Event Title
Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes using TiO2@Hexaniobate Nanopeapod
Faculty Sponsor
John Wiley
Submission Type
Poster
Description
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) and hexaniobate (HNB) nanoscrolls (NScs) are both well-known photocatalysts. The combination of TiO2 NPs with HNB NScs, in the form of TiO2@HNB nanopeapods (NPPs), leads to a new nanocomposite material with enhanced photocatalytic activity. Solvothermal processing is effective in the synthesis of TiO2@HNB NPPs where TiO2 NPs and surfactant are combined with dispersed HNB nanosheets to achieve the NPP composite structure. Surface modification of the NPPs, for greater dispersibility in an aqueous medium, can then be carried via methylation. The NPP morphology where NPs are encapsulated in NScs was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Photocatalytic activity of the NPPs was investigated through the degradation of different dyes (methylene blue, brilliant green, and rhodamine B) under an in-house 460 nm LED reactor. UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to monitor the disappearance of the dyes. Dye degradation was found to be significantly faster in the presence of TiO2@HNB nanopeapods than with either TiO2 NPs or HNB nanoscrolls.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes using TiO2@Hexaniobate Nanopeapod
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) and hexaniobate (HNB) nanoscrolls (NScs) are both well-known photocatalysts. The combination of TiO2 NPs with HNB NScs, in the form of TiO2@HNB nanopeapods (NPPs), leads to a new nanocomposite material with enhanced photocatalytic activity. Solvothermal processing is effective in the synthesis of TiO2@HNB NPPs where TiO2 NPs and surfactant are combined with dispersed HNB nanosheets to achieve the NPP composite structure. Surface modification of the NPPs, for greater dispersibility in an aqueous medium, can then be carried via methylation. The NPP morphology where NPs are encapsulated in NScs was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Photocatalytic activity of the NPPs was investigated through the degradation of different dyes (methylene blue, brilliant green, and rhodamine B) under an in-house 460 nm LED reactor. UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to monitor the disappearance of the dyes. Dye degradation was found to be significantly faster in the presence of TiO2@HNB nanopeapods than with either TiO2 NPs or HNB nanoscrolls.
Comments
1st place, Graduate Poster