Effect of the Deposition of Vanadium-Oxide on the Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 Nanotubes and Its Photodiode Performance Interfaced with CH3NH3PbI3 Single Crystal

In this study, we report the influence of vanadium oxide (VO), as a photosensitive component, on the photoactivity of TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs). A series of TNTs of varying tube diameter were synthesized by the anodization of titanium foils at different voltages, while vanadium oxide was deposited on TNTs by wet chemical deposition. An improvement in the optical properties of nanotubes was observed after the deposition of vanadium oxide. An improvement in the optical properties (redshift in UV-Vis spectra) of TNTs and TNT/VO was noted. The photocatalytic activity was improved with increasing tube diameter, while it was weakened after the deposition of VO. Furthermore, photoactivity was investigated in photodiodes based on TNTs or TNT/VO and single crystals of CH3NH3PbI3. The photoelectric measurement revealed that different TNT diameters did not influence the I-V characteristic of the photodiodes, while the deposition of VO improved the photocurrent for smaller TNTs.

Improved catalytic oxidation of propylene glycol methyl ether over Sm-Mn and Sm-Co perovskite-based catalysts prepared by the recycling of spent ternary lithium-ion battery

The spent ternary lithium-ion batteries were utilized as the precursors to prepare Sm-Mn and Sm-Co perovskite oxides (SmMnO₃-spent ternary lithium-ion battery [STLIB] and SmCoO₃-STLIB) for the first time. Their catalytic activities were evaluated by catalytic oxidation of propylene glycol methyl ether. Compared with that of the catalysts synthesized by analytical reagents, the catalytic activities of SmMnO₃-STLIB and SmCoO₃-STLIB had been significantly enhanced. The analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that the molar ratios of Mn⁴⁺/Mn³⁺ and O_ads/O_latt of SmMnO₃-STLIB were higher than that of pure SmMnO₃ and the Co³⁺/Co²⁺ ratios of SmCoO₃-STLIB was much larger than that of pure SmCoO₃. The hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR) and N₂ adsorption-desorption tests determined that the reducibilities and specific surface areas of SmMnO₃-STLIB and SmCoO₃-STLIB were also superior to pure catalysts. Ultimately, the by-products of the catalytic oxidation of propylene glycol methyl ether over SmMnO₃-STLIB were also detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This work will provide a demonstration for the resource utilization of spent lithium ions batteries and the analysis of the increased activity obtained by using spent lithium ions batteries as the precursors to prepare catalysts.

Network mixed metal oxide (V4+ and Ti4+) nanostructures as potential material for the detection of trimethylamine

Room temperature trimethylamine sensing studies of mixed oxide VO₂–TiO₂ thin films deposited using the reactive dc magnetron co-sputtering technique.

Controllable synthesis of hierarchical MnOx/TiO2 composite nanofibers for complete oxidation of low-concentration acetone

A novel hierarchical MnO_x/TiO₂ composite nanofiber was fabricated by combining the electrospinning technique and hydrothermal growth method. The synthesized nanomaterial, which comprised primary TiO₂ nanofibers and secondary MnO_x nanoneedles, was further investigated for complete catalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds for the first time, and this presented high-oxidation performance on low-concentration acetone. The morphological, structural, physicochemical characterization, and catalytic performance analyses demonstrated that the highest catalytic activity was achieved from the obtained MnO_x/TiO₂ nanofiber catalyst with 30wt.% manganese loading. This finding can be ascribed to the synergistic effect of the specific hierarchical nanofibrous morphology, the abundant surface-adsorbed oxygen, the superior redox property, and the sufficient specific surface.

Electrochemical Ostwald ripening and surface diffusion in the galvanic displacement reaction: control over particle growth

We could control the particle growth in the galvanic displacement reaction on amorphous Ge substrate by introducing reduced electron mobility and surface defects over crystalline Ge, where electrochemical Ostwald ripening has been observed.