Photocatalytic Oxidation of Aniline in the Gas Phase Using Porous TiO2 Thin Films

The gas-phase photocatalytic oxidation of aniline on a new kind of porous nano-TiO2 composite films is investigated. The composite film was prepared on glass fiber with the water glass as binders and dilute H2SO4 solution as solidifying reagent. The surface characters were observed by scanning electron microscope. The photocatalytic degradation of aniline on the composite films was carried out in a TiO2/UV system. Some important factors affecting the photodegradation, such as the concentration of TiO2, the initial concentration of aniline, and the existing water vapor, are also studied. The product of photocatalytic oxidation was detected by Fourier transform-Infrared. The partial intermediate products were absorbed on TiO2 surface, which resulted in catalyst deactivation. But when it was irradiated under UV illumination or solar irradiation for some time, the catalyst could be reused without loss of catalytic activity.