Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuyang Li, Jian Sun, Yihua Chen, Hang Ma, Jiaxin Zhu, Zhiqiang Chen, Liao Meng, Tongzhou Liu
Summary: A simple technique for fabricating TiO2 thin film photocatalyst was developed in this work. The fabricated photocatalyst featured a homogeneous nanowire layer grown in situ on the Ti plate. The photocatalytic activity of the fabricated TiO2 thin film photocatalyst showed efficient degradation of RhB and CBZ under UVC irradiation, and the degradation kinetics were affected by the pH and the presence of Cl-, SO42-, or NO3-.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Almudena Aguinaco, Jose M. Manuel, Eduardo Blanco, Manuel Dominguez, Rocio Litran, Juan J. Delgado, Milagrosa Ramirez-del-Solar
Summary: The optical properties of 5wt% Fe3O4-TiO2 thin films were evaluated in detail in this study. The results showed that the incorporation of 5wt% Fe3O4 improved the optical properties and enhanced the separation efficiency of photoexcited electron-hole pairs in the photocatalyst. The study also proposed a mechanism for solar photocatalytic processes based on experimental results.
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
Lu He, Dietrich R. T. Zahn, Teresa I. I. Madeira
Summary: Titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films have photocatalytic properties and can be used for recycling and maintenance. Factors affecting their performance include nanocrystalline size, surface morphology, and phase composition, which need to be better studied and correlated.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ningdong Feng, Huiwen Lin, Hui Song, Longxiao Yang, Daiming Tang, Feng Deng, Jinhua Ye
Summary: In this study, the photocatalytic conversion of CH4 into CH3OH on Ag-decorated facet-dominated TiO2 with high yield and selectivity is achieved, showing a key role of oxygen vacancies generation on {001} in avoiding overoxidation. The research comprehensively clarifies the underlying mechanism and presents distinct reaction pathways on {001} compared to {101} TiO2, leading to enhanced selectivity and yield.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Thi Le Na Vo, Thi Thuy Dao, Anh Tuan Duong, Van Hao Bui, Viet Huong Nguyen, Dinh Lam Nguyen, Duc Cuong Nguyen, Tuan Hong Nguyen, Huu Tuan Nguyen
Summary: Ce-doped TiO2 (Ce-TiO2, 1.0 wt%) photocatalysts thin film was fabricated and investigated using sol-gel and spin coating methods, showing potential for effectively treating toxic organic substances from aqueous environments. The characterization of the thin films was done through various analytical techniques, indicating improved photocatalytic efficiency compared to undoped TiO2 films. Experimental findings related to wastewater treatment further confirmed the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the Ce-TiO2 thin film photocatalyst, particularly in degrading tetracycline (TC), suggesting its potential application in water pollution treatment caused by hazardous chemicals or other pollutants.
JOURNAL OF SOL-GEL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
W. Ravisy, M. Richard-Plouet, B. Dey, S. Bulou, P. Choquet, A. Granier, A. Goullet
Summary: The study revealed a close relationship between the crystallinity and microstructure of TiO2 thin films with film thickness, roughness, and anatase content. The critical thickness for coalescence of large polycrystalline columns varied between continuous and pulsed modes, impacting the photocatalytic activity. The use of ellipsometry to determine this coalescence thickness provides a method to evaluate the influence of process parameters on TiO2 thin film characteristics.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Reza Katal, Mohammad Tanhaei, Jiangyong Hu
Summary: In this study, TiO2 thin film photocatalysts were prepared and optimized for degradation of acetaminophen, showing that high-temperature annealing can enhance the photocatalytic activity. In the continuous system, the photocatalytic performance decreased with the increase of flow rate.
FRONTIERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Samira Mohammad Darvish, Amir Ali Masoudi, Abdollah Mortezaali, Zahra Sadat Hosseini
Summary: This study focuses on the preparation of silicon dioxide-titanium dioxide (SiO2-TiO2) thin films with different thicknesses using a dip-coating method. The aim is to improve the photocatalytic and hydrophilicity properties of the film by optimizing the thickness. The results show that increasing the thickness leads to higher surface roughness and a decrease in band gap, making the film more suitable for photocatalytic activity in visible light. The presence of defects in the 336 nm thick film also contributes to the improved charge carrier separation. XPS analysis is used to determine the chemical composition and the main parameters affecting photocatalytic performance, such as defect concentrations, grain boundaries, and surface roughness. The 336 nm thick film exhibits the highest photodegradation rate under visible light. This research provides valuable insights into the structural and optical properties of SiO2-TiO2 thin films for enhanced photocatalytic activity in the visible light region.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Xuemei Zhou
Summary: Titania (TiO2) has been widely investigated and used due to its functional applications. Noble metals are often used to enhance the catalytic activity of TiO2. Highly dispersed single metal atoms are desired for effective utilization of precious noble metals.
ACTA PHYSICO-CHIMICA SINICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Angelo Nicosia, Fabiana Vento, Gisella Maria Di Mari, Luisa D'Urso, Placido G. Mineo
Summary: Photocatalytic remediation is a potential sustainable solution for handling xenobiotic pollutants in the water environment, with TiO2 NPs showing promise in the form of thin films. The use of titanium dioxide-based nanocomposites prepared through a new approach enhances photodegradation activity, particularly when compared to blended mixtures.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Franklin J. Mendez, Daniel Barron-Romero, Obed Perez, Ricardo D. Flores-Cruz, Yahse Rojas-Challa, Jorge A. Garcia-Macedo
Summary: Powder samples of TiO2 and Pt/TiO2 were prepared using conventional methods, and then thin films incorporating these powders were prepared via dip coating. The samples were characterized using various techniques. The results showed that incorporating the powder photocatalyst into the thin film improved the photocatalytic performance significantly. Furthermore, the thin film samples were more stable during three consecutive runs.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Josiah Shondo, Salih Veziroglu, Dominik Stefan, Yogendra Kumar Mishra, Thomas Strunskus, Franz Faupel, Oral Cenk Aktas
Summary: The study demonstrates a two-step photocatalytic deposition method to synthesize hierarchical Au nano- and microstructures on TiO2 surface, leading to superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic properties. This opens up new avenues for applications in microfluidics, oil-water separation, and water harvesting technologies.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Zoubaida Landolsi, Ibtissem ben Assaker, Daniela Nunes, Abdullah Y. A. Alzahrani, Sherif M. A. S. Keshk, Radhouane Chtourou
Summary: In this study, porous TiO2 films decorated with bilayer hematite (nanoparticles/nanorods) were successfully synthesized using electrodeposition and hydrothermal treatment. XRD, EDS, and SEM were used to investigate the structural and morphological properties of the TiO2/bilayer hematite films. The TiO2/bilayer hematite film showed significant photodegradation of organic dyes under visible light and normal pH, due to its high specific surface area and stability.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yantong Guo, Xunliang Hu, Ruixue Sun, Xiaoyan Wang, Bien Tan
Summary: Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution through water splitting using covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) offers a promising route for solar energy conversion. However, the typical powder form of CTF-based photocatalysts poses challenges in recycling and scale-up applications. To address this limitation, CTF films were developed by in-situ growth polycondensation on glass substrates, demonstrating exceptional photocatalytic activity, stability, and recyclability. These films show a high hydrogen evolution rate and hold potential for green energy conversion and photocatalytic devices.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shanshan Dong, Jinyuan Hu, Shucai Xia, Binli Wang, Zhiqiang Wang, Tianjun Wang, Wei Chen, Zefeng Ren, Hongjun Fan, Dongxu Dai, Jun Cheng, Xueming Yang, Chuanyao Zhou
Summary: Methanol has been used as a hole scavenger in photocatalysis to improve charge separation. Study revealed that methoxy anions on TiO2 facilitate charge transfer more effectively than methanol, enhancing photocatalytic activity.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ting Luo, Ruidan Zhang, Wei-Wang Zeng, Chuanyao Zhou, Xueming Yang, Zefeng Ren
Summary: The study investigated the adsorption behaviors of alcohol on silica under high temperature conditions using surface-sensitive and near-ambient pressure techniques. It was found that methanol adsorption on silanol and siloxane sites of silica occurs preferentially on the siloxane sites at room temperature. Elevated temperature can enhance the efficiency of the alkoxylation reactions.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Changhua Bao, Laipeng Luo, Hongyun Zhang, Shaohua Zhou, Zefeng Ren, Shuyun Zhou
Summary: Achieving high time resolution in TrARPES system requires consideration of key factors such as laser bandwidth and optical component-induced chirp. By using a test sample and appropriate compensation methods, a high time resolution can be achieved.
REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fei Ge, Bo-Han Li, Puxin Cheng, Geng Li, Zefeng Ren, Jialiang Xu, Xian-He Bu
Summary: Chiral hybrid organic-inorganic metal halides (HOMHs) based on Cu-I halides were synthesized, showing well-balanced NLO performances, highly efficient SHG response, outstanding optical transparency, and high LDT. The effective second-order NLO coefficient of (R-MBA)CuBr2 is two orders of magnitude higher than that of their Cu-II counterparts.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jianyu Zhang, Anfeng Li, Bohan Li, Manman Yang, Xia Hao, Lili Wu, Dewei Zhao, Gengpei Xia, Zefeng Ren, Wenbo Tian, Dingyu Yang, Jingquan Zhang
Summary: This study successfully grew high-quality Cs3Bi2I9 perovskite single crystals using the TSS method, which exhibited high sensitivity and stability in X-ray detection.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shanshan Dong, Shucai Xia, Chao Wang, Jingwei Dong, Tianjun Wang, Rui Li, Zefeng Ren, Dongxu Dai, Xueming Yang, Chuanyao Zhou
Summary: This study measured the valence band structure and hole effective mass of rutile TiO2(110) using angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, and analyzed the dependence of photoemission intensities on excitation light polarization by considering the parity symmetry of molecular orbitals.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fangliang Li, Binli Wang, Xiao Chen, Weiwang Zeng, Rulin Sun, Xinlu Liu, Zefeng Ren, Xueming Yang, Hongjun Fan, Qing Guo
Summary: This study systematically investigated the photochemistry of toluene on a TiO2 catalyst, and found that ultraviolet light can efficiently activate the methyl C-H bond of toluene, forming stable intermediate adsorbed on specific sites until around room temperature. The DFT calculations further revealed that the photocatalytic C-H bond cleavage follows a homolytic manner. These findings provide insights into the photocatalytic functionalization of hydrocarbons on TiO2 catalysts.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Stefan Schwarzmueller, Daniel Souchay, Gerald Wagner, Paul Kemmesies, Daniel Guenther, Michael Bittner, Guanhua Zhang, Zefeng Ren, Armin Feldhoff, G. Jeffrey Snyder, Oliver Oeckler
Summary: In this study, it was demonstrated that a new composite material can be formed by adding copper and doping material to a specific composition of copper germanium antimony tellurides. The composite material exhibits superior thermoelectric properties suitable for temperature-dependent applications. Furthermore, strategies such as optimizing grain boundaries and temperature-induced microstructure reset were proposed to overcome material degradation during electrical current application.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ruotian Chen, Zefeng Ren, Yu Liang, Guanhua Zhang, Thomas Dittrich, Runze Liu, Yang Liu, Yue Zhao, Shan Pang, Hongyu An, Chenwei Ni, Panwang Zhou, Keli Han, Fengtao Fan, Can Li
Summary: The water-splitting reaction using photocatalyst particles is a promising route for solar fuel production. In this study, researchers performed spatiotemporally resolved surface photovoltage measurements on cuprous oxide photocatalyst particles and found that photogenerated electrons are transferred to the catalytic surface quickly through inter-facet hot electron transfer, while photogenerated holes are transferred to a spatially separated surface and stabilized through selective trapping. These findings contribute to the efficient charge separation in photocatalysis and have implications for the rational design of photocatalysts.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Gang Hu, Bo-Han Li, Huang Li, Hongyuan Cao, Zefeng Ren, Dewei Zhao, Wei Li, Lili Wu, Jingquan Zhang
Summary: This research investigated the photocarrier dynamics in polycrystalline CdTe films and found that it is strongly dependent on the pump intensity. Under low pump intensity, the lifetime of free carriers is shortened due to rapid trapping by defects.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zefeng Ren, Ruidan Zhang, Ting Luo, Wei-Wang Zeng, Chuanyao Zhou, Xueming Yang
Summary: Surfacesensitive sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG-VS) was used to study the adsorption and reaction of methanol on TiO2(110) at near ambient pressure and 400K. The results showed that bridge-bonded methoxy (CH3Ob) was the dominant adsorbed species on TiO2(110) at an elevated pressure of methanol. By evacuating the methanol gas, only CH3Ob species remained on the surface, which was confirmed by UV irradiation experiments. It was also found that the recombinative desorption of bridging hydroxyl (OHb) groups can facilitate the continuous dissociative adsorption of methanol and the continuous generation of CH3Ob.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Spectroscopy
Guanhua Zhang, Lina Liu, Shengxue Zhou, Yu Liang, Julong Sun, Lei Liu, Chuanyao Zhou, Liying Jiao, Xueming Yang, Zefeng Ren
Summary: A grounding Au grids method has been developed to characterize the electric and photoelectric properties of CVD-grown MoS2 on insulating substrates, effectively eliminating signal interference. This method provides a reliable way to study 2D materials using electron and photoelectron probes.
JOURNAL OF ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY AND RELATED PHENOMENA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wei Chen, Yajie Gao, Tianjun Wang, Qunqing Hao, Zhiqiang Wang, Zefeng Ren, Xueming Yang, Chuanyao Zhou
Summary: By using TPD and UPS, the adsorption, diffusion, and desorption behaviors of deuterium atoms in rutile TiO2(011) have been studied. It was found that a small portion of D atoms adsorb at surface oxygen sites, resulting in band gap states and desorbing as water. Most of the D atoms diffuse into the bulk and desorb as D2/HD. Detailed analysis indicates that the bulk D will diffuse back to the surface and recombine as D2.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Physics, Atomic, Molecular & Chemical
Wen Zhang, Yong Zhou, Wei Chen, Tianjun Wang, Zhaoxian Qin, Gao Li, Zefeng Ren, Xueming Yang, Chuanyao Zhou
Summary: Plasmonic catalysis, driven by surface plasmon resonance of metal nanoparticles, is a new field in heterogeneous catalysis. The understanding of its microscopic mechanism is controversial due to temperature measurement inaccuracy and reagent adsorption state ambiguity. To investigate the kinetics of plasmonic catalysis, an online mass spectrometer-based apparatus with improved temperature measurement and adsorption state identification is developed. The study of a model plasmon-induced catalytic reaction confirms dissociative adsorption and non-thermal contribution to product formation.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuan Huang, Yun-Kun Wang, Xin-Yu Huang, Guan-Hua Zhang, Xu Han, Yang Yang, Yunan Gao, Lei Meng, Yushu Wang, Guang-Zhou Geng, Li-Wei Liu, Lin Zhao, Zhi-Hai Cheng, Xin-Feng Liu, Ze-Feng Ren, Hui-Xia Yang, Yufeng Hao, Hong-Jun Gao, Xing-Jiang Zhou, Wei Ji, Ye-Liang Wang
Summary: A universal method using pretreated densely patterned hole array substrates has been reported for preparing large-area suspended mono- and few-layer 2D materials, with improved performance evaluated using multiple characterization tools. This work provides an innovative and efficient route for fabricating suspended 2D materials and exploring their intrinsic properties.
