The nitrogen-boron paramagnetic center in visible light sensitized N-B co-doped TiO(2). Experimental and theoretical characterization

Nitrogen boron co-doped TiO(2) prepared via sol-gel synthesis and active under visible light, contains two types of paramagnetic extrinsic defects, both exhibiting a well resolved EPR spectrum. The first center is the well characterized [N(i)O]˙ species (i = interstitial) also present in N-doped TiO(2), while the second one involves both N and B. This latter center (labeled [NOB]˙) exhibits well resolved EPR spectra obtained using either (14)N or (15)N which show a high spin density in a N 2p orbital. The structure of the [NOB]˙ species is different from that previously proposed in the literature and is actually based on the presence of interstitial N and B atoms both bound to the same lattice oxygen ion. The interstitial B is also linked to two other lattice oxygen ions reproducing the trigonal planar structure typical of boron compounds. The energy level of the [NOB]˙ center lies near the edge of the valence band of TiO(2) and, as such, does not contribute to the visible light absorption. However, [NOB]˙ can easily trap one electron generating the [NOB](-) diamagnetic center which introduces a gap state at about 0.4 eV above the top of the valence band. This latter species can contribute to the visible light activity.     

Mechanistic studies of the photocatalytic oxidation of trichloroethylene with visible-light-driven N-doped TiO2 photocatalysts

Visible-light-driven TiO2 photocatalysts doped with nitrogen have been prepared as powders and thin films in a cylindrical tubular furnace under a stream of ammonia gas. The photocatalysts thus obtained were found to have a band-gap energy of 2.95 eV. Electron spin resonance (ESR) under irradiation with visible light (lambda > or = 430 nm) afforded the increase in intensity in the visible-light region. The concentration of trapped holes was about fourfold higher than that of trapped electrons. Nitrogen-doped TiO2 has been used to investigate mechanistically the photocatalytic oxidation of trichloroethylene (TCE) under irradiation with visible light (lambda > or = 420 nm). Cl and O radicals, which contribute significantly to the generation of dichloroacetyl chloride (DCAC) in the photocatalytic oxidation of TCE under UV irradiation, were found to be deactivated under irradiation with visible light. As the main by-product, only phosgene was detected in the photocatalytic oxidation of TCE under irradiation with visible light. Thus, the reaction mechanism of TCE photooxidation under irradiation with visible light clearly differs markedly from that under UV irradiation. Based on the results of the present study, we propose a new reaction mechanism and adsorbed species for the photocatalytic oxidation of TCE under irradiation with visible light. The energy band for TiO2 by doping with nitrogen may involve an isolated band above the valence band.     

Pd/N共掺杂TiO_2的制备及其光催化活性

将纳米管TiO2浸入含尿素和硝酸钯的乙醇溶液中,将乙醇超声挥发后所得样品先在空气中600℃下煅烧,再在H2气氛中400℃中热还原,得到Pd/N共掺杂TiO2.分别采用DRS、X射线衍射仪及X射线光电子能谱仪分析了掺杂TiO2样品的光吸收能力、晶体结构及表面化学组成;并评价了其对紫外光和可见光照下丙烯降解反应的催化活性.结果表明,共掺杂TiO2样品的活性优于单一Pd或N掺杂TiO2.其原因在于,Pd和N共掺杂具有协同作用,从而共同提高了TiO2的光催化活性.     

反应磁控溅射法制备的氮掺杂TiO2光催化膜的氮化学态和光催化活性

 采用中频交流磁控溅射法,以O2/N2混和气为反应气体,在铝片上沉积了氮掺杂TiO2膜. 利用原子力显微镜、紫外-可见光谱、X射线衍射和X射线光电子能谱等手段研究了掺杂膜的表面形貌、光吸收性能、物相组成以及膜样品中氮的化学态,并通过苯甲酰胺的光催化降解实验对光催化剂活性进行了评价. 结果表明,所得掺杂膜仅能够被紫外光所激发,反应气的配比对膜的形貌和TiO2的锐钛矿/金红石相比率均有影响,而氮在膜中以掺杂N3-、表面吸附N2和固溶N2的形式存在. 随着N3-掺入量的增加,掺杂膜的光催化活性显著提高,在反应气体组成为N2/(O2+N2)=80%(体积分数)时,掺杂N3-量为0.594%,苯甲酰胺光催化降解效果最好,其活性约为纯TiO2膜的1.5倍.     

Visible light-induced degradation of ethylene glycol on nitrogen-doped TiO2 powders

The photocatalytic degradation processes of ethylene glycol (EG) during the UV or visible light irradiation of pure anatase and nitrogen (N)-doped TiO2 powders (TiO(2-x)N(x), x = 0, 0.002, 0.003, and 0.007) were investigated using time-resolved diffuse reflectance (TDR) and solid-state NMR spectroscopies. The TDR spectra and time traces observed for the charge carriers indicated that the scavenging of photogenerated holes (h+) by EG occurred during the 355-nm laser photolysis of the N-doped TiO2 powders, while no direct oxidation reaction of EG by h+ occurred during the 460-nm laser photolysis, although the charge carriers were sufficiently generated upon excitation. The solid-state magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR measurements revealed that EG is preferentially chemisorbed on the surface of the N-doped TiO2 powders, in contrast to the pure TiO2, and degrades under visible light irradiation.     

Active oxygen species (1O2, O2*-) generation in the system of TiO2 colloid sensitized by hypocrellin B

TiO2 semiconductor colloids have been successfully employed in environmental clean-up, antibacterial and bactericidal action under ultraviolet light due to its strong redox ability and high yield of active oxygen species (1O2, O2*-), *OOH) generation. Hypocrellin B, isolated from Hypocrella bambusae (B.et.Br) Sacc, a natural pigment with strong and broad absorption over the visible light region, was used in our work in an attempt to extend the photoresponse of TiO2 to visible light and maintain the high generation of active oxygen under visible light illumination. The formation of the HB-TiO2 chelate was characterized by UV-Vis and surface enhanced raman spectroscopy (SERS) and it was found that the chelate still had high efficiency of active oxygen generation. The possible generation mechanism was explored by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and time-resolved transient spectra techniques, showing that singlet oxygen (1O2) and superoxide radical anion (O2*-)) were produced via energy transfer and electron transfer, respectively. The application of HB-TiO2 chelate in environment protection and bacteria sterilization was implied.     

Visible light active platinum-ion-doped TiO2 photocatalyst

Platinum-ion-doped TiO2 (Pt(ion)-TiO2) was synthesized by a sol-gel method, and its visible light photocatalytic activities were successfully demonstrated for the oxidative and reductive degradation of chlorinated organic compounds. Pt(ion)-TiO2 exhibited a yellow-brown color, and its band gap was lower than that of undoped TiO2 by about 0.2 eV. The flat band potential of Pt(ion)-TiO2 was positively shifted by 50 mV compared with that of undoped TiO2. X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses showed that the Pt ions substituted in the TiO2 lattice were present mainly in the Pt(IV) state with some Pt(II) on the sample surface. Pt(ion)-TiO2 exhibited higher photocatalytic activities than undoped TiO2 under UV irradiation as well. The visible light activity of Pt(ion)-TiO2 was strongly affected by the calcination temperature and the concentration of Pt ion dopant, which were optimal at 673 K and 0.5 atom %, respectively. Under visible irradiation, Pt(ion)-TiO2 degraded dichloroacetate and 4-chlorophenol through an oxidative path and trichloroacetate via a reductive path. The activity of Pt(ion)-TiO2 was not reduced when used repeatedly under visible light. However, visible-light-illuminated Pt(ion)-TiO2 could not degrade substrates such as tetramethylammonium and trichloroethylene, which are degraded with UV-illuminated TiO2. The characteristics and reactivities of Pt(ion)-TiO2 as a new visible light photocatalyst were investigated in various ways and discussed in detail.     

Adsorption and solar light decomposition of acetone on anatase TiO2 and niobium doped TiO2 thin films

Adsorption and solar light decomposition of acetone was studied on nanostructured anatase TiO2 and Nb-doped TiO2 films made by sol-gel methods (10 and 20 mol % NbO2.5). A detailed characterization of the film materials show that films contain only nanoparticles with the anatase modification with pentavalent Nb oxide dissolved into the anatase structure, which is interpreted as formation of substituted Nb=O clusters in the anatase lattice. The Nb-doped films displayed a slight yellow color and an enhanced the visible light absorption with a red-shift of the optical absorption edge from 394 nm for the pure TiO2 film to 411 nm for 20 mol % NbO2.5. In-situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) transmission spectroscopy shows that acetone adsorbs associatively with eta1-coordination to the surface cations on all films. On Nb-doped TiO2 films, the carbonyl bonding to the surface is stabilized, which is evidenced by a lowering of the nu(C=O) frequency by about 20 cm(-1) to 1672 cm(-1). Upon solar light illumination acetone is readily decomposed on TiO2, and stable surface coordinated intermediates are formed. The decomposition rate is an order of magnitude smaller on the Nb-doped films despite an enhanced visible light absorption in these materials. The quantum yield is determined to be 0.053, 0.004 and 0.002 for the pure, 10% Nb:TiO2, and 20%Nb:TiO2, respectively. Using an interplay between FTIR and DFT calculations we show that the key surface intermediates are bidentate bridged formate and carbonate, and H-bonded bicarbonate, respectively, whose concentration on the surface can be correlated with their heats of formation and bond strength to coordinatively unsaturated surface Ti and Nb atoms at the surface. The oxidation rate of these intermediates is substantially slower than the initial acetone decomposition rate, and limits the total oxidation rate at t>7 min on TiO2, while no decrease of the rate is observed on the Nb-doped films. The rate of degradation of key surface intermediates is different on pure TiO2 and Nb-doped TiO2, but cannot explain the overall lower total oxidation rate for the Nb-doped films. Instead the inferior photocatalytic activity in Nb-doped TiO2 is attributed to an enhanced electron-hole pair recombination rate due to Nb=O cluster and cation vacancy formation.     

Preparation of nitrogen-substituted TiO2 thin film photocatalysts by the radio frequency magnetron sputtering deposition method and their photocatalytic reactivity under visible light irradiation

Nitrogen-substituted TiO2 (N-TiO2) thin film photocatalysts have been prepared by a radio frequency magnetron sputtering (RF-MS) deposition method using a N2/Ar mixture sputtering gas. The effect of the concentration of substituted nitrogen on the characteristics of the N-TiO2 thin films was investigated by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The absorption band of the N-TiO2 thin film was found to shift smoothly to visible light regions up to 550 nm, its extent depending on the concentration of nitrogen substituted within the TiO2 lattice in a range of 2.0-16.5%. The N-TiO2 thin film photocatalyst with a nitrogen concentration of 6.0% exhibited the highest reactivity for the photocatalytic oxidation of 2-propanol diluted in water even under visible (lambda > or = 450 nm) or solar light irradiation. Moreover, N-TiO2 thin film photocatalysts prepared on conducting glass electrodes showed anodic photocurrents attributed to the photooxidation of water under visible light, its extent depending on wavelengths up to 550 nm. The absorbed photon to current conversion efficiencies reached 25.2% and 22.4% under UV (lambda = 360 nm) and visible light (lambda = 420 nm), respectively. UV-vis and photoelectrochemical investigations also confirmed that these thin films remain thermodynamically and mechanically stable even under heat treatment at 673 K. In addition, XPS and XRD studies revealed that a significantly high substitution of the lattice O atoms of the TiO2 with the N atoms plays a crucial role in the band gap narrowing of the TiO2 thin films, enabling them to absorb and operate under visible light irradiation as a highly reactive, effective photocatalyst.     

Efficient degradation of toxic organic pollutants with Ni2O3/TiO(2-x)Bx under visible irradiation

To promote efficient use of solar energy, many studies have focused on the modification of TiO2 to extend its spectral response to visible region. Here we report a combined modification of TiO2 by two components: the nonmetal element boron and the metal oxide Ni2O3. The photocatalyst presents high photocatalytic activity in the visible region, which can efficiently degrade and mineralize toxic organic pollutants such as trichlorophenol (TCP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), and sodium benzoate. The dechlorination and mineralization results indicate the photocatalytic pathway via visible light excitation. The study demonstrates that the modification of TiO2 both to extend its spectral response to the visible region and to improve its catalytic efficiency can be achieved by doping with boron, a nonmetal, and Ni2O3, a metal oxide.     

Highly active TiO2N photocatalysts prepared by treating TiO2 precursors in NH3/ethanol fluid under supercritical conditions

N-doped TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by pretreating the TiO2 precursor in NH3/ethanol fluid under supercritical conditions, denoted as TiO2N(SC). In contrast to the TiO2N(DC), obtained via direct calcination in which the N dopants were mainly present in the form of surface adsorbed NH3 molecules, most N dopants in the TiO2N(SC) were present in O-Ti-N and N-Ti-N nitrides, as confirmed by either the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and or the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. During liquid-phase oxidative degradation of phenol under irradiation with UV light characteristic of 365 nm, the TiO2N(SC) exhibited much higher activity than either the TiO2N(DC) or the TiO2(SC), i.e., the undoped TiO2 obtained under SCs. According to various characterizations including X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, FTIR, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, XPS, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra, the higher activity of the TiO2N(SC) could be attributed to its higher surface area, larger pore volume, well-crystallized anatase, and stronger absorbance of light with longer wavelength. Meanwhile, the OH species resulted from the nitridation of TiO2 could supply more HO* radicals, which were considered as powerful oxidants during phenol degradation. Furthermore, the electron-deficient nitrogen atoms in O-Ti-N nitrides could also account for the higher activity since it could inhibit the recombination between the photoinduced electrons and holes by capturing the photoinduced electrons. The activity of the TiO2N(SC) first increased and then decreased with the increase of the N-content. The TiO2N(SC)-1 with N/Ti molar ratio of 1.73% exhibited maximum activity, which was even much higher than P-25.     

Enhancing visible light photo-oxidation of water with TiO2 nanowire arrays via cotreatment with H2 and NH3: synergistic effects between Ti3+ and N

We report a synergistic effect involving hydrogenation and nitridation cotreatment of TiO(2) nanowire (NW) arrays that improves the water photo-oxidation performance under visible light illumination. The visible light (>420 nm) photocurrent of the cotreated TiO(2) is 0.16 mA/cm(2) and accounts for 41% of the total photocurrent under simulated AM 1.5 G illumination. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy reveals that the concentration of Ti(3+) species in the bulk of the TiO(2) following hydrogenation and nitridation cotreatment is significantly higher than that of the sample treated solely with ammonia. It is believed that the interaction between the N-dopant and Ti(3+) is the key to the extension of the active spectrum and the superior visible light water photo-oxidation activity of the hydrogenation and nitridation cotreated TiO(2) NW arrays.     

Origin of photoactivity of nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide under visible light

Nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (N-TiO2), a photocatalytic material active in visible light, has been investigated by a combined experimental and theoretical approach. The material contains single-atom nitrogen impurities that form either diamagnetic (Nb-) or paramagnetic (Nb*) bulk centers. Both types of Nb centers give rise to localized states in the band gap of the oxide. The relative abundance of these species depends on the oxidation state of the solid, as, upon reduction, electron transfer from Ti3+ ions to Nb* results in the formation of Ti4+ and Nb-. EPR spectra measured under irradiation show that Nb centers are responsible for visible light absorption with promotion of electrons from the band gap localized states to the conduction band or to surface-adsorbed electron scavengers. These results provide a characterization of the electronic states associated with N impurities in TiO2 and, for the first time, a picture of the processes occurring in the solid under irradiation with visible light.     

具有可见光响应的C、N共掺杂TiO2纳米管光催化剂的制备

为了提高二氧化钛对可见光的利用效率,采用等离子体电解方法对二氧化钛实现了C、N共掺杂.掺杂通过等离子体电解HCONH2、NaNO2、(NH2)2CO产生活性N、C实现.XPS结果表明,C、N掺杂进入了氧化钛晶格.紫外漫反射光谱分析表明,氧化钛对可见光(＞400 nm)的响应增强,其光催化降解能力也大大增强.C、N共掺杂TiO2是一种利用太阳能的理想的光催化剂.     

SiO2负载的TiO2光催化剂可见光催化降解染料污染物

 采用酸催化溶胶-凝胶法制备了SiO2负载的TiO2光催化剂,考察了制备条件对负载型TiO2光催化剂的晶相、结构、比表面积和可见光催化活性的影响. 结果表明,采用SiO2为载体时,TiO2以纳米颗粒的形态分散在载体表面,负载型TiO2/SiO2催化剂的比表面积大、等电点低而且热稳定性能良好. 偶氮染料酸性橙7的可见光催化降解实验结果表明,染料污染物在催化剂表面的吸附是影响催化剂可见光催化活性的重要因素. 与试剂TiO2样品相比,负载型TiO2/SiO2光催化剂具有更好的光催化活性和沉降性能.     

蛋氨酸改性TiO2空心纳米盒高效可见光催化RhB分解和NO氧化

由高能面 TiO2纳米片 (TiO2-NSs) 组装成的 TiO2空心纳米盒 (TiO2-HNBs)显示出比单独 TiO2-NSs 更强的光催化性能, 但是 TiO2-HNBs 依然属于紫外光催化剂, 无法充分利用太阳能. 因此, 开发具有可见光响应的由高能面 TiO2-NSs 组装而成的 TiO2-HNBs 具有重要意义. 本文将立方体 TiOF2与含有 N 和 S 元素的生物分子蛋氨酸混合, 通过一步焙烧制备了具有可见光响应活性的 N 和 S 元素共掺杂的 TiO2-HNBs(掺杂催化剂标记为 TMx, 未掺杂催化剂标记为 Tx, x 代表焙烧温度).由立方体 TiOF2到锐钛矿相 TiO2空心纳米盒的转变是一个自模板转化过程. 氟离子的存在降低了 TiO2高能面(001)面的表面能, 从而使得高能面 TiO2纳米片的形成变得可能. 因此, 热处理立方体 TiOF2可得到由高能面 TiO2纳米片组装的 TiO2空心纳米盒.本文系统研究了焙烧温度 (300-500 ℃) 对所制 TiO2-HNBs 结构与光催化性能的影响. 结果发现, 在 350 ℃下焙烧, TiOF2完全转化成锐钛矿相 TiO2-HNBs. 但是焙烧蛋氨酸与 TiOF2的混合物, 需 400 ℃才能完全实现 TiOF2到锐钛矿相TiO2-HNBs 的转变. 这说明蛋氨酸的加入阻碍了 TiOF2向锐钛矿相 TiO2-HNBs 的转变. XPS 结果显示, 经过 400 ℃焙烧的蛋氨酸改性样品 (TM400), N 和 S 元素成功掺入了 TiO2-HNBs 晶格, 使其产生可见光催化活性.相对于 400 ℃焙烧 TiOF2所得样品 T400, 蛋氨酸改性的 TM400 催化剂可见光降解罗丹明 B 染料 (RhB) 和 NO 氧化的性能分别提升了 1.55 倍和 2.0 倍, 这与其更强的可见光吸收性能和光生载流子分离效率有关. 400 ℃焙烧的蛋氨酸改性的 TM400 可见光催化活性稳定, 连续 5 次可见光催化 RhB 降解后, 其活性没有明显改变, 显示了潜在的应用前景.     

Mechanism of TiO2-assisted photocatalytic degradation of dyes under visible irradiation: photoelectrocatalytic study by TiO2-film electrodes

Photoelectrocatalytic degradation of various dyes under visible light irradiation with a TiO(2) nanoparticles electrode has been investigated to reveal the mechanism for TiO(2)-assisted photocatalytic degradation of dyes. The degradation of both cationic and anionic dyes at different biases, including the change in the degradation rate of the dyes and the photocurrent change with the bias potential, the degraded intermediates, the voltage-induced adsorption of dyes, the accumulation of electrons in the TiO(2) electrode, the effect of various additives such as benzoquinone (BQ) and N,N-dimethyl aniline (DMA), and the formation of active oxygen species such as O(2)(*-) and H(2)O(2) were examined by UV-visible spectroscopy, HPLC, TOC, and spin-trap ESR spectrometry. It was found that the dyes could controllably interact with the TiO(2) surface by external bias changes and charging of dyes. The cationic dyes such as RhB and MG underwent efficient mineralization at negative bias, but the N-dealkylation process predominated at positive bias under visible light irradiation. The discolorations of the anionic dyes SRB and AR could not be accelerated significantly at either negative or positive bias. At a negative bias of -0.6 V vs SCE, O(2)(*-) and dye(*+) were formed simultaneously at the electrode/electrolyte interface during degradation of cationic RhB. In the case of anionic dyes, however, it is impossible for the O(2)(*-) and dye cationic radical to coexist at the electrode/electrolyte surface. Experimental results imply both the superoxide anionic radical and the dye cationic radical are essential to the mineralization of the dyes under visible light-induced photocatalytic conditions.     

染料敏化的TiO2纳米管薄膜的光电浸润性

采用阳极氧化法在钛箔表面制备TiO2纳米管阵列, 并在其表面修饰N3染料(Ruthenium dye)作敏化剂, 用氟硅烷来提高表面疏水性, 获得超疏水薄膜. SEM测定结果表明, 纳米管薄膜具有各向异性浸润结构, 同时阳极氧化的非均匀性增加了表面的粗糙度. UV-Vis吸收光谱及电化学阻抗谱结果表明, 薄膜具有优异的光电性能. 通过施加超过一定阈值的电压, 液滴在薄膜表面由超疏水状态转变为亲水状态. 利用光电协同激励作用时, 阈值电压比单独使用电激励时降低了10 V, 这是使用高效的N3染料光电敏化层的结果.     

Photodegradation of toluene over TiO(2-x)N(x) under visible light irradiation

We report the photooxidation of toluene over nitrogen doped TiO(2) (TiO(2-x)N(x)) under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic oxidation of toluene in air over TiO(2-x)N(x) powders was studied using diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS), gas chromatography (GC), ion chromatography (IC), and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), focusing on the photocatalytic decomposition processes of toluene. Results obtained indicate that toluene, weakly adsorbed on the catalyst surface, is initially photooxidized to benzaldehyde which adsorbs onto the TiO(2-x)N(x) surface more strongly, leading to the formation of ring-opening products such as carboxylic acids and aldehydes. No gaseous intermediates were detected during the photooxidation. Major intermediates adsorbed at the catalyst surface were oxalic acid, (COOH)(2), acetic acid, CH(3)COOH, formic acid, HCOOH, and pyruvic acid, CH(3)COCOOH, whereas more complicated carboxylic species, including propionic acid, CH(3)CH(2)COOH, isovaleric acid, (CH(3))(2)CHCH(2)COOH, and succinic acid, (CH(2)COOH)(2), were also found in the early stage of the photooxidation. These intermediate products were gradually photodegraded to CO(2) and H(2)O under visible light irradiation.     

负载金的掺氮二氧化钛的制备及其可见光催化性能

以纳米管钛酸为前驱体,采用水热法先制备得到新型N掺杂二氧化钛,然后用沉积沉淀法在N掺杂二氧化钛表面负载微量贵金属Au,制备得到负载Au的掺N二氧化钛.利用TEM、XRD、XPS、ESR和DRS等手段研究了样品的形貌、晶体结构、元素化学态和光谱吸收性质.样品光催化活性通过可见光催化降解丙烯进行评价,结果表明,样品N-TiO₂和Au/N-TiO₂具有明显的可见光(λ≥420 nm)催化活性.ESR结果表明,掺氮过程中生成的束缚单电子的氧空位是样品具有可见光响应的原因.