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Photocatalytic Activity (photocatalytic + activity)
Selected AbstractsPreparation and Photocatalytic Activities of ZrTiO4 Nanocrystals.CHEMINFORM, Issue 30 2007Suwen Liu Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF. [source] Hierarchical ZnS-In2S3 -CuS Nanospheres with Nanoporous Structure: Facile Synthesis, Growth Mechanism, and Excellent Photocatalytic ActivityADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 19 2010Yingxuan Li Abstract Without using any templates or surfactants, hierarchical ZnS-In2S3 -CuS nanospheres with nanoporous structure are successfully synthesized via a simple and convenient process. The nanospheres are aggregations of densely packed nanoparticles and nanorods. Different to the oriented attachment (OA) mechanism reported in the literature, the formation of these nanorods is believed to follow a lateral OA mechanism (nanoparticles attach along the direction perpendicular to the crystallographic axes with lateral planes as the juncture) based on the experimental data. This process could be a general phenomenon and would provide a new insight into the OA mechanism. A detailed time-resolved TEM kinetic study of the formation of the complex structure is shown. The dipole mechanism and electric field-induced growth are found to be responsible for the final architecture. Photocatalytic activities for water splitting are investigated under visible-light irradiation (, > 400 nm) and an especially high photocatalytic activity (apparent yield of 22.6% at 420 nm) is achieved by unloaded ZnIn0.25Cu0.02S1.395 prepared at 180 °C for 18 h because of their high crystallinity, large pore volume, and the presence of nanorods with special microstructures. [source] Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity using Layer-by-Layer Electrospun Constructs for Water RemediationADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 15 2010Jung Ah Lee Abstract Endocrine disruptors such as bisphenol A (BPA) are environmental pollutants that interfere with the body's endocrine system because of their structural similarity to natural and synthetic hormones. Due to their strong oxidizing potential to decompose such organic pollutants, colloidal metal oxide photocatalysts have attracted increasing attention for water detoxification. However, achieving both long-term physical stability and high efficiency simultaneously with such photocatalytic systems poses many challenges. Here a layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition approach is reported for immobilizing TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) on a porous support while maintaining a high catalytic efficiency for photochemical decomposition of BPA. Anatase TiO2 NPs ,7,nm in diameter self-assemble in consecutive layers with positively charged polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes on a high surface area, porous electrospun polymer fiber mesh. The TiO2 LbL nanofibers decompose approximately 2.2,mg BPA per mg of TiO2 in 40,h of illumination (AM 1.5G illumination), maintaining first-order kinetics with a rate constant (k) of 0.15,h,1 for over 40,h. Although the colloidal TiO2 NPs initially show significantly higher photocatalytic activity (k,,,0.84,h,1), the rate constant drops to k,,,0.07,h,1 after 4,h of operation, seemingly due to particle agglomeration. In the BPA solution treated with the multilayered TiO2 nanofibers for 40,h, the estrogenic activity, based on human breast cancer cell proliferation, is significantly lower than that in the BPA solution treated with colloidal TiO2 NPs under the same conditions. This study demonstrates that water-based, electrostatic LbL deposition effectively immobilizes and stabilizes TiO2 NPs on electrospun polymer nanofibers for efficient extended photochemical water remediation. [source] Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of Highly Ordered TiO2 and SrTiO3/TiO2 Nanotube Arrays on Ti SubstratesJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 9 2010Xuming Zhang Highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays (TiO2 -NTAs) are produced by electrochemical anodization of a Ti foil in ammonium fluoride (NH4F),ethylene glycol solution. Photocatalytic (PC) investigations indicate that the length of the NTAs plays an important role in their photoactivity. The PC activity increases initially with the NT length and then decreases and the optimum length that yields the highest PC is 6.2 ,m for TiO2 -NTAs. The TiO2 -NTAs are further converted to heterojunction strontium titanate (SrTiO3)/TiO2 -NTAs by a hydrothermal reaction in Sr(OH)2 solution. As the hydrothermal reaction proceeds, more TiO2 is converted into SrTiO3 and the thickness of the SrTiO3 layer increases. The SrTiO3/TiO2 -NTAs exhibit variable PC activities that depend on the hydrothermal reaction time, and the SrTiO3/TiO2 -NTAs hydrothermally treated for 1 h or less have enhanced PC properties. The advantage of combining TiO2 and SrTiO3 stems from the difference in the flatband potential, thereby improving the separation of the photogenerated electron,hole pairs and consequently the PC activity. [source] Preparation of Necklace-Structured TiO2/SnO2 Hybrid Nanofibers and Their Photocatalytic ActivityJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 10 2009Rui Zhang TiO2/SnO2 nanonecklace-structured hybrid nanofibers have been prepared via an electrospinning method. These hybrid nanofibers are characterized with SnO2 -rich beads and pure TiO2 chains. It is found that TiO2 in the beads shows a rutile structure, and the one in the chains is entirely composed of anatase phase. This novel microstructure enhanced the photocatalytic activity, as well as its ideal recyclable character. We believe that this fire-new type of nanofiber may potentially serve as a new generation photocatalyst in environmental remediation. [source] Inverse Opal Structure of Nitrogen-Doped Titanium Oxide with Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalytic ActivityJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 2 2008Qi Li Nitrogen-doped titanium oxide inverse opal structure was synthesized to combine both chemical and physical modifications on n -TiO2 by the polystyrene sphere self-assembly followed by a sol,gel process. Enhanced visible-light absorption and subsequently enhanced photodegradation efficiency were observed in this unique structure, which can be attributed to both nitrogen-doping effect and inverse opal structure effect. Our work suggests that the coupling of photonic band gap structure with photocatalytic materials is a promising approach to achieve maximum enhancement for various photocatalytic materials, especially for environmental applications and solar cell devices. [source] A Room-Temperature Reactive-Template Route to Mesoporous ZnGa2O4 with Improved Photocatalytic Activity in Reduction of CO2,ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE, Issue 36 2010Cheng Yan Mehr als ein Metall enthalten die mesoporösen Materialien MGa2O4 (M=Zn, Ni, Co), die durch Ionenaustausch aus kolloidalem mesoporösem NaGaO2 zugänglich sind (siehe Schema mit TEM-Bildern). Weil diese Vorstufe zugleich als Templat wirkt, spart man einen Templatentfernungsschritt ein. [source] Preparation of Bismuth Oxide Quantum Dots and their Photocatalytic Activity in a Homogeneous SystemCHEMCATCHEM, Issue 9 2010Prof. Hua Zhang Abstract Colloidal oil-soluble Bi2O3 quantum dots (QDs) are synthesized through an alcoholysis route in organic media. Water-soluble Bi2O3 QDs are then obtained from the initial oil-soluble QDs through phase transfer by surface modification with mercaptopropionic acid. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies show that the crystallinity is enhanced and particles grow larger after phase transfer. The water-soluble Bi2O3 QDs exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange at a wide range of pH values. After several cycles, the Bi2O3 QDs retain high degradation efficiency. Simulation according to the first-order reaction dynamics indicates that the degradation reaction may follow complicated quasi-homogeneous photocatalysis. [source] Photocatalytic Activity and Electronic Structure Analysis of N-doped Anatase TiO2: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical StudyCHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 6 2009H. Gao Abstract N-Doped TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by a hydrothermal method with tetra- n -butyl titanate (TTNB) and triethanolamine as precursors. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), respectively. Photocatalytic activities of the anatase products were investigated on the degradation of methyl orange (MO). The incorporation of nitrogen impurity in anatase TiO2 was studied by the first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT). The calculated electronic band structures for substitutional and interstitial N-doped TiO2 indicated the formation of localized states in the band gap, which lied above the valence band. Excitation from the impurity states of N 2p to the conduction band could account for the optical absorption edge shift toward the lower energies. It was consistent with the experimentally observed absorption of N-doped samples in the visible region. [source] Preparation and Characterization of Bi3+ -TiO2 and its Photocatalytic ActivityCHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 5 2007H. Zuo Abstract Bi3+ -TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by doping bismuth ion into the TiO2 structure in a sol-gel process. The catalyst samples were then characterized by UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Rodamine-B (RhB) was used in this study as a model chemical with the aim of organic pollutants control. The photocatalytic degradation of RhB demonstrated that an optimal loading of bismuth 0.7,at.,% achieved the highest photodegradation rate, with the rate constant increasing by a factor of 3.89 over neat TiO2 (P25) under UV illumination (, , 320,nm). The degradation of p -nitrobenzonic acid (pNBA) was also examined to prevent/preclude/exclude/ the photosensitization pathway. GC-MS results show that pNBA can be effectively degraded and minerized to small molecules, such as quinone, acetic acid and formic acid. [source] ChemInform Abstract: Nitrogen-Doped Lamellar Niobic Acid with Visible Light-Responsive Photocatalytic Activity.CHEMINFORM, Issue 3 2009Xiukai Li Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a "Full Text" option. The original article is trackable via the "References" option. [source] WO3/TiO2 Nanotubes with Strongly Enhanced Photocatalytic ActivityCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 30 2010Indhumati Paramasivam Mixed oxide photocatalysts: WO3 - containing TiO2 nanotubes were prepared by self-organizing electrochemical anodization of TiW alloys (Ti,0.2,W see figure, and Ti,9,W). It is shown that a content of only 0.2,at,%,WO3 with respect to the titania nanotubes leads to a very significant increase of the photocatalytic reaction rate compared not only to pure anatase TiO2 nanotubes, but also in comparison with any other modified TiO2 nanotube system reported up to now. [source] Surface Properties and Photocatalytic Activity of Ptcore/Agshell Nanoparticle-Loaded TiO2CHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 8 2006Hiroaki Tada Prof. Bimetallic nanoparticles are successfully formed on the surface of TiO2 (see figure) with Ag shell layer (nL) control. Pt@Ag/TiO2 exhibits unique photocatalytic performances for reduction of nitorobenzene at nL,1, however when nL exceeds ,1 they are similar to those of Ag/TiO2. Furthermore at the critical value of nL,1, the surface properties of Pt@Ag nanoparticles change from Pt to Ag. [source] Hierarchical ZnS-In2S3 -CuS Nanospheres with Nanoporous Structure: Facile Synthesis, Growth Mechanism, and Excellent Photocatalytic ActivityADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 19 2010Yingxuan Li Abstract Without using any templates or surfactants, hierarchical ZnS-In2S3 -CuS nanospheres with nanoporous structure are successfully synthesized via a simple and convenient process. The nanospheres are aggregations of densely packed nanoparticles and nanorods. Different to the oriented attachment (OA) mechanism reported in the literature, the formation of these nanorods is believed to follow a lateral OA mechanism (nanoparticles attach along the direction perpendicular to the crystallographic axes with lateral planes as the juncture) based on the experimental data. This process could be a general phenomenon and would provide a new insight into the OA mechanism. A detailed time-resolved TEM kinetic study of the formation of the complex structure is shown. The dipole mechanism and electric field-induced growth are found to be responsible for the final architecture. Photocatalytic activities for water splitting are investigated under visible-light irradiation (, > 400 nm) and an especially high photocatalytic activity (apparent yield of 22.6% at 420 nm) is achieved by unloaded ZnIn0.25Cu0.02S1.395 prepared at 180 °C for 18 h because of their high crystallinity, large pore volume, and the presence of nanorods with special microstructures. [source] Photocatalytic Activity and Electronic Structure Analysis of N-doped Anatase TiO2: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical StudyCHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 6 2009H. Gao Abstract N-Doped TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by a hydrothermal method with tetra- n -butyl titanate (TTNB) and triethanolamine as precursors. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), respectively. Photocatalytic activities of the anatase products were investigated on the degradation of methyl orange (MO). The incorporation of nitrogen impurity in anatase TiO2 was studied by the first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT). The calculated electronic band structures for substitutional and interstitial N-doped TiO2 indicated the formation of localized states in the band gap, which lied above the valence band. Excitation from the impurity states of N 2p to the conduction band could account for the optical absorption edge shift toward the lower energies. It was consistent with the experimentally observed absorption of N-doped samples in the visible region. [source] Photodegradation of Methanol Under UV,Visible Irradiation by Titania Dispersed on Polyester ClothPHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Kaustava Bhattacharyya Titania supported on polyester fabric (TiO2,PY) with varying titania loadings (2,7 wt%) were prepared via the dip-coating method at room temperature using an aqueous slurry of anatase titania. Structural and morphological characterizations by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the titanium dioxide crystallites deposited on the surface of the polyester fabric were in the micrometer range while their phase remained to be anatase. Photocatalytic activity of TiO2,PY fabric catalysts was evaluated for vapor-phase oxidation of methanol in air as a test reaction in the presence of UV as well as solar radiation under ambient conditions. These catalysts were found to be quite active in both UV and solar irradiation with activity being higher in the former case. CO2 yield from photo-oxidation of methanol depended on titania content and also on its dispersion over polyester fabric support. [source] A novel characteristic of porous titanium oxide implantsCLINICAL ORAL IMPLANTS RESEARCH, Issue 6 2007Takashi Sawase Abstract Objective: The anatase form of titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the most common crystalline forms of TiO2 and is normally produced by oxidation of titanium via thermal oxidation or anodizing. This crystalline form exhibits photocatalytic activity when it is irradiated with ultraviolet A (UVA) light. The aim of the current study was to analyze the crystal structure of anodic-oxidized TiUnite® implants and to confirm the photocatalytic properties in vitro and in vivo. Material and methods: Cross-sectional observations by transmission electron microscopy were used to determine the surface crystal structure on the TiUnite implant. Subsequently, photocatalytic activity was confirmed by degradation of methylene blue, and hydrophilicity was measured based on the water contact angle. Furthermore, the in vivo effects of the photocatalytic activity of this compound were investigated. Results: An amorphous layer that was about 10 ,m thick was observed on the TiUnite implant surface. In the amorphous layer, the anatase form of the crystalline TiO2 was identified. Photocatalytic activity was clearly demonstrated by the bleaching effect of methylene blue under UVA illumination. The contact angle decreased from 44° to 11° after UVA illumination. Although these data suggest increased hydrophilicity for the TiUnite implant, the bone-to-metal contact at 4 weeks was not influenced. Conclusion: The anodic-oxidized TiUnite implant has inherent photocatalytic activity. UVA illumination increases the surface hydrophilicity of the implant. However, this increase in hydrophilicity does not improve bone apposition to the implant surface at 4 weeks. [source] Effects of Structural Variation on the Photocatalytic Performance of Hydrothermally Synthesized BiVO4,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 16 2006J. Yu Abstract Highly crystalline monoclinic scheelite BiVO4 powders are synthesized from aqueous Bi(NO3)3 and NH4VO3 solutions over a wide range of pH by a hydrothermal process. BiVO4 powders with various morphologies, surface textures, and grain shapes are selectively synthesized by adjusting the pH. The dependence of the Raman peak position and intensity on the synthesis conditions indicates that the symmetry distortions in the local structure of the synthesized BiVO4 are affected by the preparation conditions. These variations in the local structure result in the modification of the electronic structure of BiVO4, which results in a blue-shift in the UV-vis absorption spectrum of hydrothermally synthesized BiVO4 in comparison with a well-crystallized sample prepared by homogeneous coprecipitation. The photocatalytic activities for O2 evolution from an aqueous AgNO3 solution under visible-light irradiation are strongly dependent on the pH used in the synthesis. The differences in the photocatalytic activities between BiVO4 samples prepared under various conditions is attributed to the degree of structural distortion, leading to differences in the mobility of photogenerated holes formed in the valence band, which consists of Bi,6s and O,2p orbitals. [source] Photocatalytic Coatings for Environmental Applications,PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005Norman S. Allen ABSTRACT A series of nano- and micronparticle-grade anatase and rutile titanium dioxide pigments have been prepared with various densities of surface treatments, particle size and surface area. Their photocatalytic activities have been determined in a series of paint films by FTIR, chalking, color, gloss change and weight loss after artificial weathering. The pigments have also been examined by rapid assessment methodologies using photodielectric microwave spectroscopy, 2-propanol oxidation and hydroxyl analysis. The microwave response under light and dark cycles provides an extended timescale probe of chargecarrier dynamics in the pigments. Pigment particle size, surface area and properties clearly play an important role in dispersion and any polymer-pigment interactions. Photooxidation studies on several types of paint films show a clear demarcation between nanoparticle- and pigmentary-grade titanium dioxide, with the former being more active because of their greater degree of catalytic surface activity. The photosensitivity of titanium dioxide is considered to arise from localized sites on the crystal surface (i.e. acidic OH), and occupation of these sites by surface treatments inhibits photoreduction of the pigment by ultraviolet radiation; hence, the destructive oxidation of the binder is inhibited. Coatings containing 2,5% by weight alumina or alumina and silica are satisfactory for generalpurpose paints. If greater resistance to weathering is desired, the pigments are coated more heavily to about 7,10% weight. The coating can consist of a combination of several materials, e.g. alumina, silica, zirconia, aluminum phosphates of other metals. For example, the presence of hydrous alumina particles lowers van der Waals forces between pigments particles by several orders of magnitude, decreasing particle-particle attractions. Hydrous aluminum oxide phases appear to improve dispersibility more effectively than most of the other hydroxides and oxides. Coated nanoparticles are shown to exhibit effective light stabilization in various water- and oilbased paint media in comparison with conventional organic stabilizers. Hindered piperidine stabilizers are shown to provide no additional benefits in this regard, often exhibiting strong antagonism. The use of photocatalytic titania nanoparticles in the development of self-cleaning paints and microbiological surfaces is also demonstrated in this study. In the former case, surface erosion is shown to be controlled by varying the ratio of admixture of durable pigmentary-grade rutile (heavily coated) and a catalytic-grade anatase nanoparticle. For environmental applications in the development of coatings for destroying atmospheric pollutants such as nitrogen oxide gases (NOX), stable substrates are developed with photocatalytic nanoparticle-grade anatase. In this study, porosity of the coatings through calcium carbonate doping is shown to be crucial in the control of the effective destruction of atmospheric NOx gases. For the development of microbiological substrates for the destruction of harmful bacteria, effective nanoparticle anatase titania is shown to be important, with hydrated high surface area particles giving the greatest activity. [source] Highly Crystalline, Idiomorphic Na2Ti6O13 Whiskers Grown from a NaCl Flux at a Relatively Low TemperatureEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 19 2010Katsuya Teshima Abstract Well-developed, highly crystalline Na2Ti6O13 whiskers were successfully grown by cooling a NaCl flux at a relatively low temperature of 700 °C. The obtained Na2Ti6O13 whiskers were colorless and transparent. The whiskers grown at 700 °C were single phase and exhibit the lowest sizes of up to about 3.5 ,m,×,0.1 ,m. From the results of SEM, XRD, and TEM, it was confirmed that the Na2Ti6O13 whiskers have very good crystallinity and elongated in the [lang]010[rang] directions. Furthermore, the whiskers exhibited good photocatalytic activity under ultraviolet light irradiation. It is reasonable to suppose that NaCl can be adequately used to synthesize high quality and well-developed titanate whiskers in an environmentally friendly process of crystal growth. [source] Hierarchical ZnS-In2S3 -CuS Nanospheres with Nanoporous Structure: Facile Synthesis, Growth Mechanism, and Excellent Photocatalytic ActivityADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 19 2010Yingxuan Li Abstract Without using any templates or surfactants, hierarchical ZnS-In2S3 -CuS nanospheres with nanoporous structure are successfully synthesized via a simple and convenient process. The nanospheres are aggregations of densely packed nanoparticles and nanorods. Different to the oriented attachment (OA) mechanism reported in the literature, the formation of these nanorods is believed to follow a lateral OA mechanism (nanoparticles attach along the direction perpendicular to the crystallographic axes with lateral planes as the juncture) based on the experimental data. This process could be a general phenomenon and would provide a new insight into the OA mechanism. A detailed time-resolved TEM kinetic study of the formation of the complex structure is shown. The dipole mechanism and electric field-induced growth are found to be responsible for the final architecture. Photocatalytic activities for water splitting are investigated under visible-light irradiation (, > 400 nm) and an especially high photocatalytic activity (apparent yield of 22.6% at 420 nm) is achieved by unloaded ZnIn0.25Cu0.02S1.395 prepared at 180 °C for 18 h because of their high crystallinity, large pore volume, and the presence of nanorods with special microstructures. [source] Heterointegration of Pt/Si/Ag Nanowire Photodiodes and Their Photocatalytic PropertiesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2010Yongquan Qu Abstract Photocatalyst mediated photoelectrochemical processes can make use of the photogenerated electrons and holes onsite for photocatalytic redox reactions, and enable the harness and conversion of solar energy into chemical energy, in analogy to natural photosynthesis. However, the photocatalysts available to date are limited by either poor efficiency in the visible light range or insufficient photoelectrochemical stability. Here, it is shown that a Pt/Si/Ag nanowire heterostructure can be rationally synthesized to integrate a nanoscale metal-semiconductor Schottky diode encased in a protective insulating shell with two exposed metal catalysts. The synthesis of Pt/Si/Ag nanowire diodes involves a scalable process including the formation of silicon nanowire array through wet chemical etching, electrodeposition of platinum and photoreduction of silver. The Pt/Si/Ag diodes exhibit highly efficient photocatalytic activity for a wide range of applications including environmental remediation and solar fuel production in the visible range. In this article, photodegradation of indigo carmine and 4-nitrophenol are used to evaluate the photoactivity of Pt/Si/Ag diodes. The Pt/Si/Ag diodes also show high activity for photoconversion of formic acid into carbon dioxide and hydrogen. [source] Heterointegration of Pt/Si/Ag Nanowire Photodiodes and Their Photocatalytic PropertiesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2010Yongquan Qu Abstract Photocatalyst mediated photoelectrochemical processes can make use of the photogenerated electrons and holes onsite for photocatalytic redox reactions, and enable the harness and conversion of solar energy into chemical energy, in analogy to natural photosynthesis. However, the photocatalysts available to date are limited by either poor efficiency in the visible light range or insufficient photoelectrochemical stability. Here, it is shown that a Pt/Si/Ag nanowire heterostructure can be rationally synthesized to integrate a nanoscale metal-semiconductor Schottky diode encased in a protective insulating shell with two exposed metal catalysts. The synthesis of Pt/Si/Ag nanowire diodes involves a scalable process including the formation of silicon nanowire array through wet chemical etching, electrodeposition of platinum and photoreduction of silver. The Pt/Si/Ag diodes exhibit highly efficient photocatalytic activity for a wide range of applications including environmental remediation and solar fuel production in the visible range. In this article, photodegradation of indigo carmine and 4-nitrophenol are used to evaluate the photoactivity of Pt/Si/Ag diodes. The Pt/Si/Ag diodes also show high activity for photoconversion of formic acid into carbon dioxide and hydrogen. [source] Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity using Layer-by-Layer Electrospun Constructs for Water RemediationADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 15 2010Jung Ah Lee Abstract Endocrine disruptors such as bisphenol A (BPA) are environmental pollutants that interfere with the body's endocrine system because of their structural similarity to natural and synthetic hormones. Due to their strong oxidizing potential to decompose such organic pollutants, colloidal metal oxide photocatalysts have attracted increasing attention for water detoxification. However, achieving both long-term physical stability and high efficiency simultaneously with such photocatalytic systems poses many challenges. Here a layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition approach is reported for immobilizing TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) on a porous support while maintaining a high catalytic efficiency for photochemical decomposition of BPA. Anatase TiO2 NPs ,7,nm in diameter self-assemble in consecutive layers with positively charged polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes on a high surface area, porous electrospun polymer fiber mesh. The TiO2 LbL nanofibers decompose approximately 2.2,mg BPA per mg of TiO2 in 40,h of illumination (AM 1.5G illumination), maintaining first-order kinetics with a rate constant (k) of 0.15,h,1 for over 40,h. Although the colloidal TiO2 NPs initially show significantly higher photocatalytic activity (k,,,0.84,h,1), the rate constant drops to k,,,0.07,h,1 after 4,h of operation, seemingly due to particle agglomeration. In the BPA solution treated with the multilayered TiO2 nanofibers for 40,h, the estrogenic activity, based on human breast cancer cell proliferation, is significantly lower than that in the BPA solution treated with colloidal TiO2 NPs under the same conditions. This study demonstrates that water-based, electrostatic LbL deposition effectively immobilizes and stabilizes TiO2 NPs on electrospun polymer nanofibers for efficient extended photochemical water remediation. [source] Light-Driven Titanium-Dioxide-Based Reversible Microfireworks and Micromotor/Micropump SystemsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 10 2010Yiying Hong Abstract Titanium dioxide (TiO2) possesses high photocatalytic activity, which can be utilized to power the autonomous motion of microscale objects. This paper presents the first examples of TiO2 micromotors and micropumps. UV-induced TiO2 reversible microfireworks phenomenon was observed and diffusiophoresis has been proposed as a possible mechanism. [source] Nanoparticle Coating for Advanced Optical, Mechanical and Rheological Properties,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 16 2007F. Hakim Abstract Primary titania nanoparticles were coated with ultrathin alumina films using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). The deposited films were highly uniform and conformal with an average growth rate of 0.2,nm per coating cycle. The alumina films eliminated the surface photocatalytic activity of titania nanoparticles, while maintained their original extinction efficiency of ultraviolet light. Deposited films provided a physical barrier that effectively prevented the titania surface from oxidizing organic material whereas conserving its bulk optical properties. Parts fabricated from coated powders by pressureless sintering had a 13,% increase in surface hardness over parts similarly fabricated from uncoated particles. Owing to its homogeneous distribution, the secondary alumina phase suppressed excessive grain growth. Alumina films completely reacted during sintering to form aluminum titanate composites, as verified by XRD. Coated particles showed a pseudoplastic behavior at low shear rates due to modified colloidal forces. This behavior became similar to the Newtonian flow of uncoated nanoparticle slurries as the shear rate increased. Suspensions of coated particles also showed a decreased viscosity relative to the viscosity of uncoated particle suspensions. [source] Monomolecular-Layer Ba5Ta4O15 Nanosheets: Synthesis and Investigation of Photocatalytic Properties,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 12 2006T.-G. Xu Abstract Monomolecular-layer perovskite Ba5Ta4O15 nanosheets with hexagonal structure have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The thickness of the nanosheets is about 1.1,nm, which corresponds to a monolayer of Ba5Ta4O15 molecules, with the lateral size ranging from 50,to 200,nm. The optimal conditions for the formation of the nanosheets are maintaining the reactants above 270,°C for 24,h. A dissolution,recrystallization mechanism is suggested based on observations of the factors that influence nanosheet formation, such as reaction time, temperature, and basicity. Formation of Ba5Ta4O15 nanosheets takes precedence over other nanostructures under high concentrations of OH, because the hindering effect of OH, ions on the c -axis growth is strong. Thus, the extended growth rate of polyhedrons on one monolayer is much faster than the superposition rate of the monolayer, and the crystal grows more easily along the a - and b -planes. The Ba5Ta4O15 nanosheets show a high photocatalytic activity in the degradation of Rhodamine B and gaseous formaldehyde. The layered perovskite probably affects the photocatalytic activity by promoting the charge separation and delocalization of photogenerated electrons and holes. [source] Formation of Oxynitride as the Photocatalytic Enhancing Site in Nitrogen-Doped Titania Nanocatalysts: Comparison to a Commercial Nanopowder,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 1 2005X. Chen Abstract A nitrogen-doped TiO2 nanocolloid has been successfully prepared and its properties compared with the commercially available TiO2 nanomaterial, Degussa P25. Several characterization techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Raman scattering, and UV-visible reflectance spectra, are combined in order to determine the crystal phase and grain size, shape, degree of nitrogen incorporation, and nature of the resultant oxynitride chemical bonding on the surface and in the bulk. The high relative photocatalytic activity of the nitrogen doped-TiO2 nanocolloid is evaluated through a study of the decomposition of methylene blue under visible light excitation. The ease and degree of substitutional-insertional nitrogen doping is held accountable for the significant increase in photocatalytic activity in the porous nanocolloid versus the nitrided commercial nanopowder. It is suggested that the nitrogen incorporation produces an NO bonding region as evidenced by the resulting XPS spectrum. [source] Inorganic Macroporous Films from Preformed Nanoparticles and Membrane Templates: Synthesis and Investigation of Photocatalytic and Photoelectrochemical Properties,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 10 2003D.G. Shchukin Abstract Colloidal dispersions of titania, zirconia, tin oxide, indium oxide, and ceria have been successfully used to impregnate membrane templates and form the respective metal oxide (MO) porous films. The use of alumina and iron oxide sols in the same procedure, however, resulted in compact structures. By mixing different nanoparticle solutions before impregnation, final inorganic films containing two metal oxides, of variable metal oxide ratios, were obtained. The porous inorganic materials were analyzed in terms of surface area, pore size, film thickness, and crystallinity. The mechanism of nanoparticle infiltration and particle adsorption to the template walls is proposed based on the stability of the inorganic film and a study of the influence of either the sol concentration or washing times on the amount of inorganic substance incorporated in the hybrid material. The photocatalytic decomposition of an organic pollutant, 2-chlorophenol, was demonstrated for the porous titania material along with the structures containing mixtures of titania with zirconia, indium oxide, and tin oxide. A ratio of 9:1 TiO2/MO gave the highest photocatalytic activity, which was higher than the activity of Degussa P25 for the TiO2/In2O3 and TiO2/SnO2 systems under the same conditions. The titania films have also been attached to substrates,glass or indium tin oxide (ITO) surfaces,and the photoelectrochemical properties of the porous film attained. A comparison with a spin-coated titania film (prepared from the same colloidal dispersion) showed that the structured porous inorganic film has two times the photoelectrochemical efficiency as the spin-coated film. [source] Synthesis of Porous Bi2WO6 Thin Films as Efficient Visible-Light-Active PhotocatalystsADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 12 2009Li-Wu Zhang Bi2WO6 ordered porous film with open pores, an example of a photocatalytically active ternary metal oxide under visible-light irradiation, is prepared using a simple and reproducible route. The ordered porous Bi2WO6 films exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity and photocurrent coversion efficiency than nonporous Bi2WO6 films under visible-light irradiation (,,>,420,nm). [source] | |||||||||||||