Comparing Nanocomposites of TiO2/SBA-15 and TiO2/GO for Removal of Phenol out of Aqueous Solutions

Since phenol is toxic and yet its biologic reduction and removal is so difficult, strict limits are applied for the discharge of phenol-containing substances in the environment. Discharge of phenol-containing industries, sewages into natural waters is a serious threat to human health. In this study, the main objective is to consider the possibility of removing phenol with high initial concentration using a Heterogeneous Photocatalytic process. First, the absorbent SBA-15 and Graphene oxide(GO), which are the most efficient absorbents among others for phenol removal, and then, nanocomposites Titanium dioxide(TiO2)/SBA-15 and TiO2/GO were synthesized. Then, the structural and physical properties of nanocomposites were identified through X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis. Considering the results of the Response Surface Method (RSM) for phenol removal in the initial study, nanocomposites TiO2 / SBA-15 and TiO2 / GO were used to remove the same amount of phenol from aqueous solutions.