solution of K2Cr2O7 was used. A 20
mL volume of 100 ppm hexavalent Cr solution was taken with 0.02 g
of catalysts to test the photocatalytic activity. To check the effect
of pH on the photocatalytic reduction process, the pH of the solution
was maintained at 2, 4, 6, and 8. Then, the suspension was stirred
under dark condition for 30 min to attain the adsorption and desorption
equilibrium before irradiation under solar light (100 000 lx).
At different time intervals, the catalysts were separated by centrifugation
and the supernatant was used for colorimetric analysis at 540 nm by
1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC) method using a JASCO V-750 UV−Vis
spectrophotometer.14 (link) Additionally, the
remained Cr in the sample after the experiment was also determined.15 (link)Photocatalytic degradation of phenol was
carried out by taking 20 mg of catalyst with 20 mL of 10 ppm phenol.
Then, the suspension was stirred under dark condition for 30 min to
attain the adsorption and desorption equilibrium before irradiation
of solar light. Then, the pH of phenol solution was maintained at
2, 4, 6, and 8. After the photocatalytic experiment, the catalyst
was extracted from the phenol solution by centrifugation and the residue
was directly analyzed by a JASCO V-750 UV−Vis spectrophotometer.