Decontamination of textile wastewater via TiO2/activated carbon composite materials

Water scarcity and pollution rank equal to climate change as the most urgent environmental turmoil for the 21st century. To date, the percolation of textile effluents into the waterways and aquifer systems, remain an intricate conundrum abroad the nations. With the renaissance of activated carbon, there has been a steadily growing interest in the research field. Recently, the adoption of titanium dioxide, a prestigious advanced photo-catalyst which formulates the new growing branch of activated carbon composites for enhancement of adsorption rate and discoloration capacity, has attracted stern consideration and supports worldwide. Confirming the assertion, this paper presents a state of art review of titanium dioxide/activated carbon composites technology, its fundamental background studies, and environmental implications. Moreover, its major challenges together with the future expectation are summarized and discussed. Conclusively, the expanding of activated carbons composites material represents a potentially viable and powerful tool, leading to the plausible improvement of environmental conservation.     

多壁碳纳米管负载TiO2的光催化脱硝性能

采用溶胶凝胶法制备了多壁碳纳米管负载TiO₂ （MWCNTs/TiO₂）,并利用透射电镜、X射线光电子能谱、X射线衍射和紫外-可见漫反射光谱对样品进行了表征。结果表明,MWCNTs/TiO₂晶型以锐钛矿为主,MWCNTs的引入会限制TiO₂晶粒的生长。另外,MWCNTs/TiO₂的光吸收边向长波区域偏移。针对模拟烟气,在固定床光催化反应器中对采用涂覆处理的MWCNTs/TiO₂的光催化脱硝性能进行了实验研究。结果表明,NO初始浓度较低时,光催化脱硝效率较高,SO₂的存在可抑制光催化脱硝过程,而O₂及H₂O则有促进作用。在最佳实验条件（73 mg/m³ NO,8% O₂,5% H₂O）下,光催化脱硝效率可达46%。提出了光催化脱硝反应机理。     

Performance of PbO2/activated carbon hybrid supercapacitor with carbon foam substrate

PbO₂/activated carbon（AC） hybrid supercapacitor in H₂SO₄ with a carbon foam current collector is studied.The PbO₂/AC hybrid is designed with electrodeposited PbO₂ thin film as positive electrode to match with AC negative electrode.The discharge curve shows capacitive characteristics between 1.88 V and 0.65 V.The hybrid system exhibits excellent energy and power performance,with specific energy of 43.6 Wh/kg at a power density of 654.2 W/kg.The use of carbon foam current collector ensures stability of the PbO₂ electrode in H₂SO₄ environment.After 2600 deep cycles at 15 C high rate of charge/discharge,the capacity remains nearly unchanged from its initial value.     

TiO_2光电催化水处理技术研究进展

TiO2 光电催化水处理是一种电化学辅助的光催化反应技术 ,通过施加外部偏压减少光生电子和空穴的复合 ,从而提高其量子效率使有机污染物彻底矿化。本文综述了TiO2 光电催化的机理、研究进展 ,反应器开发、设计、模型化等方面存在的问题及今后深入研究的方向     

Large-surface mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles: Synthesis, growth and photocatalytic performance

This study demonstrates a facile and effective method to generate mono-dispersed titanium dioxide spheres at ambient conditions. The size of the colloids can be controlled from 60 to 500 nm by optimizing experimental parameters (e.g., concentration, time, and temperature). Anatase TiO₂ can be obtained through titanium glycolate colloids generated in acetone via two ways: water boiling approach and calcination at a high temperature of 500 °C. Particle characteristics (shape, size, and size distribution) were measured by advanced techniques, including transmission electron microscope (TEM), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), UV/Vis absorption spectrum, nitrogen gas adsorption and desorption isotherms Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurement, and X-ray diffraction technique (XRD). The possible mechanism of nucleation and growth of such colloids was discussed. The role of acetone in the formation and growth of titanium glycolate colloids was also investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Finally, the photocatalysis performance of such anatase TiO₂ particles was tested and proved to be efficient in degradation of organic dyes (e.g., phenolphthalein and methly orange).     

Photoassisted degradation of dye pollutants in aqueous TiO2 dispersions under irradiation by visible light

The photoassisted degradation of two dye compounds, erythrosine and rhodamine B, has been investigated in an aqueous TiO₂ dispersion under irradiation by visible light. The compounds can be easily decomposed photochemically by visible light, which provides possibly a new approach for the treatment of dye pollutants in wastewater.     

TiCl4溶胶凝胶法制备TiO2纳米粉体

利用TiCl4的乙醇溶液作为前驱体 ,运用溶胶凝胶法制备了TiO2 纳米粉体 .研究结果表明 ,在TiCl4与乙醇混合成溶液的过程中 ,TiCl4即与乙醇及乙醇中的微量水发生醇解和部分水解脱氯反应形成钛酸酯 .在随后的成胶化过程中 ,则主要是钛酸酯吸收气氛中的水气 ,脱去乙醇基形成Ti-OH键并发生缩脱水聚合形成无机聚合物溶胶 .增加成胶化时间 ,可以促进乙醇基的脱去和无机聚合物的形成 ,促进锐钛矿TiO2 纳米颗粒的形成     

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。     

CO2在纳米SiO2/TiO2悬浮体系中的光催化还原

用水热法合成了氧化硅改性的具有高比表面积、高催化活性的锐钛型二氧化钛, 并在其悬浮体系中将CO₂光催化还原合成甲醇. 采用XRD, TEM, 物理吸附, UV-Vis吸收光谱和FTIR等表征手段对催化剂结构特征进行了研究. 结果表明: 添加氧化硅后, 氧化硅和二氧化钛之间形成Si—O—Ti键, 抑制了TiO₂晶粒生长, 提高了锐钛型TiO₂的比表面积, 且随着含硅量的增加, SiO₂/TiO₂的UV吸收逐步蓝移, 禁带宽度增加. 还原反应结果表明: SiO₂/TiO₂具有光催化还原活性, 且随着含硅量的增加先增加后减小, 当SiO₂质量分数为3.5%时, SiO₂/TiO₂复合催化剂反应活性最强, 5 h内甲醇产量可达到21.0 mg/L, 并有少量甲醛生成.     

表面修饰多壁碳纳米管负载二氧化钛的制备及催化碳酸二甲酯与苯酚酯交换反应的性能

制备了表面修饰多壁碳纳米管负载TiO₂的催化剂,并将其应用于碳酸二甲酯与苯酚的酯交换反应. 采用X射线电子能谱、透射电子显微镜、低温N₂吸附-脱附和X射线衍射等对催化剂进行了表征. 结果表明,以低浓度的氨水（0.4%）代替去离子水作为沉淀剂时,制备的催化剂显示出更好的催化活性、分离性与重复使用性. 考察了TiO₂负载量、催化剂用量及反应时间对反应性能的影响. 在最佳反应条件下,苯酚转化率为42.5%,碳酸甲苯酯与碳酸二苯酯的总选择性达到99.9%以上. 经过4次重复使用后,催化剂的活性略有下降.     

Electrochemically assisted photocatalysis on self-organized TiO2 nanotubes

In this work we investigate influence of an externally applied bias on the photocatalytic performance of self-organized TiO₂ nanotube layers. These layers were grown by anodization of titanium in fluoride containing electrolytes and have different geometric dimensions. Since the layers are grown directly on the Ti substrate, a very good electrical backside contact is directly provided. Therefore, we use the nanotube layers/Ti structures as photo-anodes for the UV light induced photocatalytic decomposition of acid orange 7. For comparison, we use TiO₂ nanopowder (Degussa P25) compacted also on a Ti sheet. The present results demonstrate that the photocatalytic activity of self-organized TiO₂ nanotube layers can significantly be increased by electrochemical bias.     

采用溶胶-凝胶-溶剂热路径合成H3PW12O40/TiO2和H4SiW12O40/TiO2 及其光催化降解二硝基甲苯

以非离子表面活性剂P123为结构导向剂,采用溶胶-凝胶与溶解热相结合方法,制备了两类介孔材料H₃PW₁₂O₄₀/TiO₂和H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀/TiO₂,并对其进行了表征.?X射线粉末衍射和拉曼光谱分析表明,所制催化剂为锐钛矿晶型,体系中H₃PW₁₂O₄₀和H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀的Keggin结构经400?℃焙烧后仍保持完整.?H₃PW₁₂O₄₀/TiO₂和H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀/TiO₂的平均粒径分别为15.49和7.75?nm.?N₂吸附-脱附和扫描电镜结果表明,P123的加入使催化剂的粒径减小,比表面积和孔体积明显增大,其中H₃PW₁₂O₄₀/TiO₂和H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀/TiO₂的比表面积分别高达252.2和250.0?m²/g.?紫外漫反射吸收光谱表明,与纯TiO₂相比,复合催化剂的吸收光谱发生了明显的红移,且吸收强度明显增大.?催化剂对DNT降解实验表明,在最佳操作条件下降解率可高达95%.?     

TiO2/activated carbon fibers photocatalyst: Effects of coating procedures on the microstructure, adhesion property, and photocatalytic ability

In order to more easily separate TiO₂ photocatalyst from the treated wastewater, TiO₂ film was immobilized on the surface of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) by employing two kinds of coating procedures, dip-coating, and hydrothermal treatment. The effects of coating procedures on microstructure of TiO₂-coated ACFs (TiO₂/ACFs), such as morphology, porous property, crystal structure, and light absorption characteristics were investigated in detail. The adhesion property between TiO₂ film and ACFs was evaluated by ultrasonic vibration, and the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂/ACFs was tested by the photocatalytic decoloration of methylene blue solution. The results show that hydrothermal treatment presented many advantages to obtain high-performance TiO₂/ACFs photocatalyst in comparison with dip-coating. Hydrothermal treatment could improve the binding property between TiO₂ films and ACFs, which endowed the as-obtained TiO₂/ACFs photocatalyst with improved reusable performance, and TiO₂/ACFs synthesized by hydrothermal treatment presented higher photocatalytic activity.     

Preparation of degradable polypropylene by an addition of poly(ethylene oxide) microcapsule containing TiO2

In order to prepare a novel photo-degradable polypropylene (PP), an addition of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) microcapsule containing TiO₂ to PP was performed. Adsorbed H₂O in the PEO phase and the TiO₂ photocatalytically reacted, and a hydroxyl radical (OH), which initiated the PEO degradation, was produced. The degraded PEO produced an acid and an aldehyde, which were able to facilitate PP degradation. The addition of the PEO/TiO₂ microcapsule brought about the facilitative effect of the PP degradation. In addition, an addition of a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) had a potential to suppress the PP degradation initiated by the microcapsule. The suppression effect was rising by the simultaneous addition of a phenolic antioxidant in the early phase of the PP degradation. However, the simultaneous addition showed an antagonism after 4 h degradation. This behavior suggested that the HALS also worked as a neutralizer of the produced acid.     

Preparation and photocatalytic activity of TiO2-coated granular activated carbon composites by a molecular adsorption-deposition method

TiO₂ nanoparticle-coated granular activated carbon (GAC) composite photocatalysts (CPs) were successfully prepared by a molecular adsorption-deposition (MAD) method. The CPs were detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), BET surface area and UV-Vis adsorption spectroscopy, and their photoactivity was evaluated by methyl orange (MO) photodegradation. The results show that small-sized TiO₂ nanoparticles were dispersed well, deposited on the surface of GAC, and showed slight blue shift in comparison with pure TiO₂. With the increase in TiO₂ content, the CPs showed band gaps in lower energy, smaller surface areas and the higher content of Ti³⁺ ions. Compared with pure TiO₂ and others CPs samples, CPs-382 sample showed the highest photoactivity due to the optimum TiO₂ content and surface area besides the synergic effect of photocatalytic degradation of TiO₂ and adsorptive property of GAC. In addition, the CPs could be very easily reclaimed, recycled and reused for methyl orange removal while high photoactivity is preserved. Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (Grant No. 06JJ50150), the Scientific Research Fund of Science and Technology Department of Hunan Province (Grant No. 2007GK3060) and Jishou University (Grant No. JSDXKYZZ200648)     

Recent advances in heterogeneous TiO2 photocatalysis

Current progress in the area of photocatalysis is presented, particularly regarding technological applications. Highly efficient TiO₂ films on different substrates such as tile and glass have been developed for indoor environmental clean-up. TiO₂ films coated on SiO₂-precoated soda lime glass showed about 80% transparency and high photocatalytic activity towards the decomposition of thin oil films. A novel phenomenon, superhydrophilicity, has been observed on these transparent TiO₂ coatings. In addition, we have made use of a microelectrode system to monitor oxidation and reduction products separately. The mechanistic and kinetic aspects of TiO₂ photocatalysis are discussed.     

Photocatalysis of TiO2 Sheets Prepared by Templating Filter Paper

Titanium dioxide sheet photocatalysts composed of interwoven microstrips were successfully synthesized using filter paper as templates. The synthesized samples were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, surface area analyzer, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange in an aqueous solution under UV-illumination. The results demonstrated that the paper-like TiO₂ sheets with the optimum proportion of anatase/rutile (10/1) had the highest photoactivity. And the presence of the filter paper fiber can improve the crystallinity, raise the anatase-rutile transformation temperature and contribute to the formation of being paper-like. A detailed formation mechanism for TiO₂ sheets is proposed.     

Preparation of degradable polypropylene by an addition of poly(ethylene oxide) microcapsule containing TiO2 part II. Modification of calcium phosphate on the TiO2 surface and its effect

To prepare a novel photo-degradable polypropylene (PP) with a higher degradation rate, a PP composite containing a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/modified TiO₂ microcapsule was prepared. The modification of the TiO₂ was performed by the synthesis of octacalcium phosphate intercalated with succinic acid ion (OCPC) under various Ca/P molar ratio conditions. It was found that the synthesis conditions of the Ca/P = 3.5 and 3.6 M ratios were suitable to prepare the OCPC. However, the microscopic composition on the TiO₂ surface was different between these Ca/P conditions and affected the PP photo-degradation rate in the PP/PEO/modified TiO₂ composite. It was found from the Fourier Transform Infrared (IR) and the tensile testing measurements that the existence of the OCPC covering material on the TiO₂ surface brought about the higher PP photo-degradation rate. The facilitation behavior of the degradation was due to the release of the acid species (succinic acid ion) from the OCPC in the degradation process. In addition, the higher coverage of the OCPC on the TiO₂ surface brought about an induction period for the degradation.     

Effects of sintering of TiO2 particles on the mechanisms of photocatalytic degradation of organic molecules in water

Partial degradations of 4-methoxyresorcinol and p-anisyl-1-neopentyl alcohol were carried out with the PC series of photocatalysts from Millenium Chemicals and with Degussa P25. The PC series of anatase catalysts varies only in the degree of sintering, and thus particle size and type of crystal defects. The initial product distributions were not substantially sensitive to catalyst, implying that none of the major products depended on particular binding sites that could be annealed away. Rate constants varied from catalyst to catalyst, but not dramatically, on a weight-to-volume basis. Thus there was also not a direct connection between available surface area and the rate of degradation. The product distribution as a function of suspension pH is also discussed.     

Fundamental reactions in TiO2 nanocrystallite aqueous solutions studied by pulse radiolysis

Reactions of the hydrated electron, H atoms, 2-propanol, and methanol radicals with the TiO₂ nano-particles have been studied either directly or by competition kinetics. The radicals were produced by radiolysis of 2-propanol, t-butanol, or methanol aqueous solutions in acid pH's. The reactions involve electron injection to the conduction band. As expected, the t-butanol radical is inert towards TiO₂ under our conditions, while the other reducing radicals react with TiO₂. The reactivity decreases in the order: e_aq⁻>H>CH₃COHCH₃>CH₂OH. Two TiO₂ nanocrystallite sizes, with average diameters of 1.0 and 4.7 nm were compared. For equal concentrations (in terms of TiO₂ molecules), the rate of electron injection shows relatively little dependency on particle size. The rates of interfacial electron transfer and transfer coefficient are also reported.