Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance of Surface-Modified TiO2 Nanofibers with Rhodizonic Acid

Abstract

The improvement of the photocatalytic performance of TiO 2 nanofibers (NFs), prepared by electrospinning, is achieved by surface modification with the rhodizonic acid (RhA). The condensation reaction between hydroxyl groups from TiO 2 NFs and RhA is accompanied by the red-shift of optical absorption due to interfacial charge transfer (ICT) complex formation. Crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties of unmodified and surface-modified TiO 2 NFs were analyzed. The photocatalytic performance of prepared samples has been examined through degradation of organic dye methylene blue. Superior photocatalytic activity of surface-modified TiO 2 NFs with RhA is attributed to their enhanced optical properties, i.e., the ability to harvest the photon energy in the visible spectral range.

Synthesis of novel α-Fe2O3-Bi2S3-Gr for efficient photocatalytic degradation of environmental pollutants under visible-LED light irradiation

“…Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been widely practiced to eliminate organic pollutants [6]. Particularly, the photo Fenton oxidation process has been proved its high-efficiency and environmentally friendliness in the degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater [7][8][9][10][11]. Nevertheless, homogenous Fenton oxidation reactions encountered limitations such as the generation of ferric hydroxide sludge, the use of strong acid and the poor reusability of the catalyst [12].…”

Fluoride‐mediately solvothermal synthesis and tunable photocatalytic selectivity of urchin‐like ZrO2 hollow microspheres

“…6 Sun also reported that surface-modified TiO 2 nanofibers with rhodizonic acid showed enhanced photocatalytic performance. 7 As for ZrO 2 semiconductor, its wide band gap prohibits its use as an efficient solar photocatalyst. 8 While many successful attempts have been reported to improve the photocatalytic activity of ZrO 2 by building structures of different type, [9][10][11] it remains a challenge to modify the surface structure of ZrO 2 superstructures.…”

“…Among monoclinic ZrO 2 (M-ZrO 2 ) relaxed facets, the highest energy surface is (010) facets, 8 Chen et al evidenced that the simultaneous exposure of the (100) and (010) facets over the M-ZrO 2 nanorods could promote the formation of superoxide O 2− species, 4 that will be of great benefit to the adsorption and oxidative degradation of organic contaminants in waste water. Nevertheless, M-ZrO 2 nanoparticles are usually dominated by low-index (110), (011), ( 111), (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11), and (001) facets, 8,13,14 while the metastable (010) facets usually conceal rapidly during the synthesis process. In particular, to our knowledge, hollow microspherical assemblies by M-ZrO 2 nanosheets with a high percentage of exposed (010) facets have not been reported yet.…”

“…The surface structures have their properties to be dependent upon exposed crystallographic planes of subunits, 4,5 especially metastable (001) facets of anatase TiO 2 can be modified by fluorine, which showed superior photoreactivity (more than five times) compared with P25 6 . Sun also reported that surface‑modified TiO 2 nanofibers with rhodizonic acid showed enhanced photocatalytic performance 7 . As for ZrO 2 semiconductor, its wide band gap prohibits its use as an efficient solar photocatalyst 8 .…”

Photodegradation of textile pollutants by nanocomposite membranes of polyvinylidene fluoride integrated with polyaniline–titanium dioxide nanotubes

“…Recently, membranes have been modified by using titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanotubes; this modification usually result in change of shape and size of nanomaterials [20,21]. TiO 2 nanotubes have also shown several benefits such as higher surface area, high hydrophilic properties, improved photocatalytic activity, increased robustness and excellent mechanical stability [21,22]. X. Cao et al studied the effect of titania nanoparticles on the PVDF membrane.…”