Radina Kralchevska

The photocatalytic degradation of 17α-ethynylestradiol by pure and carbon nanotubes modified TiO2 under UVC illumination

AbstractCommercial product Degussa TiO2 P25, sol-gel produced TiO2 and TiO2 modified by carbon nanotubes addition (5% of the TiO2 mass) are tested as photocatalysts for the degradation of endocrine disrupting compound 17α-ethynylestradiol (1 µM aqueous solution). The molecular and crystal structure, phase composition, crystallite size, specific surface area, pore average diameter, their area and volume distribution, morphology, IR and UV/Vis spectra of the catalysts are characterized. HPLC is used for estrogen analysis. The sorption ability and photocatalytic activity (measured by degradation rate constant and percentage of the pollutant conversion) of the catalysts under UV (17 W, emission maximum at 254 nm) irradiation is determined. Full destruction of the pollutant is reached after 30 min irradiation in presence of Degussa P25. The performance of some of the catalysts is compared with literature data for their activity under 365 nm-illumination.

Influence of ThO2 on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2

AbstractMicrocomposites consisting of TiO2 (or Ce-doped TiO2) and ThO2 (0.5–2% of the TiO2 mass) are produced by sol-gel synthesis of TiO2 in presence of ThO2. X-ray diffraction study reveals the effects of ThO2 (compared to the ThO2-free TiO2, obtained by the same method) on the anatase interplanar distances, crystallites size and phase composition. The photocatalytic tests in presence of the composites under UV irradiation reveal an increase of the Malachite Green degradation rate constant. The effect depends on the Th relative content, temperature of annealing of the catalyst and addition of other doping agent. The highest photocatalytic activity is observed for TiO2 obtained at 550°C and containing 1% ThO2. The composite exhibits activity in dark, also. The presence of Ce4+ ions is not an obligatory requirement for the realization of the ThO2 effect. The reported results suggest that the radioactivity of the Th and/or its decay products is one of the main factors responsible for the increased photocatalytic activity of TiO2.

The radioactivity and the chemical nature of additives as factors determining the photocatalytic activity of TiO2

AbstractMicrocomposites consisting of TiO2 and ThF4 or UO3 (0.5–2% of the TiO2 mass) are produced by sol-gel synthesis of TiO2 in presence of the respective additives. X-ray diffraction study reveals small effect of the latter on TiO2 phase composition and cell parameters and significant influence on the crystallite size and UV/Vis reflectance spectra. The photocatalytic tests in presence of TiO2-ThF4 microcomposites under UV and solar irradiation show a non-monotonic increase of the Malachite Green degradation rate constant with the increase of ThF4-content. No changes in the photocatalytic activity are observed in the presence of UO3 but the latter composites exhibit activity in darkness. The results are compared with previously reported data on the performance of TiO2-ThO2 photocatalyst with the same radioactivity and suggest that both radioactivity and the chemical nature of the dopants are responsible for the photocatalytic performance of TiO2-based composites containing radioactive substances.