Photocatalytic Activity of Nanosized TiO_2 Enhanced by co-doping with Fe^(3+) and Nd^(3+) Ions

In this study, nanosized TiO2 co-doped with Fe3+ and Nd3+ ions was synthesized via a sol-gel method. The metallic ion doped TiO2 was thoroughly characterized with XRD and UV-vis, and the photocatalytic activity was evaluated by degrading methylene blue (MB) solution. The results indicated that TiO2 crystalline size was reduced and phase transformation of anatase to rutile was suppressed as the content of doped Nd3+ ion increased in the co-doped TiO2. The UV-vis spectra of co-doped TiO2 seemed to simply overlay two spectra of single metal doped TiO2, and had significantly increased absorbance in the ranges of 400～500 nm, 565～600 nm and 730～765 nm as compared to pure TiO2. The photocatalytic activity of co-doped TiO2 was obviously enhanced, and raised about 30% compared to that of pure TiO2 as doped Nd3+ content was 0.15% and Fe3+ content was 0.05%, respectively. The enhanced catalytic activity was attributed to a synergistic effect of two doped ions, where doped Fe3+ ion inhibited the recombination of photogenerated electron and hole, and Nd3+ ion brought more surface carboxyl to promote the degradation reaction.

Effect of Doped Alkali Metal Ions on the SO_(2) Capture Performance of MnO_(2) Desulfurization Materials at Low Temperature

Sulfur dioxide(SO_(2))emissions from diesel exhaust pose a serious threat to the environment and human health.Thus,desulfurization technology and the performance of desulfurization materials must be improved.In this study,MnO_(2) was modified with various alkali metal ions using the impregnation method to enhance its SO_(2) capture performance.The composites were characterized intensively by scanning electron microscopy,energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction spectroscopy,and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller theory.The SO_(2) capture performance of these composites were measured via thermogravimetry,and the effect of doping with alkali metal ions on the SO_(2) capture performance of MnO_(2) was investigated.Results showed that the SO_(2) capture performance of MnO_(2) could be enhanced by doping with alkali metal ions,and the MnO_(2) composite doped with LiOH(2.0 mol/L)had the best SO_(2) capture capacity(124 mgSO_(2)/gMaterial),which was 18%higher than that of pure MnO_(2).Moreover,the type and concentration of alkali metal ions had varying effects on the SO_(2) capture performance of MnO_(2).In our experiment,the SO_(2) capture performance of the MnO_(2) doped with NaOH,LiCl,Na2CO3,K2CO3,and Li2CO3 composites were worse than that of pure MnO_(2).Therefore,the influences of the type and concentration of alkali metal ions to be doped into desulfurization materials must be considered comprehensively.

Optical properties and dynamic process in metal ions doped on CdSe quantum dots sensitized solar cells

In recent years, the nanostructure for solar cells have attracted considerable attention from scientists as a result of a promising candidate for low cost devices. In this work, quantum dots sensitized solar cells with effective performance based on a co-sensitized Cd S∕Cd Se：Mn2＋（or Cu2＋） nanocrystal, which was made by successive ionic layer absorption and reaction, are discussed. The optical, physical, chemical, and photovoltaic properties of quantum dots sensitized solar cells were sensitized to Mn2＋and Cu2＋dopants. Therefore, the short current（JSC）of the quantum dot sensitized solar cells is boosted dramatically from 12.351 mA∕cm2 for pure Cd Se nanoparticles to 18.990 mA∕cm2 for Mn2＋ions and 19.915 mA∕cm2 for Cu2＋ions. Actually, metal dopant extended the band gap of pure Cd Se nanoparticles, reduced recombination, enhanced the efficiency of devices, and improved the charge transfer and collection. In addition, Mn2＋and Cu2＋dopants rose to the level of the conduction band of pure Cd Se nanoparticles, which leads to the reduction of the charge recombination, enhances the lightharvesting efficiency, and improves the charge diffusion and collection. The results also were confirmed by the obtained experimental data of photoluminescence decay and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.