A sol–gel combustion synthesis method for TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> powders with enhanced photocatalytic activity

TiO₂ photocatalytic powders were synthesized by a sol–gel combustion synthesis method in which urea was used as the fuel and titanyl nitrate was used as the oxidizer. Various fuel-to-oxidizer ratios were studied for their effects on the combustion phenomena and the properties of the synthesized TiO₂. The fuel-to-oxidizer ratio was found to determine the maximum combustion temperature, which in turn affects the specific surface area, crystallite size, and weight fraction of anatase phase of the synthesized TiO₂. The synthesized TiO₂ all contain carbonaceous species and are either pure anatase or anatase–rutile mixed phase in crystalline structure. The photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂ was found to correlate to a certain degree with the specific surface area, crystallite size, weight fraction of anatase phase, and visible and IR absorbances. The mixed phase TiO₂ shows a higher photocatalytic activity than the pure anatase phase TiO₂ when containing a small fraction (<~25 wt%) of rutile phase but a lower phoyocatalytic activity when containing a large fraction (>~25 wt%) of rutile phase. The synthesized TiO₂ all show higher photocatalytic activity than Degussa P25 TiO₂. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed mainly to sensitization by the carbonaceous species and larger amounts of hydroxyl group adsorbed on the TiO₂ surface.     

Preparation and photocatalytic activity of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> films with Ni nanoparticles

Titania thin films were synthesized by sol–gel dip-coating method with metallic Ni nanoparticles synthesized separately from an organometallic precursor Ni(COD)₂ (COD = cycloocta-1,5-diene) in presence of 1,3-diaminopropane as a stabilizer. Titania was obtained from a titanium isopropoxide precursor solution in presence of acetic acid. A Ni/TiO₂ sol system was used to coat glass substrate spheres (6, 4 and 3 mm diameter sizes), and further heat treatment at 400 °C was carried out to promote the crystallization of titania. XRD analysis of the TiO₂ films revealed the crystallization of the anatase phase. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and High Resolution TEM studies of Ni nanoparticles before mixing with the TiO₂ solution revealed the formation of Ni nanostructures with an average size of 5–10 nm. High-angle annular dark-field images of the Ni/TiO₂ system revealed well-dispersed Ni nanoparticles supported on TiO₂ and confirmed by AFM analysis. The photocatalytic activity of the Ni/TiO₂ films was evaluated in hydrogen evolution from the decomposition of ethanol using a mercury lamp for UV light irradiation. Titania films in presence of Ni nanoparticles show higher efficiency in their photocatalytic properties in comparison with TiO₂.     

Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Reactive Dyes over MnTiO3/TiO2 Heterojunction Composites Under UV‐Visible Irradiation

In this study, the photocatalytic degradation of organic reactive dyes have been investigated using MnTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction composites in the presence of electron acceptors under UV‐Visible light irradiation. This MnTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction composites were prepared by annealing different mass ratios of pyrophanite MnTiO₃ (3–11 wt%) and TiO₂ at 300°C. All the MnTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction composites were characterized by spectral techniques like X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and diffused reflectance UV‐visible spectroscopic analysis (DRS). Among them, 9 wt% MnTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction composites exhibited higher photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Reactive Blue 4 (RB 4). The photocatalytic efficiency of 9 wt% MnTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction composites was further enhanced by the addition of substantial amount of electron acceptors like hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and ammonium peroxydisulfate ([NH₄]₂S₂O₈). The presence of oxidants (electron acceptors) facilitates the fast degradation of dye solution even in higher concentration upto 200 mg/L. The photocatalytic activity of MnTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction composites was also studied for the degradation of other four different structured reactive dyes. The extent of mineralization of these organic reactive dyes during photocatalytic degradation was estimated from COD analysis. MnTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction composites was also found to have good photostability in the presence of oxidants.     

Design of highly ordered Ag-SrTiO3 nanotube arrays for photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange

Ag-SrTiO₃ nanotube arrays were successfully prepared for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under ultraviolet irradiation. In order to form highly ordered SrTiO₃ nanotube arrays, the preparation of TiO₂ nanotube arrays by anodic oxidation of titanium foil in different electrolytes was investigated. The selected organic solvents in electrolytes include glycerol, dimethyl sulfoxide and glycol. The results indicate that the morphology of TiO₂ nanotube arrays prepared in glycol containing ammonium fluoride electrolyte is more regular. Then SrTiO₃ nanotube arrays were synthesized by a hydrothermal method using TiO₂ nanotube arrays as the precursor. In order to further improve the photocatalytic activity of SrTiO₃ nanotube arrays, Ag nanoparticles were loaded on SrTiO₃ nanotube arrays by two sets of experiments. The loaded Ag results in an enhancement of photocatalytic activity of SrTiO₃ nanotube arrays. Moreover, the effect of pH on the photocatalytic degradation of MO was also studied.     

Role of ammonium ions on the stability of TiO2 sol

In this paper, the role of the trace ammonium ions on the stability of TiO₂ sol prepared by peroxo titanic acid (PTA) sol was investigated. The results showed that the removal of ammonium ions in PTA sol is beneficial to reduce agglomeration and increase the negative charge on the surface of TiO₂ colloidal particles, contributing to the higher stability and longer storage time of the TiO₂ sol. It was also approved by the increase of interaction energy calculated by classical DLVO theory. In addition, the photocatalytic performance of TiO₂ sol was improved due to the decrease of aggregation of TiO₂ colloidal particles.     

Preparation and photocatalytic activity of B,Ce Co-doped TiO2 hollow fibers photocatalyst

A series of B, Ce co-doped TiO₂ (B, Ce-TiO₂) photocatalytic materials with a hollow fiber structure were successfully prepared by template method using boric acid, ammonium ceric nitrate and tetrabutyltitanate as precursors and cotton fibers as template, followed by calcination at 500°C in an N₂ atmosphere for 2 h. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements, and UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) were employed to characterize the morphology, crystal structure, surface structure, and optical absorption properties of the samples. The photocatalytic performance of the samples was studied by photodegradation phenol in water under UV light irradiation. The results showed that the TiO₂ fiber materials have hollow structures, and the fiber structure materials showed better photocatalytic properties for the degradation of phenol than pure TiO₂ under UV light. In the experiment condition, the photocatalytic activity of B, Ce co-doped TiO₂ fibers was optimal of all the prepared samples. In addition, the possibility of cyclic usage of B, Ce co-doped TiO₂ fiber photocatalyst was also confirmed, the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ fibers remained above 90% of that of the fresh sample after being used four times. The material was easily removed by centrifugal separation from the medium. It can therefore be potentially applied for the treatment of water contaminated by organic pollutants.     

Effects of NH 4 + and Cl− on the preparation of nanocrystalline TiO2 by hydrothermal method

Nanocrystalline TiO₂ powders with different morphologies and grain sizes were successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal method. Different concentrations of hydrochloric acid (HCl), ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl), ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄], and ammonium carbonate [(NH₄)₂CO₃] were used as additives in the hydrothermal process to investigate the effect of the concentration of ammonium (NH ₄ ⁺ ) and chloride ions (Cl^?) on the phase compositions, morphologies, and grain sizes of the prepared TiO₂. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, and UV–Vis spectra. XRD results show that the as-synthesized powders are composed of anatase or a mixture of anatase and brookite. The grain size of the synthesized nano-TiO₂ powder ranged from 5.0 to 11.3 nm, and the related BET specific surface area varied from 127.5 to 191.0 m²/g. The photocatalytic activities of the prepared TiO₂ powders were evaluated by degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution under UV light irradiation, and the results show that the photocatalytic performance of TiO₂ powders synthesized with additives is improved compared with that of TiO₂ prepared without any additives.     

Effects of Heat Treatment on Photocatalytic Property of Sol-Gel Derived Polycrystalline TiO2

Polycrystalline TiO₂ in the bulk form was prepared by hydrothermal treatment of amorphous TiO₂ gel, and its photocatalytic activity for degradation of ethanol and physical properties were investigated after drying and calcination (300–650°C). The maximum photocatalytic activity reached when the polycrystalline TiO₂ was calcinated at temperatures from 300 to 500°C, which was almost the same as for a commercial TiO₂ powder. It was markedly reduced above 600°C. Photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ was affected by crystal growth of anatase, progress of sintering, anatase-rutile transformation and morphology of the polycrystalline TiO₂. It was a characteristic of the polycrystalline TiO₂ prepared in this study that the photocatalytic activity did not vary so much with the calcination temperature in the range of 300–500°C.     

Photo-electrochemical and photocatalytic properties of chemically-treated and thermally-annealed titanium dioxide films

Chemical treatment followed by thermal annealing of titanium dioxide nanoparticle film surfaces with urea or ammonium acetate were found to exert a profound influence on their photoelectrochemical or photocatalytic activity. These films were dip-coated over conducting substrates, then dipped in urea or ammonium acetate aqueo us solutions, and finally baked at 300 or 500°C to yield two sets of chemically-treated TiO₂ (CT-TiO₂) films. The incident photon to electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) of the CT-TiO₂ films in the near-UV region was significantly higher compared to the pristine (untreated) TiO₂ samples baked similarly at 300 or 500°C. Higher photocurrents for formate photo-oxidation were also observed for the CT-TiO₂ samples relative to their untreated TiO₂ counterparts. All the CT-TiO₂ films showed better photocatalytic activity toward Cr(VI) reduction with respect to their untreated TiO₂ counterparts. The enhanced performance of the CT-TiO₂ films was attributed to morphological changes as seen in scanning electron microscopy images. Possible reasons for the performance improvement in terms of better charge carrier separation properties of the CT-TiO₂ films are finally discussed.     

Preparation of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanofibers immobilized on quartz substrate by electrospinning for photocatalytic degradation of ranitidine

The photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ nanofibers immobilized on quartz substrates was investigated by evaluating the decomposition of organic pollutants. TiO₂ nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning the Ti-precursor/polymer mixture solution, followed by hot-pressing for enhancing the adhesion of TiO₂-nanofiber films to the substrates. TiO₂ started to crystalize in the anatase form at 500 °C and reached the optimal photocatalytic anatase/rutile phase ratio of 70:30 at a calcination temperature of 600 °C. The TiO₂-nanofiber film was demonstrated to be an efficient photocatalyst by ranitidine decomposition under UV illumination and was proven to have a comparable photocatalytic activity with the well-known Degussa P25 nanoparticulate photocatalyst and excellent recyclability during 10 cycles of photocatalytic operation, indicating no loss of TiO₂ nanofibers during photocatalytic operations.     

Preparation of uniform rhodamine B-doped SiO2/TiO2 composite microspheres

Uniform rhodamine B (RB)-doped SiO₂/TiO₂ composite microspheres with catalytic and fluorescent properties were prepared by an easy and economical method in this paper. The composite microspheres were built up with well-dispersed silica particles as the cores, RB as both the doped agent and stabilizer, and the TiO₂ shells were obtained through the hydrolysis of TiCl₄ in water bath. The morphology and structure of the particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The characterization results indicate that composite particles are all in spherical shape and have a narrow size distribution. The composite particles calcined above 500 °C reveal clear crystalline reflection peaks of the rutile TiO₂ which exhibits well catalytic property. The photocatalytic experiment was carried out in order to examine the catalytic property of composite microspheres. The fluorescent property of particles was also investigated. Dye-leakage test indicates that RB molecules entrapped in the composite particles by this method are stable inside the particles.     

Preparation and characterization of Zr doped TiO2 nanotube arrays on the titanium sheet and their enhanced photocatalytic activity

This paper described a new method for the preparation of Zr doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays by electrochemical method. TiO₂ nanotube arrays were prepared by anodization with titanium anode and platinum cathode. Afterwards, the formed TiO₂ nanotube arrays and Pt were used as cathode and anode, respectively, for preparation of Zr/TiO₂ nanotube arrays in the electrolyte of 0.1 M Zr(NO₃)₄ with different voltage and post-calcination process. The nanotube arrays were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and UV-Vis diffusion reflection spectra (DRS). The photocatalytic activities of these nanotubes were investigated with Rhodamine B as the model pollutant and the results demonstrated that the photocatalytic efficiency of Zr doped TiO₂ nanotubes was much better than that of TiO₂ nanotubes under UV irradiation. Zr/TiO₂ nanotube arrays doped at 7 V and calcined at 600 °C (denoted as TiO₂-7 V-600) achieved the best photocatalytic efficiency and the most optimal doping ratio was 0.047 (Zr/Ti). TiO₂-7 V-600 could be reused for more than 20 times and maintained good photocatalytic activities.     

Preparation and activity evaluation of relative p–n junction photocatalyst Co-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Co-TiO₂ photocatalyst was prepared by a sol–gel method using Co(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O and tetrabutyl titanate [Ti(OC₄H₉)₄] as raw materials, and Co-TiO₂/TiO₂ photocatalyst was synthesized by mixing the Co-TiO₂ sol with TiO₂ sol. The Co-TiO₂/TiO₂ was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, UV–Vis diffuse reflection spectrum, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst was evaluated by photocatalytic reduction of Cr₂O₇ ²⁻ and photocatalytic oxidation of methyl orange under UV irradiation. The results showed that, for the photocatalytic reduction of Cr₂O₇ ²⁻, the optimum percentage of Co-doped for the Co-TiO₂ was 0.5% (mole ratio of Co/Ti), and the optimum percentage of Co-TiO₂ for the Co-TiO₂/TiO₂ was 2.0% (mole ratio of Co-TiO₂/TiO₂). The photocatalytic reduction activities of the Co-TiO₂/TiO₂ and Co-TiO₂ are much higher than that of TiO₂. However, the photocatalytic oxidation activities of the Co-TiO₂/TiO₂ and Co-TiO₂ are much lower than that of TiO₂. Effects of heat treatment on the photocatalytic activities of the Co-TiO₂/TiO₂ and Co-TiO₂ were investigated. The mechanisms of influence on the photocatalytic activity were also discussed.     

Preparation of PANI-TiO2 nanocomposites and their solid-phase photocatalytic degradation

A series of polyaniline-anatase TiO₂ (PANI-TiO₂) nanocomposite powders with different PANI:TiO₂ ratios were prepared by ‘in-situ’ deposition oxidative polymerization of aniline hydrochloride using ammonium persulfate (APS) as oxidant in the presence of ultrafine grade powder of anatase TiO₂ cooled in an ice bath. And the solid-phase photocatalytic degradation of PANI-TiO₂ nanocomposites was investigated under the ambient air in order to assess the feasibility of developing photodegradable polymers. The photodegradation of the composite powders was compared with that of pure PANI powders by performing weight loss monitoring, elemental analysis, FT-IR and UV-vis spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The PANI-TiO₂ nanocomposite powders showed highly enhanced photodegradation and the photodegradation increased with decreasing ratios of PANI:TiO₂. A weight loss of about 6.8% was found for the PANI-TiO₂ (1:3) nanocomposite; however, the weight loss of the PANI-HCl powder was only 0.3% after being irradiated for 60 h under air. The photocatalytic degradation of the nanocomposite powders accompanied the peak intensity decrease in the FT-IR spectra at 1235 cm⁻¹, attributed to C-N stretching mode for benzenoid unit, and the depigmentation of the powders due to the visible light scattering from growing cavities. The elemental analysis and XPS analysis of the composite showed that the bulk and surface concentrations of N decreased with irradiation. A possible mechanism for the photocatalytical oxidative degradation was also mentioned.     

Photocatalytic activity of polyaniline/Fe-doped TiO2 composites by in situ polymerization method

This study was focused on the photocatalytic activity of polyaniline (Pani)/iron doped titanium dioxide (Fe–TiO₂) composites for the degradation of methylene blue as a model dye. TiO₂ nanoparticles were doped with iron ions (Fe) using the wet impregnation method and the doped nanoparticles were further combined with Pani via an in situ polymerization method. For comparison purposes, Pani composites were also synthesized in the presence undoped TiO₂. The photocatalyst and the composites were characterized by standard analytical techniques such as FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX and UV–Vis spectroscopies. Fe–TiO₂ and its composites exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity under ultraviolet light irradiation. Improved photocatalytic activity of Fe–TiO₂ was attributed to the dopant Fe ions hindering the recombination of the photoinduced charge carriers. Pani/Fe–TiO₂ composite with 30?wt.% of TiO₂ nanoparticles achieved 28% dye removal and the discoloration rate of methylene blue for the sample was 0.0025?min^?1. FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX and UV–Vis spectroscopies supported the idea that Fe ions integrated into TiO₂ crystal structure and Pani composites were successfully synthesized in the presence of the photocatalyst nanoparticles. The novelty of this study was to investigate the photocatalytic activity of Pani composites, containing iron doped TiO₂ and to compare their results with that of Pani/TiO₂.     

Photocatalytic production of hydrogen from water–alcohol media with the participation of mesoporous TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Samples of mesoporous TiO₂ containing 80-85% of anatase and 15-20% of rutile with average particle and pore sizes of ∼10 nm and specific surface areas of 70 m²/g were obtained. The nanohetero structures TiO₂/Cu formed during photocatalytic reduction of Cu^II exhibit photocatalytic activity in the release of hydrogen from water–ethanol mixtures. The quantum yield with respect to atomic hydrogen amounts to 1.5.     

Characterization and photocatalytic activity of Fe- and N-co-deposited TiO2 and first-principles study for electronic structure

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂), co-deposited with Fe and N, is first implanted with Fe by a metal plasma ion implantation (MPII) process and then annealed in N₂ atmosphere at a temperature regime of 400-600 °C. First-principle calculations show that the (Fe, N) co-deposited TiO₂ films produced additional band gap levels at the bottom of the conduction band (CB) and on the top of the valence band (VB). The (Fe, N) co-deposited TiO₂ films were effective in both prohibiting electron-hole recombination and generating additional Fe-O and N-Ti-O impurity levels for the TiO₂ band gap. The (Fe, N) co-deposited TiO₂ has a narrower band gap of 1.97 eV than Fe-implanted TiO₂ (3.14 eV) and N-doped TiO₂ (2.16 eV). A significant reduction of TiO₂ band gap energy from 3.22 to 1.97 eV was achieved, which resulted in the extension of photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ from UV to Vis regime. The photocatalytic activity and removal rate were approximately two-fold higher than that of the Fe-implanted TiO₂ under visible light irradiation.     

锐钛矿型多孔TiO2薄膜的溶解法制备及性能表征

在具有锐钛矿晶粒的TiO₂溶胶中加入苯丙乳液粒子，使用该混合液浸渍提拉涂膜，然后利用甲苯将薄膜中的苯丙乳液粒子溶解去除，并通过重复涂膜，在室温下获得了具有良好多孔性的锐钛矿型TiO₂薄膜。考察了多孔薄膜的表面形貌、光学性能、吸附性能和光催化性能。结果表明：随薄膜涂膜次数的增加，TiO₂多孔薄膜的吸光度增大，透光率减小，光吸收边波长向长波方向移动。罗丹明B在TiO₂多孔薄膜上的吸附量随涂膜次数的增加先升高，后降低；多次涂膜会在薄膜中产生半封闭的孔洞，经过长时间的毛细渗透等作用能进一步增加薄膜对罗丹明B的吸附。TiO₂多孔薄膜通过吸附+光催化氧化的模式快速分解罗丹明B，其活性主要受到薄膜在光催化反应初期的吸附能力的影响。此外，TiO₂的负载量、光的利用效率、以及光生电荷迁移及其分离等也是影响薄膜光催化活性的因素。     

Synthesis and photocatalytic applications of Ag/TiO2-nanotubes

TiO₂- and Ag/TiO₂-nanotubes (NTs) were synthesized by hydrothermal methods and microwave-assisted preparation, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller particle surface area measurement and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the nanotubes. Rutile TiO₂-NTs with Na₂Ti₅O₁₁ crystallinity had a length range of 200-400 nm and diameters of 10-20 nm. TiO₂- and Ag/TiO₂-NTs with a 0.4% deposition of Ag had high surface areas of 270 and 169 m² g⁻¹, respectively. The evaluation of photocatalytic activity showed that Ag/TiO₂-NTs displayed higher photocatalytic activity than pure TiO₂-NTs and a 60.91% degradation of Rhodamine-B with 0.8% deposition of Ag species. Also 60% of Rhodamine-6G was physisorbed and 40% chemisorbed on the surface of TiO₂-NTs. In addition, the photocatalytic degradations of organochlorine pesticides taking α-hexachlorobenzene (BHC) and dicofol as typical examples, were compared using Ag/TiO₂-NTs, and found that their degradations rates were all higher than those obtained from commercial TiO₂.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic activity for water-splitting reaction of nanocrystalline mesoporous titania prepared by hydrothermal method

Nanocrystalline mesoporous TiO₂ was synthesized by hydrothermal method using titanium butoxide as starting material. XRD, SEM, and TEM analyses revealed that the synthesized TiO₂ had anatase structure with crystalline size of about 8 nm. Moreover, the synthesized titania possessed a narrow pore size distribution with average pore diameter and high specific surface area of 215 m²/g. The photocatalytic activity of synthesized TiO₂ was evaluated with photocatalytic H₂ production from water-splitting reaction. The photocatalytic activity of synthesized TiO₂ treated with appropriate calcination temperature was considerably higher than that of commercial TiO₂ (Ishihara ST-01). The utilization of mesoporous TiO₂ photocatalyst with high crystallinity of anatase phase promoted great H₂ production. Furthermore, the reaction temperature significantly influences the water-splitting reaction.