• Applied Science and Convergence Technology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.96-101
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• 2015

Quantitative evaluation of photocatalytic activity of oxide nanoparticles in aqueous solution is quite challenging in that the kinetic reaction rate is determined by a complicated interplay among various limiting factors such as light scattering and absorption, diffusion and adsorption of reactants in condensed liquid phase, photoexcited charge separation and recombination rate, and the exact nature of active sites determined by detailed morphology and crystallinity of nanocrystals. Here, we present our simple experimental results showing that the kinetic regime of a typical photocatalytic degradation experiment over UV-irradiated $TiO_2$ nanoparticles in aqueous solution is in that dominated by the photoactivity of $TiO_2$ and its concentration. This result lays a firm ground of using the measured kinetic reaction rate in evaluating photocatalytic efficiency of oxide nanocrystals under evaluation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.87.3-88
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• 2003

TiO$_2$photocatalytic ozonation was attempted to disinfect fungal pathogens causing postharvest spoilage of kiwifruits and to decompose fungicide residuals on kiwifruits. TiO$_2$Photocatalytic ozonation process synergistically degraded organic compound and inhibited conidial germination of the fungal pathogen compared to single treatment of ozonation or photocatalysis. The efficient control of fungal spoilage and degradation of residual fungicide on kiwifruits indicate that TiO$_2$photocatalytic ozonation is a very attractive method for postharvest disease control of kiwifruits as an alternative to fungicides application.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.667-671
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• 2014

In this study, we suggest a facile method to control conditions of single component independently when preparing consisting two-component metal oxides nanofiber by simply dispersing nanoparticles in precursor solution. The well dispersed $SiO_2$ nanoparticles in $TiO_2$ nanofibers were successfully synthesized through a simple electrospinning process. The as-synthesized nanodfibers were investigated via FE-SEM, XRD and EDS for structural studies, furthermore, the analysis of UV-VIS and photocatalytic activity were carried out for demonstrate the effect of $SiO_2$ nanoparticles dispersed in $TiO_2$ nanofibers. As a result, $TiO_2$ nanofibres dispersed with $SiO_2$ nanoparticles have enhanced photocatalytic activity than that of $TiO_2$ nanofibres only. In this strategy, the introduction of $SiO_2$ nanoparticles in $TiO_2$ nanofibers were attribute to enlarge absorption in the visible region (380~440 nm). Additionally, $Br{\o}nsted$ acid sites generated in each metal oxide of Ti and Si increase OH radicals efficiently as well as it limit recombination loss by holding photogenerated electrons for high efficient photocatalytic activity.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.53-59
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of photocatalysis using $TiO_2$ and UV applied for the COD reduction of wastewater in linerboard mill. Trials were done to obtain the optimum addition amounts of $TiO_2$ and $H_2O_2$ to the wastewater and find an appropriate pH condition for photocatalysis on $TiO_2$ for degrading COD. The photocatalytic reaction was applied to the wastewater collected after secondary activated sludge treatment in WWTP of linerboard mill. The optimum application of photocatalysis reaction was obtained under the addition conditions of 2 g/L of $TiO_2$ and 200 mg/L of $H_2O_2$ at pH 3.0, respectively. The removal efficiency of $SCOD_{Cr}$ by photocatalytic treatment was 86.4 % and higher than Fenton treatment in which removal efficiency was 67.4 %. It was concluded that the photocatalytic process using $TiO_2$ and UV could be applied to the wastewater treatment in linerboard mill and also to the dramatic drop-off in NBDCOD load from wastewater of tertiary treatment in WWTP.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.417-421
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• 2018

$TiO_2$ has excellent photocatalytic properties and several studies have reported the increase in its specific surface area. The structure of $TiO_2$ nanofibers indicates promising improved photocatalytic properties and these nanofibers can thus potentially be applied in air pollution sensors and pollutant removal filters. In this study, a $TiO_2$ nanofiber was fabricated by the electrospinning method. The fabrication processing factors such as the applied voltage, the distance between nozzle and collector, and the inflow rate of solution were controlled. The precursor was titanium (IV) isopropoxide and as-spun $TiO_2$ nanofibers were heated at $450^{\circ}C$ for 2 h to obtain an anatase crystalline structure. The microstructure was analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The anatase phase was observed in the $TiO_2$ nanofibers after heat treatment. The diameter of $TiO_2$ nanofibers increased with the flow rate, but decreased with decreasing applied voltage and nozzle to collector distance. The diameter of $TiO_2$ nanofibers was controlled in the range of 364 nm to 660 nm. These nanofibers are expected to be very useful in photocatalytic applications.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.291-296
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• 2016

Application of photocatalytic nanoparticles has been recently gaining an increased attention as air purifying material for sustainable urban development. The present work reports the photocatalytic removal of gaseous phase nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$) using $TiO_2$-coated zeolite to be applied as a filter media for the urban green infrastructure such as raingardens. The $TiO_2$-coated zeolite was synthesized by simple wet chemistry method and tested in a continuous-flow photo-reactor for its removal efficiency of $NO_x$ under different conditions of the weight percentage of $TiO_2$ coated on the zeolite, and gas retention time. The removal efficiency of $NO_x$ in general increased as the weight percentage of $TiO_2$ coated on the zeolite increased up to 15-20%. Greater than 90% of $NO_x$ was removed at a retention time of one minute using the $TiO_2$-coated zeolite ($TiO_2$ weight percentage = 20%). Overall, $TiO_2$-coated zeolite showed greater efficiency of $NO_x$ removal compared to $TiO_2$ powder probably by providing additional reaction sites from the porous structure of zeolite. It was presumed that the degradation of $NO_x$ is attributed to both the physical adsorption and photocatalytic oxidation that could simultaneously occur at the catalyst surface.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2013

In this study, the applicability of visible light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) to the photocatalytic degradation of indoor-level trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) over N-doped $TiO_2$ (N-$TiO_2$) was examined under a range of operational conditions. The N-$TiO_2$ photocatalyst was calcined at $650^{\circ}C$ (labeled N-650) showed the lowest degradation efficiencies for TCE and PCE, while the N-$TiO_2$ photocatalysts calcined at $350^{\circ}C$, $450^{\circ}C$, and $550^{\circ}C$ (labeled as N-350, N-450, and N-550, respectively) exhibited similar or slightly different degradation efficiencies to those of TCE and PCE. These results were supported by the X-ray diffraction patterns of N-350, N-450, N-550, and N-650. The respective average degradation efficiencies for TCE and PCE were 96% and 77% for the 8-W lamp/N-$TiO_2$ system, 32% and 20% for the violet LED/N-$TiO_2$ system, and ~0% and 4% for the blue LED/N-$TiO_2$ system. However, the normalized photocatalytic degradation efficiencies for TCE and PCE for the violet LED-irradiated N-$TiO_2$ system were higher than those from the 8-W fluorescent daylight lamp-irradiated N-$TiO_2$ system. Although the difference was not substantial, the degradation efficiencies exhibited a decreasing trend with increasing input concentrations. The degradation efficiencies for TCE and PCE decreased with increasing air flow rates. In general, the degradation efficiencies for both target compounds decreased as relative humidity increased. Consequently, it was indicated that violet LEDs can be utilized as energy-efficient light sources for the photocatalytic degradation of TCE and PCE, if operational conditions of N-$TiO_2$ photocatalytic system are optimized.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.349-356
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• 2017

OH radical generation is one of the common method to evaluate photocatalytic activity. In many of previous studies, only the UV(Ultraviolet) light was applied to test photocatalytic ability of $TiO_2$ nanotubes by studying probe compound(4-Chlorobenzoic acid) concentration change in solution. Also, $TiO_2$ nanotubes were found to show some electrochemical characteristics when the flow of electric current was applied. In this study, the flow of electric current and UV light were applied at the same time to determine whether electrochemical characteristics of $TiO_2$ nanotube plate can give synergetic effect on the photocatalytic activity. $TiO_2$ nanotube was grown on Ti by anodic oxidation to create $TiO_2$ nanotube plate which can be used as a photocatalyst and a electrode that can undergo AOP(Advanced Oxidation Process) for water treatment. Probe compound solution was prepared using 4-chlorobenzoic acid and $H_2O$ as a solvent. NaCl was added to give conductivity to work as electrolyte. As a result, enough level of electric current flow was found to give synergetic photocatalytic effect which can be used for efficient AOP water treatment method.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.3671-3676
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• 2013

A series of carbon nanotube, $C_{60}$, and graphene modified $TiO_2$ nanocomposites were prepared by hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction, $N_2$ adsorption, UV-Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and Electrochemical impedance spectra were used to characterize the prepared composite materials The results reveal that incorporating $TiO_2$ with carbon materials can extend the adsorption edge of all the $TiO_2$-carbon nanocomposites to the visible light region. The photocatalytic activities were tested in the degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) under visible light. No obvious difference in essence was observed in structural and optical properties among three series of carbon modified $TiO_2$ nanocomposites. Three series of carbon materials modified $TiO_2$ composites follow the analogous tentative reaction mechanism for TCP degradation. GR modified $TiO_2$ nanocomposite exhibits the strongest interaction and the most effective interfacial charge transfer among three carbon materials, thus shows the highest electron-hole separation rate, leading to the highest photocatalytic activity and stability.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.8-14
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• 2016

We compared the plausible reaction mechanism and quantitative efficiency of highly self-organized TiO₂ nanotube (ntTiO₂) film with TiO₂ powder. Film was fabricated by electrochemical potentiostatic anodization of titanium thin film in an ethylene-glycol electrolyte solution containing 0.3 wt% NH₄F and 2 vol% deionized water. Nanotubes with a pore size of 80-100 nm were formed by anodization at 60 V for 3 h. Humic acid (HA) was degraded through photocatalytic degradation using the ntTiO₂ film. Pseudo first-order rate constants for 0.3 g of ntTiO₂, 0.3 g TiO₂ powder, and 1 g TiO₂ powder were 0.081 min⁻¹, 0.003 min⁻¹, and 0.044 min⁻¹, respectively. HA adsorption on the ntTiO₂ film was minimal while adsorption on the TiO₂ powder was about 20% based on thermogravimetric analysis. Approximately five-fold more normalized OH radicals were generated by the ntTiO₂ film than the TiO₂ powder. These quantitative findings explain why ntTiO₂ film showed superior photocatalytic performance to TiO₂ powder.