Facile fabrication of efficient Pr2Ce2O7 ceramic nanostructure for enhanced photocatalytic performances under solar light

The design and synthesis of high-performance catalytic compounds for the decomposition and removal of wastewater containing hazardous contaminants are substantial for water remediation. Here, we report the efficient preparation of A₂Ce₂O₇ (A = Bi, Dy, and Pr) nanostructures and cerium dioxide nanoparticles utilizing barberry extract as an environmentally friendly reactant and their application as natural-based nanocatalysts to decompose and eliminate hazardous contaminants in an aqueous medium. The features of the produced oxide nanostructures were checked utilizing various techniques. The activity of the fabricated photocatalytic nanostructures was evaluated in the decomposition of Acid Red 14 contaminants under visible light. The outcomes revealed that the kind of trivalent element introduced meaningfully affects the dimension, architecture, optical properties, porosity, and catalytic performance of the ceria sample. Compared to other nanocatalysts, porous Pr₂Ce₂O₇ nanostructures exhibited enhanced photodegradation yield for decomposing Acid Red 14 (99.2%). The porous Pr₂Ce₂O₇ sample also demonstrated stable performance after ten cycles. Photo-generated holes and hydroxyls are the leading species accounting for Acid Red 14 decomposition. Furthermore, the decomposition kinetics of Acid Red 14 followed the pseudo-first-order kinetics.     

Green synthesis of dysprosium stannate nanoparticles using Ficus carica extract as photocatalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants under visible irradiation

This paper describes a simple and environmentally friendly route to develop Dy₂Sn₂O₇ nanostructures with the aid of Ficus carica extract as naturally available fuel, for the first time. In this investigation, we found that shape, purity and dimension of Dy₂Sn₂O₇ could be controlled with varying the determinative factors, the quantity of Ficus carica extract and temperature. The varied techniques have been employed to denote the production of Dy₂Sn₂O₇ and examine its features. We applied diverse structures of Dy₂Sn₂O₇ (fabricated with Ficus carica extract) as visible-light-sensitive photocatalyst for destruction of Acid Violet 7 and crystal violet, for the first time. The fabricated Dy₂Sn₂O₇ with the aid of 2 ml of Ficus carica extract was capable of illustrating a great efficiency to destruct target pollutants. Our findings offer that the as-fabricated Dy₂Sn₂O₇ can be beneficially applied as novel kind of visible-light-sensitive photocatalyst for efficient removal and destruction of organic contaminants in water.     

Preparation of polyaniline-modified TiO2 nanoparticles and their photocatalytic activity under visible light illumination

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were modified by polyaniline (PANI) using ‘in situ’ chemical oxidative polymerization method in hydrochloric acid solutions. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectrum (XPS) and UV–vis spectra were carried out to characterize the composites with different PANI contents. The photocatalytic degradation of phenol was chosen as a model reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activities of the modified catalysts. Results show that TiO₂ nanoparticles are deposited by PANI to mitigate TiO₂ particles agglomeration. The modification does not alter the crystalline structure of the TiO₂ nanoparticles according to the X-ray diffraction patterns. UV–vis spectra reveal that PANI-modified TiO₂ composites show stronger absorption than neat TiO₂ under the whole range of visible light. The resulting PANI-modified TiO₂ composites exhibit significantly higher photocatalytic activity than that of neat TiO₂ on degradation of phenol aqueous solution under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 400 nm). An optimum of the synergetic effect is found for an initial molar ratio of aniline to TiO₂ equal to 1/100.     

Dy2Ce2O7和Y2Ce2O7稀土铈酸盐的制备及热导率

采用固相反应法在1600℃下保温10小时制备了Dy2Ce2O7和Y2Ce2O7陶瓷材料。分析了其相组成、微观组织和热导率。XRD结果表明,成功合成了具有萤石晶体结构的单一相Dy2Ce2O7和Y2Ce2O7。其组织结构致密,晶界清晰,无未反应物或杂质相存在。由于氧空位以及取代原子与基质原子之间的质量差异所导致的声子散射,使得Dy2Ce2O7和Y2Ce2O7具有比YSZ更低的热导率,这些结果表明,Dy2Ce2O7和Y2Ce2O7均可用作将来热障涂层用候选材料。     

Efficient photocatalytic activity of MnO2-loaded ZrO2/carbon cluster nanocomposite materials under visible light irradiation

Nano-sized ZrO₂/carbon cluster nanocomposite material was successfully prepared by the calcination of Zr(acac)₄/epoxy resin complex in air. The composite material obtained by calcining at 200 °C was treated with hydrogen hexachloroplatinate hexahydrate (H₂PtCl₆) to obtain Pt-loaded materials denoted as Ic₂₀₀Pt'sH's. The Pt-loaded material modified with MnO₂ particles efficiently decompose water into H₂ and O₂ with a [H₂]/[O₂] ratio of 2 under the irradiation of visible light (λ > 460 nm) through the electron transfer process of MnO₂ → carbon clusters → ZrO₂ → Pt.     

Visible light induced photocatalytic activity of Nb2O5/carbon cluster/Cr2O3 composite materials

Nano-sized Nb₂O₅/carbon cluster/Cr₂O₃ composite material was prepared by the calcination of NbCl₅/chromium acetylacetonate/epoxy resin complex under an argon atmosphere. The Pt-loaded Nb₂O₅/carbon cluster/Cr₂O₃ composite material shows the photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. The composite material successfully decomposed the water into H₂ and O₂ in the [H₂]/[O₂] ratio of 2. Electron spin resonance spectral examination suggests a two-step electron transfer in the process of Nb₂O₅ → carbon cluster → Cr₂O₃ → Pt.     

Rapid microwave-assisted sol-gel synthesis and exceptional visible light photocatalytic activities of Bi12TiO20

Crystalline Bi₁₂TiO₂₀ and Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ particles were selectively synthesized by rapid microwave-assisted sol-gel method. During the thermal decomposition process of the dried gel, microwave calcination played a key role in producing single phase Bi₁₂TiO₂₀. Our Bi₁₂TiO₂₀ demonstrated one of the highest visible-light photocatalytic activities for MO degradation among the reported bismuth titanate particles with various compositions. Single phase Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ can also be prepared by either a conventional calcination at high temperature or a combined heat treatment of a conventional heating followed by microwave calcination. The photocatalytic reaction rate constant of the Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ prepared by microwave calcination was three times higher than that of conventionally calcined Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂, further confirming the advantage of microwave calcination in preparation of highly photocatalytically active bismuth titanate.     

A unique Cu2O/TiO2 nanocomposite with enhanced photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation

A unique Cu₂O/TiO₂ nanocomposite with high photocatalytic activity was synthesized via a two-step chemical solution method and used for the photocatalytic degradation of organic dye. The structure, morphology, composition, optical and photocatalytic properties of the as-prepared samples were investigated in detail. The results suggested that the Cu₂O/TiO₂ nanocomposite is composed of hierarchical TiO₂ hollow microstructure coated by a great many Cu₂O nanoparticles. The photocatalytic performance of Cu₂O/TiO₂ nanocomposite was evaluated by the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light, and compared with those of the pure TiO₂ and Cu₂O photocatalysts synthesized by the identical synthetic route. Within 120 min of reaction time, nearly 100% decolorization efficiency of MB was achieved by Cu₂O/TiO₂ photocatalyst, which is much higher than that of pure TiO₂ (26%) or Cu₂O (32%). The outstanding photocatalytic efficiency was mainly ascribed to the unique architecture, the extended photoresponse range and efficient separation of the electron-hole pairs in the Cu₂O/TiO₂ heterojunction. In addition, the Cu₂O/TiO₂ nanocomposite also retains good cycling stability in the photodegradation of MB.     

TiO2/BiOI/CQDs: Enhanced photocatalytic properties under visible-light irradiation

In this study, TiO₂/CQDs(TC), TiO₂/BiOI(TB), TiO₂/BiOI/CQDs(TBC) were prepared via a step-by-step method. Photocatalytic properties of the samples were carried out under visible-light irradiation using methyl orange (MO) as the target molecular. Among the samples, TBC showed the best photocatalytic performance, and the photocatalytic efficiency of TBC was more than 2 times higher than that of TiO₂, TC and TB samples, respectively. The reasons for the improved photocatalytic performance were discussed in this paper.     

Simple fabrication and photocatalytic activity of S-doped TiO2 under low power LED visible light irradiation

A series of S-doped TiO₂ with visible-light photocatalytic activity were prepared by a simple hydrolysis method using titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) and sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) as precursors. The photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrophotometer (UV–Vis DRS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). With the doping of S, photocatalysts with small crystal size, high content of anatase phase were obtained. The result showed that S-doped TiO₂ demonstrate considerably high photoactivity under low power visible LED light irradiation, while undoped TiO₂ and the Degussa P25 have nearly no activity at all. The possible mechanism of S-doped for the visible-light activity was discussed.     

Improving sintering behavior of MWCNT/BaTiO3 ceramic nanocomposite with Bi2O3-B2O3 addition

The present research systematically investigated the novel low-temperature fabrication of a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/barium titanate nanocomposite using a two-step mixing technique. The synthesis was conducted using different amounts of MWCNT (0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 4%, and 8% wt) with different compositions of (Bi₂O₃ + B₂O₃) as a sintering aid. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, three-point bending strength, Vickers hardness indentation and Archimedean technique were used to characterize the as-synthesized specimens. It was found that the appropriate content of sintering aid (Bi₂O₃+B₂O₃) strongly decreased the sintering temperature from 1200 °C to 950 °C. The results also revealed that any sintering aid with the optimum composition that included 30% (mol) Bi₂O₃ was optimal for a sintering aid content of 6% (wt). Consequently, the highest values of the flexural strength and fracture toughness were achieved by applying the optimal amounts of MWCNT (1% wt) and sintering aid (6% wt).     

WO_3/BiOBr复合催化剂的制备及可见光催化降解甲基橙

以Bi(NO_3)5·5H_2O、Na Br、H_2WO_4为原料,采用一步水热合成法合成不同n(W)∶n(Br)的WO_3/BiOBr复合催化剂,并通过SEM和TEM对催化剂进行表征分析。以甲基橙为探针污染物,考察前驱液pH、水热温度、水热时间和n(W)∶n(Br)对WO_3/BiOBr复合催化剂活性的影响。结果表明,在pH为10.2、100℃水热时间6 h合成n(W)∶n(Br)为0.02的WO_3/BiOBr复合催化剂活性最好,光照120 min后,对目标污染物的降解率达99.39%,较BiOBr催化剂(合成条件为原始pH值,100℃水热反应6 h)提高了30.85%。采用水热合成法制备的WO_3/BiOBr复合催化剂具有良好的可见光活性。     

Enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity of QDS modified Bi2WO6 nanostructures

Bi₂WO₆ (BWO) nanostructures with QDS dispersed on single crystalline nanosheets were successfully prepared by a facile solvothermal method. The product possessed large surface area of 60 m²/g and exhibited excellent visible light absorption with a blue shift from 2.54 eV to 2.75 eV. The photocatalytic efficiency of the sample was six times that of nanoparticles assembled BWO nanostructures and three times that of nanoplates assembled BWO nanostructures. The photocatalytic mechanism for degradation of dyes over QDS modified BWO nanostructures was discussed, which revealed the important role of QDS in the generation, migration and consumption of the photogenerated electrons and holes.     

New approaches to prepare nitrogen-doped TiO2 photocatalysts and study on their photocatalytic activities in visible light

Nitrogen-doped TiO₂ nanocatalysts were successfully synthesized by adjusting a pH range using the ammonium nitrate and ammonia water as the nitrogen source. The samples were characterized by XRD, XPS and UV-DRS. When the total amount of ammonium nitrate and ammonia water was unchanged, different pH values were modified by changing the NH₄NO₃/NH₃·H₂O ratio to prepare nitrogen-doped TiO₂. The prepared photocatalyst showed the highest photo-activity for the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) under visible light when prepared at pH 5.87. XPS analysis showed the presence of nitrogen in two states doped in TiO₂. The results indicated the photocatalytic activity of N-TiO₂ is varied with the change of pH values, the amount of the nitrogen sources and water. The experimental results showed that the higher activity is due to the variation in the concentration and states of nitrogen-doped in TiO₂. In the preparation methods, the photocatalyst was treated with the hydrogen peroxide before calcination, resulting in the decrease of nitrogen doped into the lattice and the photo-degradation rate of 2,4-DCP. The results suggested that the nitrogen source could be doped into the crystal lattice only in the form of reduction state as NH₄⁺ ion during the calcination process.     

Preparation of Cu2O/TiO2 composite porous carbon microspheres as efficient visible light-responsive photocatalysts

In this paper, Cu₂O/TiO₂ composite porous microspheres were prepared in the absence of templates and additives by a simple hydrothermal method using Cu(CH₃COO)₂·H₂O and (NH₄)₂TiF₆ as precursors. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by the photo-degradation of methylene blue (MB) aqueous solution under the visible-light illumination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the preparation and photocatalytic activity of Cu₂O/TiO₂ composite porous microspheres with a template-free hydrothermal method. This work may provide new insights into preparing other inorganic porous microspheres.     

Sol- gel synthesis of Ga2O3 nanorods and effect of precursor chemistry on their structural and morphological properties

Synthesis of mono-crystalline Ga₂O₃ Nanorods was done by sol-gel transformation of gallium(III) isopropoxide (Ga(OPrⁱ)₃). XRD studies were done to determine the planes and crystal structure of synthesized nanorods that showed the synthesis of β-Ga₂O₃(a). TEM studies of synthesized Ga₂O₃ confirmed the synthesis of monocrystalline β-Ga₂O₃ nanorods. To study the effect of precursor chemistry and to determine role of precursor structures on the crystal structure, phase and morphology of the Ga₂O₃, a new modified precursor complex was synthesized. The reaction of Ga(OPrⁱ)₃ with N-phenylsalicylaldimine, [C₆H₄(OH)CH=N(C₆H₅)] in 1:1?M ratio yielded [{(H₅C₆)N?=?CH-C₆H₄O}Ga(OPrⁱ)₂]. The newly synthesized complex was characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight measurement, FT-IR and NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectral studies. Spectral studies of the modified complex suggest the presence of bi-dentate mode of attachment of Schiff's base in the solution state. Sol-gel transformations of [{(H₅C₆)N?=?CH-C₆H₄O}Ga(OPrⁱ)₂] in organic medium, yielded γ-Ga₂O₃(b), as found by XRD studies. TEM image of the sample (a) revealed the formation of nano-rods of oxide with average diameter of ~100?nm whereas the TEM image of sample (b) showed presence of nano-sized particles of oxide with average particle size of 10?nm. Morphological and compositional studies of synthesized samples (a) and (b) were carried out using SEM and EDX. The method provides a possibility of large scale synthesis of dissimilar shaped and pure Ga₂O₃ nanoparticles.     

An efficient electron transfer at the Fe/iron oxide interface for the photoassisted degradation of pollutants with H2O2

Fe-200 was synthesized through the calcination of iron powder at 200 °C for 30 min in air. On the basis of characterization by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fe-200 had a core–shell structure, in which the surface layer was mainly composed of Fe₂O₃ with some FeOOH and FeO, and the core retained metallic iron. The kinetics and mechanism of the interfacial electron transfer on Fe-200 were investigated in detail for the photoassisted degradation of organic pollutants with H₂O₂. Under deoxygenated conditions in the dark, the generation of hydroxyl radicals in aqueous Fe-200 dispersion verified that galvanic cells existed at the interface of Fe⁰/iron oxide, indicating the electron transfer from Fe⁰ to Fe³⁺. Furthermore, the effects of hydrogen peroxide and different organic pollutants on the interfacial electron transfer were examined by the change rate of the Fe³⁺ concentration in the solution. The results indicated that hydrogen peroxide provided a driving force in the electron transfer from Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺, while the degradation of organic pollutants increased the electron transfer at the interface of Fe⁰/iron oxide due to their reaction with OH.     

Study of adsorption and degradation of acid orange 7 on the surface of CeO2 under visible light irradiation

Cerium dioxide was prepared by the precipitation method and found to be an efficient photocatalyst to degrade azodyes under visible light irradiation. Nonbiodegradable azodyes acid orange 7 (AO7) was selected as modal target to examine the photocatalytic activity of CeO₂. AO7 could be efficiently degraded in aqueous suspension of CeO₂ under visible light illumination. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ sorption, transmission electron microscopic image (TEM) and UV/vis absorption spectrum techniques. AO7 solution was quickly decolorized and partly mineralized under visible light irradiation with existing CeO₂. The photodegradation rate of this azodye catalyzed by CeO₂ is much faster than those occurring on commercial titania (Degussa P25) under otherwise identical conditions of visible light irradiation. Experiments were conducted to examine the adsorption mode of acid orange 7 on CeO₂ and adsorption capacity at different pH values. The possible degradation pathway has been proposed for the photocatalytic degradations by using certain radical scavengers and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to determine intermediates. The enhanced photoactivity of the lanthanide oxide CeO₂ was attributed to the superior adsorption capacity and special 4f electron configuration.     

Enhancement of the visible light photocatalytic performance of C-doped TiO2 by loading with V2O5

V₂O₅ was loaded on the surface of C-doped TiO₂ (C-TiO₂) by incipient wetness impregnation in order to enhance the visible light photocatalytic performance. The physicochemical properties of the C-TiO₂/V₂O₅ composite were characterized by XRD, Raman, TEM, XPS, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra, and PL in detail. The result indicated that a heterojunction between C-TiO₂ and V₂O₅ was formed and the separation of excited electron–hole pairs on C-TiO₂/V₂O₅ is greatly promoted. Thus, this composite photocatalyst exhibited enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity in degradation of gas-phase toluene compared with the pristine C-TiO₂.