• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.95-108
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• 2020

Silver nanoparticles were loaded onto g-C₃N₄ (CN) with a nanoroll-type morphology (Ag/CN) synthesized using a co-polymerization method for highly selective conversion of toxic nitrobenzene to industrially-valuable aminobenzene. Scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images of Ag/CN revealed the generation of the nanoroll-type morphology of CN. Additionally, HRTEM analysis provided direct evidence of the generation of a Schottky barrier between Ag and CN in the Ag/CN nanohybrid. Photoluminescence analysis and photocurrent measurements suggested that the introduction of Ag into CN could minimize charge recombination rates, enhancing the mobility of electrons and holes to the surface of the photocatalyst. Compared to pristine CN, Ag/CN displayed much higher ability in the photocatalytic reduction of nitrobenzene to aminobenzene, underscoring the importance of Ag deposition on CN. The enhanced photocatalytic performance and photocurrent generation were primarily ascribed to the Schottky junction formed at the Ag/CN interface, greater visible-light absorption efficiency, and improved charge separation associated with the nanoroll morphology of CN. Ag would act as an electron sink/trapping center, enhancing the charge separation, and also serve as a good co-catalyst. Overall, the synergistic effects of these features of Ag/CN improved the photocatalytic conversion of nitrobenzene to aminobenzene.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.132-138
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• 2020

A facile one-pot wet chemical process to prepare pure anatase TiO₂ hollow structures using ammonium hexafluorotitanate as a precursor is developed. By defining the formic acid ratio, we fabricate TiO₂ hollow structures containing fluorine on the surface. The TiO₂ hollow sphere is composed of an anatase phase containing fluorine by various analytical techniques. A possible formation mechanism for the obtained hollow samples by self-transformation and Ostwald ripening is proposed. The TiO₂ hollow structures containing fluorine exhibits 1.2 - 2.7 times higher performance than their counterparts in photocatalytic activity. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂ hollow structures is attributed to the combined effects of high crystallinity, specific surface area (62 ㎡g^-1), and the advantage of surface fluorine ions (at 8%) having strong electron-withdrawing ability of the surface ≡ Ti-F groups reduces the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.268-276
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• 2009

In this study, activated carbon (AC) was treated with ferric ion by a sol-gel method. The compound (Fe-AC) was employed for the preparation of Fe-activated carbon/$TiO_2$, (Fe-AC/$TiO_2$) composites. The prepared Fe-AC/$TiO_2$ composites were characterized with surface properties, structural crystallinity, elemental identification and photocatalytic activity. The SEM results showed that ferric compounds and titanium dioxide were fixed onto the AC surfaces. The XRD results showed that Fe-AC/$TiO_2$ composites mostly contained anatase phase. EDX showed the presence of C, O, and Ti with Fe peaks in all samples. Its photocatalytic degradation effect was evaluated with the degradation behavior of the methylene blue (MB) solution. MB degradation could be attributed to the synergetic effects of adsorption, photo-degradation of $TiO_2$ and photo-Fenton of Fe component. The degradation rate for this photocatalysis was evaluated as a function of the concentration of the dye, the amount of $TiO_2$ and the pH. Photocataytic activity is good at activity pH.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.561-567
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• 2009

The Fe-ACF/$TiO_2$ composites were prepared by a sol-gel method and were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). The Fe-ACF/$TiO_2$ composites were developed for the decomposition of organic dyes by using a UV lamp. The decomposition effect was investigated under various conditions, such as three selected non-biodegradable organic dyes like Methylene Blue (MB), Methyl Orange (MO), Rhodamine B (Rh.B), and in the presence of Fe and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$). The photocatalytic activity was derived from possible combination effects, such as (1) adsorption of ACF, (2) generation of electron/hole by $TiO_2$, (3) photo-Fenton reaction of Fe, and (4) oxidation of $Fe^{2+}\;to\;Fe^{3+}\;by\;H_2O_2$.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.139-144
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• 2014

Activated carbon fiber (ACF) was modified with MnS nanoparticles to prepare MnS-ACF, and it was employed for preparation of MnS-$ACF/TiO_2$ composites with titanium (IV) n-butoxide (TNB). The properties of MnS-$ACF/TiO_2$ composites were characterized by XRD, SEM, and EDX. EDX results showed the presence of C, O, and Ti as major elements and traces of the metal elements Mn and S. The photocatlytic activity was evaluated by degradation of methyl blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dye. The results demonstrated that as-prepared samples could effectively photodegrade MB and MO under UV irradiation. Subsequently, the decomposition of MB solution showed the combined effects of adsorptions by ACF and enhanced photocatalytic effect by $TiO_2$. Finally, the photocatalytic effect increased due to photo-induced-electron absorption effect by ACF and electron trap effect by comodified MnS nanoparticles.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2014.11a
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• pp.256-257
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• 2014

The effects of the preparation conditions of ZnO-modified TaON on the photocatalytic activity for degradation of rhodamine B dye (Rh. B) under simulated solar light were investigated. The ZnO/TaON nanocomposite were prepared by loading particulate $Ta_2O_5$ with ZnO using different ZnO contents, followed by thermal nitridation at 1123 K for 5 h under $NH_3$ flow (20 ml min.1). The asprepared samples were characterized by XRD, UV-Vis-DRS, and SEM-EDX. The results revealed that the band gap energy absorption edge of as prepared nanocomposite samples was shifted to a longer wavelength as compared to ZnO and $Ta_2O_5$, and the 60 wt% ZnO/TaON nanocomposite exhibited the highest percentage (99.2 %) of degradation of Rh. B and the highest reaction rate constant ($0.0137min^{-1}$) in 4 h which could be attributed to the enhanced absorption of the ZnO/TaON nanocomposite photocatalyst. Hence, these results suggest that the ZnO/TaON nanocomposite exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B under simulated solar light irradiation in comparison to the commercial ZnO, $Ta_2O_5$, and TaON.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.46-50
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• 2016

$Fe_2O_3/TiO_2$ nanocomposite were successfully synthesized by co-precipitation method using $Fe(NO_3)_3{\cdot}9H_2O$ and $Ti(SO_4)_2$ as raw materials. Structural and textural features of the mixed oxide samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray. The effects of initial concentration of oxytetracycline (OTC), different competitive ions and organics on the photocatalytic degradation rate of OTC by the $Fe_2O_3/TiO_2$ nanocomposite were analyzed under UV and visible light irradiation. The results indicate that the optimized initial concentration of OTC was 50 mg/L to achieve the best photocatalytic efficiency. $Cu^{2+}$, $NH_4{^+}$, $C_3H_8O$ and EDTA in the aqueous suspension were found to suppress the degradation rate of OTC, whereas the effect of $NO_3{^-}$ and $H_2C_2O_4$ can be ignored.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.921-928
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• 2004

The photocatalytic decolorization of Rhodamine B (RhB) was studied using immobilized $TiO_2$ and fluidized bed reactor. Immobilized $TiO_2$(length: 1$\~$2 mm, width: 1$\~$3 mm, thickness: 0.5$\~$2 mm) onto silicone sealant was employed as the photocatalyst and a 30 W germicidal lamp was used as the light source and the reactor volume was 4.8 L. The effects of parameters such as the amounts of photocatalyst, initial concentration, initial pH, superficial velocity, $H_2O_2$ and anion additives. ($NO_3^{-},\;SO_4^{2-},\;Cl^{-},\;CO_3^{2-}$) The results showed that the optimum dosage of the immobilized $TiO_2$ were 87.0 g/L. Initial removal rate of RhB of the immobilized $TiO_2$ was 1.5 times higher than that of the powder $TiO_2$ because of the adsorption onto the surface of immobilized $TiO_2$ In the conditions of acidic pH, initial reaction rate was increased slowly and reaction time was shorted. The effect of anion type on the reaction rate was not much.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.577-584
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• 2010

The generation of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles by a thermal decomposition of titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) was carried out experimentally using a tubular electric furnace at various synthesis temperatures (700, 900, 1100 and $1300^{\circ}C$) and precursor heating temperatures (80, 95 and $110^{\circ}C$). Effects of degree of crystallinity, surface area and anatase mass fraction of those $TiO_2$ nanoparticles on photocatalytic properties such as decomposition of methylene blue was investigated. Results show that the primary particle diameter obtained from thermal decomposition of TTIP was considerably smaller than the commercial photocatalyst (Degussa, P25). Also, those specific surface areas were more than 134.4 $m^2$/g. Resultant $TiO_2$ nanoparticles showed improved photocatalytic activity compared with Deggusa P25. This is contributed to the higher degree of crystallinity, surface area and anatase mass fraction of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles compared with P25.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1345-1348
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• 2008

Titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) shows antibacterial effects when exposed to near ultra violet (UV) light. In this study, $TiO_2$ photocatalytic continuous reactor was designed and applied to food-borne pathogens such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus ATCC 17802, Salmonella choleraesuis ATCC 14028, and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 15313. $TiO_2$ films were prepared by conventional sol-gel dip-coating method using titanium tetra iso-propoxide (TTIP). The antibacterial activity of photocatalytic reactor with various flow rates and UV-A illumination time showed effective bactericidal activity. As the UV-A illumination time increased, survival rates of those bacteria decreased. After 60 min of UV-A illumination, the survival rates of V. parahaemolyticus and S. choleraesuis were less than 0.1%. However, that of L. monocytogenes was about 5% at that time point. These results present an effective way to exclude pathogenic bacteria from aqueous foods.