Photocatalytic decomposition of diclofenac potassium using silver-modified TiO(2) thin films

The effects of silver insertion on the TiO(2) photocatalytic activity for the degradation of diclofenac potassium were reported here. Techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy were used to comprehend the relation between structure and properties of the silver-modified TiO(2), thin films obtained by the sol-gel method. The lattice parameters and the crystallinity of TiO(2) anatase phase were affected by inserted silver, and the film thickness increased about 4 nm for each 1 wt.% of silver inserted. The degradation of diclofenac potassium and by-products reached an efficiency of 4.6 mg(C) W(-1) when the material was modified with silver. Although the first step of degradation involves only the photochemical process related to the loss of the chlorine and hydrogen atoms. This cyclization reaction leads to the formation of intermediate, which degradation is facilitated by the modified material. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol by Thermal Titanium Dioxide Thin Layer Electrodes

Electrochemical processes in industrial effluents have been studied as a means to obtain higher efficiency in wastewater treatment. Heterogeneous photocatalysis appears as a low-cost alternative through the use of lower wattage lamps and thermal TiO2 films. Photocatalysis became a clean process for water treatment due to hydroxyl radicals generated on semiconductor surface. Such radicals are able to degrade several organic compounds. This study used different electrodes and analytical methods for degradation of phenol molecules to reduce treatment costs, improve efficiency, and identify compounds formed during the decomposition of phenolic molecules. Thermal growth of TiO2 film was observed on the titanium electrode in rutile form. Application of an electrical potential on the Ti/TiO2 working electrode increases efficiency in reducing concentration of phenol after photocatalytic treatment. Still, high energy radiation (UVC) showed best degradation rates in photolytic process. Different compounds formed during the degradation of phenol were also identified in the UVC-PE treatment.

Performance of an Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) in treatment of cassava wastewater

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue by TiO2-Cu thin films: Theoretical and experimental study

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

TiO2 films organofunctionalized with 2-aminothiazole ligand and adsorbed Pd(II) ions applied in the photocatalytic degradation of phenol in an aqueous medium

This paper describes the preparation of thin titanium films via sol-gel route and their subsequent chemical modification by anchoring with 2-aminothiazole ligand and Pd(II) ion sorption, aiming to maximize the photocatalytic activity. The material was characterized by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, ultraviolet and visible spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry, and scanning electronic microscopy. The amount of palladium adsorbed on the film's surface, determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, showed a value of 2.69 x 10(16) atoms CM-2. The photocatalytic tests indicated that the functionalization with 2-aminothiazole and the adsorption of palladium (II) were determinants in the semiconductor's enhanced photocatalytic activity. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Combination of nickel and titanium complexes containing nitrogen ligands as catalyst for polyethylene reactor blending

Ethylene was polymerized using a combination of Ni(diimine)Cl-2 (1) (diimine = 1,4-bis(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)-acenaphthenediimine) and {Tp(Ms)*} TiCl3 (2) (Tp(Ms)* = hydridobis(3-mesitylpyrazol-1-yl)(5-mesityl-pyrazol-1-yl)) compounds in the presence of methyl-aluminoxane (MAO) at 30 degrees C. The productivity reaches a maximum at X-Ni = 0.75 (1400 kg of PE/mol[M] . h), and the produced polyethylene (PE) showed maximal melt flow index (0.13 g/10 min) and minimal intrinsic viscosity (2.24 dL/g) compared to polyethylenes obtained with different values of nickel loading fractions (X-Ni). Productivity intrinsic viscosity data, as well as melt flow index measurements markedly depend upon the content of the late transition metal, thus suggesting a synergic effect between nickel and titanium catalysts.

Characteristics of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor for Material Treatment

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Preparation of CuO/SiO2 and photocatalytic activity by degradation of methylene blue

A photocatalyst based on CuO/SiO2 was prepared, and evaluated for the degradation of methylene blue in aqueous medium. The photocatalyst was obtained by calcination method of copper salt, in the presence of silica. The characterization by XRD, FTIR, and TPR techniques confirmed the formation of CuO as active phase. SEM studies showed CuO deposited on the surface of SiO2. By ESI-MS, it was demonstrated that the degradation of methylene blue occurs through successive hydroxylations. Photodegradation assays showed that CuO/SiO2 was efficient for degradation, and that the material worked better in the presence of UV light.

Influence of the morphology and microstructure on the photocatalytic properties of titanium oxide films obtained by sparking anodization in H3PO4

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Microwave Hydrothermal Synthesis and Photocatalytic Performance of ZnO and M:ZnO Nanostructures (M = V, Fe, Co)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue via Fenton mechanisms by silicon wafer doped with Au and Cu: a theoretical and experimental study

In this work, we studied the photocatalytic and the structural aspects of silicon wafers doped with Au and Cu submitted to thermal treatment. The materials were obtained by deposition of metals on Si using the sputtering method followed by fast heating method. The photocatalyst materials were characterized by synchrotron-grazing incidence X-ray fluorescence, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and assays of H(2)O(2) degradation. The doping process decreases the optical band gap of materials and the doping with Au causes structural changes. The best photocatalytic activity was found for thermally treated material doped with Au. Theoretical calculations at density functional theory level are in agreement with the experimental data.

Structural refinement, growth process, photoluminescence and photocatalytic properties of (Ba1-xPr2x/3)WO4 crystals synthesized by the coprecipitation method

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Electrocoagulation/flotation followed by fluidized bed anaerobic reactor applied to tannery effluent treatment

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Use of sorghum seed tissue as a biocatalyst in a stirred reactor for oxalic acid determination

The enzyme oxalate oxidase, E.C. 1.2.3.4 from Sorghum vulgare seeds (variety BR303) was used to develop a new sensor for oxalate determination without any purification. The sorghum seeds were conditioned in a 0.10 mol I-1 KCl solution. Then, these seeds were put in a stirring bar type enzymic reactor and coupled with an electrode for CO2. This device was introduced into a cell containing 10.0 ml of a 0.10 mol I-1 KCl solution saturated with oxygen. This sensor showed a linear response between 1.0 and 4.0 × 10-3 mol I-1 with a slope of 30 mV per decade of oxalate concentration at 25.0°C. The sensor was stable for one month or 200 determinations. The response time was about 60 s. The Michaelis-Menten constant determined for this enzyme was 1.5 × 10-3 mol I-1.

Determination of Oxalate in Grass by FIA with a Spectrophotometric Detection System Using a Two Enzyme Reactor

A new methodology for soluble oxalic acid determination in grass samples was developed using a two enzyme reactor in an FIA system. The reactor consisted of 3 U of oxalate oxidase and 100 U of peroxidase immobilized on Sorghum vulgare seeds activated with glutaraldehyde. The carbon dioxide was monitored spectrophotometrically, after reacting with an acid-base indicator (Bromocresol Purple) after it permeated through a PTFE membrane. A linear response range was observed between 0.25 and 1.00mmol l-1 of oxalic acid; the data was fit by the equation A=-0.8(±1.5)+ 57.2(±2.5)[oxalate], with a correlation coefficient of 0.9971 and a relative standard deviation of 2% for n=5. The variance for a 0.25 mmol l-1 oxalic acid standard solution was lower than 4% for 11 measurements. The FIA system allows analysis of 20 samples per hour without prior treatment. The proposed method showed a good correlation with that of the Sigma Kit.