Enhancement of the photocatalytic performance of Ag-modified TiO2 photocatalyst under visible light

A highly visible-light photocatalytic active Ag-modified TiO₂ (Ag–TiO₂) was prepared by a simple sol–gel process using TiOSO₄ as the starting material, AgNO₃ as a silver doping source, and hydrazine as a reducing agent. The prepared Ag–TiO₂ samples were characterized by several techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), BET surface area measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The Ag–TiO₂ photocatalyst, a mixture of amorphous and anatase phases, has a high surface area. The silver contents in the Ag–TiO₂ samples were determined by ICP measurements. The diffused reflectance UV–vis spectra indicated that the Ag–TiO₂ samples exhibited higher red shifts compared with the undoped TiO₂ sample. Indigo carmine degradation under visible irradiation indicated that the Ag–TiO₂ catalyst gave higher photocatalytic efficiency than those of commercial P25-TiO₂ and undoped-TiO₂ samples. The Ag–TiO₂ catalyst can be reused many times without any additional treatment.     

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.     

Fullerene modification CdSe/TiO2 and modification of photocatalytic activity under visible light

CdSe, CdSe-TiO₂, and CdSe-C₆₀/TiO₂ composites were prepared using sol–gel method, and their photocatalytic activity was evaluated by measuring the degradation of rhodamine B solutions under visible light. The surface area, surface structure, crystal phase, and elemental identification of these composites were characterized by nitrogen adsorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and UV-visible (vis) absorption spectrophotometry. XRD showed that the CdSe-C₆₀/TiO₂ composite contained a typical single and clear anatase phase. SEM of the CdSe-C₆₀/TiO₂ composites revealed a homogenous composition in the particles. EDX revealed the presence of C and Ti with strong Cd and Se peaks in the CdSe-C₆₀/TiO₂ composite. The degradation of dye was determined by UV–vis spectrophotometry. An increase in photocatalytic activity was observed and attributed to an increase in the photoabsorption effect by fullerene and the cooperative effect of the CdSe. The repeatability of photocatalytic activity was also tested in order to investigate the stability of C₆₀ and CdS-C₆₀/TiO₂ composites.     

Fabrication of nitrogen-doped TiO2 monolith with well-defined macroporous and bicrystalline framework and its photocatalytic performance under visible light

In this study, hierarchically porous bicrystalline nitrogen-doped titania (N-doped TiO₂) monolithic material was fabricated by a simple two-step approach: (i) preparation of TiO₂ porous monolith by a sol–gel process of titanium alkoxide in a mild condition utilizing a chelating agent and mineral salt and (ii) annealing of TiO₂ porous monolith obtained under a modest flow of ammonia gas at 700 °C for 2 h. The phase composition, crystal structure, morphology, pore structure, and porous properties of the final product were studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury porosimetry, and nitrogen physisorption measurement, respectively. The resultant N-doped TiO₂ porous monolith possesses a bicrystalline (anatase and rutile) framework with a well-defined macroporosity. The results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirm the formation of OTiN bonds in the N-doped TiO₂ porous monolith. The photocatalytic activity of N-doped TiO₂ porous monolith was evaluated by the photodegradation of Rhodamine B over the samples under visible light. Nearly 50% of Rhodamine B in aqueous solution was efficiently degraded by N-doped TiO₂ porous monolith with the mixed-phase of anatase and rutile under visible light within 120 min.     

掺钒二氧化钛的可见光催化性能研究

制备高活性可见光响应型掺钒TiO2光催化剂,以荧光灯为光源,光催化降解亚甲基蓝为模型反应,对可见光下TiO2的催化活性进行评价。研究了掺钒TiO2制备方法、掺钒量及氧化剂对光催化氧化的影响。结果表明,溶胶-凝胶法制备的TiO2催化活性较高,且工序简单,钒离子掺杂均匀;掺钒能使TiO2具有可见光响应,最佳掺钒量为1%;外加氧化剂H2O2能提高掺钒TiO2催化活性。     

Photocatalytic performance of plasma sprayed Pt-modified TiO2 coatings under visible light irradiation

Plasma sprayed Pt/TiO₂ coatings were prepared by Atmospheric Plasma Spraying process. As-sprayed coatings were characterized by TEM, XRD and XPS. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated through the photo mineralization of methylene blue. All the Pt modified titanium dioxide coatings show significant absorption in the visible light range, while the pure titania coating reflects almost all the visible light. The photocatalytic efficiencies of as-sprayed pure TiO₂ coating and Pt/TiO₂ coatings are almost same under the irradiation of visible light. However, the efficiencies of all Pt/TiO₂ coating are greatly improved comparing with that of pure TiO₂ coating by applying 15 V external bias under the irradiation of visible light.     

Efficient hydrogen production by photocatalytic water-splitting using Pt-doped TiO2 hollow spheres under visible light

Pt doped TiO₂ hollow spheres (Pt/HS-TiO₂) are prepared by a sol–gel method and characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and UV-visible absorption spectra. In addition, Pt/HS-TiO₂ is employed as the catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen production from water splitting under visible light irradiation. The results show that Pt/HS-TiO₂ with hollow sphere structure presents excellent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance. The hydrogen generation rate can reach more than 1023.71 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ at room temperature and no obvious deactivation is observed after 30 h irradiation. Furthermore, the reactively of Pt/HS-TiO₂ could be reproduced in the repeated cycle. Therefore, Pt/HS-TiO₂ is a promising photocatalyst to efficiently generate hydrogen under visible-light irradiation at room temperature.     

LED可见光下Au/TiO2光催化氧化甲醛表观动力学

甲醛是室内空气中典型的挥发性有机化合物（VOCs）之一。等离子激元型光催化剂可吸收可见光,可在室温常压下利用太阳光驱动光催化氧化脱除室内空气中甲醛的反应,其表观反应动力学研究对设计等离子激元型光催化剂及应用于脱除VOCs等污染物具有重要意义。研究了LED可见光下等离子激元型Au/TiO₂光催化脱除气相中甲醛的表观反应动力学,考察不同波长的可见光源、光强及反应气相对湿度对表观反应动力学的影响,根据对实验数据的分析求得LED可见光催化氧化甲醛表观反应速率常数k（I,H）。结果表明,在13%相对湿度、蓝光光强为38.5 mW·cm^-2的条件下,光反应的甲醛转化率达77%,是暗反应的近5倍。在LED红、绿、蓝、白光照射下,随着光强增加,甲醛转化率快速增加后缓慢增至基本不变。相同光强（低于42 mW·cm^-2）和湿度条件下,红、绿、蓝光源的甲醛转化率相近,白光略低于其他光源。干气氛下,光反应和暗反应的甲醛转化率几乎为0。湿气氛下,光反应和暗反应均有甲醛转化率,光反应的甲醛转化率更高。不同光源条件下甲醛转化率随相对湿度变化规律相似。相对湿度为21.9%时甲醛转化率最高,而后保持不变,基本在80%左右。通过对红、绿、蓝、白光的数据拟合计算,得到表观动力学参数k（I）_H、k（H）_I、k（I,H）以及速率方程。     

Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic behavior of WO3-fullerene/TiO2 catalysts under visible light

WO3-treated fullerene/TiO2 composites (WO3-fullerene/TiO2) were prepared using a sol-gel method. The composite obtained was characterized by BET surface area measurements, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and UV-vis analysis. A methyl orange (MO) solution under visible light irradiation was used to determine the photocatalytic activity. Excellent photocatalytic degradation of a MO solution was observed using the WO3-fullerene, fullerene-TiO2, and WO3-fullerene/TiO2 composites under visible light. An increase in photocatalytic activity was observed, and WO3-fullerene/TiO2 has the best photocatalytic activity; it may attribute to the increase of the photo-absorption effect by the fullerene and the cooperative effect of the WO3.     

WS2 sensitized mesoporous TiO2 for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production from water under visible light irradiation

Nanosized WS₂ sensitized mesoporous titanium dioxide (TiO₂) was prepared to extend the adsorption of the wide band gap TiO₂ into visible light region. Compared with TiO₂ substrate without mesopores, it was found that the mesoporous substrate is beneficial for larger amount of WS₂ loading and inhibition of the light-induced detachment of WS₂ particles from the substrate during photocatalytic reaction, which leads to higher photocatalytic activity and better stability. We also found that the rate-determining step for photocatalytic hydrogen production is the transfer of electrons from TiO₂ substrate to H⁺ in solution, when the recombination between electrons and holes within TiO₂ could be neglected. In this case, deposition of Pt at the surface of semiconductor is indispensable for efficient hydrogen production.     

提高TiO_2可见光分解水制氢活性的研究进展

近年来通过能带调控等手段实现TiO2光催化剂的可见光化被广泛研究,并取得了令人注目的进展。综述了提高TiO2可见光产氢活性各种手段,包括金属沉积、金属离子掺杂、染料敏化、阴离子掺杂和半导体复合等的研究进展情况,并对未来的研究方向作了展望。     

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.     

Silver-modified TiO2 nanorods with enhanced photocatalytic activity in visible light region

Silver-modified TiO₂ nanorods (SMTN) have been synthesized via controlled hydrolysis of tetrabutyltitanate (TBOT) in ethanol and immersion method by using AgNO₃ as an Ag source. The physical and chemical properties of SMTN were studied by XRD, SEM, TEM, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared products was evaluated by photocatalytic decolorization of Rhodamine B (Rh B) aqueous solution at ambient temperature under visible light irradiation. The experimental results reveal that the TiO₂ nanorods, which are well dispersed and uniform, attached large numbers of silver nanoparticles on the surface, and the major crystalline phase of TiO₂ is anatase. The photocatalytic activity research shows that the SMTN exhibit an enhanced photocatalytic activity in visible light region compared with that of pure TiO₂ nanorods and commercial TiO₂ (P25).     

Copper reduced defective TiO2 nanoparticles with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

Defective TiO₂ attracted increasing attention due to its high photocatalytic activities. Herein, we report a facile and efficient method to fabricate gray defective TiO₂ by vacuum annealing raw TiO₂ materials with copper powders. The treated TiO₂ nanoparticles exhibit significantly enhanced visible‐light‐photocatalytic performance with photo‐degradation rate increased to 400% as that of pristine commercial P25 under visible light. The performance enhancements can be attributed to the disordered structure, optimized optical and electronic properties of defective TiO₂. In addition, this facile Cu reduction method provides an effective way to generate defective sites in other metal oxides for various potential applications.     

Construction of CoS/CeO2 heterostructure nanocages with enhanced photocatalytic performance under visible light

Exploring non-noble metal photocatalysts with high activity and stability is always fascinating. Herein, the hollow CoS nanocages deriven from ZIF-67 have been reported for the first time to combine with CeO₂ NPs grown in situ for photocatalytic degradation of stubborn pollutants. The unique CoS nanocages not only provide rich active sites but also enhance light capture. CeO₂ NPs loaded on the surface accelerate the separation of photocharges and extend the lifetime of photogenerated carriers. The optimized photocatalysts show outstanding activity and stability for the photodegradation of tetracycline and phenol under visible light, and the corresponding photodegradation efficiency is 96.5% and 90.5% at 60 minutes. The novel multi-stage nanocage structure simultaneously realizes extended light absorption and improved photocharges transfer efficiency. This work provides an exclusive perspective to design high-efficiency photocatalysts with hollow structures for environmental restoration.     

Iron-doped TiO2 nanotubes with high photocatalytic activity under visible light synthesized by an ultrasonic-assisted sol-hydrothermal method

A series of iron-doped anatase TiO₂ nanotubes (Fe/TiO₂ NTs) catalysts with iron concentrations ranging from 0.88 to 7.00 wt% were prepared by an ultrasonic-assisted sol-hydrothermal process. The structures and the properties of the fabricated Fe/TiO₂ NTs were characterized in detail and photocatalytic activity was examined using a reactive brilliant red X-3B aqueous solution as pollutant under visible light. The lengths of the NTs were determined to range from 20 nm to 100 nm. The incorporation of the iron ions (Fe³⁺) into the TiO₂ nanotubes shifted the photon absorbing zone from the ultraviolet (UV) to the visible wavelengths, reducing the band gap energy from 3.2 to 2.75 eV. The photocatalytic activity of the Fe/TiO₂ NTs was 2–4 times higher than the values measured for the pure TiO₂ nanotubes.     

可见光响应氧化铁复合TiO2光催化剂的制备及其性能研究

以尿素铁(Ⅲ)配合物和钛酸四丁酯为前驱物,采用注入法制备了不同Fe2O3复合比的TiO2纳米粉体,通过DTATG 、XRD、XPS和UV-Vis的测试,表征其物相结构、样品表面元素存在形式和光谱学性质;并以甲基橙光降解反应为探针反应,分别以紫外光和可见光为光源测试其光催化活性.结果表明,复合Fe2O3后的TiO2纳米粉体为锐钛矿型,样品表面铁元素主要以Fe(Ⅲ)形式存在,并且其UV-Vis光谱吸收曲线有明显的红移现象;Fe2O3的复合明显提高了TiO2光催化剂的紫外和可见光催化活性;Fe2O3的最佳复合比为1 mol％.     

Nb,F-codoped TiO2 hollow spheres with high visible light photocatalytic activity

Nb, F-codoped TiO₂ hollow spheres (NFTSs) were successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method with niobium oxide, hydrofluoric acid, and tetrabutyl titanate. The obtained spheres were hollow, with a diameter of about 2 μm, and the sphere wall was made up of nanorods arranged close together. The NFTSs presented anatase phase with more {001} facets exposed, which could be mainly attributed to F ions which were preferentially adsorbed on the {001} facets during the crystal growth process. Ti³⁺ states in NFTSs were increased due to Nb, F-codoping, resulting in the decrease of the band gap and the red shift of the absorption edge of the NFTSs. The NFTSs exhibited 20.1% higher photocatalytic speed compared to P25 on the degradation of methylene orange.