Fabrication of anti-poisoning core-shell TiO2 photocatalytic system through a 4-methoxycalix[7]arene film

TiO₂ nanoparticles with unique crystalline-core/disordered-shell structures were synthesized in a one step process by employing 4-methoxycalix[7]arene nanoreactors. The nanoparticles were anchored on the surface of quartz beads as a monolayer and showed high visible-light driven photocatalytic activity, excellent long term durability and anti-poisoning property. Photocatalytic performance of the TiO₂ nanoparticles was tested in a packed bed and complete decolorization of methyl orange was achieved under ultraviolet light or visible light. The decolorization process followed first-order kinetics and showed different behaviors for ultraviolet and visible radiation, while the overall rates of degradation were the same.     

Effect of Mie resonance on photocatalytic hydrogen evolution over dye-sensitized hollow C-TiO_2 nanoshells under visible light irradiation

Light utilization is one of the key factors for the improvement of photocatalytic perfo rmance.He rein,we design C-TiO_2 hollow nanoshells with strong Mie resonance for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution in a dye-sensitized system under visible light irradiation(λ≥420 nm).By tuning the inner diameters of hollow nanoshells,the Mie resonance in hollow nanoshells is adjusted for better excitation of dye molecules,which thus greatly enhances the light utilization in visible light region.This work shows the potential of Mie resonance in nanoshells can be an alternative strategy to increase the light utilization for photocatalysis.     

TiO2/activated carbon fibers photocatalyst: Effects of coating procedures on the microstructure, adhesion property, and photocatalytic ability

In order to more easily separate TiO₂ photocatalyst from the treated wastewater, TiO₂ film was immobilized on the surface of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) by employing two kinds of coating procedures, dip-coating, and hydrothermal treatment. The effects of coating procedures on microstructure of TiO₂-coated ACFs (TiO₂/ACFs), such as morphology, porous property, crystal structure, and light absorption characteristics were investigated in detail. The adhesion property between TiO₂ film and ACFs was evaluated by ultrasonic vibration, and the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂/ACFs was tested by the photocatalytic decoloration of methylene blue solution. The results show that hydrothermal treatment presented many advantages to obtain high-performance TiO₂/ACFs photocatalyst in comparison with dip-coating. Hydrothermal treatment could improve the binding property between TiO₂ films and ACFs, which endowed the as-obtained TiO₂/ACFs photocatalyst with improved reusable performance, and TiO₂/ACFs synthesized by hydrothermal treatment presented higher photocatalytic activity.     

TiO2 photocatalysis for the degradation of pollutants in gas phase: From morphological design to plasmonic enhancement

TiO₂-based photocatalysis has become a viable technology in various application fields such as (waste)water purification, photovoltaics/artificial photosynthesis, environmentally friendly organic synthesis and remediation of air pollution. Because of the increasing impact of bad air quality worldwide, this review focuses on the use and optimization of TiO₂-based photocatalysts for gas phase applications. Over the past years various specific aspects of TiO₂ photocatalysis have been reviewed individually. The intent of this review is to offer a broad tutorial on (recent) trends in TiO₂ photocatalyst modification for the intensification of photocatalytic air treatment. After briefly introducing the fundamentals of photocatalysis, TiO₂ photocatalyst modification is discussed both on a morphological and an electronic level from the perspective of gas phase applications. The main focus is laid on recent developments, but also possible opportunities to the field. This review is intended as a solid introduction for researchers new to the field, as well as a summarizing update for established investigators.     

Sr1−xBaxSnO3 system applied in the photocatalytic discoloration of an azo-dye

Semiconductor materials have received substantial attention as photocatalysts for controlling water pollution. Among these materials, perovskite-structured SrSnO₃ is a promising candidate for this application, whereas BaSnO₃ exhibits very low activity. In the present work, Sr_1−xBa_xSnO₃ (x = 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1) was synthesized by solid-state reaction and was applied in the photocatalytic discoloration of the organic dye Remazol Golden Yellow. The perovskite structure was obtained for all compositions of the solid solutions with both Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ present in the lattice. A remarkable change in the short-range symmetry was observed as the amount of Ba²⁺ increased, and this change led to a decrease in the band gap of the material. Although the BaSnO₃ was not active toward water photolysis, the discoloration induced by this perovskite was twice that induced by SrSnO₃. The two materials appear to feature different mechanisms of photodegradation: the direct mechanism prevails in the case of BaSnO₃, whereas the indirect mechanism appears to play a key role in the case of SrSnO₃.     

Photochemical preparation of CdS hollow microspheres at room temperature and their use in visible-light photocatalysis

CdS hollow microspheres have been successfully prepared by a photochemical preparation technology at room temperature, using polystyrene latex particles as templates, CdSO₄ as cadmium source and Na₂S₂O₃ as both sulphur source and photo-initiator. The process involved the deposition of CdS nanoparticles on the surface of polystyrene latex particles under the irradiation of an 8 W UV lamp and the subsequent removal of the latex particles by dispersing in dichloromethane. Photochemical reactions at the sphere/solution interface should be responsible for the formation of hollow spheres. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Such hollow spheres could be used in photocatalysis and showed high photocatalytic activities in photodegradation of methyl blue (MB) in the presence of H₂O₂. The method is green, simple, universal and can be extended to prepare other sulphide and oxide hollow spheres.     

Formation of titanate nanostructures under different NaOH concentration and their application in wastewater treatment

The effects of the concentration of NaOH on the formation and transformation of various titanate nanostructures were studied. With increasing NaOH concentration, three different formation mechanisms were proposed. Nanotubes can only be obtained under moderate NaOH conditions, and should transform into nanowires with prolonged hydrothermal treatment, and their formation rate is accelerated by increasing NaOH concentration. Low concentration of NaOH results in the direct formation of nanowires, while extra high concentration of NaOH leads to the formation of amorphous nanoparticles. Adsorption and photocatalysis studies show that titanate nanowires and nanotubes might be potential adsorbents for the removal of both heavy metal ions and dyes and photocatalysts for the removal of dyes from wastewater.     

稀土Ce掺杂对ZnO结构和光催化性能的影响

采用共沉淀-焙烧法合成了一系列不同含量的稀土Ce掺杂的ZnO光催化剂. 利用傅里叶变换红外(FT-IR)光谱、粉末X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、紫外-可见(UV-Vis)光谱、光致发光(PL)谱等技术对所制备的光催化剂进行了系列表征. 以酸性橙II脱色降解为模型反应, 考察了掺杂不同含量的铈及不同焙烧温度对ZnO的物理结构和光催化脱色性能的影响. 结果表明: 掺入质量分数(w)为2%的铈可以明显改善氧化锌表面状态, 有利于产生更多的表面羟基; 同时可以抑制光生电子与光生空穴(e^-/h⁺)的复合, 显著提高光催化脱色活性和光催化稳定性; 焙烧温度对光催化剂的晶体结构、表面性能和光催化活性产生较大影响, 500 °C的焙烧处理使样品的结晶度较高, 同时催化剂颗粒粒径较细, 表面具有丰富的羟基. 但过高的焙烧温度(600-800 °C)将导致催化剂的物理结构发生恶化, 降低光催化性能.     

比表面积和吸附强度对TiO2/活性炭复合体光催化降解酸性红27 活性和动力学的影响

通过超临界预处理和溶胶-凝胶过程, 制备TiO₂/活性炭复合体(TCS), 利用X射线衍射, X光电子能谱和氮气吸附-解吸分析对其结构特征进行表征, 以酸性红27的光催化降解评价复合体的光催化活性. 结果表明: TCS光催化活性比纯TiO₂大, 归功于TiO₂小晶粒尺寸, 对酸性红27和羟基自由基高的吸附量. TCS复合体对酸性红27的降解效率随其比表面积的增大先升高后降低. 通过改进的Langmuir-Hinshelwood模型对酸性红27在不同的复合体上光催化降解动力学行为进行描述, 表明TCS光催化活性的差异主要是由比表面积和吸附强度相互制约所引起. TCS3由于具有适当的比表面积和恰当的吸附强度而具有最高的光催化活性.