Photocatalysis

About: Photocatalysis is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 67088 publications have been published within this topic receiving 2145233 citations. The topic is also known as: photocatalyst.

Semiconductor-based nanocomposites for photocatalytic H2 production and CO2 conversion.

Abstract: Semiconductor-based photocatalysis has attracted much attention in recent years because of its potential for solving energy and environmental problems that we are now facing. Among many photocatalytic reactions, the splitting of H2O into H2 and O2 and the reduction of CO2 with H2O into organic compounds such as CH4 and CH3OH are two of the most important and challenging reactions. Many studies have been devoted to designing and preparing novel photocatalytic materials for these two reactions. This article highlights recent advances in developing semiconductor-based nanocomposite photocatalysts for the production of H2 and the reduction of CO2. The systems of semiconductor–cocatalyst, semiconductor–carbon (carbon nanotube or graphene) and semiconductor–semiconductor nanocomposites have mainly been described. It has been demonstrated that the design and preparation of nanocomposites with proper structures can facilitate charge separation/migration and decrease the charge recombination probability, thus promoting the photocatalytic activity. Keeping the reduction and oxidation processes in different regions in the nanocomposite may also enhance the photocatalytic efficiency and stability. The location and size of cocatalysts, the interfacial contact between semiconductor and carbon materials, and the heterojunctions between different semiconductors together with the suitable alignment of band edges of semiconductors are key factors determining the photocatalytic behaviours of the nanocomposite catalysts.

Self-Assembly of Active Bi2O3/TiO2 Visible Photocatalyst with Ordered Mesoporous Structure and Highly Crystallized Anatase

Abstract: Bi2O3/TiO2 nanocrystallines with ordered mesoporous structure are synthesized by ab evaporation-induced self-assembly method. During liquid-phase photocatalytic degradation of p-chlorophenol under visible illumination (λ > 420 nm), this catalyst exhibits high activity owing to the synergetic effects of both the Bi2O3-photosensitization and the unique structural characteristics. The Bi2O3-photosensitization of TiO2 could extend the spectral response from UV to visible area, making the Bi2O3/TiO2 photocatalyst easily activated by visible lights. The ordered mesoporous channels facilitate the diffusion of reactant molecules. Meanwhile, the high surface area could enhance the Bi2O3 dispersion, the light harvesting, and the reactant adsorption. Furthermore, the highly crystallized anatase may promote the transfer of photoelectrons from bulk to surface and thus inhibit their recombination with photoholes, leading to enhanced quantum efficiency.

Preparation of polyaniline-modified TiO2 nanoparticles and their photocatalytic activity under visible light illumination

Abstract: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were modified by polyaniline (PANI) using ‘in situ’ chemical oxidative polymerization method in hydrochloric acid solutions. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectrum (XPS) and UV–vis spectra were carried out to characterize the composites with different PANI contents. The photocatalytic degradation of phenol was chosen as a model reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activities of the modified catalysts. Results show that TiO2 nanoparticles are deposited by PANI to mitigate TiO2 particles agglomeration. The modification does not alter the crystalline structure of the TiO2 nanoparticles according to the X-ray diffraction patterns. UV–vis spectra reveal that PANI-modified TiO2 composites show stronger absorption than neat TiO2 under the whole range of visible light. The resulting PANI-modified TiO2 composites exhibit significantly higher photocatalytic activity than that of neat TiO2 on degradation of phenol aqueous solution under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 400 nm). An optimum of the synergetic effect is found for an initial molar ratio of aniline to TiO2 equal to 1/100.

Photodegradation of organic pollutants RhB dye using UV simulated sunlight on ceria based TiO2 nanomaterials for antibacterial applications.

Abstract: To photo-catalytically degrade RhB dye using solar irradiation, CeO2 doped TiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized hydrothermally at 700 °C for 9 hrs. All emission spectra showed a prominent band centered at 442 nm that was attributed to oxygen related defects in the CeO2-TiO2 nanocrystals. Two sharp absorption bands at 1418 cm−1 and 3323 cm−1 were attributed to the deformation and stretching vibration, and bending vibration of the OH group of water physisorbed to TiO2, respectively. The photocatalytic activities of Ce-TiO2 nanocrystals were investigated through the degradation of RhB under UV and UV+ visible light over a period of 8 hrs. After 8 hrs, the most intense absorption peak at 579 nm disappeared under the highest photocatalytic activity and 99.89% of RhB degraded under solar irradiation. Visible light-activated TiO2 could be prepared from metal-ion incorporation, reduction of TiO2, non-metal doping or sensitizing of TiO2 using dyes. Studying the antibacterial activity of Ce-TiO2 nanocrystals against E. coli revealed significant activity when 10 μg was used, suggesting that it can be used as an antibacterial agent. Its effectiveness is likely related to its strong oxidation activity and superhydrophilicity. This study also discusses the mechanism of heterogeneous photocatalysis in the presence of TiO2.