How to do photocatalytic degradation of dye experiment using hydrophobic powder sample. Issue here is that hydrophobic powder start floating on the surface of the aqueous dye solution. which creates problem in photocatalytic degradation. I need some method to solve this issue and my sample should not be treated beyond 80 oC temperature.
We have hydrophobic TiO2 and ZnO samples and Methylene blue dye dissolved in water for photocatalytic experiment.
Floating of apolar particles is caused by the fact that they do not wet in your aqueous medium. Wetting is associated with the surface tension of the aqueous phase, if it is too high no wetting will occur. I would first measure the surface tension of your test medium. If it is indeed high, > 60 mN/m, there are two ways of lowering it: adding a water miscible solvent with a low surface tension (for instance ethanol) or adding a surfactant. Without knowing the constraints of your experiment it is difficult to suggest which one is best in your case. From a practical point of view, I would advice to first prepare a 'stable' dispersion of your apolar powder, using either a solvent or a surfactant and to add that to the test-medium. If ethanol is not possible as a solvent, please check the internet for surface tension values of other solvents which may be applicable.
First of all you should say the characteristics of the powder because by knowing that we can suggest a suitable surfactant for your case.
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