Arsenic removal from water by photocatalytic functional Fe2O3–TiO2 porous ceramic

Fe 2 O 3 –TiO 2 porous ceramic (Fe/TiPC) beads with photo-catalytic performances and high adsorption capacities were prepared by a simple high temperature solid reaction and were applied for arsenic removal from drinking water. The microstructure and morphology of Fe/TiPC were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. More than 90% removal ratio for As (III) and As (V) were respectively achieved by Fe/TiPC within 2 h under UV irradiation. The Langmuir capacity values of Fe/TiPC for As (III) and As (V) were 13.86 and 15.73 mg/g, respectively. In addition, Fe/TiPC could be reused for up to five times without significant reduction in the photocatalytic sensitivity and adsorption capacity aspects. Good catalytic oxidation performances and high adsorption capacities as well as a sample preparation for Fe/TiPC suggest that the composites may have practical prospects for the As (III) and As (V) removal from contaminated water.