Junbo Zhong

Photodegradation of Rhodamine B over a novel photocatalyst of feather keratin decorated CdS under visible light irradiation

A novel photocatalyst of feather keratin (FK)-decorated CdS was synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the particle sizes of FK/CdS nanocomposites were smaller than pure CdS. The coexistence of FK and CdS in the photocatalysts was further confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results of photocatalytic experiments demonstrated that the FK/CdS composites exhibit significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for the photocatalytic degradation of RhB compared with pure CdS under visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the FK/CdS composites can be attributed to the similar affinity between FK and RhB, which can effectively separate the photogenerated electron–hole pairs. This method not only improves the photocatalytic activity of CdS, but also reduces the environmental pollution of waste feathers. In addition, the possible degradation mechanism of RhB is proposed.

Enhanced separation efficiency of photo-induced charge pairs and sunlight-driven photocatalytic performance of TiO 2 prepared with the assistance of NH 4 Cl

The photocatalytic performance of TiO2 is significantly limited by its high recombination rate of photo-generated charge carriers, and therefore it is essential to further boost the photocatalytic activity of TiO2. In this paper, to enhance the separation efficiency of the photo-generated charge carriers by surface state regulation, a series of TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by sol–gel method with the assistance of NH4Cl and studied by the Brunauer-Emmet Teller method, X-ray diffraction patterns, UV-VIS diffuse reflectance spectra, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy and surface photovoltage spectroscopy. The relative amount of •O2− was measured using nitrotetrazolium blue chloride (NBT) method. The photocatalytic activities of the samples under the simulated sunlight irradiation were investigated using Rhodamine B as the model dye. The results reveal that all the samples prepared with the assistance of NH4Cl display better photocatalytic activity than the reference TiO2 and the enhancement mechanism was proposed.Graphical abstract

Bovine serum albumin modified ZnO to degrade organic dyes under ultraviolet light irradiation

Bovine serum albumin (BSA), a non-toxic natural polymer material, is used as a template agent to modify the as-prepared photocatalyst ZnO, changing the ZnO nanorod into a nanosheet. The synthesized samples were characterized by scanning microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method (BET). The photocatalytic performance of the samples was evaluated via the photocatalytic degradation process of methylene blue (MB) and phenol under UV-light irradiation. Compared to pure ZnO, the ZnO/BSA composites exhibited superior photocatalytic activity, which could be attributed to the distensible surface area and the effective separation of photoinduced electron–hole pairs. Besides, the BSA used as a template could promote the photocatalysts to absorb more dye particles on its surface and improve degradation performance, which could be applied in a similar fashion between the protein and MB.

Fabrication of Dy-doped BiVO4 with Enhanced Solar Light Photocatalytic Performance

BiVO4 and Dy-doped BiVO4 photocatalysts with different molar ratio of Dy/Bi (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) were prepared by a sol–gel method and characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) techniques, and surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS), respectively. The photocatalytic performance for decolorization of rhodamine B (RhB) aqueous solution under solar light was evaluated, the results show that Dy-doped BiVO4 with about 2%Dy possesses the best photocatalytic activity and the underlying mechanism is suggested.

A flower-like TiO2 with photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity modified by Zn(II) porphyrin photocatalysts

The Zn(II)5,10,15,20-tetrakis [m-methoxy-p-hydroxyl-phenyl] porphyrins (ZnTmMpHPP) as a photosensitizer was applied to modified TiO2 and the composite was prepared via a hydrothermal process. The as-obtained flower-like TiO2 and TiO2/ZnTmMpHPP composites were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infared spectromotry, transient photocurrent responses and BET. Photocatalytic hydrogen production results show the TiO2/ZnTmMpHPP composite has a higher photocatalytic activity than pure TiO2 under ultraviolet light irradiation, which is due to the enhanced transfer and separation efficiency of photo-induced carriers from the ZnTmMpHPP to TiO2 with the help of conjugated π bond in ZnTmMpHPP. The recycled H2 evolution test indicates that the TiO2/ZnTmMpHPP composite is stable enough under the reaction system. In the presented paper, it is proven that the ZnTmMpHPP can greatly accelerate the separation of charges and effectively improve the photocatalytic H2 evolution activity of TiO2.

Fabrication and Improved Photocatalytic Performance of Pd/α-Fe2O3

Effective Pd decorated α-Fe2O3 photocatalysts with different Pd amount (Pd/Fe) were prepared by photodeposition method. The photocatalysts prepared were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV/vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The separation efficiency of photogenerated charges was investigated using ammonium oxalate as scavenger. The photocatalytic activity of catalysts was evaluated by decolorization of methyl orange aqueous solution under ultraviolet light irradiation. The relationship between Pd loading and the photocatalytic performance was discussed and the optimization of the Pd/α-Fe2O3 composites was obtained. The result shows that Pd decorated Fe2O3 with 3% Pd (Pd/Fe) possesses the best photocatalytic activity.

Enhanced Photo-induced Charge Separation and Simulated Solar Photocatalytic Activity of α-Fe2O3/BiOCl Prepared In-situ

Abstract In this paper, α-Fe2O3/BiOCl composites were in-situ prepared by a hydrothermal routine and characterized by BET surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS), respectively. The separation efficiency of photo- induced charges was investigated using benzoquinone (BQ) as scavenger. The relationship between α- Fe2O3 loading and the photocatalytic performance was investigated. When the molar ratio of Fe/Bi is 1/3, the composite material exhibits higher photocatalytic performance than the pure α-Fe2O3 and BiOCl towards decolorization of Methyl Orange (MO) aqueous solution under the simulated sun light irradiation. The enhanced mechanism was also discussed.

Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Bi-doped α-Fe2O3

Abstract Bi-doped α-Fe2O3 photocatalysts with different molar ratios of Bi/Fe (1%, 2%, and 3%) were prepared by a facile parallel flow co-precipitation method. The photocatalysts were characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The separation efficiency of photo-generated charges was investigated using benzoquinone (BQ) as scavenger. The effect of Bi doped on the photocatalytic performance was discussed. The results show that Bidoped α-Fe2O3 photocatalyst exhibits higher photocatalytic performance toward decolorization of methyl orange (MO) aqueous solution than pure α-Fe2O3 under both ultraviolet light and simulated solar light irradiation. The optimization of Bi-doped α-Fe2O3 photocatalyst was obtained. The enhanced mechanism was also discussed.

DECOLORIZATION OF METHYL ORANGE SOLUTION WITH POTASSIUM BROMATE UNDER UV IRRADIATION

Abstract This report has demonstrated that the textile dye of Methyl Orange (MO) in water can be decolorized effectively in the presence of KBrO3 under UV irradiation. Decolorization efficiency of MO increases as the loading of the KBrO3 increases,when the dosage of KBrO3 is 8 g/L,the decolorization of MO is up to 100% in 20 mins. The paper reveals that the decolorization reaction is a pseudo first-order reaction when the concentration of MO is below 10 mgL-1, the decolorization rate constant for 10 mgL-1 MO is 0.0102 min-1. The decolorization efficiency in acid is better than that in base, the decolorization efficiency for pH 2.0 and 12.0 are 44.0% and 3.8%, respectively. Several observations indicate that the decolorization of MO with KBrO3 under UV irradiation is not the attack of hydroxyl radicals. More considerations should be paid on the underlying decolorization mechanism of MO with KBrO3 under UV irradiation.

Enhanced photo-induced charge separation and solar-driven photocatalytic performance of Ag/g-C3N4

ABSTRACT In this contribution, Ag-modified g-C3N4 photocatalysts with different Ag loading were prepared by a facile photoreduction method. The photocatalysts prepared were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPV), respectively. The separation efficiency of photo-induced charge pairs was studied using benzoquinone (BQ) as scavenger. The activities of the photocatalysts were evaluated by decolorization of rhodamine B aqueous solution under simulated solar illumination. Compared to g-C3N4, Ag/g-C3N4 photocatalysts exhibit enhanced photocatalytic performance due to the improved separation efficiency of photo-generated charge pairs.