Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization of model fuel over Pt-decorated carbon-doped TiO2 nanoparticles

Modification of photocatalysts to improve their adsorption and photocatalytic activity in the oxidative desulfurization of liquid fuels has been reported by many investigators. In this study, Pt-decorated carbon-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal and photo-deposition techniques and were subsequently used in photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in n-heptane as a simulated liquid fuel with methanol as the extracting solvent. Carbon-doped TiO2 was first synthesized by a simple self-doping method. Pt was then loaded by a photo-deposition technique. The synthesized photocatalysts (labeled as YPt-CT where Y is percent Pt loading) were characterized by of X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), N2-physisorption, UV-Vis diffusive reflectance spectra (UV-Vis DRS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), and nitrogen sorption measurements. The removal efficiency of DBT was 98% in the presence of 2 g/l of 0.5Pt-CT catalyst under visible-light irradiation (λ > 400 nm), ambient pressure, and reaction temperature of 40°C.

Graphite/carbon-doped TiO2 nanocomposite synthesized by ultrasound for the degradation of diclofenac

Graphite/C-doped TiO2 nanocomposite was synthesized at room temperature using a simple, impressive, and indirect sonication (20 kHz) by the cup horn system. Tetrabutyltitanate as the precursor of titanium and graphite (G) as the carbon source was used in the preparation of nanocomposite as a photocatalyst. The molar ratio of G/TiO2 as a key parameter was investigated in the synthesis of G/C-doped TiO2. The obtained materials were widely characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, XPS, and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance techniques. The UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy results showed that the edge of light absorption of nanocomposite was distinctly red-shifted to the visible area via carbon doping. The XPS outcomes acknowledged the existence of the C, Ti, and O in the photocatalyst. The composite showed an enhancement in the dissociation efficiency of photoinduced charge carriers through the doping process. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanocomposite was checked with diclofenac (DCF) as a pharmaceutical contaminant. The results displayed that G/C-doped TiO2 represented better photocatalytic performance for DCF than TiO2. This was due to the excellent crystallization, intense absorption of visible light, and the impressive separation of photoinduced charge carriers. Various active species such as •OH, •O2¯, h+, and H2O2 play a role in the degradation of DFC. Therefore, different scavengers were used and the role of each one in degradation was investigated. According to the obtained results, •O2¯ radical showed a major role in the photocatalytic process. This work not only proposes a deep insight into the photosensitization-like mechanism by using G-based materials but also develops new photocatalysts for the removal of emerging organic pollutants from waters using sunlight as available cheap energy.

Optimizing physico-chemical properties of hierarchical ZnO/TiO2 nano-film by the novel heating method for photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics and dye

The design of semiconductor catalysts with excellent photocatalytic properties, stability, recyclability, and good separation for the treatment of polluted water is still challenging. In this paper, the ZnO/TiO2 nano-thin films were fabricated using the magnetron sputtering technique and then heating the underlying ZnO layer and the upper TiO2 layer for their respective optimal heating time, i. e. heating ZnO for 3 h and heating TiO2 for 2 h. The as-prepared films were characterized. The results show that the preferred growth of TiO2 grains along the [001] axis, relatively large specific surface area, and increased amounts of surface oxygen vacancies (OVs) were induced to the heterojunction catalysts through this optimized heating strategy, which boosts the photocatalytic activity of ZnO/TiO2 nano-film. The degradation experiment inndicates that the ciprofloxacin (CIP) removal efficiency can reach 97.3% in 2 h duration, which was higher than that of the samples annealed for the same periods. Meanwhile, the prepared ZnO/TiO2 photocatalytic film exhibited favorable stability of 95.5% degradation efficiency after the fourth run and general applicability for the photodegradation of various contantains, whih removed 99.5% of ofloxacin (OFX) and 77.6% of tetracycline (TC) in 2 h and 94.1% of Rhodamine B (RhB) in 1 h. This work is expected to yields a novel insight into the production of heterojunction photocatalysts with excellen ability for photocatalytic degradation of pollutants in the practical industry.

Double shelled titanium dioxide@mesoporous organosilica nanotube as an amphiphilic photoactive nanoreactor for efficient photocatalytic oxidation of styrene

In this work, we have proposed a strategy to fabricate double-shell nanotubes as amphiphilic photoactive nanoreactors (HTTBPC) through the ordered hybridization of mesoporous organosilicon (PMO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes. Unlike the previous rough composite, the heterogeneous structure established between cobalt-porphyrin functionalized PMO and conventional TiO2 has a staggered matching band gap, which makes it have excellent light harvesting and high carrier separation ability. This is still unexplored. Interestingly, the prepared photocatalysts exhibited superior activity (99%) and benzaldehyde selectivity (94%) in the oxidation of styrene in water at room temperature, which was 3.8 and 2.8 times higher than that of TiO2 nanotubes and PMO functionalized with cobalt porphyrin, respectively. It was demonstrated that the strong interaction between cobalt porphyrin PMO and TiO2 improved the separation of photogenerated carriers and the amphiphilic properties of mesoporous organosilica boosted the adsorption of substrate molecules in water, contributing to the significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity. This work provides a design of high-performance photocatalysts for alkene oxidation under green conditions.

Internal electric fields drive dual S-scheme heterojunctions: Insights into the role of the triple interlaced lattice

The internal electric field induced by the lattice interfaces in a heterojunction can facilitate charge transfer, thereby improving the photocatalytic performance. However, the details of the relationship between the lattice interfaces and the charge transfer mechanism in heterojunctions remain unclear. In this study, a Bi2WO6/Bi2O2CO3/C3N4 heterojunction (BBC) with an interlaced lattice was prepared, and the role of the interlaced lattice in charge transfer was revealed. Compared to pristine Bi2O2CO3, Bi2WO6, and C3N4, BBC exhibited an increased ciprofloxacin degradation rate constant (0.0573 min-1). A series of experiments were performed to reveal the role of the interlaced lattice interface in the enhanced photocatalytic performance. The results show that the driving force provided by the interlaced lattice interface changes the charge transfer mechanism from a dual Ⅱ-scheme to a dual S-scheme. This work provides profound insights into the effects of lattice interfaces in heterojunctions and the design of efficient photocatalysts.

Role of Different Fuels and Sintering Temperatures in the Structural, Optical, Magnetic, and Photocatalytic Properties of Chromium-Containing Nickel Ferrite: Kinetic Study of Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B Dye

In the present paper, nanocrystalline samples of NiCrFeO₄ were synthesized by the combustion method using different fuels such as glycine, urea, and poly(vinyl alcohol) and subjected to heat treatment at different temperatures of 600, 700, 800, and 1000 °C for 6 h. The formation of phases with highly crystalline structures was confirmed by XRD and Rietveld refinement analysis. The optical band gap of NiCrFeO₄ ferrites lies in the visible range, making them suitable photocatalysts. BET analysis reveals that the surface area of the phase synthesized using PVA is much higher than that synthesized using other fuels at each sintering temperature. In addition, there is a significant decrease in the surface area with sintering temperature for the catalysts prepared using the fuels PVA and urea, while it almost remains constant in the case of glycine. Magnetic studies demonstrate the dependence of saturation magnetization on the nature of the fuel and on the sintering temperature; moreover, the coercivity and squareness ratio confirm the single domain nature of all the synthesized phases. We have also performed photocatalytic degradation of the highly toxic Rhodamine B (RhB) dye by employing all the prepared phases as photocatalysts using the mild oxidant H₂O₂. It is observed that the photocatalyst prepared using PVA as the fuel exhibited the best photocatalytic activity at all sintering temperatures. All the three photocatalysts prepared using different fuels showed a decrease in the photocatalytic activity with increasing sintering temperature. From the chemical kinetic point of view, the degradation of RhB by all the photocatalysts was found to follow pseudo-first-order kinetics.

Different Fuel-Adopted Combustion Syntheses of Nano-Structured NiCrFeO4: A Highly Recyclable and Versatile Catalyst for Reduction of Nitroarenes at Room Temperature and Photocatalytic Degradation of Various Organic Dyes in Unitary and Ternary Solutions

As industrialization progresses, there is a large release of hazardous pollutants into the environment. These pollutants, which contain nitro compounds and organic dyes, are extremely dangerous due to their toxic and carcinogenic nature. An efficient, environmentally benign, and economical catalyst to degrade environmental pollutants or convert them into useful products has been of sustained interest in recent years. In this context, we report a simple and inexpensive combustion fabrication of NiCrFeO₄ using different fuels such as glycine, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and urea, showing tremendous catalytic and photocatalytic functionalities. Rietveld refinement and X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the formation of single-phase ferrites, with crystallite sizes ranging from 3.9 to 43.31 nm. The values of optical band gap, obtained from the diffused reflectance spectroscopy technique, lie in the visible region range (1.50-1.60 eV), and hence, all the synthesized ferrites can act as good photocatalysts in the presence of visible light. All the NCF nanocatalysts were utilized for the reduction of nitroarenes and photocatalytic degradation of various cationic (RhB and MB) and anionic (MO) dyes and their mixture. NCFP displayed excellent activity for the reduction and oxidation reactions owing to its large surface area and low optical band gap. Furthermore, the photo-oxidative degradation by NCFP was also enhanced due to its low recombination of charge carriers as confirmed by the photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. NCFP efficiently reduces nitrobenzene to aminobenzene with 95% yield using sodium borohydride as the reducing agent in methanol medium at RT in 10 min. The results of photocatalytic activity have shown that the degradation efficiency of NCFP follows the order RhB > MB > MO in their unitary solution. Furthermore, in the case of the mixture of dyes, NCFP showed enhanced photocatalytic degradation for cationic dyes (RhB and MB) compared to that of anionic dye (MO). From the performance point of view, this catalyst can be useful in industrial application because of its high stability, greater catalytic efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

Photocatalysis and Li-Ion Battery Applications of {001} Faceted Anatase TiO2-Based Composites

Anatase TiO2 are the most widely used photocatalysts because of their unique electronic, optical and catalytic properties. Surface chemistry plays a very important role in the various applications of anatase TiO2 especially in the catalysis, photocatalysis, energy conversion and energy storage. Control of the surface structure by crystal facet engineering has become an important strategy for tuning and optimizing the physicochemical properties of TiO2. For anatase TiO2, the {001} crystal facets are the most reactive because they exhibit unique surface characteristics such as visible light responsiveness, dissociative adsorption, efficient charge separation capabilities and photocatalytic selectivity. In this review, a concise survey of the literature in the field of {001} dominated anatase TiO2 crystals and their composites is presented. To begin, the existing strategies for the synthesis of {001} dominated anatase TiO2 and their composites are discussed. These synthesis strategies include both fluorine-mediated and fluorine-free synthesis routes. Then, a detailed account of the effect of {001} facets on the physicochemical properties of TiO2 and their composites are reviewed, with a particular focus on photocatalysis and Li-ion batteries applications. Finally, an outlook is given on future strategies discussing the remaining challenges for the development of {001} dominated TiO2 nanomaterials and their potential applications.

Controlled killing of human cervical cancer cells by combined action of blue light and C-doped TiO2 nanoparticles

In this study, C-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (C-TiO2) were prepared and tested as a photosensitizer for visible-light-driven photodynamic therapy against cervical cancer cells (HeLa). X-ray diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy confirmed the anatase form of nanoparticles, spherical shape, and size distribution from 5 to 15 nm. Ultraviolet-visible light spectroscopy showed that C doping of TiO2 enhances the optical absorption in the visible light range caused by a bandgap narrowing. The photo-cytotoxic activity of C-TiO2 was investigated in vitro against HeLa cells. The lack of dark cytotoxicity indicates good biocompatibility of C-TiO2. In contrast, a combination with blue light significantly reduced the survival of HeLa cells: illumination only decreased cell viability by 30% (15 min of illumination, 120 µW power), and 60% when HeLa cells were preincubated with C-TiO2. We have also confirmed blue light-induced C-TiO2-catalyzed generation of reactive oxygen species in vitro and intracellularly. Oxidative stress triggered by C-TiO2/blue light was the leading cause of HeLa cell death. Fluorescent labeling of treated HeLa cells showed distinct morphological changes after the C-TiO2/blue light treatment. Unlike blue light illumination, which caused the appearance of large necrotic cells with deformed nuclei, cytoplasm swelling, and membrane blebbing, a combination of C-TiO2/blue light leads to controlled cell death, thus providing a better outcome of local anticancer therapy.

In2O3/oxygen doped g-C3N4 towards photocatalytic BPA degradation: Balance of oxygen between metal oxides and doped g-C3N4

Hybrid semi-conductor heterojunction appears to be a promising technology for pollutant removal and wastewater treatment. However, the interface modification of the heterojunction and the working mechanisms remain elusive, thus impeding the development of highly efficient photocatalysis. In this work, we highlighted the key role played by the 3D/2D In₂O₃/oxygen doped graphitic carbon nitrides (g-C₃N₄) heterojunction, named In₂O₃/OGCN, on the photocatalytic performance. The characteristic results showed a balance of oxygen between In₂O₃ and OGCN, which enabled a stable interaction in the heterojunction to specifically tune the oxidation power, and this strategy can be applied to rationally control the photocatalytic activity of organic pollutants. The optimized In₂O₃/OGCN heterojunction demonstrated a notable photocatalytic degradation capability for bisphenol A (BPA), which was better than that of pristine In₂O₃ and OGCN, respectively. This photocatalyst had a great physical stability and can be recycled for further use. Meanwhile, the exceptional photodegradation capacity was attributed to spatially separated charge carriers, fast-charge transportation characteristics, and the special band gap structure of In₂O₃/OGCN heterojunction. In addition, the covalent bond between In-O significantly improved oxygen stability in the lattice, thereby increasing the reliability of the material. This research presents a new opportunity to fabricate metal oxides/OGCN heterojunction photocatalysts which have potential application in wastewater treatment by adjusting the oxygen between the two compounds in heterojunction.

Metal-organic frameworks derived C/TiO2 for visible light photocatalysis: Simple synthesis and contribution of carbon species

A series of in-situ carbon-doped TiO₂ (C_x/TiO₂) composites with a porous and crystalline structure were successfully synthesized via one-step and low-temperature calcination of titanium metal-organic framework (MOF), MIL-125(Ti). The resultant materials were comprehensively investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N₂ adsorption-desorption measurements, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS), photoluminescence (PL) spectra and photoelectrochemical measurements, and their photocatalytic activities for bisphenol A (BPA) degradation were assessed. Compared with the benchmark TiO₂ photocatalyst (P25), the C_x/TiO₂ composite material with high specific surface, lower band gap, and reduced photogenerated electron hole ratio exhibited outstanding photodegradation activity and durability for BPA, which could be attributed to the combined effect of co-doping of multiple carbon species (substituent carbon and carbonate) and porous structure. During BPA degradation, the holes and superoxide radicals were the primary role oxidative species in the reaction process. Therefore, this new efficient photocatalyst is promising candidate for photodegradation of organic pollutants.

Using Gd-Enhanced β-NaYF4:Yb,Er Fluorescent Nanorods Coupled to Reduced TiO2 for the NIR-Triggered Photocatalytic Inactivation of Escherichia coli

β-NaYF4:Yb,Er,Gd fluorescent nanorods were successfully coupled to a reduced TiO2 (UCNPs@R-TiO2) nanocomposite and applied to visible-light catalytic sterilization under 980 nm near-infrared (NIR) light illumination. The UCNPs (β-NaYF4:Yb,Er,Gd) absorb the NIR light and emit red and green light. The visible light can be absorbed by the R-TiO2 (Eg = 2.8 eV) for the photocatalytic reaction. About 98.1% of Escherichia coli were effectively killed upon 12 min of NIR light irradiation at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 40 μg/mL UCNPs@R-TiO2 nanocomposite. The bactericidal properties were further evaluated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis. We found that the high bactericidal activity was due to the synergistic effect between the UCNPs and R-TiO2. Moreover, the UCNPs show excellent upconversion luminance properties, and the introduction of visible-light-absorbed R-TiO2 nanoparticles (2.8 eV) was conducive to the efficient separation and utilization of photogenerated electron-hole pairs.

Regulating the Electronic Structure and Water Adsorption Capability by Constructing Carbon-Doped CuO Hollow Spheres for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Copper(II) oxide featuring a narrow bandgap and low toxicity has been frequently applied in the visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, but it suffers from large intrinsic overpotential and low water adsorption capacity. Herein, we report a self-templated strategy for the preparation of carbon-doped CuO hollow spheres (C-CuO HSs) through thermal transformation of a hierarchical MOF. The hierarchical Cu-MOFs not only act as a template to form interior voids during the thermal transformation, but also serve as precursors to dope C atoms into the CuO lattice. The as-synthesized C-CuO HSs exhibits remarkable photocatalytic performance with a H₂ evolution rate of 67.3 mmol/g/h and the apparent quantum efficiency of 25.3 % at 520 nm in the present of eosin-Y photosensitizer. The high performance of C-CuO HSs is attributed to the hierarchical porous structure and modulated electronic structure of CuO by C-doping with well exposed reactive sites, high water adsorption capability, and low water reduction reaction barrier. The results presented in this work might shed light on the design of high-performance photocatalysts for various energy-related applications.

In-situ formation of carboxylate species on TiO2 nanosheets for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance

It still remains challenge for expanding the photo-response range of TiO₂ with dominant {0 0 1} facets due to the hardly achieving modification of the electronic structure without destroying the formation of TiO₂ high energy facets. Herein, we report the construction of carboxylate species modified TiO₂ nanosheets with dominant {0 0 1} facets by employing ethanol as a carbon source through a low-temperature (300 °C) carbonization method. The as-obtained samples were investigated in detail by using various characterization techniques. The results indicate that the carboxylate species derived from the oxidation and carbonization of ethanol are coordinated to the {0 0 1} facets in a bidentate bridging mode. The electron-withdrawing carboxylate species induce TiO₂ to form a lower valence band edge and a narrower bandgap, which enhances the oxidation ability of photogenerated holes and expands the photo-response range. The partially carbonized carboxylate species can also act as a photosensitizer to induce visible-light photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ nanosheets. In addition, the carboxylate species can further promote the separation of photogenerated charge carriers. The findings of this work may provide a new perspective for tuning the band structure of TiO₂ with dominant {0 0 1} facets and improving its photocatalytic performance.

Inartificial Two-Dimensional Ge4Se9 Janus Structures with Appropriate Direct Band Gaps and Intrinsic Polarization Boosted Charge Separation for Photocatalytic Water Splitting

Two-dimensional (2D) Janus structures, which are totally different from prevailing 2D structures, are more interesting for photocatalytic water splitting. Here we proposed some inartificial 2D Ge₄Se₉ Janus structures. Excellent photocatalytic properties are revealed: (a) Ge₄Se₉ structures exhibit layer-independent direct gap character with appropriate band gaps of 2.53, 2.22, 2.11, and 2.03 eV for monolayered, bilayered, triple-layered, and four-layered structures, respectively. (b) Band edge positions of these 2D structures are suitable for the driving of the evolution reaction of water splitting. (c) More importantly, owning to intrinsic electric polarization, the charge densities of the valence band maximum (VBM) and the conduction band minimum (CBM) of triple-layered and four-layered Ge₄Se₉ structures can be notably separated. (d) In addition, we also observed that these 2D structures can possess rather pronounced optical absorption in the visible light region. This work discloses some inartificial 2D Janus structures whose fascinating properties render them as promising photocatalysts for water splitting.

Study of the Structure, Electronic and Optical Properties of BiOI/Rutile-TiO2 Heterojunction by the First-Principle Calculation

Using the first-principle calculation that is based on the density functional theory (DFT), our group gains some insights of the structural, electronic and optical properties of two brand new types of BiOI/TiO2 heterojunctions: 1I-terminated BiOI {001} surface/TiO2 (1I-BiOI/TiO2) and BiO-terminated BiOI {001} surface/TiO2 (BiO-BiOI/TiO2). The calculation illustrates that BiOI/TiO2 heterojunction has excellent mechanical stability, and it shows that there is a great possibility for the BiOI/TiO2 heterojunction to be used in visible-light range, hence the photocatalytic ability can be enhanced dramatically. Especially, from the calculation, we discovered that there are two specific properties: the band-gap of 1I-BiOI/TiO2 heterojunction reduces to 0.28 eV, and the BiO-BiOI/TiO2 semiconductor material changes to n-type. The calculated band offset (BOs) for 1I-BiOI/TiO2 heterojunction indicates that the interfacial structure contributes a lot to a suitable band alignment which can disperse the photo-generated carriers into the opposite sides of the interface, so this could effectively weaken the electron-hole recombination. Meanwhile, the built-in potential around the interface accelerates the movement of the photo-generated electron-hole pairs. We believe this is the reason that the BiOI/TiO2 material shows perfect photocatalytic performance. This paper can provide theoretical support for the related research, especially the further research of the BiOI-based material.

Enhanced sensing of hazardous 4-nitrophenol by a graphene oxide–TiO2 composite: environmental pollutant monitoring applications

The accurate detection of hazardous 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) is deemed essential for the environment and human health.

Facile Synthesis of High Performance Iron Oxide/Carbon Nanocatalysts Derived from the Calcination of Ferrocenium for the Decomposition of Methylene Blue

Iron oxide/carbon nanocatalysts were successfully synthesized by the calcination of ferrocenium at high temperatures ranging from 500 to 900 °C. Then the synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy), VSM (Vibrating-Sample Magnetometry), BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area measurements), TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis), XPS (X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance), and CHN elemental analysis. The prepared nanocatalysts were applied for the decomposition of methylene blue as a model in wastewater treatment. It was unexpected to discover that the prepared nanocatalysts were highly active for the reaction with methylene blue in the dark even though no excess of hydrogen peroxide was added. The nanocatalyst calcined at 800 °C exhibited the rod shape with the best catalytic activity. The nanocatalysts could be reused for 12 times without the significant loss of the catalytic activity.

Reduced titania nanosheets as an effective visible-light germicide

Two-dimensional reduced titania nanosheets (RTNs), synthesized by a solvothermal method, reveal significant visible light-activated germicidal activity. XRD, XPS, EPR, TEM and Raman show successful reduction of anatase TiO₂, resulting in Ti³⁺ formation as well as an increase in the concentration of {001} facets. The RTNs possess a bandgap energy of approximately 2.86 eV, and demonstrate strong absorption over the visible spectrum. Under simulated solar light (λ = 320-780 nm, 70 mW cm^-2) the RTNs are found to completely inactivate Escherichia coli bacteria within 1 h. Our study indicates the RTNs have significant potential for ameliorating antibiotic-resistant bacteria in clinical settings under ambient lighting conditions.

Application and performance evaluation of a cost-effective vis- LED based fluidized bed reactor for the treatment of emerging contaminants

Visible light induced photocatalysis is considered as one of the most potential technologies which can achieve new levels of sustainability in water treatment. The current study explores the performance of immobilized visible light active catalyst on inert media for light driven catalysis of pharmaceuticals. These coated media is used in a continuous flow fluidized column reactor equipped with spirally arranged visible Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) as irradiation source. The treatment efficiency of the system is evaluated for the removal of pharmaceutical drugs such as carbamazepine, diclofenac and ibuprofen. For the present study, system parameters such as light intensity and flow rate are optimized for maximum removal rate. The system shows complete elimination of the pharmaceuticals under the given experimental conditions. Complete mineralization of the target compounds are confirmed by TOC analysis. Recyclability is an important attribute for full scale commercialization of a treatment technology. An investigation on the reusability study of the photocatalyst displayed no significant reduction in the removal efficiency for a run of six cycles, hence rendering the photocatalyst reusable. The results acquired indicate an immense potential for scaling up the photoreactor as a sustainable tertiary treatment technology in water treatment plants.

C-doped anatase TiO2: Adsorption kinetics and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and phenol, and correlations with DFT estimations

This work shows an easy and eco-friendly methodology to obtain almost pristine anatase phase of TiO₂ by using furfural, a biomass-derived molecule, as a bio-template. The photocatalytic activity was studied following the degradation of methylene blue and phenol under artificial solar irradiation. Results were compared against those obtained on a commercial pristine anatase TiO₂. The pseudo first-order, the second-order and the intraparticle diffusion kinetic models were verified. The textural and surface chemistry properties of the materials were correlated with the surface density of molecules adsorbed in equilibrium. The reaction-rate showed an almost perfect quadratic regression as a function of the surface density. Theoretical estimations of the density of states by DFT + U were performed showing that the total electron charge in the oxygen bonded to anatase TiO₂ increased due to carbon doping in agreement with the prediction of appearance of atomic orbitals 2p from carbon atom in the hybrid material. C-doping is responsible of the red-shift from 3.14 to 2.94 eV observed for a Ti₁₅O₃₂C super-cell than pristine anatase Ti₁₆O_32. The increase in the activity of the C-doped TiO₂ photocatalyst was due to the decrease in the energy band-gap promoting a higher absorption of photons from the visible light.

Surface-Controlled Photocatalysis and Chemical Sensing of TiO2, α-Fe2O3, and Cu2O Nanocrystals

A relatively new approach to the design of photocatalytic and gas sensing materials is to use the shape-controlled nanocrystals with well-defined facets exposed to light or gas molecules. An abrupt increase in a number of papers on the synthesis and characterization of metal oxide semiconductors such as a TiO2, α-Fe2O3, Cu2O of low-dimensionality, applied to surface-controlled photocatalysis and gas sensing, has been recently observed. The aim of this paper is to review the work performed in this field of research. Here, the focus is on the mechanism and processes that affect the growth of nanocrystals, their morphological, electrical, and optical properties and finally their photocatalytic as well as gas sensing performance.

Blue Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 nanosheets with rich {001} facets for photocatalytic performance

The as-prepared BT_1.5TNs exhibits superior photocatalytic performance for RhB degradation due to Ti³⁺ doping.

Incorporation of reduced graphene oxide into faceted flower-like {001} TiO2 for enhanced photocatalytic activity

Anatase TiO₂ with {001} facets is much more active than that with {101} facets, which has been verified via experiments and theoretical calculations. Graphene has garnered much attention since it was initially synthesized, due to its unique properties. In this study, reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/{001} faceted TiO₂ composites were fabricated via a solvothermal method. The composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectrophotometry, photoluminescence and Raman analysis. The results revealed that the graphene oxide was reduced during the preparation process of the {001} faceted TiO₂, and combined with the surface of {001} TiO₂. The photocatalytic activities of the composites were evaluated through the degradation of basic violet, under both white light (λ > 390 nm) and visible light (λ = 420 nm) irradiation. The results indicated that the photocatalytic activities of the {001} faceted TiO₂ were significantly improved following the incorporation of RGO, particularly under visible light irradiation. Theoretical calculations showed that the band structure of the {001} faceted TiO₂ was modified via graphene hybridization, where the separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs was promoted; thus, the photocatalytic activity was enhanced.

Catalytic synthesis of few-layer graphene on titania nanowires

Growth mechanisms of graphitic nanostructures on metal oxides by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) are observed at 750 °C, using titania nanowire aerogel (NWAG) as a three-dimensional substrate and without metal catalysts. We temporally observed catalytic transformation of amorphous carbon into few-layer graphene on the surface of 5-10 nm diameter titania nanowires. The graphitization spontaneously terminates when the titania nanowires are encapsulated by a shell of approximately three graphene layers. Extended CVD time beyond the termination point (>1125 seconds) yields only additional amorphous carbon deposits on top of the few-layer graphene. Furthermore, it was discovered that the islands of amorphous carbon do not graphitize unless they catalytically grow beyond a threshold size of 5-7 nm along the nanowire length, even after an extended thermal treatment. The electrical conductivity of the NWAG increased by four orders of magnitude, indicating that the graphene shell mediated by titania nanowires yielded a network of graphene throughout the three-dimensional nanostructure of the aerogel. Our results help us understand the growth mechanisms of few-layer graphene on nanostructured metal oxides, and inspire facile and controllable processing of metal oxide-nanocarbon fiber-shell composites.

Formation mechanism of rectangular-ambulatory-plane TiO2 plates: an insight into the role of hydrofluoric acid

A novel rectangular-ambulatory-plane TiO₂ plate with exposed {001} facets was developed for the first time, and its formation mechanism was well revealed.