This work aims at the preparation of multifunctional titania-based photocatalysts with inherent capabilities for thermal co-activation and stabilisation of anatase polymorph, by designing the phase composition and microstructure of rutile-silicon carbide mixture. The processing involved a conventional solid state route, including partial pre-reduction of rutile by SiC in inert Ar atmosphere, followed by post-oxidation in air. The impacts of processing conditions on the phase composition and photocatalytic activity were evaluated using Taguchi planning. The XRD studies confirmed the presence of rutile/anatase mixtures in the post-oxidised samples. The results emphasise that pre-reduction and post-oxidation temperatures are critical in defining the phase composition, while post-oxidation time is relevant for the photocatalytic performance. Microstructural studies revealed the formation of core-shell particles, which can suppress the photocatalytic activity. The highest apparent reaction rate of the photodegradation of methylene blue was observed for the sample pre-reduced in Ar at 1300 °C for 5 h and then calcined in air at 400 °C for 25 h. Though its performance was ~1.6-times lower than that for the same amount of nanostructured industrial P25 photocatalyst, it was achieved in the material possessing 2-3 times lower surface area and containing ~50 mol% of SiO2 and SiC, thus demonstrating excellent prospects for further improvements.
Keywords: Taguchi plan; TiO2; anatase; photocatalysis; redox reaction; silicon carbide.