Abstract

The present paper reports on an innovative and simple route for the preparation of new hybrid materials based on TiO₂ and carbonaceous supports with relatively high biochar content prepared via controlled laboratory batch pyrolysis system. Pine tar was used as a precursor for secondary char (confirmed by TGA) serving as a coating and ​“connecting material” between commercially available Degussa P25 TiO₂ and biomass derived porous carbon support (biochar) produced from softwood or Lignin. The prepared hybrid materials were characterized by a series of physico-chemical characterization techniques such as XRD, XPS, TGA, UV-Vis, XRF, SEM, COD and BET analysis. The results confirmed that the method used is viable and can be used to embed TiO₂ in the structure of biochar. In aqueous phase phenol degradation, the TiO₂/(secondary char-coated biochar) hybrid materials proved photocatalitically active, and especially the TiO₂/​secondary char-coated SWP700) showed better photocatalytic performance than the commercial TiO₂ counterpart.