• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.3586-3590
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• 2013

We present here an efficient and simple method for preparation of highly active heterogeneous ZnO photocatalyst (graphene oxide-zinc oxide: GO-ZnO), specifically by deposition of ZnO nanoparticles onto thiolated GOs. The resultant GO-ZnO sample was characterized by TEM, XRD, Auger, XPS, and Raman measurements, revealing that the size-similar and quasi-spherical ZnO nanoparticles were anchored to the thiolated GO surfaces. The average particle diameter was about 2.5 nm. In the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under ultraviolet (UV) light, GO-ZnO exhibited remarkably enhanced photocatalytic efficiency compared with thiolated GO and pure ZnO particles. This strong photocatalytic performance of GO-ZnO can be attributed to the suppression of electron recombination and the enhancement of mass transportation. The results showed that thiolated GO is the preferable supporting material.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1263-1271
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• 2013

Graphene oxide (GO)-titania composites have emerged as an attractive heterogeneous photocatalyst that can enhance the photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles owing to their potential interaction of electronic and adsorption natures. Accordingly, $TiO_2$-GO mixtures were synthesized in this study using a simple chemical mixing process, and their heterogeneous photocatalytic activities were investigated to determine the degradation of airborne organic pollutants (benzene, ethyl benzene, and o-xylene (BEX)) under different operational conditions. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results demonstrated the presence of GO for the $TiO_2$-GO composites. The average efficiencies of the $TiO_2$-GO mixtures for the decomposition of each component of BEX determined during the 3-h photocatalytic processes were 26%, 92%, and 96%, respectively, whereas the average efficiencies of the unmodified $TiO_2$ powder were 3%, 8%, and 10%, respectively. Furthermore, the degradation efficiency of the unmodified $TiO_2$ powder for all target compounds decreased during the 3-h photocatalytic processes, suggesting a potential deactivation even during such a short time period. Two operational conditions (air flow entering into the air-cleaning devices and the indoor pollution levels) were found to be important factors for the photocatalytic decomposition of BEX molecules. Taken together, these results show that a $TiO_2$-GO mixture can be applied effectively for the purification of airborne organic pollutants when the operating conditions are optimized.

• Proceedings of the Korean Ceranic Society Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.120.1-120
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• 2003

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.215-220
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• 2016

A new immobilization technique of nanoscale $TiO_2$ powder to expanded polystyrene (EPS) balls with temperature-controlled melting method was developed, and the photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$ powder-embedded EPS balls were evaluated using methylene blue (MB) solution under ultraviolet irradiation (${\lambda}=254nm$). Based on the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and associated energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis, the components of the intact EPS balls were mainly carbon and oxygen, whereas those of $TiO_2$-immobilized EPS balls were carbon, oxygen, and titanium, indicating that relatively homogenous patches of $TiO_2$ and glycerin film were coated on the surface of EPS balls. Based on the comparison of degradation efficiencies of MB between intact and $TiO_2$-immobilized EPS balls under UVC illumination, the degradation efficiencies of MB can be significantly improved using $TiO_2$-immobilized EPS balls, and surface reactions in heterogeneous photocatalysis were more dominant than photo-induced radical reactions in aqueous solutions. Thus, $TiO_2$-immobilized EPS balls were found to be an effective photocatalyst for photodegradation of organic compounds in aqueous solutions without further processes (i.e., separation, recycling, and regeneration of $TiO_2$ powder). Further study is in progress to evaluate the feasibility for usage of buoyant $TiO_2$-immobilized EPS to inhibit the excessive growth of algae in rivers and lakes.

• Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.2442-2451
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• 2018

Novel highly active visible-light photocatalysts in the form of zinc bismuth oxide ($ZnBi_2O_4$) and graphite hybrid composites were prepared by coupling via a co-precipitation method followed by calcination at $450^{\circ}C$. The asprepared $ZnBi_2O_4$-graphite hybrid composites were tested for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) solutions under visible-light irradiation. The existence of strong electronic coupling between the two components within the $ZnBi_2O_4$-graphite heterostructure suppressed the photogenerated recombination of electrons and holes to a remarkable extent. The prepared composite exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity, leading to more than 93% of RhB degradation at an initial concentration of $50mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ with 1.0 g catalyst per liter in 150 min. The excellent visible-light photocatalytic mineralization of $ZnBi_2O_4-1.0graphite$ in comparison with pristine $ZnBi_2O_4$ could be attributed to synergetic effects, charge transfer between $ZnBi_2O_4$ and graphite, and the separation efficiency of the photogenerated electrons and holes. The photo-induced $h^+$ and the superoxide anion were the major active species responsible for the photodegradation process. The results demonstrate the feasibility of $ZnBi_2O_4-1.0graphite$ as a potential heterogeneous photocatalyst for environmental remediation.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 2013

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is a rapidly developing field in environmental engineering. It has a great potential to cope with the increasing pollution in the air. The addition of a photocatalyst to ordinary building materials such as tiles, concrete, paints, creates environmental friendly materials by which air pollution or pollution of the surface itself can be controlled and diminished. This work reports the results of the laboratory research, especially carried out towards air purifying action and self-cleaning measurements. In particular the research was focused on the study of the photocatalytic behavior of industrially prepared tiles produced starting from commercial micro-sized $TiO_2$. Air purification action has been investigated through NOx degradation tests. On the contrary, the degradation of pollution at the surface, also called as self-cleaning action, is verified by the degradation of two different organic dyes: Rhodamine B (red color) and Metanil yellow (yellow).

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.343-348
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• 2016

Manganese and $TiO_2$ grown on Activated Carbon Fiber (ACF) was synthesized by hydrothermal method. The prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The catalytic behavior was investigated through the decomposition of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) as standard dyes under visible light. The degradation performance of the degraded standard dye solutions was determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. This enhanced photocatalytic activity arises from the positive synergetic effect among the Mn, $TiO_2$ and ACF in this heterogeneous photocatalyst. The process contributes to the release of abundant photocatalytic sites of Mn and $TiO_2$ and improves the photocatalytic efficiency. The excellent adsorption and photocatalytic effect with the explanation of the synergetic mechanism are very useful not only for fundamental research but also for potential practical applications.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2017

Graphene-$BiOCl/Fe_3O_4$ nanocomposites were synthesized from $BiOCl/Fe_3O_4$ and graphene in an electric furnace operating at $700^{\circ}C$ for 12 h. The nanocomposite surface morphology and crystal structure were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The produced graphene-$BiOCl/Fe_3O_4$ nanocomposites acted as efficient heterogeneous photocatalysts for the degradation of organic dyes, as confirmed by UV-vis spectrophotometry.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society for Energy Engineering kosee Conference
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• 1995.05a
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• pp.60-68
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• 1995

This work wes performed to investigate the photocatalytic decolorization of waste water from textile industries. Methyl orange was used as a target dye with suspended Hombikat TiO$_2$ photocatalyst with a recirculating annular photoreactor. 1 wt % Pt-doped Hombikat thin film tubular reactor with parabolic reflector also wes usedin this experiment. The pH effect and flow rate effect on photobleaching of 0.012 g/l methyl orange solution, AtpH=3 Colour of methyl orange was completely bleached in 30 min with a 20 W UV lamp.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.127-129
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• 2019

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is developed rapidly in the field of engineering of environmental. It has a good potential to tackle with the enhancing traffic pollution. Adding photocatalyst to usual building materials such as cement and concrete makes friendly environmental materials against the air pollution. TiO2 nanoparticles are a good item for concrete structures for diminishing the air polluting affect by gasses of exhaust. In specific, the transformation of NOx to NO3- is studied and the interaction of TiO2 nanoparticles and concrete is investigated here by experimental test. This paper presents an overview of the principle of photocatalysis and the application in combination with cement, as well as the results of the laboratory research, especially towards air purifying action. In addition, by the analytical models, the influence of TiO2 nanoparticles is studied on the stiffness of the concrete. The Results show that TiO2 nanoparticles have significant effect on the reduction of environmental pollution and increase of stiffness in the concrete structures.