Novel sol–gel synthesis of N-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> hollow spheres with high photocatalytic activity under visible light

Novel ammonia and triethanolamine assisted sol–gel synthesis method was developed to fabricate the N-doped TiO₂ hollow spheres. The prepared hollow spheres were in submicron size and had good morphology and high specific surface area. Polystyrene (PS) latexes in size of 470 nm were used as the templates to fabricate PS/TiO₂ core–shell spheres. Here ammonia and triethanolamine was first employed together to control the sol–gel process. The N-doped TiO₂ hollow spheres were got after calcinations of the core–shell spheres by using triethanolamine as N source, and the amount of doped N could be easily adjusted by changing the amount of triethanolamine. The hollow spheres had distinct visible light response, and the optical response shifted more to the visible region as the amount of doped N increases. The photodegradation of methylene blue expressed the high photocatalytic activity of the N-doped TiO₂ hollow spheres under visible light.     

NOx photocatalytic degradation over ZnO–CdS heterostructure composite under visible light irradiation

Research on Chemical Intermediates - ZnO–CdS composites with different loadings of CdS were prepared by a simple wet chemical synthesis method for NOx degradation under visible light. The...     

Investigation of Br–N Co-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> photocatalysts: preparation and photocatalytic activities under visible light

Bromine (Br) and nitrogen (N) co-doped TiO₂ ((Br–N–TiO₂) photocatalysts were prepared by a sol–gel method. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption and desorption isotherms, X-ray Photoelectron Spectra (XPS), UV-Vis Diffraction Spectra and Electron Spin Response (ESR) Spectra. Experiments on photodegradation of Methylene Blue (MB) and Sulfosalicylic Acid (SSA) under visible light were carried out to evaluate the photocatalytic activities of the catalysts. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) analysis was also conducted to evaluate the mineralization degrees of the catalysts in MB photodegradation. Enhanced photocatalytic activities were observed for the Br–N–TiO₂ catalysts in the experiments of MB and SSA photodegradation. A possible mechanism was proposed to explain the improved photocatalytic activities of the Br–N–TiO₂ catalysts.     

Template synthesis of N—F-codoped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotubes with high visible light activity

A series of highly ordered N—F-codoped TiO₂ nanotubes were synthesized with a simple template technique and the obtained samples were detected by FE-SEM and XPS. The UV-Vis absorption spectrum showed that after N—F-codoping, TiO₂ nanotubes had a new absorption band at 425 nm, leading to a photoresponse in the visible region. These modified nanotubes showed a significant visible-induced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of mesoporous SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Mesoporous SiO₂–TiO₂ was synthesized by the sol–gel method using Si(OC₂H₅)₄, Ti(OC₂H₅)₄, and stearyltrimethylammonium chloride. By using acetylacetone as the capping agent of Ti(OC₂H₅)₄, homogeneous SiO₂–TiO₂ composite was obtained. Spherical mesoporous SiO₂–TiO₂ was also synthesized by the sol–gel method using W/O emulsion under microwave irradiation. The specific surface area of these mesoporous SiO₂–TiO₂ materials decreased when the Ti/Si molar ratio was higher than 0.1, which indicated that Ti was homogeneously distributed in mesoporous SiO₂ matrix at Ti/Si ≦ 0.1. The photocatalytic activity of mesoporous SiO₂–TiO₂ materials was investigated by the degradation of methylene-blue in water under UV light irradiation. Mesoporous SiO₂–TiO₂ was effective for the adsorption–decomposition of methylene-blue.     

Preparation and characterization of ZnTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/pillared montmorillonite composite catalyst for enhanced photocatalytic activity

ZnTiO₃–TiO₂/organic pillared montmorillonite (pMt) composite catalyst was successfully prepared in this paper by immobilizing ZnTiO₃–TiO₂ onto pMt. The composition and texture of the prepared composite catalyst were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, ultraviolet–visible light (UV–Vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity was tested via photocatalytic degradation of methyl blue (MB) under both visible irradiation and UV light. The results indicated that the ZnTiO₃–TiO₂/pMt composite catalyst had an apparent absorption at the area of visible irradiation, and exhibited a higher efficiency of photocatalytic degredation of MB under visible irradiation. This was due to the heterostructure of ZnTiO₃–TiO₂, and the mesoporous structure and specific surface area of the ZnTiO₃–TiO₂/pMt composite. In addition, the results of the radical scavenging experiments showed that the holes and superoxide radicals are responsible for the degradation of MB under visible irradiation.     

Preparation and characterization of a new CdS–NiFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/reduced graphene oxide photocatalyst and its use for degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation

In this paper, CdS nanoparticles as a visible light active photocatalyst were coupled by NiFe₂O₄ and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to form CdS–NiFe₂O₄/rGO nanocomposite by facile hydrothermal methods. The CdS–NiFe₂O₄/rGO nanocomposite shows enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light illumination. In addition to improved photocatalytic performance, this prepared nanocomposite shows increased photostability and is magnetically separable from the aqueous media. The degradation rate constant (k_app) of the optimized photocatalyst, i.e. CdS–NiFe₂O₄ (0.05)/rGO 25 wt% nanocomposite, was higher than the corresponding CdS and NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles by factors of 11.1 and 8.9, respectively. The synergistic interactions between CdS, NiFe₂O₄ and rGO lead to enhanced surface area, reduced aggregation of the nanoparticles, decreased the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, and increased the charge separation efficiency and effective electron–hole generation transfer. According to the obtained results, a proposed mechanism of the photodegradation of MB under visible light irradiation is finally mentioned.     

Does the low optical band gap of yellow Bi<Subscript>3</Subscript>YO<Subscript>6</Subscript> guarantee the photocatalytical activity under visible light illumination?

Bi₃YO₆, which is known as an ionic conductor, was tested here as an electrode and photoanode in contact with aqueous electrolytes. Bi₃YO₆ was deposited onto the Pt substrate and the such prepared electrode was polarized in various aqueous electrolytes. The optical energy band gap of the material equal to 1.89 eV was determined using the Kubelka-Munk function resulting from the UV-Vis spectrum (allowed indirect transition) and also was calculated using the semi-empirical PM7 method (3.38 eV of HOMO-LUMO energy gap). Despite the yellow color of Bi₃YO₆, the tested material exhibits photoelectroactivity only in the UV range of electromagnetic radiation. The anodic photocurrent characteristic for n-type metal oxide semiconductors was recorded. The electrode exhibits diffusion-controlled cathodic activity while polarized in chloride-free aqueous electrolytes.     

Multicomponent systems LiCl–LiBr–Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and LiCl–LiBr–Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Phase equilibria in the LiCl–LiBr–Li₂SO₄ ternary system and the LiCl–LiBr–Li₂SO₄–Li₂MoO₄ quaternary system were studied by differential thermal analysis. The compositions and temperatures of minima in the ternary and quaternary systems were determined to be (31.2 mol % LiCl, 46.8 mol % LiBr, 22.0 mol % Li₂SO₄, 460°C) and (25.2 mol % LiCl, 30.2 mol % LiBr, 14.6 mol % Li₂SO₄, 30.0 mol % Li₂MoO₄, 411°C), respectively.     

Ternary Systems LiBr–LiVO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and KBr–KVO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–K<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The binary system KVO₃–K₂CrO₄ and two ternary systems, LiBr–LiVO₃–Li₂CrO₄ and KBr–KVO₃–K₂CrO₄, were studied. In the ternary systems, the compositions and melting points of eutectic alloys were determined by differential thermal analysis: (49.0 mol % LiBr, 5.0 mol % LiVO₃, 46.0 mol % Li₂CrO₄, 400°C) and (17.0 mol % KBr, 78.0 mol % KVO₃, 5.0 mol % K₂CrO₄, 458°C), respectively.     

Phase formation in the system Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–MgMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–Sc<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Phase formation in the system Li₂MoO₄–MgMoO₄–Sc₂(MoO₄)₃ was studied by X-ray powder diffraction analysis and differential thermal analysis. Ternary molybdate LiMgSc(MoO₄)₃ was synthesized, which crystallizes in the triclinic system (space group P\(\bar 1\)). In the Li₂Mg₂(MoO₄)₃–Li₃Sc(MoO₄)₃ section, a continuous solid solution in the rhombic system was found to form (space group Pnma).     

A sol–gel combustion synthesis method for TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> powders with enhanced photocatalytic activity

TiO₂ photocatalytic powders were synthesized by a sol–gel combustion synthesis method in which urea was used as the fuel and titanyl nitrate was used as the oxidizer. Various fuel-to-oxidizer ratios were studied for their effects on the combustion phenomena and the properties of the synthesized TiO₂. The fuel-to-oxidizer ratio was found to determine the maximum combustion temperature, which in turn affects the specific surface area, crystallite size, and weight fraction of anatase phase of the synthesized TiO₂. The synthesized TiO₂ all contain carbonaceous species and are either pure anatase or anatase–rutile mixed phase in crystalline structure. The photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂ was found to correlate to a certain degree with the specific surface area, crystallite size, weight fraction of anatase phase, and visible and IR absorbances. The mixed phase TiO₂ shows a higher photocatalytic activity than the pure anatase phase TiO₂ when containing a small fraction (<~25 wt%) of rutile phase but a lower phoyocatalytic activity when containing a large fraction (>~25 wt%) of rutile phase. The synthesized TiO₂ all show higher photocatalytic activity than Degussa P25 TiO₂. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed mainly to sensitization by the carbonaceous species and larger amounts of hydroxyl group adsorbed on the TiO₂ surface.     

Physicochemical Analysis of the System Zr(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O at 25°С

The solubility in the quaternary water–salt system Zr(SO₄)₂ · 4Н₂О–Na₂SO₄–H₂SO₄–H₂O at 25°C was studied. It was found that, in the system, there is crystallization of not only Na₂SO₄ and Zr(SO₄)₄ · 4H₂O, but also sodium sulfate zirconates Na₂Zr(SO₄)₂(OH)₂ · 0.3H₂O, Na₄Zr(SO₄)₄ · 3H₂O, and Na₂Zr(SO₄)₂ · 3H₂O and two new compounds, S₁ and S₂, which are presumably Na₂ZrO(SO₄)₂ · 2H₂O and Na₂Zr₂O₂(SO₄)₃ · 6H₂O.     

Phase Equilibria in the System Tl<Subscript>9</Subscript>SbSe<Subscript>6</Subscript>–TlSbSe<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Tl<Subscript>4</Subscript>SnSe<Subscript>4</Subscript>

For the first time, by differential thermal, X-ray powder diffraction, and microstructural analyses, phase equilibria in the ternary system Tl₉SbSe₆–TlSbSe₂–Tl₄SnSe₄ were investigated and the state diagram of the polythermal section Tl₄SnSe₄–Tl₃SbSe₃, the projection of the liquidus surface on the concentration triangle, and the isothermal section at 423 K were constructed. The types and coordinates of invariant processes, the lines of monovariant equilibria, and their temperature ranges were found. The formation mechanism and nature of solid solutions based on ternary compounds Tl₉SbSe₆ and TlSbSe₂ were studied in terms of crystal chemistry.     

Interaction in the systems TlBiSe<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Tl<Subscript>9</Subscript>BiSe<Subscript>6</Subscript>–PbSe and Tl<Subscript>9</Subscript>BiSe<Subscript>6</Subscript>–Tl<Subscript>4</Subscript>PbSe<Subscript>3</Subscript>–PbSe

Phase equilibria in the systems TlBiSe₂–Tl₉BiSe₆–PbSe and Tl₉BiSe₆–Tl₄PbSe₃–PbSe were studied by differential thermal, X-ray powder diffraction, and microstructural analyses. State diagrams of the quasi-binary sections Tl₉BiSe₆–Tl₄PbSe₃, TlBiSe₂–PbSe, and Tl₉BiSe₆–PbSe were constructed, and so were projections of liquidus surfaces and isothermal sections at 600 K for the secondary quasi-ternary systems TlBiSe₂–Tl₉BiSe₆–PbSe and Tl₄PbSe₃–Tl₉BiSe₆–PbSe. The coordinates of invariant points and the boundaries of solid solutions were determined.     

Visible light photocatalytic activity and Photoelectrochemical property of Fe-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> hollow spheres by sol–gel method

Fe-doped TiO₂ hollow spheres (Fe-THs) were synthesized by sol–gel process using carbon spheres as templates. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS), N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and Photoluminescence emission spectroscopy (PL). UV–vis spectra showed that Fe³⁺ doping could extend the absorption edge to the visible region. EPR spectra showed that Fe³⁺ was incorporated into the crystal lattice of TiO₂, which could inhibit the recombination of photo-induced electron–hole pairs and improve the photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic activities of the prepared samples were evaluated for the degradation of dye Reactive Brilliant Red X-3B (C.I. reactive red 2) under visible light irradiation. The results indicated that Fe³⁺ doping sample showed the highest photocatalytic activity with an optimal doping concentration of 0.50 wt%. The recycle ability of the Fe-THs was also investigated. After 5 cycles, the degradation rate was still higher than 90%, decreased by only 6.36% compared to the first cycle. Moreover, in order to characterize the electron-transferring efficiency in the process of photocatalysis reaction, a photocurrent-time spectrum was examined by anodic photocurrent response.     

System RbF–RbBr–Rb<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The three-component system RbF–RbBr–Rb₂SO₄ has been studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA). The melting temperatures and compositions corresponding to a eutectic point and a peritectic point have been determined. Invariant, monovariant, and divariant equilibrium states are described.     

KF–KBr–K<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript> system

The KBr–D (K₃FSO₄) quasi-binary system and the KF–KBr–K₂SO₄ ternary system were studied by differential thermal analysis. The melting points and compositions of eutectic mixtures were determined. In-, mono-, and divariant equilibria were described.     

High-temperature reactions in the Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>4</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>–Cr(PO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

A new dichromium(III) cobalt(II) diphosphate(V) of the formula CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ was detected in the Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆–Cr(PO₃)₃ system. The new compound was obtained as a result of high-temperature solid-state reactions between CoCO₃, Cr₂O₃ and (NH₄)₂HPO₄ as well as between Cr(PO₃)₃ and Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆. CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ was characterized using XRD, DTA and IR methods. Results demonstrated that CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ crystallizes in the triclinic system and its unit cell parameters were calculated. Its infrared spectrum was presented. CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ melts incongruently at 1270±10 °C with a formation of solid α-CrPO₄. The compound Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆, component of the system under study, was obtained for the first time as a pure phase. Its thermal stability was also investigated. Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆ is stable in air up to 1410 ± 20 °C.