Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic performance of silica-modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Mesoporous Ti4O7 nanosheets with high polar surface area for catalyzing separator to reduce the shuttle effect of soluble polysulfides in lithium-sulfur batteries

In the effort to accelerate adsorption and catalytic conversion of lithium polysulfides (Li-PSs) and suppress the shuttle effect of lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs), the Ti 4 O 7 nanosheets/carbon material-modified separator is successfully fabricated to reducing soluble Li-PSs' crossover from cathode to anode. The catalyst of mesoporous Ti 4 O 7 nanosheets with O-Ti-O units synthesized at low temperature shows both excellent conductivity and high surface area. The modified separator can serve as a diffusion barrier of Li-PSs and catalyst for converting soluble low-chain sulfides into insoluble ones and then remarkably enhance the sulfur utilization and electrochemical performance of the LSB. This work provides a feasible avenue in both design and synthesis of mesoporous catalyst materials for suppressing the shuttle effect of lithium-sulfur batteries.

Sodium Alginate–Gelatin Nanoformulations for Encapsulation of Bacillus velezensis and Their Use for Biological Control of Pistachio Gummosis

Biopolymer-based nanocomposites are favorable materials for the encapsulation of biofertilizers and biocontrol agents. In this research, sodium alginate, a widely used natural polymer, was extracted and purified from Macrocystis pyrifera. Its composition was confirmed using ¹H NMR and FTIR analyses, and its molecular weight and mannuronic acid/guluronic acid ratio were obtained. Sodium alginate–gelatin microcapsules enriched with carbon nanotubes and SiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared to encapsulate Bacillus velezensis, and the biological effects of this formulation on the control of pistachio gummosis and growth parameters were investigated. Microscopy examination showed that the microcapsules had quite globular shapes. XRD confirmed the occurrence of an electrostatic interaction when sodium alginate was blended with gelatin. The survival rate of the encapsulated bacteria was about 10⁷ CFU/mL and was maintained after one year of storage. The aim of this study was to achieve a unique formulation containing beneficial bacteria and nanoparticles for the synergistic control of Phytophthora drechsleri.

Artificial Solar Light-Driven APTES/TiO2 Photocatalysts for Methylene Blue Removal from Water

A visible-light photocatalytic performance of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)-modified TiO2 nanomaterials obtained by solvothermal modification under elevated pressure, followed by calcination in an argon atmosphere at 800–1000 °C, is presented for the first time. The presence of silicon and carbon in the APTES/TiO2 photocatalysts contributed to the effective delay of the anatase-to-rutile phase transformation and the growth of the crystallites size of both polymorphous forms of TiO2 during heating. Thus, the calcined APTES-modified TiO2 exhibited higher pore volume and specific surface area compared with the reference materials. The change of TiO2 surface charge from positive to negative after the heat treatment increased the adsorption of the methylene blue compound. Consequently, due to the blocking of active sites on the TiO2 surface, the adsorption process negatively affected the photocatalytic properties. All calcined photocatalysts obtained after modification via APTES showed a higher dye decomposition degree than the reference samples. For all 3 modifier concentrations tested, the best photoactivity was noted for nanomaterials calcined at 900 °C due to a higher specific surface area than materials calcined at 1000 °C, and a larger number of active sites available on the TiO2 surface compared with samples annealed at 800 °C. It was found that the optimum concentration for TiO2 modification, at which the highest dye decomposition degree was noted, was 500 mM.

TiO2 modified orthocortical and paracortical cells having enhanced photocatalytic degradation and photoreduction properties

In this study, cortical cells resultant from wool fibers were loaded with TiO₂ nanoparticles in a hydrothermal process and were then engineered as organic-nonorganic hybrid composite photocatalysts for both photodegradation of organic dyes and photoreduction of heavy metal ions. The microstructure and photocatalytic properties of TiO₂ modified cortical cells (i.e. both orthocortical and paracortical cells) were systematically characterized using a series of analytical techniques including FESEM, TEM, element analysis, Mott-Schottky curve, BET specific surface area, Zeta potentials, as well as XRD, FTIR, XPS, DRS, PL, UPS, EDS and ESR spectra. Their photocatalytic performance and trapping experiments of the TiO₂ modified cortical cells were measured in the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye and Congo Red (CR) dye as well as the photoreduction of Cr(VI) ions under visible light irradiation. It was found that anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles were chemically grafted on the surface of the two cortical cells via O-Ti⁴⁺/O-Ti³⁺ bonds, and that TiO₂ nanoparticles were formed inside the orthocortical cells in the hydrothermal process. The TiO₂ modified orthocortical and paracortical cells possessed much higher photocatalytic efficiency than the commercially available TiO₂ nanoparticle powder, Degussa P25, in the photodegradation of cationic MB dye and photoreduction of Cr(VI) ions, while their photocatalytic efficiency in the photodegradation of anionic CR dye is smaller because of their greater negative Zeta potentials and photogenerated holes as the main reactive radical species. In comparison with the TiO₂ modified paracortical cells, the higher photocatalytic efficiency of the TiO₂ modified orthocortical cells was demonstrated in the photodegradation of MB dye solution and this might be due to both the S-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles infiltrated into the naturally hydrophilic orthocortical cells and the primary reactive radical species of photogenerated holes being trapped in the cells.

Selective nanomolar electrochemical detection of serotonin, dopamine and tryptophan using TiO2/RGO/CPE – influence of reducing agents

TiO2/RGO nanocomposites were synthesised via a simple one-pot hydrothermal method and used as a modifier in carbon paste electrode for the sensitive determination of serotonin.

Curcumin Doped SiO2/TiO2 Nanocomposites for Enhanced Photocatalytic Reduction of Cr (VI) under Visible Light

In order to further improve the photocatalytic performance of the SiO2/TiO2 composite under visible light irradiation, curcumin-doped SiO2/TiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized via directly incorporating it into the structure of SiO2/TiO2 during the synthesis using an inexpensive and readily available natural pigment (curcumin) as doping agent. The physicochemical properties of SiO2/TiO2 nanocomposites were characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results indicate that all SiO2/TiO2 nanocomposites exhibited an anatase phase with a typical mesoporous structure. It was found that the dope of curcumin in the SiO2/TiO2 composite could decrease the crystal size, slightly improve the specific surface areas, significantly enhance the visible light absorption, and effectively narrow the band gap energy from 3.04 to 10(eV). Compared with bare SiO2/TiO2, the curcumin-doped SiO2/TiO2 resulted in enhanced photocatalytic reduction activity for Cr(VI) under visible light irradiation, and the CTS (12) sample with the appropriate content of curcumin of 12 wt % shows the photocatalytic yield reaching 100% within 2.5 hours, which is larger than CT (12) without silica. This could be attributed to the curcumin doping and the synergetic effects of SiO2 and TiO2 in SiO2/TiO2 nanocomposites.

Araneose Ti3+ self-doping TiO2/SiO2 nanowires membrane for removal of aqueous MB under visible light irradiation

Araneose Ti³⁺ self-doped TiO₂/SiO₂ nanowires (RTiO₂/SiO₂) were prepared and anchored onto a polyethersulfone (PES) membrane. Careful characterizations and measurements indicated a covalent grafting of SiO₂ onto reduced TiO₂ (RTiO₂) through Ti-O-Si linkages, acquiring uniformed RTiO₂/SiO₂ nanowires of almost complete anatase and benign hydrophilicity. The RTiO₂/SiO₂-based PES membrane showed a significantly enhanced visible light-driven degradation rate of methylene blue (MB) (90.7%), compared with that on bare PES (11.1%) and PES-RTiO₂ (59.6%) membranes. The residual MB in filtered water was less than 5% after reusing three times. The normalized permeate flux of the modified membrane was 0.83, and the transmembrane pressure only increased by 0.4 MPa under irradiation of visible light. The improved performance of the PES-RTiO₂/SiO₂ was attributed to efficient intercept of MB molecular, light harvesting of visible light, and separation of charge carriers on araneose RTiO₂/SiO₂ nanowires.

Paving the Way for A Sustainable and Efficient SiO2/TiO2 Photocatalytic Composite

Although photocatalysis is an extraordinary and tremendously explored topic, there is a need to find new ways to encourage the production of composite materials that are economical, efficient and with limited environmental impact. Nanocatalysts may benefit from appropriate support material for many reasons. In this study, TiO2 was deposited on SiO2, so that the silica not only provides the macroscopic structure on which the TiO2 is formed, but it positively affects the photocatalytic activity as well. This is because of the greater specific surface area which favors the adsorption of pollutants near the photocatalyst, the higher amount of surface-adsorbed water and hydroxyl groups and the inhibition of the photogenerated electron-hole recombination. The choice of preparing the Ti-precursor starting from titanium shavings and to directly deposit TiO2 on micrometric-sized silica by a simple hydrothermal method highlights the process sustainability. The results showed that it is possible to produce a photocatalytic composite from secondary materials, exhibiting excellent photocatalytic properties, comparable to the pristine one, and opening the possibility for large-scale production.

Dendritic fibrous nano-silica & titania (DFNST) spheres as novel cataluminescence sensing materials for the detection of diethyl ether

Selective and controllable cataluminescence (CTL) sensors for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are significant for chemical safety, environmental monitoring, health effects on human beings, and so forth. Most of the exploited CTL-based sensors suffer relatively low response and poor selectivity because of their high sensitivities to interferential substances. In this investigation, dendritic fibrous nano-silica & titania (DFNST) spheres have been synthesized as novel sensing materials and the corresponding DFNST-based CTL sensor has been fabricated to detect diethyl ether with high selectivity via a method of utilizing one 440 nm bandpass filter. The as-prepared DFNST hybrids not only keep the excellent dendritic fibrous morphology but also bear ca. 21 wt% catalytic titanium oxide of anatase crystalline structure. The DFNST-based sensor exhibits extremely strong CTL emission at 440 nm toward diethyl ether against other VOCs like acetone, ethyl acetate, butanol, and so forth. The high response can be attributed to the unique architectural texture of DFNST. Under the optimum parameters, ether could be easily detected in a wide range from 2.0 to 40.0 mM with a fine detection limit of 1.55 mM (S/N = 3). Furthermore, the working life of this CTL sensor is satisfactory with outstanding stability and durability, far from damaging the morphology and activity of the DFNST sensing material. In conclusion, it is expected that this novel sensing material, the relevant CTL sensor, and the approach of employing the bandpass filter will be significant for the detection of diethyl ether in actual applications.

Dendritic fibrous nano-silica & titania (DFNST) nanospheres have been successfully prepared as the sensing materials for the detection of diethyl ether via a DFNST-based cataluminescence (CTL) sensor.

Defect mediated mechanism in undoped, Cu and Zn-doped TiO2 nanocrystals for tailoring the band gap and magnetic properties

Oxide based dilute magnetic semiconductor materials have been of great interest over the years due to their potential use in spintronic devices. However, the variations in the magnetic behavior of the materials have raised concerns regarding the origin of ferromagnetic properties which still needs to be explored. Manipulation of magnetic behavior in oxide based dilute magnetic semiconductors has become a challenge due to the interplay of intrinsic defects present in the material. TiO2 nanocrystals have been studied largely due to their challenging optical and magnetic properties. The present investigation studies in detail the structural, morphological, optical and magnetic behavior of non-magnetic element (Cu and Zn) doped TiO2, synthesized via a simple sol-gel technique. X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra confirm the anatase phase and high resolution transmission electron microscopic results clearly indicate the formation of highly crystalline nanocrystals in all the samples with particle size ranging from 5-15 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopic studies reveal the compositional homogeneity of all the investigated samples. The presence of functional groups and molecular interactions were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Optical properties were studied through UV-visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy from which a significant reduction in band gap in Cu-doped TiO2 nanocrystals was found. X-ray photoelectron spectra confirm the presence of Ti3+, Cu2+, Cu+ and Zn2+ in Cu and Zn-doped TiO2 samples. The concept of bound magnetic polarons associated with the vacancy defects at both Ti, Cu, Zn and oxygen sites is used to explain the induced weak ferromagnetic behavior in undoped, Cu and Zn-doped TiO2 at room temperature. The overlapping of bound magnetic polarons could be the source of ferromagnetism irrespective of the non-magnetic nature of the dopant ion. The concentration of bound magnetic polarons is estimated using a Langevin fit and a detailed understanding of the variation of defect mediated magnetic properties is established with the help of PL analysis. A significant reduction in bandgap along with enhanced magnetization observed in the Cu-doped TiO2 material makes it suitable as a potential candidate for spintronics and magneto-optics applications. Room temperature magnetic properties of the Zn doped sample show a diamagnetic tail which is explained based on the defect centers and oxidation states of dopant ions present in the sample which is further verified with the help of XPS results.

Novel Precursor-Derived Meso-/Macroporous TiO₂/SiOC Nanocomposites with Highly Stable Anatase Nanophase Providing Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity and Superior Adsorption of Organic Dyes

Titania (TiO₂) is considered to have immense potential as a photocatalyst, the anatase phase in particular. There have been numerous attempts to push the limits of its catalytic activity to higher wavelengths to harness the visible electromagnetic radiation. Most of the investigations till date have been restricted to fine-tuning the bandgap by doping, control of defect chemistry at the surface and several to first principle simulations either with limited success or success at the cost of complexities in processing. Here, we report a simple and elegant way of preparing ceramics through precursor chemistry which involves synthesis of macroporous and mesoporous nanocomposites with in situ formation of TiO₂ nanocrystals into a robust and protecting SiOC matrix. The in situ nanoscaled TiO₂ is anatase of size 9–10 nm, which is uniformly distributed in an amorphous SiOC matrix forming a new generation of nanocomposites that combine the robustness, structural stability and durability of the SiOC matrix while achieving nanoscaled TiO₂ functionalities. The stabilization of the anatase phase even at temperature as high as 1200 °C was evident. With an average pore size of 6.8 nm, surface area of 129 m²/g (BET) and pore volume of 0.22 cm³/g (BET), mesoporosity was achieved in the nanocomposites. The composites exhibited visible light photocatalytic activity, which is attributed to the Ti–O–C/TiC bonds resulting in the reduction of band gap by 0.2 to 0.9 eV. Furthermore, the heterojunction formed between the amorphous SiOC and crystalline TiO₂ is also expected to minimize the recombination rate of electron-hole pair, making these novel nanocomposites based on TiO₂ extremely active in visible wavelength regime.

The Incorporation of Strontium in a Sodium Alginate Coating on Titanium Surfaces for Improved Biological Properties

Orthopedic implant failure is mainly attributed to the poor bonding of the implant to bone tissue. An effective approach to minimize the implant failure would be modifying the surface of the implant. Strontium (Sr) can stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and reduce the activity of osteoclasts. In this study, a titanium (Ti) surface was successively functionalized by covalently grafting dopamine, sodium alginate (SA), and Sr²⁺ via the electrostatic immobilization method. The as-prepared coatings on the Ti surface were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and contact angle. The results indicated that the Sr-incorporated coatings were successfully prepared and that Sr distributed uniformly on the surface. A long-lasting and sustained Sr release had been observed in Sr²⁺ release studies. The Ti/DOPA/SA/Sr exhibited little cytotoxicity and a robust effect of Sr incorporation on the adhesion and spreading of MG63 cells. The proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of MG63 cells were enhanced by immobilizing Sr²⁺ on the SA-grafted Ti. The Sr-containing coatings, which displayed excellent biocompatibility and osteogenic activity, may provide a promising solution for promoting the tissue integration of implants.

Photocatalytic potential of ZnO/TiO2: a bionanocomposite from Ocimum basilicum

Decolorization of textile dyes by photocatalysis is an area that has gained considerable interest due to the need to minimize pollution. Nanocomposites possess prominence owing to their small size, good catalytic activity, high surface area and selectivity. Although nanocomposites have been synthesized by conventional techniques, green synthesis remains an unexplored area. Thus, the present study is the first one on ‘green’ synthesis of a zinc oxide (ZnO)/titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposite using leaf extract of Ocimum basilicum L. var. purpurascens Benth. Lamiaceae as a novel source, along with an insight into its photocatalytic potential for decolorization of the textile dye Blue RGB under sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Hexagonal-shaped zinc oxide/titanium dioxide nanocomposites with a size of 50 nm have been synthesized and characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Maximum photodecolorization was observed for sunlight-mediated photocatalytic decolorization (99·8%) compared to UV (95·8%) within 8 h. The study adds value to the applications of nanoparticles in various fields such as photocatalysis for degradation of pollutants and in wastewater treatment.

Insights into the Formation and Properties of Templated Dual Mesoporous Titania with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

The one pot synthesis of dual mesoporous titania (2.3 and 7.7 nm) has been achieved from a mixture of fluorinated and Pluronic surfactants. The small and large mesopore networks are templated, respectively, by a fluorinated-rich liquid crystal and a Pluronic-rich liquid crystal, which are in equilibrium. After calcination at 350 °C, the amorphous walls are transformed into semicrystalline anatase preserving the mesoporous structure. Results concerning the photodegradation of methyl orange using the calcined photocatalysts highlight that the kinetic rate constant (k) determined for the dual mesoporous titania is 2.6 times higher than the k value obtained for the monomodal ones.

Influence of the porous texture of SBA-15 mesoporous silica on the anatase formation in TiO2–SiO2 nanocomposites

TiO₂–SiO₂ composites with 44 wt% of anatase exhibit a better MO degradation rate than those with fully crystallized anatase.

Characterization of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles and their applications in photocatalytic degradation of azodyes

TiO2 nanoparticles have been synthesized from the inorganic precursor Ti [OC3H7]4via sol-gel technique. Similarly, ZnO nanoparticles have also been synthesized from zinc sulfate precursor using precipitation method. The prepared nanoparticles was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques to study the morphology, structural configuration and its functionality. The average particle size for TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles was 15.4nm and 17.9nm, respectively. The synthesized TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles have been used for degradation of acid red 27 and coralene red F3BS dyes under the UV light. The regeneration of TiO2 photocatalyst was also tested.

C/Si/core–shell structured TiO2@TiO2−x nanocomposites with excellent visible-light photocatalytic performance

C/Si/core–shell structured TiO₂@TiO_2−x nanocomposites were obtained by combining C, Si and black TiO₂.

Graphene oxide/core–shell structured TiO2@TiO2−x nanocomposites with highly efficient visible-light photocatalytic performance

Graphene oxide/core–shell structured TiO₂@TiO_2−x nanocomposites with outstanding photocatalytic performance were prepared by combining graphene oxide and black titania.

High performance Pd catalyst using silica modified titanate nanotubes (STNT) as support and its catalysis toward hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde at ambient temperature

A Pd/STNT catalyst, with silica modified titanate nanotubes as support, exhibited significantly enhanced activity towards hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde.

Simulated-sunlight-activated photocatalysis of methylene blue using cerium-doped SiO2/TiO2 nanostructured fibers

Cerium-doped SiO2/TiO2 nanostructured fibers were fabricated by electrospinning technology. The prepared fibers were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Using the fibers as catalysts, photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) aqueous solution was carried out under simulated sunlight. The 0.2% Ce doping proved to be the optimal concentration for the doping of TiO2/SiO2, compared to other Ce-doped molar concentrations. The 0.2% Ce-doped SiO2/TiO2 fibers exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than industrial Degussa P25 and the samples doped with only Ce or SiO2. The reasons for improving the photocatalytic activity were also discussed. Several operational parameters were studied, which showed that the photocatalytic efficiency of MB was influenced by parameters such as the initial dye concentration, the initial pH, inorganic anions, and so on. In addition, the influences of an electron acceptor and a radical scavenger suggested that OH was the dominant photooxidant during the photocatalytic process. The reuse evaluation of the fibers indicated that their photocatalytic activity had good stability.

Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticles prepared by chemical vapor condensation method with different precursor concentration and residence time

Nanosized TiO(2) photocatalysts were synthesized using a chemical vapor condensation method under a range of synthesis conditions (precursor vapor concentration and residence time in a tubular electric furnace). X-ray diffraction showed that the prepared TiO(2) powders consisted mainly of anatase (>94%) with a small amount of rutile. The mean particle diameter from the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area and transmission electron microscopy measurements ranged from 9.4 to 16.6 nm. The specific surface area (92.5-163.5 m(2) g(-1)) of the prepared TiO(2) powders was found to be dependent on the synthesis conditions. The content of hydroxyl groups on the surface of the prepared TiO(2) sample was higher than those on commercial TiO(2), resulting in increased photocatalytic oxidation. The photocatalytic activity of the TiO(2) samples prepared in a methylene blue solution was strongly dependent on the crystallinity and specific surface area, which were affected by the TTIP vapor concentration and residence time.

Characterization of self-organized TiO2 nanotubes on Ti-4Zr-22Nb-2Sn alloys and the application in drug delivery system

In this study, the self-organized TiO(2) nanotubes grown by anodization of Ti-4Zr-22Nb-2Sn at different potentials, concentration of NH(4)F and anodization time was investigated. The morphology of nanotubes was observed by FE-SEM. The drug-loaded nanotubes were also fabricated in aqueous media containing minocycline hydrochloride. They were characterized by SEM, XPS and FT-IR. The results showed that the drug of minocycline hydrochloride (MH) was loaded in the nanotubes. The release effects were studied in phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The release rate of MH from TiO(2) nanotubes with shorter tube length in PBS was lower than the one of MH from longer nanotubes. The sustaining release time could last at least 150 h. Hence, it is a promising method to eliminate the harmful reactions by carrying drug in the tubes when the titanium alloys were used as biomedical implants.

N-doped SiO2/TiO2 mesoporous nanoparticles with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation

Mesoporous nanocrystalline N-doped SiO2/TiO2 visible-light photocatalysts were prepared by treating SiO2/TiO2 xerogels in a flow of nitrogen gas bubbled through concentrated ammonia solution. Structural characterization and performance analysis results revealed that the addition of SiO2 remarkably altered the phase composition, specific surface area, microstructure, as well as the photocatalytic activity of N-doped TiO2. The presence of SiO2 in N-doped TiO2 particles suppressed the formation of rutile phase and the crystal growth of N-doped TiO2 particles during thermal calcinations. When weight ratio of SiO2/TiO2 was in 0.05-0.20, the N-doped SiO2/TiO2 exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than the N-doped TiO2, and optimum ratio was found to be 0.05. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the higher specific area, larger pore volume, and more surface hydroxyl groups in the catalyst.

Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of mesoporous TiO2 with the surface area, crystallite size, and pore size

Mesoporous TiO(2) materials with various pore-size distributions were synthesized by using diblock copolymers via a sol-gel process in aqueous solution. The properties of these materials were characterized by FE-SEM, HR-TEM, XRD, DRS, BET, and BJH analysis. All particles have spherical morphology with a diameter range of 1-3 mum. The mesoporous TiO(2) materials calcined at 400 degrees C were found to have different specific surface areas - 186, 210, and 192 m(2) g(-1) - and average pore sizes depending on the type of diblock copolymer-5.1, 6.1, and 6.4 nm-and their crystallite sizes were found to be 8.1, 8.3, and 8.8 nm. The photocatalytic activity of each sample was investigated by measuring the photodecomposition of methylene blue (MB), and the small crystallite size, large surface area, and small pore size were found to exhibit better photocatalytic activities. In addition, the photocatalytic activities of all the mesoporous TiO(2) materials were found to be better than that of commercial TiO(2).

Titania nanoparticles synthesis in mesoporous molecular sieve MCM-41

Nanocrystalline titanium oxide (TiO(2)) is one of the most useful oxide material, because of its widespread applications in photocatalysis, solar energy conversion, sensors and optoelectronics. The control of particle size and monodispersity of TiO(2) nanoparticles is a challenging task. The use of MCM-41, an inorganic template of uniform pore size (2-10 nm), can overcome this difficulty and produce stable nanoparticles of uniform size and shape. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of titania nanoparticles inside the pores of silica based MCM-41 forming a TiO(2)/Si-MCM composite. Composites are formed in the alcoholic medium by incipient wetness impregnation method. Titania particles of average 3 nm size are obtained. Effect of silica and titania precursors on the quality of nanoparticles has been investigated. The characterization of titania-MCM-41 composites has been carried out using a variety of techniques like UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. It has been found that the titania particles are co-ordinated with Si-MCM by SiOTi covalent bond.