PREPARATION AND CORROSION RESISTANCE OF NiP/TiO_2 COMPOSITE FILM ON CARBON STEEL IN SULFURIC ACID SOLUTION

A NiP/TiO2 composite film on carbon steel was prepared by electroless plating and sol-gel composite process. An artificial neural network was applied to optimize the prepared condition of the composite film. Corrosion behavior of the NiP/TiO2 composite film was investigated by polarization resistance measurement, anode polarization, ESEM （environmental scanning electron microscopy） and EIS （electrochemical impedance spectroscopy） measurements. Results showed that the NiP/ TiO2 composite film has a good corrosion resistance in 0.5mol/L H2SO4 solution. The element valence of the composite film was characterized by XPS （X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy） spectrum, and an anticorrosion mechanism of the composite film was discussed.

Grain Size and Wettability of TiO_2/SiO_2 Photocatalytic Composite Thin Filing

The uniform transparent TiO2/SiO2 photocatalytic composite thin films are prepared by sol-gel method on the soda lime glass substrates, and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), BET surface area, FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that the addition of SiO2 to TiO2 thin films can suppress the grain growth of TiO2 crystal, increase the hydroxyl content on the surface of TiO2 films, lower the contact angle for water on TiO, films and enhance the hydrophilic property of TiO2 films. The super-hydrophilic TiO2/SiO2 photocatalytic composite thin films with the contact angle of 0((o) under bar) are obtained by the addition of 10%-20% SiO2 in mole fraction.

Non‑Magnetic Bimetallic MOF‑Derived Porous Carbon‑Wrapped TiO2/ ZrTiO4 Composites for Efficient Electromagnetic Wave Absorption

Modern communication technologies put forward higher requirements for electromagnetic wave(EMW)absorption materials.Metal-organic framework(MOF)derivatives have been widely concerned with its diverse advantages.To break the mindset of magneticderivative design,and make up the shortage of monometallic non-magnetic derivatives,we first try non-magnetic bimetallic MOFs derivatives to achieve efficient EMW absorption.The porous carbon-wrapped TiO2/ZrTiO4 composites derived from PCN-415(TiZr-MOFs)are qualified with a minimum reflection loss of−67.8 dB(2.16 mm,13.0 GHz),and a maximum effective absorption bandwidth of 5.9 GHz(2.70 mm).Through in-depth discussions,the synergy of enhanced interfacial polarization and other attenuation mechanisms in the composites is revealed.Therefore,this work confirms the huge potentials of nonmagnetic bimetallic MOFs derivatives in EMW absorption applications.

TiO2-incorporated polyelectrolyte composite membrane with transformable hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity for nanofiltration separation

The wettability of the membrane surface has shown obvious influent on the separation performance of the membrane.In this work,a hydrophilic PDA-[PDDA/TiO2]+Cl-membrane was prepared by a one-step codeposition of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)(PDDA)polyelectrolyte solution containing positively charged TiO2@PDDA nanoparticles with the assistance of dopamine(DA).Such positively charged membrane can be transformed into a hydrophobic membrane PDA-[PDDA/TiO2]+PFO-via the counterion exchange between Cl-and PFO-(perfluorooctanoate).The transformation between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity is reversible.For both hydrophilic and hydrophobic membranes,the nanofiltration performances were respectively investigated by the aqueous solution and ethanol solution of dyes including methyl blue(MB),Congo red(CR)and Evans blue(EB),and as well metal salt aqueous solution.The consecutive running stability and anti-fouling performance of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic membranes were explored.The results revealed that both membranes showed high nanofiltration performances for retention of dyes in(non)aqueous solution.For the hydrophilic membrane,the rejection of salts in a sequence is MgSO4>Na2SO4>MgCl2>NaCl.Moreover,both of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic membranes showed high stability and antifouling property.

Facile fabrication of TiO_2 nanoparticle–TiO_2 nanofiber composites by co-electrospinning–electrospraying for dye-sensitized solar cells

We report a facile method for the fabrication of TiO2 nanofiber-nanoparticle composite （FP） via. simulta- neous electrospraying and electrospinning for dye-sensitized solar cell （DSC） applications. The loading of nanoparticles on the fibers is controlled by varying their feed rates during electrospinning. The FP composites having three different particle loading are prepared by the methodology and the FP with the highest particle loading （denoted as FP-3 in the manuscript） showed the best overall efficiency of 9.15% in comparison to the other compositions of the FP （FP-2, 8.15% and FP-1, Z51%, respectively） and nanofibers （F） and nanoparticles （P） separately （7.21 and 7.81, respectively）. All the material systems are characterized by spec- troscopy, microscopy, surface area measurements and the devices are characterized by current-voltage （I-V）, incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency （IPCE）, electrochemical impedance measurements, etc. I-V, dye-loading and reflectance measurements throw light on the overall performance of the DSC devices.

Composite Electrode SnO_2/TiO_2 for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Composite nanoporous electrode SnO2/TiO2 was fabricated for the dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with N3 (Cis-Ru). After introducing of TiO2, the open-circuit photovoltage (Voc) was higher than that of the pure SnO2 electrode, while short-circuit photocurrent (Isc) was varied with the ratio of the TiO2. Appropriate content of the TiO2 can be beneficial to the efficiency of the solar cell, and it gives negative impact on the composite electrode when the content of TiO2 is higher.

Preparation of NaYF_4:Er^(3+)/TiO_2 composite and up-conversion luminescence properties under visible light excitation

The up-conversion luminescence composite NaYF4：Er3＋/TiO2 is prepared using the sol-gel method. The specimen has good crystallinity and two shapes, i.e., viereck and round, while the sizes of viereck and round particles are both micron-sized. The TiO2 has an anatase structure, while the NaYF4 has a hexagonal phase, which can be hardly obtained through the common sol-gel method. Due to the big particle size and the high crystallinity of pure NaYF4： Er3＋, the composite has a small specific surface area that is less than Degussa P25 TiO2. The NaYF4：Er3＋/TiO2 composite shows several emission peaks at 211, 237, and 251 nm under the excitation of 388 nm, at 395 nm and 411 nm under the excitation of 500 nm, and at 467, 481,492, and 508 nm under the excitation of 570 nm.

Preparation of TiO2 Nanocrystals/Graphene Composite and Its Photocatalytic Performance

TiO2 nanocrystals/graphene （TiO2/GR） composite are prepared by combining flocculation and hydrothermal reduction technology using graphite oxide and TiO2 colloid as precursors. The obtained materials are examined by scanning electron microscopy, transition electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption desorption, and ultraviolet-visible diffuse spectroscopy. The results suggest that the presence of TiO2 nanocrystals with diameter of about 15 nm prevents GR nanosheets from agglomeration. Owing to the uniform distribution of TiO2 nanocrystals on the GR nanosheets, TiO2/GR composite exhibits stronger light absorption in the visible region, higher adsorption capacity to methylene blue and higher efficiency of charge separation and transportation compared with pure TiO2. Moreover, the TiO2/GR composite with a GR content of 30% shows higher photocatalytic removal efficiency of MB from water than that of pure TiO2 and commercial P25 under both UV and sunlight irradiation.

Analysis and characterization of microstructures of a TiO_2/bamboo charcoal composite and modified poplar veneer

A type of TiO/bamboo charcoal composite made by a dip-dry method was loaded onto wood veneer with a vacuum- pressure method in order to prepare modified poplar veneer. The pore structure parameters and surface morphology of the TiO2/ bamboo charcoal composite were determined and analyzed by means of a porosimetry analyzer and SEM. The results show that the surface morphology of the composite does not change after being loaded with nano TiO2. However, its specific surface area （359.814 m^2·g^-1）, pore volume （0.317 cm^3.g^-1） and average pore diameter （3.526 nm） increased; particularly the cumulative volume of pores was increased by 65.83%. In addition, the distribution range of the pores was wider than that of the bamboo charcoal. Combining the SEM of unmodified and modified poplar veneer, the results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that actually some TiOz compounds, i.e., 4.08%, are imbedded in the modified poplar veneer.

TiO2-Loaded WO3 Composite Films for Enhancement of Photocurrent Density

Titanium dioxide （TiO2） loaded tungsten trioxide （WO3） composite films are prepared by an E-beam vapor system. Associated with the existence of a heterojunction at the interface of TiO2 and WO3, the prepared TiO2-WO3 composite film shows enhanced photocurrent density, four times than the pure WO3 film illuminated under xenon lamp, and higher incident-photon-to-current conversion e^ciency. By varying the initial TiO2 film thickness, such composite structures could be optimized to obtain the highest photocurrent density. We believe that thin TiO2 films improve the light response and increase the surface roughness of WO3 films. Furthermore, the existence of the heterojunction results in the e^cient charge carriers＇ separation, transfer process, and a lower recombination of electron-hole pairs, which is beneficial for the enhancement of photocurrent density.

Photocatalytic and Thermal Insulating Performances of Fiber Reinforced Hierarchical TiO_2/SiO_2 Xerogel Composites Synthesized by Ambient Drying Route

Silica( SiO_2) based aerogel/xerogel materials have been received ever-growing attentions for versatile applications. However,the widespread applications are narrowed by the inert properties,fragile and brittle natureof silica materials and cumbersome preparation processes. In this paper,titania( TiO_2) was introduced into SiO_2 matrix to form photocatalytic hybrid gels. The TiO_2/SiO_2 composites were then reinforced by the impregnation of various fibrillary reinforcements,such as glass,mullite mineral and ceramic fibers. The properties of the composites were studied systematically in terms of fiberstability,microstructure,chemical interaction and thermal conductivity. The final xerogel composites displayed improved monolithic geometry,satisfied thermal conductivity(0. 09-0. 25 W·m^(-1)·K^(-1)) and optimized photocatalytic performance(85% removal of model pollutant of methyl orange( Mo)),which could be expected to be a feasible route to multi-functional building facades in the future.

Electrophoretic Deposition of TiO2/Nb2O5 Composite Electrode Thin Films for Photovoltaic Application

Nano sized powders of TiO2 （titanium dioxide） and Nb2O5 （Niobium （V） oxide） were used to fabricate TiO2/Nb2O5 composites thin films by EPD （electrophoretic deposition） technique. The metal oxide powders, together with magnesium nitrate hexahydrate pellets, were suspended in propan-2-ol inside an EPD cell. The electrodes, placed 1.2 cm apart, were partially immersed in the suspension and a DC potential applied across them. Key EPD process parameters, which include applied DC electric field, deposition time and solid concentration in suspension, were optimized through visual inspection and from UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer spectra. The highest （55%） transmittance was obtained for films with deposition time of 90 s, powder concentration of 0.01 g/40 mL, and 35 V DC （direct current） voltage. XRD micrographs confirmed that TiO2 and Nb2O5 particles were presented in the composite film. SEM （scanning electron microscope） micrographs of the composite electrode thin films showed that porous films of high quality with well controlled morphology were deposited by using the EPD technique.

In-situ Preparation of Al/TiAl_3(P) Composite by Direct Reaction between Molten Al and TiO_2 Powder

TiAl3 particle reinforced pure Al composite has been made by direct reaction among molten Al, TiO2 and a flux. The composite exhibits high Synthetically properties. The strength and hardness are higher than those of pure Al matrix by 71.5% and 134% respectively However, the elongation is 20.36%, slightly lower than that of the Al matrix.

Corrosion Resistance of Sintered NdFeB Permanent Magnet With Ni-P/TiO_2 Composite Film

The Ni-P/TiO2 composite film on sintered NdFeB permanent magnet was investigated by X-ray diffraction （XRD）,environmental scanning electron microscopy （ESEM）,and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer （EDX）. The corrosion resistance of Ni-P/TiO2 film coated on NdFeB magnet,in 0.5 mol/L NaCl solution,was studied by potentiodynamic polarization,salt spray test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） techniques. The self-corrosion current density （icorr） and the polarization resistance （Rp） of Ni-P/TiO2 film are 0.22 μA/cm2 （about 14% of that of Ni-P coating）,and 120 kΩ·cm2 （about 2 times of that of Ni-P coating）,respectively. The anti-salt spray time of Ni-P/TiO2 film is about 2.5 times of that of the Ni-P coating. The results indicate that Ni-P/TiO2 film has a better corrosion resistance than Ni-P coating,and the composite film increases the corrosion resistance of NdFeB magnet markedly.

Fabrication of Bi_2O_3/TiO_2nanocomposites and their applications to the degradation of pollutants in air and water under visible-light

A nanoheterojunction composite photocatalyst Bi2O3/TiO2 working under visible-light （λ≥ 420 nm） was prepared by combining two semiconductors Bi2O3 and TiO2 varying the Bi2O3/TiO2 molar ratio. Maleic acid was employed as an organic binder to unite Bi2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles. The SEM, TEM, XRD and diffuse reflectance spectra were utilized to characterize the prepared Bi2O3/TiO2 nanoheterojunction. The nanocomposite exhibited unusual high photocatalytic activity in decomposing 2-propanol in gas phase and phenol in aqueous phase and, evolution of CO2 under visible light irradiation while the end members exhibited low photocatalytic activity. The composite was optimized to 5 mol% Bi2O3/TiO2. The remarkable high photocatalytic efficiency originates from the unique relative energy band position of Bi2O3 and TiO2 as well as the absorption of visible light by Bi2O3.

Carbon nanotubes/TiO_2 nanotubes composite photocatalysts for efficient degradation of methyl orange dye

A series of carbon nanotubes/TiO2 nanotubes （CNTs/TNTs） composite photocatalysts were successfully prepared by incorporation of CNTs in HNO3 washing process. These photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 physical adsorption, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, TEM and Raman spectroscopy, respectively, and their photocatalytic activities were tested by using methyl orange （MO） as a model compound. Also, the effects of amount of CNTs incorporated, calcination temperature and amount of catalyst on the photocatalytic activity of the composite photocatalyst were systematically investigated. The results show that the CNTs/TNTs composite exhibits much higher photocatalytic activity than that of the TNTs or CNTs alone.

2D reduced graphene oxide-titania nanocomposites synthesized under different hydrothermal conditions for treatment of hazardous organic pollutants

Two-dimensional reduced graphene oxide-titania （RGO-TiO2） composites were prepared using a single- step hydrothermal method under various hydrothermal reaction conditions. The morphological and surface characteristics of the RGO-TiO2 composites and reference materials were determined. The RGO-TiO2 composites showed photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of two target pollutants that was superior to both pure TiO2 and RGO under fluorescent daylight lamp illumination. The photo- catalytic activity of the RGO-TiO2 composite increased as the hydrothermal treatment time increased from 1 to 24 h, but then it decreased as the time increased to 36 h, which indicated the presence of an optimal treatment time. RGO-TiO2 composites activated by violet light-emitting diodes （LEDs） displayed lower decomposition efficiency than those activated by a daylight lamp, likely because of the lower light intensity of violet LEDs （0.2 mW/cm2） when compared with that of the daylight lamp （1.4mW/cm2）. However, the photocatalytic decomposition of the target pollutants using the RGO-TiO2 composite was more energy-efficient using the violet LEDs. The photocatalytic reaction rates increased as the residence time decreased, whereas the reverse was true for the decomposition efficiency.

A Facile One-Step Synthesis of TiOe/Graphene Composites for Photodegradation of Methyl Orange

TiO2/graphene composite photocatalysts have been prepared by a simple liquid phase deposition method using titanium tetrafluoride and electron beam （EB） irradiation-pretreated graphene as the raw materials. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of varying the synthesis parameters such as graphene content, concentration of titanium tetrafluoride solution and irradiation dose were investigated. It was found that the preparation conditions had a significant effect on the structure and properties of the final products. The irradiated graphene was covered with petal-like anatase TiO2 nanoparticles, which were more uniform and smaller in size than those in products synthesized without EB irradiation-pretreated graphene. The photocatalytic activities of the products were evaluated using the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange as a probe reaction. The results showed that the products synthesized using EB irradiation-pretreated graphene exhibited higher photocatalytic activities than those using graphene without EB irradiation pretreatment.

Rubber sheet strewn with TiO_2 particles: Photocatalytic activity and recyclability

A new method for the preparation of rubber sheet strewn with titanium dioxide particles （TiO2-strewn sheet） is presented. This simple and low cost method is based on the use of TiO2 powder （Degussa P25） being strewn onto the sheet made from rubber latex （60% HA） through a steel sieve. The characteristic of the TiO2-strewn sheet was studied by using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer （SEM/EDS） and X-ray diffractometer （XRD） techniques. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2-strewn rubber sheet was evaluated using Indigo Carmine （IC） dye as a model for organic dye pollutant in water. The results showed that the TiO2-strewn sheet could degrade IC dye solution under UV light irradiation. The effects of pH, initial concentration, and the intensity of UV light on the photodegradation were also investigated. Kinetics of the photocatalytic degradation was of the first-order reaction. The used TiO2-strewn sheet can be recovered and reused. The recycling uses did not require any cleaning between successive uses and no decline in the photodegradation efficiency was observed compared with freshly prepared TiO2-strewn sheet.

Novel Pd/TiO2-Al2O3 Catalysts for Methane Total Oxidation at Low Temperature and Their ^18O-Isotope Exchange Behavior

Pd supported on TiO2-Al2O3 binary oxides prepared by coprecipitation method has been investigated for the total oxidation of methane. All Pd/TiO2-Al2O3 catalysts show higher activity than Pd/Al2O3 and Pd/TiO2. Among them, Pd/2Ti-3Al with a Ti/Al ratio of 2 to 3 has a T90% of 395 ℃ at a gas hourly mass velocity of 33000 mL/（h＊g）, which is at least 50 ℃ lower than that of Pd supported on single metal oxide Al2O3 or TiO2. The results of TPR and ^180-isotope exchange experiments demonstrated that the excellent activity of Pd/2Ti-3Al was due to its high oxygen mobility and moderate reducibility, which is in accordance with our previous work, XPS results indicated that the dispersion of Pd was not the key factor to influence the catalytic activity.