Gary K.-C. Low

Bio: Gary K.-C. Low is an academic researcher from University of New South Wales. The author has contributed to research in topics: Photocatalysis & Hexavalent chromium. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 14 publications receiving 1015 citations. Previous affiliations of Gary K.-C. Low include Environment Protection Authority & Department of Environment and Conservation.

Novel Photocatalyst: Titania-Coated Magnetite. Activity and Photodissolution

Abstract: Magnetic photocatalysts were synthesized by coating titanium dioxide particles onto colloidal magnetite and nano-magnetite particles. The photoactivity of the prepared coated particles was lower than that of single-phase TiO2 and was found to decrease with an increase in the heat treatment. These observations were explained in terms of an unfavorable heterojunction between the titanium dioxide and the iron oxide core, leading to an increase in electron−hole recombination. Interactions between the iron oxide core and the titanium dioxide matrix upon heat treatment were also seen as a possible cause of the observed low activities of these samples. Other issues considered include the physical and chemical characteristics of the samples, such as surface area and the presence of surface hydroxyl groups. Depending on the calcination conditions, these photocatalysts were found to suffer from varying degrees of photodissolution. Photodissolution tests revealed the greater the extent of the heat treatment, the low...

Formation of nitrate and ammonium ions in titanium dioxide mediated photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds containing nitrogen atoms

Abstract: The photocatalytic oxidation of a related series of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines and other nitrogen- and sulfur-containing organic compounds over a UV-illuminated film of TiO{sub 2} has been studied. The compounds were as follows: n-pentylamine, piperidine, pyridine, phenylalanine, desipramine, thioridazine, penicillamine, isosorbide dinitrate, 4-nitrocatechol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil, atrazine, ethylenediaminetetracetic acid, and tetrabutylammonium phosphate. Both ammonium and nitrate ions were formed. The relative concentration of the two ions depended on the nature of the nitrogen in a compound, but was also influenced by the illumination time and concentration of the solute. It was found that for n-pentylamine, piperidine and pyridine, the rate of formation of ammonium ions was n-pentylamine {much gt} pyridine > piperidine. The order of rates of nitrate formation was pyridine = piperidine {much gt} pentylamine. For n-pentylamine the rate of formation of ammonium ions was {approximately}100 times that of nitrate.

The absolute energy positions of conduction and valence bands of selected semiconducting minerals

Abstract: The absolute energy positions of conduction and valence band edges were compiled for about 50 each semiconducting metal oxide and metal sulfide minerals. The relationships between energy levels at mineral semiconductor-electrolyte interfaces and the activities of these minerals as a catalyst or photocatalyst in aqueous redox reactions are reviewed. The compilation of band edge energies is based on experimental flatband potential data and complementary empirical calculations from electronegativities of constituent elements. Whereas most metal oxide semiconductors have valence band edges 1 to 3 eV below the H2O oxidation potential (relative to absolute vacuum scale), energies for conduction band edges are close to, or lower than, the H2O reduction potential. These oxide minerals are strong photo-oxidation catalysts in aqueous solutions, but are limited in their reducing power. Non-transition metal sulfides generally have higher conduction and valence band edge energies than metal oxides; therefore, valence band holes in non-transition metal sulfides are less oxidizing, but conduction band electrons are exceedingly reducing. Most transition-metal sulfides, however, are characterized by small band gaps (<1 eV) and band edges situated within or close to the H2O stability potentials. Hence, both the oxidizing power of the valence band holes and the reducing power of the conduction band electrons are lower than those of non-transition metal sulfides.

Magnetically recoverable nanocatalysts.

Abstract: We gratefully acknowledge funding and support from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Thanks are also due to the KAUST communication department for designing several images for this Review.