Fabrication of a self‐doped TiO2 nanotube array electrode for electrochemical degradation of methyl orange

Self‐doped TiO₂ nanotube array (DTNA) electrodes were fabricated through anodic oxidation combined with cathodic reduction. The morphology and structural features of pristine TiO₂ nanotube arrays and DTNA electrodes were studied through scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffractometry, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. An accelerated life test was used to test the electrode service lifetime and thus the electrode's stability. The service lifetime of the DTNA electrode prepared at constant 40 V for 6 hr was approximately 338.7 hr at constant 1 mA/cm² in a 1 M NaClO₄ solution. Methyl orange (MO) was employed as the degradation probe for measuring electrochemical oxidation performance. The color removal rate of 200 mg/L MO of the DTNA electrode (85.2% at 1 mA/cm²) was greater than that of the Ti/IrO₂ electrode (31.1% at 1 mA/cm²). The larger the surface area of the DTNA electrode is, the more conductive the electrode is for the degradation of organic substances. Organic degradation on the DTNA electrode occurred primarily through an indirect pathway (producing [?OH]).     

Probing Second Harmonic Components of pH‐Sensitive Redox Processes in a Mesoporous TiO2‐Nafion Film Electrode with Fourier‐Transformed Large‐Amplitude Sinusoidally Modulated Voltammetry

Electrochemical processes in mesoporous TiO₂‐Nafion thin films deposited on indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes are inherently complex and affected by capacitance, Ohmic iR‐drop, RC‐time constant phenomena, and by potential and pH‐dependent conductivity. In this study, large‐amplitude sinusoidally modulated voltammetry (LASMV) is employed to provide access to almost purely Faradaic‐based current data from second harmonic components, as well as capacitance and potential domain information from the fundamental harmonic for mesoporous TiO₂‐Nafion film electrodes. The LASMV response has been investigated with and without an immobilized one‐electron redox system, ferrocenylmethyltrimethylammonium⁺. Results clearly demonstrate that the electron transfer associated with the immobilized ferrocene derivative follows two independent pathways i) electron hopping within the Nafion network and ii) conduction through the TiO₂ backbone. The pH effect on the voltammetric response for the TiO₂ reduction pathway (ii) can be clearly identified in the 2^nd harmonic LASMV response with the diffusion controlled ferrocene response (i) acting as a pH independent reference. Application of second harmonic data derived from LASMV measurement, because of the minimal contribution from capacitance currents, may lead to reference‐free pH sensing with systems like that found for ferrocene derivatives.     

Low‐cost Nickel Complex Dye‐sensitized Titania Nanoparticle/nanotube Composites for Solar Cells

In this work, high‐performance dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on new low‐cost visible nickel complex dye (VisDye), TiO₂ nanoparticle/nanotube composites electrodes, carbon nanoparticles counter electrodes, and ionic liquids electrolytes have been fabricated. The electronic structure, optical spectroscopy, and electrochemical properties of the VisDye were studied. Experimental results indicate that it is beneficial to improve the electron transport and power conversion efficiency using the nickel complex VisDye and TiO₂ nanoparticle/nanotube composites. Under optimized conditions, the solar energy conversion efficiencies were measured. The short‐circuit current density (J_SC), the open‐circuit voltage (V_OC), the fill factor (FF), and the overall efficiency (η) of the DSSCs are 10.01 mA/cm², 516 mV, 0.68, and 3.52%, respectively. This study demonstrates that the combination of new VisDye with TiO₂ nanoparticle/nanotube composites electrodes and carbon nanoparticles counter electrodes provide a way to fabricate highly efficient dye‐sensitized solar cells in low‐cost production.     

Enhanced Visible‐Light‐Induced Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange by CdS Sensitized TiO2 Nanotube Arrays Electrode

In this work, CdS sensitized TiO₂ nanotube arrays (CdS/TiO₂NTs) electrode was synthesized with the CdS deposition on the highly ordered titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (TiO₂NTs) by sequential chemical bath deposition method (S‐CBD). The as‐prepared CdS/TiO₂NTs was characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that the CdS nanoparticles were effectively deposited on the surface of TiO₂NTs. The amperometric I‐t curve on the CdS/TiO₂NTs electrode was also presented. It was found that the photocurrent density was enhanced significantly from 0.5 to 1.85 mA/cm² upon illumination with applied potential of 0.5 V at the central wavelength of 253.7 nm. The photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) activity of the CdS/TiO₂NTs electrode was investigated by degradation of methyl orange (MO) in aqueous solution. Compared with TiO₂NTs electrode, the degradation efficiencies of CdS/TiO₂NTs electrode increased from 78% to 99.2% under UV light in 2 h, and from 14% to 99.2% under visible light in 3 h, which was caused by effective separation of the electrons and holes due to the effect of CdS, hence inhibiting the recombination of electron/hole pairs of TiO₂NTs.     

Degradation of ofloxacin by UVA-LED/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotube arrays photocatalytic fuel cells

The degradation of ofloxacin (OFX) at low concentration in aqueous solution by UVA-LED/TiO₂ nanotube arrays photocatalytic fuel cells (UVA-LED/TiO₂ NTs PFCs) was investigated. TiO₂ nanotube arrays (TiO₂ NTs) photoanode prepared by anodization-constituted anatase–rutile bicrystalline framework. The results indicated that the degradation efficiency of OFX by UVA-LED/TiO₂ NTs PFC was significantly enhanced by 14.3% compared with UVA-LED/TiO₂ NTs photocatalysis. The pH affected the degradation efficiency markedly; the highest degradation efficiency (95.0%) and the pseudo-first-order reaction rate constant k value (0.049 min^?1) were achieved in neutral condition (pH 7.0). The degradation efficiency increased with the increasing concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the UVA-LED/TiO₂ NTs PFC. The main reactive species of OFX degradation are positive holes (h⁺) and superoxide ion radicals (O ₂ ^·? ) in a DO sufficient condition. Furthermore, the possible pathways of OFX degradation were proposed.     

Dye‐Sensitized TiO2 Nanotube Solar Cells: Rational Structural and Surface Engineering on TiO2 Nanotubes

Owing to well‐defined structural parameters and enhanced electronic properties, highly ordered TiO₂ nanotube arrays have been employed to substitute TiO₂ nanoparticles for use in dye‐sensitized solar cells. To further improve the performance of dye‐sensitized TiO₂ nanotube solar cells, efforts have been directed toward the optimization of TiO₂ photoanodes, dyes, electrolytes, and counter electrodes. Herein, we highlight recent progress in rational structural and surface engineering on anodic TiO₂ nanotube arrays and their effects on improving the power conversion efficiency of dye‐sensitized TiO₂ nanotube solar cells.     

TiO2–carbon nanotube heterojunction arrays with a controllable thickness of TiO2 layer and their first application in photocatalysis

TiO₂–carbon nanotube (CNT) heterojunction arrays on Ti substrate were fabricated by a two-step thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. CNT arrays were first grown on Ti substrate vertically, and then a TiO₂ layer, whose thickness could be controlled by varying the deposition time, was deposited on CNTs. Measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the thickness of the TiO₂ layer could affect the photoresponse ability significantly. About 100 nm thickness of the TiO₂ layer proved to be best for efficient charge separation among the tested samples. The optimized TiO₂–CNT heterojunction arrays displayed apparently higher photoresponse capability than that of TiO₂ nanotube arrays which was confirmed by surface photovoltage (SPV) technique based on Kelvin probe and EIS. In the photocatalytic experiments, the kinetic constants of phenol degradation with TiO₂–CNT heterojunctions and TiO₂ nanotubes were 0.75 h⁻¹ (R² = 0.983) and 0.39 h⁻¹ (R² = 0.995), respectively. At the same time, 53.7% of total organic carbon (TOC) was removed with TiO₂–CNT heterojunctions, while the removal of TOC was only 16.7% with TiO₂ nanotubes. These results demonstrate the super capability of the TiO₂–CNT heterojunction arrays in photocatalysis with comparison to TiO₂-only nanomaterial.     

Hierarchical TiO2 nanosheet‐assembled nanotubes with dual electron sink functional sites for efficient photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B

A novel Pt–TiO₂/Ag nanotube photocatalyst has been synthesized successfully via a facile method. TiO₂ nanotubes are assembled with numerous ultrathin TiO₂ nanosheets and show a highly open structure. The gaps between adjacent TiO₂ nanosheets can serve as channels for the access of reactants, accelerating the mass transfer process. During the fabrication process of the Pt–TiO₂/Ag nanotube photocatalyst, high‐quality Pt–SiO₂ nanotubes are synthesized first with the structure‐directing effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone. Then a TiO₂ layer is coated on the outside surface of the silica nanotubes. The introduced titanium species can be converted into TiO₂ nanosheet structure during the subsequent hydrothermal treatment, gradually constructing nanosheet‐assembled nanotubes. Lastly, after the introduction of another electron sink function site of Ag through UV irradiation, the Pt–TiO₂/Ag nanotube photocatalyst with dual electron sink functional sites is obtained. The specially doped Pt and Ag NPs can simultaneously inhibit the recombination process of photogenerated charge carriers and increase light utilization efficiency. Therefore, the as‐synthesized Pt–TiO₂/Ag nanotube catalyst exhibits a high photocatalytic degradation performance for rhodamine B of 0.2 min^?1, which is about 3.2 and 5.3 times as high as that of Pt–TiO₂ and TiO₂ nanotubes because of the enhanced charge carrier separation efficiency. Furthermore, in the unique nanoarchitecture, the nanotubes are assembled with numerous ultrathin TiO₂ nanosheets, which can absorb abundant active species and dye molecules for photocatalytic reaction. On the basis of experimental results, a possible rhodamine B degradation mechanism is proposed to explain the excellent photocatalytic efficiency of the Pt–TiO₂/Ag nanotube photocatalyst.     

Conversion of spent coffee grounds to biochar as promising TiO2 support for effective degradation of diclofenac in water

A novel composite, biochar derived from spent coffee grounds with immobilized TiO₂ (biochar–TiO₂) was prepared, characterized, and applied as an alternative, effective, and sustainable photocatalyst for degrading diclofenac from aqueous solution. Composites with different mass ratios between TiO₂ and biochar were prepared by mechanical mixing and subsequent pyrolysis in an inert atmosphere of N₂ at 650°C. The sample with biochar–TiO₂ ratio of 1:1 presented a degradation efficiency of 90% at just 120 min versus 40% for TiO₂ used as reference. This fact is associated with a set of intrinsic characteristics obtained during the formation of the composite, such as superior pore size, avoiding the recombination of the ē/h⁺ pair, bandgap reduction, and promotion of reactive oxygen species due to phenolic groups present on the biochar surface. The dominant reactive species involved during the photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac were h⁺ and ^•OH. The diclofenac degradation pathways were determined based on the identification of intermediates and nonpurgeable organic carbon (NPOC) analysis. The novel biochar–TiO₂ composite prepared in this work showed high physical–chemical stability and efficiency over five consecutive cycles of reuse, proving to be a highly promising photocatalyst for degrading diclofenac in water.     

Photoelectrochemical water splitting and simultaneous photoelectrocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant on highly smooth and ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays

The photoelectrochemical water splitting and simultaneous photoelectrocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant were achieved on TiO₂ nanotube electrodes with double purposes of environmental protection and renewable energy production under illumination of simulated solar light. The TiO₂ nanotube arrays (TiO₂ NTs) were fabricated by a two-step anodization method. The TiO₂ NTs prepared in two-step anodization process (2-step TiO₂ NTs) showed much better surface smoothness and tube orderliness than TiO₂ NTs prepared in one-step anodization process (1-step TiO₂ NTs). In the photoelectrochemical water splitting and simultaneous photoelectrocatalytic decomposition process, the 2-step TiO₂ NTs electrode showed both highest photo-conversion efficiency of 1.25% and effective photodecomposition efficiency with existing of methylene blue (MB) as sacrificial agent and as pollutant target. Those results implied that the highly ordered nanostructures provided direct pathway and uniform electric field distribution for effective charges transfer, as well as superior capabilities of light harvesting.     

电镀法制备Pt/TiO2纳米管电极及其电催化析氢性能

采用阳极氧化法制备得到锐钛矿型二氧化钛(TiO₂)纳米管阵列,在其表面通过电镀法沉积Pt,得到了低铂的Pt/TiO₂纳米管电极(Pt/TiO₂-NTs)。通过扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜对其进行形貌表征后发现,Pt较为均匀地分布于TiO₂纳米管阵列中。进一步的电催化析氢结果表明,Pb/TiO₂-NTs在10 m A·cm^-2时,过电位为0.079 V,塔菲尔斜率为42.7 m V·dec^-1,较Pt/TiO₂致密膜电极(Pt/TiO₂-F)以及商业Pt/C催化剂显示了更为优异的催化活性。同时,在长循环稳定性测试(3 000个周期)中,Pb/TiO₂-NTs相较于上述2种对比电极显示了更为优异的稳定性。     

The enhanced photoelectric conversion efficiency of N3 sensitized MgTiO3 modified nanoporous TiO2 electrodes

The preparation of nanoporous TiO₂ electrodes modified with an MgTiO₃ layer and its application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were reported. The conduction band of MgTiO₃ stands higher than that of TiO₂, so the MgTiO₃ layer can be beneficial to the improvement of nanoporous TiO₂ electrodes. The as-prepared TiO₂/MgTiO₃ electrodes were characterized by XRD and the diffraction of its crystal plane (1 0 4) was detected, demonstrating the existence of MgTiO₃ phase on the surface of TiO₂. Compared with bare TiO₂ electrodes, MgTiO₃ modified TiO₂ electrodes presented more dye adsorption. Moreover an energy barrier formed as TiO₂ electrodes were modified with MgTiO₃ layer, which suppresses the charge recombination. As a result, the photoelectrochemical properties of the modified electrodes were improved and the overall energy conversion efficiency η was increased from 6.12% to 8.75% under the illumination of a white light of 100 mW/cm².     

Fe_2O_3/TiO_2纳米管阵列的制备及其光催化性能

在钛基体上采用阳极氧化法制备了TiO2纳米管阵列,采用化学浴方法在TiO2纳米管阵列上修饰了Fe2O3纳米颗粒。利用扫描电镜、X射线衍射和紫外可见漫反射光谱等手段对材料进行了表征,同时测试了材料的光电化学性能及其光催化降解亚甲基蓝染料废水的性能。结果表明,Fe2O3纳米颗粒的修饰将TiO2纳米管阵列的光响应拓宽至可见光区域,提高了光电流,Fe2O3/TiO2纳米管阵列的光电流是未修饰的TiO2纳米管阵列的9倍。而在光催化反应中,亚甲基蓝最高降解率可达80%,比未修饰的TiO2纳米管阵列高出30%。     

Fe2O3/TiO2纳米管阵列的制备及其光催化性能

在钛基体上采用阳极氧化法制备了TiO₂纳米管阵列,采用化学浴方法在TiO₂纳米管阵列上修饰了Fe₂O₃纳米颗粒.利用扫描电镜、X射线衍射和紫外可见漫反射光谱等手段对材料进行了表征,同时测试了材料的光电化学性能及其光催化降解亚甲基蓝染料废水的性能.结果表明,Fe₂O₃纳米颗粒的修饰将TiO₂纳米管阵列的光响应拓宽至可见光区域,提高了光电流,Fe₂O₃/TiO₂纳米管阵列的光电流是未修饰的TiO₂纳米管阵列的9倍.而在光催化反应中,亚甲基蓝最高降解率可达80%,比未修饰的TiO₂纳米管阵列高出30%.     

Performance of Au/Ti and Au/TiO2 Nanotube Array Electrodes for Borohydride Oxidation and Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Media

Polarization curves and complex kinetics of oxygen reduction (ORR) and borohydride oxidation (BOR) reaction were evaluated at thin Au layer on Ti and TiO₂ electrodes. TiO₂ electrodes prepared included amorphous TiO₂ (AM?TiO₂) and anatase (A?TiO₂). The electrodes structure and nanotube arrays morphology were observed by XRD and SEM, respectively. All electrodes show activity for both ORR and BOR. The use of Au layer over A?TiO₂ produces the strongest synergistic effect for ORR with exchange of 3 electrons. On the other hand, the strongest effect for BOR was observed in case of Au/Ti.     

Design of highly ordered Ag-SrTiO3 nanotube arrays for photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange

Ag-SrTiO₃ nanotube arrays were successfully prepared for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under ultraviolet irradiation. In order to form highly ordered SrTiO₃ nanotube arrays, the preparation of TiO₂ nanotube arrays by anodic oxidation of titanium foil in different electrolytes was investigated. The selected organic solvents in electrolytes include glycerol, dimethyl sulfoxide and glycol. The results indicate that the morphology of TiO₂ nanotube arrays prepared in glycol containing ammonium fluoride electrolyte is more regular. Then SrTiO₃ nanotube arrays were synthesized by a hydrothermal method using TiO₂ nanotube arrays as the precursor. In order to further improve the photocatalytic activity of SrTiO₃ nanotube arrays, Ag nanoparticles were loaded on SrTiO₃ nanotube arrays by two sets of experiments. The loaded Ag results in an enhancement of photocatalytic activity of SrTiO₃ nanotube arrays. Moreover, the effect of pH on the photocatalytic degradation of MO was also studied.     

Titanium dioxide nanotube fiber using in headspace solid-phase microextraction with GC–MS for BTEX detection

Anodized TiO₂ nanotube fibers using in-headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) have been exploited as an analytical method for volatile organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) detection. The factors of anodizing time and annealing temperature for TiO₂ nanotube production are studied and the adsorption factors (time, ionic strength, and temperature) and desorption factors (time and temperature) for BTEX analysis are optimized. The limit of detections (LODs) for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene o-xylene, and m, p-xylene are 0.5, 0.1, 1.0, 1.0, and 2.0 μg L⁻¹, respectively. The linear ranges for BTEX (0.5–15,000 μg L⁻¹) and satisfactory linearity (R² ≥ 0.9954) are obtained. This method is successfully applied in real samples with the recoveries ranging from 92% to 97%. TiO₂ nanotube fiber is a promising technique for BTEX analysis.     

Lithium Intercalation into Titanium Dioxide Films from a Propylene Carbonate Solution

Intercalation of lithium from an LiClO₄ propylene carbonate solution into thin-film TiO₂ (rutile) electrodes produced by thermal oxidation of a titanium substrate are studied using cyclic voltammetry and impedance measurements at 0.01 to 10⁵ Hz. An equivalent circuit adequately modeling the impedance spectra of TiO₂- and Li _x TiO₂ electrodes throughout the frequency range studied is proposed. The electrochemical characteristics of film electrodes, the reversibility of intercalation-deintercalation process, the effect of surface passivation on the lithium transfer rate, and the dependence of electric, kinetic, and diffusion parameters on the electrode potential (composition) are discussed. The diffusion coefficient of lithium in Li _x TiO₂ is 10^–12 cm²/s, as estimated by the impedance method.     

Micro-solid phase equilibrium extraction with highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays: a new approach for the enrichment and measurement of organochlorine pesticides at trace level in environmental water samples

Ordered TiO₂ nanotube arrays have been widely used in many fields such as photocatalysis, self-cleaning, solar cells, gas sensing, and catalysis. This present study exploited a new functional application of the ordered TiO₂ nanotube arrays. A micro-solid phase equilibrium extraction using ordered TiO₂ nanotube arrays was developed for the enrichment and measurement of organochlorine pesticides prior to gas chromatography-electron capture detection. Ordered TiO₂ nanotube arrays exhibited excellent merits on the pre-concentration of organochlorine pesticides and lower detection limits of 0.10, 0.10, 0.10, 0.098, 0.0076, 0.0097, 0.016, and 0.023 μg L⁻¹ for α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, δ-HCH, p,p’-DDE, p,p’-DDD, o,p’-DDT, and p,p’-DDT, respectively, were achieved. Four real water samples were used for validation, and the spiked recoveries were in the range of 78–102.8%. These results demonstrated that the developed micro-solid phase equilibrium extraction using ordered TiO₂ nanotube arrays would be very constructive and have a great beginning with a brand new prospect in the analysis of environmental pollutants.     

高度有序的二氧化钛纳米管阵列的制备及其光催化活性的研究

采用电化学阳极氧化法在钛表面构筑了一种结构有序、微米级的TiO₂纳米管阵列膜层. 考察了制备电压、氧化时间、溶液搅拌等实验参数对TiO₂纳米管阵列形貌和尺寸的影响. 应用SEM和XRD对膜层的形貌和晶型进行了分析和表征, 并通过TiO₂纳米管阵列膜对甲基橙的光催化降解, 研究了TiO₂纳米管阵列膜层结构与光催化活性的关系. 结果表明: 阳极电压和溶液搅拌对制备TiO₂纳米管阵列的结构起到关键的作用. 控制20 V电压制备的TiO₂纳米管阵列膜, 管长达2.6～3.3 μm, 经500 ℃热处理后具有最高的光催化活性, 其光催化性能明显优于一般的TiO₂纳米颗粒膜.