An improved photocatalytic activity of H2 production: a hydrothermal synthesis of TiO2 nanostructures in aqueous triethanolamine

In this study, novel hydrothermal synthesis is used to explore the impact of photocatalytic activity on H2 production using an aqueous solution of triethanolamine (TEoA) in TiO2 nanostructures designed with varying molar concentrations of HCl, and the production of molecular hydrogen is explored as a function of molar concentration. A solar simulator is utilized to assess the photocatalytic activities of methyl orange degradation under UV light irradiation and molecular H2 production. Also, XRD patterns and SEM images are explored to show agglomerated nanoparticle formation, and an EDX spectrum is employed to confirm TiO2 compositions. The band gap analysis of produced nanostructures is performed using a UV-Vis spectrometer and is found to be varying in between 2.5 and 3.0 eV, while the maximum methyl orange degradation corresponds to 1.0 M concentration of HCl, indicating an enhanced hydrogen production. To meet the foreseeable future energy crises and worsening environmental challenges, we may need sustainable energy sources, and photocatalysis molecular H2 production offers a viable alternative to fossil fuels that can be employed to tackle future difficulties.

How the Ti Precursor is Involved in the Effectiveness of Pt-TiO2 Materials in Photodegrading Methyl Orange

As other studies have demonstrated, improving the effectiveness of TiO2 for environmental remediation requires that the properties of this oxide be modified using different synthesis methods. In the current study, labprepared TiO2 was synthesized using the hydrothermal method and two different Ti precursors (titanium butoxide and titanium isopropoxide). After the synthesis, the obtained titania was also modified using photodeposition by platinum nanoparticles. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the photocatalytic materials prepared in photodegrading methyl orange. The Ti precursors used in the TiO2 synthesis had a slight effect on the physicochemical properties of the oxide obtained. When titanium butoxide was used as a precursor, we observed a change in the bandgap value and some material with the largest surface area. Additionally, the addition of Pt increased the absorption of TiO2 in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum and slightly decreased the bandgap value of this oxide. The photocatalyst prepared using titanium isopropoxide as a precursor showed the most remarkable effectiveness in the degradation rate of methyl orange. This is the result of the lower band gap value of this material which leads to easier transport of the photogenerated charges during the photocatalytic reaction. We also observed that the addition of Pt has a detrimental effect on the effectiveness of TiO2 in dye degradation, which may be due to possible obstruction of the dye-photocatalyst interaction on the TiO2 surface because of the Pt nanoparticles observed by tem. The effectiveness of commercial TiO2 in methyl orange degradation is slightly higher than that observed in other evaluated solids.

Iron Modified Titanate Nanotube Arrays for Photoelectrochemical Removal of E. coli

This study used iron modified titanate nanotube arrays (Fe/TNAs) to remove E. coli in a photoelectrochemical system. The Fe/TNAs was synthesized by the anodization method and followed by the square wave voltammetry electrochemical deposition (SWVE) method with ferric nitrate as the precursor. Fe/TNAs were characterized by SEM, XRD, XPS, and UV-vis DRS to investigate the surface properties and light absorption. As a result, the iron nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully deposited on the tubular structure of the TNAs, which showed the best light utilization. Moreover, the photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of the Fe/TNAs were measured by current-light response and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The photocurrent of the Fe/TNAs-0.5 (3.5 mA/cm2) was higher than TNAs (2.0 mA/cm2) and electron lifetime of Fe/TNAs-0.5 (433.3 ms) were also longer than TNAs (290.3 ms). Compared to the photolytic (P), photocatalytic (PC), and electrochemical (EC) method, Fe/TNAs PEC showed the best removal efficiency for methyl orange degradation. Furthermore, the Fe/TNAs PEC system also performed better removal efficiency than that of photolysis method in E. coli degradation experiments.

COPPER OXIDE THIN FILM SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND APPLICATION AS CATHODE IN PHOTOELECTROCATALYTIC CELL FOR METHYL ORANGE DEGRADATION

A copper oxide thin film was synthesized through a copper sheet annealing process that was carried out using a gas stove, furnace and 1000 W tungsten . The product and its response were measured using a and then characterized by XRD, SEM and EDX. Furthermore, the copper oxide was applied as a photocathode in a cell with Platinum (Pt) as the anode for methyl orange degradation, and the thin film annealed at 60 sec produced the highest current density. According to XRD and EDX results, copper oxide structure was dominated by Cu2O, while SEM showed the presence of a Cu2O porous surface. Methyl orange solution degradation also showed the best result for the copper oxide annealed at 60 sec and in all pH variations, while the best degradation was obtained at pH 1.

A universal, multifunctional, high-practicability superhydrophobic paint for waterproofing grass houses

Roof leakage is a common phenomenon on rainy days and makes residents uncomfortable. Superhydrophobic materials are promising candidates to protect grass houses from rainwater. However, mechanical weakness, chemical corrosion, and UV light sensitivity are the three main challenges restricting these nonwetting materials from wider application in real life. Herein, we developed an inorganic–organic superhydrophobic paint (IOS-PA) for preparing a waterproof grass house. IOS-PA not only showed mechanical robustness and chemical anticorrosion but also displayed self-healing properties, anti-icing properties, and high and low temperature (150 °C and −196 °C) resistance. Photocatalysis was also achieved with IOS-PA, as demonstrated by organic matter (Nile red, methyl blue, and methyl orange) degradation. Moreover, extremely long-term UV resistance, i.e., resistance to UV irradiation (365 nm, 5.0 ± 0.6 mW/cm2) for 100 h and ambient sunlight for 8640 h (1 year), caused the conflicting properties of superhydrophobicity and photocatalysis to coexist in IOS-PA, further accomplishing self-cleaning for the removal of both dirt particles and organic contamination. Specifically, a grass house coated with IOS-PA exhibited favorable waterproof properties, indicating the potential to ensure comfortable living conditions for people living in undeveloped areas, even on rainy days. With a variety of excellent characteristics, IOS-PA, we believe, is advantageous for scalable production and practical application in reality.