scholarly journals Development of a novel photocatalyst for the photocatalytic treatment of industrial wastewater

Author(s):  
Mohsen Nasirian

Heterogeneous semiconductor photocatalysts have been shown to be efficient for the degradation of refractory organics into simple compounds. Among all photocatalysts, TiO2 is the most used one. Two issues that arise with the use of unmodified TiO2 as a photocatalyst are the unwanted fast recombination of electron/hole pairs and the lower effectiveness in the presence of visible light irradiation. Doping a transition metal or a non-metal into TiO2 and its combination with another photocatalyst have been used to enhance its photoactivity. This study is to develop a new photocatalyst by the combination of TiO2 with another semiconductor oxide (Fe2O3) and its doping with transition metal such as Ag. Combined photocatalysts of Fe2O3 /TiO2 (with different mass ratio of Fe:TiO2) is synthesized and then silver ion is doped to combine photocatalysts (with different mass ratio of Ag:TiO2) to produce a new composite photocatalyst of Ag/TiO2/Fe2O3. A new method of UV-assisted thermal synthesis is also employed to prepare the new composite photocatalyst. Methyl orange (MO) and Congo red (CR), as model pollutants, are used to test the developed photocatalyst. In addition, nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide photocatalyst (N-TiO2) with heterojunction structures is synthesized by three different approaches including new UV-assisted thermal synthesis, annealing, and microwave techniques. The novel UV-assisted thermal synthesis has produced encouraging results as a preparation method to prepare N-TiO2 at lower temperature and atmospheric pressure as well as a lower cost. Design of Experiment (DOE) along with response surface methodology (RSM) is used to optimize the photocatalytic activity of N-TiO2 as well as the affecting parameters (wavelength, light intensity, pH, and initial TOC) for decomposition of organics. The structure of all synthesized composite photocatalysts are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) is employed to evaluate surface characteristics and elemental analysis of synthesized photocatalysts. Specific surface area of photocatalysts is measured based on Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) technique. Results show that bare TiO2 has the lowest photocatalytic activity in degradation of organics. When silver is doped to TiO2, the degradation of MO is slightly enhanced at specific mass ratio. The presence of Fe2O3 in the new composite causes a red shift and enhances the potential to absorb higher range of visible light. Results from XRD confirmed that Fe3+ substitutes with Ti4+ in the crystal lattice of TiO2 and crystal defect occurs. The degradation of MO in presence of Ag/TiO2/Fe2O3 (Ag/TiO2=0.005 w:w and Fe:TiO2= 0.01 w:w) reached to 95.6% under sunlight in three hours with a red shift towards visible light. It is observed that there is an optimum specific surface area of photocatalysts by doping and combining photocatalysts.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Nasirian

Heterogeneous semiconductor photocatalysts have been shown to be efficient for the degradation of refractory organics into simple compounds. Among all photocatalysts, TiO2 is the most used one. Two issues that arise with the use of unmodified TiO2 as a photocatalyst are the unwanted fast recombination of electron/hole pairs and the lower effectiveness in the presence of visible light irradiation. Doping a transition metal or a non-metal into TiO2 and its combination with another photocatalyst have been used to enhance its photoactivity. This study is to develop a new photocatalyst by the combination of TiO2 with another semiconductor oxide (Fe2O3) and its doping with transition metal such as Ag. Combined photocatalysts of Fe2O3 /TiO2 (with different mass ratio of Fe:TiO2) is synthesized and then silver ion is doped to combine photocatalysts (with different mass ratio of Ag:TiO2) to produce a new composite photocatalyst of Ag/TiO2/Fe2O3. A new method of UV-assisted thermal synthesis is also employed to prepare the new composite photocatalyst. Methyl orange (MO) and Congo red (CR), as model pollutants, are used to test the developed photocatalyst. In addition, nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide photocatalyst (N-TiO2) with heterojunction structures is synthesized by three different approaches including new UV-assisted thermal synthesis, annealing, and microwave techniques. The novel UV-assisted thermal synthesis has produced encouraging results as a preparation method to prepare N-TiO2 at lower temperature and atmospheric pressure as well as a lower cost. Design of Experiment (DOE) along with response surface methodology (RSM) is used to optimize the photocatalytic activity of N-TiO2 as well as the affecting parameters (wavelength, light intensity, pH, and initial TOC) for decomposition of organics. The structure of all synthesized composite photocatalysts are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) is employed to evaluate surface characteristics and elemental analysis of synthesized photocatalysts. Specific surface area of photocatalysts is measured based on Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) technique. Results show that bare TiO2 has the lowest photocatalytic activity in degradation of organics. When silver is doped to TiO2, the degradation of MO is slightly enhanced at specific mass ratio. The presence of Fe2O3 in the new composite causes a red shift and enhances the potential to absorb higher range of visible light. Results from XRD confirmed that Fe3+ substitutes with Ti4+ in the crystal lattice of TiO2 and crystal defect occurs. The degradation of MO in presence of Ag/TiO2/Fe2O3 (Ag/TiO2=0.005 w:w and Fe:TiO2= 0.01 w:w) reached to 95.6% under sunlight in three hours with a red shift towards visible light. It is observed that there is an optimum specific surface area of photocatalysts by doping and combining photocatalysts.


Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamer Khedr ◽  
Said El-Sheikh ◽  
Adel Ismail ◽  
Ewa Kowalska ◽  
Detlef Bahnemann

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR), a potent hepatotoxin produced by the cyanobacteria, is of increasing concern worldwide because of severe and persistent impacts on humans and animals by inhalation and consumption of contaminated waters and food. In this work, MC-LR was removed completely from aqueous solution using visible-light-active C/N-co-modified mesoporous anatase/brookite TiO2 photocatalyst. The co-modified TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal process, and then calcined at different temperatures (300, 400, and 500 °C). All the obtained TiO2 powders were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope (TEM), specific surface area (SSA) measurements, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) analysis. It was found that all samples contained mixed-phase TiO2 (anatase and brookite), and the content of brookite decreased with an increase in calcination temperature, as well as the specific surface area and the content of non-metal elements. The effects of initial pH value, the TiO2 content, and MC-LR concentration on the photocatalytic activity were also studied. It was found that the photocatalytic activity of the obtained TiO2 photocatalysts declined with increasing temperature. The complete degradation (100%) of MC-LR (10 mg L−1) was observed within 3 h, using as-synthesized co-modified TiO2 (0.4 g L−1) at pH 4 under visible light. Based on the obtained results, the mechanism of MC-LR degradation has been proposed.


Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guanyu Wang ◽  
Weijie Guo ◽  
Deping Xu ◽  
Di Liu ◽  
Mengtao Qin

In industrial pollutants, phenol is a kind of degradation-resistant hazardous compound. It is generated during industrial processes in factories and treatment at sewage plants. In this study, we analyse the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 and rGO as a composite for the degradation of phenol. Hybridised titanium dioxide/reduced graphene oxide (TiO2/rGO) nanocomposites were synthesised by a simple hydrothermal method using flake graphite and tetrabutyl titanate as raw materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) specific area analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoelectrochemical analysis, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) were employed to characterise the physicochemical properties of the as-prepared nanocomposites. The results showed the TiO2/rGO nanocomposites’ significant anatase phase and a small fraction of the rutile phase the same as that of the as-prepared TiO2 nanoparticles. The spherical TiO2 nanoparticles (diameter 20–50 nm) were agglomerated slightly and the agglomerates were anchored on the rGO sheets and dispersed symmetrically. The specific surface area of TiO2/rGO-4% nanocomposites was 156.4 m2/g, revealing a high specific surface area. Oxygen-containing functional groups that existed in TiO2/rGO-4% nanocomposites were almost removed during hydrothermal processing. The photocurrent response of TiO2/rGO-4% was strongest among the TiO2/rGO nanocomposites, and the bandgap of TiO2/rGO-4% was 2.91 eV, showing a redshift of absorption into the visible region, which was in favour of the high photocatalytic activity of TiO2/rGO nanocomposites under visible light (λ > 420 nm). Moreover, the samples were employed to photodegrade phenol solution under visible light irradiation. TiO2/rGO-4% nanocomposite degraded the phenol solution up to 97.9%, and its degradation rate constant was 0.0190 h−1, which had higher degradation activity than that of other TiO2/rGO nanocomposites. This is a promising candidate catalyst material for organic wastewater treatment.


Author(s):  
Uyi Sulaeman ◽  
Bin Liu ◽  
Shu Yin ◽  
Tsugio Sato

The highly active Ag3PO4 photocatalysts were successfully synthesized using the hydrophylic polymer of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), PEG (polyethylene glycol) and PVP (polyvinyl pyrrolidone). The products were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS), Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Photocatalytic activities were evaluated using decomposition of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The results showed that the PVA, PEG, and PVP increased the specific surface area and enhanced the photocatalytic activity of Ag3PO4. The highest photocatalytic activity could be observed in Ag3PO4 synthesized with PVA, mainly due to an increase in electron excitation induced by PVA chemically adsorbed on the surface. Copyright © 2017 BCREC Group. All rights reservedReceived: 13rd November 2016; Revised: 10th February 2017; Accepted: 10th February 2017How to Cite: Sulaeman, U., Liu, B., Yin, S., Sato, T. (2017). Synthesis of Ag3PO4 using Hydrophylic Polymer and Their Photocatalytic Activities under Visible Light Irradiation. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, 12 (2): 206-211 (doi:10.9767/bcrec.12.2.767.206-211)Permalink/DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.12.2.767.206-211 


NANO ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (06) ◽  
pp. 2050079
Author(s):  
Xuelei Li ◽  
Jinfeng Bai ◽  
Jiaqi Li ◽  
Chao Li ◽  
Junru Zhang ◽  
...  

In this study, nitrogen-deficient graphitic carbon nitride (M-LS-g-C3N4) with a mesoporous structure and a large specific surface area was obtained by calcination after melt pretreatment using urea as a precursor. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis, ESR and photoluminescence (PL) were used to characterize the structure, morphology and optical performance of the samples. The TEM results showed the formation of a mesoporous structure on the 0.1[Formula: see text]M-LS-g-C3N4 surface. The porous structure led to an increase in the specific surface area from 41.5[Formula: see text]m2/g to 124.3[Formula: see text]m2/g. The UV-Vis results showed that nitrogen vacancies generated during the modification process reduced the band gap of g-C3N4 and improved the visible light absorption. The PL spectra showed that the nitrogen defects promoted the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. In the visible light degradation of methyl orange (MO), the reaction rate constant of 0.1[Formula: see text]M-LS-g-C3N4 reached 0.0086[Formula: see text][Formula: see text], which was 5.05 times that of pure g-C3N4. Superoxide radicals and photogenerated holes were found to be the main active species in the reaction system. This study provides an efficient, green and convenient means of preparing graphitic carbon nitride with a large specific surface area.


RSC Advances ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (23) ◽  
pp. 18958-18964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianqian Ding ◽  
Yunxia Zhang ◽  
Guozhong Wang ◽  
Hongjian Zhou ◽  
Haimin Zhang

The hollow mesoporous TiO2–Au–TiO2 nanospheres with stability, large specific surface area can enhance visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity.


2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marija Milanovic ◽  
Ivan Stijepovic ◽  
Ljubica Nikolic

Titanate structures were synthesized in highly alkaline solution using hydrothermal procedure. As-prepared powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A specific surface area of the powders was measured by BET method. Results confirmed formation of layered trititanates, already after one hour of hydrothermal synthesis. To examine the photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared layered titanates, methylene blue (MB) was employed as a target compound in response to visible light at ambient temperature. It was observed that the specific surface area, size distribution and crystallinity are important factors to get high photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of MB. .


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (07) ◽  
pp. 2051037
Author(s):  
Ke Han ◽  
Guobao Li ◽  
Fang Li ◽  
Mingming Yao

For the sake of improving the photocatalytic performance of TiO2, we prepared the B/Ag/Fe tridoped TiO2 films on common glass and stone substrates by the sol–gel method. In this work, the optical absorption, recombination of photogenerated electrons (e−) and holes (h[Formula: see text]), crystal types, thermal stability, composition, specific surface area and photocatalytic activity of the modified TiO2 films were investigated. The results indicated that B/Ag/Fe tridoping not only enhanced the absorption of visible light by TiO2, but inhibited the recombination of electron–hole (e−/h[Formula: see text]) pairs. The tridoping also promoted the formation of anatase and prevented the transformation of anatase to rutile at high temperature. The composite TiO2 has a large specific surface area, about three times that of pure TiO2. The photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 films were evaluated by methyl green (MG) and formaldehyde degradation. In all samples, the B/Ag/Fe tridoped TiO2 film exhibited the highest degradation rate of MG under both ultraviolet and visible light irradiation. The improvement of photocatalytic performance of TiO2 films is due to the synergistic effect of the B/Ag/Fe tridoping, which enhances the absorption of visible light and prolongs the lifetime of e−/h[Formula: see text] pairs and facilitates transfer of interface charge.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiming Liu ◽  
Peng Wu ◽  
Shaoli Yang ◽  
Haiying Wang ◽  
Chunde Jin

The spherical nanoporous TiO2aerogels were prepared by a simple ethanol-thermal method, using spherical cellulose alcohol-gel as the template. The morphology, crystalline structure, pore size, specific surface area, and the photocatalytic activity of obtained TiO2aerogel were separately characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N2adsorption-desorption isotherms, and double beam UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The characteristics of TiO2aerogels presented uniform sphere shape, good internal structural morphology, high specific surface area (ranging from 111.88 to 149.95 m2/g), and good crystalline anatase phase. Moreover, methyl orange dye was used as the target pollutant to characterize the photocatalytic activities and the adsorption performance. The photocatalytic experiment shows that the obtained spherical TiO2aerogels had a higher degradation ratio of 92.9% on methyl orange dye compared with aspherical TiO2aerogels prepared from other concentrations of tetrabutyl orthotitanate (TBOT).


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaping Guo ◽  
Shaogui Yang ◽  
Xuefei Zhou ◽  
Chunmian Lin ◽  
Yajun Wang ◽  
...  

Silica-modified titania (SMT) powders with different atomic ratios of silica to titanium (Rx) were successfully synthesized by a simple ultrasonic irradiation technique. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy. The specific surface area was measured according to BET theory. Results indicate that the addition of silica to titania can suppress the crystalline size growth and the transformation of anatase phase to rutile phase of titania, enlarge specific surface area of the titania particles, and result in a blue shift of absorption edge compared to pure titania. The photocatalytic activity of the SMT samples was evaluated by decolorizing methyl orange aqueous solutions under UV-visible light irradiation. It was found in our study that this activity was affected by silica content, calcination temperature, H2SO4, and oxidants such as KIO4, (NH4)2S2O8and H2O2. The results reveal that the photocatalytic activity of 0.1-SMT catalyst is the best among all samples calcined at550°C for 1 h and it is 1.56 times higher than that of Degussa P-25 titania, which is a widely used commercial TiO2made by Germany Degussa company and has been most widely used in industry as photocatalyst, antiultraviolet product, and thermal stabilizer. The optimal calcination temperature for preparation was550°C. The photocatalytic activity of SMT samples is significantly enhanced by H2SO4solution treatment and oxidants.


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