Acceleration of protein decomposition by photocatalytic Ti(IV)-doped calcium hydroxyapatite particles and its application for reduction of pathogenic proteins

Acceleration of protein decomposition from single- and mixed-protein solutions on the surface of Ti(IV)-doped calcium hydroxyapatite (TiHap) particles with a Ti/(Ca+Ti) atomic ratio (X _Ti) of 0.10 and 0.20 under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation was investigated. The UV irradiation started immediately after dispersing the TiHap particles in protein solution in a quartz tube (0 h UV method). Lysozyme (LSZ) was steeply decomposed in a LSZ single system by the 0 h UV method. Furthermore, a selective photocatalytic decomposition of LSZ was observed on the mixed-protein system; i.e., only LSZ molecules were decomposed completely from the bovine serum albumin (BSA; 2.5 mg/cm³)???LSZ (1.0 mg/cm³) mixture using TiHap particles. The selective decomposition of pathogenic protein β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) from 20 μg/cm³ β₂-MG???10 mg/cm³ BSA mixture in 1.5 mL?×?10^?4 M KCl solution was also examined. The UV irradiation started at 24 h after dispersing TiHap particles in BSA–β₂-MG-mixed solution for attaining the protein adsorption equilibrium (24 h UV method). It was revealed that β₂-MG molecules were entirely destructed by the 24 h UV method by only irradiating UV light to the dispersions for 24 h. The obtained selective decomposition of β₂-MG strongly suggested that TiHap particles can be applied for a blood purification therapy using UV irradiation.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ti(IV)-substituted calcium hydroxyapatite particles by forced hydrolysis of Ca(OH)2-Na5P3O10-TiCl4 mixed solution

Ti(IV)-substituted calcium hydroxyapatite (TiHap) particles were prepared by aging Ca(OH)₂, TiCl₄, and sodium triphosphate (sodium tripolyphosphate, Natpp: Na₅P₃O₁₀) mixed solution at 100 °C for 18 h. The ellipsoidal secondary TiHap particles with ca. 100～150 nm in length composing by aggregation of small ellipsoidal primary particles with ca. 20 nm in length were produced at atomic ratio of Ti/(Ca+Ti) [X_Ti]≦0.2. The in situ IR spectra of these TiHap particles exhibited very small bulk OH^? band at 3,570 cm^?1. This result indicated that the TiHap particles were formed by aggregation of fine primary particles and OH^? ions along with c-axis in the primary particles were disordered. The TiHap particles with Ca/P atomic ratio larger than theoretical value of 1.67 did not exhibit surface P–OH groups at 3,659 and 3,682 cm^?1. The diffuse reflectance UV spectra of TiHap particles revealed that these particles have a UV absorption property, especially fabricated at X_Ti?=?0.1. The particles prepared at X_Ti?=?0.6 and 0.8 were amorphous and nanoparticles with 5～10 nm in diameter, but those precipitated at X_Ti?=?1.0 were poorly crystallized anataze-type TiO₂ nanoparticles.     

Protein adsorption behaviors onto photocatalytic Ti(IV)-doped calcium hydroxyapatite particles

The fundamental experiments on the adsorption behaviors of proteins onto photocatalytic Ti(4+)-doped calcium hydroxyapatite (TiHap) particles were examined comparing to those onto the calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHap) and commercially available typical titanium oxide (TiO(2)) photocatalyst (TKP-101). The heat treated TiHap and CaHap particles were also used after treated these particles at 650°C for 1h (abbreviated as TiHap650 and CaHap650, respectively). All the adsorption isotherms of bovine serum albumin (BSA), myoglobin (MGB) and lysozyme (LSZ) from 1×10(-4)mol/dm(3) KCl solution were the Langmuirian type. The saturated amounts of adsorbed BSA (n(s)(BSA)) for the CaHap650 particles was higher than that for CaHap. Similar results were observed for TiHap and TiHap650. The adsorption of LSZ exhibited the same result of BSA, while the saturated amounts of adsorbed LSZ (n(s)(LSZ)) value on the TiHap were much higher than CaHap. However, the saturated amounts of adsorbed MGB (n(s)(MGB)) are almost equal to those for the CaHap and TiHap nevertheless whether these particles were heat treated at 650°C or not. The TKP-101 exhibited extremely small adsorption capacity of all proteins due to its small particle size of ca. 4nm in diameter. The independence of the n(s)(MGB) value on the zeta potential (zp) of the particles was explained by the electrostatical neutrality of MGB molecules. On the other hand, the n(s)(LSZ) values were increased with increase in the negative zp of the particles. This fact was explained by increasing the electrostatic attractive forces between negatively charged particles and positively charged LSZ. However, the n(s)(BSA) values exhibit maxima for the heat treated TiHap650 and CaHap650 particles. This result was interpreted to the formation of β-TCP crystal phase by the heat treatment. The produced Ca(2+) ions by dissolution from β-TCP phase may exert as binders between BSA and surfaces of the heat treated particles.     

The structural, morphological, and surface properties of tungsten-doped TiO2 nanopowders and their contribution to the photocatalytic activity

Tungsten-doped TiO₂ nanopowders (W-TiO₂) were prepared by chemical vapor synthesis and the effects of a post-heat treatment on their physical, surface, and photocatalytic properties were investigated. The W-TiO₂ nanopowders containing about 1.0 mol % of tungsten were obtained and annealed from 400 to 700 °C. The as-synthesized and annealed W-TiO₂ nanopowders were carefully examined for their crystalline and opto-electronic structure and morphology by means of X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the surface condition was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities were studied by the oxidative degradation of 2-propanol under UV light irradiation. We found that the photocatalytic activity of W-TiO₂ varied significantly with the temperature of the heat treatment, exceeding the performance of P25 after annealing at 600 °C. Interestingly, the chemical composition of titanium and tungsten of W-TiO₂ played a crucial role to its photocatalytic activity as the mixed valence states, Ti ⁿ⁺ (n = 4, 3, 2, 0) and W ⁿ⁺ (n = 6, 5, 4), were found in accordance with altering the annealing temperature.     

Synthesis and thermal decomposition of neodymium(III) peroxotitanate to Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>5</Subscript>

Neodymium(III) peroxotitanate is used as a precursor for obtaining Nd₂TiO₅. The last one possesses numerous valuable electrophysical properties. TiCl₄, Nd(NO₃)₃·6H₂O and H₂O₂ in mol ratio 1:2:10 were used as starting materials. The reaction ambience was alkalized to pH = 9 with a solution of NH₃. The obtained neodymium(III) peroxotitanate and intermediate compounds of the isothermal heating were proved by the help of quantitative analysis and infrared spectroscopy (IRS). It has Nd₄[Ti₂(O₂)₄(OH)₁₂]·7H₂O composition. The absorption band observed in IRS at 831 cm^?1 relates to a triangular bonding of the peroxo group of Ti, at 1062 cm^?1—terminal groups Ti–OH and at 1491 and 1384 cm^?1—the bridging OH^?-groups Ti–O(H)–Ti. Nd₂TiO₅ was obtained by thermal decomposition of neodymium(III) peroxotitanate. The isothermal conditions for decomposition were determined on the base of differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry results in the temperature range of 20–1000 °C. The mechanism of thermal decomposition of Nd₄[Ti₂(O₂)₄(OH)₁₂]·7H₂O to Nd₂TiO₅ was studied. In the temperature range of 20–208 °C, a simultaneous decomposition of the peroxo groups by the separation of oxygen and hydrate water is conducted and Nd₄[Ti₂O₄(OH)₁₂] is obtained. From 208 to 390 °C, the terminal OH^?-groups are separated and Nd₄[Ti₂O₇(OH)₆] is formed. In the range of 390–824 °C, the bridging OH^?-groups are completely decomposed to Nd₂TiO₅. The optimal conditions for obtaining nanocrystalline Nd₂TiO₅ are 900 °C for 6 h and 20–80 nm.     

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.     

Adsorption of immunogamma globulin onto various synthetic calcium hydroxyapatite particles

This paper presents data on adsorption of immunogamma globulin (IgG) onto synthetic rodlike calcium hydroxyapatite particles (CaHaps) with various particle lengths and calcium/phosphate (Ca/P) atomic ratios ranging from 1.54 to 1.65 and compares the obtained results to those of acidic (bovine serum albumin, BSA), neutral (myoglobin, MGB), and basic (lysozyme, LSZ) proteins reported before. The effect of electrolyte concentration on IgG adsorption was also examined. The initial rate of IgG adsorption was similar to that of BSA and was slower than that of MGB and LSZ. This fact was interpreted by the difference in the structural stability and molecular weight of these proteins. The isotherms of IgG adsorption onto the CaHap particles were of pseudo-Langmuir type. The saturated amount of adsorbed IgG values (nsIgG) for the particles with mean particle length less than 70 nm decreased with increasing Ca/P ratio. The adsorption behavior of IgG molecules was very similar to that of basic LSZ, though IgG has zero net charge. The nsIgG value was increased with increased mean particle length of CaHaps; the relationship was less significant than that for BSA but similar to those for MGB and LSZ. The similar adsorption behavior of IgG and LSZ suggested that the Fab parts of IgG molecules preferentially adsorb onto CaHap to provide the reversed Y-shaped conformation of IgG. The change of the adsorption mode of IgG molecules from the reversed Y-shaped conformation to side-on by "spreading" the Fc part of IgG molecules onto the particle surface over a longer adsorption time was suggested. The nsIgG value was increased with increasing electrolyte concentration by screening the intra- and intermolecular electrostatic interactions of proteins.     

A new acidic Ti sol impregnated kaolin photocatalyst: synthesis, characterization and visible light photocatalytic performance

In this study, a photocatalyst with visible light photocatalytic activity was obtained using raw materials, including commercial TiO₂, sulfuric acid, and calcined kaolin (CK). The photocatalyst was prepared via a dissolving/impregnating process, in which acidic Ti sol was obtained by initially dissolving TiO₂ particles in sulfuric acid, and then using the sol as impregnant for the CK. The prepared photocatalyst had wide spectral region and narrow band gap. In addition, the impregnation can create acid sites on the obtained composite surface and consequently improve the activity. A series of tests was performed to characterize the properties of the prepared samples. The visible light photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) in an aqueous solution was used as a probe reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activities of the obtained samples. Under visible light irradiation, approximately 80 % of MO (with initial concentration of 20 mg/m³) was degraded in 3 h on the photocatalyst prepared by impregnating CK in acidic Ti sol, which was obtained using approximately 60 % H₂SO₄ solution followed by calcination at 400 °C. The acidity of the photocatalyst is the main factor that affects the catalytic activity of the photocatalytic degradation of MO.     

Spectroscopic Investigation on Sonocatalytic Damage of BSA Molecules by FeIII Complexes with Binary Organic Acid Ligands Under Ultrasonic Irradiation

The interaction between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and Fe^III complexes with three binary organic acid (biorga) ligands, [Fe^III(oxa)(H₂O)₄]⁺ (oxa = oxalic acid), [Fe^III(pra)(H₂O)₄]⁺ (pra = propanedioic acid) and [Fe^III(sua)(H₂O)₄]⁺ (sua = succinic acid), as well as the sonocatalytic damage of BSA in the presence of these three Fe^III–biorga complexes under ultrasonic irradiation, were studied by UV–vis and fluorescence spectra. The experimental results show that the fluorescence quenching process of BSA caused by three Fe^III–biorga complexes are all static quenching and the corresponding quenching rate constants (K _q), equilibrium constants (K _A) and the binding site numbers (n) were calculated. The results reveal that, under ultrasonic irradiation, the BSA molecules were obviously damaged by these Fe^III–biorga complexes. In addition, the effects of several factors on the damage of BSA molecules were examined. The experimental results demonstrate that the damage degree of BSA increased with an increase of ultrasonic irradiation time, Fe^III–biorga complex concentration, and ionic strength. In comparison, [Fe^III(pra)(H₂O)₄]⁺ exhibited higher sonocatalytic activity than [Fe^III(oxa)(H₂O)₄]⁺ and [Fe^III(sua)(H₂O)₄]⁺. Finally, the extent of generation of $ \cdot {\text{O}}_{2}^{ - } $ · O 2 ? and ·OH during sonocatalytic processes was estimated. Perhaps, the results will be significant for promoting sonodynamic treatment (SDT) of tumors at the molecular level.     

Preparation,Characteristics, and Photocatalytic Tests of Fe-Doped TiO2 Films Prepared by a Sol-Gel Drain Coating via Homemade Devices

Anatase Fe-doped TiO₂ films, with the rang of iron to titanium (Fe(NO₃)₃ · 9H₂O:Ti(OC₄H₉)₄)) atomic ratios (R _Fe/Ti ) from nominal 0 to 20%, are prepared by a sol-gel drain coating via homemade devices, and the hydrolysis reaction to derive sol is suppressed by adding an new agglomerating agent acetylacetic ether (EAcAc) to the system. The films are characterized by using thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), x-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet (UV)–visible absorbance spectra (UV–vis), and scanning electron microscope (SEM), together with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Furthermore, the photocatalytic activities are measured by photodegrading rhodamine B (RhB) in a cylindrical Pyrex reactor, the experimental details demonstrate that the Fe-doped TiO₂ films (R _Fe/Ti  = 3.0%) show the most excellent photocatalytic perfomances, which is good accordance with UV-vis spectra.     

Charge separation by tetrahexahedron-SrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> heterojunction as an efficient photocatalyst

Charge separation plays a key role in the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy for use in the redox reaction and as well as in the photocatalytic activity. In this study, SrTiO₃ particles with different morphologies including irregular, tetrahexahedron, and cube were synthesized by an in situ solvothermal method. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was investigated in the photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue under UV light irradiation. Tetrahexahedron SrTiO₃ particles exhibited high decomposition activity (70 %), which is about two times higher than those of the irregular and cubic SrTiO₃ particles. The high decomposition activity of tetrahexahedron SrTiO₃ particles could be attributed to the improvement of charge separation achieved on different crystal facets. To reach a good charge separation, tetrahexahedron SrTiO₃/TiO₂ coupled nanoparticles were fabricated by impregnation method. Results showed that coupling tetrahexahedron SrTiO₃ with TiO₂ could produce efficient charge separation between tetrahexahedron SrTiO₃ and TiO₂ due to their matched band edges. In order to achieve better charge separation, the tetrahexahedron SrTiO₃/90 %TiO₂ sample was calcined at different temperatures in the 450–750 °C range. Tetrahexahedron SrTiO₃/90 %TiO₂ coupled nanoparticles calcined at 650 °C show high photocatalytic activity compared with other samples. The prepared samples were characterized by using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence emission spectra, and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.     

Characterization, conductivity and photocatalytic studies of AHfM(PO4)3 (A = Na and Ag; M = Ti and Zr) powders synthesized by sol–gel method

Materials belonging to NASICON family of compositions NaHfM(PO₄)₃ and AgHfM(PO₄)₃ (M = Ti and Zr) are prepared by sol–gel and ion exchange methods, respectively. Ethylene glycol is used as a gelating agent. All the compositions are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ³¹P MAS NMR, UV–Vis DRS, XPS and energy dispersive spectral methods. All these phosphates are crystallized in rhombohedral lattice with space group $R\overline{3} c$ R 3 ¯ c . These compounds exhibit characteristic PO₄ vibrational modes in their FT-IR spectra. The ³¹P MAS NMR gave broad signals indicating distribution of chemical environments around P ion. The dc and ac conductivity of AgHfM(PO₄)₃ (M = Ti and Zr) are higher compared to their sodium containing compounds. The Cole–Cole plots of impedance show semicircles between 373 and 623 K. The variation of dc conductivity with temperature follows the Arrhenius equation. The photocatalytic activity of all the samples was studied against methylene blue decomposition using sun light. AgHfM(PO₄)₃ (M = Ti and Zr) have shown higher photoactivity than the sodium containing Nasicons.     

Electrochemical and Structural Characterisation of Dip-Coated Fe/Ti Oxide Films Prepared by the Sol-Gel Route

Thin solid films of mixed Fe/Ti oxide composition (Fe/Ti molar ratios: 0.5∶1, 1∶1, 1.5∶1) have been made from Fe(NO₃)₃ alcoholic solution to which Ti(OiPr)₄ was added. Films have been deposited by the dip-coating technique and heat-treated at 300°C and 500°C. Powders of Fe/Ti oxide heat-treated at 300°C are amorphous, while powders annealed at 500°C for 40 hours transformed to mixed rutile, pseudobrookite and hematite phases. The structure of the XRD amorphous films was identified with the help of near-normal reflection absorption (6°) (IRRA) and near-grazing incidence angle (NGIA) spectroscopy. NGIA FT-IR spectra of films are characterised with a single phonon mode appearing in the spectral range 600–950 cm⁻¹ which shifts with increasing Ti concentration from 675 cm⁻¹ (Fe₂O₃) to 904 cm⁻¹ (TiO₂) thus exhibiting one-mode behavior. Electrochemical investigations made with the help of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronocoulometry (CPC) performed in 0.01M LiOH and in 1M LiClO₄/propylene carbonate electrolytes revealed that films are able to uptake reversibly Li⁺ ions with a charge capacity (Q) per film thickness (d) in the range 0.1–0.26 mC/cm²nm and 0.06 mC/cm²nm, respectively. The temperature at which the films were prepared alters the rate of Li⁺ insertion which is faster for less compact films obtained at 300°C. In situ UV-VIS spectroelectrochemical measurements revealed that Fe/Ti oxide films bleached in the UV spectral region (300 nm<λ<450 nm) and colored in the VIS spectral region (450 nm<λ<800 nm), thus exhibiting mixed anodic and cathodic electrochromism.     

Preparation and exfoliation of layered titanium butyl phosphates

Titanium butyl phosphates (TiBP) synthesized by reacting Ti(SO₄)₂ with a mixture of mono-(C₄H₉PO₄H₂) and dibutyl phosphates ((C₄H₉)₂PO₄H) in aqueous ethanol solution at 25 °C were characterized by various conventional techniques. XRD pattern of TiBP possessed a peak at 2θ?=?5.5° and a broad hump at 2θ?=?15–30°. This fact indicated that the material was composed of a multilayer alternating bilayer of butyl groups of the phosphates and amorphous titanium phosphate phase. The TiBP was spherical particles with a size of ca. 100 nm and the chemical formula of this material was Ti((C₄H₉O)₂PO₂)_x(C₄H₉OPO₃)_y(OH)_z. The TiBP possessed a UV absorption property due to charge transfer of O^2? ? Ti⁴⁺. The layered structure of TiBP was exfoliated in ethanol at 25 °C up to TiBP concentration of 1.0?×?10⁵ ppm to form nanosheet. The nanosheet dispersing solution exhibited a UV absorption property and the property depends on nanosheet concentration.     

Synthesis of Mixed-Phase TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanopowders Using Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Driven by Dual-Frequency Power Sources

Mixed-phase TiO₂ nanopowders with different ratios of anatase and rutile have been successfully synthesized using atmospheric pressure plasma jet driven by dual-frequency power sources. The crystal structures of the TiO₂ nanopowders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, SAED, HRTEM, and Raman shift spectroscopy. These results indicated that samples possessed anatase and rutile structure, in addition, the crystallinity of the TiO₂ nanopowders increased and the chlorine contamination decreased with discharge RF power increasing. The photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂ nanopowders was evaluated by decomposition methylene blue solution. The TiO₂ nanopowders which were produced at the discharge RF power of 110 W had the highest photocatalytic activity. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was used to detect various excited species in the plasma jet. The results indicate that the various RF power significantly changes the intensities of emission lines (Ar, Ar⁺, Ti, Ti⁺, Ti²⁺, Ti³⁺ and O), which results in the TiO₂ nanopowders a mixture of anatase and rutile phases. The nonequilibrium chemical composition could be formed in one step without anneal. It may have potential applications for synthesizing nanosized particles of high crystallinity by reactive nonthermal plasma processing.     

Fabrication of self-organized TiO2 nanotube arrays for photocatalytic reduction of CO2

The photocatalytic conversion of CO₂ and H₂O to alcohols was achieved using self-organized TiO₂ nanotube arrays (TNAs), which were prepared by electrochemical anodization of Ti foils in 1 M (NH₄)₂SO₄ electrolyte containing 0.5 wt% NH₄F. Experimental results revealed that the morphology and structure of self-organized TNAs could be strongly influenced by the applied voltage and anodization temperature, and the optimized TNAs were prepared by electrochemical anodization of Ti foils under optimal conditions (i.e., at 20 V for 2 h at 30 °C). The as-prepared TNAs were amorphous and could be transformed to anatase phase during the thermal treatment at 450 °C in air for 3 h. By using the annealed TNAs as a photocatalyst, the photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to alcohol, predominately methanol and ethanol, was demonstrated under Xenon lamp illumination. Based on the photocatalytic measurements, the production rates of methanol and ethanol were calculated to be ～10 and ～9 nmol cm^?2 h^?1, respectively. In addition, the formation mechanism of methanol and ethanol was also tentatively proposed.     

花状CeO2/TiO2异质结的构筑及光催化性能

采用溶剂热法制备了三维花状CeO₂/TiO₂异质结光催化剂,然后以甲基橙(MO)为模拟有机污染物,在氙灯照射下考察了其光催化活性。结果表明,花状结构由纳米片和纳米颗粒复合而成,纳米片上均匀地附着CeO₂颗粒。Ce/Ti的物质的量之比(n_Ce/n_Ti)和溶剂热时间影响异质结的光催化性能,当n_Ce/n_Ti=0.1、溶剂热时间为6 h时,CeO₂/TiO₂的光催化活性达到最佳,氙灯照射50 min的降解率达95%,光催化活性优于纯TiO₂,这主要是CeO₂和TiO₂形成了异质结,有利于光生电子和空穴的分离。     

Advanced Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2.7</Subscript>/Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> composite film with enhanced visible-light-driven activity for the degradation of organic dyes

Bi₂O_2.7/Bi₂Ti₂O₇ composite photocatalyst films are synthesized by sol–gel dip-coating. The ratio of adding Bi and Ti precursors can be controlled during the preparation process. The phase structure is confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectrum shows that the composite catalysts present light absorption in the visible region. The obtained Bi₂O_2.7/Bi₂Ti₂O₇ composite films possess superior photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B, owing to the visible light response of Bi₂O_2.7 and the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes between the two components. As a result, the Bi₂O_2.7/Bi₂Ti₂O₇ (Bi/Ti = 1:1) displays the highest photocatalytic activity under visible light or UV light irradiation for the degradation of different organic dyes, including methyl blue, methyl orange and acid orange 7.     

Silver-based coordination complexes of carboxylate ligands: crystal structures,luminescence and photocatalytic properties

The complexes [Ag₄(dpe)₄]·(btec) (1) and [Ag₄(bpy)₄]·(btec)·12H₂O (2) (dpe = 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, H₄btec = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid) have been synthesized in aqueous alcohol/ammonia by slow evaporation at room temperature and characterized by elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FTIR, UV–Vis and luminescence spectroscopies. Both complexes are composed of 1D infinite cationic [Ag/dpe(bpy)] _n ⁿ⁺ chains and discrete btec^4? anions. Their three-dimensional supramolecular structures are built up of cationic sheets formed from [Ag/dpe(bpy)] _n ⁿ⁺ units via weak Ag…Ag and Ag…N interactions, plus anionic btec^4? sheets featuring electrostatic, π–π and hydrogen bonding interactions. Both complexes exhibited photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of methyl orange under UV light irradiation.     

Metal–metal charge transfer and interfacial charge transfer mechanism for the visible light photocatalytic activity of cerium and nitrogen co-doped TiO2

Nanosized cerium and nitrogen co-doped TiO₂ (Ce–TiO_2?xN_x) was synthesized by sol gel method and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), FESEM, Fourier transform infrared, N₂ adsorption and desorption methods, photoluminescence and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) DRS techniques. PXRD analysis shows the dopant decreases the crystallite sizes and slows the crystallization of the titania matrix. XPS confirm the existence of cerium ion in +3 or +4 state, and nitrogen in ?3 state in Ce–TiO_2?xN_x. The modified surface of TiO₂ provides highly active sites for the dyes at the periphery of the Ce–O–Ti interface and also inhibits Ce particles from sintering. UV–visible DRS studies show that the metal–metal charge transfer (MMCT) of Ti/Ce assembly (Ti⁴⁺/Ce³⁺ → Ti³⁺/Ce⁴⁺) is responsible for the visible light photocatalytic activity. Photoluminescence was used to determine the effect of cerium ion on the electron–hole pair separation between the two interfaces Ce–TiO_2?xN_x and Ce₂O₃. This separation increases with the increase of cerium and nitrogen ion concentrations of doped samples. The degradation kinetics of methylene blue and methyl violet dyes in the presence of sol gel TiO₂, Ce–TiO_2?xN_x and commercial Degussa P25 was determined. The higher visible light activity of Ce–TiO_2?xN_x was due to the participation of MMCT and interfacial charge transfer mechanism.