ZnO nanoparticles photocatalytic activity toward atmospheric toluene under simulated sunlight

Research on Chemical Intermediates - In this study, the photocatalytic degradation of toluene through zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles coated on glass plates was examined under simulated sunlight....     

Synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with mesoporous anatase wall and high photocatalytic activity

Mesoporous titanium dioxide nanosized powder with high specific surface area and anatase wall was synthesized via hydrothermal process by using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as surfactant-directing agent and pore-forming agent. The resulting materials were characterized by XRD, nitrogen adsorption, FESEM, TEM, and FT-IR spectroscopy. The as-synthesized mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles have mean diameter of 17.6 nm with mean pore size of 2.1 nm. The specific surface area of the as-synthesized mesoporous nanosized TiO2 exceeded 430 m2/g and that of the samples after calcination at 600 degrees C still have 221.9 m2/g. The mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles show significant activities on the oxidation of Rhodamine B (RB). The large surface area, small crystalline size, and well-crystallized anatase mesostructure can explain the high photocatalytic activity of mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles calcined at 400 degrees C.     

N-doped NaTaO_3 synthesized from a hydrothermal method for photocatalytic water splitting under visible light irradiation

NaTaO_(3-x)N_x catalysts were synthesized by a hydrothermal(H) and a solid-state(S) methods in this study.The H-and S-NaTaO_(3-x)N_x samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), UV–visible(UV–vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence(PL) spectroscopy. The XRD patterns of the H-and S-samples showed peaks indexed to the pure phase of perovskite NaTaO_3 and minor peaks assignable to Ta_3N_5 at various synthesis temperatures. Substitution of oxygen by nitrogen ions causes the light absorption of the H-and S-NaTaO_(3-x)N_x samples to be extended to the 600–650 nm region, thus making the samples visible-light active. The NaTaO_(3-x)N_x samples exhibited photocatalytic activity for H_2 and O_2 evolution from aqueous methanol and silver nitrate solutions under visible-light irradiation. The UV–vis and PL spectra of the Hand S-catalysts revealed the presence of cationic vacancies and reduced metallic species, which acted as recombination centers. These results demonstrated that the preparation method plays a critical role in the formation of defect states, thereby governing the photocatalytic activity of the NaTaO_(3-x)N_x catalysts.     

Adsorption-driven photocatalytic activity of mesoporous titanium dioxide

Titanium dioxide with a mesoporous structure, when photoactivated in water, demonstrates an unprecedented photocatalytic activity, driven strongly by an adsorption degree of molecules onto the catalyst surface, which promotes a preferential conversion of a well-adsorbed molecule. This catalyzes a selective transformation of a well-adsorbed molecule into a less-adsorbed molecule, so-labeled "stick-and-leave" transformation, which promotes a direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol, one of the most difficult synthetic reactions, with very high selectivity (>80%) and using water as a source of oxidant.     

The photostability of wool doped with photocatalytic titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Photoyellowing of wool is a serious problem for the wool industry. This study assessed the role of photocatalytic nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (P-25) as a potential antagonist or catalyst in the photoyellowing of wool. Untreated, bleached and bleached and fluorescent-whitened wool slivers were processed into fine wool powders for the purpose of even and intimate mixing with the TiO₂ nanoparticles in the solid state. Pure wool and wool/TiO₂ mixtures were then compressed into solid discs for a photoyellowing study under simulated sunlight and under UVB and UVC radiations. Yellowness and photo-induced chemiluminescence (PICL) measurements showed that nanocrystalline TiO₂ could effectively reduce the rate of photoyellowing by inhibiting free radical generation in doped wool, and that a higher concentration of TiO₂ contributed to a lower rate of photooxidation and reduced photoyellowing. Hence nanocrystalline TiO₂ acts primarily as a UV absorber on wool in dry conditions and not as a photocatalyst.     

A study of the photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide nanopowders

Photodestruction and adsorption of dyes in aqueous suspensions of nanopowders of titanium dioxide of anatase modification was studied. The photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide nanopowders was examined in relation to the dispersity of particles and pH of the medium.     

Preparation and photocatalytic activity of nonmetal Co-doped titanium dioxide photocatalyst

A series of boron and sulfur co-doped titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalysts were prepared by a sol-gel method using boric acid, thiourea and tetrabutyl titanate [Ti(OC₄H₉)₄] as precursors. The photoabsorbance of as-prepared photocatalysts was measured by UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and its microstructure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N₂ adsorption-desorption measurements. The prepared photocatalysts consisted of the anatase phase mainly in the form of spherical particles. The photocatalytic performance was studied by photodegradation of methyl blue (MB) in water under UV and visible light irradiation. The calcination temperature and the codoping content influenced the photoactivity. The synergistic effect of boron and sulfur co-doping played an important role in improving the photocatalytic activity. In addition, the possibility of cyclic usage of codoped TiO₂ was also confirmed, the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ remained above 91% of that of the fresh sample after being used four times. It was shown that the co-doped TiO₂ could be activated by visible light and could thus be potentially applied for the treatment of water contaminated by organic pollutants.     

Enhanced photocatalytic activity for titanium dioxide by co-modification with copper and iron

A copper(II) and iron(III) co-modified titanium dioxide nano material was prepared by a simple sol–gel process using titanium(IV) isopropoxide plus copper(II) and iron(III) nitrates as raw materials. The as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectra. The XRD results showed that the undoped TiO₂ nanoparticles mainly include anatase phase while the Cu, Fe-codoped TiO₂ nanoparticles showed a mixture of anatase phase with a small fraction of rutile phase displaying higher activity than the pure anatase phase. Optical characterization showed that the codoping with copper(II) and iron(III) resulted in a red shift of adsorption and lower recombination probability between electrons and holes, which were associated with high photocatalytic activity of the Cu, Fe-codoped TiO₂ nanoparticles under visible light (λ > 400 nm). The photocatalytic activity of the samples was tested by aqueous methyl orange degradation. The capability of the codoped catalyst was much higher than that of the pure TiO₂ catalyst under visible irradiation. A mechanism is proposed in order to account for the enhanced catalytic activity.     

Structure and photocatalytic properties of materials based on titanium dioxide and silver nanoparticles

Phase composition and structure of mesostructured materials, titanium dioxide and titanium dioxide modified with silver nanoparticles, have been studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. Introduction of Ag(I) ions into the initial composition and variation of the annealing temperature over the 500–950°C range allows controlling the anatase to rutile crystal phase ratio in the samples. The photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ and TiO₂/Ag samples has been demonstrated using the methyl orange degradation reaction. The catalytic properties of the materials have been found to depend on the anatase to rutile phase ratio and on the presence of silver nanoparticles.     

介孔二氧化钛的合成及其对甲基橙降解的光催化活性

以十六烷基三甲基溴化铵为模板剂,通过水解钛酸正丁酯合成了介孔二氧化钛分子筛,探讨了合成条件的影响。采用X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、红外光谱(FT-IR)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)和N2吸附-脱附等技术对介孔二氧化钛的晶相、结构、形貌、比表面积和孔径分布进行了表征。实验结果表明:得到的介孔二氧化钛分子筛的孔径为4-4.3nm,用抽提的方法去除模板剂得到的介孔二氧化钛的比表面积比焙烧的要高。以甲基橙为模型污染物,检验了所合成介孔二氧化钛的光催化性质。     

Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic performance of silica-modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Silica-modified titanium dioxides were prepared by a hydrothermal method and then characterized by XRD, FT-IR, XPS, TEM, and UV-visible spectroscopy. The silica-modified titanium dioxides were in anatase phase and had large surface areas. There was strong interaction between SiO2 and TiO2, and TiOSi bonds formed during the hydrothermal process. The addition of silica in TiO2 particles could effectively suppress the formation of the rutile phase and the growth of titanium dioxide crystals. DRS spectra proved an increase in the band-gap transition with the increase of silica. The silica-modified TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited better photocatalytic activity, which increased with the silica amount, in comparison with pure TiO2 nanoparticles. Due to better thermal stability, the photocatalytic activity of the silica-modified TiO2 sample held good photocatalytic activity even after calcined at 1273 K.     

Highly photocatalytic activity of metallic hydroxide/titanium dioxide nanoparticles prepared via a modified wet precipitation process

Surface modification is one important approach to increase the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂. By using a modified wet precipitation process, novel M(OH)_x/TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized, where M(OH)_x represents ferric or cupric hydroxide. The prepared M(OH)_x/TiO₂ powders were characterized with XRD, FT-IR, BET, UV–vis DRS, and TGA, and were observed to yield high photocatalytic ability by using methyl orange (MO) as a model compound of organic pollutants to be degraded. Due to the accelerating effects of the new photocatalyst, the half-time of MO during its photocatalytic degradation at pH 6.0 over M(OH)_x/TiO₂ was decreased from 332 min for unmodified neat TiO₂ to 63 min for Fe(OH)₃/TiO₂ and 65 min for Cu(OH)₂/TiO₂, respectively. The enhancing effects of M(OH)_x/TiO₂ was further observed in a wide composition range with various M/Ti atomic ratios in the photocatalysts and in a wide pH range of the MO solution from 3 to 7. This enhancing effect is mainly attributed to the increased trapping of the photogenerated electron by the higher valence sites (Fe(III) or Cu(II)) in the hydroxide layer near the M(OH)_x/TiO₂ interface and the enriched surface hydroxyl groups which accept photogenerated holes to yield more hydroxyl radicals.     

Enhanced visible light photodegradation of water pollutants over N-, S-doped titanium dioxide and n-titanium dioxide in the presence of inorganic anions

The potential application of waste water treatment by photocatalysis is very likely to find its place in the near future. We have studied the photocatalytic degradation of three dyes (Eosin B, Rhodamine 6G, Rhodamine B) in the presence of doped n-TiO₂ in water and found that anchoring groups are favorable to the photodegradation of the pollutants. Taking Rhodamine B as a model pollutant, this study points out an alternative route to enhance photodegradation in invisible light, which consumes energy to synthesize, but addition of 0.1 mM of I⁻ or S₂O₃²⁻ increases the discoloration by up to three folds. For example, KI increased degradation to 36% while Na₂S₂O₃ enhanced it by 61%, which was higher than that of pure n-TiO₂ after sun light irradiation of 40 min. The enhancement of degradation by I⁻ and S₂O₃²⁻ may be linked to the scavenging of the holes by the inorganic anions, thus inhibiting recombination between h⁺/e⁻ after excitation of the semiconductor. The degradation is more effective in the presence of S₂O₃²⁻. In the presence of 0.1 mM KI, the rate constant increased from 0.0231 s⁻¹ to 0.0325 s⁻¹.Peroxodisulphate increases degradation, however, this is attributed to the sulfate radicals.     

掺氮二氧化钛可见光照射降解微囊藻毒素-LR

采用溶胶凝胶法制备了N掺杂TiO2(N-TiO2)纳米粉体光催化剂,利用X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、X射线衍射(XRD)、紫外可见反射光谱及透射电镜(TEM)分析测定,对光催化剂N/TiO2进行了结构表征.发现N掺杂TiO2相对纯TiO2禁带宽度变窄,可见光区有明显吸收.在可见光照射下,利用纳米N/TiO2作为光催化剂降解微囊藻毒素(Microcystin-LR,MC-LR),通过高效液相色谱仪(HPLC)跟踪检测降解过程MC-LR浓度变化,液质联用仪(LC-MS)检测MC-LR降解中间产物变化.利用电子自旋共振法(ESR)及过氧化物酶催化氧化方法跟踪定性定量测定光催化过程中氧化物种的种类变化.采用总有机碳(TOC)测定仪测定了MC-LR光催化深度氧化矿化效果.结果表明,可见光(λ420nm)照射可有效激发光催化剂N-TiO2活化分子氧降解MC-LR,在反应条件下,光催化反应14h,MC-LR降解率达到100%,20h矿化率达到59%.其光催化反应体系中氧化物种主要为羟基自由基(·OH).质谱检测到13种降解产物,主要反应机理为光催化反应产生·OH进攻MC-LR结构四个易氧化部位,以及一些氨基酸之间的肽键的水解.     

Preparation and photocatalytic activity of magnetic samarium-doped mesoporous titanium dioxide at the decomposition of methylene blue under visible light

Preparation of samarium-doped mesoporous titanium dioxide (Sm/MTiO₂) coated magnetite (Fe₃O₄) photocatalysts (Sm/MTiO₂/Fe₃O₄) and their activities under visible light were reported. The catalysts with Sm/MTiO₂ shell and a Fe₃O₄ core were prepared by coating photoactive Sm/MTiO₂ onto a magnetic Fe₃O₄ core through the hydrolysis of tetrabutyltitanate (Ti(OBu)₄, TBT) with precursors of Sm(NO₃)₃ and TBT in the presence of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The morphological, structural and optical properties of the prepared samples were characterized by BET surface area, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The effect of Sm ion content on the photocatalytic activity was studied. The photocatalytic activities of obtained photocatalysts under visible light were estimated by measuring the decomposition rate of methylene blue (MB, 50 mg/L) in an aqueous solution. The results showed that the prepared photocatalyst was activated by visible light and used as effective catalyst in photooxidation reactions. In addition, the possibility of cyclic usage of the prepared photocatalyst was also confirmed. Moreover, Sm/MTiO₂ was tightly bound to Fe₃O₄ and could be easily recovered from the medium by a simple magnetic process. It can therefore be potentially applied for the treatment of water contaminated by organic pollutants.     

介孔TiO2粉体的合成和表征及光催化性能研究

本文以甘油为结构导向剂,运用水热合成法制备了介孔二氧化钛粉体(MT),采用抽提和焙烧两种方法除去结构导向剂.分别对合成的样品、P25和商品TiO2粉末(PT)进行了XRD、TEM、TGA、N2等温吸附-脱附等实验表征,根据TGA计算了样品的表面羟基密度.研究了样品光催化降解甲基橙效率与其表面性质的关系.结果表明,经焙烧除去结构导向剂的样品的比表面最高,达285.3m2·g-1,孔径4nm～6nm,具有良好的光催化降解甲基橙性能.     

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of electrosynthesised tungsten trioxide–titanium dioxide bi-layer coatings under ultraviolet and visible light illumination

Bi-layer WO₃–TiO₂ coatings have been synthesised on stainless steel (SS) substrates by consecutive cathodic electrodeposition of WO₃ (from peroxytungstate solutions) and TiO₂ electrosynthesis (from titanium oxosulfate solutions). The resulting TiO₂–WO₃/SS photoelectrodes have been screened for their photoresponse under ultraviolet (UV) and visible (vis) light illumination by photovoltammetry in supporting electrolyte (sodium sulfate) and malachite green (a typical dye) solutions. They were also evaluated for malachite green photooxidation during constant potential bulk photoelectrolysis. It was found that both photocurrent values and dye removal rates were higher at TiO₂–WO₃/SS than at plain WO₃/SS photoelectrodes, under both UV and vis illumination (up to 85% and 67% malachite green degradation has been achieved respectively from its 10 ppm solutions after 2 h). The enhancement of the UV and, as reported here for the first time, vis photocatalytic activity of WO₃ by the inclusion of TiO₂ is interpreted by reduced electron-hole recombination rates due to electron transfer from TiO₂ to WO₃ (during UV activation) and hole transfer from WO₃ to TiO₂ (during UV and vis light activation).     

Cobalt phosphide nanoparticles supported within network of N-doped carbon nanotubes as a multifunctional and scalable electrocatalyst for water splitting

In order to realize industrial production of hydrogen through water splitting,it is essential to develop a cost-efficient and scalable approach to synthesize nonprecious electrocatalysts with sufficiently high activity and stability to replace commercial noble-metal-based electrocatalysts.Herein we synthesize cobalt phosphide nanoparticles dispersed within nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube network(CP@NCNT) via scalable spray drying and thermal treatments.As a multifunctional electrocatalyst,the CP@NCNT hybrid delivers outstanding activity for HER(in both acidic and alkaline electrolytes),OER and overall water splitting.Remarkably,it shows an ultra-low overpotental of 94 mV to obtain 10 mA cm-2 in HER.It also demonstrates outstanding activity in overall water splitting,requiring only 1.619 V to deliver 10 mA cm-2with more than 72 h’ long-term stability.The combination of notable performance,multi-functionality and highly scalable spray-drying synthesis method enables this material as a novel and cost-efficient transition metal-based electrocatalysts for overall water splitting.