Template-Free, Solid-State Synthesis of Hierarchically Macroporous S-Doped TiO2 Nano-Photocatalysts for Efficient Water Remediation

Nanosized sulfur-doped titanium dioxide emerged as an attractive photocatalyst in various environmental remediation applications, yet most synthesis methods require hazardous sulfurizing agents and intricate synthesis procedures. Herein, we present a facile, sustainable, and environmentally friendly preparation process for the production of visible-light-active meso-macroporous sulfur-doped anatase TiO₂ (S-TiO₂) nanoparticles for the first time. This strategy encompasses solventless mixing of titanium salt and surfeit yet nontoxic abundant elemental sulfur under continuous ball milling and moderate thermoannealing. The characterizations of as-obtained S-TiO₂ nanoparticles showed enhanced physicochemical properties including distinctive surface features composed of hierarchical hollow macroporous channels having nanostructured mesoporous core walls. The annealing temperature was observed to control the structure and extent of sulfur doping in TiO₂. Upon insertion of a sulfur atom into the TiO₂ lattice, the band gap energy of S-TiO₂ was significantly lowered, facilitating the enhanced photochemical activity. Owing to the effective S doping (1.7-2.8 atom %), and the interconnected hollow meso-macroporous nanostructure, the resulting nanosized S-TiO₂ exhibited unique adsorption properties and superior photocatalytic efficiency for the rapid degradation of hazardous organic dyes and phenols for water remediation. The presented strategy holds high potential to provide rapid production of a hierarchical and highly porous S-TiO₂ photocatalyst on a large scale for various environmental remediation and other myriad photochemical applications.

Porous nickel doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles with improved visible light photocatalytic activity

A green hydrothermal synthesis route to prepare a porous nickel doped titanium dioxide (Ni-TiO₂) nanostructured photocatalyst has been developed in this research. The results show that Ni doping can greatly increase the visible light photocatalytic performance of TiO₂ through the introduction of impurity bands in the band gap of TiO₂. After 5 cycles of reuse, Ni-TiO₂ nanoparticles still show stable photocatalytic activity for MB degradation. The Ni-TiO₂ nanoparticles developed in the present study are expected to have great potential applications in wastewater treatment due to the advantages of strong visible light photocatalytic performance, a simple synthetic process and high cycle utilization performance.

Facile synthesis of anhydrous microparticles using plug-and-play microfluidic reactors

Microfluidic materials synthesis techniques are an ideal approach for controlled synthesis of anhydrous microparticles. In this article, we highlight the recent developments using plug-and-play microreactors for anhydrous microparticle synthesis.

Continuous synthesis and anti-myocardial injury of tanshinone IIA derivatives

A series of tanshinone IIA derivatives were synthesized through sulfonation, slat-forming, chlorination, and amidation reactions. Meanwhile, anti-myocardial injury activity was evaluated in vitro. D8 and D9 exhibited a slightly higher anti-myocardial injury (5.78, 7.46 μM) activity compared with esmolol (8.12 μM). In addition, they also displayed a concentration-dependent inhibition on the anti-myocardial injury.

Flake-like InVO4 modified TiO2 nanofibers with longer carrier lifetimes for visible-light photocatalysts

TiO₂/InVO₄ nanofibers have been designed and fabricated successfully by one-pot electrospinning process, which display longer carrier lifetime (22 ns) and enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity.

Continuous flow SET-LRP in the presence of P(VDF-co-CTFE) as macroinitiator in a copper tubular reactor

A green, highly effective and energy-saving route to the grafting modification of P(VDF-co-CTFE) was developedviacontinuous flow SET-LRP with significant advantages over batch reactors.

Synthesis of ionic liquid-modified BiPO4 microspheres with hierarchical flower-like architectures and enhanced photocatalytic activity

Ionic liquid modified onto the surface of BiPO₄ can trap photoexcited electrons and enhance the separation of electron–hole pairs.

Removal of methylene blue from wastewater under a low power irradiation source by Zn, Mn co-doped TiO2 photocatalysts

Hazardous methylene blue dye from wastewater can be removed by a Zn–Mn co-doped photocatalyst under a very low power irradiation source, where 1.0 at% Zn, Mn doped TiO₂ provides the maximum degradation of this pollutant.