photocatalysis – TechConnect Briefs

Diatom Frustules as Substrates for Photocatalysts

Day, N., Olsen, J., Polliack, A., Thiebes, J., Diatomix, US

Nanomaterials are quickly becoming highly useful for many applications. The public is concerned with the long-term effects of nanomaterials in the environment. Composite materials as substrates for nanoparticles can be tailored to maintain functionality as [...]

Characterization of durability and photocatalytic properties of TiO2 cement-based materials

Daniotti, B., Diamanti, M.V., Luongo, N., Massari, S., Pedeferri, M.P., Spagnolo, S.L., Politecnico di Milano, IT

The issue of maintenance is steadily emerging in the framework of the built environment, with a specific focus on durability and service life planning and sustainability evaluations, as the definition of a maintenance plan for [...]

Cataphotolysis of Propanil in water using nanotechnology

Li, Z., Wu, V., Yu, Z., California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, US

Irrigation of farmland consumed approximately 80% of total water usage in California. The costs associated with groundwater monitoring and cleansing have cost the state more than $33 millions of dollars. This research project has significant [...]

Photocatalytic activity of nanotubular TiO2 films obtained by anodic oxidation: a comparison in gas and liquid phase

Diamanti, M.V., Pedeferri, M.P., Sanabria, B.E., Schiavi, L., Strini, A., Politecnico di Milano, IT

The immobilization of nanostructured photocatalysts is of great importance in the purification of both polluted air and liquids (e.g. industrial wastewaters). Titanium dioxide films with nanotubular morphology and good photocatalytic efficiency in both environments can [...]

Removal of Water Contaminants Using Nanotechnology

Li, Z., Yu, Z., California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, US

Propanil, Diuron, Simazine, and Metolachlor are widely used as herbicides and pesticides in California agriculture and across the U.S., and are considered to pose a significant threat to water contamination by transporting chemicals into surface [...]

Roll-to-roll application of photocatalytic TiO2 nanoparticles for printed functionality

Bollström, R., Haapanen, J., Mäkelä, J.M., Saarinen, J.J., Stepien, M., Toivakka, M., Valtakari, D., Abo Akademi University, FI

We present here ultraviolet A (UVA) light controlled photocatalytic activity of roll-to-roll (R2R) deposited TiO2 nanoparticles on paper, board, and plastic films both for controlled wetting and oxygen sensors for modified atmosphere packages (MAPs). It [...]

Cotton Fabric Immobilized AuNP@Graphene and ZnO@rGO for Heterogeneous Catalysis and Photocatalysis

Baruah, B., Baruah, S., West, B., Kennesaw State University, US

The present study demonstrates liquid-phase exfoliation of graphene from pristine graphite in presence of surfactant and synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) via graphene oxide method. Pretreated cotton fabrics are primed with binder molecules before [...]

Modifications of graphitic C3N4 with multi-metal oxides for enhanced visible-light active photocatalysis

Masih, D., Rohani, S., University of Western Ontario, CA

Bulk graphitic C3N4 (g-C3N4) is a p-type semiconductor with band gap of 2.7 eV. For photocatalytic water splitting, valance and conduction band gap positions of g-C3N4 sandwich both oxygen and hydrogen evolution potentials, making g-C3N4 [...]

Reduced molybdenum oxide MoOx as a model catalyst for methanol photosynthesis from carbon dioxide and water

Bliev, A.P., Demeev, Z.S., Fukutani, K., Grigorkina, G.S., Kaloeva, A.G., Khubezhov, S.A., Kibizov, D.D., Magkoev, T.T., Ogura, S., Ramonova, A.G., Sekiba, D., Silaev, I.V., Tvauri, I.V., North Ossetian State University, RU

Corresponding author, e-mail: t_magkoev@mail.ru (Tamerlan Magkoev) The work deals with the design of molybdenum oxide MoO2 with a specific density of anionic vacancies for methanol synthesis from carbon dioxide and water. Surface sensitive studies were [...]

Photocatalysis of Rhodamine B in water using nanotechnology

Li, Z., Yu, Z., California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, US

There are several techniques currently used for water organic contaminants removal, including Activated Carbon Adsorption, Chlorination, UV Photolysis, Ozonation, and Ferrate Oxidation. Although these techniques are useful in treating contaminated water, they have limitations in [...]