A new strategy to synthesise carbon/TiO2 gel by a sol-gel method is proposed. Textural, morphological, and chemical properties were characterised in detail and the synthesised material was proven to be an active adsorbent, as well as a visible light photocatalyst. Homogenously distributed TiO2 is mesoporous with high surface area and, hence, exhibited a high adsorption capacity. The adsorption equilibrium experimental data were well explained by the Sips isotherm model. Kinetic experiments demonstrated that experimental data fitted a pseudo second order model. The modification in electronic structure of TiO2 resulted in a reduced bandgap compared to commercial P25. The absorption edge studied through UV-Vis shifted to the visible region, hence, daylight photocatalytic activity was efficient against degradation of MB dye, as an example pollutant molecule. The material was easily removed post treatment, demonstrating potential for employment in industrial water treatment processes.
Keywords: adsorption; adsorption kinetics; carbon/TiO2 gels; methylene blue dye degradation; photocatalysis; resorcinol formaldehyde RF/TiO2 gels.