Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic application of H3PW12O40/BiVO4 composite photocatalyst

A series of H3PW12O40/BiVO4 composite with different H3PW12O40 loadings were prepared using a hydrothermal and impregnation method. The prepared composites were characterized by XRD, Raman, SEM, XPS, and DRS techniques. The bandgap of the composite was narrower compared with the as-prepared pure BiVO4 . As a novel photocatalytic material, the photocatalytic performance of the H3PW12O40/BiVO4 composite was investigated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye solution under visible light irradiation and compared with that of pure BiVO4 . The results revealed that the introduction of H3PW12O40 could improve the photocatalytic performance and different concentrations of H3PW12O40 resulted in different photocatalytic activities. The highest activity was obtained by the sample with a loading HPW concentration of 10 wt%. The reason for the enhanced photocatalytic activities of H3PW12O40/BiVO4 samples was also discussed in this paper. Moreover, the H3PW12O40/BiVO4 composites retained the catalytic activity after four repeated experiments.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Electrochemical Properties of One Polyoxometalate-Based Silver(I) Compound with Keggin-Type [PW<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>]<Superscript>3−</Superscript> Anions

One polyoxometalate-based silver(I) compound [Ag(2,2'-Bipy)₂]₃(PW₁₂O₄₀) (I) (2,2'-Bipy = 2,2'- bipyridine) has been synthesized and structurally characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, XRPD and X-ray single-crystal structure analysis (CIF file CCDC no. 1572216). Compound I exhibits a crystalline three-dimentional supramolecular framework constructed by Ag-2,2'-Bipy coordination units and [PW₁₂O₄0]^3? template anions, in which there are multiform π...π interactions and hydrogen bonds. The cyclic voltammetric experiments show that compound I displays a good electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of nitrite.     

Dispersion of TiO2 on high‐surface‐area mesoporous silica: functionalization with tungstophosphoric acid and application in solvent‐free,aerobic oxidation of n‐hexadecane

Imidazole type ionic liquid, 1‐hexadecyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride, was used to template the synthesis of high‐surface‐area mesoporous silica under acidic conditions and crystalline titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles of anatase phase were inserted utilizing a solvent evaporation‐induced method. The surface area of more than 700 m² g^?1 was obtained after TiO₂ impregnation. Further, the polyoxometalate, 12‐tungstophosphoric acid (PW₁₂) was dispersed on the surface of TiO₂ to form PW₁₂–TiO₂–silica hybrid catalytic materials. The catalytic activity of this hybrid material was tested for solvent‐free, aerobic oxidation of n‐hexadecane. The experimental investigation shows that PW₁₂–TiO₂ nanocrystals did not block the pore channels and gave good conversion. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and Photocatalytic Activity of Mesoporous TiO2 Photocatalyst Co‐doped with Fe and H3PW12O40

The mesoporous titanium dioxide (MTiO₂) photocatalysts co‐doped with Fe and H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ were synthesized by template method using tetrabutyl titanate (Ti(OC₄H₉)₄), Fe(NO₃)k₃9H₂Oand H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ as precursors and Pluronic P123 as template. The as‐prepared photocatalyst was characterized by N₂ adsorption‐desorption measurements, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV‐vis adsorption spectroscopy, and the photocatalytic activities of the prepared samples under UV and visible light were estimated by measuring the degradation rate of methyl blue (MB) (50 mg/L) in an aqueous solution. The characterizations indicated that the photocatalysts possessed a homogeneous pore diameter of ca. 10 nm with high surface area of ca. 150 m²/g. The results of MB photodecomposition showed that co‐doped mesoporous TiO₂ exhibited higher photocatalytic activities than un‐doped, single‐doped mesoporous TiO₂ under UV and visible light irradiation. It was shown that the co‐doped MTiO₂ could be activated by visible light and could thus be used as an effective catalyst in photo‐oxidation reactions. The synergistic effect of Fe and H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ co‐doping played an important role in improving the photocatalytic activity.     

Synthesis,characterization and photocatalytic activity of a new type of high-efficiency polyacid composite

In order to achieve the degradation of Congo red dye in wastewater, a new type of three-dimensional porous composite catalyst PW₇Mo₃Cu₂/PANI/MnO₂ was prepared by using heteropoly acid [TBA]₄H₃[PW₇Mo₃Cu₂O₃₈(H₂O)₂] doped intermediate PANI/MnO₂. Using IR, UV, SEM, XPS and other characterization techniques, it was confirmed that the heteropoly acid [TBA]₄H₃[PW₇Mo₃Cu₂O₃₈(H₂O)₂] was successfully doped into the intermediate PANI/MnO₂ to form a three-dimensional porous structure. The results of N₂ adsorption–desorption experiment indicated that the composite catalyst belongs to the type IV (a) mesoporous structure material and has a large pore size and specific surface area. Then, the composite catalyst PW₇Mo₃Cu₂/PANI/MnO₂ was used to photocatalyze the degradation of Congo red dye. Under the best photocatalytic conditions, the decolorization rate of Congo red dye reached 93.84%. After recovering and repeating the photocatalysis experiment three times, the decolorization rate of Congo red dye was 73.18%. The experimental results proved that the novel composite catalyst has a strong ability to degrade Congo red dye and reusability, and has potential application value.

     

An experimental and theoretical study on the structure and photoactivity of XFe2O4 (X = Mn,Fe, Ni,Co, and Zn) structures

XFe₂O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (X = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Zn) were prepared by using two methods: coprecipitation and hydrothermal. The synthesized nanoparticles were compared according to the separation in an external magnetic field and finally, the hydrothermal method was specified as a better synthesis method. The magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by physico-chemical analysis methods such as Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nitrogen adsorption-adsorption isotherm and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Magnetic properties of synthesized nanoparticles were studied by ab-initio theoretical methods to confirm and compare with the experimental results. According to the VSM analysis, all of magnetic nanoparticles had good magnetization while CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles showed the ferromagnetic behavior. The magnetic properties of XFe₂O₄ configurations were studied using Density Functional Theory ab-initio method. The theoretical results were consistent with experimental magnetizations in the absence of external field. Finally, the photocatalytic behavior of prepared samples was investigated in the presence of oxone as an accelerated agent for degradation of an azo dye.     

Keggin-type phosphotungstic acid supported on mesoporous SiO2–Al2O3 aerogel like beads and their application in the isopropylation of naphthalene

Spherical mesoporous silica–alumina aerogel like beads based on sol–gel technology and the drop wise addition have been synthesized and used as catalyst support for phosphotungstic acid (PWA). Their catalytic performances in the isopropylation of naphthalene with isopropanol were investigated in a batch reactor. It was found that PWA was highly dispersed on the silica–alumina support and their Keggin structure can be retained. In addition, PWA/SiO₂–Al₂O₃ catalyst showed high surface area, both of Lewis acid sites and Brönsted acid sites. Because of having more Brönsted acid sites, silica–alumina supported acid catalysts showed much higher conversion (87.97 %) and selectivity to diisopropylnaphthalenes (41.41 %) and β,β-products (59.82 %) than pure acid and reactive supports in the isopropylation of naphthalene. The catalytic behavior has been discussed in relation with the physical chemical properties of catalysts, reaction and activation temperature and reaction time.     

Synthesis and optical properties of BaTiO3:Eu3+@SiO2 glass ceramic nano particles

BaTiO₃:(5 %)Eu³⁺ nanoparticles and BaTiO₃:(5 %)Eu³⁺@SiO₂ composites were synthesized by the solvothermal method. The effects on the structure, morphology and luminescent properties were studied using samples with different molar ratios of BaTiO₃:(5 %)Eu³⁺@SiO₂: 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 30:70, 20:80, 10:90, 08:92, 6.5:93.5, 05:95, and 1.5:98.5. When the amount of silica in the composites was increased, the orange emission of Eu³⁺ increased, too; this was observed by exciting the charge transfer band centered at 283 nm. Furthermore, an increase in the intensity of the emission was obtained under excitation at 394 nm as a consequence of the improvement in the crystallinity of the samples. The presence of silica and the degree of crystallinity of the samples were determined through the Fourier transform infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction patterns. All of the results suggest that our ceramic material could be a good candidate for biomedical applications such as biolabeling, since the luminescence of BaTiO₃:(5 %)Eu³⁺@SiO₂ composites have an emission intensity higher than that of nanoparticles composed solely of BaTiO₃:Eu³⁺. This work demonstrates that BaTiO₃:Eu³⁺@SiO₂ composites have an emission intensity higher than that of nanoparticles composed solely of BaTiO₃:Eu³⁺.     

Preparation of novel hybrid nanomaterials based on LaFeO3 and phosphotungstic acid as a highly efficient magnetic photocatalyst for the degradation of methylene blue dye solution

Novel magnetic hybrid nanomaterials 1 (LaFeO₃.Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-NH₂/PW₁₂) were synthesized by supporting phosphotungstic acid (H₃PW₁₂O₄₀; PW₁₂) on LaFeO₃.Fe₃O₄ nanomaterials through sono-assisted method. The synthesized nanomaterials were fully characterized by using FT-IR, XRD, UV–vis, BET-BJH, VSM, SEM, and TEM analyses. FT-IR, XRD, and UV–vis confirmed successful synthesis of nanomaterials. The SEM and TEM images revealed spherical morphology with core-shell structure for hybrid nanomaterials 1 . VSM results confirmed the magnetic property of hybrid nanomaterials 1 and suggested it as easily recyclable photocatalyst for removal of organic dyes from aqueous solution. The photocatalytic activity of hybrid nanomaterials 1 has been studied over the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) solution under UV–vis light irradiation. Importantly the hybrid nanomaterials 1 showed outstanding degradation efficiency for MB solution in comparison with bare LaFeO₃.Fe₃O₄ and PW₁₂. The photocatalytic activity was enhanced mainly due to the high efficiency in separation of electron–hole pairs induced by the remarkable synergistic effects of LaFeO₃.Fe₃O₄ and PW₁₂ semiconductors. After the photocatalytic reaction, the nanocomposite can be easily separated from the reaction solution and reused several times without loss of its photocatalytic activity. Trapping experiments indicated that hole (h_VB⁺) and ^•OH radicals were the main reactive species for dye degradation in the present photocatalytic system. On the basis of the experimental results and estimated band gaps, the mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity was proposed.     

Preparation of Ag deposited TiO2 (Ag/TiO2) composites and investigation on visible-light photocatalytic degradation activity in magnetic field

In this study, Ag deposited TiO₂ (Ag/TiO₂) composites were prepared by three different methods (Ultraviolet Irradiation Deposition (UID), Vitamin C Reduction (VCR) and Sodium Borohydride Reduction (SBR)) for the visible-light photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes in magnetic field. And then the prepared Ag deposited TiO₂ (Ag/TiO₂) composites were characterized physically by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The visible-light photocatalytic activities of these three kinds of Ag deposited TiO₂ (Ag/TiO₂) composites were examined and compared through the degradation of several organic dyes under visible-light irradiation in magnetic field. In addition, some influence factors such as visible-light irradiation time, organic dye concentration, revolution speed, magnetic field intensity and organic dye kind on the visible-light photocatalytic activity of Ag deposited TiO₂ (Ag/TiO₂) composite were reviewed. The research results showed that the presence of magnetic field significantly enhanced the visible-light photocatalytic activity of Ag deposited TiO₂ (Ag/TiO₂) composites and then contributed to the degradation of organic dyes.     

Preparation and characterization of H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PW<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst for carbonation of methanol into dimethyl carbonate

A H₃PW₁₂O₄₀/ZrO₂ catalyst for effective dimethyl carbonate (DMC) formation via methanol carbonation was prepared using the sol–gel method. X-ray photoelectron spectra showed that reactive and dominant (63%) W(VI) species, in WO₃ or H₂WO₄, enhanced the catalytic performances of the supported ZrO₂. The mesoporous structure of H₃PW₁₂O₄₀/ZrO₂ was identified by nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms. In particular, partial sintering of catalyst particles in the duration of methanol carbonation caused a decrease in the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of the catalyst from 39 to 19 m²/g. The strong acidity of H₃PW₁₂O₄₀/ZrO₂ was confirmed by the desorption peak observed at 415 °C in NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption curve. At various reaction temperatures (T?=?110, 170, and 220 °C) and CO₂/N₂ volumetric flow rate ratios (CO₂/N₂?=?1/4, 1/7, and 1/9), the calculated catalytic performances showed that the optimal methanol conversion, DMC selectivity, and DMC yield were 4.45, 89.93, and 4.00%, respectively, when T?=?170 °C and CO₂/N₂?=?1/7. Furthermore, linear regression of the pseudo-first-order model and Arrhenius equation deduced the optimal rate constant (4.24?×?10^?3 min^?1) and activation energy (E_a?=?15.54 kJ/mol) at 170 °C with CO₂/N₂?=?1/7 which were favorable for DMC formation.     

The hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structure of [2.2′-bipyH]<Subscript>3</Subscript>PW<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>

The title compound, [2.2′-bipyH]₃PW₁₂O₄₀, consists of three [2.2′-bipyH]⁺ and one Keggin structure heteropolyanion [PW₁₂O₄₀]^3?, which was hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction. It belongs to triclinic system, space group P \(\bar 1\), a = 12.086(3) Å, b = 12.777(4) Å, c = 19.152(4) Å, α = 88.861(2)Å, β = 89.851(3)Å, γ = 67.034(3)Å, M = 3345.72 g/mol, V = 2722.6(12) ų, Z = 2, D _c = 4.081 mg/m³, R₁ = 0.0474, wR ₂ = 0.1135, T = 293(2) K. In this compound, each of the three H⁺ ions locates at between the N atoms in one 2.2′-bipy molecule, respectively. The protonated cations and the heteropolyanion effect each other by the electrostatic force.     

Photocatalytic activity of nitrogen-modified TiO2/SiO2

The physicochemical characteristics of nitrogen-modified TiO₂/SiO₂ and its photocatalytic activity in the oxidation of methyl orange (MO) were studied. Nitrogen-modified TiO₂/SiO₂ had higher activity than the unmodified samples. The photocatalytic oxidation of MO obeys the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model.     

Catalytic properties of Fe-HMS materials in the phenol oxidation

Iron-incorporated mesoporous silica material Fe-HMS-50 (the Si/Fe molar ratio in the precursor gel is 50) was synthesized at ambient temperature by using hexadecylamine as a template and characterized by chemical analysis and N₂ adsorption measurements. The catalytic performance of Fe-HMS was studied in the phenol hydroxylation and wet phenol oxidation with H₂O₂ at 313 K. The effect of pH, H₂O₂: PhOH molar ratio and stability of the catalyst on the oxidation process was investigated. In the phenol oxidation, the activity of the catalyst increases by increasing the acidity of the reaction mixture to pH 3.4 and the amount of leached iron species was 1.95 ppm. A recycling test indicates that the catalyst recovered by drying in air at 423 K suffered, after the first run, a 12.4% drop in the catalytic activity. Fe-HMS has high catalytic activity and selectivity to dihydroxybenzene in the phenol hydroxylation. Hydroquinone was found as the predominant product under these experimental conditions with small amounts of benzoquinone appearing at the end of the reaction.     

Modified generalized kinetic model and degradation mechanistic pathways for catalytic oxidation of NBS dye in Fenton-like oxidation process

Rice husk was utilized as a silica source for the synthesis of mesoporous silica (MS), which was further used for the surface modification of iron oxide nanoparticles (IO-NPs) to form mesoporous silica-modified iron oxide nanoparticles (MSIO-NPs). IO-NPs and MSIO-NPs were characterized using FT-IR, XRD, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, TEM and dynamic light scattering analysis. The catalytic activity of MSIO-NPs was tested for degradation and mineralization of Nile blue sulphate dye (NBS) in Fenton-like oxidation process. The degradation efficiency and total organic carbon (TOC) removal of NBS dye onto MSIO-NPs was found to be 92.46 and 66.58%, respectively, after 20 min of reaction time using 5 mM of H₂O₂ concentration. Modified generalized kinetic model was developed for TOC removal of dye degradation onto MSIO-NPs, to account for oxidizable compounds, non-oxidizable compounds, and intermediate organic compounds. The intermediate products formed during degradation of NBS dye were detected by LC–MS experiment and ten fragments were identified based on mass to charge ratio (m/z). The mechanistic pathway for degradation of NBS dye onto MSIO-NPs has been proposed.     

Photocatalytic Degradation of Imidacloprid by Phosphotungstic Acid Supported on a Mesoporous Sieve MCM‐41

Solid catalysts consisting of polyoxometalates (POM) namely phosphotungstic acid H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (HPW) supported on a mesoporous sieve MCM‐41 have been prepared and characterized by FT‐IR, X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). The HPW/MCM‐41 with different HPW loadings from 10 to 60 wt% possess large specific surface area and rather uniform mesopores. Keggin structure of HPW retains on the prepared composite catalysts. The photocatalytic performance of HPW/MCM‐41 was examined by degradation of a durable pesticide imidacloprid. It is found that the prepared photocatalysts exhibit high activity under irradiation of 365 nm monochromatic light. For 50 mL of imidacloprid (10 mg/L), conversion of imidacloprid using 20 mg of HPW/MCM‐41 with 50 wt% loading level and calcined at 300°C reaches 58.0% after 5 h irradiation.     

Lamellar mono-amidosil hybrids doped with Rhodamine (B) methyl ester perchlorate

Ordered mono-amide cross-linked alkyl/siloxane hybrids (mono-amidosils) incorporating a Rhodamine (B) methyl ester perchlorate dye (Rh(B)CH₃ClO₄) have been synthesized through the sol–gel process and self-directed assembly. The host hybrid matrix m-A(14) is a lamellar bilayer hierarchically structured hybrid composed of short methyl-capped alkyl chains grafted to a siliceous framework through amide groups. At low dye concentration [n = 20, where n is the molar ratio of amide groups per Rh(B)CH₃ClO₄] a new lamellar structure with higher interlamellar distance than that of m-A(14) is formed, whereas at higher dye content (n = 5) this new lamellar structure coexists with that of m-A(14). The efficient encapsulation of Rh(B)CH₃ClO₄ provided by m-A(14) via hydrogen bonding interactions ensured the complete dissolution of the dye and induced a blue shift of the emission of the dye with respect to that of the isolated state, leading to an increase in the quantum yield from values below 0.01 % (measured for the isolated dye) to 4 % at n = 20. The formation of non-fluorescent H-type dimers in the sample with n = 5 accounts for the reduction of the quantum yield. The incorporation of Rh(B)CH₃ClO₄) into m-A(14) was clearly beneficial from the standpoint of the dye’s photostability, allowing to suppress photobleaching during the first 4 h. An intensification of the emission intensity by 50 and 25 % for the emission centered at 600 and 645 nm resulted, respectively, at n = 20.     

Mesoporous silica-supported V-substituted heteropoly acid for efficient selective conversion of glycerol to formic acid

V-substituted polymolybdenum phosphoric acid (PV_xMo) supported on mesoporous silica was prepared and investigated as a catalyst for the oxidation of glycerol to formic acid in a batch operation. Different synthetic methods for PV_xMo supported on mesoporous silica were compared. Detailed characterizations of the final products were carried out by N₂ adsorption and desorption, XRD, HR-TEM, SEM, ICP-OES, XANES, NH₃-TPD, and FTIR to identify the chemical properties and the porous structure of silica-supported PV_xMo, as well as the strong interactions between PV_xMo with the silica skeleton. These critical properties explain the bifunctionality of silica-supported PV_xMo as a catalyst for the selective oxidation of glycerol to formic acid with standing stability.     

Syntheses, structures and properties of a series of photochromic hybrids based on Keggin tungstophosphates

Three inorganic-organic hybrids based on Keggin tungstophosphates and lanthanides, [Pr(NMP)₆(PW₁₂O₄₀)]_n (1), [Eu(NMP)₆(PW₁₂O₄₀)]_n (2), and [Er₂(NMP)₁₂(PW₁₂O₄₀)][PW₁₂O₄₀] (3) (NMP=N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit 1D infinite zigzag chain structures, while compound 3 exhibits an ionic asymmetric structure due to lanthanide contraction. The three compounds are all photochromic. The magnetic susceptibility for 1 measured over the range 2-300 K shows that there is the dominant antiferromagnetic interaction in the compound. The results of luminescent properties show that compound 2 displays an interesting selectivity for Zn²⁺ ions.     

Untersuchungen im System PO?WO?H2O?H3O+

Investigations in the System PO ? WO ? H₂O? H₃O⁺ By means of the molar ratio and Job'S method of continuous variations modified by us the composition of heteropolytungstates was determined using for the first time UV absorption spectroscopic techniques. For the case of the 1P:12W complex it is shown: In Na₂HPO₄ solutions acidified with HCl only the 12-tungstophosphate anion [PW₁₂O₄₀]^3? is formed. The complex formation in dependence on the acid degree Z is complete at Z = 23 H₃O⁺/12 WO = 1.92. For Z = 2.0 the consumption of H₃O⁺ has been calculated to be 5 moles H₃O⁺/1 mole HPO. Using Babko'S dilution method the stability constant of [PW₁₂O₄₀]^3? was determined to be β_k = 2.4 · 10¹² l² · mole^?2.