TY - JOUR
T1 - Protonated g-C3N4/Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 nanocomposite films
T2 - Room-temperature preparation, hydrophilicity, and application for photocatalytic NOx removal
AU - Huang, Yu
AU - Wang, Pengge
AU - Wang, Zhenyu
AU - Rao, Yongfang
AU - Cao, Jun ji
AU - Pu, Shengyan
AU - Ho, Wingkei
AU - Lee, Shun Cheng
PY - 2019/1
Y1 - 2019/1
N2 - Fabrication of photocatalysis films with good adhesion, hydrophilicity, and high activity on substrates at room temperature is essential for their application in air pollution control. Herein, functionalized transparent composite films containing ultrathin protonated g-C3N4 (pCN) nanosheets and Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (pCN/TiO2) were fabricated on glass at room temperature. Thickness of the films measures 80 nm with surface roughness of 7.16 nm. The adhesion ability was attributed to the viscosity of TiO2 sol, which served as “chemical glue” in the films. The high photo-induced hydrophilicity demonstrated their self-cleaning potential. pCN/TiO2 films showed remarkably high visible-light-driven activity in terms of NO removal in a continuous-flow mode. Photoelectrochemical tests demonstrated the superior charge separation efficiency of pCN/TiO2 films compared with that of pristine TiO2. As identified by electron spin resonance spectra, [rad]O2 − and [rad]OH radicals were the key reactive species involved in NO removal. The possible mechanism for photocatalytic NO oxidation was proposed. Potential cytotoxicity of pCN/TiO2 films was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay to ensure the biosecurity. This work provides a facile route to fabricate nanocomposite films under ambient temperature. The nanocomposite films were characterized by photo-induced hydrophilicity, high NO removal efficiency, and good biocompatibility, showing its potential in large-scale application.
AB - Fabrication of photocatalysis films with good adhesion, hydrophilicity, and high activity on substrates at room temperature is essential for their application in air pollution control. Herein, functionalized transparent composite films containing ultrathin protonated g-C3N4 (pCN) nanosheets and Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (pCN/TiO2) were fabricated on glass at room temperature. Thickness of the films measures 80 nm with surface roughness of 7.16 nm. The adhesion ability was attributed to the viscosity of TiO2 sol, which served as “chemical glue” in the films. The high photo-induced hydrophilicity demonstrated their self-cleaning potential. pCN/TiO2 films showed remarkably high visible-light-driven activity in terms of NO removal in a continuous-flow mode. Photoelectrochemical tests demonstrated the superior charge separation efficiency of pCN/TiO2 films compared with that of pristine TiO2. As identified by electron spin resonance spectra, [rad]O2 − and [rad]OH radicals were the key reactive species involved in NO removal. The possible mechanism for photocatalytic NO oxidation was proposed. Potential cytotoxicity of pCN/TiO2 films was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay to ensure the biosecurity. This work provides a facile route to fabricate nanocomposite films under ambient temperature. The nanocomposite films were characterized by photo-induced hydrophilicity, high NO removal efficiency, and good biocompatibility, showing its potential in large-scale application.
KW - Biocompatibility
KW - Hydrophilicity
KW - NO removal
KW - pCN/TiOfilms
KW - Room-temperature preparation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85052875014&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.08.078
DO - 10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.08.078
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85052875014
SN - 0926-3373
VL - 240
SP - 122
EP - 131
JO - Applied Catalysis B: Environmental
JF - Applied Catalysis B: Environmental
ER -