TiO2/attapulgite nanocomposites were synthesized by the sol-gel method and supercritical fluid drying (SCFD) method using attapulgite as support and the aqueous solution of TiCl4 as raw material. The composition

morphological properties and catalytic performance of catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD)

scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)

and nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements. The results show that there are no phase transformation from anatase to rutile about samples

the specific surface area of materials was increased. The adsorption property of attapulgite is excellent

the quantity of active adsorption sites on the surface of the materials were increased. TiO2 calcined at different temperatures are all anatase

they have smaller particle size and short clavite structure. The photoactivity of the samples under UV light was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution. The maximum photodegradation rate was obtained in the samples calcined at 400℃

it can reach 98.4% under the irradiation of ultraviolet light for 3 h.