Preparation of Bi-doped TiO2 nanoparticles and their visible light photocatalytic performance

Effect of bismuth doping on the crystal structure and photocatalytic activity of titanium oxide

The doping of TiO2 with metals and non-metals is considered one of the most significant approaches to improve its photocatalytic efficiency. In this study, the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) was examined in relation to the impact of Bi-doping of TiO2. The doped TiO2 with various concentrations of metal was successfully synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and UV-vis spectroscopy. The XRD results revealed that the anatase phase, with an average crystallite size of 16.2 nm, was the main phase of TiO2. According to the anatase texture results, it was found that the doping of TiO2 increased the specific surface area for Bi2O3@TiO2 without a change in the crystal structure or the crystal phase of TiO2. Also, XPS analysis confirmed the formation of Ti4+ and Ti3+ as a result of doping with Bi. The activities of both pure TiO2 and Bi-doped TiO2 were tested to study their ability to decolorize MO dye in an aqueous solution. The photocatalytic degradation of MO over Bi2O3@TiO2 reached 98.21%, which was much higher than the 42% achieved by pure TiO2. Doping TiO2 with Bi increased its visible-light absorption as Bi-doping generated a new intermediate energy level below the CB edge of the TiO2 orbitals, causing a shift in the band gap from the UV to the visible region, thus enhancing its photocatalytic efficiency. In addition, the effects of the initial pH, initial pollutant concentration, and contact time were examined and discussed.

Photocatalytic degradation of chlorazol yellow dye under sunlight irradiation using Ce, Bi, and N co-doped TiO2 photocatalyst in neutral medium

Chlorazol yellow (CY) is a commonly used anionic, toxic, mutagenic, and potentially carcinogenic azo dye, which is menacing to the environment, aquatic system, food chain, and human health as well. To remove CY dye molecules from an aqueous medium, a series of Ce, Bi, and N co-doped TiO₂ photocatalysts were prepared by varying the composition of the dopants. Under sunlight irradiation, the resultant 5 wt% (Ce-Bi-N) co-doped TiO₂ composite catalyst was found to show the best catalytic activity. Hence, the required characterization of this catalyst was performed systematically using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. From the thorough investigation, it is revealed that the CY molecules reached adsorption-desorption equilibrium onto the surface of the catalyst within 30 min following second-order kinetics. Herein, the catalyst attained 97% degradation when exposed to sunlight at neutral (pH ~ 7, [CY] = 5 mg L^-1) medium. The developed catalyst can destruct CY molecules with a maximum rate of 23.1 µg CY g^-1 min^-1 and the photodegradation kinetics follows first-order kinetics below 23.5 mg L^-1, a fractional order between 23.5 and 35.0 mg L^-1, and a zeroth order above 35.0 mg L^-1 of CY concentration. Finding from scavenging effect implies that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] radicals have significant influence on the degradation. A suitable mechanism has been proposed with excellent stability and verified reusability of the proposed photocatalyst.

The Photocatalytic Degradation of Vehicle Exhausts by an Fe/N/Co-TiO2 Waterborne Coating under Visible Light

Based on the three-dimensional network structure of a polymer and the principle of photocatalysts, a visible-light-responsive and durable photocatalytic coating for the degradation of vehicle exhaust (VE) has been constructed using a waterborne acrylic acid emulsion as the coating substrate; Fe/N/Co-TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) as photocatalytic components; and water, pigments, and fillers as additives. The visible-light-responsive Fe/N/Co-TiO2 NPs with an average size of 100 nm were prepared by sol-gel method firstly. The co-doping of three elements extended the absorption range of the modified TiO2 nanoparticles to the visible light region, and showed the highest light absorption intensity, which was confirmed by the ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra (UV-Vis). X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements showed that element doping prevents the transition from anatase to rutile and increases the transition temperature. TiO2 was successfully doped due to the reduction of the chemical binding energy of Ti, as revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The degradation rates of NOX, CO, and CO2 in VE by Fe/N/Co-TiO2 NPs under visible light were 71.43%, 23.79%, and 21.09%, respectively. In contrast, under the same conditions, the degradation efficiencies of coating for VE decreased slightly. Moreover, the elementary properties of the coating, including pencil hardness, adhesive strength, water resistance, salt, and alkali resistance met the code requirement. The photocatalytic coating exhibited favorable reusability and durability, as shown by the reusability and exposure test.

Insights into the TiO2-Based Photocatalytic Systems and Their Mechanisms

Photocatalysis is a multifunctional phenomenon that can be employed for energy applications such as H2 production, CO2 reduction into fuels, and environmental applications such as pollutant degradations, antibacterial disinfection, etc. In this direction, it is not an exaggerated fact that TiO2 is blooming in the field of photocatalysis, which is largely explored for various photocatalytic applications. The deeper understanding of TiO2 photocatalysis has led to the design of new photocatalytic materials with multiple functionalities. Accordingly, this paper exclusively reviews the recent developments in the modification of TiO2 photocatalyst towards the understanding of its photocatalytic mechanisms. These modifications generally involve the physical and chemical changes in TiO2 such as anisotropic structuring and integration with other metal oxides, plasmonic materials, carbon-based materials, etc. Such modifications essentially lead to the changes in the energy structure of TiO2 that largely boosts up the photocatalytic process via enhancing the band structure alignments, visible light absorption, carrier separation, and transportation in the system. For instance, the ability to align the band structure in TiO2 makes it suitable for multiple photocatalytic processes such as degradation of various pollutants, H2 production, CO2 conversion, etc. For these reasons, TiO2 can be realized as a prototypical photocatalyst, which paves ways to develop new photocatalytic materials in the field. In this context, this review paper sheds light into the emerging trends in TiO2 in terms of its modifications towards multifunctional photocatalytic applications.

Contaminants of emerging concern: a review of new approach in AOP technologies

The presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), flame retardants (FRs), pesticides, and artificial sweeteners (ASWs) in the aquatic environments remains a major challenge to the environment and human health. In this review, the classification and occurrence of emerging contaminants in aquatic environments were discussed in detail. It is well documented that CECs are susceptible to poor removal during the conventional wastewater treatment plants, which introduce them back to the environment ranging from nanogram per liter (e.g., carbamazepine) up to milligram per liter (e.g., acesulfame) concentration level. Meanwhile, a deep insight into the application of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) on mitigation of the CECs from aquatic environment was presented. In this regard, the utilization of various treatment technologies based on AOPs including ozonation, Fenton processes, sonochemical, and TiO₂ heterogeneous photocatalysis was reviewed. Additionally, some innovations (e.g., visible light heterogeneous photocatalysis, electro-Fenton) concerning the AOPs and the combined utilization of AOPs (e.g., sono-Fenton) were documented.

Photocatalytic degradation properties of V-doped TiO2 to automobile exhaust

To improve the photocatalytic degradation properties of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) used as raw materials for purifying automobile exhaust (AE), the vanadium (V)-doped TiO₂ samples were prepared. The photocatalytic degradation efficiencies of V-doped TiO₂ to each component in AE were evaluated under ultraviolet (UV) and visible light irradiation, respectively. Results indicated that the photocatalytic activity of V-doped TiO₂ to AE was higher than that of pure TiO₂, and the optimal V dopant content of TiO₂ was 1.0% under UV light irradiation. The degradation efficiencies of V-doped TiO₂ to NOx and HC were higher than those to CO₂ and CO in AE because of the reversible reaction between CO₂ and CO. In addition, it was found that the photocatalytic degradation efficiencies of V-doped TiO₂ to each component in AE were also increased under visible light irradiation. The V-doped TiO₂ also showed higher degradation efficiencies to NOx and HC than those to CO₂ and CO under visible light irradiation. The V doped TiO₂ presented higher photocatalytic activity to CO₂ than that to CO, but the reversible reaction between CO and CO₂ was not found under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic reactions of pure and V-doped TiO₂ samples to each component in AE followed the first order kinetic pathway under the two light irradiations. It is concluded that the V doping is a feasible method to improve the photocatalytic degradation properties of TiO₂ to AE for air purification, developing a sustainable environmental purification technology based on TiO₂ materials.

Solvothermal syntheses of Bi and Zn co-doped TiO2 with enhanced electron-hole separation and efficient photodegradation of gaseous toluene under visible-light

This study investigated the effects of Bi doped and Bi-Zn co-doped TiO₂ on photodegradation of gaseous toluene. The doped TiO₂ with various concentration of metal was prepared using the solvothermal route and characterized by SEM, XRD, Raman, BET, DRS, XPS, PL and EPR. Their photocatalytic activities under visible-light irradiation were drastically influenced by the dopant content. The results showed that moderate metal doping levels were obviously beneficial for the toluene degradation, while high doping levels suppressed the photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic degradation of toluene over TiBi_1.9%O₂ and TiBi_1.9%Zn_1%O₂ can reach to 51% and 93%, respectively, which are much higher than 25% of TiO₂. Bi doping into TiO₂ lattice generates new intermediate energy level of Bi below the CB edge of TiO₂. The electron excitation from the VB to Bi orbitals results in the decreased band gap, extended absorption of visible-light and thus enhances its photocatalytic efficiency. Zn doping not only further enhances the absorption in this visible-light region, but also Zn dopant exists as the form of ZnO crystallites located on the interfaces of TiO₂ agglomerates and acts as a mediator of interfacial charge transfer to suppress the electron-hole recombination. These synergistic effects are responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic performance.