Synthesis of MgAl LDH/Acidified g-C3N4 Heterojunction Photocatalyst for Improved Tetracycline Hydrochloride Degradation Activity

A novel heterojunction photocatalyst consisting of three-dimensional (3D) flower-like MgAl LDH and acidified g-C3N4 (CN-H) was first developed by a simple facile coating method. The obtained MgAl LDH/CN-H samples were thoroughly characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analyzer. The detailed results demonstrated that g-C3N4 could transform from a generally two-dimensional layered structure into special cavity-like structure after acid treatment. CN-H increased specific surface to expose more active reaction sites in comparison to pristine g-C3N4. MgAl LDH and CN-H with matched band gaps were tightly bonded to form heterojunction structure by strong electrostatic intercalation. The combination could obviously boost the separation of photogenerated carriers. The as-prepared MgAl LDH/CN-H exhibited high photocatalytic performance in the degrading on typical antibiotic tetracycline hydrochloride (TC[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]HCl), of which degradation rate was 6.5 and even 22 times higher than that of MgAl LDH and pristine g-C3N4, respectively. The synthesis of MgAl LDH/CN-H heterojunction photocatalyst could have some positive suggestions for the rational construction of new photocatalysts and also has great application prospect in the degradation of environmental pollutants.

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Significantly Enhanced Aqueous Cr(VI) Removal Performance of Bi/ZnO Nanocomposites via Synergistic Effect of Adsorption and SPR-Promoted Visible Light Photoreduction

Catalysts ◽

10.3390/catal8100426 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 426 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Xiaoya Yuan ◽

Zijuan Feng ◽

Jianjun Zhao ◽

Jiawei Niu ◽

Jiasen Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Synergistic Effect ◽

Visible Light ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Electrochemical Impedance ◽

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy ◽

X Ray ◽

Enhanced Absorption ◽

Bismuth Nanoparticles ◽

Effective Transfer

Bismuth nanoparticles (BiNPs) and Zinc Oxide photocatalysts (BiNPs/ZnO) with different Bi loadings were successfully prepared via a facile chemical method. Their morphology and structure were thoroughly characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis (Ultraviolet-Visible) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence spectra (PL), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that a modification of hexagonal wurtzite-phase ZnO nanoparticles with Bi is achievable with an intimate interfacial interaction within its composites. The performance of the photocatalytic Cr(VI) removal under visible light irradiation indicated that BiNPs/ZnO exhibited a superior removal performance to bare ZnO, Bi, and the counterpart sample prepared using a physical mixing method. The excellent performance of the BiNPs/ZnO photocatalysts could be ascribed to the synergistic effect between the considerable physical Cr (VI) adsorption and enhanced absorption intensity in the visible light region, due to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) as well as the effective transfer and separation of the photogenerated charge carriers at the interface.

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Preparation of Hollow Flower-Like Microspherical β-Bi2O3/BiOCl Heterojunction and High Photocatalytic Property for Tetracycline Hydrochloride Degradation

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano10010057 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 57 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Shulin Kong ◽

Zhaohui An ◽

Wenwen Zhang ◽

Zhihao An ◽

Ming Yuan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Photocatalytic Performance ◽

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy ◽

Physical Adsorption ◽

Hollow Spheres ◽

Photocatalytic Property ◽

Photogenerated Electron ◽

Tetracycline Hydrochloride ◽

X Ray

Tetracycline cannot be effectively degraded in wastewater treatment. Therefore, the development of excellent photocatalysts is of significant importance for environmental protection. In this study, a β-Bi2O3/BiOCl heterojunction photocatalyst with hollow flower-like microspheres was successfully synthesized by the in-situ reaction of HCl and β-Bi2O3 hollow spheres. The prepared samples are characterized by Scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N2 physical adsorption, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and Photoluminescence. Then, research on the photocatalytic performance for the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride was conducted. The results show that the photocatalytic performance of the β-Bi2O3/BiOCl composite is significantly better than the β-Bi2O3 and BiOCl. The increase in photocatalytic activity is due to the formation of a heterojunction between β-Bi2O3 and BiOCl, which effectively promotes the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Additionally, the heterojunction nanocomposite demonstrated the outstanding photocatalytic stability after five cycles, which indicates that the material can be used for water environment purification. This paper provides assistance for studying the photocatalytic mechanism of heterojunction photocatalytic materials.

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Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of CuWO4 Doped TiO2 Photocatalyst Towards Carbamazepine Removal under UV Irradiation

Separations ◽

10.3390/separations8030025 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 25

Author(s):

Chukwuka Bethel Anucha ◽

Ilknur Altin ◽

Emin Bacaksız ◽

Tayfur Kucukomeroglu ◽

Masho Hilawie Belay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Photocatalytic Activity ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy ◽

Sol Gel ◽

Pure Tio2 ◽

Component Part ◽

Energy Yield ◽

Mechanical Agitation ◽

X Ray

Abatement of contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) in water sources has been widely studied employing TiO2 based heterogeneous photocatalysis. However, low quantum energy yield among other limitations of titania has led to its modification with other semiconductor materials for improved photocatalytic activity. In this work, a 0.05 wt.% CuWO4 over TiO2 was prepared as a powder composite. Each component part synthesized via the sol-gel method for TiO2, and CuWO4 by co-precipitation assisted hydrothermal method from precursor salts, underwent gentle mechanical agitation. Homogenization of the nanopowder precursors was performed by zirconia ball milling for 2 h. The final material was obtained after annealing at 500 °C for 3.5 h. Structural and morphological characterization of the synthesized material has been achieved employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) N2 adsorption–desorption analysis, Scanning electron microscopy-coupled Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS) for optical characterization. The 0.05 wt.% CuWO4-TiO2 catalyst was investigated for its photocatalytic activity over carbamazepine (CBZ), achieving a degradation of almost 100% after 2 h irradiation. A comparison with pure TiO2 prepared under those same conditions was made. The effect of pH, chemical scavengers, H2O2 as well as contaminant ion effects (anions, cations), and humic acid (HA) was investigated, and their related influences on the photocatalyst efficiency towards CBZ degradation highlighted accordingly.

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Study of the Effect of TiO2 Layer on the Adsorption and Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2-MoS2 Heterostructures under Visible-Infrared Light

International Journal of Photoenergy ◽

10.1155/2020/8740825 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

N. Cruz-González ◽

O. Calzadilla ◽

J. Roque ◽

F. Chalé-Lara ◽

J. K. Olarte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Photocatalytic Activity ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy ◽

Nitrogen Adsorption ◽

High Photocatalytic Activity ◽

Infrared Light ◽

Polluted Water ◽

Light Spectrum ◽

X Ray

In the last decade, the urgent need to environmental protection has promoted the development of new materials with potential applications to remediate air and polluted water. In this work, the effect of the TiO2 thin layer over MoS2 material in photocatalytic activity is reported. We prepared different heterostructures, using a combination of electrospinning, solvothermal, and spin-coating techniques. The properties of the samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis-DRS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The adsorption and photocatalytic activity were evaluated by discoloration of rhodamine B solution. The TiO2-MoS2/TiO2 heterostructure presented three optical absorption edges at 1.3 eV, 2.28 eV, and 3.23 eV. The high adsorption capacity of MoS2 was eliminated with the addition of TiO2 thin film. The samples show high photocatalytic activity in the visible-IR light spectrum.

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Study on Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of Porous Titania Nanotubes

Advances in Materials Science and Engineering ◽

10.1155/2016/3532817 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Huang Liu ◽

Yanhua Zhang ◽

Hongtao Yang ◽

Wei Xiao ◽

Lanlan Sun

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Photocatalytic Activity ◽

Filter Paper ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy ◽

Cellulose Nanofibers ◽

Titania Nanotubes ◽

Tetrabutyl Titanate ◽

X Ray ◽

Porous Titania

Using the common natural cellulose substance (filter paper) and triblock copolymer (Pluronic P123) micelles as dual templates, porous titania nanotubes with enhanced photocatalytic activity have been successfully synthesized through sol-gel methods. Firstly, P123 micelles were adsorbed onto the surfaces of cellulose nanofibers of filter paper, followed by hydrolysis and condensation of tetrabutyl titanate around these micelles to form titania layer. After calcination to remove the organic templates, hierarchical titania nanotubes with pores in the walls were obtained. The sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen adsorption/desorption, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Ultraviolet-Visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). As compared with commercial P25 catalyst, the porous titania nanotubes prepared by this method displayed significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for degrading methyl orange under UV irradiation. Within 10 minutes, the porous titania nanotubes are able to degrade over 70% of the original MO, while the value for the commercial Degussa P25 is only about 33%.

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Synthesis of Three-Dimensional Fe3O4/Graphene Aerogels for the Removal of Arsenic Ions from Water

Journal of Nanomaterials ◽

10.1155/2015/864864 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Yan Ye ◽

Da Yin ◽

Bin Wang ◽

Qingwen Zhang

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

3D Structure ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

X Ray ◽

Graphene Aerogels ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Potential Applications ◽

Removal Of Arsenic

We report the synthesis of three-dimensional Fe3O4/graphene aerogels (GAs) and their application for the removal of arsenic (As) ions from water. The morphology and properties of Fe3O4/GAs have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and superconducting quantum inference device. The 3D nanostructure shows that iron oxide nanoparticles are decorated on graphene with an interconnected network structure. It is found that Fe3O4/GAs own a capacity of As(V) ions adsorption up to 40.048 mg/g due to their remarkable 3D structure and existence of magnetic Fe3O4nanoparticles for separation. The adsorption isotherm matches well with the Langmuir model and kinetic analysis suggests that the adsorption process is pseudo-second-ordered. In addition to the excellent adsorption capability, Fe3O4/GAs can be easily and effectively separated from water, indicating potential applications in water treatment.

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3D Modeling of Silver Doped ZrO2 Coupled Graphene-Based Mesoporous Silica Quaternary Nanocomposite for a Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensing Effects

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano12020193 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 193

Author(s):

Kamrun Nahar Fatema ◽

Chang-Sung Lim ◽

Yin Liu ◽

Kwang-Youn Cho ◽

Chong-Hun Jung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽

Mesoporous Silica ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Glucose Sensor ◽

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy ◽

Active Material ◽

Glucose Sensing ◽

X Ray ◽

Transmission Electron

We described the novel nanocomposite of silver doped ZrO2 combined graphene-based mesoporous silica (ZrO2-Ag-G-SiO2,) in bases of low-cost and self-assembly strategy. Synthesized ZrO2-Ag-G-SiO2 were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Raman spectroscopy, Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS). The ZrO2-Ag-G-SiO2 as an enzyme-free glucose sensor active material toward coordinate electro-oxidation of glucose was considered through cyclic voltammetry in significant electrolytes, such as phosphate buffer (PBS) at pH 7.4 and commercial urine. Utilizing ZrO2-Ag-G-SiO2, glucose detecting may well be finished with effective electrocatalytic performance toward organically important concentrations with the current reaction of 9.0 × 10−3 mAcm−2 and 0.05 mmol/L at the lowest potential of +0.2 V, thus fulfilling the elemental prerequisites for glucose detecting within the urine. Likewise, the ZrO2-Ag-G-SiO2 electrode can be worked for glucose detecting within the interferometer substances (e.g., ascorbic corrosive, lactose, fructose, and starch) in urine at proper pH conditions. Our results highlight the potential usages for qualitative and quantitative electrochemical investigation of glucose through the ZrO2-Ag-G-SiO2 sensor for glucose detecting within the urine concentration.

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Reduced Graphene Oxide Supported Molybdenum Oxide Hybrid Nanocomposites: High Performance Electrode Material for Supercapacitor and Photocatalytic Applications

Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology ◽

10.1166/jnn.2020.17779 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (7) ◽

pp. 4035-4046

Author(s):

Rengasamy Dhanabal ◽

Dhanasekaran Naveena ◽

Sivan Velmathi ◽

Arumugam Chandra Bose

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Graphene Oxide ◽

Reduced Graphene Oxide ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy ◽

Hybrid Nanocomposites ◽

X Ray ◽

Supercapacitor Application ◽

Quenching Effect ◽

Reduced Graphene

Using a simple solution based synthesis route, hexagonal MoO3 (h-MoO3) nanorods on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets were prepared. The structure and morphology of resulting RGO-MoO3 nanocomposite were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The optical property was studied using UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The RGO-MoO3 nanocomposites were used as an electrode for supercapacitor application and photocatalyst for photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. We demonstrated that the RGO-MoO3 electrode is capable of delivering high specific capacitance of 134 F/g at current density of 1 A/g with outstanding cyclic stability for 2000 cycles. The RGOMoO3 photocatalyst degrades 95% of MB dye within 90 min, and a considerable recyclability up to 4 cycles was observed. The quenching effect of scavengers test confirms holes are main reactive species in the photocatalytic degradation of MB. Further, the charge transfer process between RGO and MoO3 was schematically demonstrated.

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Amorphous Ni x Co y P-supported TiO2 nanotube arrays as an efficient hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalyst in acidic solution

Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology ◽

10.3762/bjnano.10.6 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 62-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Yong Li ◽

Peng Yang ◽

Bin Wang ◽

Zhongqing Liu

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽

Hydrogen Evolution ◽

Hydrogen Evolution Reaction ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Electrochemical Impedance ◽

Nanotube Arrays ◽

Active Surface Area ◽

X Ray ◽

Transmission Electron

Bimetallic phosphides have been attracting increasing attention due to their synergistic effect for improving the hydrogen evolution reaction as compared to monometallic phosphides. In this work, NiCoP modified hybrid electrodes were fabricated by a one-step electrodeposition process with TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) as a carrier. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize the physiochemical properties of the samples. The electrochemical performance was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. We show that after incorporating Co into Ni–P, the resulting Ni x Co y P/TNAs present enhanced electrocatalytic activity due to the improved electron transfer and increased electrochemically active surface area (ECSA). In 0.5 mol L−1 H2SO4 electrolyte, the Ni x Co y P/TNAs (x = 3.84, y = 0.78) demonstrated an ECSA value of 52.1 mF cm−2, which is 3.8 times that of Ni–P/TNAs (13.7 mF cm−2). In a two-electrode system with a Pt sheet as the anode, the Ni x Co y P/TNAs presented a bath voltage of 1.92 V at 100 mA cm−2, which is an improvment of 79% over that of 1.07 V at 10 mA cm−2.

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Spinel-Type (FeCoCrMnZn)3O4 High-Entropy Oxide: Facile Preparation and Supercapacitor Performance

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma13245798 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (24) ◽

pp. 5798

Author(s):

Bingliang Liang ◽

Yunlong Ai ◽

Yiliang Wang ◽

Changhong Liu ◽

Sheng Ouyang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Nickel Foam ◽

Spinel Type ◽

X Ray ◽

High Entropy ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Coating Method ◽

Potential Applications ◽

Supercapacitor Performance

High-entropy oxides (HEOs) have attracted more and more attention because of their unique structures and potential applications. In this work, (FeCoCrMnZn)3O4 HEO powders were synthesized via a facile solid-state reaction route. The confirmation of phase composition, the observation of microstructure, and the analysis of crystal structure, distribution of elements, and valences of elements were conducted by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. Furthermore, a (FeCoCrMnZn)3O4/nickel foam ((FeCoCrMnZn)3O4/NF) electrode was prepared via a coating method, followed by the investigation of its supercapacitor performance. The results show that, after calcining (FeCoCrMnZn)3O4 powders at 900 °C for 2 h, a single spinel structure (FCC, Fd-3m, a = 0.8399 nm) was obtained with uniform distribution of Fe, Co, Cr, Mn, and Zn elements, the typical characteristic of a high-entropy oxide. In addition, the mass specific capacitance of the (FeCoCrMnZn)3O4/NF composite electrode was 340.3 F·g−1 (with 1 M KOH as the electrolyte and 1 A·g−1 current density), which indicates that the (FeCoCrMnZn)3O4 HEO can be regarded as a prospective candidate for an electrode material in the field of supercapacitor applications.

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