Light-induced antifungal activity of TiO2 nanoparticles/ZnO nanowires

Antifungal activity of TiO₂/ZnO nanostructures under visible light irradiation was investigated. A simple chemical method was used to synthesize ZnO nanowires. Zinc acetate dihydrate, Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone and deionized water were used as precursor, capping and solvent, respectively. TiO₂ nanoparticles were deposited on ZnO nanowires using an atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition system. X-ray diffraction pattern of TiO₂/ZnO nano-composite has represented the diffraction peaks relating to the crystal planes of the TiO₂ (anatase and rutile) and ZnO. TiO₂/ZnO nanostructure antifungal effect on Candida albicans biofilms was studied and compared with the activity of TiO₂ nanoparticles and ZnO nanowires. The high efficiency photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ nanoparticles leads to increased antifungal activity of ZnO nanowires. Scanning electron microscope was utilized to study the morphology of the as prepared nanostructures and the degradation of the yeast.     

The effect of carrier gas flow on structural and optical properties of TiO2 nanowires

Optical properties and photoluminescence of TiO₂ nanowires, synthesized by two-step thermal evaporation process, under different Ar gas flow as carrier have been studied. The gas flow was varied from 50 to 150 sccm in order to find the optimum gas flow to growth TiO₂ nanowires. As evidenced by X-ray diffraction patterns, our synthesized nanowires, were found to be crystalline rutile TiO₂. Our results indicated a convenient gas flow for controlling diameter size of nanowires was about 100 sccm. In this case, diameters and lengths were, respectively, within the ranges of 40–100 and 400–1800 nm. The experimental data of the reflectance of TiO₂ nanowires have been obtained through using spectrometer of wavelength 250–800 nm that has been indicated reflectance decreasing with increasing the gas flow, due to the scattering from the surface of the nanowires and also an increase in voids’ roughness. Under excitation 370 nm, the TiO₂ nanowires can emit light peaked at 435 nm. It is believed that peak 435 may be due to free excitons emission.     

Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Property of Zn Loaded TiO2 Nanotube Arrays Electrode

采用计时电流法制备了负载Zn纳米粒子的TiO₂纳米管阵列电极．通过阳极氧化法制备TiO₂纳米管阵列电极,然后通过控制计时电流沉积时间来控制负载在TiO₂纳米管上Zn纳米颗粒的沉积量和 沉积尺寸．SEM和XRD分析结果显示,沉积时间为3～5 s时,负载在TiO₂纳米管上的Zn粒子的直径为15～25 nm．UV漫反射光谱发现负载Zn的TiO₂纳米管阵列电极比没有负载的样品吸收487～780 nm的光更强;在高压汞灯照射下,前者比后者的光电流响应提高了50%．     

A comparison between optical properties of TiO2 nanowires obtained by EMA method and experiment

Optical properties of TiO₂ nanowires, synthesized by two-step thermal evaporation process, have been studied experimentally and theoretically. Based on the theoretical method optical constants of nanowires have been calculated with the use of the effective medium approximation (EMA). As evidenced by X-ray diffraction patterns our synthesized nanowires, whose diameters and lengths were within the ranges of 50-90 nm and 500-1500 nm, respectively, were found to be crystalline rutile TiO₂ with the major refraction being along the (1 1 0) direction. The experimental data of the reflectance of TiO₂ nanowires has been obtained using spectrometer in wavelength 250-800 nm, and then, compared with the spectrum of reflectance predicted by the EMA theoretical model. Our measured experimental optical data has been found to be in good accord with our predicted results spectrum with the use of the EMA modeling; this agreement indicates that our estimation of the volume fraction from atomic force microscopy (AFM) data was accurate.     

Synthesis of anatase TiO2 nanowires by modifying TiO2 nanoparticles using the microwave heating method

Anatase TiO₂ nanowires with a diameter of 5-10 nm and length of 500 nm to 2 μm have been successfully synthesized by modifying TiO₂ nanoparticles (P25) using the microwave heating method. The microwave power, reaction pressure, and reaction time for the synthesis of TiO₂ nanowires were 500 W, 0.5-3.0 MPa (corresponding to a temperature range of 175-260), and 40-70 min, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and the BET techniques were used to investigate the phase structures, morphologies, and specific surface areas of the TiO₂ nanowires. The effects of reaction time, pressure, and different post-treatment processes on the microstructures of TiO₂ nanowires were discussed. It has been shown that the microwave heating method is efficient in transforming TiO₂ nanoparticles to anatase TiO₂ nanowires.     

Tunable photocatalytic selectivity of fluoropolymer PVDF modified TiO2

Fluoropolymer poly-vinylidene-fluoride modified TiO₂ (PVDF/TiO₂) were prepared via a simple chemisorption approach and characterized by thermo gravimetric analyse, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectra. The modified mechanism and the photocatalytic selectivity of the PVDF/TiO₂ were studied. The existence of Ti-F coordination bond on the interface between TiO₂ and PVDF was confirmed. For the PVDF modification, the photocatalytic degradation (PCD) of cationic dye was greatly enhanced, and the PCD of anionic dye was obviously inhibited. PVDF/TiO₂ shows high photocatalytic selectivity than that of TiO₂ by degrading mixed solution of cationic dyes MB and anionic dyes MO. The selectivity can be tuned by changing the PVDF modification amount.     

Bi2MoO6纳米片/TiO2纳米棒阵列复合材料的制备及其可见光响应光电催化性能研究

Novel Bi₂MoO₆/TiO₂ heterojunction was fabricated by growing Bi₂MoO₆ nanosheets arrays on the vertically aligned TiO₂ nanorods arrays via a two-step solvothermal method. The obtained Bi₂MoO₆/TiO₂ hierarchical heterojunction showed excellent visible light photoelectrochemical performance. Compared with the pure TiO₂ and Bi₂MoO₆, the photocurrent density of the heterojunction was increased 57 and 29 times, respectively. Furthermore, the hydrogen generation rate of the Bi₂MoO₆/TiO₂ for photoelectrocatalytic water-splitting was about 6 times higher than that of the pure Bi₂MoO₆. The improved performance can be attributed to the synergistic effects of enhanced absorption of visible light, increase of migration rate and separation efficiency of photo-induced carriers.     

Photoluminescence from xylene modified anatase TiO2 nanocrystals

The surface of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles was modified by xylene using soxhlet extractor. The photoluminescence (PL) of the modified nanoparticles was investigated. A stable and strong blue luminescence peak at 420 nm can be observed, and the intensity of the PL peak increases with the increase of the extraction time.     

Catalytic growth of TiO2 nanowires from a TiN thin film

We report in this work synthesis of TiO₂ nanowires from a TiN thin film overlayed with nickel. The nanowires have been analyzed with EELS, XPS, XRD and HRTEM. It has been shown that the nanowires are single-crystalline and of the rutile structure. The growth mechanism has been studied, allowing to determine in which process conditions synthesis of nanowires occurs and to propose a growth scenario.     

From anodic TiO2 nanotubes to hexagonally ordered TiO2 nanocolumns

We report on the formation of hexagonally ordered TiO₂ nanocolumnar layers by electrochemical oxidation in a fluoride containing electrolyte, using self-organizing nanotube formation conditions at elevated potentials and low temperatures. The influence of the substrate temperature on the nanocolumn morphology and composition is investigated and characterized by FE-SEM and EDX. The origin of these nanocolumns can be attributed to a thickening of the inner tube wall of the double wall structure of self-organized TiO₂ nanotubes. Furthermore, a transition from nanocolumnar to nanotubular structure can be established by changing the applied voltage or applying a post-immersion treatment.     

Photoelectrochemical property and photocatalytic activity of N-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays

N-doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays (NTN) were prepared by anodization and dip-calcination method. Hydrazine hydrate was used as nitrogen source. The surface morphology of samples was characterized by SEM. It showed that the mean size of inner diameter was 65 nm and wall thickness was 15 nm for NTN. The ordered TiO₂ nanotube arrays on Ti substrate can sustain the impact of doping process and post-heat treatment. The atomic ratio of N/Ti was 8/25, which was calculated by EDX. Photoelectrochemical property of NTN was examined by anodic photocurrent response. Results indicated the photocurrent of NTN was nearly twice as that of non-doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays (TN). Photocatalytic activity of NTN was investigated by degrading dye X-3B under visible light. As a result, 99% of X-3B was decomposed by NTN in 105 min, while that of TN was 59%.     

Fabrication, characterization and photoelectrochemical properties of Fe2O3 modified TiO2 nanotube arrays

TiO₂ nanotube (NT) arrays modified by Fe₂O₃ with high sensibility in the visible spectrum were first prepared by annealing anodic titania NTs pre-loaded with Fe(OH)₃ which was uniformly clung to the titania NTs using sequential chemical bath deposition (S-CBD). The photoelectrochemical performances of the as-prepared composite nanotubes were determined by measuring the photo-generated currents and voltages under illumination of UV-vis light. The titania NTs modified by Fe₂O₃ showed higher photopotential and photocurrent values than those of unmodified titania NTs. The enhanced photoelectrochemical behaviors can be attributed to the modified Fe₂O₃ which increases the probability of charge-carrier separation and extends the range of the TiO₂ photoresponse from ultraviolet (UV) to visible region due to the low band gap of 2.2 eV of Fe₂O₃.     

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.     

Preparation and characterization of amine-functionalized SiO2/TiO2 films for formaldehyde degradation

This paper investigated the gaseous formaldehyde degradation by the amine-functionalized SiO₂/TiO₂ photocatalytic films for improving indoor air quality. The films were synthesized via the co-condensation reaction of methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMOS) and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS). The physicochemical properties of prepared photocatalysts were characterized with N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT/IR). The effect of amine-functional groups and the ratio of MTMOS/APTMS precursors on the formaldehyde adsorption and photocatalytic degradation were investigated. The results showed that the formaldehyde adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of the APTMS-functionalized SiO₂/TiO₂ film was higher than that of SiO₂/TiO₂ film due to the surface adsorption on amine sites and the relatively high of the specific surface area of the APTMS-functionalized SiO₂/TiO₂ film (15 times higher than SiO₂/TiO₂). The enhancement of the formaldehyde degradation of the film can be attributed to the synergetic effect of adsorption and subsequent photocatalytic decomposition. The repeatability of photocatalytic film was also tested and the degradation efficiency was 91.0% of initial efficiency after seven cycles.     

Deposition of Au/TiO2 film by pulsed laser

Au nanoparticles, which were photoreduced by a Nd:YAG laser in HAuCl₄ solution containing TiO₂ colloid and accompanied by the TiO₂ particles, were deposited on the substrate surface. The film consisting of Au/TiO₂ particles was characterized by the absorption spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The adhesion between the film and substrate was evaluated by using adhesive tape test. It was found that the presence of TiO₂ dramatically enhanced the adhesion strength between the film and the substrate, as well as the deposition rate of film. The mechanism for the deposition of Au/TiO₂ film was also discussed.     

SnO2/TiO2 mixed oxide particles synthesized in doped premixed H2/O2/Ar flames

SnO₂/TiO₂ mixed oxides with primary particle size ranging between 5 nm d_p 12 nm were synthesized by doping a H₂/O₂/Ar flame with Sn(CH₃)₄ and Ti(OC₃H₇)₄ co-currently. The effects of “flow coordinate,” concentration and flame configurations were investigated with respect to particle size and morphology of the generated mixed oxides. In situ characterization of the mixed oxides was performed using the particle mass spectrometer (PMS), while XRD, TEM, BET and UV–Vis were performed ex situ. Results obtained showed that primary particle size of mixed oxides can be controlled by varying experimental parameters. The mixed oxides have interesting properties compared to those of the pure oxides of TiO₂ and SnO₂, which were also synthesized in flames earlier. Band gap tuning opportunities are possible using mixed oxides.     

Characterization of TiO2/Au/TiO2 films deposited by magnetron sputtering on polycarbonate substrates

Transparent and conducting TiO₂/Au/TiO₂ (TAuT) films were deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering on polycarbonate substrates to investigate the effect of the Au interlayer on the optical, electrical, and structural properties of the films. In TAuT films, the Au interlayer thickness was kept at 5 nm. Although total thickness was maintained at 100 nm, the stack structure was varied as 50/5/45, 70/5/25, and 90/5/5 nm.In XRD pattern, the intermediate Au films were crystallized, while all TAuT films did not show any diffraction peaks for TiO₂ films with regardless of stack structure. The optical and electrical properties were dependent on the stack structure of the films. The lowest sheet resistance of 23 Ω/□ and highest optical transmittance of 76% at 550 nm were obtained from TiO₂ 90 nm/Au 5 nm/TiO₂ 5 nm films. The work function was dependent on the film stack. The highest work function (4.8 eV) was observed with the TiO₂ 90 nm/Au 5 nm/TiO₂ 5 nm film stack. The TAuT film stack of TiO₂ 90 nm/Au 5 nm/TiO₂ 5 nm films is an optimized stack that may be an alternative candidate for transparent electrodes in flat panel displays.     

等离激元钼掺杂二氧化钛半导体的光催化固氮反应机理研究

近年来光催化固氮引起了广泛的关注,其代表了将N₂有效转化为NH₃的“绿色工业”的可持续发展路线,如何有效合理地设计这方面的光催化剂仍然是本领域地一个挑战. 本文提出了一种策略,即在高浓度掺杂的TiOsub>2中利用等离激元热电子来激活惰性Nsub>2分子. 成功合成的Mo掺杂TiOsub>2催化剂在常温常压条件下显示出高达134 μmol·g^-1·h^-1的NH₃催化效率,这与传统的等离激元贵金属所实现的催化效率相当. 通过超快光谱技术,发现该体系中的等离激元热电子激活了N₂分子,从而提高了TiO₂的催化活性. 本文为基于等离激元半导体的光催化固氮反应开辟了一条新的途径.     

The dispersion study of TiO2 nanoparticles surface modified through plasma polymerization

In this study, the surface of TiO₂ nanoparticles was modified through plasma polymerization, which is a dry coating method at room temperature. The surface morphology of TiO₂ nanoparticles was characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). The dispersion behavior of TiO₂ nanoparticles in water and ethyl glycol was investigated by laser size distribution and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectrum. TiO₂ nanoparticles were coated with a thin film through plasma polymerization, which prevents the agglomeration and improves the dispersion behavior of TiO₂ nanoparticles.     

纤维状TiO2/Bi2O3光催化剂的制备及其光催化性能

以C₁₆H₃₆O₄Ti和Bi(NO₃)·5H₂O为原料,以棉花纤维为生物模板,合成了系列纤维状TiO₂/Bi₂O₃光催化剂．采用XRD、SEM、UV-Vis等测试技术对样品的相结构、形貌和吸光性能等进行了表征分析．结果表明,样品中的Bi₂O₃为单斜相和四方相共存的混晶,纤维长度达到毫米级,