• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.140-146
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• 2023

Water quality is crucial for human health and the environment. Accurate measurement of the quantity of organic carbon in water is essential for water quality evaluation, identification of water pollution sources, and appropriate implementation of water treatment measures. Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis is an important tool for this purpose. Although other methods, such as chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) are also used to measure organic carbon in water, they have limitations that make TOC analysis a more favorable option in certain situations. For example, COD requires the use of toxic chemicals, and BOD is time-consuming and can produce inconsistent and unreliable results. In contrast, TOC analysis is rapid and reliable, providing accurate measurements of organic carbon content in water. However, common methods for TOC analysis can be complex and energy-intensive because of the use of high-temperature heaters for liquid-to-gas phase transitions and the use of acid, which present safety risks. This study focuses on a TOC analysis method using TiO₂ photocatalysis, which has several advantages over conventional TOC analysis methods, including its low cost and easy maintenance. For TiO₂, rutile and anatase powders are mixed with an inorganic binder and spray-coated onto a glass fiber substrate. The TiO₂ powder and inorganic binder solutions are adjusted to optimize the photocatalytic reaction performance. The TiO₂ photocatalysis method is a simple and low-power approach to TOC analysis, making it a promising alternative to commonly used TOC analysis methods. This study aims to contribute to the development of more efficient and cost-effective approaches for water quality analysis and management by exploring the effectiveness and reliability of the developed equipment.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.345-350
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• 2010

For the present paper, we prepared MgO/MWCNT/$TiO_2$ photocatalyst by using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) pre-oxidized by m-chlorperbenzoic acid (MCPBA) with magnesium acetate tetrahydrate $(Mg(CH_2COO)_2\cdot4H_2O)$ and titanium n-butoxide $(Ti\{OC(CH_3)_3\}_4)$ as magnesium and titanium precursors. The prepared photocatalyst was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The decomposition of methylene blue (MB) solution was determined under irradiation of ultraviolet (UV) light. The XRD results show that the MgO/MWCNT/$TiO_2$ photocatalyst have cubic MgO structure and anatase $TiO_2$ structure. The porous structure and the $TiO_2$ agglomerate coated on the MgO/MWCNT composite can be observed in SEM images. The Mg, O, Ti and C elements can be also observed in MgO/MWCNT/$TiO_2$ photocatalyst from EDX results. The results of photodegradation of MB solution under UV light show that the concentration of MB solution decreased with an increase of UV irradiation time for all of the samples. Also, the MgO/MWCNT/$TiO_2$ photocatalyst has the best photocatalytic activity among these samples. It can be considered that the MgO/MWCNT/$TiO_2$ photocatalyst had a combined effect, the effect of MWCNT, which could absorb UV light to create photoinduced electrons $(e^-)$, and the electron trapping effect of MgO, which resulted in an increase of the photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.618-624
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• 2018

We developed a mass production method that simultaneously controls the phase transformation and crystal size of $TiO_2$ coatings on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Initially, MWCNTs were successfully coated with amorphous 15-20-nm-thick $TiO_2$ by an in-situ sol-gel method. As the calcination temperature increased in both air and argon atmospheres, the amorphous $TiO_2$ was gradually transformed into the fully anatase phase at approximately $600^{\circ}C$, a mixture of the anatase and rutile phases at approximately $700^{\circ}C$, and the fully rutile phase above approximately $800^{\circ}C$. The crystal size increased with increasing calcination temperature. Moreover, above $600^{\circ}C$, the size of crystals formed in air was approximately twice that of crystals formed in argon. The reason is thought to be that MWCNTs, which continuously supported the stresses associated with the reconstructive phase transformation, disappeared owing to complete oxidation in air at these high temperatures.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.453-461
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• 2022

A chemically sintered and binder-free paste of TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) was prepared using a binary-liquid mixture of 1-octanol and CCl₄. The 1:1 (v/v) complex of CCl₄ and 1-octanol easily interacted chemically with the TiO₂ NPs and induced the formation of a highly viscous paste. The as-prepared binary-liquid paste (P_BL)-based TiO₂ film exhibited the complete removal of the binary-liquid and residuals with the subsequent low-temperature sintering (~150℃) and UV-O₃ treatment. This facilitated the fabrication of TiO₂ photoanodes for flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (f-DSSCs). For comparison purposes, pure 1-octanol-based TiO₂ paste (P_O) with moderate viscosity was prepared. The P_BL-based TiO₂ film exhibited strong adhesion and high mechanical stability with the conducting oxide coated glass and plastic substrates compared to the P_O-based film. The corresponding low-temperature sintered P_BL-based f-DSSC showed a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.5%, while it was 2.0% for P_O-based f-DSSC. The P_BL-based low- and high-temperature (500℃) sintered glass-based rigid DSSCs exhibited the PCE of 6.0 and 6.3%, respectively, while this value was 7.1% for a 500℃ sintered rigid DSSC based on a commercial (or conventional) paste.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1263-1271
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• 2013

Graphene oxide (GO)-titania composites have emerged as an attractive heterogeneous photocatalyst that can enhance the photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles owing to their potential interaction of electronic and adsorption natures. Accordingly, $TiO_2$-GO mixtures were synthesized in this study using a simple chemical mixing process, and their heterogeneous photocatalytic activities were investigated to determine the degradation of airborne organic pollutants (benzene, ethyl benzene, and o-xylene (BEX)) under different operational conditions. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results demonstrated the presence of GO for the $TiO_2$-GO composites. The average efficiencies of the $TiO_2$-GO mixtures for the decomposition of each component of BEX determined during the 3-h photocatalytic processes were 26%, 92%, and 96%, respectively, whereas the average efficiencies of the unmodified $TiO_2$ powder were 3%, 8%, and 10%, respectively. Furthermore, the degradation efficiency of the unmodified $TiO_2$ powder for all target compounds decreased during the 3-h photocatalytic processes, suggesting a potential deactivation even during such a short time period. Two operational conditions (air flow entering into the air-cleaning devices and the indoor pollution levels) were found to be important factors for the photocatalytic decomposition of BEX molecules. Taken together, these results show that a $TiO_2$-GO mixture can be applied effectively for the purification of airborne organic pollutants when the operating conditions are optimized.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.2895-2900
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• 2014

We fabricated quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) using cadmium sulfide (CdS) and cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots (QDs) as sensitizers. A spin coated $TiO_2$ nanoparticle (NP) film on tin-doped indium oxide glass and sputtered Au on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass were used as photo-anode and counter electrode, respectively. CdS QDs were deposited onto the mesoporous $TiO_2$ layer by a successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method. Pre-synthesized CdTe QDs were deposited onto a layer of CdS QDs using a direct adsorption technique. CdS/CdTe QDSSCs had high light harvesting ability compared with CdS or CdTe QDSSCs. QDSSCs incorporating single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), sprayed onto the substrate before deposition of the next layer or mixed with $TiO_2$ NPs, mostly exhibited enhanced photo cell efficiency compared with the pristine cell. In particular, a maximum rate increase of 24% was obtained with the solar cell containing a $TiO_2$ layer mixed with SWNTs.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.242-251
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• 2023

The electrochemical corrosion behaviors of 304 stainless steels (STSs) with various coatings (organic coating and dry coating) were examined, and their applicability as bipolar plates in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) was validated. The results showed that the organic-coated samples had a significant decrease in anodic and cathodic current density compared to the uncoated sample. However, an increase in carbon black content in the organic coating or additional heat treatment at 700 ℃ resulted in a decrease in corrosion resistance. In addition, improvements in corrosion resistance achieved by adding TiO₂ powder to the organic coating were found to be limited. In contrast, dry coating with TiC and CrC exhibited higher corrosion potential, significantly lower current density, and reduced contact resistance compared to the organic coatings. Notably, the TiC-coated sample showed a comparatively lower current density and more stable behavior than the CrC-coated sample. Based on a series of experimental results, a thin TiC coating without defects is proposed as a promising surface treatment strategy for STS bipolar plates in PEMFC.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.359-368
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• 2012

For hybrid water treatment of high turbidity water, we used the hybrid module that was composed of photocatalyst packing between tubular membrane outside and module inside. Photocatalyst was PP (polypropylene) bead coated with $TiO_2$ powder by CVD (chemical vapor deposition) process. Water back-flushing of 10 sec was performed per every period of 10 min to minimize membrane fouling for modified solution was prepared with humic acid and kaolin. Resistance of membrane fouling ($R_f$) decreased as humic acid concentration changed from 10 mg/L to 2 mg/L, and finally the highest total permeate volume ($V_T$) could be obtained at 2 mg/L, which was the same with the previous results. Then, treatment efficiencies of turbidity and humic acid were above 98.9% and 88.7%, respectively. As results of treatment portions of UF, UF + $TiO_2$, and UF + $TiO_2$ + UV processes, turbidity was treated little by photocatalyst adsorption, and photo-oxidation. However, treatment portions of humic acid by adsorption and photo-oxidation were 2.5% and 12.3%, respectively. Compared with the previous results, treatment portions of humic acid by adsorption and photo-oxidation were different depending on membrane material and pore size. As simplified the process, the membrane fouling resistance after 180 minutes' operation ($R_{f,180}$) increased and the final permeate flux decreased a little.

• Clean Technology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2018

In this study, $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ anode materials for lithium ion battery were synthesized by dry ball-mill method. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a carbon source was added to improve electrochemical properties. When the PVC was added after $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ formation, the spinel structure was well synthesized and it was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments. When the carbon material was added before the synthesis and the heat treatment was performed, it was confirmed that a material having a different crystal structure was synthesized even when a small amount of carbon material was added. In the case of $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ without the carbon material, the electrical conductivity value was about $10{\mu}S\;m^{-1}$, which was very small and similar to that of the nonconductor. As the carbon was added, the electrical conductivity was greatly improved and increased up to 10,000 times. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis showed that the size of semicircle corresponding to the resistance decreased with the carbon addition. This indicates that the resistance inside the electrode is reduced. According to the Cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis, the potential difference between the oxidation peak and the reduction peak was reduced with carbon addition. This means that the rate of lithium ion insertion and deinsertion was increased. $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ with 9.5 wt% PVC added sample showed the best properties in rate capabilities of $180mA\;h\;g^{-1}$ at 0.2 C-rate, $165mA\;h\;g^{-1}$ at 0.5 C-rate, and $95.8mA\;h\;g^{-1}$ at 5 C-rate.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.140-143
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• 2005

Carbon Nanotube(CNTs) counter electrode is a promising alternative to Platinum counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this study, CNT counter electrodes having different visible light transmittance were prepared on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass surface by spray coating method. Microstructural images show that there are CNT-tangled region coated on FTO glass counter electrodes. Using such CNT counter electrodes and screen printed $TiO_2$ electrodes, DSSCs were assembled and its I-V characteristics have been studied and compared. Light energy conversion efficiency of DSSCs increased with decreasing in light transmittance of CNT counter electrode. Efficiency of DSSCs having CNT counter electrode is compatible to that of Pt counter electrode.