The direct photolysis and photocatalytic degradation of alachlor at different TiO2 and UV sources

Optimizing implant osseointegration, soft tissue responses, and bacterial inhibition: A comprehensive narrative review on the multifaceted approach of the UV photofunctionalization of titanium

Titanium implants have revolutionized restorative and reconstructive therapy, yet achieving optimal osseointegration and ensuring long-term implant success remain persistent challenges. In this review, we explore a cutting-edge approach to enhancing implant properties: ultraviolet (UV) photofunctionalization. By harnessing UV energy, photofunctionalization rejuvenates aging implants, leveraging and often surpassing the intrinsic potential of titanium materials. The primary aim of this narrative review is to offer an updated perspective on the advancements made in the field, providing a comprehensive overview of recent findings and exploring the relationship between UV-induced physicochemical alterations and cellular responses. There is now compelling evidence of significant transformations in titanium surface chemistry induced by photofunctionalization, transitioning from hydrocarbon-rich to carbon pellicle-free surfaces, generating superhydrophilic surfaces, and modulating the electrostatic properties. These changes are closely associated with improved cellular attachment, spreading, proliferation, differentiation, and, ultimately, osseointegration. Additionally, we discuss clinical studies demonstrating the efficacy of UV photofunctionalization in accelerating and enhancing the osseointegration of dental implants. Furthermore, we delve into recent advancements, including the development of one-minute vacuum UV (VUV) photofunctionalization, which addresses the limitations of conventional UV methods as well as the newly discovered functions of photofunctionalization in modulating soft tissue and bacterial interfaces. By elucidating the intricate relationship between surface science and biology, this body of research lays the groundwork for innovative strategies aimed at enhancing the clinical performance of titanium implants, marking a new era in implantology.

Degradation and Defluorination of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances by Direct Photolysis at 222 nm

The susceptibility of 19 representative per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to direct photolysis and defluorination under far-UVC 222 nm irradiation was investigated. Enhanced photolysis occurred for perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), fluorotelomer unsaturated carboxylic acids (FTUCAs), and GenX, compared to that at conventional 254 nm irradiation on a similar fluence basis, while other PFAS showed minimal decay. For degradable PFAS, up to 81% of parent compound decay (photolysis rate constant (k222 nm) = 8.19-34.76 L·Einstein-1; quantum yield (Φ222 nm) = 0.031-0.158) and up to 31% of defluorination were achieved within 4 h, and the major transformation products were shorter-chain PFCAs. Solution pH, dissolved oxygen, carbonate, phosphate, chloride, and humic acids had mild impacts, while nitrate significantly affected PFAS photolysis/defluorination at 222 nm. Decarboxylation is a crucial step of photolytic decay. The slower degradation of short-chain PFCAs than long-chain ones is related to molar absorptivity and may also be influenced by chain-length dependent structural factors, such as differences in pKa, conformation, and perfluoroalkyl radical stability. Meanwhile, theoretical calculations indicated that the widely proposed HF elimination from the alcohol intermediate (CnF2n+1OH) of PFCA is an unlikely degradation pathway due to high activation barriers. These new findings are useful for further development of far-UVC technology for PFAS in water treatment.

Dual-wavelength UV degradation of bisphenol A and bezafibrate in aqueous solution using excilamps (222, 282 nm) and LED (365 nm): yes or no synergy?

Dual-wavelength ultraviolet (DWUV) irradiation can lead to a synergistic effect in terms of accelerated degradation of emerging organic contaminants in aqueous media. This study compared the kinetics of single-wavelength and DWUV degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) and bezafibrate (BZF) in model aqueous solution using KrCl (222 nm), XeBr (282 nm) excilamps and LED (365 nm). Three novel dual combinations (222 + 282, 222 + 365 and 282 + 365 nm) were examined toward the potential synergy in direct photolysis and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) using potassium persulfate and hydrogen peroxide. Kinetic comparison showed that the time- and fluence-based synergy did not occur in the dual combinations selected. Meanwhile, the single-wavelength UV treatment using KrCl excilamp was found to be highly efficient for degradation of target contaminants. At a given dosage of oxidants, the UV/S₂O₈^2- process exhibited higher performance than the UV/H₂O₂ one, attaining higher degradation rates and requiring lower UV fluences for 90% removal. This study demonstrates that the catalyst-free UV/S₂O₈^2- process using KrCl excilamp has a high potential for efficient removal of such organic contaminants from real waters with low turbidity.

Decomposing Organic Molecules on Titanium with Vacuum Ultraviolet Light for Effective and Rapid Photofunctionalization

Ultraviolet (UV) photofunctionalization counteracts the biological aging of titanium to increase the bioactivity and osseointegration of titanium implants. However, UV photofunctionalization currently requires long treatment times of between 12 min and 48 h, precluding routine clinical use. Here, we tested the ability of a novel, xenon excimer lamp emitting 172 nm vacuum UV (VUV) to decompose organic molecules coated on titanium as a surrogate of photofunctionalization. Methylene blue as a model organic molecule was coated on grade 4 commercially pure titanium and treated with four UV light sources: (i) ultraviolet C (UVC), (ii) high-energy UVC (HUVC), (iii) proprietary UV (PUV), and (iv) VUV. After one minute of treatment, VUV decomposed 57% of methylene blue compared with 2%, 36%, and 42% for UVC, HUVC, and PUV, respectively. UV dose-dependency testing revealed maximal methylene blue decomposition with VUV within one minute. Equivalent decomposition was observed on grade 5 titanium alloy specimens, and placing titanium specimens in quartz ampoules did not compromise efficacy. Methylene blue was decomposed even on polymethyl methacrylate acrylic specimens at 20-25% lower efficiency than on titanium specimens, indicating a relatively small contribution of titanium dioxide-mediated photocatalytic decomposition to the total decomposition. Load-testing revealed that VUV maintained high efficacy of methylene blue decomposition regardless of the coating density, whereas other UV light sources showed low efficacy with thin coatings and plateauing efficacy with thicker coatings. This study provides foundational data on rapid and efficient VUV-mediated organic decomposition on titanium. In synergy with quartz ampoules used as containers, VUV has the potential to overcome current technical challenges hampering the clinical application of UV photofunctionalization.

Removal of Chloroacetanilide Herbicides from Water Using Heterogeneous Photocatalysis with TiO2/UV-A

Chloroacetanilide herbicides are widely used in the agricultural sector throughout the world. Because of their poor biodegradability, high water solubility, and long persistence, chloroacetanilide herbicides have a high potential to contaminate water, and conventional water treatment processes do not ensure sufficient removal. Therefore, heterogeneous photocatalysis using TiO2/UV-A was investigated for the degradation of alachlor, acetochlor, and metolachlor from water. Two commercially available TiO2 (P25 and AV-01) were used as photocatalysts. Different experimental setups were also tested. In addition, the toxicity of single herbicides and mixtures of their photocatalytic degradation products to the freshwater alga Chlorella kessleri was investigated via a growth inhibition test. The maximum removal efficiency for alachlor, acetochlor, and metolachlor was 97.5%, 93.1%, and 98.2%, respectively. No significant differences in the removal efficiency of chloroacetanilide herbicides were observed for the photocatalysts used. Although the concentrations of all herbicides during photocatalysis decreased, the toxicity of the resulting mixtures of degradation products increased or remained the same, indicating the formation of toxic degradation products.

Impact of Reaction Parameters and Water Matrices on the Removal of Organic Pollutants by TiO2/LED and ZnO/LED Heterogeneous Photocatalysis Using 365 and 398 nm Radiation

In this work, the application of high-power LED_365nm and commercial, low-price LED_398nm for heterogeneous photocatalysis with TiO₂ and ZnO photocatalysts are studied and compared, focusing on the effect of light intensity, photon energy, quantum yield, electrical energy consumption, and effect of matrices and inorganic components on radical formation. Coumarin (COU) and its hydroxylated product (7-HC) were used to investigate operating parameters on the ^•OH formation rate. In addition to COU, two neonicotinoids, imidacloprid and thiacloprid, were also used to study the effect of various LEDs, matrices, and inorganic ions. The transformation of COU was slower for LED_398nm than for LED_365nm, but r₀^7-HC/r₀^COU ratio was significantly higher for LED_398nm. The COU mineralization rate was the same for both photocatalysts using LED_365nm, but a significant difference was observed using LED_398nm. The impact of matrices and their main inorganic components Cl^- and HCO₃^- were significantly different for ZnO and TiO₂. The negative effect of HCO₃^- was evident, however, in the case of high-power LED_365nm and TiO₂, and the formation of CO₃^•- almost doubled the r₀^7-HC and contributes to the conversion of neonicotinoids by altering the product distribution and mineralization rate.

A review on pesticide degradation from irrigation water and techno-economic feasibility of treatment technologies

The present study focuses and assures the need for pesticide degradation from various water bodies used for irrigation and the available technologies to treat them effectively. A thorough review of the literature is done on pesticide residues present in various irrigation water sources like rivers, groundwater, river sediments, and soil which signifies the existence of pesticides in the ecosystem. This indicates the severity of water pollution due to various sources around and their adverse effect on the ecosystem. However, several technologies are available to treat these pesticides based on the classification. A Cross comparison between the technologies is done to determine the efficient technology for the treatment of irrigation water.

Recent developments in photocatalytic degradation of insecticides and pesticides

Widespread use of pesticides in agricultural and domestic sectors and their long half-life have led to their accumulation in the environment beyond permissible limits. Advanced chemical oxidation methods including photocatalytic degradation are being widely investigated for their mineralization. Photocatalytic degradation is the most promising method for degrading pesticides as well as other organic pollutants. Titanium dioxide with or without modification has been widely used as the photocatalyst. Some research groups have also tried other photocatalysts. This review presents a critical summary of the research results reported during the past two decades as well as the scope for future research in this area.

Improved Photocatalyzed Degradation of Phenol, as a Model Pollutant, over Metal-Impregnated Nanosized TiO2

Photocatalyzed degradation of phenol in aqueous solution over surface impregnated TiO₂ (M = Cu, Cr, V) under UV-Vis (366 nm) and UV (254 nm) irradiation is described. Nanosized photocatalyts were prepared from TiO₂-P25 by wet impregnation, and characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and adsorption studies. No oxide phases of the metal dopants were found, although their presence in the TiO₂-P25 lattice induces tensile strain in Cu-impregnated TiO₂-P25, whereas compressive strain in Cr- and V-impregnated TiO₂-P25. Experimental evidences support chemical and mechanical stability of the photocatalysts. Type IV N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, with a small H3 loop near the maximum relative pressure were observed. Metal surface impregnated photocatalysts are mesoporous with a similar surface roughness, and a narrow pore distribution around ca. 25 Å. They were chemically stable, showing no metal lixiviation. Their photocatalytic activity was followed by UV-Vis spectroscopy and HPLC–UV. A first order kinetic model appropriately fitted the experimental data. The fastest phenol degradation was obtained with M (0.1%)/TiO₂-P25, the reactivity order being Cu > V >> Cr > TiO₂-P25 under 366 nm irradiation, while TiO₂-P25 > Cu > V > Cr, when using 254 nm radiation. TOC removal under 366 nm irradiation for 300 min showed almost quantitative mineralization for all tested materials, while 254 nm irradiation for 60 min led to maximal TOC removal (ca. 30%). Photoproducts and intermediate photoproducts were identified by HPLC–MS, and appropriate reaction pathways are proposed. The energy efficiency of the process was analysed, showing UV lamps are superior to UVA lamps, and that the efficiency of the surface impregnated catalyst varies in the order Cu > V > Cr.

Greenhouse gas emissions from advanced oxidation processes in the degradation of bisphenol A: a comparative study of the H2O2/UV, TiO2 /UV, and ozonation processes

To estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and degradation rate constants (k_obs) from H₂O₂/UV-C, TiO₂/UV-C, and ozonation processes in the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA), the laboratory scale experiments were conducted. In the H₂O₂/UV-C process, the fastest degradation rate constant (k_obs = 0.353 min^-1) was observed at 4 mM of H₂O₂, while the minimum GHG emission was achieved at 3 mM of H₂O₂. In the TiO₂/UV-C process, the fastest rate constant (k_obs = 0.126 min^-1) was achieved at 2000 mg/L of TiO₂, while the minimum GHG emission was observed at 400 mg/L of TiO₂. In the ozonation process, GHG emissions were minimal at 5 mg/L of O₃, but the degradation rate constant kept on increasing as the O₃ concentration increased. There were three major types of GHG emissions in the advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). In the ozonation process, most of the GHG emissions were generated by electricity consumption. TiO₂/UV-C process accounted for a significant portion of the GHGs generated by the use of chemicals. Finally, the H₂O₂/UV-C process produced similar GHG emissions from both chemical inputs and electricity consumption. The carbon footprint calculation revealed that for the treatment of 1 m³ of water contaminated with 0.04 mM BPA, the H₂O₂/UV-C process had the smallest carbon footprint (0.565 kg CO₂ eq/m³), followed by the TiO₂/UV-C process (3.445 kg CO₂ eq/m³) and the ozonation process (3.897 kg CO₂ eq/m³). Our results imply that the increase in removal rate constant might not be the optimal parameter for reducing GHG emissions during the application of these processes. Graphical abstract .

Microwaves and Heterogeneous Catalysis: A Review on Selected Catalytic Processes

Since the late 1980s, the scientific community has been attracted to microwave energy as an alternative method of heating, due to the advantages that this technology offers over conventional heating technologies. In fact, differently from these, the microwave heating mechanism is a volumetric process in which heat is generated within the material itself, and, consequently, it can be very rapid and selective. In this way, the microwave-susceptible material can absorb the energy embodied in the microwaves. Application of the microwave heating technique to a chemical process can lead to both a reduction in processing time as well as an increase in the production rate, which is obtained by enhancing the chemical reactions and results in energy saving. The synthesis and sintering of materials by means of microwave radiation has been used for more than 20 years, while, future challenges will be, among others, the development of processes that achieve lower greenhouse gas (e.g., CO2) emissions and discover novel energy-saving catalyzed reactions. A natural choice in such efforts would be the combination of catalysis and microwave radiation. The main aim of this review is to give an overview of microwave applications in the heterogeneous catalysis, including the preparation of catalysts, as well as explore some selected microwave assisted catalytic reactions. The review is divided into three principal topics: (i) introduction to microwave chemistry and microwave materials processing; (ii) description of the loss mechanisms and microwave-specific effects in heterogeneous catalysis; and (iii) applications of microwaves in some selected chemical processes, including the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts.

In Situ Tracking Photodegradation of Trace Graphene Oxide by the Online Coupling of Photoinduced Chemical Vapor Generation with a Point Discharge Optical Emission Spectrometer

The photostability of graphene oxide (GO) strongly affects the performance of its products in optics and photonics. However, the photostability of GO, especially at trace levels, remains largely unexplored mainly because of the lack of available techniques. Herein, we developed a novel online system consisting of a highly efficient photoinduced chemical vapor generation reactor and an in situ measurement technique using a miniaturized and sensitive point discharge optical emission spectrometer. On the basis of the results of inorganic carbon species, abundant oxygen-containing functional groups on GO nanosheets made the degradation much easier than graphene. Under the optimized conditions (e.g., initial pH of 2.8 and binary photocatalysts dose of 200 mM H₂O₂, 1.0 mM Fe³⁺ ions, and 50 mg/L TiO₂ NPs), the limit of detection for GO was 87.5 μg/L C with a linear range of 0.5-10 mg/L C. Specifically, the accuracy and reliability of the developed system was verified by quantifying self-prepared GO as well as aggregated GO in natural organic matter-rich water samples. Finally, the sunlight-induced photodegradation of GO under simulated environmental conditions was successfully tracked. The developed system is a promising platform for in-time quality control of GO-based products as well as predicting the occurrence, transformation, and fate of GO at environmentally relevant concentrations in the natural aquatic environment.

The role of irradiation source setups and indirect phototransformation: Kinetic aspects and the formation of transformation products of weakly sunlight-absorbing pesticides

In this study, emission spectra of three different commonly used xenon irradiation sources were analyzed and compared for the first time to ascertain the most suitable setup to simulate natural solar radiation. In order to demonstrate setup differences, absolute photon fluxes of irradiation sources were received by actinometry. Verification was done by measuring quantum yields of the model compounds Penconazole, Terbutryn, and Mecoprop in every setup. Differences regarding kinetic aspects and the formation of transformation products (TPs) was evaluated by analyzing direct phototransformation and additionally photolysis in presence of Nitrate as a photosensitizer in one irradiation setup (optical bench). Results showed that a precise setup characterization is needed to estimate whether irradiation sources are suitable to simulate terrestrial sunlight. This was found to be especially important for weakly sunlight-absorbing substances. In comparison with direct photolysis, indirect photolysis led to an enhancement of degradation rate constants for all substances and in case of Mecoprop to different types of TPs that were formed during irradiation. This study underlined that there are big knowledge gaps regarding irradiation sources setups and conditions. It is therefore absolutely necessary to consider those factors while simulating substance degradation and the TP formation under environmental conditions.

Judging the feasibility of TiO2 as photocatalyst for chemical energy conversion by quantitative reactivity determinants

In this study we assess the general applicability of the widely used P25-TiO₂ in gas-phase photocatalytic CO₂ reduction based on experimentally determined reactivity descriptors from classical heterogeneous catalysis (productivity) and photochemistry (apparent quantum yield/AQY). A comparison of the results with reports on the use of P25 for thermodynamically more feasible reactions and our own previous studies on P25-TiO₂ as photocatalyst imply that the catalytic functionality of this material, rather than its properties as photoabsorber, limits its applicability in the heterogeneous photocatalytic CO₂ reduction in the gas phase. The AQY of IrO_x/TiO₂ in overall water splitting in a similar high-purity gas-solid process was four times as high, but still far from commercial viability.

Sonophotocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A and its intermediates with graphitic carbon nitride

Since bisphenol A (BPA) exhibits endocrine disrupting action and high toxicity in aqueous system, there are high demands to remove it completely. In this study, the BPA removal by sonophotocatalysis coupled with nano-structured graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄, GCN) was conducted with various batch tests using energy-based advanced oxidation process (AOP) based on ultrasound (US) and visible light (Vis-L). Results of batch tests indicated that GCN-based sonophotocatalysis (Vis-L/US) had higher rate constants than other AOPs and especially two times higher degradation rate than TiO₂-based Vis-L/US. This result infers that GCN is effective in the catalytic activity in Vis-L/US since its surface can be activated by Vis-L to transport electrons from valence band (VB) for utilizing holes (h⁺_VB) in the removal of BPA. In addition, US irradiation exfoliated the GCN effectively. The formation of BPA intermediates was investigated in detail by using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS). The possible degradation pathway of BPA was proposed.

Visible light activity of BaFe1-xCuxO3-δ as photocatalyst for atrazine degradation

Nanosized BaFe_1-xCu_xO₃ powders were prepared using the Pechini method. To limit grain growth and agglomeration, the temperature of calcination was limited to 800 °C. For all samples, the cubic form of BaFeO_2.75 was predominant with minor additional phases. Cu doping was found to have a remarkable effect on the structural cubic unit cell parameter as the Cu concentration increased. As shown by XRD,the samples were in the nanometer size range (17-63 nm). However, as the Cu concentration increases, the agglomeration increases with the highest surface area for the BaFe_0.95Cu_0.05O₃ composition, which also displays the highest photocatalytic atrazine degradation. For this sample, more than 90% degradation of atrazine was obtained at the optimum conditions (120 min irradiation under visible light at pH 11 using 0.75 mg of the catalyst). The Atrazine degradation was found to follow the pseudo-order kinetics. GC/MS was used to detect the intermediates and the reaction pathways. All the prepared samples and produced waters at the end of the experiment were found to be nontoxic.

Photolysis of cyflufenamid in liquid media

The photolysis of cyflufenamid (CFA) in different organic solvents and water under ultraviolet irradiation was investigated. The photolytic rate constant and photolytic half-life were measured for the different solutions. Factors influencing the photolysis of CFA were investigated, including initial concentration, types of solvent, pH, occurrence of catalyst (TiO₂), and environmental substances (Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, NO₃ ^-, NO₂ ^-). Photolysis of CFA followed first-order kinetics in various systems, and the photolytic rate of CFA decreased with increased initial concentration. Photolytic rates of CFA in different solvents were as follows: n-hexane > methanol > acetonitrile > ultrapure water > ethyl acetate. The pH had a significant effect on the photolysis of CFA, and the photolysis rate reached its peak at pH 9.0. NO₂ ^- and TiO₂ had positive effects on the photolysis of CFA, while Fe²⁺ had an adverse effect. NO₃ ^- in aqueous solution had no effect on the photolysis of CFA. In addition, the rates of photolysis were accelerated at lower concentrations of Fe³⁺ (0.5-5 mmol L^-1) and decreased at higher concentrations (10 mmol L^-1). Moreover, a main photolytic product of CFA was confirmed to be N-cyclopropoxy-2,3-difluoro-6-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide, and cleavage of the amido bond was proposed to be the predicted photolysis pathway in n-hexane.

Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production from aqueous sulfide/sulfite solution by ZnO0.6S0.4 with simultaneous dye degradation under visible-light irradiation

Photocatalytic hydrogen (H₂) production was performed by visible-light-driven (VLD) ternary photocatalyst, zinc oxysulfide (ZnO_0.6S_0.4) in the presence of sulfide/sulfite (S₂^2-/SO₃^2-) sacrificing system, with simultaneous azo-dye Reactive Violet 5 (RV5) degradation. Enhancement in both RV5 degradation and H₂ production was achieved, with the promotion of H₂ production after decolorization of RV5. The effect of initial concentration of RV5 was found to be influential on the enhancement of H₂ during the simultaneous processes, with a maximum of 110% increase of H₂ produced. The mechanism of the simultaneous system was investigated by scavenger study and intermediate analysis, including Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. It was confirmed that the partial degradation of RV5 and presence of dynamic organic intermediates contributed to the enhancement in H₂ production. The present study revealed the feasibility of developing VLD photocatalysis as a sustainable and environmentally friendly technology for concurrent organic pollutant degradation with energy generation.

Advanced oxidation of five contaminants in water by UV/TiO2: Reaction kinetics and byproducts identification

The extent and kinetics of degradation of 1,4 dioxane, n-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), tris-2-chloroethyl phosphate (TCEP), gemfibrozil, and 17β estradiol in a prepared aqueous matrix by means of UV/TiO2 (ultraviolet light/titanium dioxide) oxidation was evaluated. Degussa P25 TiO2 was employed as a photocatalyst excited by UV light in a 1 L water-jacketed batch photoreactor. The rate of degradation was modeled using a pseudo-first order rate model and the Langmuir-Hinshelwood rate model with a high correlation. Degradation rate constants were found to be maximum at pH 5.0 and 1.5 g L(-)(1) TiO2 dose. For these conditions first order rate constants, values were as follows: 0.29 min(-1) for 1,4 dioxane, 0.50 min(-1) for NDMA, 0.12 min(-1) for TCEP, 0.61 min(-1) for gemfibrozil, and 0.53 min(-1) for 17β estradiol. While for the Langmuir-Hinshelwood rate model, the following constants were found: 0.11 Lmg(-1) and 2.81 mgL(-1) min(-1) for 1,4 dioxane, 0.12 Lmg(-1) and 4.35 mgL(-1) min(-1) for NDMA, 0.06 Lmg(-1) and 1.79 mgL(-1) min(-1) for TCEP, 0.21 Lmg(-1) and 3.27 mgL(-1) min(-1) for gemfibrozil, and 0.15 Lmg(-1) and 3.43 mgL(-1) min(-1) for 17β estradiol. In addition, specific byproducts of degradation were identified using GC/MS analysis. The results obtained from the kinetics analysis showed that UV/TiO2 oxidation is a promising process for treating trace organic contaminants in water, but further research is needed to better understand how to incorporate these findings into pilot and full-scale designs. The toxicity of oxidation byproducts, and their potential for interacting with other compounds should be considered in the treatment of contaminated waters using the UV/TiO2 oxidation process.

Degradation of atrazine in aqueous solution with electrophotocatalytic process using TiO2-x photoanode

The present study investigates the efficiency of a sustainable treatment technology, the electrophotocatalytic (EPC) process using innovative photoanode TiO2-x prepared by a magnetron sputter deposition process to remove the herbicide atrazine (ATZ) from water. The coexistence of anatase and rutile were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the presence of oxygen vacancies reduce the value of the observed bandgap to 3.0 eV compared to the typical 3.2 eV TiO2, this reduction is concomitant with a partial phase transition which is probably responsible for the increase in photoactivity. The experimental results with an initial concentration of ATZ (100 μg L(-1)) show that more than 99% of ATZ oxidation was obtained after 30 min of treatment and reaction kinetic constant was about 0.146 min(-1). This good efficiency indicates that EPC process is an efficient, simple and green technique for degradation of pesticides such as ATZ in water. The analysis with liquid chromatography technique permits to identify, quantify and see the evolution of ATZ by-products which are generated by dechlorination, dealkylation and alkylic-oxidation mechanisms. Finally, the possible pathways of ATZ degradation by hydroxyl radicals were proposed.

OH radical generation in a photocatalytic reactor using TiO2 nanotube plates

In order to use TiO2 nanotubes grown on a Ti plate as a photocatalyst, self-organized oxide nanotube layers were grown by anodization in a glycerol based electrolyte. The ultimate conditions for the synthesis of the TiO2 nanotube array on the Ti plate were investigated by comparing the morphology, length, and inner diameter of the nanotubes. They were significantly affected by the applied anodic voltage, anodization time, and composition of the electrolyte such as the water and fluoride ion concentration. The crystallographic structures of TiO2 nanotubes before and after annealing were compared. The photocatalytic reactor used in this study consisted of two parallel and closely spaced TiO2 nanotube plates. The plates were squares while a UV lamp was inserted perpendicularly to them. OH radical generation in the photocatalytic reactor was monitored by using a probe compound, parachlorobenzoate (pCBA). The steady state OH radical concentration was compared depending on the length of nanotubes and crystallographic structure. The longer the nanotubes, the higher the steady state OH radical concentration.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of FeS2 as a High-Efficiency Fenton Reagent to Degrade Alachlor via Superoxide-Mediated Fe(II)/Fe(III) Cycle

In this study, we demonstrate that hydrothermally synthesized FeS2 (syn-FeS2) is highly efficient at catalyzing the H2O2 decomposition for alachlor degradation at a wide range of initial pH (3.2-9.2). The alachlor degradation rate of syn-FeS2 heterogeneous Fenton system was almost 55 times that of its commercial pyrite (com-FeS2) counterpart at an initial pH of 6.2. Experimental results revealed that the alachlor oxidation enhancement in the syn-FeS2 Fenton system was attributed to the molecular oxygen activation induced by more surface-bound ferrous ions on syn-FeS2. The molecular oxygen activation process could generate superoxide anions to accelerate the Fe(II)/Fe(III) cycle on the syn-FeS2 surface, which favored the H2O2 decomposition to generate more hydroxyl radicals for the alachlor oxidation. It was found that the hydroxyl radicals generation rate constant of syn-FeS2 Fenton system was 71 times that of its com-FeS2 counterpart, and even 1-3 orders of magnitude larger than those of commonly used Fe-bearing heterogeneous catalysts. We detected the alachlor degradation intermediates with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to propose tentatively a possible alachlor degradation pathway. These interesting findings could provide some new insights on the molecular oxygen activation induced by FeS2 minerals and the subsequent heterogeneous Fenton degradation of organic pollutants in the environment.

Combined photocatalysis and membrane bioreactor for the treatment of feedwater containing thin film transistor-liquid crystal display discharge

The nitrogen content of waste water generated by the thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) industry is not satisfactorily removed through the conventional aerobic-activated sludge process. In this study, the performance of three reactors – suspended type TiO2 membrane photoreactor (MPR), anoxic/oxic membrane bioreactor (AOMBR), and their combination (MPR-AOMBR) – was evaluated using feedwater containing TFT-LCD discharge. The parameters that maximized monoethanolamine (MEA) removal in the MPR were continuous ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and pH 11. Among the tested loadings, 0.1 g/l of TiO2 promoted MEA removal but degradation rate may further increase with photocatalyst concentration. The nitrified sludge recycle ratio R of the AOMBR was adjusted to 1.5 to minimize the amount of nitrate in the effluent. The AOMBR greatly decreased chemical oxygen demand and MEA, but removed only 32.7% of tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH). The MPR was configured as the pre-treatment unit for AOMBR, and the combined MPR-AOMBR has improved TMAH removal by 80.1%. The MPR bolstered performance by decomposing slowly biodegradable compounds, and had no negative effects on denitrification and carbon removal.

UV-induced photocatalytic degradation of aqueous acetaminophen: the role of adsorption and reaction kinetics

Nanostructured titania supported on activated carbon (AC), termed as integrated photocatalytic adsorbents (IPCAs), were prepared by ultrasonication and investigated for the photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen (AMP), a common analgesic and antipyretic drug. The IPCAs showed high affinity towards AMP (in dark adsorption studies), with the amount adsorbed proportional to the TiO2 content; the highest adsorption was at 10 wt% TiO2. Equilibrium isotherm studies showed that the adsorption followed the Langmuir model, indicating the dependence of the reaction on an initial adsorption step, with maximum adsorption capacity of 28.4 mg/g for 10 % TiO2 IPCA. The effects of initial pH, catalyst amount and initial AMP concentration on the photocatalytic degradation rates were studied. Generally, the AMP photodegradation activity of the IPCAs was better than that of bare TiO2. Kinetic studies on the photocatalytic degradation of AMP under UV suggest that the degradation followed Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) kinetics, with an adsorption rate constant (K) that was considerably higher than the photocatalytic rate constant (k r), indicating that the photocatalysis of AMP is the rate-determining step during the adsorption/photocatalysis process.

Fabrication and characterization of CdS doped TiO2 nanotube composite and its photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange

CdS doped TiO2 nanotube composite was fabricated by chemical bath deposition, and was characterized by the structural, spectral and photoelectrochemical properties. The results of the structural and spectral properties showed that CdS particles were successfully deposited onto the surface of TiO2 nanotube. It is demonstrated that CdS doped TiO2 nanotube composite improved the light harvesting ability. Power conversion efficiency of about 0.32% was observed. This value is about 2.9 times higher than that of pure TiO2 nanotube. The CdS doped TiO2 nanotube composite possesses relatively higher photocatalytic activity and photodegradation efficiency than that of pure TiO2 nanotube under UV light irradiation, and the degradation efficiency of methyl orange was about 42% at UV intensity of 32 W.

Influence of ultraviolet photofunctionalization on the surface characteristics of zirconia-based dental implant materials

OBJECTIVES

To examine the effect of ultraviolet light (UV) treatment on the surface characteristics of two acid-etched zirconia-based dental implant materials.

METHODS

Discs of two zirconia-based materials (Zr1 and Zr2) with smooth (m) and roughened (r) surfaces were treated by UV light for 15min. The surface topography was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The surface elemental composition of all samples was determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the crystalline property by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the hydrophilic status by contact angle (CA) measurements of a water droplet.

RESULTS

SEM and AFM revealed quantitative and qualitative differences between the roughened and smooth surfaces. UV treatment did not induce any topographic changes of the tested surfaces (p>0.05). All UV-treated samples showed a significant surface elemental content change with a decrease of carbon by 43-81%, an increase of oxygen by 19-45%, and an increase of zirconia by 9-41%. Upon UV treatment, a 19-25% increase of the crystalline monoclinic phase was observed on surfaces of material Zr1, whereas a slight increase on the smooth Zr2 surface (+3%) and a decrease on the roughened Zr2 surface by 20% was observed. For all samples, the hydrophilic status changed significantly from hydrophobic to hydrophilic by UV treatment (p<0.0001). The average contact angles were between 56.4° and 69° before and 2.5° and 14.1° after UV-light treatment.

SIGNIFICANCE

UV treatment altered the physicochemical properties of the two zirconia implant surfaces investigated. The mechanism by which such changes are induced requires further investigation.

The effects of different wavelength UV photofunctionalization on micro-arc oxidized titanium

Many challenges exist in improving early osseointegration, one of the most critical factors in the long-term clinical success of dental implants. Recently, ultraviolet (UV) light-mediated photofunctionalization of titanium as a new potential surface treatment has aroused great interest. This study examines the bioactivity of titanium surfaces treated with UV light of different wavelengths and the underlying associated mechanism. Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) titanium samples were pretreated with UVA light (peak wavelength of 360 nm) or UVC light (peak wavelength of 250 nm) for up to 24 h. UVC treatment promoted the attachment, spread, proliferation and differentiation of MG-63 osteoblast-like cells on the titanium surface, as well as the capacity for apatite formation in simulated body fluid (SBF). These biological influences were not observed after UVA treatment, apart from a weaker effect on apatite formation. The enhanced bioactivity was substantially correlated with the amount of Ti-OH groups, which play an important role in improving the hydrophilicity, along with the removal of hydrocarbons on the titanium surface. Our results showed that both UVA and UVC irradiation altered the chemical properties of the titanium surface without sacrificing its excellent physical characteristics, suggesting that this technology has extensive potential applications and merits further investigation.

Photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A using an integrated system of a new gas-liquid-solid circulating fluidized bed reactor and micrometer Gd-doped TiO2 particles

A new gas-liquid-solid circulating fluidized bed photocatalytic reactor (GLSCFBPR) with internally placed multi-layered UV lamps was developed. Micrometer Gd-TiO2 particles and commercial nanometer P25-TiO2 were chosen as the photocatalysts, and the hazardous substance bisphenol A (BPA) was chosen as the model pollutant to investigate the performance of this new photocatalytic system. The results showed that the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the micrometer Gd-TiO2 particles was similar to that of the nanometer P-25 particles at their respective optimum dosage but the former could be easily separated out by gravity. After investigating the effects of process parameters on the photocatalytic BPA degradation, the response surface method (RSM) was further used for process optimization. The interactions among process parameters, i.e., TiO2 concentration, superficial gas velocity and superficial liquid velocity were discovered and a related analysis was carried out to explore the underlying mechanism. A quadratic mathematic model was established and performed satisfactorily when used for prediction. The optimum conditions for this new process were as follows: TiO2 concentration 4.5 g/L, superficial gas velocity 7.83 x 10(-3) m/sec and superficial liquid velocity 8.65 x 10(-3) m/sec.

Photocatalytic degradation of metoprolol tartrate in suspensions of two TiO2-based photocatalysts with different surface area. Identification of intermediates and proposal of degradation pathways

This study investigates the efficiency of the photocatalytic degradation of metoprolol tartrate (MET), a widely used β(1)-blocker, in TiO(2) suspensions of Wackherr's "Oxyde de titane standard" and Degussa P25. The study encompasses transformation kinetics and efficiency, identification of intermediates and reaction pathways. In the investigated range of initial concentrations (0.01-0.1 mM), the photocatalytic degradation of MET in the first stage of the reaction followed approximately a pseudo-first order kinetics. The TiO(2) Wackherr induced a significantly faster MET degradation compared to TiO(2) Degussa P25 when relatively high substrate concentrations were used. By examining the effect of ethanol as a scavenger of hydroxyl radicals (OH), it was shown that the reaction with OH played the main role in the photocatalytic degradation of MET. After 240 min of irradiation the reaction intermediates were almost completely mineralized to CO(2) and H(2)O, while the nitrogen was predominantly present as NH(4)(+). Reaction intermediates were studied in detail and a number of them were identified using LC-MS/MS (ESI+), which allowed the proposal of a tentative pathway for the photocatalytic transformation of MET as a function of the TiO(2) specimen.

Photocatalytic degradation of Orange G dye under solar light using nanocrystalline semiconductor metal oxide

INTRODUCTION

The photocatalytic degradation of Orange G (OG) dye has been investigated using synthesised nanocrystalline ZnO as a photocatalyst and sunlight as the irradiation source. The formation of ZnO prepared from its precursor was confirmed through FT-IR and powder X-ray diffraction analyses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Surface morphology was characterised by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope analysis. Band gap energy of synthesised nanocrystalline ZnO was calculated using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Different experimental parameters such as effects of pH, dye concentrations and mass of catalyst were standardised in order to achieve complete degradation of the dye molecules under solar light irradiation.

RESULTS

The kinetics of oxidation of OG was also studied. The complete degradation of OG was evident after 90 min of irradiation at an initial pH of 6.86. The degradation of OG was confirmed by UV-Visible spectrophotometer, high-pressure liquid chromatography, ESI-Mass and chemical oxygen demand analyses.

CONCLUSION

The adsorption of dye onto catalytic surface was analysed employing model equations such as Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, and it was found that the Langmuir isotherm model best fitted the adsorption data. The solar photodegradation of OG followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. HPLC and ESI-Mass analyses of the degraded samples suggested that the dye molecules were readily degraded under solar irradiation with nanocrystalline ZnO.

Influence of parameters on the heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of pesticides and phenolic contaminants in wastewater: a short review

In recent years, the application of heterogeneous photocatalytic water purification processes has gained wide attention due to its effectiveness in degrading and mineralizing the recalcitrant organic compounds as well as the possibility of utilizing the solar UV and visible-light spectrum. This paper aims to review and summarize the recent works on the titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) photocatalytic oxidation of pesticides and phenolic compounds, predominant in storm and wastewater effluents. The effects of various operating parameters on the photocatalytic degradation of pesticides and phenols are discussed. Results reported here suggest that the photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds depends on the type and composition of the photocatalyst and, light intensity, initial substrate concentration, amount of catalyst, pH of the reaction medium, ionic components in water, solvent types, oxidizing agents/electron acceptors, catalyst application mode, and calcination temperature in the water environment. A substantial amount of research has focused on the enhancement of TiO(2) photocatalysis by modification with metal, non-metal and ion doping. Recent developments in TiO(2) photocatalysis for the degradation of various pesticides and phenols are also highlighted in this review. It is evident from the literature survey that photocatalysis has good potential to remove a variety of organic pollutants. However, there is still a need to determine the practical utility of this technique on a commercial scale.

Synthesis and characterization of Zr4+, La3+ and Ce3+ doped mesoporous TiO2: evaluation of their photocatalytic activity

Sol-gel method was used to synthesize Zr(4+), La(3+) and Ce(3+) doped mesoporous TiO(2) materials with different weight percentage (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 wt%) using triblock copolymer as the structure directing template in ethanol/water medium. Characterization revealed the isomorphic substitution of Zr(4+) ion into the lattice of TiO(2), and surface binding nature of La(3+) and Ce(3+) ions on mesoporous TiO(2). Microscopic examination confirmed the surface adsorption of foreign ion which could alter the particle morphology. The size of the particles was less than 20 nm. Photocatalytic activity of metal ions doped mesoporous TiO(2) was evaluated using aqueous alachlor as a model pollutant. It was found that 1 wt% Ce(3+) doped mesoporous TiO(2) exhibited higher activity than pure and other metal ions doped mesoporous TiO(2). The change of oxidation state of Ce(3+) is suggested to be the cause for enhanced photocatalytic activity.