Carbonated ferric green rust as a new material for efficient phosphate removal

Novel TiO(2)/carbon nanocomposites were prepared through the pyrolysis of TiO(2)/poly(furfuryl alcohol) hybrid materials, which were obtained by the sol-gel method, starting from titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) and furfuryl alcohol (FA) precursors. Six different TiO(2)/C samples were prepared based on different TiO(2) nanoparticle sizes and TiO(2)/FA ratios. All of the samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, infrared, and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicated effective FA polymerization onto the TiO(2) (anatase) nanoparticles, polymer conversion to disordered carbon following the pyrolysis, and a simultaneous TiO(2) anatase-rutile phase transition. The resulting TiO(2)/carbon composites were used as photocatalysts in the advanced oxidative process (AOP) for the degradation of reactive organic dyes in aqueous solution. The results indicate excellent photocatalytic performance (degradation of 99% of the dye after 60 min) with several advantages over traditional TiO(2)-based photocatalysts.     

Influence of MWCNT morphology on dispersion and thermal properties of polyethylene nanocomposites

In this study a series of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/Polyethylene (PE) composites with different kinds and several concentrations of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were investigated. The morphology and degree of dispersion of the fillers in the polymer matrix at different length scales was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both individual and agglomerated MWCNTs were evident but a good dispersion was observed for some of them. TGA measurements were performed on nanocomposites in order to understand if CNTs affect the stabilization mechanism during thermal and oxidative degradation. The analysis demonstrates that MWCNTs presence slightly delays thermal volatilisation (15-20 °C) without modification of thermal degradation mechanism. In contrast, thermal oxidative degradation in air is delayed up to about 100 °C dependently from MWCNTs concentration, in the range used here (0.1-2.0 wt%), and degree of dispersion. The stabilization is due to the formation of a thin protective layer of entangled MWCNTs kept together by carbon char generated on the surface of the nanocomposites as shown by SEM images taken on degradation residues.     

Direct electrochemistry and electrochemical catalysis of myoglobin-TiO2 coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified electrode

TiO(2) nanoparticles were homogeneously coated on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by hydrothermal deposition, and this nanocomposite might be a promising material for myoglobin (Mb) immobilization in view of its high biocompatibility and large surface. The glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified with Mb-TiO(2)/MWCNTs films exhibited a pair of well-defined, stable and nearly reversible cycle voltammetric peaks. The formal potential of Mb in TiO(2)/MWCNTs film was linearly varied in the range of pH 3-10 with a slope of 48.65 mV/pH, indicating that the electron transfer was accompanied by single proton transportation. The electron transfer between Mb and electrode surface, k(s) of 3.08 s(-1), was greatly facilitated in the TiO(2)/MWCNTs film. The electrocatalytic reductions of hydrogen peroxide were also studied, and the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant is calculated to be 83.10 microM, which shows a large catalytic activity of Mb in the TiO(2)/MWCNTs film to H(2)O(2). The modified GC electrode shows good analytical performance for amperometric determination of hydrogen peroxide. The resultant Mb-TiO(2)/MWCNTs modified glassy carbon electrode exhibited fast amperometric response to hydrogen peroxide reduction, long term life and excellent stability. Finally the activity of the sensor for nitric oxide reduction was also investigated.     

Dye-sensitized solar cells based on multiwalled carbon nanotube-titania/titania bilayer structure photoelectrode

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-TiO(2) nanocomposite as a light scattering layer. Morphology of the MWCNT-TiO(2) film was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FESEM and TEM images demonstrate that MWCNTs and TiO(2) nanoparticles can be dispersed with chitosan. Internal resistance in the DSSC was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). EIS results reveal a decrease in the charge resistance of electrolyte/dye/MWCNT-TiO(2)/TiO(2) interface with increasing MWCNT content up to 3 wt% which leads to an improvement in the photovoltaic performance. Compare with a nanocrystalline TiO(2) single-layer cell, the DSSC based on the MWCNT (3 wt%)-TiO(2)/TiO(2) bilayer structure photoelectrode shows ~100% increase in solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency, which is attributed to the inclusion of MWCNTs in TiO(2) matrix.     

CNTs/TiO2多孔复合膜的组装及光催化性能

提出了一种在掺氟的SnO2(FTO)导电玻璃上组装碳纳米管(CNTs)/Fe-Ni/TiO2多孔复合膜光催化剂的新方法.采用喷涂热解法(SPD)将掺杂镍和铁的含有嵌段聚合物P123的二氧化钛前驱体溶胶涂覆在FTO导电玻璃上,制备Fe-Ni/TiO2多孔膜,再采用化学气相沉积法(CVD)在Fe-Ni/TiO2膜上原位生长CNTs,得到CNTs/Fe-Ni/TiO2多孔复合膜光催化剂.CNTs/Fe-Ni/TiO2复合膜具有多级孔结构特征,在TiO2表面原位生长的CNTs不但具有较好的石墨化结构,且CNTs较均匀地分布在整个膜层的孔中.考察了CNTs/Fe-Ni/TiO2复合膜光催化剂的结构和性能,并通过降解甲基橙溶液评价了复合膜的光催化活性.结果表明,CNTs的复合及铁和镍的掺杂等改性显著提高了TiO2膜材料的光催化活性.     

多壁碳纳米管负载TiO_2复合器件可见光光催化降解RhB

采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)负载的ITO/MWCNTs-TiO2/ITO复合器件,利用SEM、XPS、UV-Vis光谱等技术对复合样品进行形貌和结构表征,以液相罗丹明B(RhB)的可见光光催化降解为探针反应,评价MWCNTs-TiO2复合薄膜的催化活性.XPS结果表明MWCNTs与TiO2之间没有形成Ti-C键.I-V特性表明负载了MWCNTs的ITO/MWCNTs-TiO2/ITO复合器件的光电流增强.与空白TiO2薄膜相比,MWCNTs-TiO2复合薄膜的可见光光催化降解RhB的速率提高了3.2倍.MWCNTs并没有掺杂到TiO2晶格中,而是起到了类似光敏剂的作用,可在可见光激发下将导带电子转移到TiO导带上,经一系列反应降解RhB有机物.     

Role of oxygen in the degradation of atrazine by UV/Fe(III) process

In this study, the role of oxygen in the regeneration of Fe(III) during the degradation of atrazine in UV/Fe(III) process was studied. The degradations of atrazine in UV/Fe(III) and UV-photolysis processes in the presence and absence of oxygen were compared. The results showed that the degradations of atrazine in these processes followed the pseudo-first-order kinetics well. The process exhibiting the highest rate constant (k) was UV/Fe(III)/air process, because k-value for UV/Fe(III)/air process was about 1.47, 2.23 and 2.56 times of those for UV/Fe(III)/N₂, UV/air and UV/N₂ processes, respectively. The degradation of atrazine was enhanced by oxygen in UV/Fe(III) process and the enhancement was more remarkable at higher initial concentrations of Fe(III). The investigation into the changes of Fe(III) concentrations demonstrated that the presence of oxygen led to the regeneration of Fe(III), which resulted in the enhancement of atrazine degradation. With air bubbling, the ferric ions were 25% more than those with N₂ bubbling. The experimental data showed the regeneration of Fe(III) required the excited organic molecules and oxygen and on the basis of these results, the regeneration mechanism of Fe(III) was proposed. It was also found that due to the oxidation of Fe(II), the degradation of atrazine in UV/Fe(II)/air process was effective at a low Fe(II) concentration of 7 mg/L, similar to that in UV/Fe(III)/air process. This study makes clear the role of oxygen in the regeneration of Fe(III), and thus it provides a guide to reduce the input of Fe(III) and is helpful to the application of UV/Fe(III) process in practice.     

In3+-doped TiO2 and TiO2/In2S3 nanocomposite for photocatalytic and stoichiometric degradations

A novel In(3+)-doped TiO(2) and TiO(2)/In(2)S(3) nanocomposites for photocatalytic degradation of environmental pollutants and stoichiometric degradation of warfare agents were prepared by a homogeneous hydrolysis with urea and thioacetamide, respectively. The prepared samples series TiInTAA were annealed at 600°C. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, specific surface area (BET) and porosity determination. The method of UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was employed to estimate band-gap energies. The photocatalytic activity (PCA) was tested by degradation of Orange dye, whereas stoichiometric activity was studied by degradation of sulfur mustard. Incorporation of In(3+) into titania lattice increases PCA of TiO(2) in the visible light and increases stoichiometric decomposition of sulfur mustard against nondoped TiO(2) as well. PCA of TiO(2)/In(2)S(3) composite depends on the optimal ratio of TiO(2):In(2)S(3) in composite, while the activity for stoichiometric decomposition of sulfur mustards depends on the content of In(2)S(3) in nanocomposite.     

Synthesis and modification of multi-walled carbon nano-tubes (MWCNTs) for water treatment applications

Synthesis of MWCNTs by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of acetylene is investigated at different temperatures. Fe-Co/CaCO₃ catalyst/support prepared by wet impregnation method is used. CaCO₃ was found to be a good support as a high selective material for deposition of CNTs with high purity. The effect of temperature on catalyst/support phases and crystal size was identified by using XRD. The crystallite size was decreased with increase temperature. The effect of growing time and temperature on carbon yield was studied and the deposited MWCNTs increased with temperature. The structure and purity of synthesized CNTs at different temperatures was examined by TEM and the effect of temperature on the surface area of the synthesized MWCNTs was investigated, the surface area decreased as the temperature increased. The prepared CNTs were purified using chemical oxidation method and the effect of acid treatment on CNTs surface was examined by TEM and SEM. The function groups produced at CNTs surface were investigated by using FTIR spectroscopy also the effect of CNTs preparation temperature on FTIR spectra was studied. The functionalized CNTs were used for adsorption of some heavy metals and for removal of some organic dyes from water.     

Synthesize procedures, mechanical and thermal properties of thiazole bearing poly(amid-imide) composite thin films containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes

This research is aimed at characterizing the thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced poly(amide-imide) (PAI) composites having thiazol and amino acid groups which were prepared by sonication-assisted solution compounding. To increase the compatibility between the PAI matrix and CNTs, carboxyl-functionalized multiwall CNTs (MWCNTs-COOH) were used in this study. The MWCNTs were dispersed homogeneously in the PAI matrix while the structure of the polymer and the MWCNTs structure are stable in the preparation process as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. MWCNT/PAI composite films have been prepared by casting a solution of precursor polymer containing MWCNTs into a thin film, and its tensile properties were examined. The thermal stability, Young’s modulus, and tensile strength of PAI were greatly improved by the incorporation of MWCNTs and their good dispersion. Composites were also characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis.     

过渡金属掺杂和碳纳米管（CNT）接枝双重改性TiO2光催化剂

提出了一种过渡金属掺杂和碳纳米管(CNT)双重改性TiO2的新方法:首先采用溶胶-凝胶法合成掺杂镍和铁的二氧化钛基催化剂,然后采用流化床化学气相沉积方法(FBCVD)在二氧化钛基催化剂表面接枝生长CNT,得到CNT/Fe-Ni/TiO2复合光催化剂.通过X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜、比表面分析、拉曼光谱、紫外-可见吸收光谱、荧光光谱等方法考察了双重改性复合光催化剂CNT/Fe-Ni/TiO2的结构和性能,通过降解亚甲基蓝溶液评价了双重改性复合光催化剂的活性.结果表明,在TiO2表面接枝的CNT具有较好的石墨化结构,CNT生长过程中小部分TiO2由锐钛矿向金红石晶型转变.过渡金属和CNT双重改性有效地克服了TiO2的比表面积小、量子效率低等缺点,明显提高了TiO2的光催化活性.     

Contribution of oriented structure and rigid nanofillers to mechanical enhancement of die-drawn PP/MWCNT composites

Oriented structure, mainly controlled by processing conditions, is another efficient method of reinforcing polymer materials in addition to compounding with rigid inorganic fillers such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The mechanical properties of oriented polypropylene (PP)/multiwalled CNT (MWCNT) composites, which are vital to their application fields, are investigated extensively in this paper, with an aim to distinguish the contribution of MWCNTs contents from that of the oriented structure to the final performance of the composite. The results indicate that MWCNTs mainly increase the modulus of the composites by approximately 140%. The oriented structure formed during the die-drawing process contributes more to the enhancement of tensile strength, increasing up to 550%. The modulus and tensile strength can be further improved by increasing the drawing speed. Moreover, the tensile stress field in the die-drawing process can vastly improve the dispersion of the MWCNTs in the matrix, thus providing a new idea for improving the dispersion of nanofillers in the polymer matrix.     

Properties of matrix-grafted multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites synthesized by in situ reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites were synthesized by the in situ reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of MWCNTs, at which the bulk polymer was grafted onto the surface of nanotubes through the ??grafting through?? strategy. For this purpose, MWCNTs were formerly functionalized with polymerizable MMA groups. MMA and PMMA-grafted MWCNTs were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Dissolution of nanotubes was examined in chloroform solvent and studied by UV?Cvis spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric and degradation behavior of prepared nanocomposites was investigated by TGA. MWCNTs had a noticeable boosting effect on the thermal stability of nanocomposites. TGA thermograms showed a two-step weight loss pattern for the degradation of MWCNT-PMMA/PMMA nanocomposites which is contrast with neat PMMA. Introduction of MWCNTs also improved the dynamic mechanical behavior and electrical conductivity of nanocomposites. TEM micrograph of nanocomposite revealed that the applied methods for functionalization of nanotubes and in situ synthesis of nanocomposites were comparatively successful in dispersing the MWCNTs in PMMA matrix.     

Enhanced visible-light activity of titania via confinement inside carbon nanotubes

Titania confined inside carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was synthesized using a restrained hydrolysis method. Raman spectra and magnetic measurements using a SQUID magnetometer suggested the formation of remarkable oxygen vacancies over the encapsulated TiO(2) in comparison with nanoparticles dispersed on the outer surface of CNTs, extending the photoresponse of TiO(2) from the UV to the visible-light region. The CNT-confined TiO(2) exhibited improved visible-light activity in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) relative to the outside titania and commercial P25, which is attributed to the modification of the electronic structure of TiO(2) induced by the unique confinement inside CNTs. These results provide further insight into the effect of confinement within CNTs, and the composites are expected to be promising for applications in visible-light photocatalysis.     

Dispersing and functionalizing multiwalled carbon nanotubes in TiO2 sol

We report that oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can be synchronously dispersed and functionalized in TiO2 sol via an in situ sol-gel process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the functionalized MWCNTs. The results revealed that the hydrolysis and condensation originated from Ti(OC4H9)4 molecules favor the dispersion of MWCNTs in as-prepared TiO2 sol. Based on the strong interaction between the oxidized MWCNTs and TiO2 sol during the in situ sol-gel process, MWCNT (core)-TiOx (shell) tubular composites and TiO2 nanotubes can be obtained through filtrating, washing, and annealing of this kind of TiO2 sol containing functionalized MWCNTs, as revealed by TEM, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, and redispersion experiment. By casting the dilute dispersion of functionalized MWCNTs onto a hydrophilic Si surface, discrete and individual nanotubes can be observed by AFM.     

Photocatalytic reactivity of surface platinized TiO2: substrate specificity and the effect of Pt oxidation state

Surface platinized TiO(2) (Pt/TiO(2)) has been frequently studied, but its photocatalytic reactivities reported in the literature are not consistent in some cases. To understand the discrepancies, the effects of Pt speciation on TiO(2) on the photocatalytic degradation (PCD) of a few chlorinated organic compounds (trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), dichloroacetate, etc.) were investigated with several Pt/TiO(2) samples that were prepared differently. The oxidation state of Pt deposits was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and was found to be the most important factor in determining the initial PCD rates of chlorinated organic compounds. TiO(2) with oxidized Pt species (Pt(ox)/TiO(2)) was less reactive than TiO(2) with metallic Pt (Pt(0)/TiO(2)) for all substrates tested. In particular, Pt(ox)/TiO(2) strongly inhibited the PCD of TCE and PCE whereas it was more reactive than pure TiO(2) for the PCD of other compounds. The photocurrents obtained with the Pt(ox)/TiO(2) electrode were lower than those with the Pt(0)/TiO(2) electrode, which was ascribed to the role of Pt(ox) species as a recombination center. It is proposed that TCE adsorbed on Pt(ox) chemically mediates the charge recombination through the redox cycle of TCE. The Pt effects in photocatalysis are highly substrate-specific and depend on the Pt-substrate interaction as well as the properties of Pt deposits.     

(Ni-Mo)/TiO2纳米薄膜光催化降解刚果红的性能与机理

用恒电流复合电沉积方法制备(Ni-Mo)/TiO2薄膜,以扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、拉曼(Raman)光谱和紫外-可见漫反射光谱(UV-VisDRS)对薄膜的表面形貌、晶相结构和光谱特性进行了表征,以刚果红为模拟污染物对薄膜的光催化性能进行了测定,并讨论了刚果红溶液的pH值对薄膜光催化活性的影响.采用循环伏安技术和向溶液中加入活性物种捕获剂的方法对薄膜光催化降解机理进行了探索.结果表明:(Ni-Mo)/TiO2薄膜是由粒径为50-100nmTiO2纳米粒子相和纳米晶Ni-Mo固溶体相构成的复合薄膜.薄膜具有较高的光催化活性,卤钨灯照射80min后,复合薄膜光催化刚果红的降解率是多孔TiO2(DegussaP25)/ITO(氧化铟锡)纳米薄膜的2.43倍.(Ni-Mo)/TiO2薄膜光催化活性的提高主要归因于薄膜层中有效形成的(Ni-Mo)/TiO2异质结和良好的电子通道,以及Ni-Mo纳米晶合金对溶解氧和激发电子还原反应的催化作用.分别给出了在紫外和可见光下薄膜光催化降解刚果红的反应机理.     

球磨法制备复合光催化剂Bi12TiO20/ZnO及其光催化性能

本文用水作为分散介质,采用球磨法掺杂一定量的Bi₁₂TiO₂₀于ZnO中制备复合光催化剂Bi₁₂TiO₂₀/ZnO. 利用UV-Vis、XRD和SEM等仪器对样品进行了分析与表征. 通过对甲基橙的氧化来研究其光催化活性. 结果表明,光催化剂Bi₁₂TiO₂₀/ZnO对甲基橙氧化的催化活性高于氧化锌的催化活性.当Bi₁₂TiO₂₀的掺杂量为0.5%(质量分数),球磨时间为12 h,焙烧温度为300℃时,光照20 min后,复合光催化剂Bi₁₂TiO₂₀/ZnO对甲基橙的降解率可达到95.2%.     

掺杂改性纳米TiO2降解挥发性污染物及产物研究

本文系统研究了水热法制备的铁掺杂纳米TiO₂和氮掺杂纳米TiO₂在可见光照射下对挥发性有机物(volatile organic compounds,VOCs)的降解能力和降解产物.铁掺杂纳米TiO₂和氮掺杂TiO₂对光的吸收边分别红移到540 nm和580 nm;在可见光下具有良好的催化活性,24 h内对挥发性有机物的降解率达20%—50%,降解后的最终产物可能主要为CO₂.     

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of bimodal mesoporous titania powders by C60 modification

In this work, fullerene modified TiO(2) nanocomposites (denoted as C(60)/TiO(2)) with low C(60) loadings (0-1.5 wt.%) have been prepared by a simple hydrothermal method using tetrabutylorthotitanate (TBOT, Ti(OC(4)H(9))(4)) as the titanium precursor. The as-prepared C(60)/TiO(2) nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible spectrophotometry, nitrogen adsorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy. The formation of hydroxyl radicals (˙OH) on the surface of UV-illuminated TiO(2) is probed by photoluminescence using terephthalic acid as a probe molecule. Our results have demonstrated that C(60) molecules can be dispersed as a monolayer onto bimodal mesoporous TiO(2)via covalent bonding. The photocatalytic oxidation rate of gas-phase acetone over C(60)/TiO(2) nanocomposites is greater than that over pure TiO(2), commercial Degussa P25 (P25) and C(60)-TiO(2) counterparts prepared by simple impregnating mixing. In particular, 0.5 wt.% C(60)/TiO(2) nanocomposites show the greatest photocatalytic activity with the rate constant k exceeding that of P25 by a factor of 3.3. Based on the results of the current study, we propose that C(60) molecules doped onto TiO(2) act as "electron acceptors" responsible for the efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers and the enhancement of photocatalytic activity. The proposed mechanism for the observed photocatalytic performance of C(60)/TiO(2) nanocomposites is further corroborated by experiments on hydroxyl radical and transient photocurrent response.