Photochemical and photocatalytic evaluation of 1D titanate/TiO2 based nanomaterials

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Conceicao, DS (Author) Other; Ferreira, DP (Author) Other; Graca, CAL (Author) Other; Julio, MF (Author) Other; Ilharco, LM (Author) Other; Velosa, AC (Author) Other; Santos, PF (Author) Other; Ferreira, LFV (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Applied Surface Science

Vol. 392

Pages: 418-429

ISSN: 0169-4332

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

Scopus - 18 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-9H5

DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2016.09.067

Abstract (EN): One-dimensional (1D) titanate based nanomaterials were synthesized following an alkaline hydrothermal approach of commercial TiO2 nanopowder. The morphological features of all materials were monitored by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and also Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) technique. In addition the photochemical behaviour of these nanostructured materials were evaluated with the use of laser induced luminescence (LIL), ground-state diffuse reflectance (GSDR), and laser-flash photolysis in diffuse reflectance mode (DRLFP). The mixed titanate/TiO2 nanowires presented the least intense fluorescence spectra, suggesting the presence of surficial defects that can extend the lifetime of the excited charge carriers. A fluorescent 'rhodamine-like' dye was adsorbed onto different materials and examined via photoexcitation in the visible range to study the self-photosensitization mechanism. The presence of the radical cation of the dye and the degradation kinetics, when compared with a neutral substrate-cellulose, provided significant evidences regarding the photoactivity of the different materials. Regarding all the materials under study, the nanowires exhibited a strong photocatalytic efficiency, for the adsorbed fluorescent probe. The photocatalytic mechanism was also considered by studying the photodegradation capability of the titanate based materials in the presence of an herbicide, Amicarbazone, after ultraviolet (UVA) photoexcitation.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12