Preparation of molecularly imprinted Ag-TiO2 for photocatalytic removal of ethyl paraben

Unveiling the Latest Developments in Molecularly Imprinted Photocatalysts: A State-of-the-Art Review

Responding to the growing concerns about environmental pollutants, scientists are increasingly turning to innovative solutions rooted in the field of environmental science. One such promising avenue combines the robustness of traditional photocatalysis with the precision of molecular imprinting, leading to the proposition of molecularly imprinted photocatalysts (MIPCs). These MIPCs hold the potential to specifically target and eliminate environmental pollutants, marking them as a promising tool in modern environmental remediation. As researchers delve deeper into this field, the design and optimization of MIPCs have become hotbeds for scientific inquiry. This comprehensive overview delves into the multifaceted approaches to MIPC design, elucidating on aspects like the selection of appropriate photocatalytic bases, the pivotal role of templates, the choice of monomeric building blocks, and the integration of effective cross-linking agents. However, as with all burgeoning technologies, the development of MIPCs is not without its challenges. These potential impediments to the successful innovation and implementation of MIPCs are also explored.

Construction of Built-In Electric Field in TiO2@Ti2O3 Core-Shell Heterojunctions toward Optimized Photocatalytic Performance

A series of Ti₂O₃@TiO₂ core-shell heterojunction composite photocatalysts with different internal electric fields were synthesized using simple heat treatment methods. The synthesized Ti₂O₃@TiO₂ core-shell heterojunction composites were characterized by means of SEM, XRD, PL, UV-Vis, BET, SPV, TEM and other related analytical techniques. Tetracycline (TC) was used as the degradation target to evaluate the photocatalytic performance of the synthesized Ti₂O₃@TiO₂ core-shell heterojunction composites. The relevant test results show that the photocatalytic performance of the optimized materials has been significantly enhanced compared to Ti₂O₃, while the photocatalytic degradation rate has increased from 28% to 70.1%. After verification via several different testing and characterization techniques, the excellent catalytic performance is attributed to the efficient separation efficiency of the photogenerated charge carriers derived from the built-in electric field formed between Ti₂O₃ and TiO₂. When the recombination of electrons and holes is occupied, more charges are generated to reach the surface of the photocatalyst, thereby improving the photocatalytic degradation efficiency. Thus, this work provides a universal strategy to enhance the photocatalytic performance of Ti₂O₃ by coupling it with TiO₂ to build an internal electric field.

MoS2-modified MIL-53(Fe) for synergistic adsorption-photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

In this paper, MoS₂@MIL-53(Fe) (noted as MSMF) metal-organic backbone adsorption photocatalysts were successfully prepared by a solvothermal method. For the degradation performance of MSMF catalysts on tetracycline pollutants, the effects of MoS₂ doping ratio, reaction mode, and contaminant concentration on the degradation performance were investigated. And the materials were characterized by XRD, XPS, SEM, BET, PL, and ESR to investigate the reaction mechanism. The results showed that the optimal synthesis mass ratio of MoS₂:MIL-53 (Fe) prepared by holding at 150 °C for 10 h was 0.20:1 (20%MSMF). In the adsorption-photocatalytic synergy experiment, 87.62% of tetracycline (30 mg/L) could be removed with 0.20 g/L of 20%MSMF after 40 min of UV irradiation, while the removal of tetracycline by MoS₂ and MIL-53 (Fe) was only 35.99% and 65.40%. The characterization showed that the specific surface area and total pore volume of 20%MSMF were 1.12 and 3.12 times higher than those of MIL-53 (Fe), respectively. And the separation and transfer efficiency of electron-hole pairs were improved for 20%MSMF compared to the constituent components. These results suggest that the doping of MoS₂ enhances the adsorption and photocatalytic ability of MIL-53 (Fe) that can be used for the efficient treatment of tetracycline.