Abstract
Ionic liquids (ILs) could serve as a structuring agent, a solvent, or a source of dopant during solvothermal synthesis of semiconductors particles. To understand the role of IL during formation of TiO2 particles, it is necessary to study the stability of this IL in solvothermal synthesis conditions, as well as studying the surface properties of formed TiO2 particles. In view of this, the effect of the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride IL ([TPTZ][Cl]) thermal decomposition during the solvothermal reaction and IL content in the reaction system on photoactivity of TiO2 microparticles has been systematically investigated. The samples obtained by using [TPTZ][Cl] exhibited remarkable photocatalytic properties in phenol degradation reaction under visible light. HPLC analysis of the solvothermal reaction medium and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of TiO2 particles revealed that [TPTZ][Cl] was decomposed completely and was incorporated into the TiO2 lattice. Generally, increasing the reaction time (1, 4, 12, and 24 h) promoted the TiO2 microspheres formation, as well as raising the visible light-induced photocatalytic activity of the photocatalysts. Longer reaction time was also accompanied by an increase in the efficiency of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride decomposition. The properties of the photocatalysts were investigated by means of UV-VIS diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), BET surface area measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis, and XPS.
Highlights
Ionic liquids (ILs) are organic salts composed of an organic cation and an organic/inorganic anion, which are characterized by thermal stability, negligibly low vapor pressure, high conductivity and polarity, good dissolving properties and a melting point below 100 ◦C [1]
We revealed that, for the photocatalytic reaction induced by TiO2 modified with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([BMIM][Br]) mainly, the wavelength of 448 nm was used [7]
After 24 h of the synthesis, tetrazolium-based IL 100% decomposed, indicating that the products may be incorporated into the TiO2 structure
Summary
Ionic liquids (ILs) are organic salts composed of an organic cation and an organic/inorganic anion, which are characterized by thermal stability, negligibly low vapor pressure, high conductivity and polarity, good dissolving properties and a melting point below 100 ◦C [1]. Due to their unique properties, these salts find application in versatile directions, e.g., electrochemistry [2], biomedicine [3], pharmacy [4], catalysis [5], and photocatalysis [6,7,8], which are relatively new directions of research. The mechanism of the phenol photocatalytic degradation in the presence of IL-assisted TiO2 particles was proposed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
