The effect of surface electronic structures of Au/TiO2 on sonophotochemical reactions

The photo-excited surface charges do not play the primary roles in enhancing the sonophotochemical reduction of water.     

超声协同纳米TiO2光催化降解水中苯酚机理的研究

本文考察了声光催化技术降解水中苯酚的降解效率,测定了超声波联合光催化降解苯酚的主要中间产物,初步探讨了声光催化降解苯酚的反应机理。实验结果表明：超声波与光催化之间存在协同效应;光催化与声光催化降解苯酚的反应历程和产物基本一致。这两个反应的中间产物都是苯醌、邻苯二酚和对苯二酚;最终产物是水和二氧化碳。     

Sonophotocatalytic activity of methyl orange over Fe(III)/TiO2

TiO₂ doped with Fe³⁺ was prepared by an impregnation technique and its sonophotocatalytic activity over methyl orange (MO) was investigated. The Fe/TiO₂ surface presented red shift to longer wavelength, resulting in a lower energy band gap. Fe loading of 0.1 wt% on TiO₂ provided the optimum degradation. The MO degradation rate constant under sonophotocatalytic conditions was 2.5 times higher than under photocatalytic conditions.     

Kinetics and mechanism for the sonophotocatalytic degradation of p-chlorobenzoic acid

The advanced oxidation processes of sonolysis (213 kHz), photocatalysis, and a hybrid combination of both (sonophotocatalysis) have been used in the degradation of a representative aromatic carboxylic acid, p-chlorobenzoic acid (PCBA), in ambient air saturated aqueous solutions. The formation of degradation products were monitored quantitatively and qualitatively using HPLC and MS/MS. A kinetic model was used to account for the degradation of the PCBA in the presence of intermediate degradation products and also their formation and subsequent degradation. Under certain experimental conditions a small (20% enhancement) synergistic effect in the degradation rate was evident in the combined process compared with the sum of the individual processes.     

Characterization of TiO2 Loaded on Activated Carbon Fibers and Its Photocatalytic Reactivity

In this paper, TiO2 loaded on activated carbon fibers （ACF） was prepared by a coating treatment, followed by calcination at different temperatures in air atmosphere. The photocatalyst developed was characterized by SEM, XRD, XPS and UV-Vis adsorption spectroscopy. It was observed from SEM images that TiO2 loaded on ACF was in the form of small clusters with nanometer size. As confirmed by XRD and XPS determinations, the crystalline pattern of immobilized TiO2 was still anatase-form after calcination, and the micrographic structure and surface properties of ACF have not been damaged by the deposition process and calcination at different temperatures. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue （MB） in aqueous .solution was investigated using TiOE/ACF as photocatalyst. The comparison of photolysis, absorption and photocatalysis was carded out. The results indicated that the photocatalysis process of combined photocatalyst showed much higher degradation rate than that of photolysis and absorption processes. In addition, the possibility of cyclic usage of the photocatalyst was also confirmed.     

Photolysis and photocatalysis of ibuprofen in aqueous medium: characterization of by‐products via liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry and assessment of their toxicities against Artemia Salina

The degradation of the pharmaceutical compound ibuprofen (IBP) in aqueous solution induced by direct photolysis (UV‐A and UV‐C radiation) and photocatalysis (TiO₂/UV‐A and TiO₂/UV‐C systems) was evaluated. Initially, we observed that whereas photocatalysis (both systems) and direct photolysis with UV‐C radiation were able to cause an almost complete removal of IBP, the mineralization rates achieved for all the photodegradation processes were much smaller (the highest value being obtained for the TiO₂/UV‐C system: 37.7%), even after an exposure time as long as 120 min. Chemical structures for the by‐products formed under these oxidative conditions (11 of them were detected) were proposed based on the data from liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry (LC‐HRMS) analyses. Taking into account these results, an unprecedented route for the photodegradation of IBP could thus be proposed. Moreover, a fortunate result was achieved herein: tests against Artemia salina showed that the degradation products had no higher ecotoxicities than IBP, which possibly indicates that the photocatalytic (TiO₂/UV‐A and TiO₂/UV‐C systems) and photolytic (UV‐C radiation) processes can be conveniently employed to deplete IBP in aqueous media. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photocatalytically-assisted electrochemical degradation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-aminophenol in aqueous solutions using zeolite-supported TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst

This paper reports the results of an investigation into enhancement of the electrochemical oxidation of p-aminophenol (4-AP) in an aqueous solution with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode, assisted by photocatalysis using a zeolite-supported TiO₂ (Z-TiO₂) catalyst. The BDD electrode was characterised in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄-supporting electrolyte and the presence of 4-AP by open-circuit potential behaviour (OCP) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The electrode behaviour was investigated in the dark and following UV irradiation and in the absence/presence of the Z-TiO₂ catalyst. The electro-oxidation process was carried out using chronoamperometry (CA) and multiple-pulsed amperometry (MPA) at the selected potential under potentiostatic conditions. The electrochemical degradation process of 4-AP on the BDD electrode was improved by the application of a pulsed potential, which allowed both in-situ electrochemical cleaning of the electrode and indirect oxidation of 4-AP by oxygen evolution. The application of photocatalysis using Z-TiO₂ in the 4-AP electrochemical degradation exhibited an enhanced effect when the anodic potential was set at +1.25 V vs. Ag/AgCl in the water stability region, close to the oxygen evolution potential.     

Modeling and optimization of simultaneous photocatalysis of three dyes on ceramic-coated TiO2 nanoparticles using chemometrics methods: phytotoxicological assessment during degradation process

In this paper, ceramic plates were used as a support of TiO₂ nanoparticles for photocatalytic decolorization of a mixture of three dyes. The three textile dyes (C.I. Basic Red 46, C.I. Basic Blue 3 and Malachite Green) were quantified simultaneously during the photocatalytic degradation process. The partial least squares modeling was successfully applied for the multivariate calibration of the spectrophotometric data. Also, the central composite design has been applied to the optimization of photocatalytic decolorization of the dye solution containing three dyes using an immobilized UV/TiO₂ process. The optimum initial concentration of three dyes, reaction time, and UV light intensity were found to be 5 mg/L, 240 min, and 47.2 W/m², respectively. The chronic phytotoxicity of mixture of dyes was evaluated using aquatic species Spirodela polyrhiza (S. polyrhiza) prior to and after photocatalysis. The phytotoxicity results revealed that the photocatalysis process could effectively reduce the phytotoxicity of the dyes from their aqueous solutions.     

Synthesis of TiO2/CNT Composites and its Photocatalytic Activity Toward Sudan (I) Degradation

Semiconductor photocatalysis has the potential for achieving sustainable energy generation and degrading organic contaminants. In TiO₂, the addition of carbonaceous nanomaterials has attracted extensive attention as a means to increase its photocatalytic activity. In this study, composites of TiO₂ and carbon nanotubes (CNT) in various proportions were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The crystalline structures, morphologies, and light absorption properties of the TiO₂/CNT photocatalysts were characterized by PXRD, TEM and UV–Vis absorption spectra. The photocatalytic efficiency of the composites was evaluated by the degradation of Sudan (I) in UV–Vis light. Introducing 0.1–0.5 wt% CNT was shown to substantially improve the photoactivity of TiO₂. The composite with 0.3 wt% CNT showed the best catalytic activity, and its reaction activation energy was calculated as 39.57 kJ mol^?1 from experimental rates. The degradation products of Sudan (I) with different irradiation durations were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and a degradation reaction process was proposed.     

超声波光催化协同降解对甲基苯磺酸

以对甲基苯磺酸水溶液为研究对象,进行了超声波、光催化单独处理以及超声波与光催化联合处理的研究.探讨了超声功率、频率、溶液初始pH等因素对对甲基苯磺酸的降解效率的影响.结果表明,超声波和光催化之间存在着协同效应;当溶液初始质量浓度30mg/L、光催化剂Tio2投加量为1OOmg/L、超声功率和频率分别为80W和45kHz...     

Photolytic and photocatalytic degradation of organic UV filters in contaminated water

UV filters as emerging contaminants are of great concern and their wide detection in aquatic environments indicates their chemical stability and persistence. This review summarized the photolytic and photocatalytic degradation of UV filters in contaminated water. The findings indicated that limited research has been conducted on the photolysis and photocatalysis of UV filters. Photolysis of UV filters through UV irradiation in natural water was a slow process, which was accelerated by the presence of photosensitisers e.g. triplet state of chromaphoric dissolved organic matter (³CDOM*) and nutrients but reduced by salinity, dissolved organic matter (DOM) and divalent cations. UV Photocatalysis of 4-methylbenzylidene camphor and 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid was very effective with 100% removal within 30 min and 90 min using medicated TiO₂/H₂O₂ and TiO₂, respectively. The radiation source, type of catalyst and oxygen content were key factors. Future research should focus on improved understanding of photodegradation pathways and by-products of UV filters.     

Effect of dissolved oxygen and lanthanide ions in solution on TiO2 photocatalytic oxidation of 2-propanol

The photocatalytic degradation of 2-propanol in D₂O solution under UV irradiation was investigated. The conversion yield from 2-propanol to acetone was studied by ¹H-NMR measurements. The study was carried out to elucidate effects of O₂ in the reaction medium and lanthanide ion modification on the TiO₂ surface. Under aerobic conditions, acetone formation was clearly increased in comparison with anaerobic conditions. On the modification of TiO₂ with lanthanide ion, the conversion yield decreased with the increase in the ionic radius. Yb³⁺ ion modification increased the acetone formation by approx. 5% in comparison with the unmodified case. Appreciably large effects of the counter ion in lanthanide salts were also observed. The role of OH^˙ radical formation in the first step of photocatalysis was emphasized in the experimental results.     

Characterisation of captopril photolysis and photocatalysis by-products in water by direct infusion,electrospray ionisation,high-resolution mass spectrometry and the assessment of their toxicities

Pharmaceuticals of different therapeutic classes are found in the environment. Captopril is used worldwide as an antihypertensive drug, and it has been found in the influent, effluent and secondary sludge of wastewater treatment plants. Advanced oxidation processes, such as direct photolysis (UV-C) and heterogeneous photocatalysis (TiO₂/UV-C), are alternatives to enhance mineralisation of pharmaceuticals and their removal during water treatment. In this article, it was evaluated the degradation of captopril in aqueous solution induced by UV-C and TiO₂/UV-C systems. The process focused on the identification and monitoring of the by-products formed under these conditions by applying direct-infusion electrospray ionisation high-resolution mass spectrometry in the negative ion mode (ESI(-)-HRMS) and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC/HRMS). To evaluate the by-products toxicity, acute ecotoxicity tests were performed with the crustacean Artemia salina, and the cytotoxicity was evaluated with (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay using HepG2 cells. It was observed by ESI(-)-HRMS that after 120 min of light exposure, there was almost complete removal of captopril, with 93.5% removal efficiency during photolysis and 99.9% during photocatalysis. At these conditions, the rate of mineralisation, by total organic carbon (TOC), was only 2.92% for photolysis and 9.09% for photocatalysis, evidencing the formation of degradation by-products. Nine by-products of captopril photodegradation were identified, and their respective chemical structure elucidations were proposed. The treated samples were nontoxic to A. salina and HepG2 cells, indicating that both oxidative treatments (photocatalytic or photolytic processes) can be conveniently employed to remove captopril from aqueous media.     

Use of a photocatalytic membrane reactor for the removal of natural organic matter in water: Effect of photoinduced desorption and ferrihydrite adsorption

The photocatalytic degradation of natural organic matter (NOM) would be an attractive option in the treatment of drinking water. The performance of a submerged photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR) was investigated with regard to the removal of NOM and the control of membrane fouling. In particular, this work focused on the adsorption and desorption of humic acids (HA) and lake water NOM at the surface of TiO₂ photocatalyts and ferrihydrite (FH) adsorbents in the PMR for water treatment. The addition of FH particles with a large sorption capacity helped remove the NOM released from TiO₂ particles, but FH suspended in water affected the photocatalysis of lake water NOM with a low specific UV absorbance (SUVA) value. To prevent the UV light being scattered by FH without any photocatalytic activity, FH particles were attached to a submerged microfiltration (MF) membrane, which contributed to a greater removal of NOM during long-term PMR operation. The further removal of NOM from aqueous solution was achieved due to the synergistic effect of TiO₂ photocatalysis and FH adsorption in PMR while minimizing the influence of photoinduced desorption of NOM. No significant membrane fouling occurred when the submerged PMR was operated even at high flux levels (>25 L/m² h), as long as photocatalytic decomposition took place.     

Photocatalytic Degradation of Oxytetracycline in Aqueous Solutions with TiO2 in Suspension and Prediction by Artificial Neural Networks

In this study, the photocatalytic degradation of oxytetracycline (OTC) in aqueous solutions has been studied under different conditions such as initial pollutant concentrations, amount of catalyst, and pH of the solution. Experimental results showed that photocatalysis was clearly the predominant process in the pollutant degradation, since OTC adsorption on the catalyst and photolysis are negligible. The optimal TiO₂ concentration for OTC degradation was found to be 1.0 g/L. The apparent rate constant decreased, and the initial degradation rate increased with increasing initial OTC concentration with the other parameters kept unchanged. Subsequently, data obtained from photocatalytic degradation were used for training the artificial neural networks (ANN). The Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm, log sigmoid function in the hidden layer, and the linear activation function in the output layer were used. The optimized ANN structure was four neurons at the input layer, eighteen neurons at the hidden layer, and one neuron at the output layer. The application of 18 hidden neurons allowed to obtain the best values for R² and the mean squared error, 0.99751 and 7.504e–04, respectively, showing the relevance of the training, and hence the network can be used for final prediction of photocatalytic degradation of OTC with suspended TiO₂.     

The photocatalysis and mechanism of new SrTiO3/TiO2

The SrTiO₃/TiO₂ was obtained via hydrothermal and sol–gel method and the optimal proportion (5wt %) was confirmed. The compounds have been characterized by XRD, UV–vis DRS, TEM and XPS. The photocatalytic degradation toward gas-phase benzene is almost 40% under UV irradiation, much better than pure TiO₂ and SrTiO₃. Besides, the SrTiO₃/TiO₂ also possessed outstanding performance toward methyl orange in liquid-phase testing. Finally, the electro-chemistry and electron spin-resonance spectroscopy (ESR) provided evidence that the improved photocatalysis is attributed to (1) the matching energy band which can transfer charge carriers efficiently and (2) enhanced generation of photo-electron and free radicals.     

Photocatalytic Degradation of Styrene in Aqueous Solution: Central Composite Design Optimization

In this study, the response surface methodology was first applied to optimize the photocatalytic degradation of styrene in aqueous phase under UV/TiO₂ system. Twenty experiments were done by adjusting three parameters (styrene concentration, TiO₂ dose, and pH) at five levels. Optimal experimental conditions for arbitrary aqueous styrene concentration (115 mg L^?1) were found: initial pH 7 and TiO₂ loading 2 g L^?1 with photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 79.2%. Furthermore, the main degradation intermediate produced was identified by GC/MS. The total organic carbon results revealed that the photocatalysis process could be effectively mineralized. Kinetics of the photocatalytic reaction followed a pseudo-first-order model.     

LDPE Transformation by Exposure to Sequential Low-Pressure Plasma and TiO2/UV Photocatalysis

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) sheets (3.0 ± 0.1 cm) received sequential treatment, first by the action of direct-current low-pressure plasma (DC-LPP) with a 100% oxygen partial pressure, 3.0 × 10⁻² mbar pressure, 600 V DC tension, 5.6 cm distance, 6-min treatment. Then, sheets were submitted to TiO₂ photocatalysis at UV radiation at 254 nm (TiO₂/UV) with a pH value of 4.5 ± 0.2 and a TiO₂ concentration of 1 gL⁻¹. We achieved a complementary effect on the transformation of LDPE films. With the first treatment, ablation was generated, which increased hydrophilicity. With the second treatment, the cavities appeared. The changes in the LDPE sheets’ hydrophobicity were measured using the static contact angle (SCA) technique. The photocatalytic degradation curve at 400 h revealed that the DC-LPP photocatalysis sequential process decreased SCA by 82°. This was achieved by the incorporation of polar groups, which increased hydrophilicity, roughness, and rigidity by 12 and 38%, respectively. These sequential processes could be employed for LDPE and other material biodegradation pretreatment.     

Comparison of optical and structural properties of nanostructure TiO2 thin film doped by Sn and Nb

The thin films of TiO₂ doped by Sn or Nb were prepared by sol–gel method under process control. The effects of Sn and Nb doping on the structural, optical and photo-catalytic properties of applied thin films have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) high resolution transmission electron microscopy and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. Surface chemical state of thin films was examined by atomic X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. XRD results suggest that adding impurities has a great effect on the crystallinity and particle size of TiO₂. Titania rutile phase formation in thin film was promoted by Sn⁴⁺ addition but was inhibited by Nb⁵⁺ doping. The activity of the photocatalyst was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation kinetics of aqueous methylene blue under UV and Visible radiation. The results show that the photocatalytic activity of the Sn-doped TiO₂ thin film have a larger degradation efficiency than Nb-doped TiO₂ under visible light, but under UV light photocatalytic activity of the Nb-doped TiO₂ thin film is better.     

过硫酸盐激活协同可见光催化降解四环素的机理和降解路径

为了提升微污染水体中抗生素的降解效率,利用过硫酸钠（PDS）激活协同手性介孔TiO₂可见光催化（PDS/vis-TiO₂）对四环素（TC）进行降解。详细对比研究了以手性TiO₂作为催化剂的PDS激活（PDS/TiO₂）、可见光催化（vis-TiO₂）和PDS/vis-TiO₂三种体系中,降解污染物的活性物种和污染物降解路径等的差异。结果表明,不对称的螺旋堆积结构在手性介孔TiO₂中引入了丰富的Ti³⁺,不仅提升了其可见光响应,同时能够激活PDS生成自由基。PDS/vis-TiO₂体系中光生空穴h⁺和·OH等多种自由基可以同时参与TC的降解,5 h内其对TC去除率可达到95%以上,远超PDS/TiO₂体系（TC去除率为48.9%）和vis-TiO₂体系（TC去除率为71.1%）。PDS加入到光催化体系中,会受到光生电子的激活而产生自由基,从而消耗光生电子,提升光生空穴和电子的分离率,达到协同增强污染物的降解能力。另外PDS激活后产生自由基也会大大增加体系对TC的降解性能。密度泛函理论计算和中间产物分析结果表明,TC在PDS/vis-TiO₂体系中的降解路径包含了光生空穴h+攻击TC的降解路径,同时也包括自由基攻击TC的降解路径。