Title: Preparation and characterisation of nanokaolinite photocatalyst for removal of P-nitrophenol under UV irradiation

Authors: S.M. El-Sheikh; Ahmed Shawky; Sabrin M. Abdo; Mohamed Nageeb Rashed; Thanaa I. El-Dosoqy

Addresses: Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Department, Advanced Materials Division, CMRDI, P.O. Box 87 Helwan, Cairo, 11421, Egypt ' Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Department, Advanced Materials Division, CMRDI, P.O. Box 87 Helwan, Cairo, 11421, Egypt ' Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Aswan 81528, Egypt ' Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Aswan 81528, Egypt ' Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Aswan 81528, Egypt

Abstract: A nanokaolinite photocatalyst was prepared successfully using intercalating method which depends on insertion of chemical reagent between bulk kaolinite layers followed by delamination process. The as-prepared nanokaolinite photocatalysts were characterised by X-ray diffraction, FTIR analysis, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. XRD data show that the crystals size of exfoliated nanokaolinite in the range ~26-32 nm. FTIR peaks assign to presence of nitrogen between nanokaolinite layers, which may be lead to decrease the band gap of prepared samples. The photocatalytic activity of nanokaolinite photocatalysts was investigated by degradation of PNP under ultra-violet irradiation. The ideal nanokaolinite sample (K/urea) show extraordinary photocatalytic activity (100%) toward PNP within 30 min. due to its enhanced band gap value.

Keywords: delamination; kaolinite; phyllosilicates family; intercalation; photodegradation; P-nitrophenol; paper filler; photocatalytic activity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNM.2020.108042

International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, 2020 Vol.16 No.3, pp.232 - 242

Received: 14 Jul 2018
Accepted: 05 Sep 2018
Published online: 02 Jul 2020 *

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