TiO2 Composites Research Articles

Visible light sensitive BiVO4–TiO2 nanocomposites for photocatalytic dye degradation

Abstract The hydrothermal approach was used to prepare visible light active BiVO4–TiO2 nanosheet composites in varying molar ratios. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), Transmission electroscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), were used to analyze the photocatalysts and composites. Photocatalytic activity of BiVO4–TiO2 composites was investigated by decolorizing methylene blue. Out of four different molar ratio BiVO4–TiO2 composites with a molar ratio of 3:1 BiVO4 TiO2 composite showed enhanced photocatalytic activity which is further proved by photoluminescence investigation of coumarin and Scavenger test. The DRS of BiVO4 TiO2 composite showed red shift in optical absorption. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is due to minimizing electron hole recombination by making composite with TiO2.

Looped In Lupus-An Unusual Manifestation

The efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) heavily relies on the structural and morphological characteristics of the photoanode materials [1]. This study investigates the effects of Nitrogen on TiO2 and the subsequent anchoring with two different Azo dyes RP and VC, to evaluate their impact on DSSC performance [2]. A comprehensive analysis was conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to study the surface morphology of pure TiO2, Nitrogen TiO2 (N-TiO2), and N-TiO2 composites with RP and VC Azo dyes [3]. Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) provided insight into the elemental composition and confirmed the successful incorporation of nitrogen into the TiO2 structure. The SEM images reveal significant morphological differences between the pure and N-TiO2 samples, as well as changes induced by the azo dye anchoring [4]. The Nitrogen incorporation was found to increase surface roughness and enhance dye adsorption [5]. A comparative analysis of the N-TiO2 composite with RP and VC azo dyes highlights variations in dye distribution and surface coverage, which may influence light absorption and charge transfer efficiency. The findings provide valuable insights into the design of optimized photoanode materials, aiming to improve the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs [6].

Synthesis and Characterization of TiO2 Thin Films Modified with Anderson-Type Polyoxometalates (Ni, Co, and Fe)

In this work, TiO2 and Anderson-type polyoxometalates (Ni, Co, and Fe) thin-film composites were fabricated. The composites were characterized by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance, and scanning electronic microscopy. The methylene blue (MB) photocatalytic degradation on the composites under UV irradiation was studied. Spectroscopic results verified the modification of TiO2 thin films. Optical and morphological properties changed after TiO2 modification. The largest change in the optical band gap was observed for the FePOM/TiO2 system, which reported a value of 3.05 eV. The POM/TiO2 systems were more efficient in methylene blue (MB) adsorption than bare TiO2. Furthermore, the modified films were more efficient than bare TiO2 during MB photodegradation tests. The NiPOM/TiO2 and the CoPOM/TiO2 were the most efficient in the MB adsorption, reaching ~20%. The NiPOM/TiO2 and the CoPOM/TiO2 composites were the most efficient in the photodegradation process, reaching ~50% of MB removal. The stability tests indicated that composite films were moderately stable after the three performed reusability cycles. Thus, these results suggest that POM modification of TiO2 can improve the adsorption and photodegradation capacity of semiconductors.

Dual quenching ECL strategy based on AgInZnS quantum dots and a new co-reaction promoter oxygen vacancy-modified P5AIn/TiO2 for sensitive CEA detection

A novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for the sensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was constructed, utilizing environmentally friendly AgInZnS quantum dots (AgInZnS QDs) and a new co-reaction promoter enriched with oxygen vacancies, namely titanium dioxide/poly(5-aminoindole) (Ov-TiO2/P5AIn). The composite of P5AIn and TiO2 significantly enhanced the reaction rate of AgInZnS QDs with tripropylamine (TPrA). In addition, the presence of oxygen vacancies significantly enhances the electron migration rate of the electrode material, leading to more efficient catalysis of TPrA+ generation and a significant enhancement of ECL signals. Furthermore, a dual-quenching sensing strategy was employed using cuprous oxide-triaminophenol (Cu2O@APF) as the quencher, enabling the biosensor to switch. Through dual quenching of the ECL emission from AgInZnS QDs by Cu2O and APF, the biosensor achieves an extremely low “off” state of the ECL signal. Furthermore, a signal amplification strategy driven by the synergistic action of exonuclease III (ExoIII) and restriction endonuclease (Nt.BbvCI) was designed for a dual-site DNA walker, achieving cyclic amplification of the target signal and ECL signal, thereby turning the signal “on” again. The above mechanism significantly improved the specificity and sensitivity of the biosensor for CEA detection. The prepared biosensor exhibits good stability, selectivity, and sensitivity. The linear range for CEA detection is 5 × 10−14 to 10−8 M, with a detection limit of 16 fM. Additionally, the biosensor demonstrates satisfactory analytical capability for CEA in real blood samples. This strategy provides a reliable new approach for the sensitive detection of CEA and other tumor markers.

Optimization of Hydrogen Utilization and Process Efficiency in the Direct Reduction of Iron Oxide Pellets: A Comprehensive Analysis of Processing Parameters and Pellet Composition

The article deals with the H2 consumption for different processing conditions and the composition of the processed pellets during the direct reduction process. The experiments are carried out at 600–1300 °C, with gas pressures of 1–5 bar, gas flow rates of 1–5 L min−1, and basicity indices of 0 to 2.15. Pellets with different compositions of TiO2, Al2O3, CaO, and SiO2 are analyzed. The gas flow rate is crucial, with 0–10 L min−1 leading to an H2 consumption of 0–5.1 kg H2/kg pellet. The gas pressure (0–10 bar) increases the H2 consumption from 0 to 5.1 kg H2/kg pellet. Higher temperatures (600–1300 °C) reduce H2 consumption from 5.1 to 0 kg H2/kg pellet, most efficiently at 950–1050 °C, where it decreases from 0.22 to 0.10 kg H2/kg pellet. An increase in TiO2 content from 0% to 0.92% lowers H2 consumption from 0.22 to 0.10 kg H2/kg pellet, while a higher Fe content (61–67.5%) also reduces it. An increase in SiO2 content from 0% to 3% increases H2 consumption from 0 to 5.1 kg H2/kg pellet. Porosity structure influences H2 consumption, with the average pore size decreasing from 2.83 to 0.436 mm with increasing TiO2 content, suggesting that micropores increase H2 consumption and macropores decrease it.

Synergistic photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using TiO2 composites with activated carbon and reduced graphene oxide: a kinetic and mechanistic study

This comprehensive study explored the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions as a model pollutant, utilizing solar-driven photocatalysis with nano-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2) and composites with activated carbon (AC) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO). This research introduces continuous solar reactor instead of conventional batch experiments investigating its design configuration. Utilizing response surface methodology (RSM), the study determined the optimal process conditions (MB concentration at 30 mg/L, pH 8.82, irradiation time 138 min), under which TiO2 achieved a 93.13% MB removal efficiency. The study further revealed that the integration of TiO2 with AC and RGO (5% wt.) significantly enhanced the MB photocatalytic degradation. The TiO2/AC composite achieved 98.3% MB degradation in 138 min of solar exposure, related to its large specific surface area of 146 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.439 cm3/g. Likewise, the TiO2/RGO composite demonstrated 97% removal with a surface area of 102 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.476 cm3/g, significantly better than nano-TiO2. Additionally, the research investigated the role of the solar reactor configuration on MB removal. Using 26 mm Pyrex tube diameter with 15 cm long on parabolic aluminum concentrator inclined at 30° optimally achieved the peak MB degradation efficiency. Recyclability tests shown a noticeable decrease in nano-TiO2 efficiency to 56.03% without regeneration; however, after regeneration following the third cycle, the efficiency significantly recovered to 70.07%. Thereby, this paper introduces an innovative, continuous, and well-designed solar reactor system for dye removal, employing nano-TiO2 and its composites with AC and RGO for improved photocatalytic efficiency under statistically optimized process conditions.

Composite photocatalysts g-C<SUB>3</SUB>N<SUB>4</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> for hydrogen production and dye decomposition

The photocatalytic activity of the g-C3N4 /TiO2 composite samples in the processes of dye (methylene blue) decomposition and hydrogen evolution from an aqueous ethanol solution under the action of visible radiation (400 nm) has been studied. A new original method for the synthesis of the g-C3N4 /TiO2 composite by depositing g-C3N4 /TiO2 to TiO2 nanoparticles during sol-gel synthesis is proposed. The synthesized photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, low-temperature gas adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission microscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in the UV and visible regions. The maximum activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction was 1.3 mmol h–1, which exceeds the rate of hydrogen evolution on the unmodified g-C3N4 and TiO2 samples.

An insight into PANI-TiO2 photocatalysis of refractory organic matter through molecular size fractionation.

Refractory organic matter (RfOM) is ubiquitous in aquatic environment and plays various roles in regulating the fate, transport, toxicity, and bioavailability of chemical species, such as metals, emerging organic contaminants, and nanomaterials. RfOM is mainly represented by humic acids (HA) as the acid insoluble fraction of organic matrix. Considering the complex and multicomponent characteristic of HA, a detailed study was designed to elucidate the fate of molecular size fractions (MSFrs) of humic under solar irradiation in the presence of polyaniline (PANI)-modified TiO2 composites. Humic acid as a consortium of diverse molecular size fractions with different tendencies towards oxidation requires further assessment by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopic parameters complementary to previous studies on the photocatalytic degradation of RfOM by using TiO2 and PANI-TiO2 composites. Absorbance-based removal efficiencies under initial and post-photocatalytic conditions showed a re-formation trend during photocatalysis in the presence of PANI and TiO2 where higher MSFrs were transformed to lower MSFrs that was apparent for < 3kDa fraction. Completely different profiles were observed for PT-41 and PT-81 indicating similar degradation pathways independent of PANI ratio in the composite. As confirmed by the investigated parameters, formation of both 450kDa and 220kDa MSFrs were evident under all conditions indicating in situ generation of higher MSFrs. The eligibility of coupled absorbance-fluorescence measurements to discern molecular size distribution of humic acid via oxidative degradation was also investigated. Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) contour plots emphasized the ratio dependency of PANI modification of TiO2 and revealed sample specific variations that were more pronounced in terms of the emergence of tyrosine- and tryptophan-like aromatic proteins.

TiO2 phase-controlled synthesis of Li-La-TiO solid electrolytes for advanced all-solid-state batteries

ABSTRACT This study focused on achieving high ionic conductivity in Li-La-TiO (LLTO) solid electrolyte. To enhance ionic conductivity, the synthesis reaction was optimized by controlling the composite crystal structure of TiO2 at the B-site of the perovskite (ABO3) structured LLTO, incorporating rutile, brookite, and anatase phases. The solid-phase LLTO, synthesized utilizing the core – shell structured composite-phase TiO2 developed in this study for the first time, successfully transformed its crystal structure to β-LLTO (tetragonal to cubic). This resulted in a significant improvement in ionic conductivity (i.e. 1.11 × 10−4 Scm−1). The study findings confirmed that the composite crystal structure TiO2 used in the solid-phase synthesis of LLTO induced an increase in oxygen vacancies during the synthesis process, thereby reducing the step-free energy required for the final synthesis.

Hydrothermal synthesis of bare TiO2 nanowires and polystyrene (PS)-TiO2 nanowires used for selective photocatalytic oxidation of 3-pyridinemethanol in water and PS photodegradation in solid state

In the present work, nanowire (NW) structured TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared using the hydrothermal method and characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and BET specific surface area techniques. They were obtained in the anatase phase and presented a high surface area (ca. 300 m2/g). A commercial TiO2 (anatase, Merck) was used for comparison. The TiO2 catalysts were tested for photocatalytic oxidation of 3-pyridinemethanol to 3-pyridinemethanal and vitamin B3 in water under UVA irradiation. The effects of acid treatment and subsequent calcination for TiO2 catalysts after the hydrothermal synthesis were also investigated. The sample, subjected to acid treatment and calcined at 300 °C (NW-HCl-300), showed the highest photocatalytic activity and selectivity towards the products. Consequently, this sample and Merck TiO2 were used to prepare polystyrene (PS)/TiO2 composites using the hydrothermal method. They were characterized by XRD, SEM–EDX, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), UV–Vis, Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), and contact angle measurements and tested for PS (present in the composite) photodegradation. The results indicated that NW-HCl-300 had a high surface area, and was highly hydroxylated, favouring a good distribution of PS in the composite. The composite presented high thermal stability, but under UVA irradiation the polymer underwent solid-state photocatalytic degradation due to the contact with TiO2. The composite photodegradation was investigated using gravimetric, GPC, FT-IR, UV–Vis, and SEM techniques.

Characterization of (Zr,Ti)B2-SiC composites obtained by hot press sintering of ZrB2-SiC-TiO2 powder mixtures

The ability to enhance mechanical and oxidation properties for severe environmental applications has led to substantial academic interest in multiphase ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTC). The purpose of this work is to study the in-situ solid solution formation of (Zr,Ti)B2 from ZrB2 and TiO2 in a ZrB2-SiC composite using hot pressing reaction sintering. For this, a mixture of 10, 20, and 30 % vol% SiC with ZrB2 was mixed with 2.0 wt% TiO2. Hot pressing sintering was performed with a load of 20 MPa at a final temperature of 1850 °C/30 min in an argon atmosphere. The microstructures, crystalline phases, densities, mechanical properties, and oxidation resistance of the composites were examined and compared with ZrB2-SiC samples lacking TiO2. In samples where TiO2 was added, the matrix grain size slightly decreased, the fracture mode was mainly intergranular, and the SiC grain morphology changed the aspect ratio to be more equiaxed. The solid solution (Zr,Ti)B2 was produced, and it was demonstrated by EDS elemental map images and the XRD analysis that Ti atoms incorporate into the ZrB2 crystalline structure. The development of solid solutions showed no impact on relative densities or Vickers hardness. However, the solid solution formation favored an improvement in fracture toughness, probably owing to the smaller matrix grain size and intergranular fracture mode. Samples exhibiting (Zr,Ti)B2 formation presented lower oxidation resistance than undoped samples in the same oxidizing condition.

LLDPE/TiO2 composites with high UV aging resistance and mechanical properties by controlling the alumina coating on TiO2

AbstractFor preparing high performance LLDPE film, the photocatalytic activity and the UV absorption capacity of TiO2 were regulated by the alumina coating content on the surface of TiO2. Alumina‐coated TiO2 was prepared by the chemical liquid deposition method, and characterized by element analysis, TGA, FTIR, and morphology observation. The alumina coating layer had been proven to covalently bind to the surface of TiO2 through AlOTi bonds, which formed a continuous and dense coating layer, followed by forming a loose flocculent coating layer with the increase of alumina content. The alumina coating layer could significantly reduce the formation of carbonyl group on the LLDPE chains, and enhance UV aging resistance of LLDPE by inhibiting the photocatalytic activity of TiO2. Moreover, the dispersion of alumina‐coated TiO2 in the LLDPE matrix was improved. Thus, the transmittance of LLDPE/alumina‐coated TiO2 composites was reduced and the whiteness was improved. Importantly, the continuous and dense alumina coating layer was enough to inhibit the photocatalysis effect of TiO2 on LLDPE. The further increase of alumina coating content reduced the UV absorption capacity of alumina‐coated TiO2 and its compatibility with the LLDPE matrix. Therefore, the best alumina coating content on the surface of TiO2 was 1.46 wt% for preparing high performance LLDPE/TiO2 composites.Highlights Alumina‐coated TiO2 with controllable coating thickness was successfully synthesized. LLDPE/alumina‐coated TiO2 has excellent UV aging resistance and mechanical properties. The photocatalytic activity and UV absorption capacity of TiO2 could be regulated. 1.46 wt% of alumina coating is the best content for high performance LLDPE/TiO2 composites.

Nickel-catalyzed in situ synthesis of UHMWPE/TiO2 composites with enhanced mechanical properties and adjustable photocatalytic degradabilities

Expanding the application field of polyolefin materials through functionalization has been a research hotspot in the past three decades. Here, a TiO2-supported anilinenaphthoquinone nickel catalyst was assembled and applied for in situ ethylene polymerization with high activity (>2000 kg mol–1h−1) to produce ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/TiO2 composites with unique physicochemical performance. The UHMWPE/TiO2 composite films and fibers prepared by in-situ ethylene polymerization are superior to the samples from the blend system in issues such as TiO2 dispersibility, mechanical property, and photocatalytic degradability. The mechanical properties (strength up to 26.8 cN/dtex, modulus up to 1248.8 cN/dtex) of the obtained UHMWPE/TiO2 composite fibers are significantly improved with a very low dosage of TiO2 (as low as 1.4 wt‰). Moreover, UHMWPE/TiO2 composites obtained by coating Al2O3 and SiO2 on the surface of TiO2 not only retain the strong absorption of ultraviolet rays, but also effectively weaken the photocatalytic degradation effect.

Synthesis of leek-based N,S self-doped CQDs/TiO2 and its application in the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

In this work, N,S self-doped CQDs (N,S-CQDs/TiO2) were synthesized from leeks via a microwave method, and a new leek-based N,S-CQDs/TiO2 composite photocatalytic material was prepared by roasting. The structural characteristics, optical properties, and electrical properties of the N,S-CQDs/TiO2 composites were characterized by Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Solid ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance (UV–vis-DRS), Fourier transform infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transient photocurrent response, and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). In addition, the catalytic degradation effect of N,S-CQDs/TiO2 was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and ibuprofen (IBU). The experimental results showed that the photocatalytic degradation effect of leek-based N,S-CQDs/TiO2 was significantly better than that of TiO2, and N,S-CQDs/TiO2 with 1.86 wt% N,S-CQDs (1.86-N,S-CQDs/TiO2), which demonstrated optimal photocatalytic degradation. The photocatalytic degradation rate of RhB (20 mg/L) was 94.65 % within 120 min of high-voltage mercury lamp irradiation, which was 41.15 % higher than that of TiO2(53.50 %), and the degradation rate was 80.10 % after four cycles. After 180 min, the photocatalytic degradation rate of IBU (10 mg/L) was 96.92 %, which was 26.39 % higher than that of TiO2 (70.53 %), and the degradation rate could still reach 78.94 % after four cycles. In this work, the photocatalytic degradation mechanisms of RhB and IBU by N,S-CQDs/TiO2 were explored by free radical capture and ESR free radical detection experiments. This study may serve as an important reference for enhancing the photocatalytic degradation effect by using biomass self-doped CQDs/TiO2 composite photocatalytic materials, and as a reference for the photocatalytic treatment of organic pollutants in water.

Modeling sustainable photocatalytic degradation of acidic dyes using Jordanian nano-Kaolin–TiO2 and solar energy: Synergetic mechanistic insights

The abstract highlights the global issue of environmental contamination caused by organic compounds and the exploration of various methods for its resolution. One such approach involves the utilization of titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a photocatalyst in conjunction with natural adsorption materials like kaolin. The study employed a modeling-based approach to investigate the sustainable photocatalytic degradation of acidic dyes using a Jordanian nano-kaolin–TiO2 composite material and solar energy. Mechanistic insights were gained through the identification of the dominant reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved in the degradation process, as well as the synergetic effect between adsorption and photocatalysis. The Jordanian nano-kaolin–TiO2 composite was synthesized using the sol-gel method and characterized. The nanocomposite photocatalyst exhibited particle sizes ranging from 27 to 41 nm, with the TiO2 nanoparticles well-dispersed within the kaolin matrix. The efficacy of this nanocomposite in removing Congo-red dye was investigated under various conditions, including pH, initial dye concentration, and photocatalyst amount. The optimal conditions for dye removal were found to be at pH 5, with an initial dye concentration of 20 ppm, and using 0.1 g of photocatalyst, resulting in a 95 % removal efficiency. The mechanistic insights gained from this study indicate that the hydroxyl radicals (•OH) generated during the photocatalytic process play a dominant role in the degradation of the acidic dye. Furthermore, the synergetic effect between the adsorption of the dye molecules onto the photocatalyst surface and the subsequent photocatalytic degradation by the ROS was found to enhance the overall removal efficiency. These findings contribute to the fundamental understanding of the photodegradation mechanisms and guide the development of more efficient photocatalytic systems for the treatment of acidic dye-containing wastewater. The use of solar power during the purification procedure also leads to cost reduction and strengthens sustainability efforts.

Rational design of nitrogen and carbon co-decorated mesoporous TiO2 composites for photocatalytic selective oxidation of alcohols

Photocatalytic organic synthesis has attracted much attention in recent years. Herein, a N and C co-decorated mesoporous TiO2 (mp-NCT) photocatalyst was synthesized for selective oxidation of alcohols. Notably, the as-prepared mp-NCT composites possess large specific surface areas and mesoporous structures, which could provide sufficient active sites and improve mass transfer. Furthermore, the co-doping of N and C species could not only extend the light absorption, but also tune the valence band of TiO2. Meanwhile, numerous oxygen vacancies and intra-band could be introduced, which helps to reduce the combination of the photogenerated carriers. As a result, the mp-NCT composites show excellent photocatalytic performance towards selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol and its derivatives to corresponding aldehydes under simulated sunlight irradiation. Mechanism studies revealed that the photogenerated electrons, holes and high dynamic equilibrium concentration of O2•- radicals were responsible for the efficient conversion of alcohols to aldehydes.

Application of Hydrothermal Synthesized Titanium Dioxide-Doped Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes on Filtration Properties-Response Surface Methodology Study.

The success of any drilling activity mainly depends on the characteristics of the drilling fluid. Therefore, a high-performance drilling fluid is substantial for any drilling operation. During overbalance drilling operations, the drilling mud invades the permeable formations and causes the loss of circulation, which is responsible for nonproductive time events. Hence, the filtration characteristics of the drilling mud are an imperative property. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the filtration characteristics of water-based mud systems in the presence of polyanionic cellulose (PAC) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/TiO2 nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were synthesized by using the hydrothermal technique. For the first time, a composite of MWCNTs and TiO2 has been utilized as a fluid loss control additive in the petroleum sector, marking a significant development in the field. The filtration properties of water-based mud were assessed at two concentrations (0.35 g and 3.5 g). Furthermore, based on the two levels (concentrations) and two factors (particles), the novel application of the central composite response surface design of experiment (CCD) was implemented. The results showed that the predicted model from CCD was in good agreement with the filter press experimental result with R 2 = 0.8446. Furthermore, based on the ANOVA analysis, the concentration of MWCNTs/TiO2 nanoparticles was the most significant parameter with p-value < 0.05. In addition, 10 out of 13 experimental points fall under the ±10% error window, thus indicating a higher accuracy of the regression model. The 2D interactive plots further show that the concentration of PAC is insignificant and has no considerable influence on fluid loss control, which was also validated by p-value > 0.05. The performance of MWCNTs/TiO2 nanoparticles is superior to PAC because these nanodimension particles plug the pore-spacing and block the permeation channels on the filter paper. However, the PAC, because of its long molecular chain, entangles around the pore spaces and plugs the microsize pores, which eventually reduces the filtration loss volume up to some extent. By observing the synergistic interaction between MWCNTs/TiO2 nanoparticles and PAC, this study develops valuable insights that assist in improving the performance of drilling fluid and minimizes the wellbore instability issues in the oil and gas sector.

Optimisation of TiO2 synthesis from ilmenite sand and its application in the photocatalytic process

ABSTRACT Iron sand, a mineral, can be extracted to produce titanium dioxide (TiO2). TiO2 is a semiconductor material that is commonly used in photocatalytic applications, as well as electronics, colour pigments, paint manufacturing, and semiconductors. In this study, TiO2 was extracted from Banten ilmenite sand using caustic fusion and hydrometallurgical methods. The TiO2 extraction process was carried out by varying the mole ratio of ilmenite sand to NaOH, which was 1:0, 1:3, and 1:5, and the fusion temperatures were 700°C and 850°C, with time variations of 30, 60, and 90 min. XRF analysis revealed that the highest TiO2 composition was 91.64% in samples with a mole ratio of 1:3 during 30 min of fusion time and 91.14% in samples with a mole ratio of 1:5 during 90 min of fusion time. The XRD data revealed that TiO2 has a rutile phase with a tetragonal structure, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that the particle distribution in the sample is not uniform. The UV-Vis measurements revealed that TiO2 has a band gap of 3.10 at 700°C and 3.13 at 850°C. Furthermore, TiO2 degraded Rhodamine B dyes at a rate of 28.266%.

Efficacy of mesoporous TiO2–ZrO2@g-C3N4 produced using a simple ultrasonic approach for copper ion removal from wastewater

The present study describes ultrasonically produced ternary composite material composed of carbon nitride nanosheets, zirconium, and titanium oxides for elimination of copper ions. The formation of monoclinic ZrO2, anatase TiO2, and g-C3N4 phases with respective crystallite sizes 6, 11, 13 nm were verified by the X-ray diffraction technique. The dispersion of the metal oxides nanoparticles with the graphitic nanosheets, the elemental composition of Zr, Ti, O, C and N, and the characteristic functional groups were verified respectively by TEM, EDX, and FTIR analysis that confirmed the successful formation and composition of the nanocomposite TiO2–ZrO2@g-C3N4 (TZCN). The good porosity of the composite that show a surface area, pore volume, and pore diameter values of 47.42 m2/g, 0.056 cm3 g−1, and 20.3 Å that nominate it for adsorption application. The adsorption capabilities of the nanocomposite were studied for copper ion removal from an aqueous solution, as well as the impacts of pH and starting Cu2+ concentration. The results show that the adsorption process is pH and starting concentration-dependent, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 447.8 mg/g. The Cu2+ adsorption is a monolayer chemisorption process that is well described by the Langmuir adsorption model and follows pseudo-second-order kinetics. Moreover, a plausible mechanism for Cu2+ ion adsorption on the surface of TZCN nanocomposite particles is proposed.

Fabrication of chrysanthemums like TiO2@In2S3 S-scheme heterojunction nanostructures for the degradation of methylene blue dye present in aqueous solution

Removal of contaminants from water and wastewater has drawn interest from all over the world because of its enormous impact on the environment as well as the potential threat to human and other biological existence. As a result, the primary objective for humans is to have consistent access to upgraded and clean water sources. In this study, thioacetamide, titanium dioxide, and Indium (III) nitrate n-hydrate were used in the hydrothermal process to produce TiO2@In2S3 hybrid material. The high purity of the TiO2@In2S3 hybrid materials was shown by XRD analysis, UV-DRS has been utilized to study the optical properties of TiO2@In2S3 hybrid materials and the In2S3 sample which reveals that they have a band gap between 1.71 and 1.88 eV. The stoichiometry of the hybrid materials TiO2@In2S3 was confirmed by EDX analysis. Additionally, SEM examination displayed the TiO2@In2S3 hybrid materials’ chrysanthemums morphology. The produced TiO2@In2S3 hybrid materials exhibit complete degradation of MB dye pollutants within 60 min under an LED lamp. The photocatalytic decomposition of MB dye with TiO2, β-In2S3 and TiO2@In2S3 follows a pseudo-first-order process with rate constants of 2.88 × 10−3, 4.67 × 10−3, and 7.73 × 10−2 min−1, respectively. TiO2 and β-In2S3 composites had a synergistic impact, and an appropriate S-scheme charge carrier mechanism was suggested, validating the composite as an economical and effective catalyst for environmental remediation.