Sithembela A. Zikalala , Abera D. Ambaye , Alex T. Kuvarega , Vincent O. Nyamori , Jianxin Li , Bhekie B. Mamba , Edward N. Nxumalo
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The correlation of photocatalytic efficiency of titania–amorphous (nitrogen doped) carbon nanotubes (TiO2–a(N)CNT) nanocomposites with colloidal and optoelectrical properties was investigated. TiO2–aNCNT and TiO2–aCNT exhibited narrow zeta potential variation, high polydispersity index, and large agglomerate sizes across the pH range 1–8. Despite their poor colloidal stability, TiO2–aNCNT exhibited superior degradation efficiency for high molecular weight reactive dyes, RR 120 and Remazol brilliant blue (RBB) with 55 mg.L−1 of RR 120 mineralized under solar irradiation. The photocatalytic performance for TiO2–aNCNT and TiO2–aCNT correlated with the respective energy band gaps 3.01 and 3.14 eV (respectively) and Ubarch tailing energies. Cyclic voltammetry showed a narrow peak-to-peak separation () of 200.7 V (vs Ag/AgCl) for TiO2–aNCNT thus confirming enhanced electron transfer kinetics. Electron impedance spectroscopy confirmed low charge transfer resistance for TiO2–aNCNT. Herein, it is demonstrated that optoelectrical properties are superior to colloidal stability in driving photocatalytic reactions.
期刊介绍:
JPPA publishes the results of fundamental studies on all aspects of chemical phenomena induced by interactions between light and molecules/matter of all kinds.
All systems capable of being described at the molecular or integrated multimolecular level are appropriate for the journal. This includes all molecular chemical species as well as biomolecular, supramolecular, polymer and other macromolecular systems, as well as solid state photochemistry. In addition, the journal publishes studies of semiconductor and other photoactive organic and inorganic materials, photocatalysis (organic, inorganic, supramolecular and superconductor).
The scope includes condensed and gas phase photochemistry, as well as synchrotron radiation chemistry. A broad range of processes and techniques in photochemistry are covered such as light induced energy, electron and proton transfer; nonlinear photochemical behavior; mechanistic investigation of photochemical reactions and identification of the products of photochemical reactions; quantum yield determinations and measurements of rate constants for primary and secondary photochemical processes; steady-state and time-resolved emission, ultrafast spectroscopic methods, single molecule spectroscopy, time resolved X-ray diffraction, luminescence microscopy, and scattering spectroscopy applied to photochemistry. Papers in emerging and applied areas such as luminescent sensors, electroluminescence, solar energy conversion, atmospheric photochemistry, environmental remediation, and related photocatalytic chemistry are also welcome.