Enhanced photocatalytic activity of a mesoporous TiO ₂ aerogel decorated onto three-dimensional carbon foam

TiO ₂ /carbon composites have been well studied as solar-light photocatalysts because they combine the advantages of TiO ₂ (good photocatalytic activity) and carbon (enhanced charge carrier separation). Mesoporous TiO ₂ aerogels are fragile by nature and the addition of free-standing three-dimensional (3D) porous carbon foam (CF) not only makes it easy for separation and collection after photocatalytic treatment but also acts as a scaffold for the long-term application of TiO ₂ aerogels in the photocatalysis. Hence, recent reports have shown that mesoporous TiO ₂ aerogel/CF composites synthesized by the carbonization of a polymer followed by using the sol-gel method are significant for use in photocatalysis applications. In addition, the 3D macroporous CF not only acts as a support for TiO ₂ aerogels but also improves the efficiency of light use and extends the photoresponse of TiO ₂ to the visible region. The TiO ₂ aerogel was homogeneously distributed onto the 3D CF because of the vacuum infiltration used during the synthesis of the composites. The simulated solar-light irradiated photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B organic pollutant was used to evaluate the TiO ₂ aerogel/CF composite catalysts, which was higher than with a pristine TiO ₂ aerogel. This facile synthesis approach for 3D foam type TiO ₂ /carbon composites could be useful in the treatment of wastewater.