• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.275-282
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• 2024

In this work, we investigated the photo-degradation performance of MnO₂-SiC fiber-TiO₂ (MnO₂-SiC-TiO₂) ternary nanocomposite according to visible light excitation utilizing methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) as standard dyes. The photocatalytic physicochemical characteristics of this ternary nanocomposite were described by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tunneling electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), photocurrent and cyclic voltammogram (CV) test. Photolysis studies of the synthesized MnO₂-SiC-TiO₂ composite were conducted using standard dyes of MB and MO under UV light irradiation. The experiments revealed that the MnO₂-SiC-TiO₂ exhibits the greatest photocatalytic dye degradation performance of around 20 % with MB, and of around 10 % with MO, respectively, within 120 min. Furthermore, MnO₂-SiC-TiO₂ showed good stability against photocatalytic degradation. The photocatalytic efficiency of the nanocomposite was indicated by the adequate photocatalytic reaction process. These research results show the practical application potential of SiC fibers and the performance of a photocatalyst composite that combines these fibers with metal oxides.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.1753-1758
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• 2012

A novel, efficient and controlled protocol for the synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic activity of $Au@TiO_2$ nanocomposite is developed. $TiO_2$ (P25) was pretreated by employing UV light (${\lambda}$ = 254 nm) and the pretreated $TiO_2$ was uniformly decorated by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in presence of sodium citrate and UV light. UV pretreatment makes the $TiO_2$ activated, as electrons were accumulated within the $TiO_2$ in the conduction band. These accumulated electrons facilitate the formation of AuNPs which were of very small size (2-5 nm), similar morphology and uniformly deposited at $TiO_2$ surface. It leads to formation of stable and crystalline $Au@TiO_2$ nanocomposites. The rapidity (13 hours), monodispersity, smaller nanocomposites and easy separation make this protocol highly significant in the area of nanocomposites syntheses. As-synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by TEM, HRTEM, TEM-EDX, SAED, XRD, UV-visible spectrophotometer and zeta potential. Dye degradation experiments of methyl orange show that type I ($Au@TiO_2$ nanocomposites in which $TiO_2$ was pretreated with UV light) has enhanced photocatalytic activity in comparison to type II ($Au@TiO_2$ nanocomposites in which $TiO_2$ was not pretreated with UV light) and $TiO_2$ (P25). This shows that pretreatment of $TiO_2$ provides type I a better catalytic activity.

• 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.

• Clean Technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.123-128
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• 2005

Among various metal oxides semiconductors, $TiO_2$ is the most studied semiconductor for environmental clean-up applications due to its unique ability in photocatalyzing various organic contaminants, its chemical inertness, and nontoxicity. $TiO_2$, however, has a few drawbacks to be solved such as reactivity mainly working under ultraviolet irradiation (${\lambda}$ < 387 nm) and electron - hole recombination on $TiO_2$. In this study, to extend the absorption range of $TiO_2$ into the visible range and enhance electron - hole separation, we synthesized platinum (Pt) deposited $C-TiO_2$. The presence of Pt as an electron sink has been known to snhance the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and induce the thermal decomposition. The characterization of as-synthesized $Pt-C-TiO_2$ was performed by Transmission Electron Microscopic (TEM), the Brunuer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), UV-vis spectrometer (UV-DRS), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). In order to estimate the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized materials, the photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). In order to estimate the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized materials, the photodegradation experiment of an azo dye (Acid Red 44; $C_{10}H_7N=NC_{10}H_3(SO_3Na)_2OH$)was carried out by using an Xe arc lamp (300 W, Oriel). A 420 nm cut-off filter was used for visible light irradiation. From the results, Pt-deposited $C-TiO_2$ showed a far superior phothdegradation activity to Degussa P25, the commercial product under the irradiation of visible light and enhanced photocatalytic activity of visible-working $C-TiO_2$. This is a useful result into the application for the purification system of dye wastewater using visible energy of sun light.

• 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.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.667-672
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• 2005

In order to effectively utilize visible light in the photocatalytic reaction, nanaocomposite of Ni doped $TiO_2$ and $NiTiO_3$ powders were synthesized by mechanical alloying and heat treatment. About 5.4 wt% of $NiTiO_3$ with particle size less than 15nm was uniformly formed in the Ni-doped rutile $TiO_2$ matrix. The UV/VIS-DRS and PL investigation showed that the nanocompasite $TiO_2$ powders had a longer absorpt ion wavelength (600$\sim$650nm, 2.0$\sim$1.9eV) than that of Ni-doped $TiO_2$ or rutile $TiO_2$ powder. The carbon decomposition of 4-CP by the nanocompasite $TiO_2$ powders were higher than other $TiO_2$ (P-25).

• 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 the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.331-336
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• 2005

Recently, Japan has showed strong demand for protection of consumers against misleading specification provided by producers, establishing the committee for JIS and ISO. To protect domestic market and overcome potential subordinate relationship in overseas market, several universities and institutes in Korea have performed collaborative works on the standardization of test method f3r photocatalytic activity concerning the selected application fields. This article deals with the process and the result for the method of testing photocatalytic sol or suspended powder using optical fiber. Currently, this method is Intended for TiO2, but can be applied for various photocatalytic raw materials that can be activated by visible light and solar irradiation.

• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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• v.67
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• pp.28-51
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• 2018

Graphitic carbon nitride ($g-C_3N_4$) as a fascinating visible light active semiconductor photocatalyst has medium band gap, non-toxic nature, stable chemical structure and high thermal stability. Recently, intensive researches are focused on photocatalytic activity of $g-C_3N_4$ for wastewater treatment. This review demonstrates latest progress in fabrication of graphitic carbon nitride $C_3N_4$ incorporated nanocomposite to explore photocatalytic ability for water purification. The $g-C_3N_4$-based nanocomposites were categorized as $g-C_3N_4$ metal-free nanocomposite, noble metals/$g-C_3N_4$ heterojunction, non-metal doped $g-C_3N_4$, transition and post transition metal based $g-C_3N_4$ nanocomposite. Apart from fabrication methods, we emphasized on elaborating the mechanism of activity enhancement during photocatalytic process.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.261-268
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• 2012

Objectives: The photocatalytic degradation of toluene in a batch mode photoreactor for the purpose of the hazardous waste treatment was investigated. Methods: Kinetic experiments using a low pressure mercury lamp (Lambda Scientific Pty Ltd, 50 Watt) emitting both UV and visible light were performed at $31^{\circ}C$ over toluene concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 mg/l in water with $50%TiO_2/6%WO_3$ (TW) concentration of 1 g/l at a pH of 6. Results: Kinetic studies showed that $50%TiO_2/6%WO_3$ (TW) photocatalyst was highly active in toluene degradation; we observed that 99% of the pollutant was degraded after six hours under visible irradiation; furthermore, we observed that adsorption onto TW catalyst was responsible for the decrease of toluene with pseudo-first order kinetics. It was also found that oxygen as a radical source in the sol medium played a significant role in affecting the photodegradation of toluene, especially with a two-fold elevation. This increase was achieved by a more than four-fold elevation of the photodegradation of toluene in the presence of acetone than without, presumably via an energy transfer mechanism. Conclusions: We concluded that photodegradation in acetone and oxygen molecules along with TW was an effective method for the removal of toluene from wastewater.