Active Sites for Adsorption and Reaction of Molecules on Rutile TiO2(110) and Anatase TiO2(001) Surfaces (cited: 1)

The reactivity of specific sites on rutile TiO₂(110)-(1×1) surface and anatase TiO₂(001)-(1×4) surface has been comparably studied by means of high resolution scanning tunneling microscopy. At the rutile TiO₂(110)-(1×1) surface, we find the defects of oxygen vacancy provide distinct reactivity for O₂ and CO₂ adsorption, while the terminal fivefold-coordinated Ti sites dominate the photocatalytic reactivity for H₂O and CH₃OH dissociation. At the anatase TiO₂(001)-(1×4) surface, the sixfold-coordinated terminal Ti sites at the oxidized surface seem to be inert in both O₂ and H₂O reactions, but the Ti-rich defects which introduce the Ti³⁺ state into the reduced surface are found to provide high reactivity for the reactions of O₂ and H₂O. By comparing the reactions on both rutile and anatase surfaces under similar experimental conditions, we find the reactivity of anatase TiO₂(001) is actually lower than rutile TiO₂(110), which challenges the conventional knowledge that the anatase (001) is the most reactive TiO₂ surface. Our findings could provide atomic level insights into the mechanisms of TiO₂ based catalytic and photocatalytic chemical reactions.     

Raman microscopic investigations of BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> precursors with core–shell structure

Due to their outstanding dielectric and ferroelectric properties, barium titanate (BaTiO₃)-based ceramics have found many applications in electronic devices. To optimise the final quality of such ceramics, a detailed knowledge of the complex processes involved in the formation of BaTiO₃ is required. The phase formation process in ordered structures of the BaCO₃/TiO₂ system was analysed by X-ray diffraction and by Raman spectral imaging (RSI) as a function of the annealing temperature. RSI was used for the first time as a locally resolving method for phase analysis, and proved to be a useful tool in examining the formation process of BaTiO₃ starting from spherical, core–shell structured precursors of the type TiO₂ core/BaCO₃ shell. The Raman spectra of different BaO–TiO₂ phases appearing as intermediate phases during the formation of BaTiO₃ were recorded for separately-prepared pure substances. Using these spectra as fingerprints, and choosing phase filters by setting wave number windows, phase landscape pictures of the samples at different temperatures during the genesis of BaTiO₃ could be created with a lateral resolution of up to 200 nm. These pictures confirm shell-like formation of the different barium titanate phases according to the diffusion of barium and oxygen ions from the Ba-rich shell into the TiO₂ core. At an intermediate state of the phase formation process, the phase sequence Ba₂TiO₄, BaTiO₃, BaTi₂O₅, BaTi₄O₉ and BaTi₅O₁₁ to TiO₂ was detected from the outer to the inner parts of the core–shell structures.     

Selective dissolution of TiO2 crystalline phases: Physicochemical characterization and photocatalytic activity

In this study, different commercially available TiO₂ powders (Degussa P25, pure anatase, and rutile) were submitted to selective dissolution treatments, with H₂O₂/NH₄OH and 10% HF, known to remove rutile and anatase from physical mixtures. The aim was to check whether a particular separation method designed to remove a specific crystalline phase influences the properties of the other phase from the mixture or not. More precisely, we have studied how the HF dissolution method designed to selectively remove the anatase affected the physicochemical and photocatalytic properties of rutile. In a similar way, the changes in the anatase properties were studied, after the H₂O₂/NH₄OH treatment, initially used to remove rutile from the mixture. All the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, transmission electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance (DR) ultraviolet–visible, and Raman spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of these powders was tested in the oxidation of p-chlorophenol from water. The selective treatment methods not only dissolved the target phase but also changed some physicochemical and the photocatalytic performances of the other TiO₂ crystalline phase in a considerable manner. These aspects should be taken into account in the studies regarding the synergistic effects of anatase and rutile, especially in reconstructed TiO₂ photocatalysts.     

BaTi1−x SnxO3 Solid Solutions: Solid-Phase and Sol-Gel Syntheses and Characterization

Ba(Ti_1?x Sn_x)O₃ solid solutions were synthesized by the sol-gel process and solid-phase reactions, and their electrophysical properties studied. SnCl₄ · 5H₂O, TiCl₄, and BaCO₃ were precursors in the sol-gel process. IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and differential thermal analysis were used to study the formation conditions for BaTiO₃, BaSnO₃, and BaTi_0.85Sn_0.15O₃.     

Thermal and hydrothermal stability of flame hydrolytically synthesized SiO2/TiO2 mixed oxides

The phase stability of the two TiO₂ modifications (anatase and rutile) in fumed SiO₂/TiO₂ nano-composites (0–24.8 wt-% silica) under thermal and hydrothermal conditions was investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and gas adsorption methods (BET). The results show that the phase transformation from anatase to rutile type of structure and the growth of anatase crystallites are significantly retarded by mixing small amounts of SiO₂ into TiO₂, while the specific surface area is maintained. The SiO₂/TiO₂-composites reveal a remarkable shift in the anatase to rutile transformation temperature from approx. 500 °C (pure TiO₂) to approx. 1000 °C (samples with SiO₂ contents of more than 10%). The rate of phase transformation from anatase to rutile is enhanced under hydrothermal conditions compared to conventional thermal treatment, e.g. pure titania (AEROXIDE^® TiO₂ P25) annealed under hydrothermal conditions (100 g/m³ absolute humidity, 4 h at 600 °C) had a rutile content of 85%, while the same specimens annealed in absence of humidity contained only 46% rutile. However, the difference in rate of phase transformation became less pronounced when the silica content in SiO₂/TiO₂-composites was further increased.TEM results showed that the surface of the anatase crystallites was covered with silica. This averts coalescence of anatase crystallites and keeps them under a critical size during the annealing process. When the crystal domains grew larger, a rapid conversion to rutile took place. The critical size of anatase crystallites for the phase transformation was estimated to be 15–20 nm.     

Thermoanalytical study of the synthesis of Na<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Bi<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ferroelectric

The study presents results of examination on Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ (NBT) ferroelectric synthesis through intermediate binary compound Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ (BIT). The first stage of the study related to obtaining BIT from oxide precursors, i.e. Bi₂O₃ and TiO₂. The second stage included obtaining NBT from Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂, Na₂CO₃ and TiO₂. Two polymorphic modifications of TiO₂ (anatase, rutile) and diversified initial homogenization of raw material batches were applied during examination.     

TiO2晶相对MnOx/TiO2催化剂催化NO氧化性能的影响

以浸渍在不同晶相TiO₂ （金红石型（R）、锐钛矿型（A）和P25型（P））上的锰基催化剂为对象,研究了TiO₂晶相对MnO_x/TiO₂催化剂催化NO氧化活性的影响。 结果表明,MnO_x/TiO₂（P）催化剂活性最高,NO转化率在300℃及GHSV = 20000 h^-1条件下可达83%。 各催化剂活性顺序为MnO_x/TiO₂（P）>MnO_x/TiO₂（A）>MnO_x/TiO₂（R）。采用X射线粉末衍射、场发射扫描电子显微镜、X射线光电子能谱、H₂程序升温还原和O₂程序升温脱附等手段研究了TiO₂晶相影响MnO_x/TiO₂催化剂催化活性的作用机理。结果表明,相比于A和R型TiO₂,P型TiO₂能够增加MnO_x在其表面的分散度并抑制催化剂颗粒的团聚和粘连,且更有利于Mn₂O₃的生成,而后者催化NO氧化活性比其它MnO_x更高;此外,P型TiO₂可以增加MnO_x尤其是Mn₂O₃的还原性,并可促进O₂^-从M³⁺-O键的脱附。     

Structural characterization of Fe/Ti oxide photocatalysts by X-ray,ESR, and Mössbauer methods

The polycrystalline solids TiO₂Fe₂O₃, with iron contents in the range 0–10 at.%, prepared by coprecipitation and by impregnation, and treated in air at temperatures in the range 500–1000°C, have been studied by X-ray, ESR, and Mössbauer methods. The TiO₂ in the samples treated at 800 and 1000°C always forms the rutile phase and the Fe³⁺ has a rather low solubility in it (～0.1 at.%). The Fe³⁺ in excess forms the antiferromagnetic pseudobrookite phase (Fe₂TiO₅). The samples treated at 500 and 650°C show a dependence on the preparation method. Those prepared by coprecipitation give at 500°C the pure anatase phase in which the Fe³⁺ has a higher solubility (≥ 1%); those prepared by impregnation give the anatase phase accompanied by a variable amount of rutile. The treatment at 650°C provokes the partial transformation of anatase to rutile and the complete development of the Fe₂TiO₅ phase. The relevance of these results to the photocatalytic properties shown by these solids for the photoreduction of dinitrogen to ammonia is discussed.     

Subsolidus phase relations in the BaTiO3TiO2 system

Ba₆Ti₁₇O₄₀, Ba₄Ti₁₃O₃₀, BaTi₄O₉, and Ba₂Ti₉O₂₀ are the only compounds which were found to have a stability range in the subsolidus of the BaTiO₃TiO₂ system. BaTi₂O₅ and BaTi₅O₁₁, reported in other studies, apparently are not stable. The compound reported as Ba₂Ti₅O₁₂ appears to have been mistaken for Ba₆Ti₁₇O₄₀. X-Ray diffraction powder data are given for this phase which is monoclinic with a = 9.890, b = 17.117, c = 18.933 Å and β=98°42.6′. The phase formulated previously as BaTi₃O₇ is shown to be Ba₄Ti₁₃O₃₀ based on structural and density considerations, phase equilibria, and single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction data. This compound is orthorhombic with a = 17.072, b = 9.862, and c = 14.059 Å, probable space group, Cmca. An idealized structure for this phase is proposed. Ba₂Ti₉O₂₀ decomposes above 1300°C in the solid state to BaTi₄O₉ plus rutile. Single crystals were grown using BaF₂ as a mineralizer.     

Morphological and phase evolution of TiO2 nanocrystals prepared from peroxotitanate complex aqueous solution: Influence of acetic acid

Nanosized anatase and rutile TiO₂ having different shape, phase and size have been prepared from aqueous solutions of peroxo titanium complex starting from titanium(IV) isopropoxide (TTIP), acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in water/isopropanol media by a facile sol-gel process. The TiO₂ nanocrystals are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, TEM, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) techniques. The influence of pH and the sequence of addition of reaction contents on the phase and morphology of TiO₂ are studied. The reasons for the observation of only anatase and/or mixture of anatase and rutile are given.     

Sol–gel preparation and photocatalytic performance of TiO2/SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ toward the oxidation of gaseous benzene

It has been found that the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ toward the decomposition of gaseous benzene can be greatly enhanced by loading TiO₂ on the surface of SrAl₂O₄: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ using sol–gel technology. The prepared photocatalyst was characterized by BET, XRD, and XPS analyses. XRD results reveal that the peaks of titania in either rutile or anatase form are not detected by XRD in the 2θ region from 20° to 50°. The binding energy values of Ti 2p of pure TiO₂ are 458.90 and 464.60 eV, while for TiO₂/SrAl₂O₄: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺, the binding energy values of Ti 2p are 458.50 and 464.20 eV. The results indicate that the optimum loading of TiO₂ is 1 wt% and TiO₂/SrAl₂O₄: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ (1 wt%) demonstrates 1.4 times the photocatalytic activity of that of pure TiO₂, but the underlying mechanism of SrAl₂O₄: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ in the photocatalytic reaction remains to be unraveled.     

Darstellung von Bariumwolframat durch tribochemische Reaktion

Stoichiometric mixture of powders BaO/WO₃, Ba(OH)₂/WO₃, BaCO₃/WO₃, BaSO₄/WO₃ are grinded in a vibrating mill. IR spectra, X-rays diffractions, DTA, TGA. investigation of conductivity and solubility show that

• – 100% of BaWO₄ arise from BaO/WO₃ after grinding 5 hours in a vibrating mill,
• – the degree of interaction decreases in the sequence BaO? Ba(OH)₂? BaCO₃? BaSO₄ corresponding to Δ_R G °,
• – no tribochemical reaction BaSO₄/WO₃ occurs.

     

Remarkable Charge Separation and Photocatalytic Efficiency Enhancement through Interconnection of TiO2 Nanoparticles by Hydrothermal Treatment

Although tremendous effort has been directed to synthesizing advanced TiO₂, it remains difficult to obtain TiO₂ exhibiting a photocatalytic efficiency higher than that of P25, a benchmark photocatalyst. P25 is composed of anatase, rutile, and amorphous TiO₂ particles, and photoexcited electron transfer and subsequent charge separation at the anatase–rutile particle interfaces explain its high photocatalytic efficiency. Herein, we report on a facile and rational hydrothermal treatment of P25 to selectively convert the amorphous component into crystalline TiO₂, which is deposited between the original anatase and rutile particles to increase the particle interfaces and thus enhance charge separation. This process produces a new TiO₂ exhibiting a considerably enhanced photocatalytic efficiency. This method of synthesizing this TiO₂, inspired by a recently burgeoning zeolite design, promises to make TiO₂ applications more feasible and effective.     

Study on the formation of H2O2 on TiO2 photocatalysts and their activity for the photocatalytic degradation of X-GL dye

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles of both anatase and rutile phases were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of microemulsions, and their photocatalytic activity for the degradation of X-GL dye was investigated. The only difference between the two methods used was that different acids were added to the microemulsions to make a direct comparison of the photocatalytic activity of the polymorphs possible. UV — Vis reflectance and XRD spectroscopic investigations of these titanium dioxides indicated that a rutile structure could be formed (PR) when hydrochloric acid was used, and anatase formed (PA) when nitric acid was used. The activity of the two polymorphs and P-25 for the photocatalytic degradation of dye in water was also examined. It was found that P-25 consisting of anatase and rutile has the highest activity, and PR consisting of rutile has the lowest. Photodegradation of X-GL in the presence of these different TiO₂ particles under air-equilibrated controlled conditions led to the formation of hydrogen peroxide. The formation rate of H₂O₂ depended on the difference in crystalloid phase. These results indicate that the observed differences in the photocatalytic activity for the three TiO₂ photocatalysts are directly related to the formation rate of H₂O₂.     

Factors determining the selective exposure of (010) plane of V2O5 Catalysts supported on various TiO2

V₂O₅ supported on various TiO₂ including anatase, rutile and mixtures of both have been investigated with various physicochemical measurements such as BET, NH₃-TPD, NARP, XRD and so on, and the effect of the crystal phase of the TiO₂ support on the structure of the supported V₂O₅ was discussed. It has been found that the V=O species on the (010) plane of V₂O₅ on the TiO₂ supports with large BET surface area are selectively exposed to the surface, though different crystal phases of TiO₂ result in different characteristics of exposure of the (010) plane. Anatase gives the maximum exposure of the surface V=O species at significantly lower surface concentration of V₂O₅ than that for rutile. For the mixture of both, two maxima are obtained at the surface concentration of V₂O₅ corresponding to those for anatase and rutile respectively. The chemical activity of the TiO₂ surface also seems to have an effect on the exposure of the (010) plane. That is, the higher surface area and the stronger acidic property resulted in the higher exposure of the (010) plane. On leave from: Department of Applied Chemical Engineering, South-China University of Science and Technology, Guangzhou 510641, P.R. China     

N2 photoreduction and phenol and nitrophenol isomers photooxidation as examples of heterogeneous photocatalytic reactions

Two examples of photoreactions are reported in the present paper: namely the photoreduction of N₂ to NH₃ in the gas-solid regime and the complete photooxidation of phenol and nitrophenols in the gas-liquid-solid regime (aqueous oxygenated dispersions). Undoped pure and iron ion doped polycrystalline titania specimens were used as photocatalysts. The presence of the dopant, in the case of N₂ photoreduction, was essential for the occurrence of the photoprocess; it was, on the contrary, detrimental or indifferent in the case of phenol and nitrophenols photooxidation. The influence of several ions as Cl, SO₄ ²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ag⁺ and of a compound such as H₂O₂ added to the dispersion was also investigated and the different behaviour of TiO₂ (anatase) and TiO₂ (rutile) was ascribed to kinetic factors.     

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.     

Curious behaviors of photogenerated electrons and holes at the defects on anatase,rutile, and brookite TiO2 powders: A review

Photocatalytic reactions are governed by photogenerated charge carriers upon band gap excitation. Therefore, for better understanding of the mechanism, the dynamics of photocarriers should be studied. One of the attractive materials is TiO₂, which has been extensively investigated in the field of photocatalysis. This review article summarizes our recent works of time-resolved visible to mid-IR absorption measurements to elucidate the difference of anatase, rutile, and brookite TiO₂ powders. The distinctive photocatalytic activities of these polymorphs are determined by the electron-trapping processes at the defects on powders. Powders are rich in defects and these defects capture photogenerated electrons. The depth of the trap is crystal phase dependent, and they are estimated to be < 0.1 eV, ∼0.4 eV and ∼0.9 eV for anatase, brookite, and rutile, respectively. Electron trapping reduces probability to meet with holes and then elongate the lifetime of holes. Therefore, it works negatively for the reaction of electrons but positively works for the reaction of holes. In the steady-state reactions, both electrons and holes should be consumed. Hence, the balance between the positive and negative effects of defects determines the distinctive photocatalytic activities of anatase, rutile, and brookite TiO₂ powders.     

Unique adsorption behaviors of NO and O2 at hydrogenated anatase TiO2(101)

The extra electron on the hydrogenated anatase TiO₂(101) is localized at the nearest Ti_5c only, and the chargetransfer promoted NO and O₂ adsorptions are also site-selective. These results are totally different from those at hydrogenated rutile TiO₂(110).     

Analysis of preparation of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> particles by diffusion flame reactor for photodegradation of phenol and toluene

TiO₂ nanoparticles were produced in the diffusion flame reactor, and the size and anatase/rutile content of TiO₂ were examined by a Particle Size Analyzer and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Increase in fuel/O₂ ratio, initial concentration of TiCl₄ or total gas flow rate causes the larger particle size and the higher rutile composition. The photocatalytic activities of TiO₂ powders were tested on the decompositions of phenol and toluene in the aqueous solution under UV irradiation. The degradation rate increases as the TiO₂ particle size decreases and as the initial concentration of phenol or toluene increases. The photodegradation rate of phenol by TiO₂ particles is higher than that of toluene at the same process conditions. The computational method was used to simulate the gas temperature, velocity and species mass fractions inside the diffusion flame reactor during synthesis of TiO₂ nanoparticles. The measured and simulated temperature results were compared on several positions above the burner and both of them show good agreements. The typical contours of TiCl₄, TiO₂ mass fractions and gas velocities in flame reactor were presented.