Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

About: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 48250 publications have been published within this topic receiving 1134369 citations.

Carbon functionalized TiO2 nanofibers for high efficiency photocatalysis

Abstract: TiO2 nanofibers (30–50 nm diameter), fabricated by the electro-spinning process, were modified with organo-silane agents via a coupling reaction and were grafted with carbohydrate molecules. The mixture was carbonized to produce a uniform coating of amorphous carbon on the surface of the TiO2 nanofibers. The TiO2@C nanofibers were characterized by high resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray photoelectron (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic property of the functional TiO2 and carbon nanocomposite was tested via the decomposition of an organic pollutant. The catalytic activity of the covalently functionalized nanocomposite was found to be significantly enhanced in comparison to unfunctionalized composite and pristine TiO2 due to the synergistic effect of nanostructured TiO2 and amorphous carbon bound via covalent bonds. The improvement in performance is due to bandgap modification in the 1D co-axial nanostructure where the anatase phase is bound by nano-carbon, providing a large surface to volume ratio within a confined space. The superior photocatalytic performance and recyclability of 1D TiO2@C nanofiber composites for water purification were established through dye degradation experiments.

Porous Silicon as a Versatile Platform for Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Abstract: Desorption/ionization on porous silicon mass spectrometry (DIOS-MS) is a novel method for generating and analyzing gas-phase ions that employs direct laser vaporization. The structure and physicochemical properties of the porous silicon surfaces are crucial to DIOS-MS performance and are controlled by the selection of silicon and the electrochemical etching conditions. Porous silicon generation and DIOS signals were examined as a function of silicon crystal orientation, resistivity, etching solution, etching current density, etching time, and irradiation. Pre- and postetching conditions were also examined for their effect on DIOS signal as were chemical modifications to examine stability with respect to surface oxidation. Pore size and other physical characteristics were examined by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and correlated with DIOS-MS signal. Porous silicon surfaces optimized for DIOS response were examined for their applicability to quantitative analysis, ...

Membrane Surface Modification by Plasma-Induced Polymerization of Acrylamide for Improved Surface Properties and Reduced Protein Fouling

Abstract: Hydrophilic modification of porous polyethersulfone (PES) membranes was achieved by Ar-plasma treatment followed by graft copolymerization with acrylamide (AAm) in the vapor phase. Both surfaces of the modified membranes were found to be highly hydrophilic, the permanency of which depends on the grafting yield. The graft reaction was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The grafting rate was dependent on plasma exposure time. The surface and pore structures of PES membranes were viewed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing no surface damage and only a slight alteration in pore structure. As a result of the incorporation of polar functionalities, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of both the Ar-plasma treated and AAm grafted membranes increased. A moderate change in the tensile strength of the modified membranes was also observed. Most importantly, the AAm grafting made the membrane surface less susceptible to adsorption o...