scholarly journals Sulfur/Gadolinium-Codoped TiO2Nanoparticles for Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalytic Performance

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric S. Agorku ◽  
Bhekie B. Mamba ◽  
Avinash C. Pandey ◽  
Ajay K. Mishra

A series of S/Gd3+-codoped TiO2photocatalysts were synthesized by a modified sol-gel method. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Laboratory experiments with Indigo Carmine chosen as a model for organic pollutants were used to evaluate the photocatalytic performance of S/Gd3+-codoped TiO2under visible-light with varying concentrations of Gd3+ions in the host material. XRD and Raman results confirmed the existence of anatase phase TiO2with particle size ranging from 5 to 12 nm. Codoping has exerted a great influence on the optical responses along with red shift in the absorption edge. S/Gd3+-codoped TiO2showed significant visible-light induced photocatalytic activity towards Indigo Carmine dye compared with S-TiO2or commercial TiO2. TiO2-S/Gd3+(0.6% Gd3+) degraded the dye (ka= 5.6 × 10−2 min−1) completely in 50 min.

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 95-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Pedraza-Avella ◽  
R. López ◽  
F. Martínez-Ortega ◽  
E.A. Páez-Mozo ◽  
Ricardo Gómez

Visible light absorption of TiO2 can be induced by the addition of transition metal impurities. However, many dissimilar results have been reported about this subject and there are various interpretations about the origin of these absorption features. In this work, samples of chromium-doped titania (TiO2-Cr) with different dopant contents (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 wt. %) were prepared by a sol-gel method. Their particle size was determined by dynamic light scattering and it was on the nanometer scale (18 nm). X-ray powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy showed only the presence of anatase phase in all samples. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that the oxidation state of chromium in the prepared materials is different than in the dopant precursor. This change can be associated to the oxidative gelling conditions used in the materials preparation. UV VIS diffuse reflectance spectroscopy showed that the chromium doping, until 1.0 wt. %, did not effectively narrow the TiO2 band-gap but it induces the visible light absorption probably through the formation of color centers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan Nui Pham ◽  
Tuan Dat Pham ◽  
Ba Manh Nguyen ◽  
Hoa Thi Tran ◽  
Dinh Trong Pham

Mesoporous Al-MCM-41@Ag/TiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized successfully by combining the sol-gel method and hydrothermal treatment, using titanium isopropoxide (TTIP), AgNO3, and Vietnamese bentonite as precursors of Ti, Ag, and Si, respectively. The synthesized materials were well characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm measurements, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis/DRS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the photodegradation of dibenzothiophene (DBT) under both UV and visible light irradiation. MCM-41@Ag/TiO2 catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity for the oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of DBT reaching almost 100% conversions at 50°C after 2 h under UV and visible light irradiations. The significant enhanced degradation of DBT over Al-MCM-41@Ag/TiO2 might be due to the synergy effects of high surface area of MCM-41, well-distributed TiO2 anatase, and reduced electron-hole recombination rates due to the dispersion of Ag nanoparticles.


Author(s):  
Ahmed Badreldin ◽  
Yahya Zakaria ◽  
Said Mansour ◽  
Ahmed Abdel-Wahab

AbstractOne-dimensional (1D) nanowire black titania heterojunctioned with multi-wall carbon nanotube (bTiO2 NW/MWCNT) structures were successfully synthesized via a facile single-step hydrothermal procedure, coupled with succeeding surface treatments and a solid-state physiochemical mode of reduction. Paramagnetic SiO2-coated Fe3O4 microspheres were fabricated and used as cores for the seeding and growth of the bTiO2 NW/MWCNT photocatalyst. The as-prepared photocatalysts were characterized via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results of materials characterization confirmed formation of 1D bTiO2 NW structure with chemically bound MWCNT atop the reduced Ti3+ propagated lattice of the predominantly (101) exposed facets of anatase TiO2. Controlling the surface treatment process and NW growth time to maintain the anatase phase and stability of surface morphology upon reduction allowed for superior visible light-driven photoactivity. The visible light-driven photocatalytic degradation of 10 mg/L methylene orange was recorded at 97.4% in 20 min of 0.7 Sun intensity. The apparent reaction rate constant (k) of the as-prepared photocatalyst (0.1439 min−1) is ~ 18 times higher than that of pristine TiO2. Utilization of paramagnetic cores for in situ photocatalyst collection upon water treatment is highly recommended for newly developed materials. Further, performing surface treatment procedures of prepared titania-based photocatalysts has been proven to have a notable advantageous effect on photoactivity and is thus suggested for similar materials.


Author(s):  
Snehamol Mathew ◽  
Priyanka Ganguly ◽  
Stephen Rhatigan ◽  
Vignesh Kumaravel ◽  
Ciara Byrne ◽  
...  

Indoor surface contamination by microbes is a major public health concern. A damp environment is one potential sources for microbe proliferation. Smart photocatalytic coatings on building surfaces using semiconductors like titania (TiO<sub>2</sub>) can effectively curb this growing threat.<b> </b>Metal-doped titania in anatase phase has been proved as a promising candidate for energy and environmental applications. In this present work, the antimicrobial efficacy of copper (Cu) doped TiO<sub>2 </sub>(Cu-TiO<sub>2</sub>) was evaluated against <i>Escherichia coli</i> (Gram-negative) and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (Gram-positive) under visible light irradiation. Doping of a minute fraction of Cu (0.5 mol %) in TiO<sub>2 </sub>was carried out <i>via</i> sol-gel technique. Cu-TiO<sub>2</sub> further calcined at various temperatures (in the range of 500 °C – 700 °C) to evaluate the thermal stability of TiO<sub>2</sub> anatase phase. The physico-chemical properties of the samples were characterised through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-visible spectroscopy techniques. XRD results revealed that the anatase phase of TiO<sub>2</sub> was maintained well, up to 650 °C, by the Cu dopant. UV-DRS results suggested that the visible light absorption property of Cu-TiO<sub>2 </sub>was enhanced and the band gap is reduced to 2.8 eV. Density functional theory (DFT) studies emphasises the introduction of Cu<sup>+</sup> and Cu<sup>2+</sup> ions by replacing Ti<sup>4+</sup> ions in the TiO<sub>2</sub> lattice, creating oxygen vacancies. These further promoted the photocatalytic efficiency. A significantly high bacterial inactivation (99.9%) was attained in 30 mins of visible light irradiation by Cu-TiO<sub>2</sub>.


Separations ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Chukwuka Bethel Anucha ◽  
Ilknur Altin ◽  
Emin Bacaksız ◽  
Tayfur Kucukomeroglu ◽  
Masho Hilawie Belay ◽  
...  

Abatement of contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) in water sources has been widely studied employing TiO2 based heterogeneous photocatalysis. However, low quantum energy yield among other limitations of titania has led to its modification with other semiconductor materials for improved photocatalytic activity. In this work, a 0.05 wt.% CuWO4 over TiO2 was prepared as a powder composite. Each component part synthesized via the sol-gel method for TiO2, and CuWO4 by co-precipitation assisted hydrothermal method from precursor salts, underwent gentle mechanical agitation. Homogenization of the nanopowder precursors was performed by zirconia ball milling for 2 h. The final material was obtained after annealing at 500 °C for 3.5 h. Structural and morphological characterization of the synthesized material has been achieved employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) N2 adsorption–desorption analysis, Scanning electron microscopy-coupled Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS) for optical characterization. The 0.05 wt.% CuWO4-TiO2 catalyst was investigated for its photocatalytic activity over carbamazepine (CBZ), achieving a degradation of almost 100% after 2 h irradiation. A comparison with pure TiO2 prepared under those same conditions was made. The effect of pH, chemical scavengers, H2O2 as well as contaminant ion effects (anions, cations), and humic acid (HA) was investigated, and their related influences on the photocatalyst efficiency towards CBZ degradation highlighted accordingly.


2014 ◽  
Vol 809-810 ◽  
pp. 890-894
Author(s):  
Dan Li ◽  
Lian Wei Shan ◽  
Gui Lin Wang ◽  
Li Min Dong ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
...  

Boron-BiVO4 samples were synthesized by sol-gel method. They were characterized by UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction. Photocatalytic activity of the obtained BiVO4 samples was investigated through degrading methylene blue (MB). The results reveal that boron-BiVO4 catalysts have monoclinic scheelite structure. The BiVO4 and Co-BiVO4 photocatalysts were responsive to visible light. Co-BiVO4 photocatalyst showed higher photocatalytic activity than pure BiVO4, resulting in the significantly improved efficiency of degradation of MB.


2020 ◽  
pp. 089270572094421
Author(s):  
Guo Liu ◽  
Ting-Ting Li ◽  
Xiao-Fang Song ◽  
Jin-Yu Yang ◽  
Jiang-Tao Qin ◽  
...  

A new type of N-isopropyl acrylamide/high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose/graphite carbon nitride (NIPAAm/HHPC/g-C3N4) smart hydrogel-based photocatalyst with thermally driven characteristic was successfully prepared by electron beam pre-radiation polymerization and radiation cross-linking methods. The agglomeration and loss of g-C3N4 nanosheets can be avoided effectively, and ensured high photocatalytic activity under visible light, once the g-C3N4 nanosheets are uniformly dispersed into the skeleton of a thermosensitive NIPAAm/HHPC hydrogel. NIPAAm/HHPC/g-C3N4 (NHC) hydrogel was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The microstructure of NHC was further characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller. The adsorption–photocatalytic removal rate of rhodamine B reached 71.4% at the mass ratio of g-C3N4 of 0.8% (NHC-0.8%) hydrogel in an aqueous medium under visible light. The thermal shrinkage ratio can reach 90.6% at 60°C after 5 min and could effectively achieve the function of recycling-free in a portable photocatalytic reaction device under the optimal conditions. Possible mechanism of adsorption–photocatalysis and thermally driven recycling-free on NHC hydrogel was also obtained. These thermally driven recycling-free characteristic and highly photocatalytic properties of the hybrid hydrogel-based photocatalyst show that it can be used as a promising new material with extensive applications in wastewater treatment.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weike Zhang ◽  
Yanrong Zhang ◽  
Kai Yang ◽  
Yanqing Yang ◽  
Jia Jia ◽  
...  

A silicon dioxide/carbon nano onions/titanium dioxide (SiO2/CNOs/TiO2) composite was synthesized by a simple sol-gel method and characterized by the methods of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-Vis DRS). In this work, the photocatalytic activity of the SiO2/CNOs/TiO2 photocatalyst was assessed by testing the degradation rate of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light. The results indicated that the samples exhibited the best photocatalytic activity when the composite consisted of 3% CNOs and the optimum dosage of SiO2/CNOs/TiO2(3%) was 1.5 g/L as evidenced by the highest RhB degradation rate (96%). The SiO2/CNOs/TiO2 composite greatly improved the quantum efficiency of TiO2. This work provides a new option for the modification of subsequent nanocomposite oxide nanoparticles.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (04) ◽  
pp. 1950045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Zhao ◽  
Yanzhao Xie ◽  
Qiuyu Lin ◽  
Rongze Zheng ◽  
Yong Diao

A series of composite catalysts of C, N and P co-doped TiO2 were prepared by sol-gel method, using a biomass (soluble starch) dopant. The samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results show that TiO2 is co-doped with C, N and P by one step. The resulting composite exhibited higher specific surface area, wider visible-light absorption band with respect to the pure TiO2. The sample calcined at 400∘C for 2[Formula: see text]h with a doping amount of 6[Formula: see text]g soluble starch showed the best electrochemical performance. The C, N and P co-doped TiO2 was also used for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and degradation ratio was up to 98% in 80[Formula: see text]min under visible light irradiation.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Wafi ◽  
Erzsébet Szabó-Bárdos ◽  
Ottó Horváth ◽  
Mihály Pósfai ◽  
Éva Makó ◽  
...  

Catalysts for visible-light-driven oxidative cleaning processes and antibacterial applications (also in the dark) were developed. In order to extend the photoactivity of titanium dioxide into the visible region, nitrogen-doped TiO2 catalysts with hollow and non-hollow structures were synthesized by co-precipitation (NT-A) and sol–gel (NT-U) methods, respectively. To increase their photocatalytic and antibacterial efficiencies, various amounts of silver were successfully loaded on the surfaces of these catalysts by using a facile photo-deposition technique. Their physical and chemical properties were evaluated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM–EDS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The photocatalytic performances of the synthesized catalysts were examined in coumarin and 1,4-hydroquinone solutions. The results showed that the hollow structure of NT-A played an important role in obtaining high specific surface area and appreciable photoactivity. In addition, Ag-loading on the surface of non-hollow structured NT-U could double the photocatalytic performance with an optimum Ag concentration of 10−6 mol g−1, while a slight but monotonous decrease was caused in this respect for the hollow surface of NTA upon increasing Ag concentration. Comparing the catalysts with different structures regarding the photocatalytic performance, silverized non-hollow NT-U proved competitive with the hollow NT-A catalyst without Ag-loading for efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic oxidative degradations. The former one, due to the silver nanoparticles on the catalyst surface, displayed an appreciable antibacterial activity, which was comparable to that of a reference material practically applied for disinfection in polymer coatings.


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