Sonophotocatalytic activity of methyl orange over Fe(III)/TiO2

TiO₂ doped with Fe³⁺ was prepared by an impregnation technique and its sonophotocatalytic activity over methyl orange (MO) was investigated. The Fe/TiO₂ surface presented red shift to longer wavelength, resulting in a lower energy band gap. Fe loading of 0.1 wt% on TiO₂ provided the optimum degradation. The MO degradation rate constant under sonophotocatalytic conditions was 2.5 times higher than under photocatalytic conditions.     

多酸修饰二氧化钛纳米管复合膜的制备、表征及其光催化降解甲基橙的研究

采用电沉积方法制备了H3PW12O40(PW12)-TiO2复合膜,通过SEM,EDX和XRD等手段,对其组成和结构进行了表征,并考察了该复合膜催化剂对降解甲基橙的催化活性.实验结果表明PW12存在于TiO2纳米管结构中,用PW12多酸修饰的TiO2纳米管比单独的TiO2纳米管展示出更好的光催化性能,由于电子能够从TiO2纳米管导带转移到多酸的LUMO能级,有效抑制了光生电子和空穴的复合,因而使PW12-TiO2复合膜表现出更高的光催化活性.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/TiO2 composites

An heterogeneous conducting polymer composite, poly(3-hexylthiophene)/TiO₂ (P3HT/TiO₂), was synthesized. The photocatalytic activity of P3HT alone and the composite was investigated for the first time by degrading a common dye under UV exposure. It was shown that the photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites was higher compared to either the polymer or TiO₂ alone. A simple mechanism was proposed to explain this observed synergetic effect.     

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.     

Preparation of degradable polypropylene by an addition of poly(ethylene oxide) microcapsule containing TiO2

In order to prepare a novel photo-degradable polypropylene (PP), an addition of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) microcapsule containing TiO₂ to PP was performed. Adsorbed H₂O in the PEO phase and the TiO₂ photocatalytically reacted, and a hydroxyl radical (OH), which initiated the PEO degradation, was produced. The degraded PEO produced an acid and an aldehyde, which were able to facilitate PP degradation. The addition of the PEO/TiO₂ microcapsule brought about the facilitative effect of the PP degradation. In addition, an addition of a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) had a potential to suppress the PP degradation initiated by the microcapsule. The suppression effect was rising by the simultaneous addition of a phenolic antioxidant in the early phase of the PP degradation. However, the simultaneous addition showed an antagonism after 4 h degradation. This behavior suggested that the HALS also worked as a neutralizer of the produced acid.     

Improvement of thermal stability of poly(methyl methacrylate) by incorporation of colloidal TiO2 nanorods

The thermal degradation behaviour of oleic acid-capped colloidal anatase TiO₂ nanorods, poly(methyl methacrylate), and their nanocomposites has been studied. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis have been carried out in nitrogen atmosphere for both nanorods, and nanocomposites with nanorod loading from 5 to 30 wt% relative to the polymer. Our study shows that the degradation of the oleic acid-capped nanorods in nitrogen is mainly endothermic and occurs in two steps. The thermal stability of the nanocomposites is improved on increasing the filler loading in the considered range, as the nanorods prevent rapid heat diffusion and limit further degradation. This effect seems to be favoured by the nanorods increased mobility, leading to enhanced dispersion in the matrix upon heating the samples during the thermal analysis.     

Ti3+自掺杂的TiO2(A)/TiO2(R)/In2O3纳米异质结的制备与可见光催化性能

以TiCl₃和InCl₃为Ti源和In源,在不使用还原剂的条件下,首先通过液相沉淀反应制备前驱体沉淀,然后采用后续水热处理制备Ti³⁺自掺杂的TiO₂(A)/TiO₂(R)/In₂O₃纳米异质结,考察了水热处理温度对材料结构和性能的影响。利用X射线衍射、透射电子显微镜、X射线光电子能谱和紫外-可见漫反射光谱对样品进行表征。分别以罗丹明B和苯酚溶液为模拟废水评价了样品的可见光催化降解性能。结果表明,与纯的TiO₂、In₂O₃以及Ti³⁺自掺杂的TiO₂相比,Ti³⁺自掺杂的TiO₂(A)/TiO₂(R)/In₂O₃纳米异质结在可见光区有明显的吸收,并具有良好的可见光催化降解性能,200℃下水热处理24 h所得样品光催化降解罗丹明B的反应速率常数(0.0444 min^-1)分别是纯TiO₂和In₂O₃的17.76倍和8.71倍。瞬态光电流时间响应结果表明样品的光催化性能主要来源于TiO₂(A)/TiO₂(R)/In₂O₃纳米异质结导致的提高的光生电子和空穴分离效率。     

New insights on the thermal degradation pathways of neat poly(furfuryl alcohol) and poly(furfuryl alcohol)/SiO2 hybrid materials

Poly(furfuryl alcohol)/SiO₂ hybrid material was prepared and properties characterized in comparison with those of neat poly(furfuryl alcohol) (PFA) thermoset. A morphological study conducted by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on the hybrid material reveals well-dispersed silica nanoclusters. Combination of micro- and submicro-structural organizations between the organic and inorganic networks generates new thermo-mechanical performances. A study of relaxation process by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) gives some evidence of the nanoconfinement effect on the hybrid network. These restrictions on the molecular mobility lead to an increase of thermal stability of the PFA/SiO₂ material compared to the unfilled matrix. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGAs) coupled with GC-MS have permitted us to highlight a multi-step degradation pathway and chain scission reactions are proposed based on identified VOCs.     

Ti3+自掺杂的TiO2(A)/TiO2(R)/In2O3纳米异质结的制备与可见光催化性能

以TiCl_3和InCl_3为Ti源和In源,在不使用还原剂的条件下,首先通过液相沉淀反应制备前驱体沉淀,然后采用后续水热处理制备Ti~(3+)自掺杂的TiO_2(A)/TiO_2(R)/In_2O_3纳米异质结,考察了水热处理温度对材料结构和性能的影响。利用X射线衍射、透射电子显微镜、X射线光电子能谱和紫外-可见漫反射光谱对样品进行表征。分别以罗丹明B和苯酚溶液为模拟废水评价了样品的可见光催化降解性能。结果表明,与纯的TiO_2、In2O_3以及Ti~(3+)自掺杂的TiO_2相比,Ti~(3+)自掺杂的TiO_2(A)/TiO_2(R)/In_2O_3纳米异质结在可见光区有明显的吸收,并具有良好的可见光催化降解性能,200℃下水热处理24h所得样品光催化降解罗丹明B的反应速率常数(0.0444min-1)分别是纯TiO_2和In_2O_3的17.76倍和8.71倍。瞬态光电流时间响应结果表明样品的光催化性能主要来源于TiO_2(A)/TiO_2(R)/In_2O_3纳米异质结导致的提高的光生电子和空穴分离效率。     

Hydrolytic degradation behavior of poly(l-lactide)/SiO2 composites

In this work, different contents of nano-silica (SiO₂) particles were introduced into poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) to prepare PLLA/SiO₂ composites though a two-step compounding method, i.e. solution compounding (preparing master batch) and subsequent melt compounding (master batch dilution). The dispersion of SiO₂ was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The hydrophilicity of the material was evaluated by measuring the contact angle of water on the sample surface. The hydrolytic degradation measurements of the nanocomposites were carried out in alkaline solution at two different temperatures, i.e. 37 and 55 °C. Subsequently, microstructure evolution of PLLA matrix during the hydrolytic degradation process was systematically investigated using wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that SiO₂ had good dispersion in the PLLA matrix. Largely enhanced hydrolytic degradation ability was achieved for PLLA/SiO₂ composites. Increasing the content of SiO₂ or enhancing the hydrolytic degradation temperature accelerated the hydrolytic degradation of PLLA matrix. Further results showed that SiO₂ promoted the reorganization of microstructure of PLLLA matrix during the hydrolytic degradation process.     

Preparation of degradable polypropylene by an addition of poly(ethylene oxide) microcapsule containing TiO2 part II. Modification of calcium phosphate on the TiO2 surface and its effect

To prepare a novel photo-degradable polypropylene (PP) with a higher degradation rate, a PP composite containing a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/modified TiO₂ microcapsule was prepared. The modification of the TiO₂ was performed by the synthesis of octacalcium phosphate intercalated with succinic acid ion (OCPC) under various Ca/P molar ratio conditions. It was found that the synthesis conditions of the Ca/P = 3.5 and 3.6 M ratios were suitable to prepare the OCPC. However, the microscopic composition on the TiO₂ surface was different between these Ca/P conditions and affected the PP photo-degradation rate in the PP/PEO/modified TiO₂ composite. It was found from the Fourier Transform Infrared (IR) and the tensile testing measurements that the existence of the OCPC covering material on the TiO₂ surface brought about the higher PP photo-degradation rate. The facilitation behavior of the degradation was due to the release of the acid species (succinic acid ion) from the OCPC in the degradation process. In addition, the higher coverage of the OCPC on the TiO₂ surface brought about an induction period for the degradation.     

Photocatalytic efficiency of TiO2/poly[acrylamide-co-(acrylic acid)] composite for textile dye degradation

A novel photocatalytically degradable TiO₂/poly[acrylamide-co-(acrylic acid)] composite hydrogel (TiO₂/poly[AAm-co-AAc]) was synthesized by polymerization in an aqueous solution with N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide as the crosslinker and ammonium persulphate and TEMED as the initiator pair. The combined and separate effects of photodegradation and adsorption processes for dye removal were evaluated using methylene blue (MB) as the model dye for a photodegradation target, and compared with those of the neat poly[AAm-co-AAc], and a commercially available TiO₂ photocatalyst (Degussa P-25). Without photodegradation (i.e. in the dark), the TiO₂/poly[AAm-co-AAc] composite adsorbed up to 85% of the MB from a 5 mg L⁻¹ MB solution in 15 min compared to only 10% for the pristine TiO₂. The reproducibility in photodegradation of the reused poly[AAm-co-AAc] composite was also investigated, where poly[AAm-co-AAc] was found to be photocatalytically degraded under UV irradiation. Therefore, the TiO₂/poly[AAm-co-AAc] composite hydrogel is a good dye adsorber with self-photodegradability and it also can easily be separated from the reaction by simple filtration. With these properties, the TiO₂/poly[AAm-co-AAc] hydrogel can be called a green polymer for use in the photodegradation-adsorption process for the abatement of various pollutants.     

Preparation of porous TiO2/silica composites without any surfactants

TiO₂-SiO₂ composites, with high specific surface area (up to 308 m²/g), large pore volume, and narrow distribution with average pore sizes of 3.2 nm, have been synthesized from wollastonite and titanium sulfate in the absence of any surfactants. Calcium sulfate, a microsolubility salt, plays an important role in the formation of pores in this porous TiO₂/silica composite. The microstructure and chemical composition of composite were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) and N₂ adsorption and desorption analysis. The as-prepared porous titanium dioxide-silicon dioxide composites with high specific surface area and well-crystallized anatase contents were used as an efficient photocatalyst.     

The effect of lanthanide on the degradation of RB in nanocrystalline Ln/TiO2 aqueous solution

A series of Nd³⁺, Pr³⁺, Er³⁺, and Dy³⁺ (0.25–5 at.%) homogeneously doped nanocrystalline titanium dioxides (Ln/TiO₂) were prepared by an easy sol–gel technique, and the roles of lanthanide doping on the photocatalytic activity in the degradation of rhodamine B (RB) in aqueous solution were studied. Both the concentration of the lanthanide dopant and calcination temperature showed significant effect to the photodegradation of RB. The photocatalytic activity of pure titania was drastically decreased when calcination temperature was at 700 °C, while the high photocatalytic activity was still maintained for lanthanide-doped samples. HPLC-MS method was used to study the degradation process, and it is demonstrated that the degradation of RB catalyzed by Ln/TiO₂ was principally go through with a stepwise de-ethylation photochemical process.     

Mechanical, thermal and degradation properties of poly(d,l-lactide)/poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate)/poly(ethylene glycol) blend

The mechanical, thermal and biodegradable properties of poly(d,l-lactide) (PDLLA), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) blends were studied. The influence of PEG on the tensile and impact strengths of the blends was investigated. The results showed that the toughness and elongation at break of the PDLLA/PHBV (70/30) blends were greatly improved by the addition of PEG, and the notched Izod impact strength increased about 400% and the elongation at break increased from 2.1% to 237.0%. The thermal and degradation properties of the blends were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), it was found that the thermal stability of PHBV in the presence of PDLLA was improved. The degradation test showed that the addition of PEG could notably accelerate the biodegradation of the blends in the soil at room temperature, and the mass loss is about 20% after 30 days of the storage.     

Preparation and characterization of poly(imide siloxane) (PIS)/titania(TiO2) hybrid nanocomposites by sol-gel processes

Poly(imide siloxane)(PIS)/titania(TiO₂) hybrid nanocomposites with organic-inorganic covalent bonding have been successfully synthesized by sol-gel processes. The PIS copolymer synthesized in this study was characterized by the observed coexisting two segments: the polyimide (PI) segment and polydimethyldiphenylsiloxane segment, and the latter were specially featured with the introduction of a diphenyl group for improved homogeneity.The obtained TiO₂ networks in PIS matrix were well dispersed and their average diameter was less than 50 nm. Meanwhile, the PIS/TiO₂ hybrid nanocomposite films exhibited good optical transparency at 20 wt% of TiO₂ content. The thermal stability, tensile strength and elongation of the nanocomposites decreased with increasing TiO₂ content. The glass transition temperature (T_g) and Young’s modulus increased with increasing TiO₂ content. The chemical structure and morphologies of PIS/TiO₂ hybrid nanocomposites was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The T_g and thermal stability were measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The mechanical properties were examined by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) under controlled force mode.     

具有光催化性能的TiO_2-SiO_2/TiO_2两层增透膜的设计与制备

采用膜层设计理论设计了以TiO2为内层膜,TiO2-SiO2复合膜为外层膜的两层增透膜,以钛酸丁酯(TBOT)和正硅酸乙酯(TEOS)作为前驱体,采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了TiO2溶胶以及SiO2溶胶,将两种溶胶按比例混合得到了TiO2-SiO2复合溶胶,在高硼硅玻璃上镀膜测试。透过率测试结果表明,在波长为550 nm处的透过率最高能达到99.4%。在光催化实验中,采用罗丹明B模拟有机污染物,考察了TiO2对光催化反应的影响。结果表明,在TiO2存在的情况下,罗丹明B的降解速度大大提高,光催化效率显著增加。     

具有光催化性能的TiO2-SiO2/TiO2两层增透膜的设计与制备

采用膜层设计理论设计了以TiO₂为内层膜,TiO₂-SiO₂复合膜为外层膜的两层增透膜,以钛酸丁酯（TBOT）和正硅酸乙酯（TEOS）作为前驱体,采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了TiO₂溶胶以及SiO₂溶胶,将两种溶胶按比例混合得到了TiO₂-SiO₂复合溶胶,在高硼硅玻璃上镀膜测试。透过率测试结果表明,在波长为550nm处的透过率最高能达到99.4%。在光催化实验中,采用罗丹明B模拟有机污染物,考察了TiO₂对光催化反应的影响。结果表明,在TiO₂存在的情况下,罗丹明B的降解速度大大提高,光催化效率显著增加。     

Thermosensitive and control release behavior of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid)/nano-Fe3O4 magnetic composite latex particle that is synthesized by a novel method

In this study, a novel method was used to synthesize the poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid)/Fe₃O₄ (poly(NIPAAm-AA)/Fe₃O₄) magnetic composite latex. The crosslinked poly(NIPAAm-AA) polymer latex particles were first synthesized by the method of soapless emulsion polymerization, then Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions were introduced to bond with the -COOH groups of AA segments in poly(NIPAAm-AA) polymer latex particles. Further by a reaction with NH₄OH, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were generated in situ. The concentrations of acrylic acid (AA), crosslinking agent (N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide (MBA)), and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were important factors to influence the morphology and lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of poly(NIPAAm-AA)/Fe₃O₄ magnetic composite latex particles. The poly(NIPAAm-AA)/Fe₃O₄ latex particles were used as a thermosensitive drug carrier to load caffeine. The control release of caffeine was studies. Morphology-based schematic models were proposed to explain the control release behavior of the composite particles with different compositions. Moreover, the protein (albumin, acetylated from bovine serum (BSA)) was bound on the surface of poly(NIPAAm-AA)/Fe₃O₄ composite latex particles. The effects of AA, crosslinking agent and Fe₃O₄ contents on the amount of BSA binding were investigated at different temperatures and pH values. The composition-morphology-BSA conjugation relationship was established.     

Effects of sintering of TiO2 particles on the mechanisms of photocatalytic degradation of organic molecules in water

Partial degradations of 4-methoxyresorcinol and p-anisyl-1-neopentyl alcohol were carried out with the PC series of photocatalysts from Millenium Chemicals and with Degussa P25. The PC series of anatase catalysts varies only in the degree of sintering, and thus particle size and type of crystal defects. The initial product distributions were not substantially sensitive to catalyst, implying that none of the major products depended on particular binding sites that could be annealed away. Rate constants varied from catalyst to catalyst, but not dramatically, on a weight-to-volume basis. Thus there was also not a direct connection between available surface area and the rate of degradation. The product distribution as a function of suspension pH is also discussed.