Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange using ZnO nanorods

Nanosized ZnO rods were synthesized using a microwave-assisted aqueous method. High molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol was used as a stabilizing agent. Size, surface morphology, and structure were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). SEM and TEM images show that ZnO nanorods have diameters of about 50?nm and lengths of a few micrometers. The XRD pattern reveals that ZnO nanorods are of hexagonal wurtzite structure. The average crystallite size calculated from Scherrer's relation was found to be 40?nm. The effects of catalyst loading, pH value, and initial concentration of methyl orange on the photocatalytic degradation efficiency using ZnO nanorods as photocatalyst were discussed. The results revealed that ZnO nanorods with a diameter of 50?nm showed the highest photocatalytic activity at a surface density of 0.2?g?dm^?3.     

Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange using ZnO/TiO2 composites

ZnO/TiO₂ composites were synthesized by using the solvothermal method and ultrasonic precipitation followed by heat treatment in order to investigate their photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) in aqueous suspension under UV irradiation. The composition and surface structure of the catalyst were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The degradation efficiencies of MO at various pH values were obtained. The highest degradation efficiencies were obtained before 30 min and after 60 min at pH 11.0 and pH 2.0, respectively. A sample analysis was conducted using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry. Six intermediates were found during the photocatalytic degradation process of quinonoid MO. The degradation pathway of quinonoid MO was also proposed.     

Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange using ZnO/TiO composites

ZnO/TiO₂ composites were synthesized by using the solvothermal method and ultrasonic precipitation followed by heat treatment in order to investigate their photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) in aqueous suspension under UV irradiation. The composition and surface structure of the catalyst were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The degradation efficiencies of MO at various pH values were obtained. The highest degradation efficiencies were obtained before 30min and after 60min at pH 11.0 and pH 2.0, respectively. A sample analysis was conducted using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry. Six intermediates were found during the photocatalytic degradation process of quinonoid MO. The degradation pathway of quinonoid MO was also proposed.     

Iron-doped copper 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate as photo-Fenton catalyst for degradation of methylene blue

Abstract

A metal-organic framework of iron-doped copper 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate was synthesized and, for the first time, utilized as a heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalyst for degradation of methylene blue dye in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The synthesized materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The influence factors, kinetics, and stability of the synthesized catalysts were investigated in detail. Iron-doped copper 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate showed higher degradation efficiency than pure copper 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate. An almost complete degradation was achieved within 70?min under visible light irradiation at a solution pH of 6, a catalyst loading of 1?g?L^?1, a H₂O₂ dosage of 0.05?mol L^?1 and methylene blue concentration of 50?mg?L^?1. Recycling studies demonstrated that the iron-doped copper 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate is a promising heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalyst for long-term removal of methylene blue dye from industrial wastewater.     

Photodegradation of an azo dye by silver-doped nano-particulate titanium dioxide

The synthesis of silver doped nano-particulate titanium dioxide (Ag/TiO₂) using a microemulsion method and an investigation of its photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Acid Red 27 in distilled water under UV-irradiation is reported. The prepared Ag/TiO₂ is characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The size of the Ag nanoparticles is around 5–15?nm, with almost uniform distribution on the TiO₂ particles. The efficiency of the photocatalytic process is evaluated to establish the optimum conditions, found to be at 2?wt% of Ag loading on TiO₂, catalyst dosage of 400?mg?L^?1, and calcination temperature of 300°C. Complete decolorization of the dye solution on Ag/TiO₂ was observed in 20?min of UV irradiation in the optimum conditions.     

A simple and cheap method for preparation of coupled ZrO2/ZnO with high photocatalytic activities

The objective of this study was to prepare a new photocatalyst with high activities for degradation of organic pollutants. Coupled ZrO₂/ZnO photocatalyst was prepared with a simple precipitation method with cheap raw materials zinc acetate and zirconium oxychloride, and was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Reactive brilliant red X-3B was used as a model compound to investigate the photocatalytic activity of synthesized catalysts in water under 254 nm UV irradiation. Results show that the optimal calcination temperature and coupling molar ratio of Zr were 350°C And 2.5%, respectively. At the calcination temperature of 350°C, ZrO₂ was dispersed on the surface of hexagonal ZnO in the form of amorphous clusters. The particle size of ZrO₂/ZnO decreased with the decrease of calcination temperature and the increase of Zr coupling amount. ZrO₂/ZnO has better photocatalytic activity for degradation of reactive brilliant red (RBR) X-3B than pure ZnO and P25-TiO₂.     

Solar photocatalytic degradation of the herbicide isoproturon on a Bi–TiO2/zeolite photocatalyst

The photocatalytic degradation of the herbicide isoproturon under solar light was investigated in aqueous solution containing a Bi–TiO₂/zeolite photocatalyst. The catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The effect of Bi–TiO₂ loading onto the zeolite support and influence of the parameters such as catalyst amount, pH, and initial concentration of isoproturon on the degradation rate were evaluated. The recycling ability of the catalyst was found to be sustainable for elongated periods. The high activity of the Bi–TiO₂/zeolite was attributed to its absorptivity of visible light and its high adsorption capacity for the pollutant molecules.     

Photocatalytic activity of ZnO films with micro-grid structure

A layer of zinc oxide (ZnO) micro-grid was deposited on the surface of ZnO film using the DC reactive magnetron sputtering method and the micro-sphere lithography technique on glass substrates. Samples of this layer were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and ultraviolet-visible light spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction showed the high crystallinity of ZnO film and the regular arrangement of the micro-grid. The microgrid ZnO has a lower specular reflection and a higher diffuse reflection, allowing incident light to reflect two or three times to enhance the usage of light. Photocatalytic degradation experiments on methylene blue using both ZnO micro-grid and ordinary film showed that the ZnO micro-grid has better photo-catalytic properties than ordinary film. The ZnO micro-grid enhanced the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO film by 28% with a degradation time of 300 min.     

不同活性物种对光催化降解水中邻苯二甲酸二甲酯动力学的贡献研究

采用光催化氧化技术对邻苯二甲酸二甲酯（DMP）进行降解研究,并在基础上考察了催化剂量,溶液pH和溶液初始浓度对降解速率的影响。且采用Langmuir-Hinshelwood动力学模型来描述DMP的光催化降解,研究表明DMP的光催化降解符合假一级动力学。系统研究了光催化降解DMP过程中不同活性物种对光催化反应速率的贡献,实验结果表明：在TiO2光催化降解DMP的过程中,？OH为主要的活性物种,其对DMP的降解速率贡献高于94%,而其它活性物种（ecb-,hvb＋,O2？-和H2O2）对光催化贡献较小。     

Efficient photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B dye using ZnO/graphitic C<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocomposites synthesized by microwave

Semiconductor photocatalysis is a solution to issues of environmental pollution and energy shortage because photocatalysis can use solar energy to degrade pollutants. The photocatalytic activity can be improved by using composites of ZnO and other semiconductors. Here, composites of ZnO and polymeric graphite-like C₃N₄ (g-C₃N₄) with high photocatalytic activities were prepared by microwave synthesis. Products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B was tested under irradiation from a Xe lamp. Results show that adding graphite-like C₃N₄ promotes the photocatalytic activity of ZnO. Composites with 1.0 wt% g-C₃N₄ showed the best photodegradation efficiency, and the reaction average energy was approximately 33.71 kJ mol^?1.     

Photocatalytic mineralization of a water pollutant,Sunset Yellow dye by an advanced oxidation process using a modified catalyst

ZnS-loaded TiO₂ (ZnS–TiO₂) was synthesized by a sol–gel method. The catalyst was characterized by using different techniques (XRD, HR-SEM, EDS, DRS, PL, XPS, and BET methods). The photocatalytic activity of ZnS–TiO₂ was investigated for the degradation of Sunset Yellow FCF (SY) dye in an aqueous solution using ultraviolet light. ZnS–TiO₂ is found to be more efficient than prepared TiO₂, TiO₂–P25, TiO₂ (Merck), and ZnS at pH 7 for the mineralization of SY. The effects of operational parameters such as the amount of photocatalyst, dye concentration, and initial pH on photo mineralization of SY have been analyzed. The mineralization of SY has been confirmed by chemical oxygen demand measurements. The catalyst is found to be reusable.     

Preparation and characterization of ZnO/ZnS hybrid photocatalysts via microwave-hydrothermal method

The photocatalytic performance of ZnO/ZnS hybrid nanocomposite was largely higher than that of the mere ZnO or ZnS nanoparticles, but the complicated procedure and misdistribution of final products limited its large-scale productions. The exploration of a novel synthesis route of ZnO/ZnS hybrid photocatalysts with high catalytic performance is becoming a crucial step for the large-scale application of ZnO/ZnS hybrid photocatalytic technique. Preparation and characterization of nanosized ZnO/ZnS hybrid photocatalysts were studied in this paper. The photocatalysts were obtained via microwave-hydrothermal crystallization with the help of sodium citrate. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size distribution (PSD), and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results indicated that so-synthesized ZnO/ZnS samples consisted of the high pure cubic (sphalerite) ZnS and hexagonal ZnO nanocrystallines with a narrow particle size distribution. The possible formation mechanisms of ZnO/ZnS nanocrystallines were mainly attributed to the superficially protective effect of citrate. The photocatalytic experiments demonstrated that the ZnO/ZnS photocatalysts exhibited a higher catalytic activity for the degradation of acid fuchsine than other monocomponents.     

Visible light sensitive activated carbon-metal oxide (TiO2, WO3, NiO,and SnO) nano-catalysts for photo-degradation of methylene blue: a comparative study

Four composites of metal oxide doped with activated carbon with a metal oxide weight of 20% were prepared using mechano-mixing method. The nano-catalysts were characterized by N₂-adsorption–desorption, X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-diffuse reflectance, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Photo-catalytic degradation of methylene blue dye under UV 254 nm and visible light was examined. In general, prepared catalysts are more active for degradation of dye under visible light than UV, reaching 96% within 180?min irradiation using the SnO catalyst. Photo-degradation of methylene blue followed pseudo first order reaction mechanism with a rate constant of 14.8?×?10^?3?min^?1, and the time required for removal of 50% of dye was 47?min.     

Solar photocatalytic decomposition of two azo dyes on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composites

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/TiO₂ composite photocatalysts with high photoactivity were prepared by sol-gel process and further characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and UV-vis absorption spectra. Compared to pure TiO₂, the combination of MWCNTs with titania could cause a significant absorption shift toward the visible region. The photocatalytic performances of the MWCNTs/TiO₂ composite catalysts were evaluated for the decomposition of Reactive light yellow K-6G (K-6G) and Mordant black 7 (MB 7) azo dyes solution under solar light irradiation. The results showed that the addition of MWCNTs enhanced the adsorption and photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ for the degradation of azo dyes K-6G and MB 7. The effect of MWCNTs content, catalyst dosage, pH, and initial dye concentration were examined as operational parameters. The kinetics of photocatalytic degradation of two dyes was found to follow a pseudo-first-order rate law. The photocatalyst was used for seven cycles with photocatalytic degradation efficiency still higher than 98%. A plausible mechanism is also proposed and discussed on the basis of experimental results.     

Preparation and characterization of a new TiO2/SiO2 composite catalyst for photocatalytic degradation of indigo carmin

The TiO₂/SiO₂ composite was prepared by means of the SiO₂-particle-entrapment method. The FTIR data showed the presence of Si–O–Ti stretching vibration band at 970 cm⁻¹ in the TiO₂/SiO₂ composite, suggesting a reaction between TiO₂ and silica on the TiO₂ particle surface during the silicagel formation around the TiO₂ particles. The photocatalytic efficiency of TiO₂ immobilized in silicagel was compared with that of the conventional TiO₂ Degussa P25 catalyst. For this purpose, the degradation of indigo carmin (IC) dye was used as model molecule in the tests. The effect of operational parameters such as catalyst loading and dye concentration on the photocatalytic degradation of the model dye was investigated. The rate of degradation increased with increasing catalyst loading, and when the concentration of the dye decreases.     

异质结型光催化剂CuO/SnO2的制备及产氢性能

光催化降解有机废水可以实现在降解污染物同时回收清洁能源.本研究采用简单沉淀法制备了CuO/SnO2系列复合光催化剂,并用XRD、TEM对其结构进行表征.分别考察了氧化铜含量和乙醇浓度对复合材料光催化产氢性能的影响.实验结果表明,通过氧化铜与二氧化锡适当比例复合能显著提高复合材料的光催化产氢性能.复合材料48.51%CuO/SnO2的产氢性能比纯二氧化锡提高了近5倍.乙醇的浓度也对复合材料的产氢性能有较大影响,最佳的乙醇浓度为2.00 mol.L-1左右.长时间光催化产氢结果表明,每降解废水中1 kg的COD可产生氢气3724 mL.另外,对复合材料光催化分解乙醇的产氢机理也进行了分析.     

TiO2,ZnO光催化降解庚烷的活性研究

采用XRD，SPS，XPS，BET技术对TiO2和ZnO超细粉进行了结构、性能测试、考察了不同粒径的超细粉和普通商品（体相）TiO2、ZnO对庚烷的气相光催化反应，结果表明，TiO2（锐钛矿型）光催化活性大于ZnO，锐钛矿型TiO2光催化活性较金红石型TiO2好，对于同一结构的粒子来说，粒径愈小，表面羟基含量愈高，光催化活性愈高，通过反应产物的分析，探讨了反应机理。     

Enhancement of photocatalytic performance in sonochemical synthesized ZnO–rGO nanocomposites owing to effective interfacial interaction

Nanocomposites composed of two or more components with desirable performance have attracted tremendous attention, mainly due to the synergic effect between the components. The effective combination of ZnO and reduced graphene oxide would lead to ameliorate the photocatalytic performance. To enhance applicability of semiconductor photocatalytic, the composites used should be good interfacial contact governed by suitable particle size distribution. Herein we aim to fabricate the different crystallize size of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in ZnO–reduced graphene oxide (ZnO–rGO) nanocomposites by sonochemical synthesis and subsequent facile drying treatment method. The Zn precursor, Zn(Ac)₂, with a plenty of functional groups, was used as a starting source for both reduction of graphene oxide and formation of ZnO on rGO sheets through chemical bonds without the addition of hazardous reducing agents. LiOH was chosen as an assistive reagent to enhance the complete reaction between Zn(Ac)₂ and GO in the formation of ZnO–rGO nanocomposites. More remarkably, drying condition has the great influence on the crystallize size of ZnO NPs in as-prepared ZnO–rGO nanocomposites. It is found that ZnO–rGO nanocomposites dried at ?50 °C (freeze drying) show the highest photocatalytic efficiency in the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) as compared to ZnO–rGO nanocomposites by other drying conditions under visible-light irradiation. Correlating the crystallize size obtained by different drying temperatures with the photocatalytic activity, it is probed that the smaller crystallize size in ZnO–rGO nanocomposites enhances the interfacial contact and a chemical bonding between rGO and ZnO NPs leading to the effective separation of electrons and holes. In addition, the O ₂ ^·? anion was determined to be the main active oxidant by free radicals trapping experiment and a photodegradation mechanism of ZnO–rGO nanocomposites over rhodamine B (RhB) was proposed based on our observations.     

Photocatalytic degradation of aqueous methyl-tert-butyl-ether (MTBE) in a supported-catalyst reactor

Contamination of groundwater by methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) poses increasing problems to water companies. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of using a cylindrical, supported-catalyst reactor for photocatalytic degradation of MTBE in water. It was shown that photocatalytic degradation of MTBE follows pseudo first-order kinetics. The maximum reaction rate constant observed was 0.47 hr^–1. The reaction rate increases linearly with increasing light intensity. It was also found that the reaction rate is linearly proportional to the ratio of catalyst surface area to volume of reactor. Complete degradation of MTBE was reached with an excess supply of oxygen.     

UV-LED/P25-based photocatalysis for effective degradation of isothiazolone biocide

• UV-LED with shorter wavelength was beneficial for photocatalytic degradation. • SRNOM dramatically inhibit the degradation. • ·OH acts as the active radical in photocatalytic degradation. • Degradation mainly undergoes oxidation, hydrolysis and chain growth reactions. In this work, LED-based photocatalysis using mixed rutile and anatase phase TiO₂ (P25) as the photocatalyst could effectively remove 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CMIT) and methylisothiazolone (MIT) simultaneously, with removal efficiencies above 80% within 20 min. The photocatalytic degradation of both CMIT and MIT could be modeled using a pseudo-first-order rate equation. The photocatalytic degradation rates of CMIT and MIT under LED280 illumination were higher than under LED310 or LED360 illumination. At concentrations below 100 mg/L, the degradation rate of CMIT and MIT under LED illumination significantly increased with increasing catalyst dosage. Additionally, the effects of the chloride ion concentration, alkalinity and dissolved organic matter on the photocatalytic degradation reaction were also investigated. The ·OH free radicals were determined to play the primary role in the photocatalytic degradation reaction, with a degradation contribution of >95%. The photocatalytic degradation of CMIT and MIT mainly occurred via oxidation, hydrolysis, and chain growth reactions. Finally, the possible photocatalytic degradation pathways of CMIT and MIT over LED/P25 are proposed.