Photocatalytic Activity of Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes Following Long-Term Aging
Anodic titanium dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) nanotubes were found to be active photocatalysts. These photocatalysts possess a high surface area, even when supported, rendering them potential candidates for water treatment. In this work, photocatalytic surfaces were produced by anodizing com...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/11/2823 |
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| author | Stephen Abela Clayton Farrugia Ryan Xuereb Frederick Lia Edwin Zammit Alex Rizzo Paul Refalo Maurice Grech |
| author_facet | Stephen Abela Clayton Farrugia Ryan Xuereb Frederick Lia Edwin Zammit Alex Rizzo Paul Refalo Maurice Grech |
| author_sort | Stephen Abela |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Anodic titanium dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) nanotubes were found to be active photocatalysts. These photocatalysts possess a high surface area, even when supported, rendering them potential candidates for water treatment. In this work, photocatalytic surfaces were produced by anodizing commercially pure Ti plates using two different electrolyte compositions and correspondingly diverse process parameters. Changes in the physical and chemical stability as well as photocatalytic activity were studied over a fifty-two-week aging process. During this period, the nanotubular surfaces were exposed to flowing synthetic greywater, solar irradiation, and the natural environment. The physical and phase stability of the materials anodized using the organic electrolyte were found to be outstanding and no degradation or change in crystalline structure was observed. On the other hand, materials anodized in the aqueous electrolyte proved to suffer from light-induced phase transition from anatase to rutile. Surfaces synthesized in the organic electrolyte were more resistant to fouling and showed a better tendency to recover photocatalytic activity upon cleaning. In conclusion, the nanotubes produced in the organic electrolyte proved to be stable, rendering them potentially suitable for real-life applications. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:12:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3afe263f85164c0383d991be0ee7b361 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:12:40Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj.art-3afe263f85164c0383d991be0ee7b3612023-11-23T00:38:54ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912021-10-011111282310.3390/nano11112823Photocatalytic Activity of Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes Following Long-Term AgingStephen Abela0Clayton Farrugia1Ryan Xuereb2Frederick Lia3Edwin Zammit4Alex Rizzo5Paul Refalo6Maurice Grech7Faculty of Engineering, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, MaltaFaculty of Engineering, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, MaltaEconetique Ltd., Xewkija Industrial Estate, Xewkija, XWK 3000 Gozo, MaltaInstitute of Applied Sciences, Malta College for Science Arts and Technology, Triq Kordin, PLA 9032 Paola, MaltaInstitute of Applied Sciences, Malta College for Science Arts and Technology, Triq Kordin, PLA 9032 Paola, MaltaInstitute of Applied Sciences, Malta College for Science Arts and Technology, Triq Kordin, PLA 9032 Paola, MaltaFaculty of Engineering, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, MaltaFaculty of Engineering, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, MaltaAnodic titanium dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) nanotubes were found to be active photocatalysts. These photocatalysts possess a high surface area, even when supported, rendering them potential candidates for water treatment. In this work, photocatalytic surfaces were produced by anodizing commercially pure Ti plates using two different electrolyte compositions and correspondingly diverse process parameters. Changes in the physical and chemical stability as well as photocatalytic activity were studied over a fifty-two-week aging process. During this period, the nanotubular surfaces were exposed to flowing synthetic greywater, solar irradiation, and the natural environment. The physical and phase stability of the materials anodized using the organic electrolyte were found to be outstanding and no degradation or change in crystalline structure was observed. On the other hand, materials anodized in the aqueous electrolyte proved to suffer from light-induced phase transition from anatase to rutile. Surfaces synthesized in the organic electrolyte were more resistant to fouling and showed a better tendency to recover photocatalytic activity upon cleaning. In conclusion, the nanotubes produced in the organic electrolyte proved to be stable, rendering them potentially suitable for real-life applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/11/2823photocatalytic surfacelong-term agingreactivation |
| spellingShingle | Stephen Abela Clayton Farrugia Ryan Xuereb Frederick Lia Edwin Zammit Alex Rizzo Paul Refalo Maurice Grech Photocatalytic Activity of Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes Following Long-Term Aging Nanomaterials photocatalytic surface long-term aging reactivation |
| title | Photocatalytic Activity of Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes Following Long-Term Aging |
| title_full | Photocatalytic Activity of Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes Following Long-Term Aging |
| title_fullStr | Photocatalytic Activity of Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes Following Long-Term Aging |
| title_full_unstemmed | Photocatalytic Activity of Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes Following Long-Term Aging |
| title_short | Photocatalytic Activity of Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes Following Long-Term Aging |
| title_sort | photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide nanotubes following long term aging |
| topic | photocatalytic surface long-term aging reactivation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/11/2823 |
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