Remazol Black Decontamination Study Using a Novel One-Pot Synthesized S and Co Co-Doped TiO2 Photocatalyst

This study investigated the decolorization of Remazol Black (RBB) using a TiO2 photocatalyst modified by S and Co co-doped TiO2 (S-Co-TiO2) from a single precursor. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and UV–Vis specular reflectance spectroscopy were used to characterize the photocatalysts. The results revealed that the band-gap energy of the doped and co-doped TiO2 decreased, with the S-Co-TiO2 8% showing the greatest one, and was found to be 2.78 eV while undoped TiO2 was 3.20 eV. The presence of S and Co was also identified through SEM-EDX. An activity study on RBB removal revealed that the S-Co-TiO2 photocatalyst showed the best result compared to undoped TiO2, S-TiO2, and Co-TiO2. The S-Co-TiO2 8% photocatalyst reduced RBB concentration (20 mg L−1) up to 96% after 90 min of visible light irradiation, whereas S-TiO2, Co-TiO2, and undoped TiO2 reduced it to 89%, 56%, and 39%, respectively. A pH optimization study showed that the optimum pH of RBB decolorization by S-Co-TiO2 was 3.0, the optimum mass was 0.6 g L−1, and reuse studies show that S-Co-TiO2 8% has the potential to be used repeatedly to remove colored pollutants. The results obtained indicate that the modification of S, Co co-doped titania synthesized using a single precursor has been successfully carried out and showed excellent characteristics and activity compared to undoped or doped TiO2.

Visible Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activity and Kinetics of Fe-Doped TiO2 Prepared by a Three-Block Copolymer Templating Approach

Fe-doped titania photocatalysts (with 1, 2.5, and 3.5 wt. % Fe nominal content), showing photocatalytic activity under visible light, were prepared by a soft-template assisted sol–gel approach in the presence of the triblock copolymer Pluronic P123. An undoped TiO2 photocatalyst was also prepared for comparison. The photocatalysts were characterized by means of X-ray powder Diffraction (XRPD), Quantitative Phase Analysis as obtained by Rietveld refinement, Diffuse Reflectance (DR) UV−Vis spectroscopy, N2 adsorption/desorption at −196 °C, electrophoretic mobility in water (ζ-potential), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The physico-chemical characterization showed that all the samples were 100% anatase phase and that iron was present both in the bulk and at the surface of the Fe-doped TiO2. Indeed, the band gap energy (Eg) decreases with the Fe content, with Tauc’s plot determined values ranging from 3.35 (undoped TiO2) to 2.70 eV (3.5 wt. % Fe). Notwithstanding the obtained Eg values, the photocatalytic activity results under visible light highlighted that the optimal Fe content was equal to 2.5 wt. % (Tauc’s plot determined Eg = 2.74 eV). With the optimized photocatalyst and in selected operating conditions, under visible light it was possible to achieve 90% AO7 discoloration together with a TOC removal of 40% after 180 min. The kinetic behavior of the photocatalyst was also analyzed. Moreover, the tests in the presence of three different scavengers revealed that the main reactive species are (positive) holes and superoxide species. Finally, the optimized photocatalyst was also able to degrade phenol under visible light.

Efficient N, Fe Co-Doped TiO2 Active under Cost-Effective Visible LED Light: From Powders to Films

An eco-friendly photocatalytic coating, active under a cost-effective near-visible LED system, was synthesized without any calcination step for the removal of organic pollutants. Three types of doping (Fe, N and Fe + N), with different dopant/Ti molar ratios, were investigated and compared with undoped TiO2 and the commercial P25 photocatalyst. Nano-crystalline anatase-brookite particles were successfully produced with the aqueous sol-gel process, also at a larger scale. All samples displayed a higher visible absorption and specific surface area than P25. Photoactivity of the catalyst powders was evaluated through the degradation of p-nitrophenol in water under visible light (>400 nm). As intended, all samples were more performant than P25. The N-doping, the Fe-doping and their combination promoted the activity under visible light. Films, coated on three different substrates, were then compared. Finally, the photoactivity of a film, produced from the optimal N-Fe co-doped colloid, was evaluated on the degradation of (i) p-nitrophenol under UV-A light (365 nm) and (ii) rhodamine B under LED visible light (395 nm), and compared to undoped TiO2 film. The higher enhancement is obtained under the longer wavelength (395 nm). The possibility of producing photocatalytic films without any calcination step and active under low-energy LED light constitutes a step forward for an industrial development.

Qualitative and Quantitative Phase-Analysis of Undoped Titanium Dioxide and Chromium Doped Titanium Dioxide from Powder X-Ray Diffraction Data

Undoped titanium dioxide (TiO2) and a series of chromium(III) doped TiO2 (Cr-doped TiOfig. 12) with various %wt Cr atom were prepared by a reflux technique. The undoped TiO2 and Cr-doped TiO2 of 1.1, 3.9, 4.4 %wt Cr atom have been successfully analyzed both qualitative and quantitative analysis of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) data. The qualitative analysis was carried out with the identification of phases in all samples by comparison with Crystallography Open Database (COD) and International Centre for Diffraction Data (ICDD), while the quantitative phase analysis was calculated by reference intensity ratio (RIR) and whole-pattern fitting (Rietveld analysis) methods. The undoped TiO2 consist of three phases: anatase, rutile, and brookite. In the 1.1 %wt Cr-doped TiO2 are detected presenting two phases: anatase (major) and rutile (minor). In the 3.9 %wt Cr-doped TiO2 andin the 4.4 %wt Cr-doped TiO2 consist of anatase as major phase, while CrO2 and TiO2-II phases can be detected as minor phases. The undoped TiO2 was refined in the phase, crystal system and space group of anatase (tetragonal, I41/amd), rutile (tetragonal, P42/mnm) and brookite (orthorhombic, Pbca), while the 1.1 %wt Cr-doped TiO2 was refined based on anatase (tetragonal, I41/amd), rutile (tetragonal, P42/mnm). Finally, in the 3.9 %wt Cr-doped TiO2 and 4.4 %wt Cr-doped TiO2,respectively were refined in the crystal system and space group of anatase (tetragonal, I41/amd).

Enhancement in Photovoltaic Performance of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Using Cu and Cu:Ag Co-Doped TiO2 Photoanode

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) are low cost solar cells offering big room for improvements in its photovoltaic performance by maneuvering semiconductor properties, dye adsorption, electrolyte stability etc. For the first time, we have co-doped TiO2 with silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) to enhance both charge collection and light absorption as well as reduce recombinations for DSSCs. For high solar cell efficiency 3wt% Cu and 3wt% Cu:Ag doped TiO2 nps were successfully prepared for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). Modified photoanode was prepared using surface adsorbed N719 dye on doctor blade coated TiO2, Cu:TiO2 and Cu:Ag:TiO2 thin films. It was observed that optimum doping concentration of Cu and silver was 3wt% each. DSSCs with Cu:Ag:TiO2 thin film showed higher conversion efficiency under full sunlight illumination when compared to DSSCs assembled using Cu:TiO2 and undoped TiO2. The obtained efficiencies for DSSCs with undoped TiO2, Cu:TiO2 and Cu:Ag:TiO2 photoanodes were 2%, 2.7% and 4.5% respectively. Solar cells assembled with Cu only doped TiO2 electrode when compared with cells assembled using pristine TiO2, showed an increase in Voc while Jsc was decreased Furthermore, cells doped with both Ag and Cu showed enhancement in both Voc and Jsc. The enhancement in cell performance has been discussed in context of morphology, crystal phase, presence of bonds etc. in nanoparticles. Considering overall better performance, Cu:Ag doped TiO2 photoanodes can be considered as potential photoanodes in DSSCs.