Showing papers by "Joanna Karpińska published in 2014"

Investigation of novel material for effective photodegradation of bezafibrate in aqueous samples

Abstract: A novel composite with an enhanced photocatalytic activity was prepared and applied to study the removal of bezafibrate (BZF), a hypolypemic pharmaceutical, from an aqueous environment. For the enhancement of titanium dioxide photoactivity a fullerene derivative, 2-(ferrocenyl) fulleropyrrolidine (FcC60), was synthesized and applied. Obtained composite was found to show a higher catalytic activity than pristine TiO2. Therefore, high hopes are set in composites that are based on carbonaceous nanomaterials and TiO2 as a new efficient photocatalysts.

Investigation of photocatalytic activity of C60/TiO2 nanocomposites produced by evaporation drying method

Abstract: Within the last century millions of various dyes have been generated in an attempt to prepare new efficient photocatalysts for their degradation. As fullerenes are commonly known to be effective electron-donor scavengers and are very promising for synergistic reasons, fullerene-titanium dioxide (C60/TiO2) nanocomposites of different mass ratios (1:1, 1:10, 1:20, and 1:100) were prepared. Their photocatalytic properties were examined by investigating methylene blue (MB) degradation. As photodegradation of dye analysis indicated, the C60/TiO2 (1:20) composites were found to demonstrate the highest enhancement of photocatalytic activity. A series of techniques, including SEM and TEM microscopies, Raman and UV-VIS diffuse-reflectance spectroscopies, along with DSC and TGA analysis, was used to characterize the prepared material. It is expected that obtained composites will be able to create pro-ecological and cheaper methods of water disinfection, decontamination of soil, etc.

Direct and forced photodegradation of sodium dodecyl sulfate and tetraoctylammonium bromide

Abstract: The photostability of two surface active compounds, namely sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB), in model solutions and in the presence of surface water as natural matrix were investigated. Both surfactants were photoresistant, and their direct photolysis was negligible. Natural matrix acted as photosensitizer with respect to the both examined surfactants, TiO2 in the anatase form promoting photodegradation further. Of the two compounds, SDS appeared to be more resistant to sunlight.