Modification and regulation of acid-activated kaolinite with TiO 2 nanoparticles and their enhanced photocatalytic activity to sodium ethyl xanthate

ABSTRACTHigh photocatalytic activity composites of TiO2/acid-activated kaolinite (T/AK) were optimally constructed utilizing a simple hydrothermal method for the high-performance photocatalytic degradation to sodium ethyl xanthate (SEX) in mineral processing wastewater in this work. The synthesized T/AK composites under different preparation conditions were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, and UV-vis DRS to determine their structure, morphology, elemental composition, and photochemical properties. Compared with pristine TiO2 and kaolinite, the T/AK composites exhibited enhanced photocatalytic degradation performance to SEX due to their synergistic effects of adsorption and catalysis. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 0.4 g/L of 0.6T/AK composites to 30 mg/L of SEX reached 94% in 50 min under optimal preparation conditions, demonstrating that T/AK composites photocatalysts could effectively degrade toxic and corrosive SEX. The active radical studies revealed that the most significant active component in the photocatalytic system is h+ . The enhanced photocatalytic activity originated from its large specific surface area and suppressed the recombination rate of the photogenerated carriers of T/AK composites, which makes them great potential in wastewater treatment of mineral processing.KEYWORDS: Acid-activated kaoliniteTiO2sodium ethyl xanthatephotocatalytic degradationsynergistic effect AcknowledgmentThe project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52274255, 51674067), Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (N2101016, N2201008, N2201004), Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program (XLYC1807160), Postdoctoral Foundation of Northeastern University, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2022M720025), and Postdoctoral Foundation of Northeastern University. Special thanks are due to the instrument and data analysis from Analytica and Test Center, Northeastern University.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Data availability statementAll data used during the study are available from the corresponding author by request.Correction StatementThis article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program: [Grant Number XLYC1807160]; National Natural Science Foundation of China: [Grant Number 52274255, 51674067]; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities: [Grant Number N2101016, N2201008, N2201004].Notes on contributorsRuixue MaRuixue Ma received her Bachelor degree from Heilongjiang University of Science and Technology, China, in 2020 and presently is a M.S. student in the School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, China. Her current research interests include photocatalysis and nanomaterials.Sikai ZhaoSikai Zhao received his Ph.D. degree from Northeastern University, China, in 2022 and presently is an associate professor in the School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, China. His current research interests include photocatalysis, gas sensors, and low dimensional and composite nanomaterials.Xiaoyu JiangXiaoyu Jiang received her M.S. degree from University of South China, China, in 2020 and presently is a Ph.D. student in the School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, China. Her current research interests include photocatalysis, heterogeneous Fenton oxidative degradation, and nanomaterialsYaozhong QiYaozhong Qi received his M.S. degree from The University of New South Wales, Australia, in 2020 and presently is a Ph.D. student in the School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, China. His current research interests include photocatalysis and low dimensional and composite nanomaterials.Tingting ZhaoTingting Zhao received her B.S. degree from Shandong University of Technology, China, in 2020 and is currently a master's student at the School of Resource and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, China. Her current research interests include gas sensors and composite nanomaterials.Zhiyang LiuZhiyang Liu received his B.S. degree from Shenyang University of Technology, China in 2020 and is currently a master's student in the School of Resources and Civil Engineering at Northeastern University, China. His current research interests include wireless sensors and nanomaterials.Cong HanCong Han received his Ph.D. degree in mineral processing engineering from Northeastern University in July 2013 and stayed on the faculty in March 2017. His main research interests are flotation theory and the process of complex metal ores, numerical experimental research of surface interface interaction, mineral materials, and solid waste resource nation technology.Yanbai ShenYanbai Shen received his Ph.D. degree from University of Toyama, Japan, in 2009. He then worked as a researcher at Nagoya University, Japan until 2012. Now, he is a professor in the School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, China. His current research interests include sensors, nanomaterials, oxide semiconductor thin films, intermediate-temperature proton conductors, fuel cells, and photocatalysis.