Enhanced remote photocatalytic oxidation on surface-fluorinated TiO2

The mobile nature of active oxygen species generated on the UV-illuminated TiO2 surface is now well-recognized. Surface oxidants not only migrate two-dimensionally but also desorb from the surface to be air-borne oxidants. The remote photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) of stearic acids over the surface-fluorinated TiO2 (F-TiO2) film was carried out in the ambient air to study the effects of fluorination on the desorption of oxidants from the surface. The F-TiO2 film was faced to a stearic acid-coated glass plate separated by a small gap (typically 30 microm), and the photocatalytic degradation of the stearic acid was monitored by Fourier transform infrared measurement or gas-chromatographic CO2 production analysis. Remote photocatalytic degradation of stearic acids was markedly faster with F-TiO2 than with the pure TiO2 film, which indicates that the generation of air-borne oxidants is enhanced over the F-TiO2 surface. The remote PCO activity was higher with a higher surface fluoride concentration, higher UV intensity, and smaller gap. The remote photocatalytic activity of F-TiO2 was maximal at a relative humidity of 50% and did not show any sign of deactivation with repeated reactions. The production of CO2 that evolved as a result of the remote PCO of stearic acids was enhanced when H2O2 vapor was present but was strongly inhibited in the presence of ammonia gas that should scavenge OH radicals. Judging from various evidences, the air-borne oxidants in remote PCO are most likely OH radicals and the surface fluorination of TiO2 seems to facilitate the desorption of OH radicals.     

Single-molecule fluorescence imaging of the remote TiO2 photocatalytic oxidation

The remote TiO2 photocatalytic oxidation reaction of single dyes has been investigated by the single-molecule fluorescent imaging technique. The present results suggest that the active oxygen species (Ox) is most probably the .OH radical, which is generated from the photodecomposition of H2O2 by UV light. The analyses of the number, intensity, and spectrum of individual fluorescence spots at the single-molecule level also indicate that unoxidized and oxidized dyes exist during the bleaching processes of single dyes.     

TiO2光催化氧化去除有机污染物的研究进展

本文综述了近年来TiO2光催化降解有机污染物的研究进展，讨论了各类 有机污染物光催化氧化反应的特点、影响反应速率的因素及光催化体系的改进。     

One-electron oxidation pathways during beta-cyclodextrin-modified TiO2 photocatalytic reactions

The photocatalytic one-electron oxidation reactions of aromatic sulfides using the carboxymethyl-beta-cyclodextrin (CM-beta-CD)-modified TiO(2) nanoparticles (TiO(2)/CM-beta-CD) were investigated by using nano- and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopies. The one-electron oxidation processes of the substrate (S) by the valence band hole (h(VB) (+)) at the TiO(2) surface and the trapped hole at the adsorption site of the CM-beta-CD (h(CD) (+)) were examined. The transient absorption spectra and time traces observed for the charge carriers and the radical cation of S (S(.+)) revealed that the one-electron oxidation reaction of S during the nano- and femtosecond laser flash photolyses of TiO(2)/CM-beta-CD is significantly enhanced relative to bare TiO(2). The kinetics of the decay and the dimerization processes between S(.+)s are discussed on the basis of the results obtained by the pulse radiolysis technique.     

Evaluation of the efficiency of the photocatalytic one-electron oxidation reaction of aromatic compounds adsorbed on a TiO2 surface

The TiO2 photocatalytic one-electron oxidation mechanism of aromatic sulfides with a methylene bridging group (-(CH2)n-, n=0-4) between the 4-(methylthio)phenyl chromophore and the carboxylate binding group on the surface of a TiO2 powder slurried in acetonitrile (MeCN) has been investigated by time-resolved diffuse reflectance (TDR) spectroscopy. The electronic coupling element (H(DA)) between the hole donor and acceptor, which was estimated from the spectroscopic characteristics of the charge transfer (CT) complexes of the substrates (S) and the TiO2 surface, exhibited an exponential decline with the increasing of the methylene number of S. The determined decay factor (beta) of 9 nm(-1) also supports the fact that the 4-(methylthio)phenyl chromophore is separated from the TiO2 surface. The efficiency of the one-electron oxidation of S adsorbed on the TiO2 surface, which was determined from the relationship between the amount of adsorbates and the concentration of the generated radical cations, significantly depended on the H(DA) value, but not on the oxidation potential of S determined in homogeneous solution.     

Effects of anatase TiO2 morphology and surface fluorination on environmentally relevant photocatalytic reduction and oxidation reactions

Aiming at clarifying the interplay on TiO₂ photoactivity between particle morphology and surface fluorination, the photocatalytic performance of anatase nanocrystals, characterized by a pseudo-spherical shape or a nanosheet structure, is investigated in both a reduction and an oxidation reaction, either in the absence or in the presence of added fluoride anions. Cr(VI) photocatalytic reduction is strongly favored by a large exposure of anatase {001} facets; however, surface fluorination leads in this case to a morphology-independent photoactivity decrease, due to the decreased adsorption of the reaction substrate. More interestingly, a beneficial synergistic effect between the platelet-like anatase morphology and TiO₂ surface fluorination is clearly outlined in Rhodamine B photocatalytic degradation, possibly resulting from the intrinsic ability of fluorinated {001} anatase facets of boosting ^?OH radical mediated oxidation paths, due to their larger amount of surface –OH groups, as revealed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.     

In situ IR study of surface hydroxyl species of dehydrated TiO2: towards understanding pivotal surface processes of TiO2 photocatalytic oxidation of toluene

The surface species on P25-TiO(2) were characterized by FTIR after evacuation at 50-550 °C. The functions of OH groups on P25-TiO(2) catalysts have been tested by the adsorption and photooxidation of toluene in an in situ IR cell. FTIR studies show that the hydroxyl species on P25-TiO(2) are clearly temperature-dependent and P25-TiO(2) has six isolated hydroxyls with bands at 3734, 3715, 3688, 3671, 3658 and 3640 cm(-1). The OH groups on P25 play different roles in the photo-oxidation process: surface hydroxyls with bands at 3688, 3671, 3658 and 3640 cm(-1) act as adsorption sites while surface hydroxyls with bands at 3734 and 3715 cm(-1) act as sources of the ˙OH radical.     

Visible-light-induced selective photocatalytic aerobic oxidation of amines into imines on TiO2

Imines are important intermediates for the synthesis of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals. Selective oxidation of amines into their corresponding imines with dioxygen is one of the most-fundamental chemical transformations. Herein, we report the oxidation of a series of benzylic amines into their corresponding imines with atmospheric dioxygen as the oxidant on a surface of anatase TiO(2) under visible-light irradiation (λ>420 nm). The visible-light response of this system was caused by the formation of a surface complex through the adsorption of a benzylic amine onto the surface of TiO(2). From the analysis of products of specially designed benzylic amines, we demonstrated that a highly selective oxygenation reaction proceeds via an oxygen-transfer mechanism to afford the corresponding carbonyl compound, whose further condensation with an amine would generate the final imine product. We found that when primary benzylic amines (13 examples), were chosen as the substrates, moderate to excellent selectivities for the imine products were achieved (ca. 38-94%) in moderate to excellent conversion rates (ca. 44-95%). When secondary benzylic amines (15 examples) were chosen as the substrates, both the corresponding imines and aldehydes were detected as the main products with moderate to high conversion rates (ca. 18-100%) and lower selectivities for the imine products (ca. 14-69%). When tribenzylamine was chosen as the substrate, imine (27%), dibenzylamine (24%), and benzaldehyde products (39%) were obtained in a conversion of 50%. This report can be viewed as a prototypical system for the activation of C-H bonds adjacent to heteroatoms such as N, O, and S atoms, and oxofuctionalization with air or dioxygen as the terminal oxidant under visible-light irradiation using TiO(2) as the photocatalyst.     

乙醇的低温光催化氧化实验研究

利用傅里叶变换红外光谱仪(FT-IR),在间歇式反应器中研究了高浓度乙醇的低温光催化氧化特性。研究结果表明,FT-IR技术能够用来研究气态有机物的光催化降解特性;在乙醇的光催化降解过程中,有乙醛等中间产物生成,乙醇先被氧化为乙醛,再被氧化为二氧化碳;在间歇式反应器中,乙醇的循环流量对乙醇的瞬时降解速率影响不大;高浓度乙醇的低温光催化氧化过程可以用单步Langmuir-Hinshelwood 方程来描述;温度对乙醇光催化氧化的初始反应速率的影响十分显著,高浓度乙醇的初始反应速率随温度的升高而迅速提高。     

Influence of the substituent on selective photocatalytic oxidation of aromatic compounds in aqueous TiO2 suspensions

Experimental results are reported showing that the photocatalytic oxidation of aromatic compounds containing an electron-donor group (EDG) gives rise mainly to ortho- and para-monohydroxy derivatives while in the presence of an electron-withdrawing group (EWG) all the monohydroxy derivatives are obtained.     

Nature of surface oxygen intermediates on TiO2 during photocatalytic splitting of water

The surface oxygenated intermediates present on TiO₂ during photocatalytic water splitting have been identified and their accumulation on the titania surface is responsible for the deactivation of H₂ evolution rate during photocatalysis.     

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.     

Al掺杂对锐钛矿型TiO2光催化性能影响的研究

采用平面波赝势(PWPP)方法进行密度泛函(DFT)计算,研究了Al掺杂对锐钛矿晶体能带、态密度的影响.分析发现掺杂后Al原子3s和3p轨道上的电子虽然对晶体的价带和导带贡献不大,却诱使导带发生较大程度下移,禁带宽度减小,理论预测可以发生红移.采用低温燃烧合成法制备了Al掺杂锐钛矿型纳米TiO2,紫外-可见吸收光谱检测和甲基橙降解实验证明,Al掺杂TiO2光吸收强度增强,吸收带边界发生红移;光催化性能较纯TiO2有所改善.理论计算结果与实验结果相符.     

Effect of dissolved oxygen and lanthanide ions in solution on TiO2 photocatalytic oxidation of 2-propanol

The photocatalytic degradation of 2-propanol in D₂O solution under UV irradiation was investigated. The conversion yield from 2-propanol to acetone was studied by ¹H-NMR measurements. The study was carried out to elucidate effects of O₂ in the reaction medium and lanthanide ion modification on the TiO₂ surface. Under aerobic conditions, acetone formation was clearly increased in comparison with anaerobic conditions. On the modification of TiO₂ with lanthanide ion, the conversion yield decreased with the increase in the ionic radius. Yb³⁺ ion modification increased the acetone formation by approx. 5% in comparison with the unmodified case. Appreciably large effects of the counter ion in lanthanide salts were also observed. The role of OH^˙ radical formation in the first step of photocatalysis was emphasized in the experimental results.     

Sunlight-induced efficient and selective photocatalytic benzene oxidation on TiO2-supported gold nanoparticles under CO2 atmosphere

The sunlight-induced photocatalytic oxidation of aqueous benzene on TiO(2)-supported gold nanoparticles was considerably improved when the reaction was conducted under a CO(2) atmosphere. 13% yield and 89% selectivity of phenol was obtained on P25-supported gold nanoparticles under 230 kPa of CO(2).     

Probing the surface adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of catechols on TiO2 by solid-state NMR spectroscopy

The local structure of the TiO2 surface modified with electron-donating bidentate ligands, such as catechols, has been investigated by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The adsorption and degradation processes of catechols at the TiO2 surface were observed. The photocatalytic degradation mechanism of catechols at the TiO2 surface was interpreted in terms of the interfacial charge recombination reaction with conduction band electrons.     

Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic oxidation capability of carbon-doped TiO2 via coupling with fly ash

A carbon-doped TiO₂/fly ash support (C-TiO₂/FAS) composite photocatalyst was successfully synthesized through sol impregnation and subsequent carbonization. The carbon dopants were derived from the organic species generated during the synthesis of the C-TiO₂/FAS composite. A series of analytical techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), were used to characterize the properties of the prepared samples. The results indicated that C-TiO₂ was successfully coated on the FAS surface. Coupling between C-TiO₂ and FAS resulted in the formation of Si–O–C and Al–O–Ti bonds at their interface. The formation of Si–O–C and Al–O–Ti bonds gave rise to a positive shift of the valence band edge of C-TiO₂ and enhanced its oxidation capability of photogenerated holes as well as photodegradation efficiency of methyl orange. Moreover, the C-TiO₂/FAS photocatalyst exhibited favorable reusability and separability. This work may provide a new route for tuning the electronic band structure of TiO₂.     

Formation of the dimer radical cation of aromatic sulfide on the TiO2 surface during photocatalytic reactions

The formation of the dimer radical cation (D*+) of 4-(methylthio) benzoic acid on a TiO2 surface is demonstrated using the time-resolved diffuse reflectance technique. The observed time-resolved diffuse reflectance spectral shape significantly depends on the substrate concentrations. The substrate concentration dependences of the initial transient signal intensity (%abs.(t=0)) and the amount of adsorbates (n(ad)) clearly suggest that the formation of D*+ is attributableto the high local substrate concentration on the TiO2 surface. The electronic influence of substituents on the formation of D*+ is also discussed.