Chong-Yeon Park

Synthesis of fullerene modified with Ag2S with high photocatalytic activity under visible light

We improve the photocatalytic effect of Ag2S under visible light by using fullerene modified with Ag2S nanoparticles. Surface areas and pore volumes of the Ag2S–fullerene samples showed catastrophic decreases due to the deposition of Ag2S. The generation of reactive oxygen species was detected through the oxidation reaction from 1,5-diphenyl carbazide (DPCI) to 1,5-diphenyl carbazone (DPCO). It is found that the photocurrent density and the photocatalytic effect increase in the case with the modified fullerene. In comparison with the separate effects of Ag2S and fullerene nanoparticles, the photocatalytic effect of the fullerene modified with Ag2S composites is increased significantly due to the synergetic effect between the fullerene and the Ag2S nanoparticles.

Enhanced Sonocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B by Graphene-TiO2 Composites Synthesized by an Ultrasonic-Assisted Method

Abstract A series of graphene-TiO2 composites was fabricated from graphene oxide and titanium n-butoxide (TNB) by an ultrasonic-assisted method. The structure and composition of the nanocomposites were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, BET surface area measurements, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy. The average size of the TiO2 nanoparticles on the graphene nanosheets was controlled at around 10–15 nm without using surfactant, which is attributed to the pyrolysis and condensation of dissolved TNB into TiO2 by ultrasonic irradiation. The catalytic activity of the composites under ultrasonic irradiation was determined using a rhodamine B (RhB) solution. The graphene-TiO2 composites possessed a high specific surface area, which increased the decolorization rate for RhB solution. This is because the graphene and TiO2 nanoparticles in the composites interact strongly, which enhances the photoelectric conversion of TiO2 by reducing the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs.

The characteristic study and sonocatalytic performance of CdSe–graphene as catalyst in the degradation of azo dyes in aqueous solution under dark conditions

The sonocatalytic degradation of azo dyes; methyl orange (MO) and rhodamine B (RhB) were studied catalyzed by cadmium selenide (CdSe)-graphene in dark ambiance. The CdSe-graphene composites were prepared by simple hydrothermal method. The characterizations of composites were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), specific surface area (BET) and with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The UV-spectroscopic analysis of the dyes was done by measuring the change in absorbance. The degradation of the organic dyes was calculated based on the decrease in concentration of the dyes with respect to regular time intervals. The rate coefficients for the sonocatalytic process were successfully established and the reusability tests were done to test the stability of the used catalysts.

Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic behavior of WO3-fullerene/TiO2 catalysts under visible light

WO3-treated fullerene/TiO2 composites (WO3-fullerene/TiO2) were prepared using a sol-gel method. The composite obtained was characterized by BET surface area measurements, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and UV-vis analysis. A methyl orange (MO) solution under visible light irradiation was used to determine the photocatalytic activity. Excellent photocatalytic degradation of a MO solution was observed using the WO3-fullerene, fullerene-TiO2, and WO3-fullerene/TiO2 composites under visible light. An increase in photocatalytic activity was observed, and WO3-fullerene/TiO2 has the best photocatalytic activity; it may attribute to the increase of the photo-absorption effect by the fullerene and the cooperative effect of the WO3.

Characterization and relative sonocatalytic efficiencies of a new MWCNT and CdS modified TiO2 catalysts and their application in the sonocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B

TiO(2) nanoparticles modified with MWCNTs and CdS were synthesized by the sol-gel method followed by solvothermal treatment at low temperature. The chemical composition and surface structure of the CdS/CNT-TiO(2) composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction, specific surface area measurements, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Then a series of sonocatalytic degradation experiments were carried out under ultrasonic irradiation in the presence of CNT/TiO(2) and the CdS/CNT-TiO(2) composites. It was found that RhB was quickly and effectively degraded under different ultrasonic conditions. As expected, the nanosized CdS/CNT-TiO(2) photocatalyst showed enhanced activity compared with the non CdS treated CNT/TiO(2) material in the sonocatalytic degradation of RhB. The sonocatalyst CCTb with 34.68% contents of Ti heat treated at 500 °C for 1h showed the highest sonocatalytic activity. The synergistic effect of the greater surface area and catalytic activities of the composite catalysts was examined in terms of their strong adsorption ability and interphase interaction by comparing the effects of different amounts of MWCNTs and CdS in the catalysts and their roles. The mechanism of sonocatalytic degradation over the CdS/CNT modified TiO(2) composites under different ultrasonic conditions was also discussed.

Synthesis and Characterization of Metal (Pt, Pd and Fe)-graphene Composites

In this study, we prepared graphene by using the modified Hummers-Offeman method and then introduced the metals (Pt, Pd and Fe) for dispersion on the surface of the graphene for synthesis of metal-graphene composites. The characterization of the prepared graphene and metal-graphene composites was performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). According to the results, it can be observed that the prepared graphene consists of thin stacked flakes of shapes having a well-defined multilayered structure at the edge. And the metal particles are dispersed uniformly on the surface of the graphene with an average particle size of 20 ㎚.

Preparation of CuS-graphene oxide/TiO2 composites designed for high photonic effect and photocatalytic activity under visible light

CuS-graphene oxide/TiO2 composites were prepared using a sol-gel method to improve the photocatalytic performance of the photocatalyst. The composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The photocatalytic activities were examined by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible-light irradiation. The photodegradation of MB under visible-light irradiation reached 90.1% after 120 min. The kinetics of MB degradation was plotted alongside the values calculated from the Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation. The CuS-graphene oxide/TiO2 sample prepared using 0.2 mol of TiO2 showed the best photocatalytic activity. This was attributed to a cooperative reaction as a result of increased photoabsorption by graphene oxide and an increased photocatalytic effect by CuS.

Preparation of ZnS-Graphene/TiO2 Composites Designed for Their High Photonic Effect and Photocatalytic Activity Under Visible Light

In this study, ZnS combined graphene/TiO2 (ZGT) composites were prepared by a sol–gel method to improve the photocatalytic performance of TiO2. These composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photocatalytic activities were examined by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The photodegradation rate of MB under visible light irradiation reached 90.1% after 150 minutes. The kinetics of MB degradation was plotted alongside the values calculated from the Langmuir–Hinshelwood equation. The 0.2 ZnS-graphene/TiO2 sample showed the best photocatalytic activity, which was attributed to cooperative reaction due to an increase of the photo-absorption effect by graphene and the photocatalytic effect by ZnS.

Characterization of Graphene Nanosheets as Electrode Material and Their Performances for Electric Double-Layer Capacitors

In this work, graphene nanosheets were prepared using the Hummers-Offeman method. We prepared the resultant graphene electrode with kneading type. The prepared graphene nanosheets were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy instrument and Raman spectra. Finally, the electrochemical performances of graphene nanosheets in an electrolyte solution of tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate ((C2H5)4NBF4, TEABF4) in propylene carbonate (C4H6O3, PC) were examined.

Synthesis of carbon nanomaterials-CdSe composites and their photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue

We use multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and graphene as carbon nanomaterials to obtain carbon nanomaterilas-CdSe composites using a facile hydrothermal method. The intrinsic characteristics of resulting composites were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrophotometer. The as-prepared carbon nanomaterilas-CdSe composites possessed great adsorptivity of dyes, extended light absorption range, and efficient charge separation properties simultaneously. Hence, in the photodegradation of methylene blue, a significant enhancement in the reaction rate was observed with carbon nanomaterilas-CdSe composites, compared to the CdSe compound.