Abstract: Activated carbons from bamboo were produced by using phosphoric acid activation method, and their methylene blue adsorption and caramel decoloration rate were investigated. The activated carbon was modified by loading TiO₂ catalyst via sol-gel method to improve methylene blue adsorption and caramel decoloration rate. According to the removal of formaldehyde in aqueous solution. The performance of composite catalyst was discussed. Results show that bamboo activated carbon which was activated under 400℃ for 40min with impregnation ratio 3:1 and heating rate 10℃/min, has large surface area and is rich in macro-/meso-pores. Effects of formaldehyde removal rate of TiO₂/BAC was distinct. The results show that when the prepared composite photocatalyst 1.5g, aqueous solution 800mL, initial concentration 5mg/L, exposed in 17W UV-light and the photo-catalytic reaction continued for 480min, the formaldehyde removal rate was up to 84.28%.

Key words: bamboo activated carbon, titanium dioxide, photocatalysis, formaldehyde