• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.29-35
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• 2003

We studied the water splitting into $H_2$ and $O_2$ using two different semiconductor photo catalysts and redox mediator, mimicking the Z-scheme mechanism of the photosynthesis, $H_2$ evolution took place on a Pt-$SrTiO_2$ (Cr-Ta doped) photocatalyst using $I^-$ electron donor under the visible light irradiation. The Pt-$WO_3$ photocatalyst showed an excellent activity of the $O_2$ evolution using $IO_3^-$ electron acceptor under visible light. $H_2$ and $O_2$ gases evolved in the stoichiometric ratio($H_2/O_2$=2) under visible light using a mixture of the Pt-$WO_3$ and Pt-$SrTiO_3$ (Cr-Ta doped) suspended in NaI aqueous solution. We proposed a two-step photo-excitation mechanism using redox mediator under the visible irradiation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.957-967
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• 2018

A novel $g-C_3N_4$/ZnO/stellerite (CNZOS) hybrid photocatalyst, which was synthesized by coupled hydro thermal-thermal polymerization processing, was applied as an efficient visible-light-driven photocatalyst against Staphylococcus aureus. The optimum synthesized hybrid photocatalyst showed a sandwich structure morphology with layered $g-C_3N_4$ (doping amount: 40 wt%) deposited onto micron-sized ZnO/stellerite particles (ZnO average diameter: ~18 nm). It had a narrowing band gap (2.48 eV) and enlarged specific surface area ($23.05m^2/g$). The semiconductor heterojunction effect from ZnO to $g-C_3N_4$ leads to intensive absorption of the visible region and rapid separation of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs. In this study, CNZOS showed better photocatalytic disinfection efficiency than $g-C_3N_4/ZnO$ powders. The disinfection mechanism was systematically investigated by scavenger-quenching methods, indicating the important role of $H_2O_2$ in both systems. Furthermore, $h^+$ was demonstrated as another important radical in oxidative inactivation of the CNZOS system. In respect of the great disinfection efficiency and practicability, the CNZOS heterojunction photocatalyst may offer many disinfection applications.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.641-649
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• 2020

A facile microwave assisted solvothermal process is designed for fabricating SnS nanoparticles decorated on graphene nanosheet, which used as visible light driven photocatalyst. Some typical characterization techniques such as XRD, FT-IR, SEM with EDX analysis, and TEM and BET analysis are used to analyse the physical characteristics of as-prepared samples. Spherical SnS nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed on the surface of graphene nanosheet due to ammonia, which can prevent the aggregation of graphene oxide. Meanwhile, microwave radiation provides fast energy that promotes the formation of spherical SnS nanoparticles within a short time. The visible light photocatalytic activity of as-prepared SnS-GR nanocomposites is analysed through photodegradation efficiency of methylene blue with high concentration. According to the higher photocatalytic property, the as-prepared SnS-GR nanocomposites can be expected to be an efficient visible light driven photocatalyst. After five cycles for decolorization, the rate decreases from 87 % to 78 % (about 9 %). It is obvious that the photocatalytic activity of SnS-GR nanocomposite has good repeatability.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.486-492
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• 2020

The method for preparing a perovskite-type bismuth ferrite (BFO) photocatalyst which reacts to visible LED light and the characteristics of visible light photocatalysis were investigated. BFO was prepared according to the sol-gel method. The prepared BFO consisted mainly of BiFeO₃ structure and formed a nano-sized crystal including Bi₂₄Fe₂O₃₉ structure. The BFO nano crystallines were identified from the UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra to absorb UV and visible light up to about 600 nm. The bandgap of the BFO determined from the diffuse reflectance spectrum was about 2.2 eV. Formaldehyde was decomposed by the photoreaction of BFO photocatalysts with the visible light LED lamps with wavelengths of 585 nm and 613 nm. The narrow bandgap of BFO led to elicit BFO photocatalytic activity in visible LED light.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.4052-4058
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• 2012

The composite photocatalyst, N-$TiO_2$ loaded with $Ni_2O_3$, was prepared by $N_2$ plasma treatment. X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, $N_2$ adsorption, UV-vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the prepared $TiO_2$ samples. The results indicated that the band gap energy was decreased obviously by nitrogen doping, whereas loading of $Ni_2O_3$ did not influence the band gap and visible light absorption. The photocatalytic activities were tested in the degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) under visible light. The photocatalytic activity and stability of composite photocatalyst were much higher than that of catalyst modified with nitrogen or $Ni_2O_3$ alone. The synergistic effect of doping nitrogen and $Ni_2O_3$ over $TiO_2$ was investigated.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.165-172
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• 2010

Titania is widely used as an effective photocatalyst for the photodegradation of environmental pollutants in air. In this study, novel N-doped $ZrO_2/TiO_2$ photocatalysts were synthesized via sol-gel method and characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscope, and X-ray diffractometer. N-doped $ZrO_2/TiO_2$ photocatalysts were nano-sized with an average particle size of about 20 nm. The XRD pattern of N-doped $ZrO_2/TiO_2$ photocatalysts showed both anatase and rutile phases. The photocatalytic activity of N-doped $ZrO_2/TiO_2$ photocatalysts was evaluated by degradation of NO under UV and visible light irradiation at various parameters such as amount of photocatalyst, concentration of NO, and intensity of light. The photocatalytic activity of N-doped $ZrO_2/TiO_2$ photocatalysts was effective for the enhancement of the degradation of NO and higher than that of $TiO_2$ photocatlysts under UV and visible light irradiation.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.1941-1944
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• 2010

The heterojunction structures of BiOCl/$Bi_3O_4Cl$, exhibiting considerable visible-light photocatalytic efficiency, were prepared by a simple wet-chemical process at ambient condition. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, TEM, and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra. Under visible light (${\lambda}\geq$420 nm) irradiation, BiOCl/$Bi_3O_4Cl$ exhibited an enhanced photocatalytic activity in decomposing 2-propanol (IP) in gas phase and salicylic acid (SA) in aqueous solution, whereas the bare BiOCl and $Bi_3O_4Cl$ showed negligible activities. It is deduced that the remarkable visible-light photocatalytic activity of the BiOCl/$Bi_3O_4Cl$ originates from the hole $(h^+)$ transfer between VB of the $Bi_3O_4Cl$ and BiOCl semiconductors.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.630-635
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• 2011

Bismuth vanadate($BiVO_4$) with monoclinic phase as photocatalyst under visible light is synthesized by precipitation reaction in hot water. Properties such as crystal phase, particle morphology and visual light absorbance as well as the effects of thermal treatment for $BiVO_4$ powders are investigated. $BiVO_4$ powders with both single monoclinic phase and 0.2 ${\mu}m$ in particle size are synthesized when precipitate is stirred in water for 5 h at 95$^{\circ}C$. Well-developed monoclinic phase and light absorption property under 535 nm are observed as a result of thermal treatment for 1 h at 300$^{\circ}C$ after precipitation reaction in water for 5 h at 95$^{\circ}C$. Degradation of monoclinic crystal is found in firing above 350$^{\circ}C$, and particle growth is occurred in firing above 550$^{\circ}C$.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.504-509
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• 2013

In this study, ZnSe-$TiO_2$ composites were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal-assisted sol-gel process and characterized by nitrogen adsorption isotherms (77 K), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry. The photocatalytic activity was investigated by decoloration methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and rhodamine B (Rh.B) in an aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The results revealed that the photocatalytic activity of the ZnSe-$TiO_2$ photocatalyst was much higher than that of pure$TiO_2$. The ZnSe nanoparticles, which act as a photosensitizer, not only extend the spectral response of $TiO_2$ to the visible region but also reduce charge recombinations.