The release of TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles from nanocomposites

There is a growing interest in the development of nanocomposites consisting of organic polymers and TiO₂ or amorphous SiO₂ nanoparticles. These nanoparticles may be released from nanocomposites. There is evidence that amorphous SiO₂ and TiO₂ nanoparticles can be hazardous. Thus, in the design of nanocomposites with such nanoparticles, hazard reduction extending to the full nanocomposite life cycle would seem a matter to consider. Options for hazard reduction include: changes of nanoparticle surface, structure or composition, better fixation of nanoparticles in nanocomposites, including persistent suppression of oxidative damage to polymers by nanoparticles, and design changes leading to the release of relatively large particles.     

An ultra-low hydrolysis sol-gel route for titanosilicate xerogels and their characterization

In this work TiO₂-SiO₂ xerogels were prepared through an ultra low hydrolysis method using titanium and silicon alkoxide. The samples were heat treated to 500°C. The xerogels were characterized using TGA/DTA, FTIR, XRD and TEM. The samples showed the formation of Si–O–Ti bridges by its characteristic vibration within 925–960 cm⁻¹ range. Si–O–Si bond angles were calculated using the central force network model. The TiO₂ in all the samples crystallized on heat treatment to 500°C. The crystallite size calculated using the Scherer formula from the XRD was verified from the Transmission Electron Micrograph. Samples heat treated to 350°C remained amorphous and hence could be used as hosts for biomaterials and organic optical materials.     

碳量子点在八面双锥和纳米片TiO2上的光催化

依次用溶剂热法和水热法制备得到暴露(101)晶面的八面双锥体二氧化钛OBP-TiO2和不同碳负载量的N-CDs/OBP-TiO2复合催化剂,以及暴露(001)晶面的纳米片二氧化钛TNS和不同碳负载量的N-CDs/TNS复合催化剂。利用TEM、XRD、XPS等表征手段对这2类复合催化剂的形貌结构、化学成分等作了鉴定。系统研究了碳量子点负载量对可见光降解RhB的光催化性能影响。实验发现,由于N-CDs的加入,均能较大提高2类复合催化剂的光催化性能。(101)高裸露晶面N-CDs/OBP-TiO2比(001)高裸露晶面N-CDs/TNS的光催化活性高。     

Rheological Measurements in Titania Gels Synthesized from Reverse Micelles

Abstract

TiO₂ sol and gel systems have been synthesized by hydrolysis of titanium butoxide in microemulsions W/O. Different systems compositions were prepared at constant W _o = [H₂O]/[AOT] and changing R = [H₂O]/[Ti(BuO)₄]. Experimental measurements show a progressive increase of the viscosity with time, characteristic of a sol-gel transition. The rheology of the transition was studied by following the behavior of viscoelastic parameters (G′, G″ and η?) as a function of time at different frequencies.

The possibility to apply standard percolation theory was discussed. The application of two alternative growth models-either “fractal growth model” or “nearly linear growth model”-has been analysed.     

核壳结构TiO2@SiO2催化碳酸二甲酯与苯酚酯交换合成碳酸二苯酯

以反相微乳液法和沉淀法相结合制备了核壳结构TiO₂@SiO₂,首次用于碳酸二甲酯与苯酚酯交换合成碳酸二苯酯反应,显示较好的催化活性. 采用200 ℃焙烧的TiO₂@SiO₂,用量0.20 g,反应9 h,苯酚转化率达41.8%,酯交换选择性为100%. 透射电镜显示TiO₂@SiO₂核厚壳薄,TiO₂核直径220-300 nm,SiO₂壳厚度40-60 nm,具有介孔结构. TiO₂@SiO₂对碳酸二甲酯与苯酚酯交换反应有好的重复使用性,使用4次苯酚转化率仍保持在40%以上. TiO₂与SiO₂发生相互作用,Ti进入骨架形成Ti-O-Si键,骨架Ti的形成提高了TiO₂@SiO₂的催化性能.     

Transparent poly(bisphenol A carbonate)-based nanocomposites with high refractive index nanoparticles

Transparent organic-inorganic nanocomposites were successfully synthesized from sulfonic acid-modified poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (SPC) and TiO₂ or ZrO₂ nanoparticles. The dispersibility of nanoparticles was significantly improved by both the surface treatment of nanoparticles with phosphoric acid 2-ethylhexyl esters (PAEH) and the introduction of a sulfonic acid moiety into the PC chain. It was found that in some cases, crystallization of the matrix caused a reduction in transparency. Efficient dispersion of nanoparticles and the absence of crystallization resulted in highly transparent nanocomposites with up to 42 wt% TiO₂ and 50 wt% ZrO₂ nanoparticles. The refractive indices of the nanocomposites based on SPC increased with the increasing amount of nanoparticles. Theoretical equation based on Maxwell-Garnett effective medium theory provided reasonably close estimation of the refractive indices to the experimentally observed values. The prepared nanocomposites had lower thermal stability than the host matrix polymers.     

三角形Au@TiO2介孔催化剂可见光降解亚甲蓝

利用溶胶凝胶法制备出一种三角形Au@TiO₂核壳材料。经过水热晶化,该材料膨胀至300 nm,壳层TiO₂晶化为介孔锐钛矿相,但核心三角形Au颗粒的形貌保持不变。采用粉末X射线衍射(PXRD)、ζ电位、高分辨透射电子显微镜(HRTEM)、热重分析(TGA)、光致发光(PL)光谱、光电流(i-t)以及光催化降解技术,对样品的结构和性能进行了系统、详细的检测与分析。经过晶化处理的Au@TiO₂在可见光波段的光降解亚甲蓝性能比未晶化时有了显著的提升,1 mg·mL^-1 Au@c-TiO₂可以在可见光照射1 h后实现对60 mg·L^-1亚甲蓝全降解。电子顺磁共振(EPR)测试表明·O₂^-和·OH两种自由基对光降解起到了很大作用。通过综合分析实验结果和时域有限差分(FDTD)分析,探究了催化反应的机理。     

Photothermal and photocatalytic processes on TiO2 based materials prepared by sol-gel method

In the present work, Fe³⁺ doped TiO₂ coatings on glass substrates were prepared by dip-coating from a sol-gel solution. The influence of the dopant concentration on the structure, optical, photocatalytic and photothermal properties of the films was studied. The results obtained have shown a strong correlation between the catalytic properties and the amount of iron dopant and the temperature of the thermal treatment.     

三角形Au@TiO2介孔催化剂可见光降解亚甲蓝

利用溶胶凝胶法制备出一种三角形Au@TiO₂核壳材料。经过水热晶化,该材料膨胀至300 nm,壳层TiO₂晶化为介孔锐钛矿相,但核心三角形Au颗粒的形貌保持不变。采用粉末X射线衍射(PXRD)、ζ电位、高分辨透射电子显微镜(HRTEM)、热重分析(TGA)、光致发光(PL)光谱、光电流(i-t)以及光催化降解技术,对样品的结构和性能进行了系统、详细的检测与分析。经过晶化处理的Au@TiO₂在可见光波段的光降解亚甲蓝性能比未晶化时有了显著的提升, 1 mg·mL^-1 Au@c-TiO₂可以在可见光照射1 h后实现对60 mg·L^-1亚甲蓝全降解。电子顺磁共振(EPR)测试表明·O₂^-和·OH两种自由基对光降解起到了很大作用。通过综合分析实验结果和时域有限差分(FDTD)分析,探究了催化反应的机理。     

Synthesis of carbon nanotube/anatase titania composites by a combination of sol-gel and self-assembly at low temperature

A simple method is described for the synthesis of carbon nanotube/anatase titania composites by a combination of a sol-gel method with a self-assembly technique at 65 °C. This method makes use of polyelectrolyte for wrapping multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and providing them with adsorption sites for electrostatically driven TiO₂ nanoparticle deposition. The composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and photoluminescence for analyzing their crystal phase, microstructure, particle size, and other physicochemical properties. The results showed that MWCNT were covered with an anatase TiO₂ thin layer or surrounded by an anatase TiO₂ thick coating, which is constructed of TiO₂ particles about 6 nm in size. The composites were rich in surface hydroxyl groups. The excited e⁻ in conduction band of TiO₂ may migrate to MWCNT. Concerning the potential applicability, MWCNT/TiO₂ composites showed excellent photocatalytic activity toward the photodegradation of methyl orange.     

Hydrogen desorption of reduced Pt/TiO2 catalyst

The temperature-programmed desorption of hydrogen from a Pt/TiO₂ catalyst reduced in a wide temperature range (RT-773 K) has been studied. It is found that the presence of labile surface oxygen species increases the amount of hydrogen species formed at room temperature, and greatly decreases the quantities of adsorbed hydrogen species at medium temperatures. After the catalyst was reduced at high temperature, it is observed that two strong hydrogen desorption peaks appear at 450–600 K and above 600 K, which are ascribed to surface titanium hydride and the hydrogen species stored in the sublayer and bulk of the support, respectively.     

Study on mechanism of photocatalytic performance of La-doped TiO2/Ti photoelectrodes by theoretical and experimental methods

TiO₂ photoelectrodes with various nanostructures have been successfully prepared by the anodization method. The morphology, microstructure and optical properties of as-prepared photoelectrodes were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet/visible light diffuse reflectance spectra (UV/vis/DRS), surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) and photocurrent. The electronic structure and optical properties of La doped/undoped TiO₂ photoelectrodes with different crystal structures were calculated by the density function theory. The photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic activities of as-prepared photoelectrodes were evaluated. The results showed that the anodization potentials played a crucial role in the surface morphology and microstructure. Both results of theoretical calculations and experimental tests demonstrated that La-doped photoelectrodes were more sensitive to light than undoped one. The difference of photoelectrodes performance was ascribed to the crystal configuration, impurity energy levels and long-range orientation moving of photogenerated carriers.     

Green Synthesis and Applications of ZnO and TiO2 Nanostructures

Over the last two decades, oxide nanostructures have been continuously evaluated and used in many technological applications. The advancement of the controlled synthesis approach to design desired morphology is a fundamental key to the discipline of material science and nanotechnology. These nanostructures can be prepared via different physical and chemical methods; however, a green and ecofriendly synthesis approach is a promising way to produce these nanostructures with desired properties with less risk of hazardous chemicals. In this regard, ZnO and TiO₂ nanostructures are prominent candidates for various applications. Moreover, they are more efficient, non-toxic, and cost-effective. This review mainly focuses on the recent state-of-the-art advancements in the green synthesis approach for ZnO and TiO₂ nanostructures and their applications. The first section summarizes the green synthesis approach to synthesize ZnO and TiO₂ nanostructures via different routes such as solvothermal, hydrothermal, co-precipitation, and sol-gel using biological systems that are based on the principles of green chemistry. The second section demonstrates the application of ZnO and TiO₂ nanostructures. The review also discusses the problems and future perspectives of green synthesis methods and the related issues posed and overlooked by the scientific community on the green approach to nanostructure oxides.     

TiO2纳米线的制备及其光电性能研究

利用在钛箔表面沉积一层TiO₂纳米粒子作为晶种，与NaOH反应，制备了一维物质TiO₂纳米线。并用XRD、SEM、TEM、HRTEM及EDS等分析手段对TiO₂纳米线的成分、形貌、结构进行表征。结果表明，采用该方法制得的TiO₂纳米线直径在20～50 nm左右、长度可达几微米。反应温度能显著影响所得纳米线的形貌。研究了TiO₂纳米线的光电化学性能。随反应温度的升高TiO₂纳米线光电转换效率增大。     

Macroporous ordered titanium dioxide (TiO2) inverse opal as a new label-free immunosensor

Photonic crystal sensing materials have been validated that they are very sensitive to refractive index changes. Herein, three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) (>50 nm) TiO₂ inverse opal film has been fabricated by the self-assembly technique. Based on the TiO₂ inverse opal film, the optical spectrometer was established for label-free immunosensor. The sensing performance of the 3DOM TiO₂ was investigated using human IgG/goat anti-human IgG couple, which showed that the sensitivity of 3DOM TiO₂ inverse opal film could reach to 1 μg mL⁻¹ (equivalent to 1.5 pg mm⁻²) of protein concentration detection limit. The 3DOM TiO₂ inverse opal has a large internal surface area, low fluorescence background and unique optical properties. These characteristics indicated the feasibility of 3DOM TiO₂ inverse opal in label-free immunoassay.     

荧光素-纳米二氧化钛表面复合及光诱导电子转移

本文研究了中性条件下TiO2纳米粒子与双阴离子态荧光素F2-的结合能力,发现所形成的复合物与文献报道的强酸性条件下TiO2-质子化荧光素H3F+复合物相比,结构与性能均很不同,F2--TiO2复合物吸收光谱红移30 nm以上且发射荧光。用UV-vis吸收光谱测定了复合物的结合常数、用稳态和瞬态荧光光谱测定了复合物的荧光效率和寿命分别为0.14和1.08 ns,与相应自由态F2-的测定值0.92和4.68 ns相比,复合物荧光效率和寿命都有很大的降低,这是由于复合物内部光诱导电子转移所致,因这一电子转移是热力学上非常有利的过程,其自由能变化达1.1 eV。光致电子转移的速率常数为7.1×108s-1,是其它竞争过程的3倍以上,复合物内光诱导电子转移效率达77%。     

双介孔结构的纳米TiO2/I2复合材料的制备及其可见光催化性能

以钛酸丁酯为前驱体, 碘溶胶为碘源, 在室温下采用水解沉淀法制备了单质碘和纳米TiO₂复合的双介孔结构光催化剂(M-I₂-TiO₂). 采用X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、比表面分析(BET)、紫外-可见(UV-Vis)漫反射光谱和傅里叶变换-红外光谱(FT-IR)对M-I₂-TiO₂进行了表征. 以次甲基蓝(MB)溶液为模拟废水, 对M-I₂-TiO₂的光催化性能进行了评价, 研究了不同热处理温度对光催化活性的影响. 结果表明, M-I₂-TiO₂在可见光区有显著的吸收, 300 ℃热处理得到的样品比表面积高达227.6 m²/g, 600 ℃热处理所得样品的比表面积仍高达111.8 m²/g, 而400 ℃热处理所得样品具有最好的光催化降解性能. 双介孔结构纳米TiO₂/I₂复合材料的光催化降解性能显著高于相同方法制备的纯TiO₂和Degussa P-25商业产品. 催化剂经6次重复使用其光催化活性基本保持不变.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of CuZrTiO5—A new crystal structure type

A new compound, CuZrTiO₅, was synthesized as strongly pleochroic green crystals from the oxides between 995 and 1010 °C, 1 atm. Its crystal structure was determined by single crystal XRD, resulting in R (F²>2σ(F²))=0.032 and wR (all data)=0.079). CuZrTiO₅ is orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁, a=3.5871(3) Å, b=6.6968(4) Å, c=14.6679(9) Å, V=352.35(4) Å³, Z=4. The structure is topologically similar to In₂TiO₅ but differs in space group and cation coordination. CuZrTiO₅ has relatively regular TiO₆ polyhedra, but coordination is 7+1 for Zr, and 4+2 for Cu due to the Jahn-Teller effect. Ordering of the long Cu-O bonds causes reduction in symmetry relative to In₂TiO₅. Layers of Cu alternate with Ti+Zr on (001), giving rise to a distinct cleavage. Bond valence sums on Ti and Zr are far from ideal, which appears due to the limited ability of this structural topology to avoid close next-nearest neighbour distances.     

The solubility of Co in TiO2 anatase and rutile and its effect on the magnetic properties

Co-doped anatase and rutile bulk-samples prepared by the sol-gel technique are found to be paramagnetic at room-temperature. Only further annealing in Ar/H₂ gas results in a ferromagnetic behavior. X-ray diffraction and electron-microscope studies reveal for low doping levels <4% the formation of Co-doped rutile samples and the formation of CoTiO₃ as a new phase. Co₃O₄ can be detected in anatase samples with Co doping levels ?4%. The observed Co oxides are reduced by Ar/H₂ to Co metal. The room-temperature ferromagnetism can therefore be traced back to a segregation of metallic Co.