Synthesis, crystal structure, photodegradation kinetics and photocatalytic activity of novel photocatalyst ZnBiYO4

ZnBiYO₄ was synthesized by a solid-state reaction method for the first time. The structural and photocatalytic properties of ZnBiYO₄ were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance. ZnBiYO₄ crystallized with a tetragonal spinel structure with space group I41/A. The lattice parameters for ZnBiYO₄ were a = b = 11.176479 Å and c= 10.014323 Å. The band gap of ZnBiYO₄ was estimated to be 1.58 eV. The photocatalytic activity of ZnBiYO₄ was assessed by photodegradation of methyl orange under visible light irradiation. The results showed that ZnBiYO₄ had higher catalytic activity compared with N-doped TiO₂ under the same experimental conditions using visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange with ZnBiYO₄ or N-doped TiO₂ as catalyst followed first-order reaction kinetics, and the first-order rate constant was 0.01575 and 0.00416 min^-1 for ZnBiYO₄ and N-doped TiO₂, respectively. After visible light irradiation for 220 min with ZnBiYO₄ as catalyst, complete removal and mineralization of methyl orange were observed. The reduction of total organic carbon, formation of inorganic products, SO₄^2- and NO₃^-, and evolution of CO₂ revealed the continuous mineralization of methyl orange during the photocatalytic process. The intermediate products were identified using liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry. The ZnBiYO₄/(visible light) photocatalysis system was found to be suitable for textile industry wastewater treatment and could be used to solve other environmental chemical pollution problems.     

Visible light driven mineralization of spiramycin over photostructured N-doped TiO2 on up conversion phosphors

A novel visible light-active photocatalyst formulation(NdT/OP) was obtained by supporting N-doped TiO_2(NdT) particles on up-conversion luminescent organic phosphors(OP). The photocatalytic activity of such catalysts was evaluated for the mineralization process of spiramycin in aqueous solution. The effect of NdT loading in the range 15–60 wt.% on bulk and surface characteristics of NdT/OP catalysts was investigated by several chemicophysical characterization techniques. The photocatalytic performance of NdT/OP catalysts in the removal of spyramicin from aqueous solution was assessed through photocatalytic tests under visible light irradiation. Total organic carbon(TOC) of aqueous solution,and CO and CO_2 gas concentrations evolved during the photodegradation were analyzed. A dramatic enhancement of photocatalytic activity of the photostructured visible active NdT/OP catalysts,compared to NdT catalyst,was observed. Only CO_2 was detected in gas-phase during visible light irradiation,proving that the photocatalytic process is effective in the mineralization of spiramycin,reaching very high values of TOC removal. The photocatalyst NdT/OP at 30 wt.% of NdT loading showed the highest photocatalytic activity(58%of TOC removed after 180 min irradiation against only 31% removal after 300 min of irradiation of NdT). We attribute this enhanced activity to the high effectiveness in the utilization of visible light through improved light harvesting and exploiting. OP particles act as "photoactive support",able to be excited by the external visible light irradiation,and reissue luminescence of wavelength suitable to promote NdT photomineralization activity.     

Synergistic effect of N- and F-codoping on the structure and photocatalytic performance of TiO2

Three types of TiO₂ nanostructures were synthesized via a facile hydrolysis method at 195 °C. Effects of the preparation method and doping with N and F on the crystal structure and photocatalytic performance of TiO₂ were investigated. The nanomaterials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller porosimetry, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and fluorescent emission spectra. Their photo-catalytic activity was examined by the photodegradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution under both ultra-violet and visible light irradiation. The results show that nitrogen and fluorine co-doped anatase TiO₂ had the characteristics of a smaller crystalline size, broader light absorption spectrum and lower charge recombination than pure TiO₂. Most importantly, more efficient photocatalytic activity under both ultra-violet and visible light was observed. The obtained N–F-TiO₂ nanomaterial shows considerable potential for water treatment under sunlight irradiation.     

Enhanced photoelectrocatalytic degradation of ammonia by in situ photoelectrogenerated active chlorine on TiO2 nanotube electrodes

TiO_2 nanotube(Ti NT) electrodes anodized in fluorinated organic solutions were successfully prepared on Ti sheets. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) were performed to characterize the TiNT electrodes. The linear voltammetry results under irradiation showed that the TiNT electrode annealed at 450°C presented the highest photoelectrochemical activity. By combining photocatalytic with electrochemical process, a significantly synergetic effect on ammonia degradation was observed with Na_2SO_4 as supporting electrolyte at pH 10.7. Furthermore, the photoelectrocatalytic efficiency on the ammonia degradation was greatly enhanced in presence of chloride ions without the limitation of pH. The degradation rate was improved by 14.8 times reaching 4.98 × 10~(-2) min~(-1) at pH 10.7 and a faster degradation rate of 6.34 × 10~(-2) min~(-1)was obtained at pH 3.01. The in situ photoelectrocatalytic generated active chlorine was proposed to be responsible for the improved efficiency. On the other hand, an enhanced degradation of ammonia using TiNT electrode fabricated in fluorinated organic solution was also confirmed compared to TiNT electrode anodized in fluorinated water solution and TiO_2 film electrode fabricated by sol–gel method. Finally, the effect of chloride concentration was also discussed.     

In_2TiO_5纳米带的静电纺丝法制备及光催化性能

以酞酸丁酯(Ti(OC_4H_9)_4)、硝酸铟(In(NO3)3)和聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP-K30)为原料,采用静电纺丝技术制备了In_2TiO_5纳米带.利用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、紫外-可见漫反射光谱(UV-vis DRS)和氮气吸附-脱附等温线(BET)等技术对样品进行了表征.考察了In_2TiO_5纳米带在光催化降解罗丹明B(RhB)、甲基橙(MO)、亚甲基蓝(MB)和左氧氟沙星(LEV)过程中的应用性能,研究了不同离子型物质、溶液的pH和MB起始浓度对In_2TiO_5纳米带光催化活性的影响.结果表明:In_2TiO_5纳米带具有正交晶系结构,禁带宽度为3.47 eV,比表面积为20.71 m~2·g~(-1),可应用于4种不同离子型物质的光催化降解,发现光催化效果与被降解物质的表面带电性质有关.在紫外光照射下,90 min,对MB的降解率达98.1%,其降解过程服从一级动力学模型.     

Photocatalytic parameters and kinetic study for degradation of dichlorophenol-indophenol (DCPIP) dye using highly active mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles

Highly active mesoporous TiO_2 of about 6 nm crystal size and 280.7 m~2/g specific surface areas has been successfully synthesized via controlled hydrolysis of titanium butoxide at acidic medium. It was characterized by means of XRD(X-ray diffraction), SEM(scanning electron microscopy), TEM(transmission electron microscopy), FT-IR(Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), TGA(thermogravimetric analysis), DSC(differential scanning calorimetry) and BET(Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) surface area. The degradation of dichlorophenol-indophenol(DCPIP) under ultraviolet(UV) light was studied to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of samples. The effects of different parameters and kinetics were investigated. Accordingly, a complete degradation of DCPIP dye was achieved by applying the optimal operational conditions of 1 g/L of catalyst, 10 mg/L of DCPIP, pH of 3 and the temperature at 25 ± 3°C after 3 min under UV irradiation. Meanwhile, the Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model described the variations in pure photocatalytic branch in consistent with a first order power law model.The results proved that the prepared TiO_2 nanoparticle has a photocatalytic activity significantly better than Degussa P-25.     

Tricrystalline TiO2 with enhanced photocatalytic activity and durability for removing volatile organic compounds from indoor air

It is important to develop efficient and economic techniques for removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air. Heterogeneous TiO₂-based semiconductors are a promising technology for achieving this goal. Anatase/brookite/rutile tricrystalline TiO₂ with mesoporous structure was synthesized by a low-temperature hydrothermal route in the presence of HNO₃. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherm. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by photocatalytic decomposition of toluene in air under UV light illumination. The results show that tricrystalline TiO₂ exhibited higher photocatalytic activity and durability toward gaseous toluene than bicrystalline TiO₂, due to the synergistic effects of high surface area, uniform mesoporous structure and junctions among mixed phases. The tricrystalline TiO₂ prepared at R_HNO3 = 0.8, containing 80.7% anatase, 15.6% brookite and 3.7% rutile, exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity, about 3.85-fold higher than that of P25. The high activity did not significantly degrade even after five reuse cycles. In conclusion, it is expected that our study regarding gas-phase degradation of toluene over tricrystalline TiO₂ will enrich the chemistry of the TiO₂-based materials as photocatalysts for environmental remediation and stimulate further research interest on this intriguing topic.     

上转换发光剂掺杂纳米TiO2的制备及可见光降解乙基紫的研究

合成了一种新型含有稀土金属Er的上转换发光剂40CdF₂·60BaF₂·1.6Er₂O₃,此上转换发光剂在488 nm可见光的激发下,产生了5个波长均小于387 nm的上转换紫外光发射峰.采用超声波分散的方法制备出了上转换发光剂掺杂的纳米TiO₂可见光光催化剂.利用X-射线衍射(XRD)及透射电镜(TEM)对催化剂进行了表征.以乙基紫染料为研究对象,研究了在(三基色灯下发出的)可见光的照射下该可见光光催化剂的催化降解性能,并与未掺杂的纳米TiO₂粉末的催化性能进行了对比.结果表明,作为掺杂成分的上转换发光剂可有效地将可见光转化为紫外光并被纳米TiO₂粉末吸收利用,在可见光照射12.0 h后乙基紫降解率达到了99.68%,大大高于未掺杂纳米TiO2时的降解率.     

Visible light responsive N-F-codoped TiO2 photocatalysts for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol

Visible light responsive N-F-codoped TiO₂ photocatalysts exhibit a higher catalytic activity than N-doped TiO₂ for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol due to the synergistic effect of nonmetal elements.     

氮掺杂二氧化钛复合催化膜降解甲苯气体研究

采用溶胶-凝胶法以聚丙烯(PP)中空纤维膜为载体制备了N-Ti O2/PP复合催化膜,并考察了其催化降解甲苯有机废气的性能.结果发现,紫外光催化的甲苯降解率可达84%,去除负荷为89.8 g·m-3·h~(-1),自然光催化的甲苯降解率可达63.9%,去除负荷为69.25 g·m-3·h~(-1).同时,采用紫外-可见光谱(UV-Vis)、X-射线光电子能谱(XPS)和傅里叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR)表征了N-Ti O2/PP复合催化膜,并采用GC-MS分析甲苯降解过程的中间产物并推测甲苯反应过程机理.采用GC-MS分析出口气样的研究结果表明,苯(C6H6)、苯甲醛(C7H6O)、苯乙酸(C8H8O2)、丙烯醛(C3H4O)、甲酸甲酯(C2H4O2)为甲苯光催化降解的中间产物.N-Ti O2/PP复合催化膜降解甲苯的机制为甲苯气体通过中空纤维膜传质到N-Ti O2/PP复合催化膜,光催化产生羟基自由基,甲苯气体被羟基自由基氧化成中间产物,并继续降解为最终产物二氧化碳和水.     

Fabrication of ion doped WO3 photocatalysts through bulk and surface doping

Na⁺ doped WO₃ nanowire photocatalysts were prepared by using post-treatment (surface doping) and in situ (bulk doping) doping methods. Photocatalytic degradation of Methyl Blue was tested under visible light irradiation, the results showed that 1 wt.% Na⁺ bulk-doped WO₃ performed better, with higher photoactivity than surface-doped WO₃. Photoelectrochemical characterization revealed the differences in the photocatalytic process for surface doping and bulk doping. Uniform bulk doping could generate more electron–hole pairs, while minimizing the chance of electron–hole recombination. Some bulk properties such as the bandgap, Fermi level and band position could also be adjusted by bulk doping, but not by surface doping.     

Fabrication of Bi2O3/TiO2 nanocomposites and their applications to the degradation of pollutants in air and water under visible-light

A nanoheterojunction composite photocatalyst Bi2O3/TiO2working under visible-light(λ 420 nm) was prepared by combining two semiconductors Bi2O3 and TiO2 varying the Bi2O3/TiO2molar ratio. Maleic acid was employed as an organic binder to unite Bi2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles. The SEM, TEM, XRD and diffuse reflectance spectra were utilized to characterize the prepared Bi2O3/TiO2nanoheterojunction. The nanocomposite exhibited unusual high photocatalytic activity in decomposing 2-propanol in gas phase and phenol in aqueous phase and, evolution of CO2 under visible light irradiation while the end members exhibited low photocatalytic activity. The composite was optimized to 5 mol% Bi2O3/TiO2. The remarkable high photocatalytic efficiency originates from the unique relative energy band position of Bi2O3 and TiO2 as well as the absorption of visible light by Bi2O3.     

BiOCl/TiO_2复合材料的可见光活性及机理研究

采用水热法和溶胶凝胶法制备新型BiOCl/TiO2复合材料并明确了最优的掺杂比例(2%).随后利用X射线衍射(XRD)、紫外可见漫反射(DRS)、透射电镜(TEM)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)对该材料进行表征.由于禁带宽度较大,纯BiOCl和TiO2的可见光催化性能极差,然而二者复合后,同条件下的苯降解率却大幅提升,可以达到40%以上.经证实,催化剂制备过程中,Bi的状态发生变化,在TiO2导、价带之间插入新的能级,使其禁带宽度变窄,电子可以实现可见光跃迁.     

BiOCl/TiO2的氯化改性及其新式光生自由基催化反应

采用溶胶凝胶法制备了BiOCl/TiO₂复合催化剂,透射电镜（TEM）照片显示,两种半导体分布均匀、相互连接,形成的异质结可以为电子传导提供有效通道.经过氯化处理的复合材料具备更强的光催化能力,在紫外光条件下对苯的降解率达到90%,是原BiOCl/TiO₂的2倍、纯TiO₂的10倍.本文利用X射线光电子能谱、红外光谱和电子顺磁共振,对表面氯化的机理进行研究.结果表明,氯元素以Ti—Cl的方式吸附在催化剂表面,在光照条件下光生空穴夺取一个电子,使其生成氯自由基,进而配合超氧、羟基,构成一种新型的三自由基光催化体系,使催化降解能力大幅提升.最后,利用实验方法得到了光生氯自由基的直接证据,并构建了该体系的光催化反应机理.     

Layered sphere-shaped TiO2 capped with gold nanoparticles on structural defects and their catalysis of formaldehyde oxidation

We describe here a one-step method for the synthesis of Au/TiO₂ nanosphere materials, which were formed by layered deposition of multiple anatase TiO₂ nanosheets. The Au nanoparticles were stabilized by structural defects in each TiO₂ nanosheet, including crystal steps and edges, thereby fixing the Au–TiO₂ perimeter interface. Reactant transfer occurred along the gaps between these TiO₂ nanosheet layers and in contact with catalytically active sites at the Au–TiO₂ interface. The doped Au induced the formation of oxygen vacancies in the Au–TiO₂ interface. Such vacancies are essential for generating active oxygen species (*O⁻) on the TiO₂ surface and Ti^3 + ions in bulk TiO₂. These ions can then form Ti^3 +–O⁻–Ti^4 + species, which are known to enhance the catalytic activity of formaldehyde (HCHO) oxidation. These studies on structural and oxygen vacancy defects in Au/TiO₂ samples provide a theoretical foundation for the catalytic mechanism of HCHO oxidation on oxide-supported Au materials.     

甲基橙溶液多相光催化降解研究

利用中压汞灯作为光源,在ＴｉＯ２粉末悬浆体系内,以甲基橙溶液光降解脱色速率为例,探讨间歇式电光源圆柱形光化学反应器的运行情况及影响因素．分别考察了使用３００Ｗ和５００Ｗ中压汞灯、石英和玻璃冷阱、甲基橙溶液温度在２０℃或５０℃、不同ＴｉＯ２催化剂以及不同催化剂投加量对甲基橙溶液脱色速率的影响．从而得出在现有电光源圆柱形反应器的最佳运行条件下,２０ｍｇ／Ｌ的甲基橙溶液光照１０ｍｉｎ,脱色率达９７．４％．     

Surface modification of polypropylene non-woven fibers with TiO2 nanoparticles via layer-by-layer self assembly method: Preparation and photocatalytic activity

Polypropylene (PP) meltblown fibers were coated with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles using layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition technique. The fibers were first modified with 3 layers of poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PSS) and poly(diallyl-dimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) to improve the anchoring of the TiO₂ nanoparticle clusters. PDADMAC, which is positively charged, was then used as counter polyelectrolyte in tandem with anionic TiO₂ nanoparticles to construct TiO₂/PDADMAC bilayer in the LbL fashion. The number of deposited TiO₂/PDADMAC layers was varied from 1 to 7 bilayer, and could be used to adjust TiO₂ loading. The LbL technique showed higher TiO₂ loading efficiency than the impregnation approach. The modified fibers were tested for their photocatalytic activity against a model dye, Methylene Blue (MB). Results showed that the TiO₂ modified fibers exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity efficiency similar to that of TiO₂ powder dispersed in solution. The deposition of TiO₂ 3 bilayer on the PP substrate was sufficient to produce nanocomposite fibers that could bleach the MB solution in less than 4 hr. TiO₂-LbL constructions also preserved TiO₂ adhesion on substrate surface after 1 cycle of photocatalytic test. Successive photocatalytic test showed decline in MB reduction rate with loss of TiO₂ particles from the substrate outer surface. However, even in the third cycle, the TiO₂ modified fibers are still moderately effective as it could remove more than 95% of MB after 8 hr of treatment.     

C3N4/BiOBr复合可见光催化剂的性能及其作用机制

利用水热合成法制备了C_3N_4/BiOBr复合可见光催化剂,通过XRD、FT-IR、SEM、DRS、PL等手段对催化剂的物相组成和光化学性能进行了系统表征,利用对罗丹明B(RhB)的降解实验评价了催化剂在可见光照下的光催化降解活性和稳定性并通过ESR分析和自由基捕获实验探究了RhB的光催化降解机制.结果表明,水热合成法可成功制备结晶性能良好的C_3N_4/BiOBr复合可见光催化剂;C_3N_4的复合降低了BiOBr光催化剂的电子-空穴的复合,提高了光催化降解活性,其中15%C_3N_4/BiOBr的活性最佳,可见光照18 min后RhB的脱色率达100%,较纯BiOBr提高了1.5倍,且重复使用5次后仍具有较高的光催化降解活性;复合催化剂光催化降解RhB过程中参与降解的主要活性物种为空穴(h~+)和超氧自由基(·O_2~-),其中h~+影响更为显著.     

Assessing the effects of surface-bound humic acid on the phototoxicity of anatase and rutile TiO2 nanoparticles in vitro

In this study,the cytotoxicity of two different crystal phases of TiO₂ nanoparticles,with surface modification by humic acid（HA）,to Escherichia coli,was assessed.The physicochemical properties of TiO₂ nanoparticles were thoroughly characterized.Three different initial concentrations,namely 50,100,and 200 ppm,of HA were used for synthesis of HA coated TiO₂ nanoparticles（denoted as A/RHA50,A/RHA100,and A/RHA200,respectively）.Results indicate that rutile（LC50（concentration that causes 50%mortality compared the control group）=6.5）was more toxic than anatase（LC₅0=278.8）under simulated sunlight（SSL）irradiation,possibly due to an extremely narrow band gap.It is noted that HA coating increased the toxicity of anatase,but decreased that of rutile.Additionally,AHA50 and RHA50had the biggest differences compared to uncoated anatase and rutile with LC₅0of 201.9 and21.6,respectively.We then investigated the formation of reactive oxygen species（ROS）by TiO₂ nanoparticles in terms of hydroxyl radicals（OH）and superoxide anions（O₂^-）.Data suggested that O₂^- was the main ROS that accounted for the higher toxicity of rutile upon SSL irradiation.We also observed that HA coating decreased the generation of OH and O₂^- on rutile,but increased O₂^- formation on anatase.Results from TEM analysis also indicated that HA coated rutile tended to be attached to the surface of E.coli more than anatase.     

Synthesis of TiO2 visible light catalysts with controllable crystalline phase and morphology from Ti-bearing electric arc furnace molten slag

TiO₂ visible light catalysts with different crystalline phases and morphologies were synthesized from titanium-bearing electric arc furnace molten slag (Ti-bearing EAF slag) by using a simple acidolysis process. The effects of the pH of the HCl solution, liquid to solid ratio (R_L/S, HCl solution to the residue ratio, mL/g) and acidolysis time on the micro-morphology and crystalline phase of as-prepared TiO₂ photocatalysts were systematically investigated. The results indicated that with decreasing pH in the HCl solution and increasing R_L/S, the crystalline phase and micro-morphology of the obtained TiO₂ nanostructures tended to transform from anatase type TiO₂ with spherical nanoparticle structures to rutile type TiO₂ with needle-like nanorod structures. The acidolysis time had little influence on the crystalline phase but great impact on the size of the obtained TiO₂. The growth mechanism of TiO₂ from Ti-bearing EAF slag during the acidolysis process was also discussed. In addition, the influence of R_L/S on the photocatalytic properties of the synthesized nanostructured TiO₂ was studied. The results showed that the photodegradation efficiency for Rhodamine B solution could reach 91.00% in 120 min when the R_L/S was controlled at 50:1.