Abstract
Olive leaves (by-product from olive oil production in olive mills) were used as biotemplates to synthesize a titania-based artificial olive leaf (AOL). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of AOL showed the successful replication of trichomes and internal structure channels present in olive leaves. The BET surface area of AOL was 52 m2·g−1. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectra revealed that the resulting solid was in the predominantly-anatase crystalline form (7.5 nm average particle size). Moreover, the synthesis led to a red-shift in light absorption as compared to reference anatase (gap energies of 2.98 and 3.2 eV, respectively). The presence of surface defects (as evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, EPR) and doping elements (e.g., 1% nitrogen, observed by elemental analysis and XPS) could account for that. AOL was preliminarily tested as a catalyst for hydrogen production through glycerol photoreforming and exhibited an activity 64% higher than reference material Evonik P25 under solar irradiation and 144% greater under ultraviolet radiation (UV).
Highlights
Bio-inspired materials are a promising research area for the development of advanced systems with higher environmental compatibility, recyclability and energetic efficiency [1]
The use of the plant’s light collection system allowed the resulting solid to exhibit better results in CO2 reduction or ethanol reforming than Evonik P25 itself, the artificial TiO2-based leaves even operating under visible light
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis were obtained at the Central Service for Research Support (SCAI) of the University of Córdoba with a JEOL JSM 7800F microscope interfaced to an Oxford Instruments X-max 150 semi-quantitative elemental microanalyzer (Jeol, Tokyo, Japan)
Summary
Bio-inspired materials are a promising research area for the development of advanced systems with higher environmental compatibility, recyclability and energetic efficiency [1]. The use of the plant’s light collection system (mesoporous structures imitating the pores in green leaves) allowed the resulting solid to exhibit better results in CO2 reduction or ethanol reforming than Evonik P25 itself (a reference titania photocatalyst), the artificial TiO2-based leaves even operating under visible light These studies are a source of inspiration for some other approaches aimed at valorizing different regional biomass by-products which could contribute to the economic development of involved regions. Nsoanmomeatperrieallsim202in0,a1r0y, 10r5e7sults on hydrogen production through glycerol (bioproduct from biod3ioefs1e4l obtaining) photoreforming are presented By this way, a titania-based biomimetic material (artifificial olive leaf, AOL) has been synthesized with enhanced optical properties (i.e., light absorption extended to visible) and with a larger amount of interstitial defects than reference Evonik P25. The electron-hole recombination rate would be reduceedd anadndphoptho-octaot-aclayttaiclypteicrfoprmerafonrcme eannhceanceendh, ans cperdo,vedasin pthroevaeqdueoiuns gthlyeceraoqlupehooutosregfolyrmceirnogl lpehaodtionrgeftorhmyidnrgogleeandginegnetorahtiyodnr.ogen generation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
