Recycling studies of the TS2, TS2-200 and TS2-600 aerogels was
studied through performing photocatalytic experiments in three
consecutive runs. The irradiation time in this particular experiment
was 50 min and in every run the catalyst was recovered and reused
to decolorize fresh MB solution. The photocatalytic efficiencies of
the tested representative samples were calculated from the equation;
(Co C/Co) 100% for further comparisons. Another experiment
was performed to evaluate the generation of OH radicals,
200 ml of 0.25 g/l Terephthalic acid (TA) was prepared and 45 mg
of TS2 photocatalyst was added, stirred for 30 min and then irradiated
under UV light for 1 h. During this experiment 5 ml of the suspension
was withdrawn regularly after every 10 min, centrifuged
and the supernatant was scanned using Nanolog Spectrofluorometer
(HORIBA) with an excitation at 315 nm from 350 nm to 600 nm.