• Clean Technology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.46-55
• /
• 2019

CdS and CdZnS/ZnO materials were prepared using precipitation method and used as photocatalysts for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The prepared photocatalysts were also characterized by XRD and UV-vis DRS. The results indicated that the photocatalysts with intended crystalline structures were successfully obtained and both the CdS and CdZnS/ZnO can absorb visible light as well as UV. The photocatalytic activities were examined with the addition of scavenger for various active chemical species and the difference of reaction mechanisms over the catalysts were discussed. The $CH_3OH$, KI and p-benzoquinone were used as scavengers for ${\cdot}OH$ radical, photogenerated positive hole and ${\cdot}O_2{^-}$ radical, respectively. The CdS and CdZnS/ZnO showed different photocatalytic degradation mechanisms of RhB. It can be postulated that ${\cdot}O_2{^-}$ radical is the main active species for the reaction over CdS photocatalyst, while the photogenerated positive hole for CdZnS/ZnO photocatalyst. As a result, the predominant reaction pathways over CdS and CdZnS/ZnO photocatalysts were found to be the dealkylation of chromophore skeleton and the cleavage of the conjugated chromophore structure, respectively. The above results may be mainly ascribed to the difference of band edge potential of conduction and valence bands in CdS, CdZnS and ZnO semiconductors and the redox potentials for formation of active chemical species.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.56-62
• /
• 2016

A heterogeneous $Bi_2S_3/TiO_2$ composite catalyst was synthesized via a green ultrasonic-assisted method and characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, TEM analysis. The results clearly show that the $TiO_2$ particles were homogenously coated with $Bi_2S_3$ particles, indicating that $Bi_2S_3$ particle agglomeration was effectively inhibited after the introduction of anatase $TiO_2$. The Texbrite BA-L (TBA) degradation rate constant for $Bi_2S_3/TiO_2$ composites reached $8.27{\times}10^{-3}min^{-1}$ under visible light, much higher than the corresponding value of $1.04{\times}10^{-3}min^{-1}$ for $TiO_2$. The quantities of generated hydroxyl radicals can be analyzed by DPCI degradation, which shows that under visible light irradiation, more electron-hole pairs can be generated. Finally, the possible mechanism for the generation of reactive oxygen species under visible-light irradiation was proposed as well. Our result shows the significant potential of $Bi_2S_3$-semiconductor-based $TiO_2$ hybrid materials as catalysts under visible light for the degradation of industry dye effluent substances.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.1182-1190
• /
• 2014

$Cd_{1-x}Zn_xS$-sensitized $K_4Nb_6O_{17}$ composite photocatalysts (designated $Cd_{1-x}Zn_xS/K_4Nb_6O_{17}$) were prepared via a simple deposition-precipitation method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), $N_2$ sorption, ultraviolet-visible light diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), photoluminescence measurements (PL), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The $Cd_{0.8}Zn_{0.2}S$ particles were scattered on the surface of $K_4Nb_6O_{17}$, and had a relatively uniform size distribution around 50 nm. The absorption edge of $K_4Nb_6O_{17}$ was shifted to the visible light region and the recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes suppressed after $Cd_{0.8}Zn_{0.2}S$ loading. The $Cd_{0.8}Zn_{0.2}S$(25 wt %)/$K_4Nb_6O_{17}$ composite possessed the highest photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production under visible light irradiation, evolving 8.278 mmol/g in 3 h. Recyclability tests were performed, and the composite photocatalysts were found to be fairly stable. The mechanism of charge separation between the photogenerated electrons and holes at the $Cd_{0.8}Zn_{0.2}S/K_4Nb_6O_{17}$ composite was discussed.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.30 no.11
• /
• pp.581-588
• /
• 2020

Reducing CO₂ into high value fuels and chemicals is considered a great challenge in the 21st century. Efficiently activating CO₂ will lead to an important way to utilize it as a resource. This article reviews the latest progress of g-C₃N₄ based catalysts for CO₂ reduction. The different synthetic methods of g-C₃N₄ are briefly discussed. Article mainly introduces methods of g-C₃N₄ shape control, element doping, and use of oxide compounds to modify g-C₃N₄. Modified g-C₃N₄ has more reactive sites, which can significantly reduce the probability of photogenerated electron hole recombination and improve the performance of photocatalytic CO₂ reduction. Considering the literature, the hydrothermal method is widely used because of its simple equipment and process and easy control of reaction conditions. It is foreseeable that hydrothermal technology will continue to innovate and usher in a new period of development. Finally, the prospect of a future reduction of CO₂ by g-C₃N₄-based catalysts is predicted.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2013

PURPOSES : About 35% of air pollutant is occurred from road transport. NOx is the primary pollutant. Recently, the importance of NOx removal has arisen in the world. $TiO_2$ is very efficient for removing NOx by photocatalytic reaction. The mechanism of removing NOx is the reaction of photocatalysis and solar energy. Therefore, $TiO_2$ in concrete need to be contacted with solar radiation to be activated. In general, $TiO_2$ concrete are produced by substitute $TiO_2$ as a part of concrete binder. However, 90% of $TiO_2$ in the photocatalysis can not contacted with the pollutant in the air and solar radiation. Coating and penetration method are attempted as the alternative of mixing method in order to locate $TiO_2$ to the surface of structure. METHODS : The goal of this study was to attempt to locate $TiO_2$ to the surface of concrete, so we can use the concrete in pavement construction. The distribution of $TiO_2$ along the depth were confirmed by basing on the comparison of $TiO_2$ compare by using the EDAX(Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy). RESULTS : $TiO_2$ were distributed within 3mm from concrete surface. This distribution of $TiO_2$ is desirable, since the $TiO_2$ induce photocatalysis are located to where they can be contacted with the air pollutant and solar radiation. CONCLUSIONS : Nano size $TiO_2$ is easily penetration in the top 3mm of concrete surface. By the penetration $TiO_2$ concrete can be produced with the use of only 10% of $TiO_2$, by comparing the mixing types.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.159-164
• /
• 2008

Two kinds of CNT/TiO2 composite photocatalysts were synthesized with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and titanium(IV) n-butoxide (TNB) by a MCPBA oxidation method. Since MWCNTs had charge transfer and semiconducting, the CNT/TiO2 composite shows a good photo-degradation activity. The XRD patterns reveal that only anatase phase can be identified for MCT composite, but the HMCT composite synthesized with HCl treatment was observed the mixed phase of anatase and rutile. The EDX spectra were shown the presence as major elements of Ti with strong peaks. From the SEM results, the sample MCT and HMCT synthesized by the thermal decomposition with TNB show a homogenous sample with only individual MWCNTs covered with TiO2 without any jam-like aggregates between CNTs and TiO2. From the photocatalytic results, we could be suggested that the excellent activity of the CNT/TiO2 composites for organic dye and UV irradiation time could be attributed to combination effects between TiO2 and MWCNTs with plausible photodegradation mechanism.

• Ceramist
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.55-73
• /
• 2017

As one of the most versatile semiconductors, zinc oxide (ZnO) with one-dimensional (1-D) nanostructures has been significantly developed for the application of ultraviolet (UV) lasers, photochemical sensors, photocatalysts, and so on. Such 1-D nanowires could be easily achieved due to the anisotropic growth rate along the [0001] direction. However, such typical growth habit leads to decrease the surface area of the (0001) plane, which plays a central role in not only UV lasing action but also photocatalytic reaction. This fact lead us to develop ZnO crystal with enhanced polar surface area through crystal growth control. The purpose of this review is to provide readers a simple route to plate-type ZnO crystal with highly enhanced polar surfaces and their applications for UV-laser, photocatalyst, and antibacterial agents. In addition, we will highlight the recent study on pilot-scale synthesis of plate-type ZnO crystal for industrial applications.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.54 no.3
• /
• pp.167-183
• /
• 2017

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the most versatile semiconductors, and one-dimensional (1D) ZnO nanostructures have attracted significant interest for use in ultraviolet (UV) lasers, photochemical sensors, and photocatalysts, among other applications. It is known that 1D ZnO nanowires can be fabricated readily owing to the anisotropic growth of ZnO along the [0001] direction. However, this type of growth results in a decrease in the surface area of the (0001) plane, which plays a vital role not only in UV lasing but also in the photocatalytic process. Thus, we attempted to synthesize ZnO crystals with an increased polar surface area by controlling the crystal growth process. The purpose of this review is to propose a simple route for the synthesis of plate-like ZnO crystals with highly enhanced polar surfaces and to explore their feasibility for use in UV lasers as well as as a photocatalyst and antibacterial agent. In addition, we highlight the recent progress made in the pilot-scale synthesis of plate-like ZnO crystals for industrial applications.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.49-58
• /
• 2014

PURPOSES : In areas of high traffic volume, such as expressway across large cities, the amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted into the atmosphere as air pollution can be significant since NOx gases are the major cause of smog and acid rain. Recently, the importance of NOx removal has arisen in the world. Titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$), that is one of photocatalytic reaction material, is very efficient for removing NOx. The NOx removing mechanism of $TiO_2$ is the reaction of solar photocatalysis. Therefore, $TiO_2$ in road structure concrete need to be contacted with ultraviolet rays (UV) to be activated. In general, $TiO_2$ concretes are produced by replacement of $TiO_2$ as a part of concrete binder. However, considerable portion of $TiO_2$ in concrete cannot contact with the pollutant in the air and UV. Therefore, $TiO_2$ penetration method using the surface penetration agents is attempted as an alternative in order to locate $TiO_2$ to the surface of concrete structure. METHODS : This study aimed to evaluate the NOx removal efficiency of photocatalytic concrete due to various $TiO_2$ application method such as mix with $TiO_2$, surface spray($TiO_2$ penetration method) on hardened concrete and fresh concrete using surface penetration agents. The NOx removal efficiency of $TiO_2$ concrete was confirmed by NOx Analyzing System based on the specification of ISO 22197-1. RESULTS : The NOx removal efficiency of mix with $TiO_2$ increased from 11 to 25% with increasing of replacement ratio from 3 to 7%. In case of surface spray on hardened concrete, the NOx removal efficiency was about 50% due to application amount of $TiO_2$ with surface penetration agents as 300, 500 and 700g/m2. The NOx removal efficiency of surface spray on fresh concrete due to all experimental conditions, on the other hand, which was very low within 10%. CONCLUSIONS : It was known that the $TiO_2$ penetration method as surface spray on hardened concrete was a good alternative in order to remove the NOx gases for concrete road structures.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.30 no.8
• /
• pp.383-392
• /
• 2020

In this paper, AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite photocatalyst is successfully synthesized by microemulsion method and anion in situ substitution method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) are used to study the structural and physicochemical characteristics of the AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite composite. Using rhodamine B (RhB) as a simulated pollutant, the photocatalytic activity and stability of the AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite composite under visible light are evaluated. In the AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite visible light system, RhB is nearly 100 % degraded within 15 minutes. And, after five cycles of operation, the photocatalytic activity of AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite remains at 95 % of the original level, much higher than that of pure Ag₃PO₄ (40 %). In addition, the mechanism of enhanced catalytic performance is discussed. The high photocatalytic performance of AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite composites can be attributed to the synergistic effect of Ag₃PO₄, diatomite and AgCl nanoparticles. Free radical trapping experiments are used to show that holes and oxygen are the main active species. This material can quickly react with dye molecules adsorbed on the surface of diatomite to degrade RhB dye to CO₂ and H₂O. Even more remarkably, AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite can maintain above 95 % photo-degradation activity after five cycles.