Enhancement of ethanol vapor sensing of TiO2 nanobelts by surface engineering

TiO(2) nanobelts were prepared by a hydrothermal process, and the structures were manipulated by surface engineering, including surface coarsening by an acid-corrosion procedure and formation of Ag-TiO(2) heterostuctures on TiO(2) nanobelts surface by photoreduction. Their performance in the detection of ethanol vapor was then examined and compared by electrical conductivity measurements at varied temperatures. Of the sensors based on the four nanobelt samples (TiO(2) nanobelts, Ag-TiO(2) nanobelts, surface-coarsened TiO(2) nanobelts, and surface-coarsened Ag-TiO(2) nanobelts), they all displayed improved sensitivity, selectivity, and short response times for ethanol vapor detection, in comparison with sensors based on other oxide nanostructures. Importantly, the formation of Ag-TiO(2) heterostuctures on TiO(2) nanobelts surface and surface coarsening of TiO(2) nanobelts were found to lead to apparent further enhancement of the sensors sensitivity, as well as a decrease of the optimal working temperature. That is, within the present experimental context, the vapor sensor based on surface-coarsened Ag-TiO(2) composite nanobelts exhibited the best performance. The sensing mechanism was interpreted on the basis of the surface depletion model, and the improvement by oxide surface engineering was accounted for by the chemical sensitization mechanism. This work provided a practical approach to the enhancement of gas sensing performance by one-dimensional oxide nanomaterials.     

Effect of deposition of Ag on TiO2 nanoparticles on the photodegradation of Reactive Yellow-17

Nanoparticles of TiO(2) were synthesized by sol-gel technique and the photodeposition of about 1% Ag on TiO(2) particles was carried out. Ag-deposited TiO(2) catalyst was characterised by XRD, TEM and UV-vis spectroscopy. The Ag-TiO(2) catalyst was evaluated for their photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of Reactive Yellow-17 (RY-17) under UV and visible light irradiations. Then the results were compared with synthesized nano-TiO(2) sol and P-25 Degussa and the enhanced degradation was obtained with Ag-deposited TiO(2). This enhanced activity of Ag-TiO(2) may be attributed to the trapping of conduction band electrons. The effect of initial dye concentration, pH and electron acceptors such as H(2)O(2), K(2)S(2)O(8) on the photocatalytic activity were studied and the results obtained were fitted with Langmuir-Hinshelwood model to study the degradation kinetics and discussed in detail.     

锐钛矿型银掺杂二氧化钛紫外光及模拟太阳光光催化性能

以钛酸丁酯、硝酸银为原料,采用溶胶-凝胶法制备不同浓度Ag掺杂TiO2光催化剂。分别采用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、光电子能谱(XPS)、紫外可见漫反射(DRS)及荧光光谱(PL)等测试方法对样品晶体结构、表面形貌、化学成分和光学性质进行表征。以罗丹明B溶液(RhB)为目标降解物,分别采用汞灯与氙灯为光源,研究xAg-TiO2(x=1%,2%,4%,6%,原子分数)光催化剂在紫外光和模拟太阳光照射下的光催化活性。结果表明:Ag的加入降低了光生电子空穴的复合率,增加了对模拟太阳光的吸收,紫外光以及模拟太阳光的光催化活性均得到提升。1%Ag-TiO2表现出最好的光催化活性,在紫外光及模拟太阳光下对RhB的降解率分别为91%与89%,是纯TiO2的1.18倍和1.24倍,反应速率常数k分别为0.01257 min^-1和0.01150 min^-1,是纯TiO2的1.49倍和1.74倍。     

射频磁控共溅射制备光催化Ag-TiO2薄膜

采用射频磁控共溅射法制备Ag-TiO2复合薄膜,通过控制Ag靶的溅射时间可调节Ag与TiO2的比例.所制备的Ag-TiO2薄膜为锐钛矿结构.通过紫外光照降解亚甲基蓝溶液和循环伏安法研究Ag-TiO2薄膜光催化及光电化学特性.实验结果表明:掺1.5% Ag的Ag-TiO2薄膜在紫外光照射下能增强亚甲基蓝溶液的降解并得到更大的光生电流.这种光催化的增强主要是由于光生电子-空穴对的复合被抑制的结果.     

Facile fabrication and photocatalytic application of Ag nanoparticles-TiO2 nanofiber composites

A novel chemical method has been developed for the fabrication of Ag nanoparticles-coated TiO2 nanofiber composites. The method involves dispersion of TiO2 nanofibers in silver salt solution under ultrasonication, followed by addition of sodium citrate as a reducing agent. The Ag-coated TiO2 composites were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS). Furthermore, the photocatalytic performance was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange under UV-light irradiation. It was found that the heterogeneous Ag-TiO2 composite showed a higher activity than the pure TiO2 nanofiber; the enhanced activity can be attributed to the excellent distribution and interaction of Ag nanoparticles with the TiO2 nanofiber support. A plausible mechanism for the formation of the Ag-coated TiO2 composite and reasons for the enhancement of photocatalytic activity are also discussed.     

Synthesis of beta-cyclodextrin-modified water-dispersible Ag-TiO2 core-shell nanoparticles and their photocatalytic activity

The beta-cyclodextrin-modified Ag-TiO2 core-shell nanoparticles were prepared by sodium borohydrate reduction of AgNO3 and the subsequent hydrolysis of the tetraisopropyl orthotitanate in an aqueous medium. Inversely in the preparation of beta-cyclodextrin-modified TiO2-Ag core-shell nanoparticles, first hydrolysis and then following reduction were carried out. The synthesized spherical core-shell nanoparticles were highly water-dispersible and had an average diameter in the range of 9 to 12 nm. A significant shifting of surface plasmon band was observed for the synthesized Ag-TiO2 and TiO2-Ag core-shell nanoparticles. On a model reaction, namely, the photodegradation of phenol by the UV light irradiation, the photocatalytic property of TiO2 nanoparticles was enhanced, when the Ag nanoparticle was embedded in the core of TiO2 nanoparticles but TiO2 nanoparticles coated by Ag shell decreased the photocatalytic property of TiO2 nanoparticles. The mechanism is ascribed to the surface plasmon characteristics of Ag in the core of the TiO2 nanoparticles under the acceleration by host-guest inclusion characteristics.     

A new route to size and population control of silver clusters on colloidal TiO₂ nanocrystals

Formation of hybrid Ag-TiO(2) nanocrystals (NCs) in which Ag clusters are uniformly deposited on individual TiO(2) NC surface has been achieved by using hydrophobic surfactant-capped TiO(2) NCs in combination with a photodeposition technique. The population of Ag clusters on the individual TiO(2) NC surface can be controlled by the degree of hydrophobicity (e.g., the number of vacant sites) on the TiO(2) NC surface while their size may be altered simply by varying irradiation time. A reversible change in color of the resulting hybrid Ag-TiO(2) NCs is induced by alternating UV light and visible-light illumination; however, the size and population of Ag clusters on TiO(2) NCs are almost unchanged. Furthermore, these materials also exhibit much higher photocatalytic performance as compared to that of Ag supported on commercial TiO(2)-P25.     

H(2)O(2)-sensitized TiO(2)/SiO(2) composites with high photocatalytic activity under visible irradiation

TiO(2)/SiO(2) composite photocatalysts were prepared by depositing of TiO(2) onto nano-SiO(2) particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron micrograph (TEM), Raman spectrometer, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were employed to characterize the properties of the synthesized TiO(2)/SiO(2) composites. These results indicated that the products without calcination were amorphous, and calcination could enhance the crystallinity of TiO(2). Increases in the amount of TiO(2) would decrease the dispersion in the composites. H(2)O(2)-sensitized TiO(2)/SiO(2) composite photocatalysts could absorb visible light at wavelength below 550 nm. The photocatalytic activity of as-prepared catalysts was characterized by methyl-orange degradation. The results showed the uncalcined composite photocatalysts with amorphous TiO(2) exhibited higher photocatalytic activity under visible light, and the activity of catalysts with TiO(2) content over 30% decreased with increasing of TiO(2) content. Increases in the calcination temperature and TiO(2) content promote the formation of bulk TiO(2) and result in a decrease in activity.     

Simple fabrication of carbon/TiO2 composite nanotubes showing dual functions with adsorption and photocatalytic decomposition of Rhodamine B

Carbon/TiO2 composite nanotubes were fabricated via a very simple electrospinning process and their dual functionalities of adsorptivity and photocatalytic activity were evaluated using Rhodamine B (RhB) as a model organic pollutant. A poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) aqueous solution was directly electrospun into a coagulation bath containing titanium (IV) tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) solution so that PVA-core/TiO2-shell composite nanofibers were formed through the in situ sol-gel reaction of TTIP. The carbon/TiO2 composite nanotubes were then fabricated by heat treatment of composite nanofibers under nitrogen atmosphere. By using several characterization methods, we confirmed that the resultant nanotubes consisted of anatase TiO2 nanocrystallites embedded in a carbonaceous matrix. The prepared nanotubes exhibited fast adsorption of RhB with high capacity compared with a commercial porous carbon, and they also showed the photocatalytic decomposition activity for the dye molecules under UV irradiation comparable to the degradation by P-25 and ST-01 (commercial TiO2). Finally, the carbon/TiO2 composite nanotubes exhibited several cycle performances of adsorption-photodegradation for RhB. This indicates that the composite nanotubes can adsorb and photodecompose organic pollutants repeatedly without additional activating processes.     

Preparation and characterisation of TiO2 nanoparticle and titanate nanotube obtained from Ti-salt flocculated sludge with drinking water and seawater

This study aimed to prepare and characterise titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and titanate nanotubes produced from Ti-sat flocculated sludge with drinking water (DW) and seawater (SW). The Ti-salt flocculated sludge from DW and SW was incinerated at 600 degrees C to produce TiO2 nanoparticles. XRD results showed that the anatase TiO2 structure was predominant for TiO2 from DW (TiO2-DW) and TiO2 from SW (TiO2-SW), which were mainly doped with carbon atoms. Titanate nanotubes (tiNT) were obtained when TiO2-DW and TiO2-SW were hydrothermally treated with NaOH solution. Structure phase, shape, crystallisation and photocatalytic activity of tiNT were affected by the incineration temperature and the amount of sodium present in different tiNT. The tiNT doped with thiourea incinerated at 600 degrees C presented anatase phase, showing a high increase of the degree of crystallisation with nanotube-like structures. The photocatalytic activity of these photocatalysts was evaluated using photooxidation of gaseous acetaldehyde. Thiourea doped tiNT-DW and tiNT-SW showed similar photocatalytic activity compared to commercially available TiO2-P25 under UV light and indicated a photocatalytic activity under visible light.     

Nitrogen-doped TiO2 nanotube array films with enhanced photocatalytic activity under various light sources

Highly ordered nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (N-doped TiO(2)) nanotube array films with enhanced photocatalytic activity were fabricated by electrochemical anodization, followed by a wet immersion and annealing post-treatment. The morphology, structure and composition of the N-doped TiO(2) nanotube array films were investigated by FESEM, XPS, UV-vis and XRD. The effect of annealing temperature on the morphology, structures, photoelectrochemical property and photo-absorption of the N-doped TiO(2) nanotube array films was investigated. Liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry were applied to the analysis of the intermediates coming from the photocatalytic degradation of MO. The experimental results showed that there were four primary intermediates existing in the photocatalytic reaction. Compared with the pure TiO(2) nanotube array film, the N-doped TiO(2) nanotubes exhibited higher photocatalytic activity in degradating methyl orange into non-toxic inorganic products under both UV and simulated sunlight irradiation.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of nanomaterials based on titanium(IV) and cerium(IV) oxides

We have studied the phase transitions, morphology, and photocatalytic activity of titanium(IV) oxide–cerium(IV) oxide materials at Ce doping levels from 1 to 20 wt % and heat-treatment temperatures from 80 to 1150°C. The highest photocatalytic activity under illumination in the spectral range λ ≥ 670 nm is offered by mesoporous X-ray amorphous and multiphase (X-ray amorphous phase + anatase + rutile + CeO₂) nanomaterials, whereas the two-phase materials (rutile + CeO₂) have the lowest photocatalytic activity.     

Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity of TiO(2-x)N(x) nanocatalyst

Nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide powders were prepared by wet method, that is, the hydrolysis of acidic tetra-butyl titanate using aqueous ammonia solution, followed by calcination at temperatures about 350 degrees C. The catalysts exhibited photocatalytic activity in the visible light region owing to N-doping. The light absorption onset of TiO(2-x)N(x) was shifted to the visible region at 459 nm compared to 330 nm of pure TiO(2). An obvious decrease in the band gap was observed by the optical absorption spectroscopy, which resulted from N2p localized states above the valence band of TiO(2-x)N(x) (compared to TiO(2)). The TiO(2-x)N(x) catalyst was characterized to be anatase with oxygen-deficient stoichiometry by X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The binding energy of N1s measured by XPS characterization was 396.6 eV (TiN bonds, beta-N) and 400.9 eV (NN bonds, gamma-N(2)), respectively. The photocatalytic activity of TiO(2-x)N(x) under visible light was induced by the formation of beta-N in the structure. Photocatalytic decomposition of benzoic acid solutions was carried out in the ultraviolet and visible (UV-vis) light region, and the TiO(2-x)N(x) catalyst showed higher activity than pure TiO(2).     

TiO_2纳米粒子的结构、表面特性及其光催化活性研究

采用金属醇盐水解法制备了ＴiＯ２纳米粒子,并用ＸＲＤ、ＳＰＳ、ＸＰＳ和ＥＳＲ等测试手段对ＴiＯ２粒子进行结构、性能测试．随焙烧温度的增加,ＴiＯ２粒子长大,晶型由锐钛矿向金红石型转变．以庚烷的气相光催化氧化为试验反应,考察不同温度处理的醇洗、水洗ＴiＯ２粒子的光催化活性．结果表明,醇洗粒子较水洗粒子显示出高的光催化活性,并且低温处理的粒子其光伏响应带边蓝移明显;阈值增加,Ｔｉ３＋含量较高,光催化活性增加．     

Microemulsion-mediated hydrothermal synthesis of photocatalytic TiO2 powders

A reverse microemulsion-mediated hydrothermal route has been employed to synthesize photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO2) powders. Nano-crystalline monophasic anatase TiO2 powders were successfully prepared when the microemulsion-derived precursors were hydrothermally treated. The advantage of using this microemulsion mediated hydrothermal route is the significant reduction in reaction time and temperatures as compared with the conventional hydrothermal process. The oil/water emulsion ratio significantly affected the particle sizes of the obtained TiO2 powders. The specific surface area of TiO2 powders was increased with the oil/water ratio, thereby leading to enhanced photocatalytic activity of TiO2 powders. As the hydrothermal temperature was elevated, the morphology of the TiO2 particles changed from a rod-like shape into a polyhedral shape. The variation in microstructures decreased the specific surface area of the TiO2 powders and lowered the photocatalytic activity.     

Effect of filler types and calcination temperature on the microstructure and the nitric oxide photocatalytic activity of composite titanium dioxide films

The composite titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) films coating on the woven glass fabric were prepared by a modified sol-gel process, using pre-calcinated TiO(2) nanoparticle or silica gel as filler. The characterized physicochemical properties of the prepared catalyst films showed that the specific surface area, the microstructure and the crystal structure of the catalysts were greatly affected by the fillers and the calcination temperature. The physicochemical properties of composite films and the photocatalytic activity of nitric oxide (NO) show that the pre-calcinated TiO(2) nanoparticle is more favorable than silica gel as filler. The pre-calcinated TiO(2) nanoparticle filler can increase the photocatalytic activities of the catalysts by increasing the specific surface area, introducing a bimodal mesoporous structure, and creating a polymorphous crystal structure. And the TiO(2)-TiO(2) film calcinated at 400 degrees C exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity for NO oxidation and is more active than Degussa P25.     

Dimensional changes and phase transformation of TiO2 nanotubes heat-treated under oxygen-containing atmosphere

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dimensional changes and phase transition of nanotubular titanium oxide arrays after heat treatment under an oxygen-containing atmosphere. The thermodynamic background for the oxidation of titanium to titanium oxide was theoretically investigated as a function of the oxygen partial pressure. The anodized titanium nanotubes had lengths between 400 and 500 nm, thicknesses of 11 nm and an amorphous structure. The specimens heat-treated at higher oxygen partial pressures preferentially had rutile phase rather than anatase phase. The thickness of the TiO2 nanotubes was increased at a lower oxygen partial pressure.     

溶胶-凝胶法制备H-PVA/TiO2复合膜及其可见光催化活性

结合溶胶-凝胶和热处理技术制得具有可见光催化活性的热处理聚乙烯醇/二氧化钛(H-PVA/TiO2)复合膜。X射线衍射(XRD)图谱表明,复合膜中的TiO2为锐钛矿型,PVA为无定型态;扫描电镜(SEM)图像显示,热处理后复合膜表面微裂纹增多。以罗丹明B为目标污染物,研究了H-PVA/TiO2复合膜的可见光催化性能,结果表明,与TiO2相比,H-PVA/TiO2复合膜可见光催化活性显著提高,在H-PVA/TiO2复合膜作用下,经过6h可见光辐照,罗丹明B的脱色率可达到89%,而同样光照条件下,以TiO2为光催化剂时,罗丹明B的脱色率仅为42%。     

Synthesis of TiO2 supported on SBA-15 using chelating method and their photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue

SBA-15 mesoporous materials were successfully prepared by the conventional hydrothermal method and used as the support for TiO2 loaded SBA-15 photocatalysts. The synthesized materials were characterized by XRD, PL, FT-IR, BET and TEM. We also examined the activity of these materials as photocatalysts for the decomposition of methylene blue. The loading of titanium dioxide on the framework of SBA-15 makes the pore diameter and the pore volume decrease and decreases the surface area compared to that of SBA-15. For the TiO2 loaded SBA-15 photocatalysts, the IR absorption at approximately 960 cm(-1) is commonly accepted as the characteristic vibration of the Ti-O-Si bond. The PL peaks appears at about 410 nm at a loading ratio of less than 5% but moves to 430 nm at higher loading ratios. It was also shown that the excitonic PL signal is proportional to the photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of methylene blue. The photocatalytic activity increases with increasing TiO2 loading ratio, shows a maximum value at 7% TiO2/SBA-15, and then decreases at 10% TiO2/SBA-15.     

多孔Ag/TiO2的制备及其光催化性研究

以工业TiOSO4溶液水解得到的多孔偏钛酸为载体,通过光催化还原法制备了多孔Ag/TiO2光催化剂.用XRD、SEM、EDS及低温氮吸附脱附法对样品进行了表征.以光催化氧化降解亚甲基蓝为目标反应,考察了不同制备条件对样品光催化活性的影响.结果表明,制备的Ag/TiO2为负载有非晶态纳米银粒的锐钛矿型TiO2光催化剂,比表面积高达197m2/g,其光催化活性远优于未载银的TiO2.