Article
Environmental Sciences
Almudena Aguinaco, Beatriz Amaya, Milagrosa Ramirez-del-Solar
Summary: Fe3+-TiO2 thin films were successfully prepared using a sandwich approach, and their structural, morphological, optical, and photocatalytic properties were studied. The incorporation of Fe3+ altered the material properties to enhance photocatalytic activity.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sang Yeon Lee, Il -Han Yoo, Ranveer Singh, Young Jae Lee, Shankara S. Kalanur, Hyungtak Seo
Summary: Band structure engineering is employed to enhance photocatalytic properties of TiO2 for H-2 production and dye degradation reactions through fluorine doping, resulting in high energy carriers. Nanoscale imaging reveals insights into the enhanced photocatalytic activity of doped TiO2, particularly in the presence of Ti-F bonding in the sequential doped Pd loaded TiO2 nanorod.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pawel Mikrut, Dariusz Mitoraj, Radim Beranek, Wojciech Macyk
Summary: The study found that photoanodes based on belt-shaped crystals dominated by {100} facets exhibit superior performance in a photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) due to faster transfer of photogenerated holes to methanol oxidation sites, avoiding undesired surface trapping and Fermi level pinning effects.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Birgitta Narindri Rara Winayu, Chia -Chin Chou, Hsin Chu
Summary: This study aimed to improve the photocatalytic degradation of toluene by modifying TiO2 photocatalyst. The modified photocatalyst showed smaller crystal size, improved utilization of visible light, and the formation of Ti-O-S structure compared to pure TiO2. Temperature and relative humidity also affected the photocatalytic activity.
JOURNAL OF THE TAIWAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Abdelaziz Abboudi, Sabrina Iaiche, Abdelkader Djelloul, Abdelouahed Chala, Fouzi Kezzoula, Faycal Bensouici, Mohamed Bououdina, Muhammad Humayun
Summary: Bare titanium oxide (TiO2) and fluorine (F) doped TiO2 thin films were successfully fabricated on soda lime glass substrates using the sol-gel dip-coating technique. The influence of hydrofluoric acid (HF) concentration on the structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of the films was investigated. Characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and UV-visible spectrophotometry were employed. The results showed the presence of highly crystalline anatase phase TiO2, cracked surfaces in the SEM images, and a decrease in roughness with increasing HF concentration in the AFM images.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Y. V. Yuferov, I. D. Popov, F. M. Zykov, A. Y. Suntsov, I. V. Baklanova, A. V. Chukin, A. I. Kukharenko, S. O. Cholakh, I. S. Zhidkov
Summary: Nanotubular TiO2 arrays were synthesized through anodization and annealing, resulting in highly crystallized structures with preferred orientations. The study comprehensively examined the photo-electrochemical properties and incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency of the material, demonstrating the impact of self-doping by carbon on its photocatalytic properties. The research also showed significant improvement in photoconversion efficiency in both UV and visible ranges, indicating potential for enhancing efficiency before further doping and decoration.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Si-Ming Wu, Patrik Schmuki
Summary: This article focuses on the use of TiO2 as a light-absorbing semiconductor for photocatalytic solar energy conversion and various photocatalytic reactions. Different strategies are discussed to improve the photoresponse of TiO2-based materials, including bandgap engineering, surface sensitization, nanostructuring, and geometry optimization. The article provides a comprehensive overview of the effects of fluorine on TiO2, including morphology modifications, and the influence of surface or bulk fluorine on the photocatalytic performance of TiO2. The challenges and future prospects for the development of fluorine effects are highlighted.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fedor Zykov, Igor Selyanin, Roman Shishkin, Vadim Kartashov, Konstantin Borodianskiy, Yuliy Yuferov
Summary: Nanotubular titanium oxide (NTO) doped with Ni was synthesized using two doping techniques, immersion in Ni salt solution and using an ethylene glycol-based fluoride electrolyte containing Ni2+ ions solution. The samples were analyzed using SEM, XRD, and photoelectrochemical methods. The Ni-doped NTO showed twice the photocatalytic activity compared to the undoped NTO, and the immersion technique led to a shift of the incident photon to converted electron spectra to the visible part of the spectrum.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Luminita Andronic, Alina Vladescu, Alexandru Enesca
Summary: This study investigated the synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity of TiO2 on the degradation of imidacloprid, as well as the toxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles and imidacloprid on green algae. It was found that TiO2 had low toxicity to the algae, while imidacloprid showed high toxicity levels in low concentrations in an aquatic environment over a long period of time.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jewon Lee, Sicheon Seong, Soyeong Jin, Jaeyong Kim, Youngdo Jeong, Jaegeun Noh
Summary: Photocatalysis driven by natural sunlight is an effective method for wastewater treatment. In this study, a nanocatalyst was prepared to rapidly recapture the catalysts without the need for centrifugation. The combination of halloysite nanotubes and alginate capsules significantly improved the adsorption efficiency of organic pollutants to TiO2, and their millimeter-scale structure allowed ultra-fast filtering using a strainer.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Devagi Kanakaraju, Muhamad Akif Aizuddin Jasni, Andrea Pace, Muhamad Hazim Ya
Summary: The Cu/TiO2/FA composite was optimized for the removal of the model dye pollutant methyl orange under visible light irradiation using response surface methodology and Box-Behnken experimental design. The study considered three independent variables and achieved a 99.91% removal rate under the optimal operating conditions. The results support the hypothesis of a combined and synergic adsorption-photocatalytic degradation process for pollutant removal.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Siyuan Zhang, Zewen Sun, Yue Zhou, Wenshu Chen, Qianhui Wu, Jianhua Sun, Leiming Lang
Summary: Ag nanoparticles significantly enhance the photocatalytic activity of self-organized TiO2 nanotube structures. In this study, novel Ag/TiO2 tube-in-tube fibers were prepared using a simple electrospinning technology and calcination process. As a photocatalyst, the composite efficiently catalyzes the photodegradation of the model organic pollutant, rhodamine B, under visible light irradiation, showing superior photocatalytic activity compared to undoped TiO2 tube-in-tube fibers. This enhancement is attributed to the plasmonic characteristics of Ag nanoparticles, which promote light absorption and charge transfer feasibility. The simple, low-cost, and green fabrication route of the composite provides a novel means for preparing similar materials, holding great promise for wider application in the future.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wangbing Sun, Mingxuan Sun, Xianglong Meng, Yongqiang Zheng, Ziyang Li, Xiangzhi Huang, Muhammad Humayun
Summary: A series of alkynyl carbon functionalized N-TiO2 was successfully prepared by ball milling. The alkynyl carbon materials were successfully doped into N-TiO2, and the catalytic performance of alkynylated N-TiO2 for various organic dyes and NH3 production was significantly enhanced under visible light. The introduction of alkynyl carbon into semiconductor materials is a promising strategy for improving their photocatalytic properties.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Oscar R. Andrade, Veronica Rodriguez, Rafael Camarillo, Fabiola Martinez, Carlos Jimenez, Jesusa Rincon
Summary: The effect of carbon support on the activity and selectivity of N-doped TiO2 nanoparticles was analyzed in this study. The results showed that the photocatalytic performance of the prepared catalysts was enhanced due to the synergistic effect of N doping and carbon support.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Haisheng Huang, Juan Wang, Qi Kong, Yao Xu, Zhishun Wei, Ying Chang
Summary: Anatase TiO2 hierarchically structured microspheres with co-exposed {001}/{101} facets were prepared by a facile one-pot hydrothermal method. The morphology and crystallization of the microspheres were systematically investigated under different reaction temperatures, and it was found that the microspheres exhibited better properties at a temperature of 160°C. Modification of the microspheres with different noble metals (Au, Ag, Cu, Pt, Pd) resulted in significantly enhanced photocatalytic activities, with the Pt-modified sample (TPt) showing the highest activity in the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride and hydrogen production.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rubi Resendiz-Ramirez, Aaron Rodriguez-Lopez, Jesus A. Diaz-Real, Humberto F. Delgado-Arenas, Azucena Osornio-Villa, Rosalba Hernandez-Leos, Vincent Vivier, Rene Antano-Lopez
Summary: This study investigates the electrochemical synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles through analysis of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Three models are proposed and their EIS spectra predicted, with a new model involving up to three adsorbed intermediate species providing the best fit to experimental data. However, the existing mechanisms do not fully explain all experimental results, highlighting the need for further refinement in understanding the reaction mechanism.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tianyu Li, Jesus Adrian Diaz-Real, Thomas Holm
Summary: This article discusses ways to incorporate a reference electrode in a microfluidic system and presents some design strategies for electrode placement to ensure accurate potential control through numerical modeling and experimental verification.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Daniel Lozano-Lopez, Marisol Galvan-Valencia, Ivone Rojas-de Soto, Ricardo A. Escalona-Villalpando, Janet Ledesma-Garcia, Sergio Duron-Torres
Summary: This study reports the use of GSH-CdTeQD as a support matrix for immobilizing the enzyme GOx and evaluates its performance in energy production in a microfluidic biofuel cell. The results show that the support matrix effectively immobilizes the enzyme while preserving its catalytic activity.
Review
Electrochemistry
Nicolas Alonso-Vante
Summary: This paper reviews the electrochemical properties of platinum-based nanoalloys, focusing on electrocatalytic materials generated via the carbonyl chemical route. The effects of segregation in these bimetals on the hydrogen oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions in the alkaline medium are investigated. The study reveals the importance of Pt adsorbate on the kinetics of HOR and ORR.
ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
D. Mamedov, S. Zh. Karazhanov, N. Alonso-Vante
Summary: Nanoparticles of CeO2 with different morphologies were synthesized and compared with commercial ceria particles. The defectivity of CeO2 was found to influence its absorption edge energy and photocatalytic performance under narrow band UV-light condition. The surface charge condition of CeO2 particles played a crucial role in the decolorization of methylene blue dye, and the cubic-morphology CeO2 showed better performance despite its low BET surface area. However, the photopotential of ceria electrodes was lower than that of TiO2, resulting in a worse photocatalytic performance of CeO2 compared to TiO2.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
M. P. Gurrola, J. C. Cruz, F. I. Espinosa-Lagunes, A. Martinez-Lazaro, J. Ledesma-Garcia, L. G. Arriaga, R. A. Escalona-Villalpando
Summary: This study presents a promising method for power generation in direct urea microfluidic fuel cells (DU mu FC) by using urine/urea oxidation reaction through catalysts with a higher performance. The evaluation of urine samples as fuel in an air-breathing microfluidic fuel cell is carried out by optimizing parameters such as urea, KOH and H2SO4 concentration, and flux rate. The electrochemical results demonstrate the successful generation of energy from urine by dispersing and attaching the Pd/rGo catalyst mixed with Nafion (R) in the anodic compartment.
Review
Microbiology
Yesenia Mendoza-Burguete, Maria de la Luz Perez-Rea, J. Ledesma-Garcia, Juan Campos-Guillen, M. A. Ramos-Lopez, C. Guzman, J. A. Rodriguez-Morales
Summary: This systematic review examines the current research on soil contaminants, specifically leachate from solid waste landfills, and emphasizes biological remediation. The study analyzes data on pollutant treatment by microorganisms and their results worldwide. Factors such as soil type, pollutant type, bacterial type, and study locations were considered. The review provides reliable global data on soil contamination, particularly by leachate from municipal landfills, and highlights the importance of considering various factors when selecting a viable remediation strategy.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
A. Martinez-Lazaro, A. P. Mendoza-Camargo, M. H. Rodriguez-Barajas, F. I. Espinosa-Lagunes, Y. Salazar-Lara, A. Herrera-Gomez, O. Cortazar-Martinez, N. Rey-Raap, J. Ledesma-Garcia, A. Arenillas, L. G. Arriaga
Summary: Unsupported PdCo aerogels were successfully synthesized using microwave heating, which offers advantages in terms of synthesis time and physicochemical properties. The combination of palladium with cobalt enhances the electrocatalytic performance due to a higher percentage of Pd-0, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The microwave-synthesized PdCo aerogel showed excellent performance in an ethanol-fueled microfluidic fuel cell.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
H. Martinez-Garcia, D. Salazar-Marin, V. Collins-Martinez, J. G. Torres-Torres, M. K. Kesarla, O. A. Jaramillo-Quintero, N. Hernandez-Como, Goldie Oza, F. Ortiz-Chi, J. A. Diaz-Real, S. Godavarthi
Summary: This study prepared C3N4 and TiO2 using different methods, and utilized them to prepare C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction materials, resulting in improved photocatalytic hydrogen production efficiency. The composite with 5% C3N4 content showed the best photocatalytic hydrogen production, and various techniques were employed to confirm the formation of the heterojunction and the mechanism of band alignment.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juan Luis de la Fuente-jimenez, Cesar Ivan Rodriguez-Rivas, Irma Beatriz Mitre-Aguilar, Andrea Torres-Copado, Eric Alejandro Garcia-Lopez, Jose Herrera-Celis, Maria Goretti Arvizu-Espinosa, Marco Antonio Garza-Navarro, Luis Gerardo Arriaga, Janet Ledesma Garcia, Domingo Ixcoatl Garcia-Gutierrez, Alejandro Zentella Dehesa, Ashutosh Sharma, Goldie Oza
Summary: This study characterizes zinc ferrite nanoparticles (ZFO NPs) synthesized using co-precipitation method and explores their potential as a platform for cancer theranostics. Various techniques, such as UV-visible spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, are used to analyze the properties of ZFO NPs, including crystalline structure and particle size. Comparative cytotoxicity evaluation on different cell lines confirms that ZFO NPs exhibit higher cytotoxicity towards triple-negative breast cancer cells, indicating their potential for cancer therapeutics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
A. I. Gutierrez-Perez, M. T. Ayala-Ayala, A. G. Mora-Garcia, C. Hernandez-Navarro, S. Perez, J. A. Diaz-Real, J. Gonzalez Hernandez, J. Munoz-Saldana
Summary: Visible-light photoactive (Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3 (NBT)-based heterojunctions have shown potential in environmental remediation. This study investigates the photocatalytic properties of NBT-based coatings deposited by oxyacetylene flame spray (FS) and analyzes the influence of spraying parameters on the physicochemical properties. The results demonstrate the ability of the FS methodology to produce multiphase photocatalytic coatings.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL SPRAY TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yuan Wang, Haihong Zhong, Weiting Yang, Yongjun Feng, Nicolas Alonso-Vante
Summary: This review summarizes the recent advances in the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via two-electron (2e-) oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). It discusses the catalytic mechanisms, pH and porous structure effects, selectivity assessment methods, biomass-derived carbon-based catalyst development, and electrochemical device designs. The use of self-doped heteroatomic carbon-based electrocatalysts derived from abundant and cheap biomass has emerged as a promising and environmentally friendly approach for on-site H2O2 production.
ADVANCED ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Luis Alberto Estudillo-Wong, Claudia Guerrero-Barajas, Jorge Vazquez-Arenas, Nicolas Alonso-Vante
Summary: Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a sustainable technology that combines biotechnology and electrochemistry to develop applications in wastewater treatment and energy production. However, current MFC devices face limitations in terms of performance, efficiency, durability, cost, and competitiveness against other technologies. This study critically examines the synthesis of nD nanomaterials, methods of assembling biofilm-based electrode material, physicochemical characterizations, electrochemistry of materials, and electron transfer mechanisms to enhance the interaction between microorganisms and electrodes. The findings are expected to pave the way for the large-scale adoption of MFC technology in untapped markets.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
M. H. Rodriguez-Barajas, A. Gutierrez, A. Martinez-Lazaro, F. I. Espinosa-Lagunes, N. Rey-Raap, A. Arenillas, J. Ledesma-Garcia, L. G. Arriaga
Summary: This study presents a simple method using microwave-assisted sol-gel process to obtain various PdCo aerogels and explores their physicochemical properties and applications in ethanol oxidation reaction. The results show that PdCo [80:20] and PdCo [50:50] aerogels exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance. PdCo [80:20] aerogel achieves the highest power density and current density in the acid-alkaline hybrid microfluidic fuel cell.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Francisco Javier Cordova-Almeida, Darshana Rajput, J. G. Torres-Torres, S. Gallardo-Hernandez, Adrien Cervantes-Uribe, Jesus A. Diaz-Real, Srinivas Godavarthi, Goldie Oza
Summary: The mesostructured heterojunctions of SrTiO3/g-C3N4 were synthesized using hydrothermal method with different weight percentages of SrTiO3. The CN-ST15 sample showed the highest photocatalytic activity in degrading methylene blue.
