Deyong Wu

Synthesis of Visible-Light Responsive Graphene Oxide/TiO2 Composites with p/n Heterojunction

Graphene oxide/TiO(2) composites were prepared by using TiCl(3) and graphene oxide as reactants. The concentration of graphene oxide in starting solution played an important role in photoelectronic and photocatalytic performance of graphene oxide/TiO(2) composites. Either a p-type or n-type semiconductor was formed by graphene oxide in graphene oxide/TiO(2) composites. These semiconductors could be excited by visible light with wavelengths longer than 510 nm and acted as sensitizer in graphene oxide/TiO(2) composites. Visible-light driven photocatalytic performance of graphene oxide/TiO(2) composites in degradation of methyl orange was also studied. Crystalline quality and chemical states of carbon elements from graphene oxide in graphene oxide/TiO(2) composites depended on the concentration of graphene oxide in the starting solution. This study shows a possible way to fabricate graphene oxide/semiconductor composites with different properties by using a tunable semiconductor conductivity type of graphene oxide.

Preparation of photocatalytic anatase nanowire films by in situ oxidation of titanium plate

Photocatalytic anatase TiO2 nanowire thin films have been prepared by in situ oxidation of Ti plate in a mixture solution of concentrated H(2)O(2) and NaOH, followed by proton exchange and calcination. The morphologies and properties of the titanate and titania films have been investigated by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometry, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and Raman spectrometry. The mechanism of formation of the porous microstructure has been discussed; it is the result of the balance between dissolution and precipitation. And sodium ions in the solution are needed to combine with titanate species for the nanowire formation. The anatase TiO2 nanowire thin films exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity and stability in phenol degradation. The combination effects of the porous morphology and nanowire characteristics are favorable for improved photocatalytic performance. This novel nanowire film is promising for practical aqueous purification.

Template-free sol–gel preparation and characterization of free-standing visible light responsive C,N-modified porous monolithic TiO2

Visible light responsive C,N-modified porous monolithic titania (MT(f)) has been successfully synthesized. The template-free sol-gel synthesis method accompanied by phase separation and in situ C,N-modification has been used. The molar ratio of water to tetrabutyl titanate (f) in starting solution plays an important role in the porous structure and photoactivity of MT(f). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and N(2) adsorption-desorption analysis show that MT(f) possess mesoporous structure as well as macroporous structure. MT(22) has been further characterized by using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The results show that both nitrogen and carbon elements exist in MT(22) and result in the visible light photocatalytic activity of MT(22). The observed reaction rate of decolorization of methyl orange is 0.0026 min(-1).

Removing dye rhodamine B from aqueous medium via wet peroxidation with V-MCM-41 and H2O2.

A new heterogeneous Fenton-like system, consisting of V-MCM-41 catalyst and hydrogen peroxide, was proved to be effective in removing recalcitrant dye Rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solutions. V-MCM-41 was prepared following a direct hydrothermal procedure with tetraethyl silicate and ammonium metavanadate as precursor. The mesoporous structure has been characterized by XRD, and the specific surface area was determined as x m(2) g(-1) according to BET method. The catalytic reaction can proceed in a relatively wide pH range from acidic to alkaline. And the visible light irradiation cannot promote the reaction process. In addition, the mechanism implication for V-MCM-41 as a Fenton-like catalyst has been discussed.