Removal of gaseous toluene by using of the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 coated on foam nickel metal

Release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in industrial and urban area have adverse effects on human health and environment. The aim of this study was removal of gaseous toluene, as the most of pollutants among VOCs, by using of TiO2 nanoparticles coated on nickel foam substrate. TiO2 nanoparticles prepared by sol gel method and coated on nickel foam. Morphological and structural characteristics of photocatalyst was determined by XRD and SEM. Photocatalytic conversion of toluene in the gas phase under UV-A irradiation by injected of samples into the GC-FID was measured. TiO2 nanoparticles was obtained in anatase and rutile phase, respectively, 61.1% and 38.9%, with dimensions of 18 and 24 nm from the sol-gel solution and coated on nickel foam. After determined the optimal level of relative humidity, adsorption of toluene was determined about 55%. Finally, after constant toluene concentration in the reactor, by using of the photocatalytic activity 55% of toluene concentration was removed. By using of TiO2 nanoparticles coated on nickel foam, in two steps of adsorption and photocatalytic conversion, more than 80% of the toluene was removed, so that the concentration of toluene was 100 ppm to 20 ppm.