New Applications of Nano Titanium Dioxide

New applications and research progress of nano titanium dioxide （TiO2） in coating, environmental protection, chemical industries, cos- metics industry, electronic industrial products, medicine, health and food processing fields were summarized in the paper. The results showed that nano TiO2 is the most dynamic one in the new nano material study today, which will have a very important impact on our social economic develop- ment in future. The research and utilization will give people＇s lives enormous changes.

Photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light with Nd-doped titanium dioxide films

Microporous titanium dioxide films were prepared by the sol-gel methods on glass substrates, using tetrabutyl titanate as source material. In order to absorb the visible light and increase the photocatalytic activities, different concentrations of neodymium ions (Nd/Ti molar ratio was 0.5%, 0.7%, 0.9%, and 1.1% respectively) were added into the sol. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectros-copy (XPS), and atom force microscopy (AFM) were applied to characterize the modified films. A kind of typical textile industry pollutant (Rhodamine B) was used to evaluate the photocatalytic activities of the films under visible light. The results showed that the activities of the films were improved by doping Nd ions into the sol.

Nano-cerium-element-doped titanium dioxide induces apoptosis of Bel 7402 human hepatoma cells in the presence of visible light

AIM： To investigate the apoptotic effect of photoexcited titanium dioxide （TiO2） nanoparticles in the presence of visible light on human hepatoma cell line （Bel 7402） and to study the underlying mechanism. METHODS： Cerium-element-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles were prepared by impregnation method. Bel 7402 human hepatoma cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium in a humidified incubator with 50 mL/L COL at 37℃. A 15 W fluorescent lamp with continuous wavelength light was used as light source in the photocatalytic test. Fluorescence morphology and agarose gel eletrophoresis pattern were performed to analyze apoptotic cells. RESULTS： The Ce （Ⅳ）-doped TiO2 nanoparticles displayed their superiority. The adsorption edge shifted to the 400-450 nm region. With visible light illuminated for 10 min, 10 μg/cm^3 Ce （lV）-doped TiO2 induced micronuclei and significant apoptosis in 4 and 24 h, respectively. Hochest 33 258 staining of the fixed cells revealed typical apoptotic structures （apoptotic bodies）, agarose gel electrophoresis showed typical DNA ladder pattern in treated cells but not in untreated ones. CONCLUSION： Ce （Ⅳ） doped TiO2 nanoparticles can induce apoptosis of Bel 7402 human hepatoma cells in the presence of visible light.

Photocatalytic degradation of Chicago Sky Blue 6B and Benzopurpurin 4B using titanium dioxide thin film

Aqueous solutions of azo dyes undergo degradation to form harmless intermediates and colorless products following irradiation by visible light in the presence of titanium dioxide thin films. The dyes that were studied in this work are： Chicago Sky Blue 6B and Benzopurpurin 4B. Results obtained indicated that complete mineralization of the dyes took place under the experimental conditions. There was an increase in conductivity after the complete mineralization experiments possibly indicating the formation of ions such as NO3^- and SO4^2-. Chemical oxygen demand（COD） measurements show a decrease in organic matter for both dyes following complete degradation. The effect of how changing experimental conditions such as pH, temperature and starting concentrations of dyes affected the rate of dye degradation was measured. There was an increase in the rate of disappearance of the dye color at lower pH. High concentrations of dye solutions reauired Iona dearadation time.

Photocatalytic Reaction of Sulfur Dioxide with Heptane in the Gas-phase Over Titanium Dioxide

The photocatalytic reaction of sulfur dioxide with heptane was carried out with the aid of UV illuminated titanium dioxide ultrafine particles(UFP) at room temperature. The TiO 2 UFP was prepared by means of colloidal chemical method. The structure and the surface state of the as prepared TiO 2 UFP via different heat treatments were studied. As the calcining temperature decreased, the contents of hydroxyl on the surface increased, which could help to enhance the photocatalytic activity of the TiO 2 UFP. The mechanism of the photocatalytic reaction of sulfur dioxide with heptane was proposed, in which there was a competition of photocatalytic oxidation between sulfur dioxide and heptane over the TiO 2 UFP. It is inferred that the reactive oxygen species play an important role in the photocatalytic reaction of sulfur dioxide with heptane.

Photodegradation of benzothiazole ionic liquids catalyzed by titanium dioxide and silver-loaded titanium dioxide

In recent years,ionic liquids(ILs)have been widely used in extraction,synthesis,electrochemistry and other fields.Meanwhile,the environmental impact of ILs has been attracting a lot of attention,and eco-friendly treatment for ILs is becoming a necessary subject.In this study,photocatalytic degradations of benzothiazole ILs catalyzed by titanium dioxide(TiO2)and silver-loaded titanium dioxide(Ag/TiO2)were studied for the first time.The degradation of benzothiazole hexafluorophosphate([C4 Bth]PF6)could reach more than 99%within 240 min with the catalysis of TiO2.To improve catalytic efficiency,Ag/TiO2 was synthesized and characterized by UV–Vis diffuse reflectance absorption spectra(DRS)and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The degradation of[C4 Bth]PF6 could reach more than 99%within 120 min in the degradation catalyzed by Ag/TiO2.The photodegradation products of benzothiazole ILs are composed of inorganic substances or organic substances with simpler structures,which are easier to decompose and less toxic.The degradation system proposed by this study could provide a simple,green,safe,and economical method for the efficient treatment of benzothiazole ILs.

Advances in Detection of Total Phosphorus and Application of Titanium Dioxide Photocatalytic Technology

Total phosphorus is an important index in the monitoring of water quality, but the existing detection methods waste time and energy during the process of di- gestion. In this paper, the existing detection technology of total phosphorus and the digestion technology of organic phosphorus in the determination of total phosphorus were summarized firstly, of which photocatalytic degradation technology, as one of new technologies of organic phosphorus digestion, was introduced. Afterwards, tita- nium dioxide photocatalytic technology and its application were summarized, and its application prospects were expected.

Solar Photocatalysis of A Pesticide in A Tubular Reactor on Titaniferous Sand as A New Semi-Conductor

This present study comes in addition to overcome the problems of separation of fine particles of TiO2 in heterogeneous photocatalysis after treatment. It aims to show the potential for using titaniferous sand as a new semiconductor under solar irradiation. The photocatalytic efficiency of this titaniferous sand was tested on a pesticide (Azadirachtin). A tubular photocatalytic reactor with recirculation of the polluting solution was designed for the elimination of the pesticide in an aqueous solution. Before its use as a photocatalyst, the titaniferous sand has undergone a specific treatment that consists of calcination at 600℃ followed by extraction of the calcined natural organic materials, which can interfere with the measurement of analytical parameters such as COD. The titaniferous sand was also characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). XRF analyses have shown that TiO2 is predominant in the titaniferous sand with a percentage that has been estimated at 46.34%. The influence of various experimental parameters such as the flow rate of the polluting solution, the concentration of titaniferous sand, the presence of oxygen and the intensity of the overall rate of sunshine, was studied to optimize the photocatalytic degradation of the pesticide. The results showed that the highest removal rate (70%) was observed under the following conditions: a pH of 6, a titaniferous sand concentration of 150 g/L, a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min, and a sunshine rate of 354 W/m2 and in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. Under these experimental conditions, the rate of photodegradation of the pesticide follows the pseudo first order kinetic model of Langmuir Hinshelwood with a coefficient of determination R2 of 0.9869 and an apparent rate constant of 0.0029 min-1. The results clearly demonstrated the potential of titaniferous sand as a photocatalyst sensitive to sunlight for the effective removal of pesticides in the aquatic environment.

Decolourization and Mineralization of Aqueous Solution Containing C. I. Basic Blue 66 in the Presence of Titanium Dioxide

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is an advanced oxidation process (AOP), which can be successfully used to oxidize many organic pollutants present in aqueous systems. This research studied the photocatalytic degradation of C. I. Basic Blue 66 (BB 66) in the presence of TiO2 P-25 Degussa as a photocatalyst. The influence of various parameters, such as mass of catalyst, initial concentration of dye and pH on the degradation process was examined. The degradation of the dye followed a pseudo-first-order kinetics according to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model and decolourization was achieved within 80 min of light exposure. The mineralization of organic carbon was also evaluated by measuring the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) of the dye solutions.

Photocatalytic Activity of Titanium Dioxide Powder Fabricated from an Anodized Titanium Sheet under Ultra-Violet and Visible Light Irradiation

A commercially pure titanium sheet with titanium carbide (TiC) precipitated in its surface layer was anodized in NH4NO3 aqueous solution and heat treated in air. The photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide powder collected from the surface of the anodized titanium sheet was evaluated under ultra-violet and visible light irradiation. It showed relatively high photocatalytic activity in 0.1 mol/l potassium iodide solution, which was almost equal to the activity level of TiO2 powder (P-25) manufactured by Degussa Corporation. The better photocatalytic activity under ultra-violet irradiation is considered to be related to the formation of anatase type titanium dioxide. Photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation was also observed, which was considered to be attributable to impurity doping, (carbon), in the titanium dioxide powder.

Facile Preparation and Visible-light Photocatalysis Enhancement of N-Doped β-TiO_2 Nanobelts

A facile preparation of nitrogen-doped β-TiO2（N-doped β-TiO2） nanobelts and their visible-light photocatalytic activity were reported.The preparation of N-doped β-TiO2 nanobelts consisted of cation-exchange between layered sodium titanate nanobelts and NH 4 ＋ in aqueous solution at room temperature and subsequent calcination in air.Such a calcination treatment is beneficial to the formation of monoclinic N-doped β-TiO2 nanobelts.Various measurement results indicate that not only were the nitrogen atoms doped into the lattice of β-TiO2 nanobelts resulting in a strong visible-light absorption,but also a large number of defects were caused by them in the lattice,increasing the stability of β-TiO2.The photocatalysis enhancement of N-doped β-TiO2 nanobelts for the photodegradation of Rhodamine B was demonstrated.

Photocatalysis of TiO2 Sheets Prepared by Templating Filter Paper

Titanium dioxide sheet photocatalysts composed of interwoven microstrips were successfully synthesized using filter paper as templates. The synthesized samples were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, surface area analyzer, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange in an aqueous solution under UV-illumination. The results demonstrated that the paper-like TiO2 sheets with the optimum proportion of anatase/rutile （10/1） had the highest photoactivity. And the presence of the filter paper fiber can improve the crystallinity, raise the anatase-rutile transformation temperature and contribute to the formation of being paper-like. A detailed formation mechanism for TiO2 sheets is proposed.

Nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide/schwertmannite nanocomposites as heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalysts with enhanced efficiency for the degradation of bisphenol A

Potential health risks related to environmental endocrine disruptors(EEDs)have aroused research hotspots at the forefront of water treatment technologies.Herein,nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide/schwertmannite nanocomposites(N-TiO_(2)/SCH)have been successfully developed as heterogeneous catalysts for the degradation of typical EEDs via photo-Fenton processes.Due to the sustainable Fe(Ⅲ)/Fe(Ⅱ)conversion induced by photoelectrons,as-prepared N-TiO_(2)/SCH nanocomposites exhibit much enhanced efficiency for the degradation of bisphenol A(BPA;ca.100% within 60 min under visible irradiation)in a wide pH range of 3.0-7.8,which is significantly higher than that of the pristine schwertmannite(ca.74.5%)or N-TiO_(2)(ca.10.8%).In this photo-Fenton system,the efficient degradation of BPA is mainly attributed to the oxidation by hydroxyl radical(·OH)and singlet oxygen(^(1)O_(2)).Moreover,the possible catalytic mechanisms and reaction pathway of BPA degradation are systematically investigated based on analytical and photoelectrochemical analyses.This work not only provides a feasible means for the development of novel heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalysts,but also lays a theoretical foundation for the potential application of mineral-based materials in wastewater treatment.

Heterostructured ZnFe_2O_4/Fe_2TiO_5/TiO_2 Composite Nanotube Arrays with an Improved Photocatalysis Degradation Efficiency Under Simulated Sunlight Irradiation

To improve the visible light absorption and photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide nanotube arrays(TONTAs), ZnFe_2O_4(ZFO) nanocrystals were perfused into pristine TONTA pipelines using a novel bias voltageassisted perfusion method. ZFO nanocrystals were well anchored on the inner walls of the pristine TONTAs when the ZFO suspensions(0.025 mg m L^(-1)) were kept under a60 V bias voltage for 1 h. After annealing at 750 °C for2 h, the heterostructured ZFO/Fe_2 TiO_5(FTO)/TiO_2 composite nanotube arrays were successfully obtained. Furthermore, Fe^(3+)was reduced to Fe^(2+)when solid solution reactions occurred at the interface of ZFO and the pristine TONTAs. Introducing ZFO significantly enhanced thevisible light absorption of the ZFO/FTO/TONTAs relative to that of the annealed TONTAs. The coexistence of type I and staggered type II band alignment in the ZFO/FTO/TONTAs facilitated the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, thereby improving the efficiency of the ZFO/FTO/TONTAs for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue when irradiated with simulated sunlight.

Photoactivity of titanium dioxide/carbon felt composites prepared with the assistance of supercritical carbon dioxide: Effects of calcination temperature and supercritical conditions

TiO2-coated carbon felt(TCF)composite catalysts have been prepared via a supercritical treatment of titanium tetraisopropoxide(TTIP)as the precursor.The physical properties of the catalysts were characterized by means of thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis(TG–DTA),X-ray diffraction(XRD),fluorescence spectroscopy,scanning electron microscopy (SEM),and BET surface areas techniques.The photocatalytic activities of the materials were evaluated using the degradation of Congo red(CR)as a probe reaction.All the composites showed much higher photocatalytic activity than commercial P25 due to significant synergistic effects.Reused TCF retained high photocatalytic activity for degradation of CR.The photocatalytic efficiency in CR degradation was found to be strongly dependent on the TiO2-coating ratio and calcination temperature.A possible mechanism for the enhanced reactivity involves shuttling of electrons from TiO2 particles to the carbon felt(CF)as a result of an optimal arrangement in TCF that stabilizes charge separation and reduces charge recombination.In addition to the significant synergistic effects,the abundant spaces between adjacent carbon fibers allow UV light to penetrate into the felt-like photocatalyst to a considerable depth,so that a three-dimensional environment is available for the photocatalytic reaction.

Preparation and characterization of nitrogen-doped titanium dioxides

A type of high visible-light active titanium oxinitride(TiO2-xNx) powder was prepared by a simple proc-ess:the calcination of the hydrated titanium dioxide at the atmosphere of ammonia-argon using a tu-bular electric furnace at high temperatures. The hydrated titanium dioxide was synthesized as the precursor of TiO2-xNx using titanic acid as raw material,which came from sulfate technique of produc-ing titanium white. The effects of temperature and reaction time on the nitrogen content,grain size and crystal structure were studied. The visible-light activity and photocatalysis capability of the powder were also investigated.

Photocatalytic degradation of formaldehyde by diffuser of solar light pipe coated with nanometer titanium dioxide thin films

The even and transparent nanometer TiO2 thin films named DegussaP25 as photocatalysis deposited on the surface of diffusers of solar light pipe were prepared by sol-gel processing.The rugged side of the diffusers of solar light pipe was coated evenly with DegussaP25 solution for the quality of 1.75 g.The experiments had showed that when the coated side was away from the sun the lighting degree may be reduced compared with that facing the sun.The average reduction was only 3.03%,which would not have a significant impact on lighting.Diffusers are important parts of a light pipe which can diffuse light evenly to the place needed to be illuminated.The experiments showed that in a sunny summer day under the direct sunlight,the solar light pipe combined with photocatalysis could reduce the formaldehyde volume fraction in a box of 0.1 m3 from 1.0×10-6 to 0.16×10-6.After 1 h of photodegradation the formaldehyde volume changed from 1.0×10-6 down to 0.1×10-6 with faster and more complete degradation of formaldehyde.The rate of degradation under cloudy and partly cloudy conditions was slower than that under sunny conditions.It was slower in winter than in summer under sunny conditions.The experimental results also showed that the performance of photocatalysis combined with diffusers of light pipe had better effect in a small space.The performance in large space,such as open space,will be the next work in the future,which will be a great challenge.

Cu/TiO_(2) Photocatalysts for CO_(2) Reduction: Structure and Evolution of the Cocatalyst Active Form

Extensive work on a Cu-modified TiO_(2) photocatalyst for CO_(2) reduction under visible light irradiation was conducted. The structure of the copper cocatalyst was established using UV-vis diff use refl ectance spectroscopy, high-resolution transmis- sion electron microscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that copper exists in different states (Cu 0 , Cu^(+) , and Cu^(2+) ), the content of which depends on the TiO_(2) calcination temperature and copper loading. The optimum composition of the cocatalyst has a photocatalyst based on TiO_(2) calcined at 700℃ and modified with 5 wt% copper, the activity of which is 22 μmol/(h·g cat ) (409 nm). Analysis of the photocatalysts after the photocatalytic reaction disclosed that the copper metal on the surface of the calcined TiO_(2) was gradually converted into Cu_(2) O during the photocatalytic reaction. Meanwhile, the metallic copper on the surface of the noncalcined TiO_(2) did not undergo any trans- formation during the reaction.

Self-Assembly and Photocatalysis of Mesoporous TiO2 Nanocrystal Clusters

Mesoporous nanocrystal clusters of anatase TiO2 with large surface area and enhanced photocatalytic activity have been successfully synthesized. The synthesis involves the self-assembly of hydrophobic TiO2 nanocrystals into submicron clusters, coating of these clusters with a silica layer, thermal treatment to remove organic ligands and improve the crystallinity of the clusters, and finally removing silica to expose the mesoporous catalysts. With the help of the silica coating, the clusters not only maintain their small grain size but also keep their mesoporous structure after calcination at high temperatures （with BET surface area as high as 277 m2/g）. The etching of SiO2 also results in the clusters having high dispersity in water. We have been able to identify the optimal calcination temperature to produce TiO2 nanocrystal clusters that possess both high crystallinity and large surface area, and therefore show excellent catalytic efficiency in the decomposition of organic molecules under illumination by UV light. Convenient doping with nitrogen converts these nanocrystal clusters into active photocatalysts in both visible light and natural sunlight. The strategy of forming well-defined mesoporous clusters using nanocrystals promises a versatile and useful method for designing photocatalysts with enhanced activity and stability.