Spectroscopic study for photocatalytic decomposition of organic compounds on titanium dioxide containing sulfur under visible light irradiation

Yellowish S-containing TiO2 (S-TiO2) powders were prepared by calcination of a mixture of titanium(III) chloride and ammonium thiocyanate solutions. Three kinds of S-TiO2 were prepared by varying the concentration of ammonium thiocyanate (0.5, 1 or 13 M). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra of the S-TiO2 showed that sulfur atoms existed on the surface of TiO2 powders. But the peaks assigned to S disappeared after Ar+ etching, which means that these atoms were not doped in the bulk of the TiO2 powders. While UV-visible absorption spectra of S-TiO2 showed that the absorption edges of these photocatalysts were seen to shift to a longer wavelength (lower band gap energy) than those of undoped rutile TiO2 prepared and commercial anatase type TiO2 (ST-01). The S-TiO2 (1 M) exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than ST-01 for degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation (lambda > 400 nm). It was also confirmed by IR spectroscopy that acetaldehyde in oxygen under visible light irradiation (lambda > 400 nm) was decomposed to acetic acid by the S-TiO2 and ST-01 at the first decomposition step.     

Crosslinking of cotton cellulose with succinic acid in the presence of titanium dioxide nano-catalyst under UV irradiation

The nanometer titanium dioxide (TiO₂), succinic acid (SUA), and the mixture of nano- TiO₂ and SUA were dispersed or dissolved in pure water, then irradiated with UV at the wavelength of 254 nm under stirring for different time periods respectively. The pH and conductivity values and UV-vis spectra of those solutions were recorded immediately. The powders obtained from the filtrated and vacuum dried from those solutions were examined with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Wide Angle X-Ray Diffraction meter. It shows that the crystalline structure and IR and UV-vis spectra of SUA adsorbed on nano-TiO₂ particles are changed. The photo-reduced succinic acid in the presence of nanometer titanium dioxide under UV irradiation can create aldehyde group on SUA and free radical of SUA to improve the catalytic effects of crosslinking reaction between SUA and cotton cellulose.     

Bactericidal performance of photocatalytic titanium dioxide particle mixture under ultraviolet and fluorescent light: an in vitro study

When ultraviolet (UV) light comes into contact with titanium dioxide (TiO₂), a variety of free radicals are released to provide a potent oxidizing power. Few reports are available, however, evaluating the bactericidal effects of TiO₂ particle under UV light and fluorescent light (FL) in the same line of research for clinical applications. In the present study, we set out to evaluate the in vitro photocatalytic bactericidal effects on Staphylococcus aureus, which is one of the most common pathogens of infectious disease, in an aqueous system of TiO₂ particles irradiated by UV and FL. A TiO₂ particle mixture containing 0.019 mg/ml of TiO₂ was prepared. A bacterial solution was added dropwise to the mixture, and the resulting product was irradiated by UV or FL light. The colony‐forming units were counted and the bacterial survival rate was calculated. Control samples maintained a relatively high bacterial survival rate. In the TiO₂ mixture group, however, the bacterial survival rate decreased steadily, reaching 9.4% after 60 min of exposure to UV light and 10.9% after 60 min of FL irradiation. Distributing the TiO₂ particles in a water mixture produces highly efficient light absorption and enables greater and more frequent adhesion with bacteria, allowing a high degree of photocatalytic antibacterial action. Although the quantity was inferior to UV, our TiO₂ particles were able to show effective bactericidal activity even under FL. The TiO₂ particle mixture is expected to prove effective in preventing postoperative infection. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pt(alizarine)2 complex adsorbed on titanium dioxide as a sensitizer in photocatalytic evolution of dihydrogen

Pt(alizarine)₂ complex adsorbed on the surface of titanium dioxide has been found to cause spectral sensitization of the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂. Adsorption of the complex provides simultaneously sensitization of the photoprocess and catalysis of dark steps of dihydrogen formation.

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, Pt()₂ TiO₂. , , .

     

Preparation and photocatalytic activity of magnetic samarium-doped mesoporous titanium dioxide at the decomposition of methylene blue under visible light

Preparation of samarium-doped mesoporous titanium dioxide (Sm/MTiO₂) coated magnetite (Fe₃O₄) photocatalysts (Sm/MTiO₂/Fe₃O₄) and their activities under visible light were reported. The catalysts with Sm/MTiO₂ shell and a Fe₃O₄ core were prepared by coating photoactive Sm/MTiO₂ onto a magnetic Fe₃O₄ core through the hydrolysis of tetrabutyltitanate (Ti(OBu)₄, TBT) with precursors of Sm(NO₃)₃ and TBT in the presence of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The morphological, structural and optical properties of the prepared samples were characterized by BET surface area, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The effect of Sm ion content on the photocatalytic activity was studied. The photocatalytic activities of obtained photocatalysts under visible light were estimated by measuring the decomposition rate of methylene blue (MB, 50 mg/L) in an aqueous solution. The results showed that the prepared photocatalyst was activated by visible light and used as effective catalyst in photooxidation reactions. In addition, the possibility of cyclic usage of the prepared photocatalyst was also confirmed. Moreover, Sm/MTiO₂ was tightly bound to Fe₃O₄ and could be easily recovered from the medium by a simple magnetic process. It can therefore be potentially applied for the treatment of water contaminated by organic pollutants.     

Comparing the photocatalytic activity of N-doped and S-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles for water splitting under sunlight radiation

The objective of this research is to compare the photocatalytic activity of nanoparticles of N-doped and S-doped titanium dioxide in water splitting by using sunlight radiation for hydrogen production. The sol–gel method was used for the preparation of nanoparticles of doped TiO₂ and the weight percent of doping element was 2, 4, 6 and 8. The prepared nanoparticles were identified by absorbance spectra of UV–Vis and FT-IR, TGA, XRD patterns, FE-SEM images and EDX spectra. The nanoparticles of S–\({\text{TiO}}_{2}\) indicated the lower band gap and lesser particle size versus N–\({\text{TiO}}_{2}\) nanoparticles. Nevertheless, the nanoparticles of N–\({\text{TiO}}_{2}\) showed the higher photocatalytic activity in hydrogen production process. The activity of doped samples with sulfur (S–\({\text{TiO}}_{2}\)) was reduced by the presence of sulfate anions, and the absorption of radiation in the samples surface was due to a decrease in the number of electron–hole pair in photocatalyst. The photocatalytic activity of N–\({\text{TiO}}_{2}\) was also increased with the increasing in weight fraction of N atoms, and the highest hydrogen production was obtained in 6 wt% of nitrogen.     

Experimental study of a closed system in the chlorine dioxide–iodine–ethyl acetoacetate–sulfuric acid oscillation reaction by UV–vis and online FTIR spectrophotometric methods

The appearance of oscillations depends critically on the pH for a closed system of ClO₂–I₂–ethyl acetoacetate in the absence of sulfuric acid, and was investigated by determining the absorbance of I₃⁻ with reaction time at 280 nm. The pH should be 2.2–3.8. The initial concentration of ethyl acetoacetate, chlorine dioxide, iodine, and sulfuric acid has great influence on the oscillation at 581 nm for I₃⁻–starch complex (SI₃⁻). The oscillation occurs as long as the reactants are mixed at 280 nm. There is no pre-oscillatory period. However, at 581 nm, there is an induction period. The curve’s shape at 581 nm is very different from that at 280 nm. The oscillation becomes more obvious by adding starch at 581 nm for I₃⁻–starch complex (SI₃⁻) than that observed without adding starch at 280 nm. The oscillation curve is more regular and smooth by adding starch at 581 nm than that without adding starch at 280 nm. The amplitude and the number of oscillations are associated with the initial concentration of reactants. The higher the initial concentration of ethyl acetoacetate, the bigger the amplitude. Also, the number of oscillations becomes small. An opposite influence exists for chlorine dioxide and iodine. The higher the initial concentration of sulfuric acid, the bigger the amplitude. Also, the number of oscillations becomes large. The equations for the triiodide ion reaction rate changing with reaction time and the initial concentrations on the oscillation stage were obtained. The intermediates were detected by the online FTIR analysis. Based upon the experimental data in this work and in the literature, a plausible reaction mechanism was proposed for the oscillation reaction.     

微波辅助离子液体中锌-铁共掺杂纳米TiO_2光催化剂的制备及其光催化活性

在[Bmim]PF_6离子液体介质中,用微波于燥的方法制备了锌-铁共掺杂纳米TiO_2(TiO_2-Zn-Fe)光催化剂;并以甲基橙为模拟污染物,紫外灯为光源,考察了离子液体加入量、锌-铁掺杂量、微波干燥功率、微波干燥时间、煅烧温度、煅烧时间等因素对TiO_2-Zn-Fe光催化活性的影响.结果表明,掺杂物质硝酸锌和硝酸铁与钛酸丁酯的物质的量比分别为n(Zn)/n(Ti)=0.25%和n(Fe)/n(Ti)=0.005%时,在家用微波炉中于210W功率下干燥17.5min,再在高温箱式电阻炉中于540℃下煅烧处理1.5h,得到的TiO_2-Zn-Fe光催化剂的活性明显优于单一掺杂的TiO_2-Zn或TiO_2-Fe以及未掺杂的纯TiO_2,在紫外光照60min及太阳光照3h条件下相应的甲基橙的降解率分别达99.8%和99.6%.     

Equilibrium and kinetic study of novel methyltrimethoxysilane magnetic titanium dioxide nanocomposite for methylene blue adsorption from aqueous media

Novel magnetic titanium dioxide nanoparticles decorated with methyltrimethoxysilane (Fe₃O₄@TiO₂‐MTMOS) were successfully fabricated via a sol–gel method at room temperature. The synthesized material was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and vibrating sample magnetometry. The removal efficiency of the adsorbent was evaluated through the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye from water samples. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics were evaluated using various models. The Langmuir model indicated a high adsorption capacity (11.5 mg g^?1) of Fe₃O₄@TiO₂‐MTMOS. The nanocomposite exhibited high removal efficiency (96%) and good regeneration (10 times) compared to Fe₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ at pH = 9.0. Based on the adsorption mechanism, electrostatic interaction plays a main role in adsorption since MB dye is cationic in nature at pH = 9, whereas the adsorbent acquired an anionic nature. The newly synthesized Fe₃O₄@TiO₂‐MTMOS can be used as a promising material for efficient removal of MB dye from aqueous media.     

An IR study of the adsorption of ethylhydroxyethylcellulose on the surface of titanium and iron oxides under the action of mechanoactivation

The adsorption of hydrophilic ethylhydroxyethylcellulose (EHEC) polymer on the surface of TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ inorganic pigments under the action of intense mechanical actions was studied by infrared spectroscopy. Mechanoactivation methods included ultrasonic action and mechanical treatment at sonic frequencies. Intense action on TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ aqueous disperse systems activated the surface of inorganic oxides and intensified the adsorption of the polymer. It also caused the formation of adsorption-solvation EHEC layers with increased densities, which determined the sedimentation stability of disperse systems.     

Physicochemcial characteristic of CdS-anchored porous WS2 hybrid in the photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet under UV and visible light irradiation

In this work, we report the synthesis of CdS-incorporated porous WS₂ by a simple hydrothermal method. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the samples were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–visible spectrometry. The photocatalytic activities were established for degradation of crystal violet (CV) under UV and visible light irradiation. The CdS-incorporated porous WS₂ hybrid demonstrated high photocatalytic activity for degradation of CV pollutant compared to pure CdS nanoparticles and porous WS₂ sheets. This result implies that the CdS-incorporated porous WS₂ promoted more electron-hole pair transformation under UV and visible light irradiation. This significant enhancement of photocatalytic efficiency of CdS-incorporated porous WS₂ photocatalyst under visible light can be ascribed to the presence of CdS nanospheres on the meshed-like WS₂ sheets which potentially improves absorption in the visible range enabled by surface plasmon resonance effect of CdS nanospheres. The photostability and reusability of the CdS-porous WS₂ were examined through recycling experiments.     

Palladium-dodecanethiolate nanoparticles as stable and recyclable catalysts for the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction of aryl halides under ambient conditions

Palladium-dodecanethiolate nanoparticles (PdTNs) catalyze the quantitative Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of halogenoarenes under biphasic conditions in THF/water at room temperature and can be recovered by precipitation using ethanol and re-used.     

Strong water-mediated friction asymmetry and surface dynamics of zwitterionic solids at ambient conditions: L-alanine as a case study

Water molecules strongly interact with freshly cleaved (011) surfaces of L-alanine single crystals at low relative humidity (below 10%) promoting diffusion of L-alanine molecules. Species mobility is enhanced above ~40% leading to the formation of two-dimensional islands with long-range order through Ostwald ripening. Scanning force microscopy experiments reveal that both, islands and terraces, are identical in nature (composition and crystallographic structure) but a relevant friction asymmetry appearing upon water-surface interaction evidences that orientation dependent properties exist between them at the molecular level. We interpret this observation as due to water incorporation in the topmost surface crystal structure. Eventually, for high humidity values, surface dissolution and roughening occur.     

Solvent-free,highly efficient one-pot multi-component synthesis of 1-amido- and 1-carbamato-alkyl naphthols/phenols catalyzed by ethylammonium nitrate as reusable ionic liquid under neat reaction condition at ambient temperature

A solvent-free, environmentally clean, mild, and simple one-pot multi-component protocol has been developed for the efficient synthesis of 1-amido- and 1-carbamato-alkyl naphthols/phenols in excellent yields via one-pot three-component condensation of various aldehydes, amides/carbamates/urea, and naphthols/phenols using ethylammonium nitrate (EAN) as a reusable ionic liquid catalyst under neat reaction condition at ambient temperature.     

Effect of TiO2 modification with fluorine on the physicochemical properties and activity in the photocatalytic oxidation of pollutants in air under UV irradiation

The influence of the modification of the TiO₂ surface with F^? ions on the physicochemical properties of the catalysts and efficiency in the photooxidation of gaseous molecules under atmospheric conditions and under UV irradiation was studied by IR spectroscopy. The fluorine-containing samples adsorb more water molecules than unmodified TiO₂. The amount of adsorbed water increases with increasing content of surface fluoride ions. The fluorination of the TiO₂ surface first leads to the substitution of the terminal OH groups by F^? ions and to an increase in acidity of the bridging acidic OH groups remained on the surface. The modification also results in the structural rearrangement of the surface involving defective and surface Ti⁴⁺ sites. Fluorine modification increases the activity of TiO₂ in the photocatalytic oxidation of ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, and acetone. At the same time, benzene and H₂S are oxidized more rapidly on unmodified TiO₂. The presence of fluorine on the TiO₂ surface exerts almost no effect on the oxidation rate of chlorine-containing substrates C₃H₇Cl and C₂H₄Cl₂.

     

Wavelength-sensitive photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange in aqueous suspension over iron(III)-doped TiO2 nanopowders under UV and visible light irradiation

Well-crystallized iron(III)-doped TiO2 nanopowders with controlled Fe3+ doping concentration and uniform dopant distribution, have been synthesized with plasma oxidative pyrolysis. The photocatalytic reactivity of the synthesized TiO2 nanopowders with a mean particle size of 50-70 nm was quantified in terms of the degradation rates of methyl orange (MO) in aqueous TiO2 suspension under UV (mainly 365 and 316 nm) and visible light irradiation (mainly 405 and 436 nm). The photodecomposition of MO over TiO2 nanopowders followed a distinct two-stage pseudo first order kinetics. Interestingly, the photocatalytic reactivity depends not only on the iron doping concentration but also on the wavelength of the irradiating light. Under UV irradiation, nominally undoped TiO2 had much higher reactivity than Fe3+ -doped TiO2, suggesting that Fe3+ doping (> 0.05 at. %) in TiO2 with a mean particle size of approximately 60 nm was detrimental to the photocatalytic decomposition of methyl orange. Whereas, under visible light irradiation, the Fe3+ -doped TiO2 with an intermediate iron doping concentration of approximately 1 at. % had the highest photocatalytic reactivity due to the narrowing of band gap so that it could effectively absorb the light with longer wavelength. A strategy for improving the photocatalytic reactivity of Fe3+ -doped TiO2 used in the visible light region is also proposed.     

A comparative study of homolytic reactions of fullerenes with aldehydes in a mass spectrometer under electron impact and in solution under UV irradiation

C(60) was reacted in the ionization chamber of a mass spectrometer under electron impact (EI) with aldehydes, RCHO (R = Ph, p-FC(6)H(4), F(5)C(6), p-MeOC(6)H(4), α-thienyl, o-HOC(6)H(4), o-BrC(6)H(4), m-BrC(6)H(4) and t-Bu), with the transfer of R? radicals and with Me?-transfer from i-PrCHO and t-BuCHO. Paramagnetic fullerene derivatives were stabilized by the addition of the next R? radical or a hydrogen atom, or hydrogen or bromine atom loss. A detailed study showed that the reaction between C(60) and PhCHO occurred via a homolytic mechanism that matches one reported earlier for the reaction with acetone. This suggests the generality of the mechanism for the reactions of fullerenes with other species in ionization chambers under EI at ca 300°C. All aldehydes, except one, had radicals at the carbonyl group which were different from those in the ketones examined earlier in the reactions. This expanded the variety of radicals which can be transferred to fullerenes during reactions in ionization chambers under EI. Due to this and the hydrogen atom at the CO group of aldehydes, some reactions occurred that were not found for the ketones: the formation of cyclic products C(60)COC(6)H(4) and C(60)OC(6)H(4) for PhCHO, o-BrC(6)H(4)CHO and o-HOC(6)H(4)CHO, respectively, and HC(60)Ph for o- and m-BrC(6)H(4)CHO. The reaction with α- formylthiophen gives the first example of transferring an aromatic heterocyclic radical to C(60) in an ionization chamber under EI. C(70) reacted with PhCHO, p-FC(6)H(4)CHO and i- PrCHO similarly to C(60). The results for the reactions of C(60) with PhCHO and with i- PrCHO were compared with those in solution under UV irradiation. Incomplete but reasonable coincidence was found; in both modes, the addition of Ph?, PhCO? and Me? radicals to C(60) occurred, whereas some other products were formed in solution, and the explanation is given as to why this occurred. This conformity supports the hypothesis based on the results of kindred reactions with ketones and organomercurials: the results of EI-initiated homolytic reactions between fullerenes and other compounds in an ionization chamber can predict the reactivity of the fullerenes toward them in solution.     

Synthesis of Ag nanoparticles decorated on TiO2 nanotubes for surface adsorption and photo-decomposition of methylene blue under dark and visible light irradiation

Research on Chemical Intermediates - TiO2 nanotubes and Ag/TiO2 nanotubes (TNT) have been synthesized by simple hydrothermal and solvothermal method and were characterized by XRD, UV, ICP, TEM,...