TiO2/zeolite composite on ceramic tiles: Influence of the amount of photocatalyst on adsorption and photocatalytic properties

In this work, TiO2-Ag-zeolite was supported on porous ceramic tiles to enhance the self-cleaning properties. The influence on adsorption and photocatalytic properties of the anchored composite with respect to a coating with only TiO2 has been evaluated. Functionalized tiles were obtained through a method that involves a solgel preparation followed by calcination at 550 °C for 2 h and different samples at different titanium and silver surface loads were prepared. The verification of the self-cleaning properties was conducted through adsorption and photocatalytic tests realized using aqueous solutions containing methylene blue (MB). Characterization results evidenced that the deposition method induced the formation of TiO2/Ag-zeolite layer, strongly adherent to the tile surface, in which TiO2 is present in anatase phase. The photocatalytic performances are strongly influenced by the amount of TiO2-Ag-zeolite composite deposited on the tile surface.