scholarly journals Fabrication of a Cu2O-Au-TiO2 Heterostructure with Improved Photocatalytic Performance for the Abatement of Hazardous Toluene and α-Pinene Vapors

Catalysts ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1434
Author(s):  
Joon Yeob Lee ◽  
Jeong-Hak Choi

In the current research, a Cu2O-Au-TiO2 heterostructure was fabricated via a step-wise photodeposition route to determine its possible application in the photocatalytic oxidation of hazardous vapors. The results of electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm the successful fabrication of the Cu2O-Au-TiO2 heterostructure. Strong absorption in the visible region, along with a slight red-shift in the absorption edge, was observed in the UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrum of Cu2O-Au-TiO2 composite, which implies that the composite can generate a greater number of photoexcited charges necessary for photocatalytic reaction. Toluene and α-pinene, as common gas contaminants in the indoor atmosphere, were employed to assess the photooxidation efficiency of the Cu2O-Au-TiO2 composite. Importantly, photocatalytic activity results indicate that the Cu2O-Au-TiO2 composite showed excellent photodegradation performance compared to pure TiO2 and Cu2O-TiO2 and Au-TiO2, where photocatalytic efficiency was approximately 92.9% and 99.9% for toluene and α-pinene, respectively, under standard daylight illumination. The increased light-harvesting capacity and boosted separation efficiency of electron-hole pairs were mainly accountable for improved degradation performance of the Cu2O-Au-TiO2 composite. In addition, the degradation efficiencies for toluene and α-pinene by the Cu2O-Au-TiO2 composite were also examined under three different light sources: 0.32 W white, blue and violet LEDs. The findings of this work suggested a great promise of effective photooxidation of gas pollutants by the Cu2O-Au-TiO2 composite.

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 475-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Chen ◽  
X. F. Lei ◽  
M. Z. Xue

Pure anatase TiO2 photocatalysts with different Ag contents were prepared via a simple sol-gel method. The as-prepared anatase Ag-doped TiO2 photocatalysts were characterised by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermal gravity and differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and N2 adsorption–desorption measurements (BET). Compared with pure TiO2, Ag-doped anatase TiO2 photocatalysts exhibited not only increases in light absorption in the visible region, the separation efficiency of electron–hole pairs and surface area, but also inhibition of the titania phase transition from anatase to rutile. Photoreduction results showed that Ag-doped anatase TiO2 photocatalysts have greatly improved photocatalytic activity, compared with pure TiO2, and the reduction of Cr(VI) under visible light irradiation was much higher than that of pure TiO2. The optimum Ag content was 1.0 mol%, which led to the complete reduction of Cr(VI) under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm) for 4 h. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the synergic effect of the pure anatase structure, and the increased light absorption in the visible region, separation efficiency of electron–hole pairs and atomic ratio of Ag0:Ag2O.


Separations ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Chukwuka Bethel Anucha ◽  
Ilknur Altin ◽  
Emin Bacaksız ◽  
Tayfur Kucukomeroglu ◽  
Masho Hilawie Belay ◽  
...  

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.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patcharanan Junploy ◽  
Titipun Thongtem ◽  
Somchai Thongtem ◽  
Anukorn Phuruangrat

SrSn(OH)6 precursors synthesized by a cyclic microwave radiation (CMR) process were calcined at 900°C for 3 h to form rod-like SrSnO3. Further, the rod-like SrSnO3 and AgNO3 in ethylene glycol (EG) were ultrasonically vibrated to form rod-like Ag/SrSnO3 composites, characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron microscopy (EM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and UV-visible analysis. The photocatalyses of rod-like SrSnO3, 1 wt%, 5 wt%, and 10 wt% Ag/SrSnO3 composites were studied for degradation of methylene blue (MB, C16H18N3SCl) dye under ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In this research, the 5 wt% Ag/SrSnO3 composites showed the highest activity, enhanced by the electron-hole separation process. The photoactivity became lower by the excessive Ag nanoparticles due to the negative effect caused by reduction in the absorption of UV radiation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xian-sheng Wang ◽  
Yu-duo Zhang ◽  
Qiao-chu Wang ◽  
Bo Dong ◽  
Yan-jia Wang ◽  
...  

AbstractZnO is modified by Cu2O by the process of precipitation and calcination. X-ray diffraction has shown that Cu2O/ZnO catalysts are made of highly purified cubic Cu2O and hexagonal ZnO. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy have shown that ZnO adhered to the surface of Cu2O. Due to the doping of Cu2O, the absorption range of the Cu2O/ZnO catalyst is shifted from the ultraviolet to the visible region due to diffuse reflection. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectra have confirmed that there is a substantial interaction between the two phases of the resultant catalyst. The degradation efficiency of Cu2O/ZnO on methyl orange solution is obviously enhanced compared to Cu2O and ZnO. The maximum degradation efficiency is 98%. The degradation efficiency is affected by the pH of the solution and initial concentration. After three rounds of recycling, the degradation rate is almost same. This shows a consistent performance of Cu2O/ZnO. The increase in catalytic ability is related to the lattice interaction caused by the doping of Cu2O.


2011 ◽  
Vol 197-198 ◽  
pp. 919-925 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Wang ◽  
Qiong Liu

Silver (Ag+) doped iron (III) vanadate (FeVO4) samples are prepared by the precipitation method and then characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). The photocatalytic activity under visible light is evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) in the solution. The results show that both FeVO4 and Ag+ doped FeVO4 samples are triclinic, the later have different surface morphology, and some needle-shaped materials appear in the later. From XPS, there are more Fe2+ ions in Ag+ doped FeVO4 sample than that in FeVO4 one without Ag+. It indicates that Ag+ doping can increase the density of the surface oxygen vacancies of catalysts, which can act as electron traps promoting the electron-hole separation and then increase the photo-activity. The decoloration rate after Ag+ doping against methyl orange solution can reach about 81%, and be more about 20% than that of pure FeVO4.


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1377
Author(s):  
Yuki Semoto ◽  
Gde Pandhe Wisnu Suyantara ◽  
Hajime Miki ◽  
Keiko Sasaki ◽  
Tsuyoshi Hirajima ◽  
...  

Sodium metabisulfite (MBS) was used in this study for selective flotation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite. Microflotation tests of single and mixed minerals were performed to assess the floatability of chalcopyrite and molybdenite. The results of microflotation of single minerals showed that MBS treatment significantly depressed the floatability of chalcopyrite and slightly reduced the floatability of molybdenite. The results of microflotation of mixed minerals demonstrated that the MBS treatment could be used as a selective chalcopyrite depressant in the selective flotation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite. Furthermore, the addition of diesel oil or kerosene could significantly improve the separation efficiency of selective flotation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite using MBS treatment. A mechanism based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis results is proposed in this study to explain the selective depressing effect of MBS on the flotation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Xiuping Han ◽  
Binghua Yao ◽  
Keying Li ◽  
Wenjing Zhu ◽  
Xuyuan Zhang

The use of sunlight for photocatalytic oxidation is an ideal strategy, but it is limited by factors such as insufficient light absorption intensity of the photocatalyst and easy recombination of photogenerated electron holes. TiO2 is favored by researchers as an environment-friendly catalyst. In this paper, TiO2 is combined with WO3 to obtain a nanofiber with excellent catalytic performance under sunlight. The WO3/TiO2 composite nanofibers were synthesized by using the electrospinning method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that WO3 was successfully integrated onto the surface of TiO2. The photodegradation performance and photocurrent analysis of the prepared nanofibers showed that the addition of WO3 really improved the photocatalytic performance of TiO2 nanofibers, methylene blue (MB) degradation rate increased from 72% to 96%, and 5% was the optimal composite mole percentage of W to Ti. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-Vis DRS), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis further characterized the properties of 5% WO3/TiO2 nanofibers. The H2 generation rate of 5% WO3/TiO2 nanofibers was 107.15 μmol·g−1·h−1, in comparison with that of TiO2 nanofibers (73.21 μmol·g−1·h−1) under the same condition. The 5% WO3/TiO2 produced ·OH under illumination, which played an important role in the MB degradation. Also, the enhanced photocatalytic mechanism was also proposed based on the detailed analysis of the band gap and the active species trapping experiment. The results indicated that the effective separation of Z-scheme photogenerated electron-hole pairs and transfer system constructed between TiO2 and WO3 endowed the excellent photocatalytic activity of 5% WO3/TiO2 nanofibers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. 2051004
Author(s):  
Jinyan Xiong ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Kai Zhao ◽  
Weijie Li ◽  
Gang Cheng

Nanocrystallite aggregates have great potential in semiconductor-based photocatalysis toward environmental pollution removal. In this work, we reported the fabrication of broccoli-like zinc oxide nanoaggregates in the presence of beta-cyclodextrin in ethylene glycol-H2O medium. The composition and structure of the as-obtained ZnO nanoaggregates were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nitrogen adsorption. It was observed that the beta-cyclodextrin played an important role in the fabrication of such broccoli-like structure. A plausible formation mechanism was discussed on the basis of the controllable experiments. The photocatalytic performance of the products was studied through the photodegradation of rhodamine B under simulated sunlight irradiation. Compared to the spherical ZnO nanoaggregates and ZnO broken spheres, the broccoli-like ZnO exhibited superior photocatalytic efficiency. Based on the photocurrent and electrochemical measurement results, the higher separation efficiency of the photogenerated carriers and lower recombination efficiency of the photoinduced electron–hole pairs over the broccoli-like ZnO nanoaggregates contributed to their remarkable photocatalytic activity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (12) ◽  
pp. 965
Author(s):  
Lingfeng Ruan ◽  
Rongying Jiang ◽  
Jing Liu ◽  
Song Liu

BaTiO3/TiO2 and CaTiO3/TiO2 bilayer-type photocatalyst films have been prepared and characterised by X-ray diffraction, Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The photodeposition of silver was done to confirm the reduction positions of the titanate/TiO2 films. Silver deposited preferentially on the side of TiO2 for BaTiO3/TiO2 whereas on the side of CaTiO3 for CaTiO3/TiO2. These results imply that the direction of photogenerated electron transfer is coincident with the semiconductor physical principles. Upon exposure to light, electron–hole pairs are generated and subsequently separated by an internal electrostatic field in the titanate–TiO2 heterojunction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 5445-5451
Author(s):  
Yi-Xin Wang ◽  
Min-Nan Chen ◽  
Hong Tao

g-C3N4 and graphene oxide (GO) are simultaneously introduced into electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers to form a nested structure. By Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), g-C3N4 has been perfectly introduced into the PAN@GO nanofiber membrane and affects the porosity of the fiber itself. Comparison of nested electrospinning PAN/PAN@GO and different proportions of PAN@g-C3N4/PAN@GO nanofibers has a different effect on reducing the concentration and absorption of rhodamine B (RhB) dye in the visible region. Combined with the advantages of g-C3N4 and GO and the performance of fibers in the photocatalytic process, the optimal nested PAN@g-C3N4/PAN@GO nanofibers were selected. These results indicate that the nested PAN@g-C3N4/PAN@GO nanofibers with high photocatalytic activity have great potential in the treatment of printing and dyeing wastewater.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document