Synthesis and electronic behaviors of TiO2/carbon clusters/Cr2O3 composite materials

Nano-structured TiO₂/carbon clusters/Cr₂O₃ composite material has been successfully obtained by the microwave treatment of a TiO(acac)/Cr(acac)₃/epoxy resin complex. The compositions of the composite materials were determined using ICP, elemental analysis and surface characterization by SEM-EDX, TEM and XRD. ESR spectral examinations suggest the possibility of an electron transfer in the process of TiO₂ → carbon clusters → Cr₂O₃ with an oxidation site at TiO₂ particles and a reduction site at Cr₂O₃ particles. The preliminary experimental results show that the calcined materials could decompose methylene blue under visible-light irradiation.     

Effects of γ rays irradiation on structure and property of TiO2 thin films

TiO₂ thin films were deposited on a glass substrate by the radio frequency magnetron sputtering method, and annealed for 2 h at temperatures of 550°C. Then, ⁶⁰Co γ rays with different doses were used to irradiate the resulting TiO₂ thin films. The surface features of films before and after irradiation were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Simultaneously, the crystal structure and optical properties of films before and after irradiation were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–VIS transmission spectrum and Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum, respectively. The SEM analysis shows that the film is smooth with tiny particles on the film surface, and non-crystallization trend was clear after irradiated with γ rays. The XRD results indicated that the structure of the film at the room temperature mainly exists in the form of amorphous and mixed crystal at a sputtering power of 200 W, and non-crystallinity was more obvious after irradiation. Obvious difference can be found for the transmissibility of the irradiated and pre irradiation TiO₂ films by the UV-VIS spectra. The color becomes light yellow, and the new absorption edge also appeared at about 430 nm. PL spectra and photocatalysis experiments indicate that the photocatalysis degradation rate of the TiO₂ films on methylthionine chloride solution irradiated with the maximum dose can be increased to 90%.     

The effect of surface modification by nitrogen plasma on photocatalytic degradation of polyvinyl chloride films

The solid-phase photocatalytic degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films was investigated under the ambient air in order to assess the feasibility of developing photodegradable polymers. Nitrogen plasma was used to modify PVC films to enhance the photocatalytic degradation of PVC with nano-sized anatase TiO₂. The plasma parameter varied in this study is discharge power from 30 to 120 W for a constant treatment time of 60 s and a constant gas pressure of 10 Pa. The photodegradation of the plasma-treated PVC-TiO₂ films was compared with that of pure PVC films and PVC-TiO₂ films performing weight loss monitoring, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, contact angle measurements, electron spin resonance (ESR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The wettability of the plasma-treated PVC is improved significantly. ESR revealed that the signal of radicals on the surface of the plasma-treated PVC film was enhanced after the treatment. Furthermore, the weight loss indicated that TiO₂ speeds up the photocatalytic degradation of PVC chains. The SEM image of the plasma-treated PVC-TiO₂ film showed a lot of crack on the film surface after irradiation. XPS indicated that the C and Cl atomic concentration reached minimum values on the surface of plasma-treated PVC-TiO₂ under identical photocatalytic condition. The experimental results reveal that plasma treatment can obviously enhance the photocatalytic degradation of PVC.     

Nanotitania-coated multi-walled carbon nanotube composite by facile colloidal processing route for photocatalytic applications

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and titanium dioxide nanocomposites (MWCNTs/TiO₂) were fabricated by a simple novel colloidal processing route and tested as a photocatalyst for degradation of methylene blue under UV irradiation. The novel idea behind this work is to make MWCNTs and TiO₂ nanoparticle suspensions separately highly oppositely charged and utilize the electrostatic force of attraction between two entities to deposit nanotitania onto MWCNTs surface. Particle charge detector, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, energy dispersive X-rays, X-rays diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the composite. XRD and Raman spectroscopic analysis showed the crystalline structure of deposited TiO₂ over MWCNTs surface structure as anatase phase. It was found that MWCNTs/TiO₂ composite structure have much higher photocatalytic activity compared to TiO₂ nanoparticles. The composite material developed may find potential applications in the degradation of organic pollutants in aqueous medium under UV irradiation.     

Preparation and photocatalytic activity of bicrystal phase TiO2 nanotubes containing TiO2-B and anatase

Bicrystal phase TiO₂ nanotubes (NTS) containing monoclinic TiO₂-B and anatase were prepared by the hydrothermal reaction of anatase nanoparticles with NaOH aqueous solution and a heat treatment. Their structure was characterized by XRD, TEM and Raman spectra. The results showed that the bicrystal phase TiO₂ NTS were formed after calcining H₂Ti₄O₉·H₂O NTS at 573 K. The bicrystal phase TiO₂ NTS exhibit significantly higher photocatalytic activity than the single phase anatase NTS and Dessuga P-25 nanoparticles in the degradation of Methyl Orange aqueous solution under ultraviolet light irradiation, which is attributed to the large surface and interface areas of the bicrystal phase TiO₂ NTS.     

Synthesis and characterization of bamboo-like CdS/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotubes composites with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

In order to efficiently use the visible light in the photocatalytic reaction, a novel bamboo-like CdS/TiO₂ nanotubes composite was prepared by a facile chemical reduction method, in which CdS nanoparticles located in the TiO₂ nanotubes. The composition and structure of this nanocomposite were characterized by TEM, HRTEM, XRD, XPS, FTIR and UV-vis spectroscopy. This CdS/TiO₂ nanotubes composite exhibited much higher visible-light photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue than pure TiO₂ nanotubes and CdS nanoparticles, and the highest photodegradation efficiency after 6 h irradiation can reach 84.5%. It is inferred that the unique structure of CdS/TiO₂ nanotubes composites acts an important role for the improvement of their photocatalytic activity.     

Synthesis and characterization of TiO2/MoO3/carbon clusters composite material

Nano-sized TiO₂/MoO₃/carbon clusters composite material has been successfully obtained by the calcinations of a TiO(acac)₂/MoO₂(acac)₂/epoxy resin complex under an oxygen atmosphere. The compositions of the resulting composite materials were determined using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy, elemental analysis and surface characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of the composites were also measured. ESR spectra of the composite materials suggest that they have visible light-responsive catalytic ability with an electron transfer process of carbon clusters → MoO₃ → carbon clusters → TiO₂.     

Surface functionalisation of polymer nanofibres by sputter coating of titanium dioxide

The surface properties of nanofibres are of importance in various applications. In this work, electrospun polyamide nanofibres were used as substrates for creating functional nanostructures on the nanofibre surfaces. A RF magnetron sputter coating was used to deposit the functional layer of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) onto the nanofibres. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) were employed to study the topography, grain structure and wetting of the nanofibre surfaces, respectively. The AFM results indicated a significant difference in the morphology of the nanofibres before and after the TiO₂ sputter coating. The XRD analysis showed the amorphous structures of the TiO₂ deposition layer. XPS spectra reflected the chemical features of the deposited nanostructures. The ESEM observation revealed that the surface wettability of TiO₂ sputter coated nanofibres was significantly improved after UV irradiation.     

Combined ultrasonic and gamma-irradiation to prepare TiO2@PET-g-PAAc fabric composite for self-cleaning application

The grafting of polyacrylic acid (PAAc) onto the fabric of Poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET) was loaded with TiO₂ by a mixture sonication of TiO₂ dispersed in AAc dissolved in acetone solvent. Ultrasonic irradiation was utilized as a tool for a good dispersion of TiO₂ onto the PET fabric. The grafted PET fabrics with acrylic acid AAc monomer were successfully obtained using gamma-ray induced graft polymerization, the degree of grafting PET-g-PAAc fiber was 105%. The chemical compositions and crystal structure of grafted TiO₂@PET-g-PAAc fabrics were characterized by ATR-FTIR and XRD. It was found that loading of PET fiber with in TiO₂ particles showing the formation of anatase and rutile as performed by XRD. The thermal property of TiO₂@PET-g-PAAc was investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA). The obtained result indicated the thermal property of the grafted TiO₂@PET-g-PAAc was increased. Image of scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicated the good adherent and good distribution of PAAc and TiO₂ with PET fabric. The self-cleaning property of TiO₂@PET-g-PAAc has been evaluated by using three kinds of dyes as models.     

Structural, photochemical and photocatalytic properties of zirconium oxide doped TiO2 nanocrystallites

Composite photocatalysts composed of TiO₂ and ZrO₂ have been prepared via the sol-gel method. The as-prepared nanocomposites are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis spectrometry and fluorescence emission spectra. The results shows that TiO₂/ZrO₂ nanocomposites are composed of mainly anatase titania and tetragonal ZrO₂. Incorporating TiO₂ particles with ZrO₂ plays an important role in promoting the formation of nanoparticles with an anatase structure and leads to decreased fluorescence emission intensity. Most of the TiO₂/ZrO₂ nanocomposites exhibited comparable photocatalytic activity compared with commercial TiO₂ for the degradation aqueous methyl orange (MO) under ultraviolet irradiation, while the composite with Zr/Ti mass ratio of 15.2% shows the highest photocatalytic performances. Furthermore, the as-prepared nanocomposites can be reused with little photocatalytic activity loss. Without any further treatment besides rinsing, the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂/ZrO₂ (15.2%) composites is still higher than after five-cycle utilization.     

Synthesis of anatase titania-carbon nanotubes nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic activity through a nanocoating-hydrothermal process

Anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles were covalently anchored onto acid-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) through a nanocoating-hydrothermal process to obtain TiO₂-MWNTs nanocomposites. The composition and structural properties of the nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, BET, TG, TEM, HRTEM, EDX, XPS, and FTIR, and the formation of ester-bond linkage between TiO₂ nanoparticles and MWNTs was demonstrated. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of TiO₂-MWNTs nanocomposites was probed by photodegradation reaction of methylene blue under visible-light irradiation.     

Photooxidation of different organic dyes (RB, MO, TB, and BG) using Fe(III)-doped TiO2 nanophotocatalyst prepared by novel chemical method

The nano-structured Fe(III)-doped TiO₂ photocatalysts with anatase phase have been developed for the oxidation of non-biodegradable different organic dyes like methyl orange (MO), rhodamine B (RB), thymol blue (TB) and bromocresol green (BG) using UV-Hg-lamp. The different compositions of Fe_xTi_1−xO₂ (x = 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1) nanocatalysts synthesized by chemical method (CM), have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra, specific surface area (BET), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) analysis, XPS, ESR and zeta potential. From XRD analysis, the results indicate that all the compositions of Fe(III) doped in TiO₂ catalysts gives only anatase phase not rutile phase. For complete degradation of all the solutions of the dyes (MO, RB, TB, and BG), the composition with x = 0.005 is more photoactive compared all other compositions of Fe_xTi_1−xO₂, and degussa P25. The decolorization rate of different dyes decreases as Fe(III) concentration in TiO₂ increases. The energy band gap of Fe(III)-doped TiO₂ is found to be 2.38 eV. The oxidation state of iron has been found to be 3+ from XPS and ESR show that Fe³⁺ is in low spin state.     

Effect of surface ethoxy groups on photoactivity of TiO2 nanocrystals

TiO₂ nanocrystals modified by ethoxy groups were prepared by a facile nonhydrolytic solvothermal method and characterized by XRD, TEM, TG-DTA and XPS, which showed an enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity on the degradation of Rhodamine B compared with TiO₂ modified by benzyloxy groups and the “naked” TiO₂. The adsorption and degradation pathway of Rhodamine B on TiO₂ modified by ethoxy groups were also investigated. The zeta-potential (ζ) results showed that the TiO₂ modified by ethoxy groups had high negative surface charge, which incited the positive -N(Et)₂ group of RhB absorbing on the TiO₂ surface and preferably led the N-dealkylation pathway under visible light irradiation.     

Comparison of photocatalytic performance of anatase TiO2 prepared by low and high temperature route

Anatase TiO₂ was prepared by a facile sol-gel method at low temperature through tailoring the pH of sol-gel without calcination. As a control, anatase TiO₂ was also synthesized by the conventional sol-gel process, in which calcination at 500 °C was required to transform the amorphous oxide into highly crystalline anatase. As-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). Their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by degradation of methyl orange under UV light irradiation. On the basis of experiment results, it could be concluded that TiO₂ prepared by low temperature route showed more advantages in small particle size, highly dispersion nature, abundance of surface hydroxyl groups, strong PL signal, and high photocatalytic activity over TiO₂ obtained by the conventional sol-gel process. Furthermore, the reason of the former possessing higher photocatalytic activity was discussed.     

Photophysical and enhanced daylight photocatalytic properties of N-doped TiO2/g-C3N4 composites

N-doped TiO₂/C₃N₄ composite samples were synthesized by heating the mixture of the hydrolysis product of TiCl₄ and C₃N₄ at different weight ratios. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectrum, UV–vis absorption spectrum, photoluminescence spectrum, X-ray photon electron spectrum (XPS) and surface photovoltage spectrum (SPS). The XRD and Raman results indicate that the introduction of C₃N₄ could inhibit the formation of rutile TiO₂. The composite samples show slight visible light absorption due to the introduction of C₃N₄. The XPS result reveals that some amount of nitrogen is doped into TiO₂, and C₃N₄ exists in the composite sample. The intensities of the SPS signal in the composite samples decrease with the rise in the amount of C₃N₄ in the samples. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated from the Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation under fluorescence light irradiation. The composite samples show significantly enhanced photocatalytic activities and the RhB self-sensitized photodegradation in this system was observed by measuring the photocurrent in the dye sensitized solar cell using the composite as the working electrode.     

Magnetic Resonance Study of Fe-Implanted TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Rutile

Single-crystal (100) and (001) TiO₂ rutile substrates have been implanted with 40 keV Fe⁺ at room temperature with high doses in the range of (0.5–1.5) × 10¹⁷ ions/cm². A ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) signal has been observed for all samples with the intensity and the out-of-plane anisotropy increasing with the implantation dose. The FMR signal has been related to the formation of a percolated metal layer consisting of close-packed iron nanoparticles in the implanted region of TiO₂ substrate. Electron spin resonance (ESR) signal of paramagnetic Fe³⁺ ions substituting Ti⁴⁺ positions in the TiO₂ rutile structure has been also observed. The dependences of FMR resonance fields on the DC magnetic field orientation reveal a strong in-plane anisotropy for both (100) and (001) substrate planes. An origin of the in-plane anisotropy of FMR signal is attributed to the textured growth of the iron nanoparticles. As result of the nanoparticle growth aligned with respect to the structure of the rutile host, the in-plane magnetic anisotropy of the samples reflects the symmetry of the crystal structure of the TiO₂ substrates. Crystallographic directions of the preferential growth of iron nanoparticles have been determined by computer modeling of anisotropic ESR signal of substitutional Fe³⁺ ions.     

Fabrication of Fe-doped TiO2 nanoparticles and investigation of photocatalytic decolorization of reactive red 198 under visible light irradiation

In this research, Fe-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles with various Fe concentrations (0. 0.1, 1, 5 and 10 wt%) were prepared by a sol–gel method. Then, nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), BET surface area, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The photocatalytic activity of the nano-particles was evaluated through degradation of reactive red 198 (RR 198) under UV and visible light irradiations. XRD results revealed that all samples contained only anatase phase. DRS showed that the Fe doping in the titania induced a significant red shift of the absorption edge and then the band gap energy decreased from 3 to 2.1 eV. Photocatalytic results indicated that TiO₂ had a highest photocatalytic decolorization of the RR 198 under UV irradiation whereas photocatalytic decolorization of the RR 198 under visible irradiation increased in the presence of Fe-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles. Among the samples, Fe-1 wt% doped TiO₂ nanoparticles showed the highest photocatalytic decolorization of RR198 under visible light irradiation.     

Low temperature deposition of TiO2 thin films on polyvinyl alcohol fibers with photocatalytical and antibacterial activities

Fine particles of photoactive anatase-type TiO₂ coated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers (TiO₂/PVA) were prepared successfully via a simple dip-coating method. Tetrabutyl orthotitanate (TBOT) was hydrolyzed in presence of hydrolysis control agent tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBA)OH and the TiO₂ fine particles were crystallized under microwave (MW) irradiation. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) analyses indicated that the fine particles obtained with MW irradiation have much higher crystallinity with a single phase anatase compared with the non-MW-treated solution. The continuous layers of titania were found on PVA fibers by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The fibers with anatase coatings showed high photocatalytic property on the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) and high antibacterial activity.     

Influence of the OH groups on the photocatalytic activity and photoinduced hydrophilicity of microwave assisted sol-gel TiO2 film

In the present work the influence of the OH groups on the photocatalytic activity and the photoinduced hydrophilicity of microwave assisted sol-gel TiO₂ films was investigated. The prepared TiO₂ films were characterized using XRD and AFM. Furthermore, the surface of the TiO₂ films was examined by help of XPS in order to determine the amount of OH groups before and after UV irradiation at different humidities. The activity of the TiO₂ films was determined using stearic acid as a model compound and the photoinduced superhydrophilicity was investigated through contact angle measurements.The results of this investigation showed that the microwave assisted sol-gel technique produces highly homogeneous and efficient TiO₂ films without the need for heat treatment for crystallization. Based on the conducted experiments it is suggested that the amount of OH groups on the TiO₂ surface highly influence the photocatalytic activity and the photoinduced superhydrophilicity and that the two mechanisms may be closely related. It is suggested that the superhydrophilicity is obtained through a combination of photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants and surface structural changes in form of an increased amount of OH-groups.     

The enhanced photocatalytic activity of CdS/TiO2 nanocomposites by controlling CdS dispersion on TiO2 nanotubes

CdS/TiO₂ nanocomposites were prepared via a simple wet chemical method, and characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Their ability to degrade Acid Rhodamine B was investigated under visible light irradiation. The results indicate that CdS/TiO₂ nanocomposite with a mass ratio of 4:1(TiO₂:CdS) showed high photocatalytic activity and the CdS loaded on TiO₂ nanotube surface exhibited a hexagonal phase. The dispersion of CdS on TiO₂ nanotube surface had an important effect on the degradation efficiency of pollutant, which provides a strategy for practical industry application.