Study the effect of calcination temperature and time on TiO2 band gap synthesized from TiCl4 coagulation sludge

This study investigated the preparation of TiO2 from generated sludge through TiCl4 coagulation of Along Pongsu Landfill leachate. TiCl4 with chitosan as coagulant aid were used to carry out coagulation process on the leachate. The produced sludge after coagulation process was calcined to prepare TiO2 for photocatalytic applications. The studied factors were including calcination temperature (400, 600 and 800 °C), calcination time (6, 9 and 12 h) and TiCl4 dosage (800, 1000 and 1200 mg/L). The results indicated that the band gap of the prepared TiO2 was changed between 3.35 eV and 2.75 eV. The morphology and phase analysis of prepared TiO2 after calcination were investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The XRD spectrums showed an anatase phase at lower calcination temperature and rutile phase at elevated temperature. This study confirmed that TiO2 powder was successfully prepared from generated sludge from TiCl4 coagulation, with the potential for photocatalysis applications.