Effects of TiO2 nanorod length and post-annealing on the electrical properties of TiO2 nanobarbed fiber structures

TiO2 nanobarbed fiber (NBF) structures consisting of TiO2 nanorods (NRs) on TiO2 nanofibers (NFs) were fabricated. The mean length and diameter of the TiO2 NRs grown for 6 h was 1.38 microm and 71 nm, respectively. One NR was connected to other NRs and the junction points between the TiO2 NRs increased with increasing TiO2 NR length. The crystal structure of the TiO2 NFs and NRs was rutile and anatase, respectively. After post-annealing, only the intensity of the TiO2 NBF peaks increased without any significant structural changes. Raman spectroscopy showed that the TiO2 NBF structure consisted of anatase (TiO2 NFs) and rutile (TiO2 NRs). The bandgap of the TiO2 NBF structure prepared during a TiO2 NR growth time from 0 to 6 h decreased from 3.23 eV to 3.10 eV. The conductivity of the TiO2 NBFs with longer NRs was enhanced by post-annealing.     

Photocatalytic ozonation of dimethyl phthalate with TiO2 prepared by a hydrothermal method

TiO(2) was prepared by a hydrothermal method at a low temperature and used to degrade and mineralize dimethyl phthalate (DMP). TiO(2) was characterized by XRD, TEM, BET and UV-vis techniques. The characteristics of TiO(2) prepared by a hydrothermal method (h-t TiO(2)) included a good crystalline anatase phase, greater surface area, stronger absorption to UV light wavelength and lower agglomeration than TiO(2) prepared by a classic sol-gel method (s-g TiO(2)). The photocatalytic activity of h-t TiO(2) prepared under optimal hydrothermal condition (180°C for 10h) was 2.5 times higher than that of s-g TiO(2) in degrading DMP. The process of photocatalysis combined with UV irradiation and ozonation (TiO(2)/UV/O(3)) considerably improved the mineralization and degradation of DMP compared to photocatalysis combined with UV irradiation (TiO(2)/UV), ozonation combined with UV irradiation (UV/O(3)), and ozonation alone (O(3)). A kinetic study showed the mineralization in TiO(2)/UV/O(3) followed the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model.     

Effect of preparation methods on the structure and catalytic performance of TiO(2)/AC photocatalysts

Activated carbon (AC)-supported TiO(2) catalysts were prepared by sol-gel and metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) in order to investigate effect of preparation methods on the structure and catalytic performance of TiO(2)/AC catalysts. It was found that both methods yield "egg-shell" TiO(2)/AC catalysts, that is to say, the TiO(2) coatings were mainly on the surface of AC supports. The TiO(2) coating by sol-gel was only coated on the external surface of AC. In contrast, TiO(2) by MOCVD was deposited on the surface of AC through the heterogeneous reaction, forming a TiO(2)+AC hybrid film (about 3 microm) as evidenced by SEM and N(2) adsorption tests. The hybrid TiO(2)+AC film could capture the intermediates produced during the degradation of the target pollutant resulting in efficient mineralization. The TiO(2)/AC catalysts by MOCVD exhibited a Ti-O-C bond, which correlated with the good stability of TiO(2) as observed on the corresponding samples. These results indicate MOCVD is a better choice for the preparation of TiO(2)/AC catalysts.     

Photocatalytic degradation of monocrotophos pesticide--an endocrine disruptor by magnesium doped titania

Mg-doped TiO(2) with different Mg concentrations were prepared using sol-gel method and characterized by XRD, UV-visible, XPS, SEM and FT-IR. The XRD results revealed that Mg(2+) goes into the TiO(2) lattice. SEM images of the doped and pure TiO(2) indicated that there is a smaller particle size for the doped catalyst compared to that of the pure TiO(2). UV-visible absorption spectra indicated that upon doping with Mg(2+) ion, the catalyst exhibits absorption in visible region. FT-IR and XPS spectra demonstrated that the presence of Mg(2+) ion in the TiO(2) lattice as substitutional dopant. Photocatalytic activity of doped TiO(2) has been evaluated by degradation of the monocrotophos (MCP) pesticide. The effect of solution pH, catalyst dosage and initial concentration of MCP on the photocatalytic activity of Mg-doped TiO(2) with different loadings was studied. It was observed that the rate of degradation of MCP over Mg-doped TiO(2) is better than Pure TiO(2) and Degussa P-25.     

Hierarchical top-porous/bottom-tubular TiO2 nanostructures decorated with Pd nanoparticles for efficient Photoelectrocatalytic decomposition of synergistic pollutants

In this paper, top-porous and bottom-tubular TiO(2) nanotubes (TiO(2) NTs) loaded with palladium nanoparticles (Pd/TiO(2) NTs) were fabricated as an electrode for an enhanced photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) activity toward organic dye decomposition. TiO(2) NTs with a unique hierarchical top-porous and bottom-tubular structure were prepared by a facile two-step anodization method and Pd nanoparticles were decorated onto the TiO(2) NTs via a photoreduction process. The PEC activity of Pd/TiO(2) NTs was investigated by decomposition of methylene blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (RhB). Because of formation Schottky junctions between TiO(2) and Pd, which significantly promoted the electron transfer and reduced the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes, the Pd/TiO(2) NT electrode showed significantly higher PEC activities than TiO(2) NTs. Interestingly, an obvious synergy between two dyes was observed and corresponding mechanism based on facilitated transfer of electrons and holes as a result of a suitable energy level alignment was suggested. The findings of this work provide a fundamental insight not only into the fabrication but also utility of Schottky junctions for enhanced environmental remediation processes.     

Capability of coupled CdSe/TiO(2) for photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol

The photocatalytic process using TiO(2) and coupled semiconductor in the photodegradation reaction of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) was investigated. Nanosized titanium dioxide powder was synthesized via the sol-gel procedure and modified via the coupled photocatalysts. The microstructural and chemical properties of TiO(2) and coupled CdSe/TiO(2) were also examined. For CdSe/TiO(2) samples, the specific surface area was 7.0 m(2)/g and the deposition proportion of CdSe was approximately 27.6%. In the photocatalysis results, higher photodegradation efficiency of 4-CP was observed at higher pH values. In the UV 254 nm system, the degradation efficiency of 4-CP and TOC with sol-gel produced TiO(2) (TiO(2)(SG)) powder was higher than with commercial TiO(2)(RdH) powder. For the coupled semiconductor system (CdSe/TiO(2)), the apparent first-order rate constants were 1.35 x 10(-2), 4.33 x 10(-2), 2.0 x 10(-3) and 1.9 x 10(-3)min(-1) at the conditions of pH 7 (254 nm), pH 11 (254nm), pH 7 (365 nm), and pH 11 (365 nm). The disappearance of 4-CP under CdSe/TiO(2)(RdH) photoreaction at pH 7 and 365 nm condition is better than that of TiO(2)(RdH) system, with 30% versus 22% 4-CP reduction in 180 min. In the same condition, CdSe/TiO(2)(RdH) provided more photomineralization efficiency than that of TiO(2)(RdH) in terms of TOC reduction. Both 4-CP and TOC reduction were significant for systems illuminated at 254 nm. Considering the direct photolysis effect at 254 nm where 4-CP reduction is near 100% and TOC removal is nil, CdSe/TiO(2)(RdH) exhibits a 50% photomineralization efficiency and a nearly four times faster reaction rate than the single TiO(2)(RdH) semiconductor.     

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.     

Aqueous Cr(VI) photo-reduction catalyzed by TiO2 and sulfated TiO2

TiO(2) and sulfated TiO(2) (SO(4)(2-)/TiO(2)) catalysts with different textural properties were prepared under different calcination temperatures and the photo-reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) catalyzed by these catalysts was investigated. For the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI), the photocatalytic activities of the TiO(2) samples were found to be strongly dependent of the calcination temperature and TiO(2) calcined at 400 degrees C showed a higher catalytic activity compared to other TiO(2) catalysts. In contrast, sulfation of TiO(2) stabilized the catalytic activities of SO(4)(2-)/TiO(2) catalysts. At low calcination temperature, SO(4)(2-)/TiO(2) catalysts exhibited catalytic activities almost comparable with that of TiO(2) and the catalytic activities of SO(4)(2-)/TiO(2) catalysts were markedly higher than TiO(2) under high calcination temperature. In addition, the removal of surface SO(4)(2-) of SO(4)(2-)/TiO(2) catalyst led to a marked decrease of the catalytic activity for Cr(VI) photo-reduction, suggesting that the presence of surface SO(4)(2-) provided an acid environment over the catalyst surface and favored the photo-reduction of Cr(VI).     

Preparation and photocatalytic properties of nanometer-sized magnetic TiO2/SiO2/CoFe2O4 composites

Magnetic TiO2/SiO2/CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (TiO2/SCFs) were prepared by a sol-gel process in a reverse microemulsion combined with solvent-thermal technique. TiO2/SCFs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectrometry, TEM, BET specific surface area measurement, and magnetic analysis. Structure analyses indicated that TiO2/SCFs presented a core-shell structure with TiO2 uniformly coating on SiO2/CoFe2O4 nanomagnets (SCFs) and typical ferromagnetic hysteresis. TiO2/SCFs showed larger specific surface area and better photocatalytic activities than TiO2 and TiO2/CoFe2O4 photocatalysts prepared by the same method. The doping interaction between TiO2 and CoFe2O4 reduced thanks to the inert SiO2 mesosphere.     

3D Bi12TiO20/TiO2 hierarchical heterostructure: synthesis and enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activities

A three-dimensional (3D) multicomponent oxide, Bi(12)TiO(20)/TiO(2) hierarchical heterostructure was successfully synthesized via a one-step and template-free hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements confirm that the composition of the as-fabricated sample is Bi(12)TiO(20)/TiO(2) composite. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy observation reveals that the as-synthesized sample is microsized flower-like hierarchical networks consisted of Bi(12)TiO(20) nanorods decorated with the primary TiO(2) nanoparticles. Extension of the light absorption from the ultraviolet region to the visible-light region was confirmed by UV-vis absorption spectra. Due to the structure-property relationships, the 3D Bi(12)TiO(20)/TiO(2) heterostructure exhibited enhanced visible photocatalytic activity over that of Bi(12)TiO(20) and TiO(2) samples in the decomposition of Rhodamine B in water which is a typical model pollutant. The enhanced photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the extended absorption in the visible light region resulting from the 3D Bi(12)TiO(20)/TiO(2) heterostructures, and the effective separation of photogenerated carriers driven by the photoinduced potential difference generated at the Bi(12)TiO(20)/TiO(2) junction interface, demonstrating that the Bi(12)TiO(20)/TiO(2) heterostructure is a promising candidate as a visible light photocatalyst.     

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.     

静电纺丝法制备Fe3+/TiO2纳米纤维及表征

以聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP)为纤维模板,钛酸四丁酯(Ti[O(CH2)3CH3]4)和Fe3+为前驱体,乙醇为溶剂,醋酸为催化剂,采用静电纺丝法制备不同含铁量的复合纳米纤维Fe3+/TiO2,经500℃煅烧得到以锐钛矿为主的Fe3+/TiO2纳米纤维。采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和X射线衍射仪(XRD)分别表征了Fe3+/TiO2纳米纤维的形貌与晶态,计算了样品的晶粒尺寸和锐钛矿所占的比例,并比较了5%Fe3+/TiO2纳米纤维、5%Fe3+/TiO2粉体以及纯TiO2纳米纤维三者光催化降解亚甲基蓝(MB)的效果。研究表明:由静电纺丝法制备的5%Fe3+/TiO2纳米纤维的光催化降解效果比相同含铁量的粉体的降解效果好,TiO2纳米纤维比5%Fe3+/TiO2纳米纤维的光催化活性高。     

PT／TiO2复合粒子光催化降解有机污染物的性能

在CHCl3中以FeCl3为氧化剂通过原位化学氧化方法制备了聚噻吩/二氧化钛(PT/TiO2)复合粒子。通过X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和紫外可见漫反射光谱(DRS)分析,分别研究了PT/TiO2复合粒子的结构和光响应特性。结果表明,复合粒子是由PT包裹在TiO2粒子表面而形成的具有核-壳结构的粒子;复合粒子能吸收200 nm~800 nm波长的光。分别以甲基橙和苯酚为目标污染物,研究了PT/TiO2复合粒子光催化降解污染物的性能。结果表明,具有一定含量聚噻吩的复合粒子光催化降解污染物的性能优于TiO2。     

铂修饰的TiO2柱撑膨润土复合光催化剂的制备及光催化活性研究

钛酸四异丙酯在醋酸溶液中水解生成的多核钛离子经离子交换反应插入到膨润土层间，制得钛柱撑膨润土(TiO2-PILC)，再通过光沉积法合成了一系列不同铂量修饰的钛柱撑膨润土(Pt-TiO2-PILCs)；用XRD、BET和TEM对制得的复合催化剂进行了性能表征；以五氯酚钠为目标污染物，考察了它们的催化活性．结果表明：柱撑膨润土中TiO2主要以锐钛型存在，含铂的Pt-TiO2-PILCs的催化活性明显高于TiO2-PILC．此外该复合催化剂还具有回收容易、重复使用性好等特点．     

Role of dopant concentration, crystal phase and particle size on microbial inactivation of Cu-doped TiO2 nanoparticles

The properties of Cu-doped TiO(2) nanoparticles (NPs) were independently controlled in a flame aerosol reactor by varying the molar feed ratios of the precursors, and by optimizing temperature and time history in the flame. The effect of the physico-chemical properties (dopant concentration, crystal phase and particle size) of Cu-doped TiO(2) nanoparticles on inactivation of Mycobacterium smegmatis (a model pathogenic bacterium) was investigated under three light conditions (complete dark, fluorescent light and UV light). The survival rate of M. smegmatis (in a minimal salt medium for 2 h) exposed to the NPs varied depending on the light irradiation conditions as well as the dopant concentrations. In dark conditions, pristine TiO(2) showed insignificant microbial inactivation, but inactivation increased with increasing dopant concentration. Under fluorescent light illumination, no significant effect was observed for TiO(2). However, when TiO(2) was doped with copper, inactivation increased with dopant concentration, reaching more than 90% (>3 wt% dopant). Enhanced microbial inactivation by TiO(2) NPs was observed only under UV light. When TiO(2) NPs were doped with copper, their inactivation potential was promoted and the UV-resistant cells were reduced by over 99%. In addition, the microbial inactivation potential of NPs was also crystal-phase-and size-dependent under all three light conditions. A lower ratio of anatase phase and smaller sizes of Cu-doped TiO(2) NPs resulted in decreased bacterial survival. The increased inactivation potential of doped TiO(2) NPs is possibly due to both enhanced photocatalytic reactions and leached copper ions.     

TiO2 paste formulation for crack-free mesoporous nanocrystalline film of dye-sensitized solar cells

Using a doctor-blade method, a highly viscous titanium dioxide (TiO2) paste was deposited on a glass substrate coated with fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO). The paste was mainly composed of commercially available TiO2 nanoparticles (P25) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) as organic filler. Varying the content of HPC in the TiO2 paste changed the physical properties of the mesoporous TiO2 layer, particularly its porosity and surface area. From the quantification of dyes on Ti2, layer and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) study of the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the surface area of the TiO2 film was found to have decreased. This came with the increase of HPC content while the porosity of the film increased, consistent with the concurrent decrease of short-circuit current density (Jsc) and efficiency (eta). The increased porosity greatly affected the electron transport through the TiO2 film by decreasing the coordination number of the TiO2 particles resulting to a decrease of the electron diffusion coefficient.     

Photocatalytic degradation of gaseous benzene over TiO2/Sr2CeO4: preparation and photocatalytic behavior of TiO2/Sr2CeO4

The paper demonstrates that the photocatalytic activity of TiO(2) towards the decomposition of gaseous benzene in a batch reactor can be greatly improved by loading TiO(2) on the surface of Sr(2)CeO(4). The research investigates the optimum loading amount of TiO(2) on Sr(2)CeO(4) in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of TiO(2). The prepared photocatalyst was characterized by XRD, UV-vis diffuse reflectance and XPS analyses. TiO(2) is loaded on Sr(2)CeO(4) at 773K. TiO(2)/Sr(2)CeO(4) absorbs much more visible light than TiO(2). The XPS spectrum shows that there are Ti, O, C, Sr elements on the surface of the TiO(2)/Sr(2)CeO(4), and that the binding energy value of Ti2p transfers to a lower value. TiO(2)/Sr(2)CeO(4) demonstrates 2.0 times the photocatalytic activity of pure TiO(2). Based upon these observations, the mechanistic role of Sr(2)CeO(4) in the photocatalytic oxidation reaction has been suggested.     

Doped-TiO_2 Photocatalysts and Synthesis Methods to Prepare TiO_2 Films

TiO2 is a promising photocatalyst. However, the low photocatalytic efficiency calls for the modification of TiO2. Metal- and nonmetal-doping of TiO2 have been proved to be effective ways to enhance photocatalytic properties. This review provides a deep insight into the understanding of the metal- and nonmetal-doped TiO2 photocatalysts. This article begins with the introduction of the crystal structures of TiO2 and applications of TiO2 materials. We then reviewed the doped-TiO2 system in two categories： （1） metal-doped TiO2 photocatalysts system, and （2） nonmetal-doped TiO2 photocatalysts system. Both experimental results and theoretical analyses are elaborated in this section. In the following part, for the advantages of TiO2 thin films over particles, various preparation methods to obtain TiO2 thin films are briefly discussed. Finally, this review ends with a concise conclusion and outlook of new trends in the development of TiO2-based photocatalysts.     

Synthesis and photo-degradation application of WO3/TiO2 hollow spheres

A WO(3)/TiO(2) composite, hollow-sphere photocatalyst with average diameter of 320 nm and shell thickness of 50 nm was successfully prepared using a template method. UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra illustrated that the main absorption edges of the WO(3)/TiO(2) hollow spheres were red-shifted compared to the TiO(2) hollow spheres, indicating an extension of light absorption into the visible region of the composite photocatalyst. The WO(3) and TiO(2) phases were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. BET isotherms revealed that the specific surface area and average pore diameter of the hollow spheres were 40.95 m(2)/g and 19 nm, respectively. Photocatalytic experiments indicate that 78% MB was degraded by WO(3)/TiO(2) hollow spheres under visible light within 80 min. Under the same conditions, only 24% MB can be photodegraded by TiO(2). The photocatalytic mineralization of MB, catalyzed by TiO(2) and WO(3)/TiO(2), proceeded at a significantly higher rate under UV irradiation than that under visible light, and more significant was the increase in the apparent rate constant with the WO(3)/TiO(2) composite semiconductor material which was 3.2- and 3.5-fold higher than with the TiO(2) material under both UV and visible light irradiation. The increased photocatalytic activity of the coupled nanocomposites was attributed to photoelectron/hole separation efficiency and the extension of the wavelength range of photoexcitation.     

Application of TiO2 nanoparticles coated multi-wall carbon nanotube to dye-sensitized solar cells

This study uses the sol-gel method to prepare TiO2 nanoparticle, and further applies TiO2 nanoparticle coating on the surface of the multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT). As a result, TiO2-CNT composite nanoparticles are prepared to serve as photoelectrode material in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). First, after acid treatment of MWCNT is used to remove impurities. Then, the sol-gel method is employed to prepare TiO2-CNT composite nanopowder. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern shows that after the TiO2 in TiO2-CNT composite nanopowder has been thermally treated at 450 degrees C, it can be completely changed to anatase phase. Furthermore, as shown from the SEM image, TiO2 has been successfully coated on CNT. The photoelectrode of DSSC is prepared using the electrophoretic deposition method (EPD) to mix the Degassa P25 TiO2 nanoparticles with TiO2-CNT powder for deposition on the indium tin oxide (ITO) conductive glass. After secondary EPD, a thin film of TiO2/CNTs with thickness 17 microm can be acquired. For the prepared TiO2-CNT composite nanoparticles, since MWCNT can increase the short-circuit current density of DSSC, the light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of DSSC can be effectively increased. Experimental results show that the photoelectric conversion efficiency of DSSC using CNT/TiO2 photoelectrode and N719 dye is increased by 41% from the original 3.45% to 4.87%.