scholarly journals Photocatalytic Decomposition of N2O by Using Nanostructured Graphitic Carbon Nitride/Zinc Oxide Photocatalysts Immobilized on Foam

Catalysts ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamila Kočí ◽  
Martin Reli ◽  
Ivana Troppová ◽  
Marcel Šihor ◽  
Tereza Bajcarová ◽  
...  

The aim of this work was to deposit cost-effective g-C3N4/ZnO nanocomposite photocatalysts (weight ratios of g-C3N4:ZnO from 0.05:1 to 3:1) as well as pure ZnO and g-C3N4 on Al2O3 foam and to study their photocatalytic efficiency for the photocatalytic decomposition of N2O, which was studied in a home-made batch photoreactor under ultraviolet A irradiation (λ = 365 nm). Based on the photocatalysis measurements, it was found that photocatalytic decomposition of N2O in the presence of all the prepared samples was significantly higher in comparison with photolysis. The photoactivity of the investigated nanocomposite photocatalysts increased in the following order: g-C3N4/ZnO (3:1) ≈ g-C3N4/ZnO (0.45:1) ≤ g-C3N4/ZnO (2:1) ZnO < g-C3N4 < g-C3N4/ZnO (0.05:1). The g-C3N4/ZnO (0.05:1) nanocomposite showed the best photocatalytic behavior and the most effective separation of photoinduced electron–hole pairs from all nanocomposites. The key roles played in photocatalytic activity were the electron–hole separation and the position and potential of the valence and conduction band. On the other hand, the specific surface area and band gap energy were not the significant factors in N2O photocatalytic decomposition. Immobilization of the photocatalyst on the foam permits facile manipulation after photocatalytic reaction and their repeated application.

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1379
Author(s):  
Jiraporn Buasakun ◽  
Phakinee Srilaoong ◽  
Ramida Rattanakam ◽  
Tanwawan Duangthongyou

The heterostructure of ZnO and MOF-46(Zn) was synthesized to improve the photocatalytic performance of ZnO and prove the synergistic theory that presented the coexistence of ZnO and MOF-46(Zn), providing better efficiency than pure ZnO. The heterostructure material was synthesized by using prepared ZnO as a Zn2+ source, which was reacted with 2-aminoterephthalic acid (2-ATP) as a ligand to cover the surface of ZnO with MOF-46(Zn). The ZnO reactant materials were modified by pyrolysis of various morphologies of IRMOF-3 (Zn-MOF) prepared by using CTAB as a morphology controller. The octahedral ZnO obtained at 150 mg of CTAB shows better efficiency for photodegradation, with 85.79% within 3 h and a band gap energy of 3.11 eV. It acts as a starting material for synthesis of ZnO@MOF-46(Zn). The ZnO/MOF-46(Zn) composite was further used as a photocatalyst material in the dye (methylene blue: MB) degradation process, and the performance was compared with that of pure prepared ZnO. The results show that the photocatalytic efficiency with 61.20% in the MB degradation of the heterostructure is higher than that of pure ZnO within 60 min (90.09% within 180 min). The reason for this result may be that the coexistence of ZnO and MOF-46(Zn) can absorb a larger range of energy and reduce the possibility of the electron–hole recombination process.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1967
Author(s):  
Petr Praus ◽  
Aneta Smýkalová ◽  
Kryštof Foniok

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4, hereafter abbreviated as CN) was prepared by the heating of melamine (CN-M) and melamine-cyanurate complex (CN-MCA), respectively, in air at 550 °C for 4 h. The specific surface area (SSA) of CN-M and CN-MCA was 12 m2 g−1 and 225 m2g−1 and the content of oxygen was 0.62 wt.% and 1.88 wt.%, respectively. The band gap energy (Eg) of CN-M was 2.64 eV and Eg of CN-MCA was 2.73 eV. The photocatalytic activity of the CN materials was tested by means of the decomposition of antibiotics ofloxacin and ampicillin under LED irradiation of 420 nm. The activity of CN-MCA was higher due to its high SSA, which was determined based on the physisorption of nitrogen. Ofloxacin was decomposed more efficiently than ampicillin in the presence of both photocatalysts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1392
Author(s):  
Leny Yuliati ◽  
Mohd Hayrie Mohd Hatta ◽  
Siew Ling Lee ◽  
Hendrik Oktendy Lintang

In this work, the crystalline carbon nitride photocatalysts were synthesized by an ionothermal technique with varied synthesis temperature of 500, 550, and 600 °C, and synthesis time of 2, 4, and 6 h. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed the successful formation of the prepared carbon nitrides from their characteristic vibration peaks. X-ray diffraction patterns suggested that the same phase of poly(triazine imide) and heptazine could be observed, but with different crystallinity. The optical properties showed that different temperatures and synthesis time resulted in the different band gap energy (2.72–3.02 eV) as well as the specific surface area (24–73 m2 g–1). The transmission electron microscopy image revealed that the crystalline carbon nitride has a near-hexagonal prismatic crystallite size of about 50 nm. Analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography showed that the best photocatalytic activity for phenol degradation under solar light simulator was obtained on the crystalline carbon nitride prepared at the 550 °C for 4 h, which would be due to the high crystallinity, suitable low band gap energy (2.82 eV), and large specific surface area (73 m2 g–1). Controlling both the temperature and synthesis time is shown to be important to obtain the best physicochemical properties leading to high activity.


1989 ◽  
Vol 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Zemon ◽  
G. Lambert

AbstractStriking increases in the intensity of donor-related, photoluminescence transitions are observed in undoped (1014-1015 cm-3) GaAs for excitation energies (Ee) in the vicinity of the band-gap energy (Eg). The enhancement has maxima at Ee consistent with excitation of the n=2 and 3 states of the free exciton (Xn=2,3) and appears to be correlated to the concentration of ionized donors, suggesting that the effects are related to capture of electron-hole pairs by ionized donors through trapping of Xn=2,3. The enhancement decreases monotonically as Ee increases to values as much as 12 meV above Eg.


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Siti Zulaikha Suhaili ◽  
Muhamad Kamil Yaakob ◽  
Siti Irma Yuana Saaid ◽  
Umi Sarah Jais

Pure TiO2 and Cr doped TiO2 (0.1-1.0wt% Cr) nanoparticles were synthesized via sol gel method. This study focuses on narrowing the TiO2 band gap energies in order to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency under visible light. The synthesized samples were characterized by X-Ray diffraction method (XRD), field emmision (FESEM) and also UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS).The photocatalytic activity under sunlight irradiation was demonstrated by photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue in water using UV/Vis spectrophotometer. The XRD analysis of pure TiO2 and doped TiO2 calcined at 500oC showed a mixture of anatase and rutile phases with decreasing crystallites size from 13.3nm to 11.6nm as the concentration of Cr was increased. The anatase-rutile phase transformation increased from 28.8% to 57.4%. An indication shows that at 0.75wt%, Cr the anatase and rutile phases have equal composition percentage. This study demonstrated that band gap energy of TiO2 was reduced with Cr doping which could enhance the photocatalytic efficiency. Sample containing 1.0wt% exhibit the lowest optical band gap energy at 2.86 eV. The optimum chromium doping concentration was found to be at 0.1 wt% Cr corresponding to band gap energy of 2.87 eV and degradation rate of 84%. 


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Siti Zulaikha Suhaili ◽  
Muhamad Kamil Yaakob ◽  
Siti Irma Yuana Sheikh Mohd Saaid ◽  
Umi Sarah Jais

Pure TiO2 and Cr doped TiO2 (0.1-1.0wt% Cr) nanoparticles were synthesized via sol gel method. This study focuses on narrowing the TiO2 band gap energies in order to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency under visible light. The synthesized samples were characterized by X-Ray diffraction method (XRD), field emmision (FESEM) and also UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS).The photocatalytic activity under sunlight irradiation was demonstrated by photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue in water using UV/Vis spectrophotometer. The XRD analysis of pure TiO2 and doped TiO2 calcined at 500oC showed a mixture of anatase and rutile phases with decreasing crystallites size from 13.3nm to 11.6nm as the concentration of Cr was increased. The anatase-rutile phase transformation increased from 28.8% to 57.4%. An indication shows that at 0.75wt%, Cr the anatase and rutile phases have equal composition percentage. This study demonstrated that band gap energy of TiO2 was reduced with Cr doping which could enhance the photocatalytic efficiency. Sample containing 1.0wt% exhibit the lowest optical band gap energy at 2.86 eV. The optimum chromium doping concentration was found to be at 0.1 wt% Cr corresponding to band gap energy of 2.87 eV and degradation rate of 84%.


Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Olalekan C. Olatunde ◽  
Damian C. Onwudiwe

Photocatalysis has shown high potential in dealing with the ever-broadening problem of wastewater treatment, escalated by the increasing level of recalcitrant chemicals often referred to as emerging contaminants. In this study, the effect of support material on the photocatalytic activity of copper tin sulfide (Cu3SnS4) nanoparticles for the degradation of tetracycline as an emerging contaminant is presented. Graphene oxide, protonated graphitic carbon nitride, and a composite of graphitic carbon nitride and graphene oxide were explored as support materials for Cu3SnS4 nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were incorporated with the different carbonaceous substrates to afford graphene-supported Cu3SnS4 (GO-CTS), protonated graphitic carbon nitride-supported Cu3SnS4 (PCN-CTS), and graphene oxide/protonated graphitic carbon nitride-supported Cu3SnS4 (GO/PCN-CTS). Physicochemical, structural, and optical properties of the prepared nanocomposites were characterized using techniques such as Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis near infrared, and fluorescence spectrophotometry. The compositing of the Cu3SnS4 nanoparticles on the support materials was confirmed by the characterization techniques, and the optical properties of the composites were found to be influenced by the nature of the support material. The incorporation of CTS into the support materials resulted in a reduction in band gap energy with evaluated band gaps of 1.65, 1.46, 1.43 eV, and 1.16 eV. The reduction in band gap energy suggests the potential of the composites for enhanced photocatalytic activity. From the photocatalytic study, the degradation efficiency of tetracycline by CTS, PCN-CTS, GO-CTS, and PC/GO-CTS was 74.1, 85.2, 90.9, and 96.5%, respectively. All the composites showed enhanced activity compared to pristine CTS, and the existence of a synergy between GO and PCN when both were employed as support materials was observed. Based on the charge carrier recombination characteristics and the band edge potential calculations from the composites, a possible mechanism of action of each composite was proposed. This study therefore confirms the possibility of modulating the mechanism of action and subsequently the efficiency of semiconductor materials by altering the nature of the support material.


Author(s):  
Sojeong Ahn ◽  
Lang-kyu Choi ◽  
Jihoon Jung

AbstractSol-gel coating that is commonly used in photocatalyst immobilization has low binding capacity with supporting materials and low photocatalytic efficiency due to reduction of surface area of catalysts. In addition, the recombination of electrons and holes is an important reason of low efficiency in photocatalytic reaction. To solve such problems, our study devised a TiO


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinrun Xiong ◽  
Ruoming Tian ◽  
Xi Lin ◽  
Dewei Chu ◽  
Sean Li

We reported a facile hydrothermal approach to synthesize BaTiO3nanocubes with controlled sizes for degradation of methylene blue (MB). The nanocubes with reaction time of 48 hours exhibited the highest photocatalytic efficiency, owing to their narrower size distribution and better crystallinity compared to those of 24 hours and, at the meantime, smaller particle size than those of 72 hours. This work also demonstrated the degradation of methylene orange (MO) using BaTiO3nanocubes synthesized for 48 hours. Compared with the removal of MB, BaTiO3had lower photocatalytic activity on MO, mainly due to the poorer absorption behavior of MO on the surface of BaTiO3nanocubes. The degradation efficiency for each photocatalytic reaction was calculated. The possible mechanism of the photocatalytic decomposition on MB has been addressed as well.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 3752
Author(s):  
Stefania Porcu ◽  
Francesco Secci ◽  
Qader Abdulqader Abdullah ◽  
Pier Carlo Ricci

The photoreduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol by means of protonated and exfoliated phenyl-doped carbon nitride is reported. Although carbon nitride-based materials have been recognized as efficient photocatalysts, the photoreduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol is not allowed because of the high recombination rate of the photogenerated electron–hole pairs. In this paper, we show the morphology effects on the photoactivity in phenyl-doped carbon nitride. Structural (TEM, XRD, Raman) and optical characterization (absorption, photoluminescence) of the protonated and exfoliated phenyl-doped carbon nitride (hereafter pePhCN) is reported. The increased photocatalytic efficiency, with respect to the bulk material, is underlined by the calculation of the kinetic constant of the photoreduction process (2.78 × 10−1 min−1 and 3.54 × 10−3 min−1) for pePhCN and bulk PhCN, respectively. Finally, the detailed mechanism of the photoreduction process of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol by modified phenyl carbon nitride is proposed.


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