, K.; Chaudhary, R.; Sawhney, R. L.; Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2004, 43, 7683.

32 Moctezuma, E.; González, R.; Zamarripa, H.; Palestino, G.; Oros, S.; J. Environ. Eng. Manage. 2006, 16, 343.

33 Dalrymple, O.; Yeh, D.; Trotz, M. J.; J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol. 2007, 82, 121.
-3434 Leyva, E.; Montalvo, C.; Moctezuma, E.; Leyva, S.; J. Ceram. Process. Res. 2008, 9, 455. Application of this model to an ideal batch reactor produces equation 4:3535 Aguilar, C. A.; Montalvo, C.; Ceron, J. G.; Moctezuma, E.; Int. J. Environ. Res.2011, 5, 1071.

(4)

where C represents the solute concentration (mg L-1), Kr and Ka are constants related to the reaction rate (min-1) and adsorption coefficient (L mg-1), respectively, and ΣKiCi is absorption term for all organic intermediate products. Considering t = 0, C = C0 and the term for intermediate organic products ΣKiCi = 0, then the equation 4 reduces to expression:

(5)

The integral of equation 4 at C = C0/2 yields:

(6)

Considering the pseudo first order kinetic according to equation 3, the half-life time of EDTA degradation for initial concentrations were calculated from least square analysis. If the rate of EDTA photocatalytic degradation follows the Langmuir isotherm equation model, plotting half-life time against C0/2 according to equation 6 should yield a straight line with slope Ka/Kr and intercept 0.693/Kr. The plot is linear (Figure 5), meaning that the reaction occurred on the surface. The values of Ka and Kr are 0.0154 L mg-1 and 0.0641 min-1, respectively.

Figure 5
The plot of t1/2 vs. C0/2 values for different initial concentrations of EDTA.

Table 1 also showed the experimental and calculated t1/2 values obtained when C/C0 = 1/2. The deviation between the experimental and calculated t1/2 is greatest at higher EDTA concentrations, which could be ascribed to the induction period necessary to obtain equilibrium.3636 Matthews, R. W.; J. Catal. 1988, 111, 264. The rates constants were 0.017, 0.009, 0.007, and 0.005 min-1 in ascending concentration order, respectively.

The effect of surface modification with phosphate on photocatalysis

There were no considerable changes in crystallite size and phase after in situ phosphate modification of TiO2 indicating that the improvement of photocatalytic activity of P-TiO2 can be attributed to the surface-bound phosphate anions. It has been already reported that the point of zero zeta potential of the nano titania particles are shifted to lower pH value in the presence of phosphate anion which indicates the accumulation of negative charges on the surface of nano titania.3737 Nelson, B. P.; Candal, R.; Corn, R. M.; Anderson, M. A.; Langmuir 2000, 16, 6094. It seems, a negative electrostatic field could be formed in the surface layer of the nano titania due to the existence of negatively charged phosphate anions. During the photocatalysis process, the separation of electrons and holes could be promoted by this negative electrostatic field and as a result the charge recombination on phosphate modified nano titania is suppressed compared with the pure nano titania. When modified nano titania is irradiated by UV, electron is excited from valance band to the conduction band leaving a positive hole in the valence band. Another positive effect of the negative electrostatic field could be probably to draw the positive hole to the interface. Strong interactions can be formed between phosphate and H2O through hydrogen bonding. Phosphate, known as a good anchor group, can accomplish efficient electron transfer between the nano titania and chromophore in the photoelectron cell.3838 Bae, E.; Choi, W.; Park, J.; Shin, H. S.; Kim, S. B.; Lee, J. S.; J. Phys. Chem. B 2004, 108, 14093.,3939 Ernstorfer, R.; Gundlach, L.; Felber, S.; Storck, W.; Eichberger, R.; Willig, F.; J. Phys. Chem. B 2006, 110, 25383. Apparently phosphate modification of the surface can promote the charge transfer between the hole and H2O to form free hydroxyl radical. In addition, the replacement of the adsorbed hydroxyl groups on the surface by phosphate anions can also inhibit the formation of surface-adsorbed hydroxyl radical. However it seems that the positive effects (inhibition of the charge recombination, drawing the holes to the interface and promotion of free hydroxyl radicals via facilitation of charge transfer between holes and H2O) play more important role than the negative effect of replacement of some surface hydroxyl groups by phosphate anion (Figure 6). It should also be noted that the transfer of conduction band electron can also be possibly influenced by the phosphate modification.

Figure 6
Schematic illustration of photo-generation of charge carriers in P-TiO2. Phosphate modification of the TiO2 surface leads to inhibition of charge recombination, draws the holes to the interface and promotes free hydroxyl radicals generation via facilitation of charge transfer between holes and H2O.

Phosphate modification of the TiO2 surface leads to inhibition of charge recombination, draws the holes to the interface and promotes free hydroxyl radicals generation via facilitation of charge transfer between holes and H2O.

Conclusions

Surface modification of TiO2 was performed with OP. After calcination at 400 °C for 2 hours, the organic rest was removed according to the result of CHN, ATR-FTIR analyses and phosphate groups remained on the surface of nano titania. The photocatalytic activity of the modified nano titania was investigated on the degradation of EDTA in aqueous solution. Both efficiency and kinetic of EDTA degradation showed considerable performance in acidic pH probably due to better EDTA adsorption. The rate of photocatalytic degradation of EDTA approximated pseudo-first-order kinetics. The optimum amount of photocatalyst was 0.35 g (0.38 g L-1) to degrade 650 mL EDTA 1000 mg L-1. The reaction rate constant decreased as the EDTA concentration increased from 250 to 1000 mg L-1. The presence of phosphate groups on the nano titania surface was seemed to be sufficient to prevent matter transport delaying, inhibition of charge recombination, drawing the holes to the interface and the promotion of free hydroxyl radicals via facilitation of charge transfer between holes and H2O. According to the proposed mechanism, both the surface hole and the free hydroxyl radical generation might be enhanced after the phosphate modification.

Supplementary Information

Supplementary data (photoreactor design and the effects of some parameters on the EDTA degradation in form of Excel graphs) are available free of charge at http://jbcs.sbq.org.br as PDF file.

https://minio.scielo.br/documentstore/1678-4790/pNNKCGWJ4ntRSt6f3SkpfrJ/334a2698ca4696f3b24741858b9e3e5a6a208864.pdf

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Leila Irannejad for great technical support.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Oct 2016

History

  • Received
    30 Sept 2015
  • Accepted
    18 Feb 2016
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