Powder Quartz/Nano-TiO2 Composite: Mechanochemical Preparation and Photocatalytic Degradation of Formaldehyde

Powder quartz (PQ)/nano-TiO2 composite was prepared by a mechanochemical method. Based on as-prepared PQ/nano-TiO2 composite, we prepared interior paints and investigated the degradation efficiency of formaldehyde (DEF). Scanning electron microscopy showed that nano-TiO2 got well dispersed by the adding of PQ. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the mass ratio of 4:1 was a relatively good proportion for the most production of PQ/nano-TiO2 composite. Fourier transform-infrared spectrometry showed that the peak position of Ti-O-Si bond varied with the milling time. At the early stage, no characteristic peak of Ti-O-Si bond was observed, while at the later stage, new peaks at 902 cm(-1) and 937 cm(-1) appeared. Meanwhile, PQ/nano-TiO2 composite-based interior paint exhibited significant DEF of 96.3% compared to that consisting of sole nano-TiO2 of 92.0% under visible light illumination. As an abundant mineral resource, PQ would make interior paints with HCHO purifying effect much more efficient and cheaper.