Enhanced visible-light-driven photodegradation of Acid Orange 7 azo dye in aqueous solution using Fe-N co-doped TiO2

FeN -co-doped TiO₂ photocatalysts are prepared by sol–gel method using titanium tetraisopropoxide, urea and iron(II) acetylacetonate as precursors of titania, nitrogen and iron, respectively. The prepared samples are analysed from chemical-physical point of view by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS), specific surface area measurements and scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). UV–Vis DRS spectra evidence that the co-doping of TiO₂ with N and Fe leads to the narrowing of the band gap value (2.7 eV) with respect to Fe-doped TiO₂ (2.8 eV) and N-doped TiO₂ (2.9–3 eV). XRD patterns show that photocatalysts are mainly in anatase phase and Fe and N ions are successfully incorporated into the TiO₂ lattice. The average crystallite size of Fe-N co-doped TiO₂ is slightly lower than the other samples and equal to about 7 nm and the specific surface area of the co-doped sample results to be 117 m² g⁻¹. Photocatalytic performances of all prepared samples are evaluated by analysing the degradation of Acid Orange 7 azo dye under visible light irradiation. Photocatalytic efficiency obtained using FeN co-doped TiO₂ strongly increases compared to undoped TiO₂, N-doped TiO₂ and Fe-doped TiO₂ photocatalysts. In detail, using the co-doped photocatalyst, dye discoloration and mineralization result equal to about 90 and 83% after 60 min of LEDs visible light irradiation, underlining the best performances of the FeN co-doped TiO₂ photocatalyst both in terms of treatment time and electric energy consumption.     

Thermal analysis of a polymorphic azo dye derived from 2-amino-5-nitrothiazole

An azo dye, derived from 2-amino-5-nitrothiazole and a substituted N,N-dimethyl aniline, was studied by various techniques. Two sets of proton signals were obtained by NMR in CDCl₃ solution, suggesting that two polymorphs coexist, however, only one set of signals is observed in DMSO solution. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis were used to confirm the existence of two forms. The events registered during thermal treatment of a sample were assigned to a glass transition, recrystallization and fusion of crystalline compounds. Hot-stage microscopy was used to obtain images of the dye samples at various stages of the heating program and these observations support the interpretation of the calorimetric results.     

The effect of cation size on ion pairing of methyl orange dye with tetraalkylammonium and benzyltrialkylammonium ions in aqueous solution

Formation constants have been measured by a solvent distribution method for the ion pairing of an arene sulfonate, methyl orange dye, with two series of quaternary ammonium ions: R₄N⁺(R=Et,n-Pr,n-Bu, andn-Pent) and C₆H₅CH₂R₃N⁺ (R=Me, Et,n-Pr,n-Bu,n-Pent, andn-Hex). Ion pairing increases dramatically as the length of the R group increases beyond butyl. Using a hard-sphere model for contact ion pairs, it is estimated that coulombic attraction contributes about –kT to the binding free energy and decreases slightly with increasing size of R₄N⁺. Other factors related to solvation effects, of which cosphere overlap predominates, contribute from –2kT to –7kT of binding energy. Plots of logK for association as a function of cation size show an inflection with decreasing slope between R=propyl and R=butyl. Possible causes for the inflection are considered.     

Synthesis and application of magnetically recyclable nanocatalyst Fe3O4@Nico@Cu in the reduction of azo dyes

A novel method for synthesizing magnetically recyclable nanocatalyst Fe3O4@Nico@Cu (Nico =nicotinic acid) was introduced. The structural, morphological, and magnetic properties of the nano-catalyst were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. Finally, Fe3O4@Nico@Cu was examined toward the hydrogenation of azo dyes methyl orange, methylene blue, eosin Y, and rho-damine B. The nanocatalyst showed excellent reusability properties that remained unchanged after several catalytic cycles. Therefore, the current findings show the potential of the prepared Fe3O4@Nico@Cu nanocatalyst as a candidate for application in the purification of organic aqueous pollutants for wastewater treatment.     

Wavelength-sensitive photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange in aqueous suspension over iron(III)-doped TiO2 nanopowders under UV and visible light irradiation

Well-crystallized iron(III)-doped TiO2 nanopowders with controlled Fe3+ doping concentration and uniform dopant distribution, have been synthesized with plasma oxidative pyrolysis. The photocatalytic reactivity of the synthesized TiO2 nanopowders with a mean particle size of 50-70 nm was quantified in terms of the degradation rates of methyl orange (MO) in aqueous TiO2 suspension under UV (mainly 365 and 316 nm) and visible light irradiation (mainly 405 and 436 nm). The photodecomposition of MO over TiO2 nanopowders followed a distinct two-stage pseudo first order kinetics. Interestingly, the photocatalytic reactivity depends not only on the iron doping concentration but also on the wavelength of the irradiating light. Under UV irradiation, nominally undoped TiO2 had much higher reactivity than Fe3+ -doped TiO2, suggesting that Fe3+ doping (> 0.05 at. %) in TiO2 with a mean particle size of approximately 60 nm was detrimental to the photocatalytic decomposition of methyl orange. Whereas, under visible light irradiation, the Fe3+ -doped TiO2 with an intermediate iron doping concentration of approximately 1 at. % had the highest photocatalytic reactivity due to the narrowing of band gap so that it could effectively absorb the light with longer wavelength. A strategy for improving the photocatalytic reactivity of Fe3+ -doped TiO2 used in the visible light region is also proposed.     

Oxidation of UO2(s) in aqueous solution

In this review the kinetics and mechanism of oxidative dissolution of UO₂(s), mainly under conditions of relevance for the safety assessment of a deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel, are discussed. Rate constants for the elementary processes involved (oxidation of UO₂ and dissolution of oxidized UO₂) are used to calculate the rates of oxidative UO₂(s) dissolution under various conditions (type of oxidant, oxidant concentration and HCO₃ ⁻/CO₃ ²⁻ concentration) for which experimental data are also available. The calculated rates are compared to the corresponding experimental values under the assumption that the experimental numbers reflect the steady-state conditions of the system. The agreement between the calculated rates and the corresponding experimental ones is very good, in particular for the higher rates. In general, the calculated rates are somewhat higher than the experimental numbers. This can be due partly to the use of initial concentrations rather than steady-state concentrations in the calculations. The kinetic data are also used to quantitatively discuss the dynamics of spent nuclear fuel dissolution under deep geological repository conditions.      

Characterization and stability of TiO2 nanoparticles in industrial dye stuff effluent

Stability studies were conducted in different solutions (deionized water (DI), NaCl, CaCl₂, and MgCl₂) at different pH. Agglomeration and zeta potential were influenced by ionic strength, type of electrolyte, and the presence of dye stuff. The Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory was used to analyze the stability and/or agglomeration of the nanoparticles in the different solutions. Repulsive or attractive forces stipulated by the DLVO theory were used to quantitatively discuss the results. The increase in ionic strength increased agglomeration which was linked to pH_pzc, as there were minimal electrostatic repulsions at the pzc, yet the attractive van der Waals forces were dominant. Addition of the dye stuff significantly decreased the agglomeration as the dye stuff changed the overall zeta potential of TiO₂ nanoparticles to negative across the entire pH which improved stability as there were particle–particle repulsions. Monovalent and divalent cations were compared and Ca²⁺ increased the mean diameter of nanoparticles as it effectively decreased the EDL of the nanoparticles, thus enhancing agglomeration. The DLVO theory was successful at explaining, in terms of the interaction energies between nanoparticles, the phenomena that caused either agglomeration or stability of the as-synthesized TiO₂ nanoparticles in the different solutions.     

Thermodynamics of surfactant-dye complex formation in aqueous solutions II. Sodium dodecyl sulfate and some azo oil dye systems

Spectrophotometric and thermodynamic investigations are reported of the interactions between anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and six azo oil dyes (benzene azo naphthalene type) which have an amino group at 4-position of naphthalene. A pronounced spectral change in the dye solution occurs on addition of surfactant. For increasingly surfactant concentrations (below the CMC), the interaction between dye and surfactant is so sharp that the systems may be said to exhibit an isosbestic point; then a new absorption band appears at longer wavelengths. The spectral data can be quantitatively interpreted in terms of a complex formation. The equilibrium coefficients of the complex formation are determined at different temperatures. The thermodynamic parameters of the complex formations (the free energy change (G), enthalpy change (H) and change in entropy (S) are also calculated. The reaction of complex formation is exothermic (H negative).G is dependent on the hydrophobic nature andpKa of the dye. These complexes will form due to hydrophilic-hydrophilic interaction and will become more stable due to hydrophobic-hydrophobic interaction.With increasing amounts of complex, the infinite adsorption, the exhaustion and the rate constant of dyeing for nylon decrease.     

Synthesis of dendrimer-protected TiO2 nanoparticles and photodegradation of organic molecules in an aqueous nanoparticle suspension

Dendrimer-protected TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrolysis of TiCl4 in solutions of poly(amido amine) dendrimers (64 terminals) under cooling. The morphology of dendrimers surrounding TiO2 nanoparticles depended on the terminal groups (amine, carboxyl, hydroxy) of dendrimers. The size (4.4-6.7 nm) of dendrimer-protected TiO2 nanoparticles was slightly smaller than that (7.5 nm) of bare TiO2 nanoparticles. The photodegradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid revealed that dendrimer-protected TiO2 nanoparticles are more active as a photocatalyst than TiO2 nanoparticles without protectors. This suggests that the dendrimer acts as a reservoir of photoreacting reagents besides acting as a protector of nanoparticles.     

The study of the partitioning mechanism of methyl orange in an aqueous two-phase system

An aqueous two-phase system of dodecyl triethylammonium bromide (C₁₂NE, cationic surfactant) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, anionic surfactant) mixture is proposed for the extraction of some dyes and porphyrin compounds. Transparent two phase-systems are formed when the surfactant concentrations and C₁₂NE/SDS ratios are in certain regions. In this study, the aqueous two phase-systems were prepared by mixing 0.1 mol l⁻¹ C₁₂NE and SDS with a molar ratio of 1.7:1.0. The results showed that negatively charged chlorophyll (sodium copper chlorophyllin) and positively charged dye (methyl violet) were efficiently extracted into the upper phase. The negatively charged methyl orange (pH>7) was moved into the upper phase mostly while amphoteric methyl orange (pH<3) was distributed in the two phases uniformly. Except for hydrophobic force, charge interaction between solute and surfactant also play an important role in the extraction process.     

Mixed phase Fe2O3/Mn3O4 magnetic nanocomposite for enhanced adsorption of methyl orange dye: Neural network modeling and response surface methodology optimization

In this research, a novel magnetic mesoporous adsorbent with mixed phase of Fe₂O₃/Mn₃O₄ nanocomposite was prepared by a facile precipitating method and characterized extensively. The prepared nanocomposite was used as adsorbent for toxic methyl orange (MO) dye removal from aqua matrix considering its high surface area (178.27 m²/g) with high saturation magnetization (23.07 emu/g). Maximum dye adsorption occurs at solution pH 2.0 and the electrostatic attraction between anionic form of MO dye molecules and the positively charged nanocomposite surface is the main driving force behind this adsorption. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for optimizing the process variables and maximum MO removal of 97.67% is obtained at optimum experimental condition with contact time, adsorbent dose and initial MO dye concentration of 45 min, 0.87 g/l and 116 mg/l, respectively. Artificial neural network (ANN) model with optimum topology of 3–5–1 was developed for predicting the MO removal (%), which has shown higher predictive ability than RSM model. Maximum adsorption capacity of this nanocomposite was found to be 322.58 mg/g from Langmuir isotherm model. Kinetic studies reveal the applicability of second‐order kinetic model with contribution of intra‐particle diffusion in this process.     

Thermodynamics of surfactant-dye complex formation in aqueous solutions. Sodium alkyl sulfates and azo oil dye systems

Thermodynamics of surfactant-dye complex formation have been studied, in terms of equilibrium coefficient, using a spectrophotometer. The systems are 6 sodium alkyl sulfates, which have different alkyl chain lengths, and 4-phenylazo-1-naphthylamine. A pronounced spectral change in the dye solution occurs on addition of the surfactant; the change has a definite isosbestic point and a new absorption band at 535 nm because of surfactant-dye complex formation, which is caused by hydrophilic-hydrophilic interaction. As the alkyl chain length in the surfactant increases, the values of free energy change (negative) increase, while the value of enthalpy change (negative) increases and the value of entropy change (positive) decreases. The longer the alkyl chain length in surfactant increase, the more stable the surfactant-dye complex becomes.Surfactant-dye complex will form due to hydrophilic-hydrophilic interaction and will become more stable due to hydrophobic-hydrophobic interaction.     

Plasmon-resonance-enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity of Ag quantum dots/TiO2 microspheres for methyl orange degradation

We successfully prepared Ag quantum dots modified TiO₂ microspheres by facile solvothermal and calcination method. The as-prepared Ag quantum dots/TiO₂ microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The Ag quantum dots/TiO₂ photocatalyst showed excellent visible light absorption and efficient photocatalytic activity for methyl orange degradation. And the sample with the molar ratio of 0.05 (Ag to Ti) showed the best visible light photocatalytic activity for methyl orange degradation, mainly because of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effects of Ag quantum dots to generate electron and hole pairs for enhanced visible light photocatalysis. Finally, possible visible light photocatalytic mechanism of Ag quantum dots/TiO₂ microspheres for methyl orange degradation was proposed in detail.     

Optimization of an analytical procedure for the determination of banned azo dyes in leather

The possibility of improving an existing method, based on supercritical-fluid extraction (SFE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), for the determination of banned azo dyes in leather has been studied. Thus, optimization of experimental conditions in different steps (degreasing, reduction, and extraction) of the analytical procedure was performed. The influence of different variables (reaction time, temperature, and concentration of reducing agent) on the reduction process was evaluated by use of a factorial design. It was found that the concentration of the reducing agent and the interaction between time and temperature were the most influential variables. Consequently, by applying a higher temperature, the reaction time could be halved. The use of acidified water as extraction solvent in MAE was also investigated. Usually 1 mol L^–1 HCl was superior to methanol and buffer in terms of extraction efficiency. In conclusion, the present method gave significantly higher recoveries in comparison with the original method. All dyes were determined indirectly by measuring their corresponding harmful amines, formed after reduction by use of sodium dithionite.     

Facile preparation and characterization of anatase TiO2/nanocellulose composite for photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange

Anatase TiO₂/nanocellulose composite was prepared for the first time via a one-step method at a relatively low temperature by using cellulose nanofibers as carrier and tetrabutyl titanate as titanium precursor. The morphology, structure and element composition of the composite were characterized by SEM, EDS, TEM, XRD, XPS and UV–vis DRS. The specific surface area and thermal stability of the composite were investigated by N₂ adsorption–desorption and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively, and the band gaps of the prepared photocatalysts were calculated based on the UV–vis DRS results. In addition, the prepared composite was used for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (aqueous solution, 40 mg L⁻¹). It was found that the composite had a good morphology and anatase crystal structure, and Ti-O-C bond was formed between TiO₂ and nanocellulose. The specific surface area of composite was increased and the thermal stability was decreased compared with the cellulose nanofiber. Moreover, the degradation rate of methyl orange was achieved as 99.72% within 30 min, and no obvious activity loss was observed after five cycles. This work might give some insights into the design of efficient photocatalysts for the treatment of organic dye wastewater.     

Synthesis and characterization of ternary nanocomposites of TiO2/rGO/CdS as an efficient catalyst for photo-degradation of methyl orange

Novel ternary composite photocatalysts have been successfully prepared by TiO₂ nanofibers, reduced graphene oxide, and CdS nanoparticles (TiO₂/rGO/CdS) by using electrospinning technique with easy chemical methods. The structures and their properties are examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The structural characterization of the composite reveals that pure TiO₂ NFs and CdS NPs crystalline very well and the reduced graphene oxide is tightly composed with TiO₂ NFs and CdS Nps. The photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) under UV light illumination is significantly enhanced compared with that of bare materials. This ternary composite degrades methyl orange within 75 min. The enhanced photocatalytic degradation performance resulted from effective separation of e–h pairs with rGO sheets and also contributed for high rate degradation efficiency. This novel ternary composite has a potential application of wastewater purification and utilization for energy conversions.     

光稳定二氧化钛纳米管负载钯催化剂光降解甲基橙过程中的活性物种(英文)

采用光沉积法制备了光稳定二氧化钛纳米管负载钯催化剂.通过X射线衍射、紫外-可见漫反射光谱、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、氮气吸附-脱附、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、光致发光光谱和光电流等表征手段研究了催化剂的结构和性质.TEM表明二氧化钛纳米管经光照后仍然保持良好的管状结构;XPS结果表明大部分Pd以零价形式存在.以甲基橙溶液作为模拟废液研究了催化剂在紫外光及模拟日光条件下的光催化活性.当Pd的负载量为0.3 wt%时,催化剂的光催化活性最高并且优于P25的光催化活性.另外,通过在光降解过程中加入不同的捕获剂研究了不同氧化活性组分的作用.结果表明,光生空穴(hrb+)在光催化降解过程中起主要作用.     

Fabrication of a self‐doped TiO2 nanotube array electrode for electrochemical degradation of methyl orange

Self‐doped TiO₂ nanotube array (DTNA) electrodes were fabricated through anodic oxidation combined with cathodic reduction. The morphology and structural features of pristine TiO₂ nanotube arrays and DTNA electrodes were studied through scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffractometry, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. An accelerated life test was used to test the electrode service lifetime and thus the electrode's stability. The service lifetime of the DTNA electrode prepared at constant 40 V for 6 hr was approximately 338.7 hr at constant 1 mA/cm² in a 1 M NaClO₄ solution. Methyl orange (MO) was employed as the degradation probe for measuring electrochemical oxidation performance. The color removal rate of 200 mg/L MO of the DTNA electrode (85.2% at 1 mA/cm²) was greater than that of the Ti/IrO₂ electrode (31.1% at 1 mA/cm²). The larger the surface area of the DTNA electrode is, the more conductive the electrode is for the degradation of organic substances. Organic degradation on the DTNA electrode occurred primarily through an indirect pathway (producing [?OH]).     

Efficient photoinduced conversion of an azo dye on hexachloroplatinate(IV)-modified TiO2 surfaces under visible light irradiation-A photosensitization pathway

The titanium dioxide photocatalyst is employed to examine the influence of chemisorbed hexachloroplatinate(IV) anions (PtCl(6) (2-)) on the surface of P-25 TiO(2) particles on the photoinduced conversion of the azo dye Ethyl Orange (EO) in visible light-illuminated Pt(IV)/TiO(2) dispersions. Spin-trap electron spin resonance (ESR) spectral results, measurement of quantities of organoperoxides formed, total organic carbon (TOC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD(Cr)) assays, together with XPS evidence show that the self-sensitized transformation dynamics of the EO dye mediated by Pt(IV)/TiO(2) are much faster than those occurring on naked TiO(2) under otherwise identical conditions of visible light irradiation. X-ray photoelectron spectral data also show that under the experimental conditions used, no Pt(0) formed on the titania particles during visible light irradiation. We propose a reaction mechanism in which the more rapid conversion of EO in the presence of PtCl(6) (2-) is caused principally by photoexcitation of the dye and not by localized excitation of the tetrachloroplatinate(IV)/TiO(2) particles.     

Mechanistic studies on the oxidation of pyruvic acid by an oxo-bridged diiron(III,III) complex in aqueous acidic media

In aqueous solution [Fe₂(μ-O)(phen)₄(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺ (1, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) equilibrates with its conjugate bases [Fe₂(μ-O)(phen)₄(H₂O)(OH)]³⁺ (2) and [Fe₂(μ-O)(phen)₄(OH)₂]²⁺ (3). In the presence of excess phen and in the pH range 2.5–5.5, the dimer quantitatively oxidizes pyruvic acid to acetic acid and carbon dioxide, the end iron species being ferroin, [Fe(phen)₃]²⁺. The observed reaction rate shows a bell-shaped curve as pH increases, but is independent of added phen. Kinetic analysis shows that (3) is non-reactive and (1) has much higher reactivity than (2) in oxidizing pyruvic acid. The basicity of the bridging oxygen increases with deprotonation of the aqua ligands. The reaction rate decreases significantly in media enriched with D₂O in comparison to that in H₂O, with a greater retardation at higher pH, suggesting the occurrence of proton coupled electron transfer (PCET; 1e, 1H⁺), which possibly drags the energetically unfavorable reaction to completion in presence of excess phen.