• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.965-974
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• 2009

This study evaluated the degradation efficiency of malodorous sulfurized-organic compounds by utilizing N- and Sdoped titanium dioxide under visible-light irradiation, and examined the catalyst deactivation and regeneration. Catalyst surface was characterized by employing Fourier-Transform-Infrared-Red (FTIR) spectra. The visible-light-driven photocatalysis techniques were able to efficiently degrade low-level dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) with degradation efficiencies exceeding 97%, whereas they were not effective regarding the removal of high-level DMS and DMDS, with degradation efficiencies of 84 and 23% within 5 hrs of photocatalytic processes. As compared with DMS, DMDS which containes one more sulfur element revealed quick catalyst deactivation. Catalyst deactivation was confirmed by the equality between input and output concentrations of DMD or DMDS, the obsevation of no $CO_2$ generation during a photocatalytic process, and the FTIR spectrum peaks related with sulfur ion compounds, which are major byproducts formed on catalyst surfaces. The mineralization efficiency of DMS at 8 ppm, which was a peak value during a photocatalytic process, was calculated as 144%, exceeding 100%. The catalyst regenerated by high-temperature calcination exhibited higher catalyst recovery efficiency (53 and 58% for DMDS and DMS, respectively) as compared with dry-air and humid-air regeneration processes. However, even the calcined method was unable to totally regenerate deactivated catalysts.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.1182-1190
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• 2014

$Cd_{1-x}Zn_xS$-sensitized $K_4Nb_6O_{17}$ composite photocatalysts (designated $Cd_{1-x}Zn_xS/K_4Nb_6O_{17}$) were prepared via a simple deposition-precipitation method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), $N_2$ sorption, ultraviolet-visible light diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), photoluminescence measurements (PL), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The $Cd_{0.8}Zn_{0.2}S$ particles were scattered on the surface of $K_4Nb_6O_{17}$, and had a relatively uniform size distribution around 50 nm. The absorption edge of $K_4Nb_6O_{17}$ was shifted to the visible light region and the recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes suppressed after $Cd_{0.8}Zn_{0.2}S$ loading. The $Cd_{0.8}Zn_{0.2}S$(25 wt %)/$K_4Nb_6O_{17}$ composite possessed the highest photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production under visible light irradiation, evolving 8.278 mmol/g in 3 h. Recyclability tests were performed, and the composite photocatalysts were found to be fairly stable. The mechanism of charge separation between the photogenerated electrons and holes at the $Cd_{0.8}Zn_{0.2}S/K_4Nb_6O_{17}$ composite was discussed.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.1981-1987
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• 2010

A novel composite (Ag-CNT/$TiO_2$) of silver treated carbon nanotubes (Ag-CNT) and $TiO_2$ was synthesized via wet chemistry followed by a heat treatment. The dispersion and structure of the silver in the synthesized composites determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). XRD patterns of the composites showed that the composites contained a mixing anatase and rutile phase. The EDX spectra showed the presence of C, O, Ti and Ag peaks. The $TiO_2$ particles were distributed uniformly in the CNT network, and silver particles were virtually fixed on the surface of the tube. The photocatalysis degraded behaviors of the Ag-CNT/$TiO_2$ composites of the methylene blue, which increased with an increase of the silver component. The Ag-CNT/$TiO_2$ composites have excellent antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli (E. Coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. Aeru) and Bacillus subtilis (B. Sub) under visible light.

• Applied Science and Convergence Technology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.162-165
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• 2016

APhotocatalysis process uses ambient oxygen from air and irradiation, fundamentally UV light, to generate oxidation and reduction which can degrade almost all harmful organic and inorganic compounds to nontoxic substances. This study was focused on enhancement of photocatalytic activity which improves the photocatlytic efficiency with $TiO_2$ particle by mixing of certain amounts of Zn particles. We analyzed degradation of organic pollutant materials such as toluene and phenol with the mixed photocatalysis by using UV-visible spectrophotometer and obtained a result that photocatalytic activity is increased with increasing amount of Zn particle. Especially, in the case of $TiO_2$ (1 mmol) and Zn (0.1 mmol) mixture photocatalyst, we obtained at least 2 times higher photocatalytic activity compared with the commercially available $TiO_2$ photocatalyst (Degussa P-25), indicating that our mixed photocatalyts (Zn-doped $TiO_2$) is very effective of removing both organic dye and pollutants and the conversion rate of toluene is much faster than that of phenol.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.2089-2092
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• 2007

Tantalum-containing metal oxides, well known for their efficiency in water splitting and H2 production, have never been used in visible light driven photodecomposition of H2S and H2 production. The present work is an attempt in this direction and investigates their efficiency. A mixed metal oxide, ZnFe2Ta2O9, with the inclusion of Fe2O3 to impart color, was prepared by the conventional ceramic route in single- and double-calcinations (represented as ZnFe2Ta2O9-SC and ZnFe2Ta2O9-DC respectively). The XRD characterization shows that both have identical patterns and reveals tetragonal structure to a major extent and a minor contribution of orthorhombic crystalline system. The UV-visible diffuse reflection spectra demonstrate the intense, coherent and wide absorption of visible light by both the catalysts, with absorption edge at 650 nm, giving rise to a band gap of 1.9 eV. Between the two catalysts, however, ZnFe2Ta2O9-DC has greater absorption in almost the entire wavelength region, which accounts for its strong brown coloration than ZnFe2Ta2O9-SC when viewed by the naked eye. In photocatalysis, both catalysts decompose H2S under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm) and produce solar H2 at a much higher rate than previously reported catalysts. Nevertheless, ZnFe2Ta2O9-DC distinguishes itself from ZnFe2Ta2O9-SC by exhibiting a higher efficiency because of its greater light absorption. Altogether, the tantalum-containing mixed metal oxide proves its efficient catalytic role in H2S decomposition and H2 production process also.

• Clean Technology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.419-425
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• 2012

This work explored the characteristics and the photocatalytic activities of S element-doped $TiO_2$ (S-$TiO_2$) and N element-doped $TiO_2$ (N-$TiO_2$) for the decomposition of gas-phase isopropyl alcohol (IPA) at sub-ppm concentrations, using a plug-flow reactor irradiated by 8-W daylight lamp or visible light-emitting-diodes (LEDs). In addition, the generation yield of acetone during photocatalytic processes for IPA at sub-ppm levels was examined. The surface characteristics of prepared S- and N-$TiO_2$ photocatalysts were analyzed to indicate that they could be effectively activated by visible-light irradiation. Regarding both types of photocatalysts, the cleaning efficiency of IPA increased as the air flow rate (AFR) was decreased. The average cleaning efficiency determined via the S-$TiO_2$ system for the AFR of 2.0 L $min^{-1}$ was 39%, whereas it was close to 100% for the AFR of 0.1 L $min^{-1}$. Regarding the N-$TiO_2$ system, the average cleaning efficiency for the AFR of 2.0 L $min^{-1}$ was above 90%, whereas it was still close to 100% for the AFR of 0.1 L $min^{-1}$. In contrast to the cleaning efficiencies of IPA, both types of photocatalysts revealed a decreasing trend in the generation yields of acetone with decreasing the AFR. Consequently, the N-$TiO_2$ system was preferred for cleaning of sub-ppm IPA to S-$TiO_2$ system and should be operated under low AFR conditions to minimize the acetone generation. In addition, 8-W daylight lamp exhibited higher cleaning efficiency of IPA than for visible LEDs.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.331-337
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• 2019

Titania has become the most applicable material for photocatalytic application. Nevertheless, titania has the weak point in its wide band gap energy that is mainly activated by UV irradiation. There have been vast research challenges in order to make the wide band gap energy of titania narrow that could be activated in the presence of visible light. Various modifications of titania surface were popular because titania needs to change its surface to respond in visible light. Among the methodological approaches, N-doping to titania can be the alternative candidate because it is facile process and eco-friendly. The activated electron from valence band in N-doped $TiO_2$ migrates to conduction band in the presence of visible light irradiation, which shows photocatalytic activity as well. In this study, focused on the evaluation of nitrogen state after N-doping through brief review. Arguments are still existed in nitrogen states and their different effects on photocatalytic activity. In particular, two nitrogen states are generally reported; substitutional and interstitial states. The research articles regarding N-doped $TiO_2$ are continuously appearing because the potential application of water split in visible light is still fascinate. The future of N-doped $TiO_2$ is also presented by referrals based on various literature.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.383-392
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• 2020

In this paper, AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite photocatalyst is successfully synthesized by microemulsion method and anion in situ substitution method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) are used to study the structural and physicochemical characteristics of the AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite composite. Using rhodamine B (RhB) as a simulated pollutant, the photocatalytic activity and stability of the AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite composite under visible light are evaluated. In the AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite visible light system, RhB is nearly 100 % degraded within 15 minutes. And, after five cycles of operation, the photocatalytic activity of AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite remains at 95 % of the original level, much higher than that of pure Ag₃PO₄ (40 %). In addition, the mechanism of enhanced catalytic performance is discussed. The high photocatalytic performance of AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite composites can be attributed to the synergistic effect of Ag₃PO₄, diatomite and AgCl nanoparticles. Free radical trapping experiments are used to show that holes and oxygen are the main active species. This material can quickly react with dye molecules adsorbed on the surface of diatomite to degrade RhB dye to CO₂ and H₂O. Even more remarkably, AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite can maintain above 95 % photo-degradation activity after five cycles.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2016.11a
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• pp.59-75
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• 2016

Reduced or black $TiO_{2-x}$ materials with oxygen-deficiency have been achieved by creating oxygen vacancies and/or defects at the surface using different methods. Fascinatingly, they exhibited an extended absorption in VIS and IR instead of only UV light with bandgap decrease from 3.2 (anatase) to ~1 eV. However, despite the dramatic enhancement of optical absorption in black $TiO_{2-x}$ materials, they have failed to show expected visible light-assisted water splitting efficiency. This was ascribed to the high concentration of the surface defects and/or oxygen vacancies, considered as an electron donor to enhance donor density and improve the charge transportation in black $TiO_2$ can also act as charge recombination centers, which eventually decrease photocatalytic activity. Therefore, a black ot reducd $TiO_2$ material with optimized properties would be highly desired for visible light photocatalysis. In this report, a new controlled magnesiothermic reduction has been developed to synthesize reduced black $TiO_{2-x}$ in the presence $H_2/Ar$ for photocatalytic $H_2$ production from methanol-water system. The material possesses an optimum band gap and band position, oxygen vacancies, and surface defects and shows significantly improved optical absorption in the visible and infrared region. The synergistic effects enable the reduced $TiO_{2-x}$ material to show an excellent hydrogen production ability along with long-term stability under the full solar wavelength range of light and visible light, respectively, in the methanol-water system in the presence of Pt as a co-catalyst. These values are superior to those of previously reported black $TiO_2$ materials. On the basis of all the results, it can be realized that the outstanding activity and stability of the reduced of $TiO_{2-x}$ NPs suggest that a balanced combination of different factors like $Ti^{3+}$, surface defects, oxygen vacancy, and recombination center is achieved along with optimized bandgap and band position during the preparation employing magnesiothermic reduction in the presence of $H_2$. The controlled magnesiothermic reduction in the presence of $H_2$ is one of the best alternative ways to produce active and stable $TiO_2-based$ photocatalyst for $H_2$ production.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.630-635
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• 2009

For use as a photocatalyst, bismuth tungsten oxide, $Bi_2WO_6$, was successfully synthesized by hydrothermal treatment at pH = 11 and heating at 200 ${^{\circ}C}$ for 24h, and samples were subsequently thermal treated at 400, 600, and 800 ${^{\circ}C}$ to increase crystallinity. TEM results revealed that the initial untreated particles were sheet‐shaped, grain size was below 80 nm, and it increased with treated temperatures. These $Bi_2WO_6$ samples absorbed at around 400 nm in the visible light range and the intensity of absorption was particularly strongest in samples thermal treated at 600 ${^{\circ}C}$. Their photoluminescence abilities, related to the recombination between the excited electrons and holes, were overall small for other general photocatalysts such as TiO2, and the smallest in the case of thermal treatment at 600 ${^{\circ}C}$, as reversible result of UV‐visible absorbance. Methyl orange of 5.0 ppm aqueous solution was almost completely removed after 2 h when treated over the $Bi_2WO_6$ thermal treated at 600 ${^{\circ}C}$.