Structural Properties and Degradation Efficiency Photocatalyst-based Composite Titanium Dioxide/Activated Carbon by Charge Trap System for Groundwater Reach Phenol Treatment

High recombination of the photoexcited electron–hole pairs leading to a drop in the photocatalytic performance. The pore of activated carbon (AC) can be act as a trap of the charge of electron/hole (e/h) which can suppress recombination. The objective in this study maximizing function of the pore of AC for create composite combine with TiO₂ that can act in visible light. In the pore, the reaction occurs between the charge and the H₂O or O₂ produces OH^* radicals. These radicals entering the chemical site of pollution to break up the bonding with the final product are harmless. The prepared composite TiO₂/activated carbon (TAC) by wet impregnation method were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Composite TAC with ratio 0.5:1.5, 1:1, 1.5:0.5 shows degradation 94.06%, 94.91%, and 88.98%, respectively, for only 45 min irradiation, indicated that the pore successfully suppressing recombination of the charge. We have performed good efficiency for five adsorption–desorption cycles of TAC. The TAC 1:1 ratio shows the best photocatalyst performance which degraded 94.91% for 45 min irradiation. The composite TAC shows high potential in suppressing recombination of charge, means that, effective and efficient ground wastewater treatment materials in future for improvement human access to the clean water.