Novel Ag/YVO4 nanoparticles prepared by a hydrothermal method for photocatalytic degradation of methylene-blue dye

A hydrothermal method was used to prepare YVO₄ nanoparticles, and a photo-assisted deposition method was used to load Ag onto the YVO₄. The photocatalytic performances of the prepared photocatalysts were tested by the degradation of methylene-blue dye using visible-light irradiation. The results indicate that the Ag is well-dispersed within the YVO₄, and the surface area of the Ag/YVO₄ is smaller than that of the YVO₄ samples. The sample with 0.3 wt% Ag/YVO₄ has the highest activity for the removal of methylene-blue dye. The 0.3 wt% Ag/YVO₄ can be used five times without the loss of its photocatalytic activity.     

受控水解法制备纳米TiO2光解染料废水的研究

以强酸性控制水解法制备了纳米TiO2,结合XRD表征,研究了其悬浊液对含阳离子艳红5GN的模拟染料废水进行光催化降解的活性和规律.结果表明:在强酸性控制水解法中,500 ℃焙烧纳米TiO2催化剂具有最高催化活性,对比沉淀法和sol-gel法制备的纳米TiO2,其对阳离子艳红的降解速率提高了1.34倍和2.81倍;实验确定的优化降解条件为:6 W紫外光照、阳离子艳红5GN初始质量浓度为20 mg/L、催化剂投加量为1.5～2.0 g/L和空气曝气器功率2.50 W,此时阳离子艳红5GN在1 h内的降解率＞90%;在阳离子艳红5GN初始质量浓度为10～40mg/L时,其降解过程遵循一级反应规律.     

Mn-doped ZrO2 nanoparticles as an efficient catalyst for green oxidative degradation of methylene blue

Manganese doped on cubic phase nanoparticles of ZrO₂ was synthesized by an impregnation method. These novel particles were carefully analyzed by various chemico-physical methods. The catalytic degradation of an organic dye, methylene blue, in the presence of Mn-doped ZrO₂ nanoparticles, as well as ZrO₂ nanoparticles as catalyst with aqueous hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂, as an oxidizing agent has been studied in aqueous solution at room temperature. Effects of solution pH, catalyst composition and radical scavenging agents on the degree of degradation of methylene blue were also studied. Finally, the recoverability and reusability of the Mn-doped ZrO₂ catalyst were evaluated.     

Photocatalytic activity of nanocrystalline mesoporous-assembled TiO2 photocatalyst for degradation of methyl orange monoazo dye in aqueous wastewater

In this work, nanocrystalline mesoporous-assembled TiO₂ photocatalyst was synthesized by a sol–gel process with the aid of a structure-directing surfactant and employed for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange azo dye (monoazo dye), as compared to various commercially available non-mesoporous-assembled TiO₂ powders. The experimental results showed that the synthesized mesoporous-assembled TiO₂ nanocrystal calcined at 500 °C provided superior decolorization and degradation performance to the non-mesoporous-assembled commercial TiO₂ powders. In addition, several operational parameters affecting the decolorization and degradation of methyl orange, namely photocatalyst dosage, initial dye concentration, H₂O₂ concentration, and initial solution pH, were systematically investigated, using the mesoporous-assembled TiO₂ nanocrystal. The optimum conditions were a photocatalyst dosage of 7 g/l, an initial dye concentration of 5 mg/l, a H₂O₂ concentration of 0.5 M, and an initial solution pH of 4.7, exhibiting the highest decolorization rate of methyl orange.     

TiO2 nano-flakes with high activity obtained from phosphorus doped TiO2 nanoparticles by hydrothermal method

TiO₂ nano-wires (Ti-NWs) and nano-flakes (Ti-NFs) were obtained from phosphorus doped TiO₂ nanoparticles (Ti-P) by hydrothermal method and by subsequent heat treatment respectively. FE-SEM micrograph of the as prepared sample depicts well formed, entangled and randomly oriented nano-wires morphology, which changes to nano-flakes morphology after heat treatment. Structural characterization of the samples by X-ray diffraction shows anatase phase for both the samples. Absorption edge of the Ti-NWs sample shows blueshift where as the Ti-NFs sample exhibit redshift compared to precursor sample as evidenced by UV–Visible absorption spectra, which is due to change in morphology and crystallinity of the samples. XPS studies indicate the presence of titanium and oxygen species only. From the EPR measurements with in-situ visible light irradiation, the number of photogenerated charge carriers is found to be very high for nano-flakes sample. Methyleneblue degradation profiles depict very high activity of Ti-NFs sample compared to Ti-NWs and the precursor samples, which is due to the observed redshift in the absorption edge, change in morphology and high crystallinity of the sample which in turn increases the optical response and separation of photogenerated charge carriers as evidenced by the optical and EPR measurements respectively.     

Promoting the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 and dye degradation via multi metallic Smx modified CuCo2O4 Reverse spinel hybrid catalyst

Structuring a multi-functional photocatalyst of which enable high visible light harnessing so as to address the environmental pollution issues is the need of the hour. In view of this, a combination of catalytically active Cu, Co with enhanced adsorption capacity and Sm dopant that can enrich the catalyst with the defect centres would result in a tailor-made photocatalyst. Samarium (Sm) (1–12 wt %) doped CuCo₂O₄ were synthesized by simple precipitation route. The synergistic influence of Sm, Cu and Co on the photocatalytic ability has been ascertained by optical, structural and morphological methods like XRD, BET, SEM, XPS, Photocurrent, PL, ESR, fluorescence quenching, NMR methods. Thus prepared catalyst was utilized for the photo-catalytic mineralization of methylene blue and reaction was optimized and also it has been proven robust for the photo-reduction of CO₂ into value added products, which are identified by NMR spectral analysis. A comprehensive mechanism has been suggested based on the experimental results. The present research provides the concept of multi-functional photo-catalyst for effluent decontamination and CO₂ reduction.     

Multiple-metal-doped Fe3O4@Fe2O3 nanoparticles with enhanced photocatalytic performance for methyl orange degradation under UV/solar light irradiation

Waelz slag, which is a Fe-bearing hazardous waste, was applied as the raw material in the synthesis of M-Fe₃O₄@Fe₂O₃ (M = Al, Zn, Cu, and Mn) nanoparticles, which are potential photocatalysts. Through acidolysis, 97.23% of Fe and most of the valuable metals were extracted from this slag. Using sol-gel processes, designed Fe₃O₄@Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles doped with multiple elements were systematically synthesised and characterised using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, electron diffraction spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. The photocatalytic activities of the synthesised particles and undoped Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were compared through photocatalytic methyl orange degradation experiments under UV and simulated solar light. The results indicated that all of the slag-derived nanoparticles gave improved photocatalytic performances compared to the undoped sample, and the M-Fe₃O₄@Fe₂O₃ (M = Al, Zn, and Cu) sample exhibited the best photocatalytic activity. The enhancement can be attributed to grain refinement, doping, and the formation of a typical Fe₃O₄@Fe₂O₃ core-shell structure.     

Mesoporous Ag2O/ZrO2 heterostructures as efficient photocatalyst for acceleration photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization of thiophene

The production of fuels with a low sulfur content has been paid significant attention in the manufacturing of petroleum refining due to the progressively severe environmental legislations obliged by governments worldwide. In this paper, for the first time, two dimensional mesoporous Ag₂O/ZrO₂ heterostructures were synthesized by a facile approach for thiophene photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization under visible-light exposure at room temperature. The Ag₂O/ZrO₂ heterostructures significantly enhanced the photocatalytic desulfurization of thiophene obeyed the pseudo-first-order model compared to pristine ZrO₂ NPs. In particular, 1.5%Ag₂O/ZrO₂ photocatalyst exhibited better photocatalytic performance and the correspondent rate constant of 0.0235 min^?1, which was promoted 5.35 times than that of pristine ZrO₂ NPs (0.0044 min^?1). The desulfurization rate of thiophene over 1.5% Ag₂O/ZrO₂ heterostructure was enhanced 3.7 times larger than that of pristine ZrO₂ NPs. The thiophene was photocatalytically oxidized to CO₂ and SO₃. The photocatalytic performance of Ag₂O/ZrO₂ could be enhanced because of its synergetic effects, the intense visible-light harvest, rapid mobility of the thiophene to the active sites, a lower light scattering effect, and a large ^?OH radical contents formed. Moreover, the Ag₂O/ZrO₂ heterostructures revealed excellent stability toward the photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization of thiophene. A possible charge separation mechanism over mesoporous Ag₂O/ZrO₂ heterostructures was proposed.     

Visible light photocatalysis on praseodymium(III)-nitrate-modified TiO2 prepared by an ultrasound method

Nanocrystalline TiO₂ incorporated with praseodymium(III) nitrate has been prepared by an ultrasound method in a sol–gel process. The prepared sample is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption (BET surface area), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The prepared material consists of TiO₂ nanocrystalline with 5 nm size incorporated with highly dispersed Pr(NO₃)₃. Visible light absorptions at 444, 469, 482 and 590 nm are observed in the prepared sample. These bands are attributed to the 4f transitions ³H₄ → ³P₂, ³H₄ → ³P₁, ³H₄ → ³P₀ and ³H₄ → ¹D₂ of praseodymium(III) ions, respectively. This sample Pr(NO₃)₃-TiO₂, as a novel visible light photocatalyst, shows high activity and stability in the decomposing rhodamine-B (RhB) and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) under visible light irradiation. Results examined by electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) reveal that the irradiation (>420 nm) of the photocatalyst dispersed in RhB aqueous solution induces the generation of highly active hydroxyl radicals (OH), leading to the cleavage of the whole conjugated chromophore structure of RhB. A mechanism based on local excitation of praseodymium(III) nitrate chromophore and interfacial charge transfer from the chromophore to TiO₂ is proposed to explain the formation of active hydroxyl radicals in the photocatalytic system under visible light irradiation.     

Graphitic platelets prepared by electrochemical exfoliation of graphite and their application for Li energy storage

Electrochemical exfoliation of graphite in the flame-retarded electrolyte is used for the preparation of novel carbon materials for the first time. Graphitic platelets with submicron thickness are prepared by an electrochemical graphite exfoliation route in the trimethyl phosphate (TMP) based electrolyte. The morphology and size of the graphitic platelets can be controlled by adjusting the reaction temperature and current density. A possible mechanism is proposed for the interesting graphite exfoliation in the TMP-based electrolyte. Compared with common micrometer-scale graphite and graphene nanosheets, this novel graphitic material exhibits different voltage profiles but good rate capability as anode in the Li-ion batteries.     

Highly visible light responsive metal loaded N/TiO2 nanoparticles for photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into methane

Photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into valuable hydrocarbon such as methane (CH₄) using water as reducing agent is a good strategy for environment and energy applications. In this study, a facile and simple sol-gel method was employed for the synthesis of metal (Cu and Ag) loaded nanosized N/TiO₂ photocatalyst. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, BET Surface area analyzer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV–vis diffuses reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic conversion of CO₂ into methane was carried out under visible light irradiation (λ≥420 nm) by prepared photocatalysts in order to evaluate the photocatalytic efficiency. The results demonstrate that Ag loaded N/TiO₂ showed enhanced photocatalytic performance for methane production from CO₂ compared to other Cu–N/TiO₂, N/TiO₂ and TiO₂ photocatalysts. The improvement in the photocatalytic activity could be attributed to high specific surface area, extended visible light absorption and suppressed recombination of electron – hole pair due to synergistic effects of silver and nitrogen in the Ag–N/TiO₂ photocatalyst. This study demonstrates that Ag–N/TiO₂ is a promising photocatalytic material for photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ into hydrocarbons under visible light irradiation.     

One-step large-scale synthesis of micrometer-sized silver nanosheets by a template-free electrochemical method

We have synthesized micrometer-sized Ag nanosheets via a facile, one-step, template-free electrochemical deposition in an ultra-dilute silver nitrate aqueous electrolyte. The nanosheet growth was revealed to occur in three stages: (1) formation of polygonal Ag nuclei on a substrate, (2) growth of {112}-faceted nanowire from the nuclei, and (3) anisotropic growth of (111)-planar nanosheets, approximately 20 to 50 nm in thickness and 10 μm in width, in the <112>−direction. The vertical growth of the facet nanowire was induced by the strong interface anisotropy between the deposit and electrolyte due to the ultra-dilute concentration of electrolyte and high reduction potential. The thickness of Ag nanosheets was controllable by the adjustment of the reduction/oxidation potential and frequency of the reverse-pulse potentiodynamic mode.     

Enhanced activity of iron oxide dispersed on bentonite for the catalytic degradation of organic dye under visible light

Natural clay-supported iron oxide was prepared by deposition method, and dried at 120 °C. It was found that under visible light in the presence of H₂O₂, this catalyst was highly active for degradation of cationic (malachite and fuchsin basic) and anionic dyes (orange II and X3B) in water at pH 6.5, as compared with bare iron oxide or the clay-supported iron oxide sintered at 350 °C. The excellent performance of the catalyst is correlated with its high sorption capacity toward both types of dyes, thus resulting in enhanced dye degradation via a photosensitization pathway. The catalyst was characterized by XRD, nitrogen adsorption, infrared, and UV–visible spectroscopy.     

Fabrication of CdS and CuWO4 modified TiO2 nanoparticles and its photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

CdS and CuWO₄ modified TiO₂ nanoparticles (CdS–CuWO₄-TiO₂) were prepared by the chemical impregnation method. The as-prepared nanoparticles were characterized using UV–visible-diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis-DRS), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and B.E.T. surface area analysis techniques. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated based on the degradation of a dye (eosin-Y) and inactivation of a bacterium (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The results revealed that CdS–CuWO₄-TiO₂ showed high photocatalytic activity over CdS-TiO₂, CuWO₄-TiO₂ and TiO₂. Moreover the reusability and stability of the photocatalyst for the degradation of eosin-Y was also studied.     

Photocatalytic oxidation of methylene blue dye under visible light by Ni doped Ag2S nanoparticles

Ag₂S nanoparticles were prepared using a hydrothermal method, and Ni was doped via a photo-assisted deposition method. The samples produced were characterized using different tools. Furthermore, the catalytic performance of the Ag₂S and Ni/Ag₂S samples was examined in the degradation of methylene blue dye under visible light. The UV–vis spectral analysis detected a red shift after loading of Ni. The maximum degradation efficiency achieved was 100% with 3 wt% Ni/Ag₂S as the photocatalyst after a 40-min reaction time. The catalyst could be reused without any loss in activity for the first five cycles.     

Nanofiltration and reverse osmosis thin film composite membrane module for the removal of dye and salts from the simulated mixtures

Nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) thin film composite polyamide membrane modules were used to remove the color from the contaminated solution mixture. The feasibility of membrane processes for treating simulated mixture by varying the feed pressures (100-400 psi) and feed concentrations was studied to assess the separation performance of both NF and RO membranes. It was found that the efficiency of NF and RO membranes used in the treatment of colored water effluents was greatly affected by the presence of salts and dyes in the mixture. Color removal by NF with a high rejection of 99.80% and total dissolved solids (TDS) of 99.99% was achieved from RO by retaining significant flux rate compared to pure water flux, which suggested that membranes were not affected by fouling during the simulated wastewater process operation. The effect of varying concentrations of Na₂SO₄ salt and methyl orange (MO) dye on the performance of spiral wound membranes was determined. Increasing the dye concentration from 500 to 1000 mg/L resulted in a decrease of salt rejection at all operating pressures and for both concentrations of 5000 and 10,000 mg/L as the feed TDS. Increasing the salt concentration from 5000 to 10,000 mg/L resulted in a slight decrease in dye removal.     

Au@TiO2 nanocomposites for the catalytic degradation of methyl orange and methylene blue: An electron relay effect

Au@TiO₂ nanocomposites were used for the catalytic degradation of methyl orange and methylene blue by NaBH₄. A detail pathway for step by step reduction, oxidation and complete mineralization of intermediates into the respective end-products was established by UV–vis spectroscopy, chemical oxygen demand, ion chromatography and cyclic voltammetry (CV). CV studies confirmed that the dyes were reduced and oxidized to the end-products by NaBH₄ in the presence of Au@TiO₂ nanocomposites and O₂, OH and HO₂ radicals generated in situ. Results suggest that Au@TiO₂ nanocomposites not only assist in the decolorization of dyes, but also promote their complete mineralization into harmless end-products.     

Ni、B共掺杂TiO2-陶粒光催化降解染料废水研究

采用溶胶-凝胶法制备陶粒负载Ni2O3和B元素共掺杂纳米TiO2可见光催化剂,以甲基橙为目标降解物,探讨了光催化氧化降解甲基橙的规律,考察了催化剂的焙烧温度、Ni元素和B元素掺杂量、催化剂投加量、甲基橙溶液初始浓度、初始pH值、反应温度等因素对甲基橙脱色效果的影响.结果表明:在600℃温度下焙烧的催化剂具有最佳光催化活...     

Ni、B共掺杂TiO2-陶粒光催化降解染料废水研究

采用溶胶一凝胶法制备陶粒负载Ni2O3和B元素共掺杂纳米TiO2可见光催化剂,以甲基橙为目标降解物,探讨了光催化氧化降解甲基橙的规律,考察了催化剂的焙烧温度、Ni元素和B元素掺杂量、催化荆投加量、甲基橙溶液初始浓度、初始pH值、反应温度等因素对甲基橙脱色效果的影响。结果表明：在600℃温度下焙烧的催化剂具有最佳光催化活性;B和Ni最佳掺杂量为3．0％;甲基橙脱色率随甲基橙初始浓度的降低、催化剂投加量的增加、反应温度的升高、初始pH值降低而增大;催化剂经重复使用后,仍具有较高的光催化性能。     

In-situ synthesis of 3D CdMoO4@CdS core-shell structure for efficient photocatalytic degradation

3D CdMoO₄@CdS core-shell visible-light-driven photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by in-situ method. Various analytical techniques show that CdS dots are uniformly loaded on the surface of CdMoO₄ hollow microspheres constructing a 3D core-shell CdMoO4@CdS heterojunction. The photocatalytic activity of nanocomposites was studied by degrading malachite green (MG) under visible light irradiation. It was found that the composite material can effectively degrade MG under visible light irradiation. Furthermore, the enhanced photocatalytic efficiency for the composite material is due to the effective diffusion and separation of photogenerated carriers.