Photocatalytic activity of P-Fe/activated carbon nanocomposites under artificial solar irradiation

Characteristics and Behavior of Different Catalysts Used for Water Decontamination in Photooxidation and Ozonation Processes

The objective of this study was to summarize the results obtained in a wide research project carried out for more than 15 years on the catalytic activity of different catalysts (activated carbon, metal–carbon xerogels/aerogels, iron-doped silica xerogels, ruthenium metal complexes, reduced graphene oxide-metal oxide composites, and zeolites) in the photooxidation (by using UV or solar radiation) and ozonation of water pollutants, including herbicides, naphthalenesulfonic acids, sodium para-chlorobenzoate, nitroimidazoles, tetracyclines, parabens, sulfamethazine, sodium diatrizoate, cytarabine, and surfactants. All catalysts were synthesized and then texturally, chemically, and electronically characterized using numerous experimental techniques, including N2 and CO2 adsorption, mercury porosimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance UV–vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The behavior of these materials as photocatalysts and ozonation catalysts was related to their characteristics, and the catalytic mechanisms in these advanced oxidation processes were explored. Investigations were conducted into the effects on pollutant degradation, total organic carbon reduction, and water toxicity of operational variables and the presence of different chemical species in ultrapure, surface, ground, and wastewaters. Finally, a review is provided of the most recent and relevant published studies on photocatalysis and catalyzed ozonation in water treatments using similar catalysts to those examined in our project.

Effect of Electrodeposition Parameters on the Composition and Surface Topography of Nanostructured Coatings by Tungsten with Iron and Cobalt

The electrodeposition of binary and ternary coatings Fe-W and Fe-Co-W from mono ligand citrate electrolyte has been investigated. The Fe-Co-W coatings were formed from electrolytes, which composition differs in the ratio of the concentrations of the alloying components and the ligand content. The investigation results indicate a competitive reduction of iron, cobalt and tungsten, the nature of which depends both on the ratio of electrolyte components, and electrolysis parameters. The effect of both current density amplitude and pulse on off time on quality, composition and surface morphology of the galvanic alloys was determined. Coatings deposited on a direct current with a density of more than 6.5 A/dm2, crack and peel off from the substrate due to the inclusion of Fe (III) compounds containing hydroxide anions. The use of non-stationary electrolysis allows us to extend the working range of current density to 8.0 A/dm2 and form electrolytic coatings of sufficient quality with significant current efficiency and the content of the refractory component. The presence of the Co7W6, Fe7W6, α-Fe, and Fe3C phases detected in the Fe-Co-W deposits reflects the competition between the alloying metals reducing from hetero-nuclear complexes. The surface of binary and ternary coatings is characterized by the presence of spherical agglomerates and is more developed in comparison with steel substrate. The parameters Ra and Rq for electrolytic alloy Fe-W are of 0.1, for Fe-Co-W are 0.3, which exceeds the performance of a polished steel substrate (Ra = 0.007 and Rq = 0.010). These properties prospect such alloys as a multifunctional layer are associated with structural features, surface morphology, and phase composition.

TiO2/S-Doped Carbons Hybrids: Analysis of Their Interfacial and Surface Features

Hybrids containing approximately equal amounts of P25 TiO₂ and S-doped porous carbons were prepared using a water-based slurry mixing method. The materials were extensively characterized by adsorption of nitrogen, potentiometric titration, thermal analysis in air and in helium, XRD, XPS and SEM. The collected results showed the significant blockage of carbon micropores by TiO₂ particles deposited on their outer surface. The formation of a new interface, especially for the S-rich samples, might also contribute to the porosity alteration. Analysis of surface chemistry suggested the presence of Ti-S bonds with an involvement of sulfur from thiophenic species in the carbon phase. The latter, especially when polymer-derived, was mainly deposited on the TiO₂ nanoparticles. Formation of Ti-S stabilized sulfur and increased the ignition temperature of the hybrids, especially those with a high content of sulfur, in comparison with the ignition temperature of carbons. The surfaces of hybrid with S-containing carbons was also thermally very stable and of basic chemical nature. The formation of interfacial structures Ti-C was detected by XPS analysis suggesting a partial reduction of the Ti.