Surface state of TiO2 treated with low ion energy plasma

The effect of low pressure radio frequency (rf) plasma treatment on TiO₂ surface states has been studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Three different oxidation states of oxygen in untreated TiO₂ powder were observed, which suggests the existence of adsorbed water and carbon on the surface. The ratio of oxygen to titanium (O/Ti) was decreased for the low ion dose plasma treated samples due to desorption of water from the surface. In the case of Ti 2p about 20% of surface states were converted to Ti³⁺ 2p_3/2 state after plasma treatment with a very good stability, whereas untreated TiO₂ remained mostly as Ti⁴⁺ state. A rapid decrease in the ratio of carbon to titanium (C/Ti) at TiO₂ surface was also observed after plasma treatment and more than 90% of carbon atoms were removed from the surface. Therefore, the plasma treatment of TiO₂ has advantages to surface carbon cleaning, increasing O⁻ and Ti³⁺ surface states, hence improving the activity of TiO₂ for different environmental, energy and biological applications.     

Mechanism of enhanced photocatalysis of TiO2 by Fe in suspensions

In this work, the mechanism of enhanced photocatalysis of TiO₂ with Fe³⁺ was studied using Sulfadiazine (SD) as the model compound. Results indicated that degradation rate of SD was enhanced by the addition of Fe³⁺ in TiO₂ suspension. The crystalline structure of TiO₂ particles was stable in suspensions. The hydroxyl radical generated by TiO₂/Fe³⁺ (both TiO₂ and Fe³⁺) photocatalysis was in a higher yield. Moreover, Fe²⁺ was found not to give an obvious impact on the SD degradation in TiO₂ suspension, whereas Fe³⁺ had a notable effect. The adsorption amount of TiO₂ was greatly enhanced by the addition of Fe³⁺ in suspensions. Finally, an interaction model of SD degradation in TiO₂ suspension containing Fe³⁺ was also proposed by investigating of surface behaviors of TiO₂ particles. It will be beneficial to use Fe³⁺ as the electron acceptors on the surface of TiO₂ particles, which helps to improve the yield of hydroxyl radical.     

Defect types and room-temperature ferromagnetism in undoped rutile TiO2 single crystals

Room-temperature ferromagnetism has been experimentally observed in annealed rutile TiO2 single crystals when a magnetic field is applied parallel to the sample plane.By combining X-ray absorption near the edge structure spectrum and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy,Ti3+-V O defect complexes(or clusters) have been identified in annealed crystals at a high vacuum.We elucidate that the unpaired 3d electrons in Ti3+ ions provide the observed room-temperature ferromagnetism.In addition,excess oxygen ions in the TiO2 lattice could induce a number of Ti vacancies which obviously increase magnetic moments.     

Spectroscopic studies of interfacial structures of CeO2-TiO2 mixed oxides

We have investigated the geometric and electronic structures of the cerium oxide (CeO₂)-titanium dioxide (TiO₂) mixed oxides with various Ce/TiO₂ weight ratios prepared by the sol-gel method in detail by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy excited by 325 and 514.5 nm lasers, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Existence of cerium effectively inhibits the phase transition of TiO₂ from the anatase phase to the rutile phase. XRD peaks of TiO₂ anatase attenuate continuously with the increasing amount of CeO₂ in the mixed oxide, but the XRD peaks of cubic CeO₂ appear only after the weight ratio of Ce/TiO₂ reaches 0.50. The average crystalline sizes of TiO₂ anatase and cubic CeO₂ in CeO₂-TiO₂ mixed oxides are smaller than those in the corresponding individual TiO₂ anatase and cubic CeO₂. Raman spectroscopy excited by the 514.5 nm laser detects CeO₂ after the weight ratio of Ce/TiO₂ reaches 0.70 whereas Raman spectroscopy excited by the 325 nm laser detects CeO₂ after the weight ratio of Ce/TiO₂ reaches 0.90. XPS results demonstrate that Ti exists in the form of Ti⁴⁺ in the CeO₂-TiO₂ mixed oxide. Ce is completely in the form of Ce³⁺ in the mixed oxides with a 0.05 weight ratio of Ce/TiO₂. With the increasing weight ratio of Ce/TiO₂, Ce⁴⁺ dominates. On basis of these results, we proposed that CeO₂ initially nucleates at the defects (oxygen vacancies) within TiO₂ anatase, forming an interface bridged with oxygen between CeO₂ and TiO₂ anatase. At the interface, Ce species cannot substitute Ti⁴⁺ in the lattice of TiO₂ anatase whereas Ti⁴⁺ can substitute Ce⁴⁺ in the lattice of cubic CeO₂. The decreasing concentration of oxygen vacancies, the Ti-O-Ce interface, and the decreasing average crystalline size of TiO₂ anatase act to inhibit the phase transformation of TiO₂ anatase. With the increasing amounts of CeO₂, the CeO₂ clusters continuously grow and form cubic CeO₂ nanocrystals. Spectroscopic results strongly demonstrate that the surface region of CeO₂-TiO₂ mixed oxide is enriched with TiO₂.     

Effect of calcination temperature on the structure and hydroxylation activity of Ni0.5Cu0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles

Nanocrystalline Ni_0.5Cu_0.5Fe₂O₄ was synthesized by sol-gel method with varying calcination temperature over the range of 500-1000. The powders obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, thermal analysis (TG-DTG-DTA) of the precursor was carried out. The study reveals the simultaneous decomposition and ferritization process at rather low temperature (280-350). For the crystalline structure investigated, single cubic spinel is gained when the precursor was decomposed at 800-1000, whereas separated crystal CuO formed when calcination temperature is below 800. The increase of calcination temperature favors the appearance of Fe_B³⁺, Cu_A²⁺ and O on the spinel surface. The hydroxylation activity is relative to the amount of Cu_B²⁺ species on the spinel surface. The lattice oxygen species on the spinel surface are favorable for the deep oxidation of phenol.     

Investigations of the defect structures and the EPR parameters for the substitutional Mo5+ centers in rutile type crystals

The defect structures and the electron paramagnetic resonance parameters for the substitutional Mo⁵⁺ centers in rutile type SnO₂, TiO₂ and GeO₂ crystals are theoretically investigated from the perturbation formulas of these parameters for a 4d¹ ion in rhombically compressed octahedra. The [MoO₆]^7? clusters suffer the Jahn–Teller effect and transform the ligand octahedra from original elongation on host tetravalent sites to compression in the impurity centers, with additional smaller rhombic (perpendicular) distortions when compared with those in the hosts. The defect structures and the importance of the ligand contributions are discussed.     

Synthesis and characteristics of natural zeolite supported Fe-TiO2 photocatalysts

Natural zeolite supported Fe³⁺-TiO₂ photocatalysts were synthesized for the sake of improving the recovery and photocatalytic efficiency of TiO₂. The as-prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Methyl orange was used to estimate the photocatalytic activity of the samples. The results showed that zeolite inhibited the growth of TiO₂ crystallite sizes. The Fe³⁺ concentration played an important role on the microstructure and photocatalytic activity of the samples. The iron ions could diffuse into TiO₂ lattice to the form Fe-O-Ti bond and gave TiO₂ the capacity to absorb light at lower energy levels. The photocatalytic activity of the samples could be enhanced as appropriate dosages of Fe³⁺ were doped.     

Synthesis, structure and optical properties of Eu/TiO2 nanocrystals at room temperature

The nanocrystal samples of titanium dioxide doped with europium ion (Eu³⁺/TiO₂ nanocrystal) are synthesized by the sol-gel method with hydrothermal treatment. The Eu³⁺ contents (molar ratio) in the samples are 0, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4%. The X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis spectroscopy data and scanning electron microscope image show that crystallite size is reduced by the doping of Eu³⁺ into TiO₂. Comparing the Raman spectra of TiO₂ with Eu³⁺/TiO₂ (molar ratio Eu³⁺/TiO₂=1%, 2% and 4%) nanocrystals at different annealing temperatures indicates that the anatase-to-rutile phase transformation temperatures of Eu³⁺/TiO₂ nanocrystals are higher than that of TiO₂. This is due to the formation of Eu-O-Ti bonds on the surface of the TiO₂ crystallite, as characterized by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photoluminescence spectra of TiO₂ in Eu³⁺/TiO₂ nanocrystals are interpreted by the surface self-trapped and defect-trapped exciton relaxation. The photoluminescence of Eu³⁺ in Eu³⁺/TiO₂ nanocrystals has the strongest emission intensity at 2% of Eu³⁺ concentration.     

Adsorption CO2 on the perfect and oxygen vacancy defect surfaces of anatase TiO2 and its photocatalytic mechanism of conversion to CO

The adsorption energies for physisorption and the most stable chemisorption of CO₂ on the neutral charge of perfect anatase [TiO₂] (0 0 1) are −9.03 and −24.66 kcal/mol on the spin-unpolarized and −12.98 and −26.19 kcal/mol on the spin-polarized surface. The small activation barriers of 1.67 kcal/mol on the spin-unpolarized surface and of 6.66 kcal/mol on the spin-unpolarized surface were obtained. The adsorption mechanism of CO₂ on the oxygen vacancy defect [TiO₂ + V_O] surface of anatase TiO₂ using density functional theory calculations was investigated. The energetically preferred conversion of CO₂ to CO was found either on the spin-unpolarized or spin-polarized surfaces of oxygen vacancy defect surface [TiO₂ + V_O] as photocatalyst.     

Theoretical study of CO adsorption on the illuminated TiO2 (0 0 1) surface

A quantum modeling of the CO adsorption on illuminated anatase TiO₂ (0 0 1) is presented. The calculated adsorption energy and geometries of illuminated case are compared with the ground state case. The calculations were achieved by using DFT formalism and the BH and HLYP. Upon photoexcitation, an electron-hole pair is generated. Comparing of natural population in the ground state and the exited state, shows that an electron is trapped in a Ti⁴⁺ ion and a hole is localized in an oxygen ion. The photoelectron helps generation of a CO₂ molecule on the TiO₂ surface. As shown by optimization of these systems, the CO molecule adsorbed vertically on the TiO₂ (0 0 1) surface in the ground state case while the CO molecule made an angle of 134.3° to this surface at the excited state case. Based on the here used model the obtained adsorption energy was 0.36 eV which is in excellent agreement with the reported experimental value. In the present work the C-O stretch IR frequencies are calculated which are 1366.53 and 1423.16 cm⁻¹. These results are in good agreement with the earlier reported works for the surface carbonaceous compounds, and oxygenated carbon species.     

Photoluminescence and persistent luminescence properties of non-doped and Ti4+-doped Mg2SnO4 phosphors

Mg₂SnO₄ exhibits green photoluminescence and persistent luminescence, which originate from oxygen vacancies. When Ti⁴⁺ ions were doped, an interesting Mg₂SnO₄:Ti⁴⁺ phosphor with bluish white photoluminescence under ultraviolet irradiation and with green persistent luminescence was first obtained. Our investigation reveals that two emission centres exist in Mg₂SnO₄:Ti⁴⁺. The centres responsible for the green emission are considered to be the F centres (oxygen vacancies) and the blue centres are the TiO₆ complex. Trap clusters in the band gap with different depths, such as [Sn_Mg^‥—O_i^″], [Sn_Mg^‥—V_O^·], [Sn_Mg^‥—V_O^×] and Mg_Sn^″, correspond to the components at 85 ℃, 146 ℃ and 213 ℃ of the thermoluminescence curve.     

Comparative analysis of crystal field effects and energy level scheme of six-fold coordinated Cr ion in the pyrochlores, Y2B2O7 (B=Ti, Sn)

The electronic energy levels of the six-fold coordinated Cr⁴⁺ ion in the pyrochlores Y₂B₂O₇ (B=Sn⁴⁺, Ti⁴⁺), have been computed using the exchange charge model of crystal field theory. The calculated Cr⁴⁺ energy levels and their trigonal splitting are in good agreement with experimental spectra. Calculations of the crystal field parameters show that the higher crystal field strength in Y₂Sn₂O₇ (in comparison with Y₂Ti₂O₇) arises from increased orbital overlap effects between the Cr⁴⁺ ion and the nearest oxygen ions, which are located at the 48f crystallographic position of the pyrochlore lattice. The increased overlap in Y₂Sn₂O₇ occurs despite the fact that the Cr⁴⁺-O^2- bond distance in Y₂Sn₂O₇ is longer than in Y₂Ti₂O₇. This is attributed to a lack of hybridization (covalent bonding) between the filled 2p orbital of oxygen ion occupying the 48f site of the pyrochlore lattice and the filled Sn⁴⁺ 4d¹⁰ orbital. As a result, a stronger crystal field is experienced by Cr⁴⁺ ions in Y₂Sn₂O₇, even if the Cr⁴⁺-O²⁻ distances are greater in this case, when compared to those in Y₂Ti₂O₇.     

Preparation and characterization of Fe-doped TiO2 on fly ash cenospheres for photocatalytic application

Fe³⁺-doped TiO₂ film deposited on fly ash cenosphere (Fe-TiO₂/FAC) was successfully synthesized by the sol-gel method. These fresh photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). The XRD results showed that Fe element can maintain metastable anatase phase of TiO₂, and effect of temperature showed rutile phase appears in 650 °C for 0.01% Fe-TiO₂/FAC. The SEM analysis revealed the Fe-TiO₂ films on the surface of a fly ash cenosphere with a thickness of 2 μm. The absorption threshold of Fe-TiO₂/FACs shifted to a longer wavelength compared to the photocatalyst without Fe³⁺-doping in the UV-vis absorption spectra. The photocatalytic activity and kinetics of Fe-TiO₂/FAC with varying the iron content and the calcination temperatures were investigated by measuring the photodegradation of methyl blue (MB) during visible light irradiation. Compared with TiO₂/FAC and Fe³⁺-doped TiO₂ powder (Fe-TiO₂), the degradation ratio using Fe-TiO₂/FAC increased by 33% and 30%, respectively, and the best calcined temperature was 450 °C and the optimum doping of Fe/Ti molar ratio was 0.01%. The Fe-TiO₂/FAC particles can float in water due to the low density of FAC in favor of phase separation to recover these photocatalyst after the reaction, and the recovery test shows that calcination contributes to regaining photocatalytic activity of Fe-TiO₂/FAC photocatalyst.     

An investigation of phase transformation of titania slag using microwave heating

The influences of microwave heating on the phase transformation of titania slag were systematically investigated. The thermal stability, surface chemical functional groups and microstructure of the titania slag before and after microwave heating, at a temperature of 950?°C for 60 min, were also analyzed using thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectrum and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The TG-DSC analysis revealed that the phase transformation of the titania slag from anatase TiO₂ to rutile TiO₂ occurred between 750 and 1000 °C. The FT-IR rustles demonstrate that the banding form of Ti⁴⁺, Ti³⁺ and Ti²⁺ ions and the methyl groups on the surface of the titania slag has changed and a new chemical bond Ti–OH was formed. The results of SEM showed that a large number of regulation rutile TiO₂ crystals were found on the surface of the microwave-treated samples and the synthetic rutile has been synthesized successfully using microwave heating.     

Synthesis of Gd2Ti2O7:Eu, V phosphors by sol-gel process and its luminescent properties

A red-emitting phosphor material, Gd₂Ti₂O₇:Eu³⁺, V⁴⁺, by added vanadium ions is synthesized using the sol-gel method. Phosphor characterization by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy shows that the phosphor possesses a good crystalline structure, while scanning electron microscopy reveals a uniform phosphor particle size in the range of 230-270 nm. X-ray photon electron spectrum analysis demonstrates that the V⁴⁺ ion promotes an electron dipole transition of Gd₂Ti₂O₇:Eu³⁺ phosphors, causing a new red-emitting phenomenon, and CIE value shifts to x=0.63, y=0.34 (a purer red region) from x=0.57, y=0.33 (CIE of Gd₂Ti₂O₇:Eu³⁺). The optimal composition of the novel red-emitting phosphor is about 26% of V⁴⁺ ions while the material is calcinated at 800  °C. The results of electroluminescent property of the material by field emission experiment by CNT-contained cathode agreed well with that of photoluminescent analysis.     

Influences of the iron ion (Fe)-doping on structural and optical properties of nanocrystalline TiO2 thin films prepared by sol-gel spin coating

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) thin films doping of various iron ion (Fe³⁺) concentrations were deposited on silicon (Si) (100) and quartz substrates by sol-gel Spin Coating technique followed by a thermal treatment at 600 °C. The structure, surface morphology and optical properties, as a function of the doping, have been studied by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Raman, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE). XRD and Raman analyzes of our thin films show that the crystalline phase of TiO₂ thin films comprised only the anatase TiO₂, but the crystallinity decreased when the Fe³⁺ content increased from 0% to 20%. During the Fe³⁺ addition to 20%, the phase of TiO₂ thin film still maintained the amorphous state. The grain size calculated from XRD patterns varies from 29.3 to 22.6 nm. The complex index and the optical band gap (E_g) of the films were determined by the spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis. We have found that the optical band gap decreased with an increasing Fe³⁺ content.     

DFT calculations for Au adsorption onto a reduced TiO2 (110) surface with the coexistence of Cl

Residual chlorines, which originate from HAuCl₄, enhance the aggregation of gold (Au) nanoparticles and clusters, preventing the generation of highly active supported Au catalysts. However, the detailed mechanism of residual-chlorine-promoted aggregation of Au is unknown. Herein to investigate this mechanism, density functional theory (DFT) calculations of Au and Cl adsorption onto a reduced rutile TiO₂ (110) surface were performed using a generalised gradient approximation Perdew, Burke, and Ernzerhof formula (GGA–PBE) functional and plane-wave basis. Although both Au and Cl atoms prefer to mono-absorb onto oxygen defect sites, Cl atoms have a stronger absorption onto a reduced TiO₂ (110) surface, abbreviated as rTiO₂ (110) in the following, than Au atoms. Additionally, co-adsorption of a Cl atom and a Au atom or Au nanorod onto a rTiO₂ surface was investigated; Cl adsorption onto an oxygen defect site weakens the interaction between a Au atom or Au nanorod and rTiO₂ (110) surface. The calculation results suggest that the depletion of interaction between Au and rTiO₂ surface is due to strong interaction between Cl atoms at oxygen defect sites and neighbouring bridging oxygen (O^B) atoms.     

Comparison of photocatalytic performance of anatase TiO2 prepared by low and high temperature route

Anatase TiO₂ was prepared by a facile sol-gel method at low temperature through tailoring the pH of sol-gel without calcination. As a control, anatase TiO₂ was also synthesized by the conventional sol-gel process, in which calcination at 500 °C was required to transform the amorphous oxide into highly crystalline anatase. As-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). Their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by degradation of methyl orange under UV light irradiation. On the basis of experiment results, it could be concluded that TiO₂ prepared by low temperature route showed more advantages in small particle size, highly dispersion nature, abundance of surface hydroxyl groups, strong PL signal, and high photocatalytic activity over TiO₂ obtained by the conventional sol-gel process. Furthermore, the reason of the former possessing higher photocatalytic activity was discussed.     

甲醇分子在金红石TiO2(110)和锐钛矿TiO2(001)表面吸附和反应的活性位点

通过高分辨的扫描隧道显微术研究并比较了金红石型TiO₂(110)-(1×1)和锐钛矿型TiO₂(001)-(1×4)两种表面的活性位点． 在金红石型TiO₂(110)-(1×1)表面, 观察到氧空位缺陷是O₂和CO₂分子的活性吸附位点,而五配位的Ti原子是水分子和甲醇分子的光催化反应活性位点．在锐钛矿型TiO₂(001)-(1×4)表面,观察到完全氧化的表面,Ti原子更可能是六配位的,H₂O和O₂分子均不易在这些Ti原子上吸附．经还原后表面出现富Ti的缺陷位点, 这些缺陷位点对H₂O和O₂分子表现出明显的活性． 锐钛矿型TiO₂(001)-(1×4)表面的吸附和反应活性并不具有很高的活性,某种程度上其表现出的活性似乎低于金红石型TiO₂(110)-(1×1)表面．     

四方相BaTiO3缺陷性质的第一性原理计算

采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理方法,研究了BaTiO₃在四方相下的各种缺陷性质.计算结果表明,在富氧环境下,钛的中性氧空位、分肖特基缺陷2V^3-_Ti+3V²⁺_O形成能分别为最低;而当体系处在还原环境下时,氧空位逐渐成为主要缺陷,其形成能最低.由于四方相下存在较强的Ti—O键共价杂化,四方相下全肖特基缺陷V^2-_Ba关键词： 缺陷 第一性原理 3')" href="#">BaTiO₃