• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2022

To improve light absorption ability in the visible light region and the efficiency of the charge transfer reaction, Pd nanoparticles decorated with reduced TiO₂ nanotube photocatalyst were synthesized. The reduced TiO₂ nanotube photocatalyst was fabricated by anodic oxidation of Ti plate, followed by an electrochemical reduction process using applied cathodic potential. For TiO₂ photocatalyst electrochemically reduced using an applied voltage of -1.3 V for 10 min, 38% of Ti⁴⁺ ions on TiO₂ surface were converted to Ti³⁺ ion. The formation of Ti³⁺ species leads to the decrease in the band gap energy, resulting in an increase in the light absorption ability in the visible range. To obtain better photocatalytic efficiency, Pd nanoparticles were decorated through photoreduction process on the surface of reduced TiO₂ nanotube photocatalyst (r10-TNT). The Pd nanoparticles decorated with reduced TiO₂ nanotube photocatalyst exhibited enhanced photocurrent response, and high efficiency and rate constant for aniline blue degradation; these were ascribed to the synergistic effect of the new electronic state of the TiO₂ band gap energy induced by formation of Ti³⁺ species on TiO₂, and by improvement of the charge transfer reaction.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.635-644
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• 2023

Due to the rapid development of the livestock industry, particularly due to residual pharmaceutical antibiotics, environmental populations have been negatively affected. Herein, we report a ZnO/melamine-functionalized carboxylic-rich graphene oxide (ZFG) photocatalyst for visible light-driven photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride in aqueous solutions. The properties of the photocatalysts were evaluated by XRD, FTIR, XPS, Fe-SEM, HR-TEM, TGA, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, zeta potential, and electrochemical measurements. The photocatalytic activity was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The photocatalytic properties of the ZFG photocatalyst evaluated against the tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) antibiotic under visible light irradiation showed superior photodegradation of 96.27% within 60 min at an initial pH of 11. The enhancement of photocatalytic degradation was due to the introduction of functionalized graphene, which increases the light-harvesting capability and molecular adsorption capability in addition to minimizing the recombination rate of photogenerated charge carriers due to its role as an electron acceptor and mediator.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.474-478
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• 2013

The most general photocatalyst, $TiO_2$ and $WO_3$, are acknowledged to be ineffective in range of visible light. Therefore, many efforts have been directed at improving their activity such as: band-gap narrowing with non-metal element doping and making composites with high specific surface area to effectively separate electrons and holes. In this paper, the method was introduced to prepare a photo-active catalyst to visible irradiation by making a mixture with $TiO_2$ and $WO_3$. In the $TiO_2-WO_3$ composite, $WO_3$ absorbs visible light creating excited electrons and holes while some of the excited electrons move to $TiO_2$ and the holes remain in $WO_3$. This charge separation reduces electron-hole recombination resulting in an enhancement of photocatalytic activity. Added Ag plays the role of electron acceptor, retarding the recombination rate of excited electrons and holes. In making a mixture of $TiO_2-WO_3$ composite, the mixing route affects the photocatalytic activity. The planetary ball-mill method is more effective than magnetic stirring route, owing to a more effective dispersion of aggregated powders. The volume ratio of $TiO_2(4)$ and $WO_3(6)$ shows the most effective photocatalytic activity in the range of visible light in the view point of effective separation of electrons and holes.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.611-620
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• 2018

In this study, a metal-organic framework (MOF) material $NH_2$-MIL-101(Fe) was synthesized using the solvothermal method, and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-visible spectrophotometry, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and surface area measurements. The XRD pattern of the synthesized $NH_2$-MIL-101(Fe) was similar to the previously reported patterns of MIL-101 type materials, which indicated the successful synthesis of $NH_2$-MIL-101(Fe). The FT-IR spectrum showed the molecular structure and functional groups of the synthesized $NH_2$-MIL-101(Fe). The UV-visible absorbance spectrum indicated that the synthesized material could be activated as a photocatalyst under visible light irradiation. FE-SEM and TEM images showed the formation of hexagonal microspindle structures in the synthesized $NH_2$-MIL-101(Fe). Furthermore, the EDS spectrum indicated that the synthesized material consisted of Fe, N, O, and C elements. The synthesized $NH_2$-MIL-101(Fe) was then employed as an adsorbent and photocatalyst for the removal of Indigo carmine and Rhodamine B from aqueous solutions. The initial 30 min of adsorption for Indigo carmine and Rhodamine B without light irradiation achieved removal efficiencies of 83.6% and 70.7%, respectively. The removal efficiencies thereafter gradually increased with visible light irradiation for 180 min, and the overall removal efficiencies for Indigo carmine and Rhodamine B were 94.2% and 83.5%, respectively. These results indicate that the synthesized MOF material can be effectively applied as an adsorbent and photocatalyst for the removal of dyes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1019-1024
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• 2009

Visible-light-active $TiO_2-_xN_x$ nanoparticles with a homogeneous anatase crystalline structure were successfully prepared through a hydrolysis of $TiCl_4$ with ammonia solution. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), $N_2$-sorption, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) techniques. The light absorption onset shifted from 390 nm on pure $TiO_2$ to the visible region at 530 nm on nitrogen-doped $TiO_2$. A clear decrease in the band gap was deduced from the DRS results. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated from the photodegradation of congo red solution under visible light irradiation. The photocatalyst showed the highest photocatalytic activity at an optimal value of nitrogen doping concentration. This was suggested that the nitrogen doping should have an important effects on the improvement of photocatalytic activity.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.179-182
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• 2016

In this paper, 10 nm $Fe_3O_4$ nanoparticles were modified on the surface of $2{\mu}m$ flower-like bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) spheres by a facile co-precipitation method. The results showed that the $Fe_3O_4/BiOCl$ nanocomposites exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity and superparamagnetic property ($M_s=3.22emu/g$) under visible light for Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation. Moreover, the $Fe_3O_4-BiOCl$ photocatalyst possessed magnetic recyclable property, which could maintain high photocatalytic effective even after 20 cycle times. These characteristic indicates a promising application for wastewater treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.213-215
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• 2019

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.489-492
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• 2013

N-doped $TiO_2$ microcuboids were successfully prepared by a simple one-pot hydrothermal method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the N-doped $TiO_2$ microcuboids enhanced absorption in the visible light region, and exhibited higher activity for photocatalytic degradation of model dyes. Based on the experimental results, a visible light induced photocatalytic mechanism was proposed for N-doped anatase $TiO_2$ microcuboids.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.23-27
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• 2023

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) has been used as effective photocatalyst for degradation of antibiotics under visible light irradiation. However, the fast recombination of hole-electron pair may limit their photocatalytic efficiency. In our study, Ag was grafted on g-C₃N₄/g-C₃N₄ isotype heterojunction by a microwave-assisted decomposition method. The structure and physical properties of heterojunction photocatalyst were characterized through X-ray diffraction, UV-DRS, FT-IR, and Photoluminescence analyses. Ag decorated g-C₃N₄/g-C₃N₄ isotype heterojunction exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for degradation of sulfamethoxazole under irradiation under visible light irradiation within 210 min, which is higher than g-C₃N₄/g-C₃N₄ isotype heterojunction and bulk g-C₃N₄. The addition of Ag may broaden the visible light absorption and restrict the recombination of hole-electron pair because of the surface plasmons resonance, resulting in the improving the photocatalytic activity.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.196-202
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• 2009

A visible-light photoactive $TiO_{2-x}N_x$ photocatalyst was synthesized successfully by means of cogrinding of anatase-$TiO_2(a-TiO_2)$ in $NH_3$ ambient, followed by heat-treatment at $200^{\circ}C$ in air environment. In general, it is well known that the grinding-operation induces phase transformation of a-$TiO_2$ to rutile $TiO_2$. This study investigates the influence of the amount of $NH_3$ gas on the phase transformation rate of a-$TiO_2$ and enhancement of visible-light photocatalytic activity, and also examines the relation between the photocatalytic activity and the period of grinding time. The phase transformation rate of a-$TiO_2$ to rutile is retarded with the amount of NH3 injected. And the visible-light photocatalytic activity of samples, was more closely related to the period of grinding time than $NH_3$ amount injected, which means that the doping amount of nitrogen into $TiO_2$ more effective to mechanical energy than $NH_3$ amount injected. XRD, XPS, FT-IR, UV-vis, Specific surface area (SSA), NOx decomposition techniques are employed to verify above results more clearly.