Selective photocatalytic oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes in water by TiO2 partially coated with WO3

Semiconductor TiO₂ particles loaded with WO₃ (WO₃/TiO₂), synthesized by impregnation of tungstic acid followed by calcination, were used for photocatalytic oxidation of alcohols in water with molecular oxygen under irradiation at λ>350 nm. The WO₃/TiO₂ catalysts promote selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and show higher catalytic activity than pure TiO₂. In particular, a catalyst loading 7.6 wt % WO₃ led to higher aldehyde selectivity than previously reported photocatalytic systems. The high aldehyde selectivity arises because subsequent photocatalytic decomposition of the formed aldehyde is suppressed on the catalyst. The TiO₂ surface of the catalyst, which is active for oxidation, is partially coated by the WO₃ layer, which leads to a decrease in the amount of formed aldehyde adsorbed on the TiO₂ surface. This suppresses subsequent decomposition of the aldehyde on the TiO₂ surface and results in high aldehyde selectivity. The WO₃/TiO₂ catalyst can selectively oxidize various aromatic alcohols and is reusable without loss of catalytic activity or selectivity.     

球状MoS_2/WO_3复合半导体制备及其对RhB的光催化性能

采用水热法成功制备了MoS_2/WO3复合半导体光催化剂,分别通过SEM、TEM、EDS、XRD、Raman和DRS对催化剂的形貌,组成及结构进行表征,并用BET模型计算比表面积。对比发现球状MoS_2/WO3对罗丹明B(Rh B)的光降解效率明显高于纯WO3、片状MoS_2/WO3复合半导体。针对球状MoS_2/WO3复合半导体,分别研究了MoS_2不同负载量(0.5%,1%,2%,5%,10%)对Rh B光催化降解性能的影响,结果表明MoS_2含量为2%时催化效果最佳。同时,研究了溶液的p H值(p H=1,3,6,7,11)对光催化降解反应活性的影响,结果显示p H=6时降解率最高。当催化剂量增加到1 g·L-1时,30 min后Rh B降解率达到96.6%。球状MoS_2/WO3的瞬态光电流为0.050 6 m A·cm-2,比纯WO3提高了2.4倍。经过5次循环实验,球状MoS_2/WO3复合半导体催化剂仍能保持90%的高降解率。     

球状MoS2/WO3复合半导体制备及其对RhB的光催化性能

采用水热法成功制备了MoS₂/WO₃复合半导体光催化剂,分别通过SEM、TEM、EDS、XRD、Raman和DRS对催化剂的形貌,组成及结构进行表征,并用BET模型计算比表面积。对比发现球状MoS₂/WO₃对罗丹明B（RhB）的光降解效率明显高于纯WO₃、片状MoS₂/WO₃复合半导体。针对球状MoS₂/WO₃复合半导体,分别研究了MoS₂不同负载量（0.5%,1%,2%,5%,10%）对RhB光催化降解性能的影响,结果表明MoS₂含量为2%时催化效果最佳。同时,研究了溶液的pH值（pH=1,3,6,7,11）对光催化降解反应活性的影响,结果显示pH=6时降解率最高。当催化剂量增加到1 g·L^-1时,30min后RhB降解率达到96.6%。球状MoS₂/WO₃的瞬态光电流为0.050 6 mA·cm^-2,比纯WO₃提高了2.4倍。经过5次循环实验,球状MoS₂/WO₃复合半导体催化剂仍能保持90%的高降解率。     

Elaboration of nano titania-magnetic reduced graphene oxide for degradation of tartrazine dye in aqueous solution

In this paper, magnetic nanocomposites are synthesized by loading reduced graphene oxide (RG) with two components of nanoparticles consisting of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and magnetite (Fe₃O₄) with varying amounts. The structural and magnetic features of the prepared composite photocatalysts were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–vis/DRS), Raman and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The resulting TiO₂/magnetite reduced graphene oxide (MRGT) composite demonstrated intrinsic visible light photocatalytic activity, on degradation of tartrazine (TZ) dye from a synthetic aqueous solution. Specifically, it exhibits higher photocatalytic activity than magnetite reduced graphene oxide (MRG) and TiO₂ nanoparticles. The photocatalytic degradation of TZ dye when using MRG and TiO₂ for 3 h under visible light was 35% and 10% respectively, whereas for MRGT it was more than 95%. The higher photocatalytic efficiency of MRGT is due to the existence of reduced graphene oxide and magnetite which enhances the photocatalytic efficiency of the composite in visible light towards the degradation of harmful soluble azo dye (tartrazine).     

Photocatalytic activity of Au/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposite for azo-dyes degradation

The structural properties of Au/TiO₂ catalyst were studied by X-ray diffraction, UV-visible diffuse reflectance, photoluminescene, scanning transmission and electron microscope, and temperature programmed reduction. The photocatalytic activity of the catalysts was evaluated for the degradation of various azo-dyes such as methylene blue, methyl orange, reactive blue-4, and eosin-B under solar irradiation. It was found that TiO₂ catalyst modified with gold exhibits higher percentage of degradation compared to starting TiO₂. For example, TiO₂ showed 35% of methyl orange degradation whereas gold modified TiO₂ possessed 82%. Effect of different parameters such as pH and dye concentration has been evaluated and the photocatalytic activity was correlated with physico-chemical properties. The dye degradation rate followed first order kinetics.     

Bi2WO6/TiO2纳米管异质结构复合材料的多模式下的光催化活性比较

以TiO₂纳米管为模板,采用多组分自组装结合水热法制备Bi₂WO₆/TiO₂纳米管异质结构复合材料。通过多种技术如X射线衍射（XRD）,X射线光电子能谱（XPS）,N₂吸附-脱附,扫描电镜（SEM）,高分辨透射电镜（HRTEM）和紫外可见漫反射吸收光谱（UV-Vis DRS）考察所制备样品的组成、结构、形貌、光吸收和电子性质。Bi₂WO₆纳米片或纳米粒子分布在TiO₂纳米管上,形成异质结构。随后,通过在紫外、可见和微波辅助光催化模式下降解染料罗丹明B（RhB）来评价复合催化剂的光催化活性。与TiO₂纳米管和Bi₂WO₆相比,Bi₂WO₆/TiO₂-35纳米管在多模式下表现出更优异的光催化活性。与紫外和可见降解模式相比,Bi₂WO₆/TiO₂-35纳米管在微波辅助光催化模式下对RhB的降解效率最高。这种增强的光催化活性源于适量Bi₂WO₆的引入、纳米管独特的形貌特征和降解模式所引起的增强的量子效率。降解过程中的活性物种被证明是h⁺,·OH和·O₂^-自由基。而且,在微波辅助光催化模式下,可产生更多的·OH和·O₂^-自由基。     

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of electrosynthesised tungsten trioxide–titanium dioxide bi-layer coatings under ultraviolet and visible light illumination

Bi-layer WO₃–TiO₂ coatings have been synthesised on stainless steel (SS) substrates by consecutive cathodic electrodeposition of WO₃ (from peroxytungstate solutions) and TiO₂ electrosynthesis (from titanium oxosulfate solutions). The resulting TiO₂–WO₃/SS photoelectrodes have been screened for their photoresponse under ultraviolet (UV) and visible (vis) light illumination by photovoltammetry in supporting electrolyte (sodium sulfate) and malachite green (a typical dye) solutions. They were also evaluated for malachite green photooxidation during constant potential bulk photoelectrolysis. It was found that both photocurrent values and dye removal rates were higher at TiO₂–WO₃/SS than at plain WO₃/SS photoelectrodes, under both UV and vis illumination (up to 85% and 67% malachite green degradation has been achieved respectively from its 10 ppm solutions after 2 h). The enhancement of the UV and, as reported here for the first time, vis photocatalytic activity of WO₃ by the inclusion of TiO₂ is interpreted by reduced electron-hole recombination rates due to electron transfer from TiO₂ to WO₃ (during UV activation) and hole transfer from WO₃ to TiO₂ (during UV and vis light activation).     

Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Reactive Dyes over MnTiO3/TiO2 Heterojunction Composites Under UV‐Visible Irradiation

In this study, the photocatalytic degradation of organic reactive dyes have been investigated using MnTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction composites in the presence of electron acceptors under UV‐Visible light irradiation. This MnTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction composites were prepared by annealing different mass ratios of pyrophanite MnTiO₃ (3–11 wt%) and TiO₂ at 300°C. All the MnTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction composites were characterized by spectral techniques like X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and diffused reflectance UV‐visible spectroscopic analysis (DRS). Among them, 9 wt% MnTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction composites exhibited higher photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Reactive Blue 4 (RB 4). The photocatalytic efficiency of 9 wt% MnTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction composites was further enhanced by the addition of substantial amount of electron acceptors like hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and ammonium peroxydisulfate ([NH₄]₂S₂O₈). The presence of oxidants (electron acceptors) facilitates the fast degradation of dye solution even in higher concentration upto 200 mg/L. The photocatalytic activity of MnTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction composites was also studied for the degradation of other four different structured reactive dyes. The extent of mineralization of these organic reactive dyes during photocatalytic degradation was estimated from COD analysis. MnTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction composites was also found to have good photostability in the presence of oxidants.     

Degradation of terbuthylazine by Fe/TiO2 with visible-light-driven photo-Fenton catalytic activity

In order to improve the catalytic activity of Fenton catalyst, a composite catalyst, Fe/TiO₂, with both visible-light photocatalytic and Fenton-like catalytic activities was synthesized via a brief solvothermal process. The XRD and SEM results indicated that Fe was dispersed homogeneously on the surface of TiO₂ in the form of Fe₂O₃, and the loading of Fe did not have significant effects on the particle size and morphology of TiO₂. The EDS results showed that the loading content of Fe was about 1.4 wt%. The photocatalytic results showed that the prepared Fe/TiO₂ composite catalyst had excellent catalytic behaviors for terbuthylazine degradation under visible-irradiation with H₂O₂ assistance, the degradation ratio reached up to 90% after 120 min. The reinforced degradation performance were primarily attributable to the introduction of carrier TiO₂, which expanded visible response range by H₂O₂ adsorption, and accelerated the cycle of Fe (Ⅱ)/Fe (Ⅲ). The fluorescent spectroscopy results revealed that the degradation process of terbuthylazine involved the generation and participation of active species such as hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals. This study is expected to provide a visual approach for designing a novel photo-Fenton catalyst to jointly utilize both photocatalytic and Fenton activities, which can be better applied to the actual use of organics purification in wastewater.     

Solvothermal Synthesis of Cs0.33WO3/LDHs Composite as a Novel Visible‐Light‐Driven Photocatalyst

A novel Cs_0.33WO₃/LDHs (CWLDH) composite was synthesized by simple two steps solvothermal method and first investigated as the photocatalyst for tetracycline (TC) and Congo red (CR) degradation under visible light irradiation. The CWLDH heterostructures catalysts were characterized by XRD, UV–Vis, SEM, XPS and BET. The composite CWLDH showed enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with pure Cs_0.33WO ₃ and NiAl‐LDH under identical experimental conditions. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was mainly attributed to the higher visible light‐absorbing ability, efficient electron–hole separation and prolonged lifetimes of photogenerated charges. The photocatalyst presented a high photocatalytic activity (92%) at the optimum of CWLDH ‐3 and initial TC concentration of 40 mg L⁻¹. Besides, the degradation efficiency of TC is higher than 75% for reused CWLDH after four cycles, demonstrating that it could be used as a potential catalyst with good photocatalytic activity, stability and reusability. According to the experimental results, a possible photocatalytic mechanism of CWLDH was discussed.     

Photocatalytic effect of nano-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> loaded cement on dye decolorization and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> inactivation under UV irradiation

In the present study, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nano-particles were synthesized by sol–gel technique and then used to provide nano-TiO₂ loaded cement samples at 1, 5, and 10 wt% for investigation of Malachite green pigment decomposition and Escherichia coli inactivation under UV irradiation. Surveys conducted on the synthesized TiO₂ nano-particles showed a 100 % anatase phase with a mean particle size of 66.5 nm, surface area of 64.352 m² g^?1, and a porosity volume of 0.1278 cm³ g^?1. Cement samples containing this catalyst exhibited stronger photocatalytic properties as compared to the same amount of pure catalyst. Considering both photocatalytic performance and cost of catalyst, 5 wt% titanium dioxide was suggested to be added to cement. By addition of 1 wt% polycarboxylic copolymer as super-plasticizer to the cement paste, the photocatalytic sample activities were reinforced so that a similar performance could be obtained at 1 wt% catalyst as compared to 5 wt% catalyst without super-plasticizer.     

Synthesis of Three‐dimensionally Ordered Macroporous TiO2 and TiO2/WO3 Composites and Their Photocatalytic Performance

This work presents the characterization and preparation of three‐dimensionally ordered macroporous TiO₂ and TiO₂/WO₃ composite nanoparticles with enhanced visible‐light‐responsive properties for rhodamine B (Rh B) photodegradation. The 3DOM TiO₂ and TiO₂/WO₃ composites were prepared through a dip‐infiltrating sol‐gel process using a polystyrene (PS) colloidal crystal template. The materials were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, BET, XPS and UV/Vis. The 3DOM TiO₂/WO₃ composite structures ranged from well‐defined 3DOM structures, which are highly ordered and interconnected via small pore windows, to collapsed three‐dimensional structures as the WO₃ content increased. The photoresponse range and specific surface area of the composite increased with less than 0.025 g of WCl₆. The 3DOM TiO₂/WO₃ composite with less than 0.025 g of WCl₆ exhibited a higher catalytic activity than 3DOM TiO₂ for the photocatalytic degradation of Rh B under simulated sunlight illumination.     

Photocatalytic activity of polyaniline/Fe-doped TiO2 composites by in situ polymerization method

This study was focused on the photocatalytic activity of polyaniline (Pani)/iron doped titanium dioxide (Fe–TiO₂) composites for the degradation of methylene blue as a model dye. TiO₂ nanoparticles were doped with iron ions (Fe) using the wet impregnation method and the doped nanoparticles were further combined with Pani via an in situ polymerization method. For comparison purposes, Pani composites were also synthesized in the presence undoped TiO₂. The photocatalyst and the composites were characterized by standard analytical techniques such as FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX and UV–Vis spectroscopies. Fe–TiO₂ and its composites exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity under ultraviolet light irradiation. Improved photocatalytic activity of Fe–TiO₂ was attributed to the dopant Fe ions hindering the recombination of the photoinduced charge carriers. Pani/Fe–TiO₂ composite with 30?wt.% of TiO₂ nanoparticles achieved 28% dye removal and the discoloration rate of methylene blue for the sample was 0.0025?min^?1. FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX and UV–Vis spectroscopies supported the idea that Fe ions integrated into TiO₂ crystal structure and Pani composites were successfully synthesized in the presence of the photocatalyst nanoparticles. The novelty of this study was to investigate the photocatalytic activity of Pani composites, containing iron doped TiO₂ and to compare their results with that of Pani/TiO₂.     

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.     

Synthesis of TiO2/CNT Composites and its Photocatalytic Activity Toward Sudan (I) Degradation

Semiconductor photocatalysis has the potential for achieving sustainable energy generation and degrading organic contaminants. In TiO₂, the addition of carbonaceous nanomaterials has attracted extensive attention as a means to increase its photocatalytic activity. In this study, composites of TiO₂ and carbon nanotubes (CNT) in various proportions were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The crystalline structures, morphologies, and light absorption properties of the TiO₂/CNT photocatalysts were characterized by PXRD, TEM and UV–Vis absorption spectra. The photocatalytic efficiency of the composites was evaluated by the degradation of Sudan (I) in UV–Vis light. Introducing 0.1–0.5 wt% CNT was shown to substantially improve the photoactivity of TiO₂. The composite with 0.3 wt% CNT showed the best catalytic activity, and its reaction activation energy was calculated as 39.57 kJ mol^?1 from experimental rates. The degradation products of Sudan (I) with different irradiation durations were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and a degradation reaction process was proposed.     

Synthesis and visible light photocatalytic activity of Ag spot-coated TiO2–60 wt% SrO composite powders

Nano-sized TiO₂–60 wt% SrO composite powders were synthesized from titanium isopropoxide and Sr(OH)₂·8H₂O by use of a sol–gel method. Ag spot-coated TiO₂–60 wt% SrO composite powders containing 3, 5, or 7 wt% Ag were synthesized by hydrothermal-assisted attachment, by use of Ag hydrosol in a high-pressure bomb at 250 °C and 450 psi. Nano-sized Ag particles approximately 5–25 nm in diameter adhered to the TiO₂–60 wt% SrO₂ composite powders. The photocatalytic activity of Ag spot-coated TiO₂–SrO powders in the degradation of phenol showed that all were highly active when irradiated with UV light. TiO₂–60 wt% SrO composite powder spot-coated with 5 wt% Ag was more photocatalytically active under visible light than TiO₂–SrO composite powder.     

Photodegradation of orange II dye using p-n junction NiO/TiO2 composite,and assessment of its biological activities

The chemical reduction method was used to synthesize nickel oxide particles (NiO) and NiO supported on titanium dioxide (NiO/TiO₂ nanocomposite). The composites were characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The morphological investigation showed that pseudocubic NiO are present in dispersed as well as agglomerated forms. Whereas NiO particles (<200 nm) are evenly deposited over the surface of TiO₂ in NiO/TiO₂ composite. The formation of NiO and NiO/TiO₂ was also verified by XRD analysis. The synthesized NiO and NiO/TiO₂ were used as photocatalysts for the degradation of Orange II (OII) dye. According to the degradation investigation, both NiO and NiO/TiO₂ composite degraded OII dye more efficiently when exposed to UV light. The results indicated that NiO degraded 93% and NiO/TiO₂ composites degraded approximately 96% of OII dye within 30 min. Both photocatalysts are highly sustainable and have significant OII dye degradation recyclability. Moreover, NiO and NiO/TiO₂ exhibited promising bioactivities (antioxidant activity of 80%) against the pathogenic bacteria Citrobacter and Providencia, which is comparable with the standard ascorbic acid (88%).     

Photodegradation of Rhodamine B on Sulfur Doped ZnO/TiO2 Nanocomposite Photocatalyst under Visible-light Irradiation

Sulfur doped ZnO/TiO₂ nanocomposite photocatalysts were synthesized by a facile sol‐gel method. The structure and properties of catalysts were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV‐vis diffusive reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and N₂ desorption‐adsorption isotherm. The XRD study showed that TiO₂ was anatase phase and there was no obvious difference in crystal composition of various S‐ZnO/TiO₂. The XPS study showed that the Zn element exists as ZnO and S atoms form SO^2?₄. The prepared samples had mesoporosity revealed by N₂ desorption‐adsorption isotherm result. The degradation of Rhodamine B dye under visible light irradiation was chosen as probe reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the ZnO/TiO₂ nanocomposite. The commercial TiO₂ photocatalyst (Degussa P25) was taken as standard photocatalyst to contrast the prepared different photocatalyst in current work. The improvement of the photocatalytic activity of S‐ZnO/TiO₂ composite photocatalyst can be attributed to the suitable energetic positions between ZnO and TiO₂, the acidity site caused by sulfur doping and the enlargement of the specific area. S‐3.0ZnO/TiO₂ exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation after Zn amount was optimized, which was 2.6 times higher than P25.     

Synthesis of TiO2/Bi2WO6 nanofibers with electrospinning technique for photocatalytic methyl blue degradation

TiO₂/Bi₂WO₆ composite nanofibers have been successfully synthesized by a simple electrospinning process. XRD, SEM, HR-TEM, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectra were used to characterize the composite nanofibers. The composite fibers with diameters about 100 nm was composed of nanoparticles and possessed of high specific surface area (49.6 m² g^?1) and porous structure. Besides, the TiO₂/Bi₂WO₆ composite nanofibers exhibited excellent visible photocatalytic property in the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB), and over 97.2 % of MB was degraded within 5.5 h.     

Synthesis,characterization, and visible light–induced photocatalytic evaluation of WO3/NaNbO3 composites for the degradation of 2,4-D herbicide

In this research study, WO₃/NaNbO₃-coupled photocatalysts were synthesized at three WO₃ mass ratios (15, 85, and 95 wt%) and characterized. These composites were characterized via X-ray powder diffraction, N₂ physisorption, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence techniques. For comparison, bare WO₃ and NaNbO₃ were also synthesized and characterized. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was degraded under visible light to evaluate its photocatalytic performance. The WO₃ (95 wt%)/NaNbO₃ composite showed higher photocatalytic activity than pure WO₃ and NaNbO₃ and even than the 15 and 85 wt% coupled materials; thus, the combination with the highest ratio of WO₃ with respect to NaNbO₃ showed increased photocatalytic activity compared with the bare materials.