Characteristics of N-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays by N2-plasma for visible light-driven photocatalysis

N-doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays were prepared by electrochemical anode oxidation of Ti foil followed by treatment with N₂-plasma and subsequent annealed under Ar atmosphere. The morphologies, composition and optical properties of N-doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays were characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction spectrometer (XRD), Photoluminescence (PL) and UV-vis diffusion reflection spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS). Methylene blue (MB) solution was utilized as the degradation model to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the samples under visible light irradiation. The results suggested N₂-plasma treatment created doping of nitrogen onto the surface of photoelectrodes successfully and the N-doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays display a significantly enhancement of the photocatalytic activity comparing with the pure TiO₂ nanotube arrays under the visible light irradiation.     

Fe掺杂TiO2纳米材料的合成及光催化性能

以钛酸丁酯为钛源,Fe(NO3)3·9H2O为铁源,采用溶胶-凝胶法制备Fe/TiO2纳米粉体,利用溶胶结合静电纺丝技术制备Fe/TiO2纳米纤维,从材料改性及形貌改善两个角度共同提高TiO2纳米材料的光催化活性及实用性。借助XRD、SEM、TEM等分析技术,探究了Fe/TiO2纳米材料在可见光区的光催化活性,分析了煅烧温度及掺铁量对Fe/TiO2纳米材料光催化性能的影响。结果显示,铁的掺入及形貌的改善有助于提高TiO2的光催化性能。     

Photogenerated cathodic protection of flower-like, nanostructured, N-doped TiO2 film on stainless steel

Flower-like, nanostructured, N-doped TiO₂ (N-TiO₂) films were fabricated using a low-temperature hydrothermal method. The morphology, crystalline phase, and composition of these flower-like nanostructured films were characterized systematically by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The photoelectrochemical properties of N-TiO₂ films in 0.5 M NaCl solution were evaluated under illumination and in the dark through electrochemical measurements. Flower-like nanostructured TiO₂ films exhibited a drastically enhanced photocurrent in the UV light region and a notable absorption in the visible light region (600-700 nm). The negative shifts of the electrode potentials of 316L stainless steel coupled with N-doped TiO₂ photoanodes are 470 and 180 mV under UV and visible light irradiation, respectively. The flower-like, nanostructured, N-doped TiO₂ films were able to function effectively as photogenerated cathodic protection for metals under UV and visible light illumination. Such photogenerated cathodic protection could last a period of 5.5 h even in darkness.     

Photocatalytic effects of TiO2/Fe thin film irradiated with visible light on cellular surface ultrastructure and genomic DNA of bacteria

TiO₂/Fe thin film is thin film modified by metal (Fe) plasma ion implantation. In our previous work, it has been demonstrated to have antimicrobial activity after being irradiated with visible light. However, the mechanism of its antimicrobial activity has not been well known yet. In this study, the effects of TiO₂/Fe thin film irradiated with visible light on the cellular morphology and DNA of the Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora ZL1, an important soft rot bacterium of vegetable and ornamental crops were examined. Scanning electron microscopic studies revealed that abnormal ultrastructures were observed on the surface of E. carotovora subsp. carotovora ZL1 cells treated with TiO₂/Fe thin films irradiated with visible light for 60 min. Based on the gel electrophoresis analysis, the genomic DNA of E. carotovora subsp. carotovora ZL1 cells treated with TiO₂/Fe thin films under visible light irradiation was also affected. The results suggest that TiO₂/Fe thin film irradiated with visible light has the potential to disinfect of plant- or public health-concerned pathogens.     

Photocatalytic performance of nano-photocatalyst from TiO2 and Fe2O3 by mechanochemical synthesis

Nano-particles of homogeneous solid solution between TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ (up to 10 mol%) have been prepared by mechanochemical milling of TiO₂ and yellow Fe₂O₃/red Fe₂O₃/precipitated Fe (OH)₃ using a planetary ball mill. Such novel solid solution cannot be prepared by conventional co-precipitation technique. A preliminary investigation of photocatalytic activity of mixed oxide (TiO₂/Fe₂O₃) on photo-oxidation of different organic dyes like Rhodamine B (RB), Methyl orange (MO), Thymol blue (TB) and Bromocresol green (BG) under visible light (300-W Xe lamp; λ > 420 nm) showed that TiO₂ having 5 mol% of Fe₂O₃ (YFT1) is 3-5 times higher photoactive than that of P25 TiO₂. The XRD result did not show the peaks assigned to the Fe components (for example Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄, FeO₃, and Fe metal) on the external surface of the anatase structure in the Fe₂O₃/TiO₂ attained through mechanochemical treatment. This meant that Fe components were well incorporated into the TiO₂ anatase structure. The average crystallite size and particle size of YFT1 were found to be 12 nm and 30 ± 5 nm respectively measured from XRD and TEM conforming to nanodimensions. Together with the Fe component, they absorbed wavelength of above 387 nm. The band slightly shifted to the right without tail broadness, which was the UV absorption of Fe oxide in the Fe₂O₃/TiO₂ particle attained through mechanochemical method. This meant that Fe components were well inserted into the framework of the TiO₂ anatase structure. EPR and magnetic susceptibility show that Fe³⁺ is in low spin state corresponding to μ_B = 1.8 BM. The temperature variation of μ_B shows that Fe³⁺ is well separated from each other and does not have any antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic interaction. The evidence of Fe³⁺ in TiO₂/Fe₂O₃ alloy is also proved by a new method that is redox titration which is again support by the XPS spectrum.     

改性TiO2纳米管阵列电极的光电化学性能研究

近年来,掺杂改性的TiO₂纳米管作为光催化材料的研究受到广泛关注。本实验采用阳极氧化法在Ti板表面制备规则有序的TiO₂纳米管,通过在电解液中直接添加含Fe、N元素的化学试剂对其进行掺杂改性。利用扫描电子显微镜、X射线衍射仪和X射线光电子能谱对TiO2纳米管进行表征,确定TiO₂纳米管的最佳制备条件。最后利用瞬态光电流曲线、开路电位曲线、线性伏安扫描曲线对其光电化学性能进行比较。研究发现,1%的Fe元素掺杂材料具有更好的光电响应,光照时开路电位可达0.345 V;9%的N元素掺杂材料具有最好的光电活性,光照时开路电位可达0.3 V。     

Modification of TiO2 nanorods by Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles for high performance visible-light photocatalysis

In this work, TiO₂ nanorods were prepared by a hydrothermal process and then Bi₂MoO₆ nanoparticles were deposited onto the TiO₂ nanorods by a solvothermal process. The nanostructured Bi₂MoO₆/TiO₂ composites were extensively characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the Bi₂MoO₆/TiO₂ composites was evaluated by degradation of methylene blue. The Bi₂MoO₆/TiO₂ composites exhibit higher catalytic activity than pure Bi₂MoO₆ and TiO₂ for degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). Further investigation revealed that the ratio of Bi₂MoO₆ to TiO₂ in the composites greatly influenced their photocatalytic activity. The experimental results indicated that the composite with Bi₂MoO₆:TiO₂ = 1:3 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity. The enhancement mechanism of the composite catalysts was also discussed.     

Photocatalytic activities of N doped TiO2 coatings on 316L stainless steel by plasma surface alloying technique

Nitrogen doped titanium dioxide (N-TiO₂) coatings were fabricated by oxidation of the TiN_x coatings in air. TiN_x coatings were prepared on stainless steel (SS) substrates by plasma surface alloying technique. The reference TiO₂ sample was also deposited by oxidation of the Ti coatings in air. The as-prepared coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ultra violet-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The formation of anatase type TiO₂ is confirmed by XRD. SEM measurement indicates a rough surface morphology with sharp, protruding modules after annealing treatment. The band gap of the N-doped sample is reduced from 3.25 eV to 3.08 eV compared with the undoped one. All the N-doped samples show red shift in photoresponse towards visible region and improved photocurrent density under visible irradiance is observed for the N-doped samples. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated via the photocatalytic oxidation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous under visible light irradiation. The results reveal that the N-doped samples extend the light absorption spectrum toward the visible region. The degradation rate of N-TiO₂ is 20% in visible irradiation for 150 min.     

The Oxidation of TiB2 Ceramics Containing Cr and Fe

The oxidation behavior of TiB₂, TiB₂–0.5 wt.% Cr–0.5 wt.% Fe and TiB₂–1 wt.% Cr–1 wt.% Fe was studied at 800, 900, and 1000°C in static air. These ceramics oxidized rather rapidly and formed thick oxide scales. The oxidation rates of TiB₂-base ceramics were comparable to TiO₂ formation on pure titanium. The scale formed on TiB₂ consisted of TiO₂ and B₂O₃. For TiB–Cr–Fe ceramics, a small amount of Cr- and Fe-oxides was additionally formed. B₂O₃ formed during oxidation tended to evaporate because of its high vapor pressure, making oxide scales porous and fragile. The oxidation of the TiB₂-base ceramics appeared to be governed by the inward transport of oxygen via the highly porous oxide scale. The oxidation resistance of TiB₂–Cr–Fe ceramics was similar to or better than that of TiB₂.     

Photo-catalytic effect enhanced by the chemisorption of phenylethyl-mercaptan-assembled monolayers on Au-clusters/TiO2-anatase thin film

A simple process is employed to increase the efficiency of TiO₂ photo-catalytic activity, for which the recombination probability of electron–hole pairs is relaxed. Au is selectively deposited on a high-transparency TiO₂-anatase thin film on a glass substrate, and then phenylethyl mercaptan (PEM) is chemisorbed onto the selectively covered Au-clusters/TiO₂-anatase thin film. The enhancement of the photo-catalytic activity on the PEM/Au-clusters/TiO₂-anatase thin film is evaluated via the induced degradation of methylene blue. The results demonstrate that the Au coverage ratio on TiO₂-anatase thin film and the photo-catalytic activity of the chemisorbed PEM/Au-clusters/TiO₂-anatase are related. The photo-catalytic contribution of PEM/Au-clusters/TiO₂-anatase differs from that of Au on a TiO₂-anatase thin film. An optimized photo-catalytic system, a composite of PEM/3.8% Au-clusters/TiO₂-anatase thin film, is proposed. The efficiency of the PEM/3.8% Au-clusters/TiO₂-anatase thin film is 52.1% higher than that of the as-deposited TiO₂-anatase thin film.     

Microstructural Analysis and Photocatalytic Activity of Plasma-Sprayed Titania-Hydroxyapatite Coatings

Hydroxyapatite (HAp Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂) is known to be a biomaterial and an adsorbent for chromatography. In this study, HAp was agglomerated with anatase TiO₂ to manufacture thermal-spray powders to improve the adsorption activity of TiO₂, and then to improve its photocatalytic activity. The microstructures, compositions and photocatalytic activity of plasma-sprayed TiO₂, TiO₂-10%HAp, TiO₂-30%HAp, and HAp coatings were investigated. Due to the low thermal conductivity of HAp compound, not all HAp particles fully melted even under the arc current of 800 A. The addition of HAp inhibited the phase transformation of anatase TiO₂ to rutile. Under the arc current of 600 A, the anatase content in the TiO₂, TiO₂-10%HAp and TiO₂-30%HAp coatings was 11, 20 and 42%, respectively. With the increasing of the spraying distance from 70 to 110 mm, the anatase content in the TiO₂-30%HAp coatings decreased from 34 to 17% under arc current of 700 A. Furthermore, a slight decomposition of HAp to α-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ was found in the TiO₂-30%HAp coatings, it did not decompose to CaO and P₂O₅ according to the XRD and EDAX analysis. The addition of the secondary gas of helium had no significant influence on the melting state of the TiO₂-HAp feedstock powders. Moreover, the HAp in the TiO₂-10%HAp and TiO₂-30%HAp coatings had adsorption characteristic to acetaldehyde. The photocatalytic activity of TiO₂-10%HAp coating was highest among TiO₂, TiO₂-10%HAp, and TiO₂-30%HAp coatings sprayed under the arc current of 600 A for the optimum adsorption property and anatase content. This article is an invited paper selected from presentations at the 2007 International Thermal Spray Conference and has been expanded from the original presentation. It is simultaneously published in Global Coating Solutions, Proceedings of the 2007 International Thermal Spray Conference, Beijing, China, May 14-16, 2007, Basil R. Marple, Margaret M. Hyland, Yuk-Chiu Lau, Chang-Jiu Li, Rogerio S. Lima, and Ghislain Montavon, Ed., ASM International, Materials Park, OH, 2007.     

Effects of heat treatment scheme on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanotube powders derived by a facile electrochemical process

TiO₂ nanotubes (NTs) in powder form were synthesized by a facile electrochemical process in a perchlorate-containing electrolyte. Transmission electron microscopy results indicate that the TiO₂ NT-powder is in an amorphous structure and has outer diameter of 20 nm and tube-wall thickness of 5 nm. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that phase composition of the annealed TiO₂ NT-powders is related to the heat treatment scheme. Methyl orange was employed as a representative dye pollutant to evaluate the ultraviolet photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂ NT-powders. It was found that different post heat treatment schemes affect greatly the photocatalytic activities of the TiO₂ NT-powders, which should be ascribed to the changes in phase structural and morphological properties of the TiO₂ NT-powders. These results indicate that there should be a balance between crystal phase and nanotubular configuration for achieving the best photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂ nanotube powders.     

N, Fe and WO3 modified TiO2 for degradation of formaldehyde

Butyltitanate, ethanol and glacial acetic acid were chosen as titanium source, solvent and chelating agent, respectively, via a sol-gel method combined impregnation method to prepare N, Fe co-doped and WO₃ compounded photocatalyst TiO₂ powder. The synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectra (UV-DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Photocatalytic degradation of formaldehyde was employed to investigate the catalytic activity. The results show that the degradation rate is 77.61% in 180 min under UV light irradiation when the concentration of N is fixed on, and the optimum proportioning ratio of n(Fe):n(W):n(Ti) is 0.5:2:100.     

Enhanced photocatalytic properties of N–P co-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanosheets with {001} facets

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) co-doped anatase TiO₂ nanosheets were realized by low-temperature self-doping N–TiO₂ followed by high-temperature P doping with foreign precursor. It is found that P doping process can maintain good TiO₂ nanosheets morphology with exposed {001} facets. Chemical state of dopants indicates that N and P atoms replace O on O sites in TiO₂ lattice. Compared with pure TiO₂ and N-doped TiO₂, N–P co-doped TiO₂ nanosheets exhibits stronger optical absorption and higher degradation rate of dye molecules in visible light regime. The enhanced photocatalytic properties are attributed to two factors. On one hand, N–P co-doping can effectively reduce band gap of TiO₂ from 3.20 to 2.48 eV, leading to an enhancement of the absorption in visible light regime. On the other hand, the presence of exposed {001} facets of TiO₂ nanosheets can induce the effective separation of photogenerated electrons and holes in reaction.     

N-doped TiO2/ZnO composite powder and its photocatalytic performance for degradation of methyl orange

The N-doped TiO₂/ZnO composite powder with a molar ratio of Ti to Zn of 3/1 was prepared via sol–gel process and then ammonia treated with NH₃ mass fractions of 0%, 7%, and 28% for 24 h at room temperature followed by thermal calcinations in air for 2 h at various temperatures of 500, 600, and 700 °C. The as-prepared composite powder was characterized in detail through thermo-gravimetric analyzer, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the phase transformation of anatase to rutile has been successfully retarded via the ammonia treating process, leading to the presence of anatase phase in the composite. The particle crystallization of the composite powder was significantly promoted with the increase of the calcining temperature. The photocatalysis evaluation through MO degradation revealed an enhanced photocatalytic activity for the composite powder that might be related to the good crystallization, the presence of anatase phase, and the particle size reduction of the powder.     

Non-destructive evaluation of strength and residual stress for weldments using continuous indentation technique

TiO₂ photocatalysts are attractive and promising materials due to their excellent properties such as high photocatalytic activity, stability and non-toxicity. Therefore, TiO₂ photocatalyst has applied into various fields such as environmental purifications. The major forms of TiO₂ photocatalysts are fine particles in order to obtain high surface areas. In order to fabricate commercial applications, the coating procedures using binder chemicals must be employed. However, the fine TiO₂ particles slightly scattered at the surface, since most particles are buried in binder chemicals, leading to obtaining poor photocatalytic activity. TiO₂ films can be easily formed on a metallic titanium substrate by anodization. However, the amorphous TiO₂ films with no photocatalytic activities are usually obtained in conventional anodization. We have successfully obtained the high performance photocatalytic TiO₂ films by using combined treatment of pre-nitridation and anodization. The photocatalytic TiO₂ films show the high photocatalytic activities to decompose the various volatile organic compounds such as trichloroethylene, isopropyl alcohol, acetaldehyde, and so on.     

Amphiphilic and photocatalytic behaviors of TiO2 nanotube arrays on Ti prepared via electrochemical oxidation

Amphiphilic TiO₂ nanotube arrays (TiO₂ NTs) were fabricated through electrochemical oxidation of Ti in solution containing H₃PO₄ and NaF. Scanning electron microscopic analysis shows that the as-prepared TiO₂ NTs have an average pore diameter of 100 nm and a wall thickness of 15 nm. The electrochemical oxidation of Ti can be divided into four stages. In the first stage, when the potential is very low, oxygen formation and Ti dissolution are the major reactions. The second stage corresponds to a slightly higher potential, but less than 2.5 V. In this stage, the formation of TiO₂ film occurs. When the potential is increased to the even higher range from 2.5 V to 6 V, the TiO₂ film dissolves and nanoporous surface structure is generated. This is the third stage. Further increase of the potential enters stage four. The high potentials cause the self-organization of the nanostructure and allow the formation of well-aligned TiO₂ NTs. We also found that the change in surface condition of Ti by annealing heat treatment affects the film dissolution kinetics. As compared with TiO₂ thin film, the TiO2 NTs show higher photocatalytic activity on decomposing Rhodamine B. The surface of the TiO₂ NTs can be wetted by both water and oil. Such an amphiphilic property comes from the capillary effect of the nanochannel structure of the TiO₂ NTs. Because of the amphiphilic property and the photocatalytic activity, we conclude that the TiO₂ NTs have the capability of self-cleaning.     

Characterization and catalytic properties of nano-sized Pt metal catalyst on TiO2-SiO2 synthesized by photo-assisted deposition and impregnation methods

The photo-assisted deposition (PAD) and impregnation (img) syntheses of nano-sized Pt metal on TiO₂-SiO₂ are reported. The prepared catalysts were characterized by different techniques such as XRD, XAFS, TEM and nitrogen adsorption analysis. Photocatalytic reactivity using Pt-TiO₂-SiO₂ catalysts under visible-light condition for the oxidation of 2-propanol was evaluated. The results showed a notable photocatalytic activity of PAD-Pt-TiO₂-SiO₂ which was 1.5 and 4.7 times higher than that of imp-Pt-TiO₂-SiO₂ and TiO₂-SiO₂, respectively. Furthermore, PAD-Pt-TiO₂-SiO₂ catalysts exhibit a better catalytic property for hydrogenation of nitrobenzene, compared to the catalysts prepared by impregnation method.     

SnO2@TiO2核-壳纳米线的制备及其光催化性能研究

本文通过固-液-气(VLS)生长机制,利用化学气相沉积法(CVD)制备SnO₂纳米线。利用原子层沉积(ALD)以钛酸四异丙酯为前驱体在SnO₂纳米线表面沉积不同厚度的TiO₂壳层,形成SnO₂@TiO₂核-壳纳米线结构。通过中间Al₂O₃插层,分别制备出金红石和锐钛矿两种不同晶型的TiO₂,从而制备出两种不同复合结构的SnO₂@TiO₂核-壳纳米线。实验研究该复合结构中TiO₂的厚度与晶型对紫外光下光催化降解甲基橙溶液活性的影响。     

氧化参数对TiO_2纳米管结构及双室光电化学池产氢性能的影响

采用乙二醇电解液,在不同氧化电压、氧化时间条件下通过阳极氧化纯钛片制备了一系列TiO_2纳米管阵列薄膜。使用场发射扫描电镜(FESEM)表征TiO_2纳米管的表面、断面形貌,探讨氧化时间及氧化电压对纳米管生长速率的影响。同时通过电化学方法测试TiO_2纳米管的光电化学性能,以无外加电压下双室光电化学池中的产氢量考察其光催化活性。结果表明,相比延长氧化时间,提高氧化电压更容易获得高长/径比的TiO_2纳米管阵列,同时可显著提高TiO_2纳米管的光电流、光电转换效率及产氢量。