Acceleration of Acetone Destruction Process under Synergistic Action of Photocatalytic Oxidation and Barrier Discharge

Separate and joint work of photocatalytic oxidation based on TiO₂ and surface barrier discharge as a source of active oxygen and UV radiation is investigated for acetone vapors destruction under ambient air conditions. Experiments were carried out in a 404 l airtight Plexiglas chamber and used five different combinations of photocatalyst, barrier discharge and ultraviolet irradiation under identical initial concentration (∼170 ppm) of acetone. It is shown for the synergistic action of photocatalytic method and barrier discharge that the initial rate of acetone decomposition per watt of input power increases in more than 1.5 times compared to photocatalytic oxidation. Under operation of plasma of barrier discharge, intermediate products are formed such as CO, acetic acid, acetaldehyde and methane nitrate (CH₃NO₃). These products are not detected for photocatalytic oxidation. Some interesting features of kinetics of acetone decomposition and formation of intermediate products with participation of barrier discharge are revealed.     

Research of the interaction mechanism between HCl and semiconductor metal oxides

Gas-sensitivity was investigated of n- and p-types conductivity semiconductor sensors based on zinc, indium and chrome oxides with the respect to hydrogen chloride (0.06 – 3 ppm). Disclosed were two mechanisms of interaction between НС1 and above metal oxides. It is demonstrated that HCl chemisorption results in decrease, and chlorine generation by HCl oxidation results in increase of semiconductor sensor resistance of n-type conductivity. Inverse relationship is observed for sensors with p-type conductivity. Calculation results of НСl conversion degree under the conditions of thermodynamic equilibrium of the reaction of HCl to Cl₂ oxidation are in good agreement with the experimental results for different sensor temperatures, gas humidity range and oxygen content.     

Photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol: A mechanistically-based model

The photocatalytic degradation of 4-CP was mathematically modelled using the mechanistic insights and data presented in an earlier study [1]. The solution and surface concentrations of reacting species were calculated by solving a system of differential equations that account for oxidation reactions of dissolved and adsorbed species, adsorption and desorption, reduction of oxygen, and hole-electron recombination. The differential equations were integrated over discrete time-periods and annular regions of the photoreactor. The resulting model predicts the trends observed in studies in other laboratories using different experimental apparati. Using the model it is possible to predict effects of reactor geometry, TiO₂ loading, light intensity, and mixing on the course of TiO₂ photocatalytic oxidation. The model verifies the importance of surface reactions, and reveals the need to better understand the fate and role of oxygen in TiO₂ photocatalytic systems.     

钯氮共掺杂TiO2的制备与表征及其可见光催化活性

在空气气氛和N₂中热处理表面均匀分散有尿素和氯化钯的纳米管钛酸,制备了两个系列Pd/N共掺杂的TiO₂光催化剂,并对所得样品进行了X射线衍射、透射电镜、X射线光电子能谱、紫外-可见漫反射光谱、荧光光谱和电子自旋共振等表征.结果表明,焙烧气氛对样品的形貌、晶体结构、光谱吸收、生成的氧空位浓度和可见光光催化性能的影响很大,其中在空气气氛中制备的样品光催化性能优于在N₂中制备的样品.在可见光(λ≥420nm)照射下,以丙烯为模型污染物考察了样品的光催化活性,发现在空气中400℃下焙烧的样品具有最佳的可见光催化活性.另外,讨论了Pd/N共掺杂TiO₂光催化剂具有可见光响应的机理,认为掺杂的Pd/N元素和制备过程中生成的氧空位是影响可见光催化性能的重要因素.     

Hydrothermal oxidation synthesis of rod‐like ZnO and the influence of oxygen vacancy on photocatalysis

Rod‐like ZnO nanoparticles (NPs ) were synthesized from zinc powder by a simple hydrothermal oxidation method. The presence of acetylacetone could promote the oxidation reaction of Zn and the formation of hexagonal nanorods. Then, the as‐prepared samples were annealed in N₂ , O₂ , and air atmosphere at 550°C for 2 h to control the number of oxygen vacancies in the samples. The samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV –vis spectroscopy. The correlation between the oxygen vacancies and the photocatalytic activity was investigated. The results reveal that the annealing process alters the samples’ bandgap and number of the oxygen vacancies, thereby improving the photocatalytic activity. The enhancement of photodegradation efficiency arising from the appropriate content of oxygen vacancies is discussed.     

Mechanism of photocatalytic oxidation of gaseous ethanol

A photocatalytic film reactor with a titanium dioxide film was used for oxidation of gaseous ethanol at 253.7 nm. The influences of partial pressures of oxygen and water vapour in different carrier gases were studied. The rate of photocatalytic oxidation of ethanol was significantly affected by the content of oxygen but water vapour had no effect. It was suggested that the photocatalytic transformation of ethanol follows a direct oxidation mechanism where the interaction of ethanol with positive hole gives first cationic free radical of ethanol, which is converted by multipathway reactions with oxygen to acetaldehyde, ethyl formate, and ethyl acetate.     

Influence of oxygen pressure on the photocatalytic oxidation of the azo dye Chrome Yellow with TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> as the catalyst

The photocatalytic oxidation of the azo dye Chrome Yellow dissolved in water on TiO₂ at high oxygen pressures was is reported. An increase of the oxygen pressure from 0.1 to 0.7 MPa increases the rate of the reaction by a factor of 1.6.     

Oxygen vacancies on the BiOCl surface promoted photocatalytic complete NO oxidation via superoxide radicals

One of the core issues in the photocatalytic oxidation of nitric oxide is the effective conversion of NO into the final product (nitrate). More than just improving the visible light photocatalytic performance of BiOCl, we aim to inhibit the generation of toxic by-product NO₂ during this process. In this study, we demonstrate that the oxygen vacancies (OVs) modulate its surface photogenerated carrier transfer to inflect the NO conversion pathway by a facile mixed solvent method to induce OVs on the surface of BiOCl. The photocatalytic NO removal efficiency under visible light increased from 5.6% to 36.4%. In addition, the production rate of NO₂ is effectively controlled. The effects of OVs on the generation of reactive oxygen species, electronic transfer, optical properties, and photocatalytic NO oxidation are investigated by combining density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculations, the in situ FTIR spectra and experimental characterization. The OVs on the surface of BiOCl speed the trapping and transfer of localized electrons to activate the O₂, producing O₂⁻, which avoid NO₂ formation, resulting in complete oxidation of NO (NO + O₂⁻ → NO₃⁻). These findings can serve as the basis for controlling and blocking the generation of highly toxic intermediates through regulating the reactive species during the NO oxidation. It also can help us to understand the role of OV on the BiOCl surface and application of photocatalytic technology for safe air purification.     

流动态甲醇气相光催化降解的机制研究

在253.7 nm紫外光作用下, 研究纳米TiO₂光催化氧化流动态甲醇的机制, 结果表明, 甲醇的光催化降解不受水汽的影响, 只受氧气含量的影响. 在不含氧气的情况下, 即使有足量的水汽, 甲醇都不会有明显的降解. TiO₂受光诱导生成空穴-电子对后, 空穴直接氧化甲醇, 生成的甲醇正离子在氧气作用下进一步被氧化, 形成各种氧化产物. 甲醇氧化过程是多通道反应, 宏观表现为准一级反应. 空气和氧气条件下甲醇的总降解速率常数分别为9.78×10^－3和1.79×10^－2 s^－1.     

Photocatalysis: Light energy conversion for the oxidation,disinfection, and decomposition of water

The results of many-year studies of the relationship between the physical properties and photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ and Pt/TiO₂ in photocatalytic purification and disinfection of air and water and water photodecomposition with oxygen evolution are presented. Recommendations are given as to finding the optimal method for platinum supporting on TiO₂ to achieve the highest possible catalytic activity. Multisite kinetic models of the gas-phase oxidation of simple organic substances are considered. Methods for regenerating the photocatalyst after its deactivation in the oxidation of sulfur-containing organic substances are suggested. New data are discussed on the acceleration of air purification by the combination of photocatalytic oxidation with atmospheric electric discharges, the addition of gaseous hydrogen peroxide, and oxidation on photocatalysts existing in the aerosol state. As compared to pure TiO₂, platinated titanium dioxide has a higher capability for disinfection and complete mineralization of microorganisms. Two promising methods for production of hydrogen from water using solar light are presented.     

A Theoretical Study on the Mechanism of Photocatalytic Oxygen Evolution on BiVO4 in Aqueous Solution

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is regarded as one of the key issues in achieving efficient photocatalytic water splitting. Monoclinic scheelite BiVO₄ is a visible‐light‐responsive semiconductor which has proved to be effective for oxygen evolution. Recently, the synthesis of a series of monoclinic BiVO₄ single crystals was reported, and it was found that the (010), (110), and (011) facets are highly exposed and that the photocatalytic O₂ evolution activity depends on the degree of exposure of the (010) facets. To explore the properties of and photocatalytic water oxidation reaction on different facets, DFT calculations were performed to investigate the geometric structure, optical properties, electronic structure, water adsorption, and the whole OER free‐energy profiles on BiVO₄ (010) and (011) facets. The calculated results suggest both favorable and unfavorable factors for OER on the (010) and the (011) facets. Due to the combined effects of the above‐mentioned factors, different facets exhibit quite different photocatalytic activities.     

Investigations on the surface modification of ZnO nanoparticle photocatalyst by depositing Pd

In this paper, ZnO nanoparticle photocatalysts were modified by depositing Pd on their surfaces with a photoreduction method. We mainly investigated the modification mechanisms as well as the effects on the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles of deposited Pd by means of XPS and SPS (Surface Photovoltage Spectroscopy), and the effects of Pd content on SPS responses were also discussed from the point of the electronic energy level. The results showed that the content of crystal lattice oxygen on the surface of ZnO nanoparticle decreased after an appropriate amount of Pd was deposited, while that of adsorbed oxygen increased, indicating that Pd was mainly deposited on the crystal lattice oxygen. At the same time, the intensity of SPS responses of ZnO nanoparticles remarkably decreased. In addition, the activity of ZnO nanoparticles could be greatly improved by depositing an appropriate amount of Pd in the gas phase photocatalytic oxidation of n-C₇H₁₆. Thus, it could be concluded that the increase in surface content of adsorbed oxygen could facilitate the photocatalytic reaction, and there were close relationships between the SPS response and photocatalytic activity, i.e. the weaker the SPS response, the higher the photocatalytic activity, of Pd-deposited ZnO nanoparticles.     

Solar Light Driven H2O2 Production and Selective Oxidations Using a Covalent Organic Framework Photocatalyst Prepared by a Multicomponent Reaction

A chemically stable 2D microporous COF ( PMCR-1 ) was synthesized via the multicomponent Povarov reaction. PMCR-1 exhibits a remarkable and long-term stable photocatalytic H₂O₂ production rate (60 h) from pure and sea water under visible light. The H₂O₂ production is markedly enhanced when benzyl alcohol (BA) is added as reductant, which is also due to a strong π–π interaction of BA with dangling phenyl moieties in the COF pores introduced by the multicomponent Povarov reaction. Motivated by the concomitant BA oxidation to benzaldehyde during H₂O₂ formation, the photocatalytic oxidation of various organic substrates such as benzyl amine and methyl sulfide derivatives was investigated. It is shown that the well-defined micropores of PMCR-1 enable size-selective photocatalytic oxidation.     

Photocatalytic Removal of Soot: Unravelling of the Reaction Mechanism by EPR and in situ FTIR Spectroscopy

Photocatalytic soot oxidation is studied on P25 TiO₂ as an important model reaction for self‐cleaning processes by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Contacting of carbon black with P25 leads on the one hand to a reduction of the local dioxygen concentration in the powder. On the other hand, the weakly adsorbed radicals on the carbon particles are likely to act as alternative traps for the photogenerated conduction‐band electrons. We find furthermore that the presence of dioxygen and oxygen‐related radicals is vital for the photocatalytic soot degradation. The complete oxidation of soot to CO₂ is evidenced by in situ FTIR spectroscopy, no intermediate CO is detected during the photocatalytic process.     

Structure and chemical activity of transition metal and metal oxide catalysts: An insight from theoretical DFT studies

The present theoretical DFT study discusses the structure and chemical activity of transition metal and metal oxide catalysts within the well-known cluster approach. Selective oxidation of carbon monoxide on gold supported on titania (Au/TiO₂ (110)) as well as some key points in understanding the effect of non-metal doping on TiO2 with the aim to increase its photocatalytic functionality have been briefly discussed. It was shown that Au (with formal oxidation state equal to plus one) stabilized on water-assisted and vacancy containing TiO₂ (110) can explain selective oxidation of CO. Here binding of O₂ with the vacancy site is energetically preferable than its adsorption on an Au site. Conversely, CO adsorbs on an Au center of Au/TiO₂ (110) which is energetically much more profitable than its interaction with the oxygen vacancy site. Also, carbon and nitrogen doping on TiO₂ (110) leads to two different structures. Energetically most profitable is that carbon occupies an interstitial position in deep bulk while nitrogen replaces the protruded oxygen atom and forms a surface N-H group.     

Photocatalytic oxidation of gaseous trichloroethylene by UV/TiO2 process

Summary The objective of this study was to investigate the reaction behavior of the photocatalytic oxidation of gaseous trichloroethylene (TCE) using titanium dioxide at room temperature. The experiments were carried out under various humidity levels and oxygen contents of carrier gas in an annular photoreactor. Experimental results indicated that the factors affecting the photocatalysis of TCE by UV/TiO₂ process are carrier gases and humidity. It was found that increasing the relative humidity in inlet gas flow under low humidity could improve the decomposition of trichloroethylene and the mineralization of organic intermediates at an irradiation UV light intensity of 2.82 W m^-2 by UV/TiO₂ process. The photocatalytic kinetics of gaseous trichloroethylene can be described by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood rate equation.     

Back Cover: Illustrating the Fate of Methyl Radical in Photocatalytic Methane Oxidation over Ag−ZnO by in situ Synchrotron Radiation Photoionization Mass Spectrometry (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 32/2023)

Photocatalysis has emerged as an ideal method for the direct activation and conversion of methane under mild conditions. In this reaction, methyl radical (⋅CH₃) was deemed a key intermediate that affected the yields and selectivity of the products. However, direct observation of ⋅CH₃ and other intermediates is still challenging. Here, a rectangular photocatalytic reactor coupled with in situ synchrotron radiation photoionization mass spectrometry (SR-PIMS) was developed to detect reactive intermediates within several hundred microseconds during photocatalytic methane oxidation over Ag−ZnO. Gas phase ⋅CH₃ generated by photogenerated holes (O⁻) was directly observed, and its formation was demonstrated to be significantly enhanced by coadsorbed oxygen molecules. Methoxy radical (CH₃O⋅) and formaldehyde (HCHO) were confirmed to be key C1 intermediates in photocatalytic methane overoxidation to CO₂. The gas-phase self-coupling reaction of ⋅CH₃ contributes to the formation of ethane, which indicates the key role of ⋅CH₃ desorption in the highly selective synthesis of ethane. Based on the observed intermediates, the reaction network initiated from ⋅CH₃ of photocatalytic methane oxidation could be clearly illustrated, which is helpful for studying the photocatalytic methane conversion processes.     

Study on photocatalytic oxidation for determination of the low chemical oxygen demand using a nano-TiO2-Ce(SO4)2 coexisted system

A new photocatalytic system, nano-TiO₂-Ce(SO₄)₂ coexisted system, which can be used to determine the low chemical oxygen demand (COD) is described. Nano-TiO₂ powders is used as photocatalyst in this system. The measuring method is based on direct determination of the concentration change of Ce(IV) resulting from photocatalytic oxidation of organic compounds. The mechanism of the photocatalytic oxidation for COD determination was discussed and the optimum experimental conditions were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, a good calibration graph for COD values between 1.0 and 12 mg l⁻¹ was obtained and the LOD value was achieved as low as 0.4 mg l⁻¹. When determining the real samples, the results were in good agreement with those from the conventional methods.     

一种用于光催化氧化硫醚成亚砜的超薄卟啉的共价有机骨架纳米片

单线态氧(~1O_2)可将硫醚化合物选择性氧化为亚砜,而开发具有高~1O_2量子产率的高效光敏剂至关重要。本文中我们报道了超薄二维共价有机骨架(COFs)纳米片(NSs)COF-367 NSs的制备和表征。COF-367 NSs在各种有机溶剂中的良好分散性和高效率的光收集赋予其在可见光照射下产生~1O_2的显著性能,且远优于块体COF-367。我们还证明了COF-367 NSs是硫醚化合物光催化氧化成亚砜的优良非均相催化剂,具有高效率和选择性以及良好的循环稳定性。     

Catalytic Role of TiO2 Terminal Oxygen Atoms in Liquid‐Phase Photocatalytic Reactions: Oxidation of Aromatic Compounds in Anhydrous Acetonitrile

On the basis of experiments carried out with controlled amounts of residual oxygen and water, or by using oxygen‐isotope‐labeled Ti¹⁸O₂ as the photocatalyst, we demonstrate that ¹⁸O_s atoms behave as real catalytic species in the photo‐oxidation of acetonitrile‐dissolved aromatic compounds such as benzene, phenol, and benzaldehyde with TiO₂. The experimental evidence allows a terminal‐oxygen indirect electron‐transfer (TOIET) mechanism to be proposed, which is a new pathway that involves the trapping of free photogenerated valence‐band holes at O_s species and their incorporation into the reaction products, with simultaneous generation of oxygen vacancies at the TiO₂ surface and their subsequent healing with oxygen atoms from either O₂ or H₂O molecules that are dissolved in the liquid phase. According to the TOIET mechanism, the TiO₂ surface is not considered to remain stable, but is continuously changing in the course of the photocatalytic reaction, challenging earlier interpretations of TiO₂ photocatalytic phenomena.