Sains Malaysiana 40(8)(2011): 897–902

Catalytic Study on TiO₂ Photocatalyst Synthesised Via Microemulsion Method on Atrazine

(Kajian Pemangkinan Fotopemangkin TiO₂ Disintesis Melalui Kaedah Mikroemulsi

Terhadap Atrazina)

C. A. Ruslimie, Hasmizam Razali* & Wan M. Khairul

Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu

Terengganu, Malaysia

Received: 3 June 2010 / Accepted: 11 November 2010

ABSTRACT

Titanium dioxide photocatalyst was synthesised by microemulsions method under controlled hydrolysis of titanium butoxide, Ti(O(CH₂)₃)CH₃. The synthesised TiO₂ photocatalyst was compared with Sigma-commercial TiO₂ by carrying out the investigation on its properties using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The photocatalytic activities for both photocatalysts were studied for atrazine photodegradation.

Keywords: Atrazine; microemulsions; photodegradation; TiO₂

ABSTRAK

Titanium dioksida telah disintesis melalui kaedah mikroemulsi hidrolisis terkawal titanium butoksida, Ti(O(CH₂)₃)CH₃. TiO₂ yang disintesis telah dibandingkan dengan TiO₂ Sigma-komersial berdasarkan kajian terhadap sifat fizikal dan kimianya dengan menggunakan mikroskop elektron imbasan (SEM), pembelauan sinar-X (XRD) dan analisis gravimetri terma (TGA). Aktiviti fotopemangkinan bagi kedua-dua fotomangkin telah dikaji dengan menjalankan fotodegradasi terhadap atrazina.

Kata kunci: Atrazina; fotodegradasi; mikroemulsi; TiO₂

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*Corresponding author; email: mdhasmizam@umt.edu.my