Study on the Photodegradation of Salicylic Acid in Different Vehicles in the Absence and in the Presence of TiO2

In this work, the direct photolysis of salicylic acid, generally used as keratolytic agent in many dermatological products and as preservative in cosmetics, was investigated. The photodegradation of the acid under UVB irradiation was evaluated in different vehicles, such as water solutions at different pH, propylene glycol/water, and ethanol/water mixtures, sodium dodecyl sulphate solutions, and O/W emulsions prepared with Montanov 68 and Amphysol K as emulsifiers. The increase of pH enhanced the photodegradation of salicylic acid while the different vehicles protected the acid from the action of UVB radiations. However, the best protection was observed dissolving the acid in the lipid core of O/W emulsions, which probably removes the active from the polar environment that can promote the photolysis. The photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ on the degradation of salicylic acid also was evaluated. TiO₂ frequently is used as sunscreen in many cosmetic preparations. Salicylic acid and the pigment can be contained in the same solar formulation; hence, it can be interesting to study their interaction under UVB. TiO₂ enhanced the photodegradation of salicylic acid in all the media previously reported and its photocatalytic activity was influenced by the pH and by the components of the vehicles.     

Release of Mandelic Acid from O/W Emulsions with Lamellar Phases

The aim of this work was to prepare and to characterize stable O/W emulsions containing liquid crystals as vehicles of mandelic acid. Influence of some components on the behavior of the systems has been also studied. Particularly, the release of mandelic acid was compared from different formulations showing that the lamellar phases prolonged the active release and consequently they might reduce its irritation potential on the skin. Results of evaporation test suggested that lamellar phases contributed to increase the moisturizing action of these emulsions by limiting their water loss.     

Preparation and characterization of W/O/W double emulsions containing MgCl2

The aim of present study is to design food-grade W/O/W double emulsions encapsulating Mg²⁺ and investigate their stability and release properties. Prepared emulsions were characterized in terms of global stability, particle size, rheological properties, and interfacial tension. The double emulsions were sensitive to the presence of magnesium salt. The mean droplet size and viscosity of emulsions was positively correlated to MgCl₂ concentration. The microscopic pictures confirmed that the water transfer between two aqueous phases caused the reduced stability of double emulsions. It was suggested that swelling breakdown was the main mechanism in controlling the release of encapsulated Mg²⁺.     

W／O／W乳液的渗透溶胀与夹带溶胀

研究了W/O/W乳液的溶胀,实验结果表明,渗透溶胀随内外相溶液间的渗透压差、表面活性剂及载体浓度的增大而增加,但随膜粘度的增加而降低,渗透压差较高时,水渗透的影响大于夹带的影响;膜相中含氧化合物对溶胀的影响大于含氮化合物,采用Span 80作乳化剂时,比采用E 644渗透溶胀约高6倍,夹带溶胀也较高;重复聚结再分散使夹带溶胀急剧增加,因而多级混合澄清槽对液膜操作似不适用。     

Adsorption and Photodegradation of Methylene Blue by Using PAni/TiO2 Nanocomposite

In this study, polyaniline-titanium dioxide (PAni-TiO₂) nanocomposite has been prepared and was utilized as an effective catalyst for photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dyes from aqueous solution. Adsorption characteristic on the PAni-TiO₂ surface and the aqueous solubility of the dyes also play an important role in the photodegradation of dye. Adsorption and photodegradation process occurs simultaneously on the surface of the catalyst at first adsorption occurs (21.5%) on the outer surface of the catalyst and then photodegrade the material up to (66.5%). In reaction mechanism OH^· makes the vital role to the degradation of methylene blue and its intermediates. To know the surface and stability of the photocatalyst, it was characterized by FTIR, TEM, TGA–DTA, XRD, UV-vis spectrophotometer, and SEM analysis. Kinetic data indicate that up to 20 minutes photodegradation rates usually follows the pseudo-first-order reaction. After 20 minutes, it follows the Langmuir-Hinshelwood (LH) kinetics. Photo reactivity of PAni-TiO₂ was studied with pH of solution, dosage of photocatalyst and concentration of dye. The reaction rate constant (r) and equilibrium binding constant (K) values were incredibly significant than other catalyst.     

Application of the fractional factorial design in multiple W/O/W emulsions

In presented research, multiple W/O/W emulsions were developed by using experimental design method. A 24-1 fractional factorial design was performed by varying the following input parameters: primary polymeric emulsifier (PEG 30-dipolyhydroxystearate) concentration (0.8% and 2.4%), secondary polymeric emulsifier (Poloxamer 407) concentration (0.8% and 1.2%), electrolyte magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (0.08% and 0.4%) and electrolyte sodium chloride (0.08% and 0.4%). Multiple emulsions were prepared by a two-step emulsification process. Obtained emulsions were characterized with rheological measurements, conductivity and centrifugation tests. Factorial analysis revealed that the concentration of the primary emulsifier was the predominant factor influencing the phase separation, conductivity and maximal apparent viscosity. Additionally, electrolyte magnesium sulfate heptahydrate was more efficient in stabilizing these systems, compared to sodium chloride. The applied fractional factorial design method enabled determination of the optimal concentrations of the primary and secondary emulsifier, as well as the concentration of electrolytes, in order to obtain W/O/W emulsions with desired maximal apparent viscosities, low values of conductivity and without phase separation after centrifugation.     

Comparison of CO2 Reduction Performance with NH3 and H2O between Cu/TiO2 and Pd/TiO2

The aim of this study is to clarify the effect of doped metal type on CO₂ reduction characteristics of TiO₂ with NH₃ and H₂O. Cu and Pd have been selected as dopants for TiO₂. In addition, the impact of molar ratio of CO₂ to reductants NH₃ and H₂O has been investigated. A TiO₂ photocatalyst was prepared by a sol-gel and dip-coating process, and then doped with Cu or Pd fine particles by using the pulse arc plasma gun method. The prepared Cu/TiO₂ film and Pd/TiO₂ film were characterized by SEM, EPMA, TEM, STEM, EDX, EDS and EELS. This study also has investigated the performance of CO₂ reduction under the illumination condition of Xe lamp with or without ultraviolet (UV) light. As a result, it is revealed that the CO₂ reduction performance with Cu/TiO₂ under the illumination condition of Xe lamp with UV light is the highest when the molar ratio of CO₂/NH₃/H₂O = 1:1:1 while that without UV light is the highest when the molar ratio of CO₂/NH₃/H₂O = 1:0.5:0.5. It is revealed that the CO₂ reduction performance of Pd/TiO₂ is the highest for the molar ratio of CO₂/NH₃/H₂O = 1:1:1 no matter the used Xe lamp was with or without UV light. The molar quantity of CO per unit weight of photocatalyst for Cu/TiO₂ produced under the illumination condition of Xe lamp with UV light was 10.2 μmol/g, while that for Pd/TiO₂ was 5.5 μmol/g. Meanwhile, the molar quantity of CO per unit weight of photocatalyst for Cu/TiO₂ produced under the illumination condition of Xe lamp without UV light was 2.5 μmol/g, while that for Pd/TiO₂ was 3.5 μmol/g. This study has concluded that Cu/TiO₂ is superior to Pd/TiO₂ from the viewpoint of the molar quantity of CO per unit weight of photocatalyst as well as the quantum efficiency.     

Citric acid-loaded W1/O/W2 multiple emulsions efficiently remove colonic ammonia both in vitro and in vivo

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric disorder caused by chronic and acute liver diseases. It is believed that ammonia played an important role on the pathogenesis of the disease. Herein, acid-loaded water-in-oil-in-water (W₁/O/W₂) multiple emulsions with over 95% encapsulation efficiency were prepared and used to absorb colonic ammonia. The study of citric acid release from W₁ to W₂ in bulk deionized water indicated that only 17% acid released in 8 hours, which proved the stability of the multiple emulsions and hence prevented the intestine from being irritated by acid burst release. In vitro, the W₁/O/W₂ emulsion could remove around 90% ammonia in 1.5 hours from either the 3 mmol/L ammonia solution or the artificial colonic fluid with 1 and 0.5 mmol/L ammonia without acidifying the artificial colonic fluid. In vivo, compared with lactulose, W₁/O/W₂ emulsions could efficiently reduce the blood ammonia to the similar level in the rat models with HE without increasing the water content in feces. All these results indicated a potential application of W₁/O/W₂ multiple emulsions for the treatment of HE.     

Photostability of Ferulic Acid and Its Antioxidant Activity Against Linoleic Acid Peroxidation

Ferulic acid (4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxycinnamic acid), a phenyl‐propenoid derivative of cinnamic acid, can undergo photolysis upon UV irradiation. The photodegradation kinetics of ferulic acid were thus investigated in different systems. The micellar solutions did not protect the acid from photodegradation. On the contrary, they catalyzed its degradation at a variable extent depending on the surfactant structure. The photodegradation of ferulic acid in microemulsions was slower than in micelles and near to that in water. TiO₂, habitually employed as a physical sunscreen, showed photocatalytic action toward ferulic acid degradation especially at higher initial concentration of ferulic acid. The action of ferulic acid on the peroxidation of linoleic acid in micelles and microemulsions also was evaluated. When the ferulic acid is absent the peroxidation is continuous while when it is present an induction time of 40 minutes or higher was observed. Accordingly, it is likely that linoleic acid acts as photosensitizer for ferulic acid, and that in turn ferulic acid acts as an antioxidant for linoleic acid, reducing the rate of peroxidation.     

Stability of W/O Emulsions Encapsulating Polysaccharides

In the frame of formulation of W/O emulsions entrapping polysaccharides devoted to agricultural applications, the aim of this work was to study the stability over time of these emulsions, stabilized with either soybean lecithin or polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) as emulsifiers. Emulsifiers were dissolved in oil phase, and polysaccharides (carboxymethycellulose (CMC), guar, xanthan) in ultrapure water. Emulsions stability was studied through natural aging tests and accelerated aging tests, using bottle tests, microscopy and calorimetry. Experiments showed that PGPR was more efficient than lecithin to stabilize emulsions containing the polysaccharides studied, and that emulsions prepared with CMC showed the best stability.     

Photodegradation of Cinnamic Acid in Different Media

The photodegradation of cinnamic acid under UVB irradiation was evaluated in different vehicles, such as water solutions at different pH values, Tween‐20 micelles, liposomes, and O/W emulsions prepared with Xalifin 15 or Montanov 68 as emulsifiers. The increase of pH decreases the photodegradation of cinnamic acid in all the vehicles studied. Micellar solutions showed a protective effect against cinnamic acid photodegradation; this property increases according to the surfactant percentage. Emulsions appeared to be the most efficient protective systems while liposomes had lower ability to protect cinnamic acid against UVB photodegradation.     

球形TiO2-Al2O3的制备、结构和理化性能研究

将Ti(SO₄)₂溶于稀盐酸合成酸性钛溶胶，再将其与铝溶胶和六次甲基四胺溶液混合后采用油柱成型法制备了球形TiO₂-Al₂O₃复合氧化物。通过XRD、低温氮吸附-脱附与NH₃-TPD等手段对样品进行表征，结果表明600 ℃焙烧得到的球形TiO₂-Al₂O₃中TiO₂以无定型形式存在;随TiO₂含量的增加，球形TiO₂-Al₂O₃的比表面积、孔容和平均孔径呈增加趋势;TiO₂的引入没有对球形TiO₂-Al₂O₃的强酸和弱酸中心的强度产生影响，弱酸中心数量显著增加，强酸中心数量稍有增加;球形TiO₂-Al₂O₃的堆密度和压碎强度随TiO₂含量的增加而减小，颗粒直径基本保持不变。     

Polyols,High Pressure,and Refractive Indices Equalization for Improved Stability of W/O Emulsions for Food Applications

Mixtures of polyols (glycerol, propylene glycol, glucose) and water were emulsified in oil (isopropyl myristate (IPM), medium chain triglycerides (MCT), long chain triglycerides (LCT), and d-limonene) under elevated pressures and homogenization, in the presence of polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR), glycerol monooleate (GMO), and their mixture as emulsifiers to form water-in-oil emulsions. High pressures was applied to: a) the emulsion, b) the aqueous phase and c) the oil phase in the presence of the emulsifiers (PGPR and GMO). Under optimal pressure (2000 atms) applied to the ready-made emulsion or to the aqueous phase prior to its emulsification, and with optimal composition (30wt% polyol in the aqueous phase and MCT as the oil phase), the aqueous droplets were stable for months and submicron in size (0.1 μm). Moreover, due to equalization of the oil and the aqueous phases refractive indices, the emulsions were almost transparent. Pressure and polyols have synergistic effects on the emulsions stability. During preparation, surface tensions and interfacial tensions were dramatically reduced until an optimal water/polyols ratio was achieved, which allows rupturing of the droplets to submicronal size (0.1 μm) without recoalescence and fast diffusion to the interface. These unique W/O emulsions are suitable for preparing W/O/W double emulsions for sustained release of active materials for food applications.     

Photodegradation of toluic acid isomers by UV/TiO2

This work elucidates the photodegradation of toluic acid isomers by UV/TiO₂. Effects of the toluic acid isomers, pH and form of TiO₂ on photodegradation are identified. The rate of photodegradation of toluic acid isomers in UV/TiO₂ obey the sequence p > o > m. Additionally, the reaction rates under acidic conditions exceed those under neutral and alkaline conditions.     

Thermal behaviour of high surface area V2O5/TiO2 catalysts

Thermal analysis (TG and DTA) was employed for the characterization of V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalysts supported on high surface area TiO₂. The results obtained are consistent with a uniform spreading of vanadium oxide on TiO₂ surface for V₂O₅ content less than 15% by weight.The presence of V₂O₅ on the surface of TiO₂ affects the anatase-rutile phase transition lowering the temperature at which it occurs.DTA measurements, performed on catalysts after many months from the preparation, show the appearance of an exothermic peak in the range 280°–340°C. This signal has been related to the oxidation of V(IV) to V(V) on the catalyst surface.Catalysts characterization, performed by chemical analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy, has confirmed this interpretation.It has been suggested that a slow modification of the catalyst occurs, leading to an increase of the V(IV) content during the time.

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Zusammenfassung Zur Charakterisierung von V₂O₅/TiO₂-Katalysatoren auf hochoberflächigem TiO₂ Trägermaterial wurde die Thermoanalyse (TG und DTA) angewendet. Für einen V₂O₅-Gehalt von weniger als 15 Gew.% entsprechen die erhaltenen Ergebnisse einer gleichmäßigen Verteilung des Vanadiumoxides an der TiO₂-Oberfläche.Die Gegenwart von V₂O₅ an der Oberfläche von TiO₂ beeinflußt die Anatas-Rutil-Phasenumwandlung, indem sie die zugehörige Temperatur verringert.DTA-Messungen an Katalysatoren mehrere Monate nach ihrer Herstellung zeigten das Auftreten eines exothermen Peaks im Bereich 280°–340°C. Dieses Signal wurde der Oxidation von V(IV) zu V(V) an der Katalysatoroberfläche zugeschrieben.Diese Interpretation konnte durch eine Charakterisierung des Katalysatoren durch chemische Analyse und FT-IR-Spektroskopie bestätigt werden.Es wurde angedeutet, daß der Katalysator mit der Zeit einer langsamen Modifikation unterliegt, die zu einem Ansteigen des V(IV)-Gehaltes führt.

     

Evaluation of the Photocatalytic Properties of Copper Oxides/Graphene/TiO2 Nanoparticles Composites

Easy and cost-efficient modifications of titanium dioxide nanoparticles that improve their efficiency in the visible light domain represent a continuous and challenging research topic. In addition, the effect of graphene on the overall photocatalytic process is still debated. Consequently, herein, we prepared a series of TiO₂ nanoparticle-based composites with different copper oxide mass content (1–3%) and co-doped with graphene of different oxidation degrees. Different characterization techniques were used to analyze the structural and physico-chemical properties of the obtained composites: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)/Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)/Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photocatalytic performance was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue under both UVA and visible light irradiation. The nanocomposites show very good photocatalytic activity independent of the presence of reduced graphene oxide, due to the Cu₂O/CuO-TiO₂ heterojunctions. This finding has been confirmed by the very efficient visible-light-driven degradation of amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin.     

磷酸对TiO2纳米粒子光催化剂的改性

通过浸渍过程实现了磷酸对溶胶水热法合成的锐钛矿相TiO2纳米粒子的改性.重点研究了磷酸修饰对纳米锐钛矿相TiO2的热稳定性及光催化活性的影响.结果表明,磷酸修饰显著地提高了纳米锐钛矿相TiO2热稳定性,甚至经过800℃热处理后仍然具有以锐钛矿相为主的相组成.在光催化降解罗丹明B(RhB)过程中经过700℃热处理的磷酸修饰的样品表现出了优于商品P25-TiO2的活性.     

微波增强H3PW12O40／TiO2光催化降解染料和水杨酸的研究

以孔雀石绿为模型分子, 考察了微波无极灯的形状、微波功率和溶液初始浓度对光催化降解效果的影响. 并且在最佳微波反应条件下, 考察了通过溶胶-凝胶再结合程序升温水热法制备的复合材料H3PW12O40/TiO2对刚果红、酸性黑、酸性品红和水杨酸的光催化降解情况. 结果表明, 微波无极灯具有更好地增强H3PW12O40/TiO2光催化降解有机污染物的作用.     

Effect of TiO2 Calcination Pretreatment on the Performance of Pt/TiO2 Catalyst for CO Oxidation

In order to improve the CO catalytic oxidation performance of a Pt/TiO₂ catalyst, a series of Pt/TiO₂ catalysts were prepared via an impregnation method in this study, and various characterization methods were used to explore the effect of TiO₂ calcination pretreatment on the CO catalytic oxidation performance of the catalysts. The results revealed that Pt/TiO₂ (700 °C) prepared by TiO₂ after calcination pretreatment at 700 °C exhibits a superior CO oxidation activity at low temperatures. After calcination pretreatment, the catalyst exhibited a suitable specific surface area and pore structure, which is beneficial to the diffusion of reactants and reaction products. At the same time, the proportion of adsorbed oxygen on the catalyst surface was increased, which promoted the oxidation of CO. After calcination pretreatment, the adsorption capacity of the catalyst for CO and CO₂ decreased, which was beneficial for the simultaneous inhibition of the CO self-poisoning of Pt sites. In addition, the Pt species exhibited a higher degree of dispersion and a smaller particle size, thereby increasing the CO oxidation activity of the Pt/TiO₂ (700 °C) catalyst.     

Properties and Photoelectrocatalytic Behaviour of Sol-Gel Derived TiO2 Thin Films

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) thin films have been prepared on indium doped tin oxide (ITO) glass by sol-gel dip-coating method. Properties of the films were determined as a function of heat-treatment by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and photoelectrochemical tests. The films heat-treated at higher temperatures show better crystallinity and photoresponse. The microscopic structure on the film after heat-treatment is attributed to the incorporation of organic polymer into the precursor solution. The performance of the electrodes treated at different temperature on photoelectrocatalytic degradation of methyl orange was investigated. The effect of applied potential and the ability of the electrode to be repeatedly used in photoelectrocatalytic degradation were also evaluated.