Heterogeneous photo-Fenton decolorization of methylene blue over LiFe(WO4)2 catalyst

Heterogeneous photo-Fenton process using LiFe(WO(4))(2) as catalyst was studied to degrade Methylene blue (MB) dye in aqueous solution. The results indicated that LiFe(WO(4))(2) could effectively catalyze the decolorization of MB in the presence of UV light and H(2)O(2). The effects of different parameters such as amounts of catalyst, H(2)O(2) concentration, initial pH of the dye solution, initial dye concentration and UV light intensity on the decolorization efficiency of the process were investigated. It was found that LiFe(WO(4))(2) possessed a wide applicable pH range. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was applied to investigate the transformation between Fe(III) and Fe(II). It was also observed that catalytic behavior could be reproduced in consecutive experiments without a considerable drop in the process efficiency.     

Photocatalytic decolorization of azo-dye with zinc oxide powder in an external UV light irradiation slurry photoreactor

Photocatalytic decolorization of azo-dye Orange II in water has been examined in an external UV light irradiation slurry photoreactor using zinc oxide (ZnO) as a semiconductor photocatalyst. The effects of process parameters such as light intensity, initial dye concentration, photocatalyst loading and initial solution pH on the decolorization rate of Orange II have been systematically investigated. A two-stage photocatalytic decolorization of Orange II, the first stage of fast decolorization rate and the subsequent second stage of rather slow decolorization rate, was found. The efficiency of decolorization of Orange II increased as initial Orange II concentration decreased and UV light intensity increased. There was the optimal ZnO concentration being around 1000 mg L(-1). The optimal pH was around 7.7, which was at the natural pH of the dye solution. The effect of aeration rate on the decolorization of Orange II has been also investigated and the enhancement of decolorization of Orange II with increasing aeration rate was found. By using a model for the light intensity profile in the external UV light irradiation slurry photoreactor, the simulation model for the decolorization of Orange II with ZnO photocatalyst has been developed. The proposed model in which the slow decolorization in the second stage as well as the initial fast decolorization is also taken into account could simulate the experimental results for UV light irradiation satisfactorily. The proposed simulation model in which the change of light intensity with time due to the decolorization of Orange II and the light scatter due to solid photocatalysts are considered will be very useful for practical engineering design of the slurry photoreactor of wastewater including textile dyes.     

Photocatalytic activity of TiO2-capped ZnO nanoparticles

Using a combined hydrothermal and sol–gel route, TiO₂ -capped ZnO nanoparticles with an average size of 60 nm were prepared. The titania shell was amorphous with a thickness of ~10 nm. Formation of Zn₂TiO₄ phase at higher calcination temperature was noticed. Effects of Ti/Zn molar ratio and coating time on the thickness of TiO₂ shell and the photoactivity of the particles for decolorization of Methylene Blue (MB) under UV lamp irradiation (3 mW/cm²) were investigated. The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DLS), and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Analysis of the photoactivity results according to Langmuir–Hinshelwood model revealed a two-step decolorization process with a high kinetics rate at the early stage followed by a slower step. The capped nanoparticles synthesized under specific conditions exhibited higher photodecolorization yield and faster kinetics in comparison to the uncoated ZnO and P25-Degussa TiO₂ nanoparticles.     

New photocatalysts based on MIL-53 metal-organic frameworks for the decolorization of methylene blue dye

The photocatalytic decolorization of methylene blue dye in aqueous solution using a novel photocatalyst MIL-53(Fe) metal-organic frameworks was investigated under UV-vis light and visible light irradiation. The effect of electron acceptor H(2)O(2), KBrO(3) and (NH(4))(2)S(2)O(8) addition on the photocatalytic performance of MIL-53(Fe) was also evaluated. The results show that MIL-53(Fe) photocatalyst exhibited photocatalytic activity for MB decolorization both under UV-vis light and visible light irradiation, and the MB decolorization over MIL-53(Fe) photocatalyst followed the first-order kinetics. The addition of different electron acceptors all enhances the photocatalytic performance of MIL-53(Fe) photocatalyst, and the enhanced rate follows the order of H(2)O(2)>(NH(4))(2)S(2)O(8)>KBrO(3) under UV-vis light irradiation, while in the order of (NH(4))(2)S(2)O(8)>H(2)O(2)>KBrO(3) under visible light irradiation. Moreover, MIL-53(Fe) did not exhibit any obvious loss of the activity for MB decolorization during five repeated usages. The photocatalytic activities over MIL-53(M) (M=Al, Fe), the isostructure to MIL-53(Fe), indicate that the metal centers show nil effect on the photocatalytic activity of MIL-53(M) photocatalysts.     

CdS-sensitized ZnO nanorod arrays coated with TiO2 layer for visible light photoelectrocatalysis

A novel ZnO/CdS/TiO₂ nanorod array composite structure was fabricated by depositing CdS-sensitized layer onto ZnO nanorod arrays via chemical bathing deposition and subsequently coated by TiO₂ protection layer via a vacuum dip-coating process. The films were characterized by x-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrum, and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. For the films severed as the photoanodes, linear sweep voltammetry and transient photocurrent (i _ph) were investigated in a three-electrode system. The photoelectrocatalytic activity was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The results show that the oriented ZnO nanorods are adhered by relatively uniform CdS-sensitized layer and coated with TiO₂ layer. Both the coated and uncoated CdS-sensitized ZnO nanorod arrays exhibit the visible light response and the photoelectrocatalytic activity on the degradation of MB under visible light irradiation. The ZnO/CdS/TiO₂ nanorod array film possesses stable and superior photoelectrocatalytic performance owing to the TiO₂ thin layer protecting the CdS from photocorrosion.     

Structural, photophysical and photocatalytic properties of novel Bi2AlVO7

Bi(2)AlVO(7) was prepared by solid-state reaction technique for the first time and the structural and photocatalytic properties of Bi(2)AlVO(7) and Bi(2)InTaO(7) were investigated. The results showed that Bi(2)AlVO(7) crystallized in the tetragonal crystal system with space group I4/mmm. In addition, the band gaps of Bi(2)AlVO(7) and Bi(2)InTaO(7) were estimated to be about 2.06 and 2.81 eV. The photocatalytic degradation of aqueous methylene blue (MB) dye with Bi(2)AlVO(7) or Bi(2)InTaO(7) as catalyst was investigated under visible light irradiation. Bi(2)AlVO(7) showed higher photocatalytic activity compared with Bi(2)InTaO(7) for photocatalytic degradation of MB under visible light irradiation. Complete removal of aqueous MB dye was realized after visible light irradiation for 160 min with Bi(2)AlVO(7) as the photocatalyst. The reduction of the total organic carbon (TOC) and the formation of inorganic products, SO(4)(2-) and NO(3)(-) revealed the continuous mineralization of aqueous MB dye during the photocatalytic process. The possible photocatalytic degradation pathway of aqueous MB dye was revealed under visible light irradiation.     

Microwave-assisted silica coating and photocatalytic activities of ZnO nanoparticles

A new and rapid method for silica coating of ZnO nanoparticles by the simple microwave irradiation technique is reported. Silica-coated ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), CHN elemental analysis and zeta potential measurements. The FT-IR spectra and XPS clearly confirmed the silica coating on ZnO nanoparticles. The results of XPS analysis showed that the elements in the coating at the surface of the ZnO nanoparticles were Zn, O and Si. HR-TEM micrographs revealed a continuous and uniform dense silica coating layer of about 3 nm in thickness on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles. In addition, the silica coating on the ZnO nanoparticles was confirmed by the agreement in the zeta potential of the silica-coated ZnO nanoparticles with that of SiO₂. The results of the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution showed that silica coating effectively reduced the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles. Silica-coated ZnO nanoparticles showed excellent UV shielding ability and visible light transparency.     

Pristine and cadmium-doped zinc oxide: chemical synthesis and characterizations

The chemical synthesis of pristine and cadmium-doped ZnO powders using a simple, cost-effective at 65 °C is reported and characterized for their structures, optical and morphological studies using X-ray diffraction, UV–visible–Near Infra-Red (UV–Vis–NIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy measurement techniques where XRD spectra confirm the formation of ZnO and Cd-doped ZnO with hexagonal crystal structure. The particle size of ZnO is reduced on Cd-doping from 16 to 14 nm. Plane-view surface morphology analysis supported for spherical-type crystallites and UV–Vis–NIR spectra reveal shift in the band edge of ZnO after Cd-doping. Photo-degradation study of Methylene Blue dye shows Pristine ZnO degrades dye faster than Cd-doped ZnO.     

Synthesis,structural and optical properties of Ag doped ZnO nanoparticles with enhanced photocatalytic properties by photo degradation of organic dyes

In present paper chemical route based synthesis of Ag doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by co-precipitation method is reported to develop ZnO NPs for photo catalytic application. XRD confirms the structural purity of ZnO NPs. FESEM and TEM study reveals the surface and ultra structure morphology of NPs. EDAX study confirms the purity and homogeneity of NPs. The Ag/ZnO NPs with different weight percentage of Ag relative to ZnO were applied under visible light irradiation for evaluating heterogeneous photo catalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) and Brilliant blue (BB) respectively. The presence of Ag in ZnO enhance MB and BB dye degradation effectiveness from 96.78 to 98.66 and 82.15 to 97.36% for pure ZnO and maximum Ag doped ZnO (x?=?0.1) respectively. In comparison of MB and BB final degradation ability, MB dyes have more effective photo catalytic efficiency towards different oxidizing species to degradation process.     

Preparation N-F-codoped TiO2 nanorod array by liquid phase deposition as visible light photocatalyst

An efficient method for the preparation of N-F-codoped visible light active TiO₂ nanorod arrays is reported. In the process, simultaneous nitrogen and fluorine doped TiO₂ nanorod arrays on the glass substrates were achieved by liquid phase deposition method using ZnO nanorod arrays as templates with different calcination temperature. The as-prepared samples were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-vis absorption spectra measurements. It was found that calcination temperature is an important factor influencing the microstructure and the amount of N and F in TiO₂ nanorod arrays samples. The visible light photocatalytic properties were investigated using methylene blue (MB) dye as a model system. The results showed that N-F-codoped TiO₂ nanorod arrays sample calcined at 450 °C demonstrated the best visible light activity in all samples, much higher than that of TiO₂ nanoparticles and P25 particles films.     

Studies on photodegradation of two commercial dyes in aqueous phase using different photocatalysts

The present study involves the photocatalytic degradation of Methyl Orange (MO) and Rhodamine 6G (R6G), employing heterogeneous photocatalytic process. Photocatalytic activity of various semiconductors such as titanium dioxide (TiO(2)), zinc oxide (ZnO), stannic oxide (SnO(2)), zinc sulphide (ZnS) and cadmium sulphide (CdS) has been investigated. An attempt has been made to study the effect of process parameters viz., amount of catalyst, concentration of dye and pH on photocatalytic degradation of MO and R6G. The experiments were carried out by irradiating the aqueous solutions of dyes containing photocatalysts with UV and solar light. The rate of decolorization was estimated from residual concentration spectrophotometrically. Similar experiments were carried out by varying pH (2-10), amount of catalyst (0.25-2.0g/l) and initial concentration of dye (5-200mg/l). The experimental results indicated that the maximum decolorization (more than 90%) of dyes occurred with ZnO catalyst and at basic pH and the maximum adsorption of MO was noticed at pH 4 and of R6G at pH 10. The percentage reduction of MO and R6G was estimated under UV/solar system and it was found that COD reduction takes place at a faster rate under solar light as compared to UV light. In case of R6G, highest decolorizing efficiency was achieved with lower dose of catalyst (0.5g/l) than MO (1g/l) under similar conditions. The performance of photocatalytic system employing ZnO/solar light was observed to be better than ZnO/UV system.     

Photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes with manganese-doped ZnO nanoparticles

Manganese-doped and undoped ZnO photocatalysts were synthesized via wet-chemical techniques. Doping of ZnO with manganese (Mn(2+)) was intended to create tail states within the band gap of ZnO. These can subsequently be used as efficient photocatalysts which can effectively degrade organic contaminants only with visible light irradiation. Photocatalysts prepared with these techniques, which were characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), photo-co-relation spectroscopy (PCS) and UV-vis-spectroscopy showed significant difference in the optical absorption of Mn-doped ZnO. Enhancement in optical absorption of Mn-doped ZnO indicates that it can be used as an efficient photocatalyst under visible light irradiation. The photo-reduction activities of photocatalysts were evaluated using a basic aniline dye, methylene blue (MB) as organic contaminant irradiated only with visible light from tungsten bulb. It was found that manganese-doped ZnO (ZnO:Mn(2+)) bleaches MB much faster than undoped ZnO upon its exposure to the visible light. The experiment demonstrated that the photo-degradation efficiency of ZnO:Mn(2+) was significantly higher than that of undoped ZnO and might also be better than the conventional metal oxide semiconductor such as TiO(2) using MB as a contaminant.     

Fabrication and photocatalytic property of ZnO nanorod arrays on Cu2O thin film

ZnO nanorod arrays were fabricated on Cu₂O thin film by a simple low-temperature liquid-phase-deposition method. The samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The UV-Vis spectroscopy showed that the obtained sample was able to absorb a large part of visible light (up to 650 nm). Their photocatalytic activities were investigated by degradation of dye methylene blue (MB) under UV-Vis and visible light irradiation. It was found that the photocatalytic activity of the ZnO/Cu₂O NRs was higher than the ZnO/ZnO NRs under UV-Vis light. In a word, Cu₂O played an important role in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of the ZnO/Cu₂O NRs.     

Structural, photophysical and photocatalytic properties of Bi2MTaO7 (M = La and Y)

Bi₂MTaO₇ (M = Y and La) were synthesized by solid-state reaction method and their structural and photocatalytic properties were investigated. The results indicated that these compounds crystallize in the pyrochlore-type structure, cubic system with space group Fd-3 m. In addition, the band gaps of Bi₂LaTaO₇ and Bi₂YTaO₇ were estimated to be about 2.17(3) and 2.22(7) eV, respectively. For the photocatalytic water splitting reaction, H₂ or O₂ evolution was observed from pure water respectively with Bi₂MTaO₇ (M = Y and La) as the photocatalysts under ultraviolet light irradiation. Photocatalytic degradation of aqueous methylene blue (MB) dye over these compounds was further investigated under visible light irradiation. Bi₂MTaO₇ (M = Y and La) showed markedly higher catalytic activity compared to P-25 for MB photocatalytic degradation under visible light irradiation. Complete removal of aqueous MB was observed after visible light irradiation for 190 min with Bi₂LaTaO₇ as the photocatalyst and for 200 min with Bi₂YTaO₇ as the photocatalyst. The decrease of the total organic carbon (TOC) and the formation of inorganic products, SO₄²⁻ and NO₃⁻, demonstrated the continuous mineralization of aqueous MB during the photocatalytic process.     

Photocatalytic degradation of C.I. Acid Red 27 by immobilized ZnO on glass plates in continuous-mode

The photocatalytic degradation of C.I. Acid Red 27 (AR27), an anionic monoazo dye of acid class, in aqueous solutions was investigated with immobilized ZnO catalyst on glass plates in a continuous-mode. In the slurry ZnO system the separation and recycling of the photocatalyst is practically difficult. Thus, ZnO was immobilized on solid supports to solve this problem. The removal percent increases with increasing the photoreactor volume and light intensity but it decreases when the flow rate is increased. With decreasing flow rate from 43 to 15mlmin(-1), the complete decolorization and degradation was obtained at around 748 and 1080cm(3) from photoreactor volume. The increase in the light intensity from 21.4 to 58.5Wm(-2) increases the decolorization from 23 to 57.6% and degradation from 17.5 to 37.8% for 374cm(3) of photoreactor volume. NH(4)(+), NO(3)(-), NO(2)(-) and SO(4)(2-) ions were analyzed as mineralization products of nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms. Results showed that final concentration of SO(4)(2-) ions and N-containing mineralization products were less than the finally expected stoichiometric values. The positive slope of production of NH(4)(+), NO(3)(-) and NO(2)(-) shows that these compounds are initial products resulting directly from the initial attack on the nitrogen-to-nitrogen double bond (-NN-) of the azo dye.     

Tuning the band gap of ZnO nanoparticles by ultrasonic irradiation

In this present paper, we report the tunability of ZnO nanoparticles by ultrasonic irradiation. Different sized ZnO nanoparticles viz. 2.58–2.97 nm have been synthesized with variation of ultrasonic irradiation time 75–270 min in presence of Histidine as capping agent. UV and visible spectroscopy study revealed that as ultrasonic irradiation time increases, there is increase in amount of formed ZnO nanoparticles and also there is red shift in absorption edge. This confirms the tunability of bandgap of histidine capped ZnO nanoparticles with ultrasonic irradiation. Growth mechanism for controlling the size of ZnO nanoparticles are also discussed.     

Highly active Zr co-doped Ag–ZnO photocatalyst for the mineralization of Acid Black 1 under UV-A light illumination

The Zr co-doped Ag–ZnO (Zr–Ag–ZnO) was successfully synthesized by precipitation–decomposition method. The photocatalytic activity of Zr–Ag–ZnO was investigated for the degradation of Acid Black 1 (AB 1) in aqueous solution using UV-A light. Co-dopants shift the absorbance of ZnO, both in UV and visible region. Zr–Ag–ZnO is found to be more efficient than Ag–ZnO, Zr–ZnO, commercial ZnO, prepared ZnO, TiO₂–P25 and TiO₂ (Merck) at pH 9 for the mineralization of AB 1 under UV-A light. The influence of operational parameters such as the amount of photocatalyst, dye concentration, initial pH on photo mineralization of AB 1 has been analyzed. The mineralization of AB 1 has been confirmed by COD measurements. Mechanism of degradation by Zr–Ag–ZnO is proposed. The catalyst is found to be reusable.     

以PAMAM树形分子为模板剂纳米氧化锌的制备及其光催化性能研究

以3.5代端酯基PAMAM树型分子为模板,成功制备了颗粒均匀的纳米氧化锌.采用TEM、XRD及UV-vis等手段对合成样品的形貌和结构进行表征.初步探讨了纳米ZnO形成的可能模板机理.测试其在紫外光作用下光降解罗丹明B的性能,结果表明,该法制备的纳米ZnO具有很高的光催化活性.     

Catalytic property of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/PS complex nanoparticles prepared <Emphasis Type="Italic">via</Emphasis> a novel TSM

With an average size of 7 nm and good catalytic property under the natural light, TiO₂/PS complex nanoparticles were successfully prepared through a novel two-step method (TSM) from TiCl₄, used as both the catalyst for polymerization of styrene and Ti source, and styrene monomer and characterized by TG-DTA, XRD, IR, TEM and UV-Vis techniques. Its catalytic property was evaluated by the decolourization and degradation of dye MB solution under the natural light. From its TEM, the particles with an average size of 7 nm were observed without the separation of TiO₂ and PS phases, i.e., TiO₂/PS was hybrid material in nanosize scale. IR spectrum of TiO₂/PS showed increase of unsaturated degree and growth of the group C=O on the chain of PS and Ti–O–C coordination bond between TiO₂ and PS. The nanosize of the TiO₂/PS complex particles and the conjugated structure and polar groups of PS were advantageous to good adsorptive property and strong interaction of PS and TiO₂. And they brought multi-functions of inorganic and organic materials in the single material. Catalytic experiments indicated that the complex nanoparticles could catalytically degrade dye MB solution in 10 min under the natural light while P25 basically showed adsorptive property for MB molecules under the same conditions.     

TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/graphene composite from thermal reaction of graphene oxide and its photocatalytic activity in visible light

In this study, the P25 TiO₂ nanoparticles and graphene sheets (GSs) composite were prepared from a facile thermal reaction of graphene oxide. Its microstructures and photocatalytic properties were characterized and measured using X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific area analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), FT-IR spectra, and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Compared with pure P25 nanoparticles, the results reveal that (1) there is a red shift about 20 nm in the absorption edge of the P25/graphene composite; (2) the photocurrent of the composite is about 15 times higher than that of pure P25; (3) the visible light photocatalytic activity of the composite is enhanced greatly on decomposition of methylene blue (MB). The photocatalytic mechanism of the P25/graphene composite is also discussed.