Supramolecular chemistry has asserted itself as a significant multidisciplinary field concerned with molecular effects afforded through non-covalent molecular interactions. The increased interest in the literature towards nanoscale devices, through modulation of molecular function, has seen the renaissance of supramolecular chemistry as function progresses from solution to surface. Heterosupramolecular chemistry follows the architectural principles of supramolecular chemistry and embraces both covalent and non-covalent interactions of condensed phase surfaces and molecular components. A modular approach to device architecture was applied as a novel method of performing photocatalysis under visible light illumination. The application of heterosupramolecular assembly to the design of photoelectrochemical cells capable of visible light induced charge separation allowed the study of interfacial processes by means of electrochemical observations. Preparation of a series of supramolecular components was undertaken as specific molecular species within a photochemical system. Starting from a synthesised bidentate ligand that incorporated an acidic functional group, 4,4'-bis(methyl)phosphonate-2,2'-bipyridine (dmpbpy) as its ethyl ester, was chelated to give the surface sensitisers, bis-(2,2'-bipyridine)-(4,4'-bis(methyl)phosphonato-2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) dichloride ([Ru(bpy)2(dmpbpy)]Cl2) and cis-bis-(4,4'-bis-(methyl)phosphonato-2,2'-bipyridine)(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) dichloride ([Ru(dmpbpy)2(bpy)]Cl2). An electron relay moiety with an acidic functional group, 1-ethyl-1'-(2-phosphonoethyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium dichloride (EVP), was also prepared using a procedure developed by the candidate. The electronic properties of the prepared photosensitisers were examined by theoretical quantum chemical TD-DFT calculations on the molecular structures and singlet excitations were discussed in relation to experimental data. This identified that the lowest lying LUMO states were consistently occupied by 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) and this was speculated to be a factor affecting quantum injection yields. The effect of microwave modification of colloidal TiO2 suspensions under extended periods of treatment was investigated. Nanoparticles of TiO2 were compared and contrast to similar convection hydrothermally treated TiO2 and a commercial titania product, namely Degussa P25, both of which are utilised in device fabrication. The investigation identified that extended periods of microwave hydrothermal treatment do not greatly enhance the crystallinity and primary grain size of TiO2. The heterosupramolecular assembly of a multi-component photochemical system was constructed from prepared molecular and condensed phase components. It was demonstrated that this device was capable of inducing a photochemical reaction in H2O under irradiation with  > 420 nm in the absence of an organic electron donor. Interpretation of the photocurrents obtained from this assembly provided understanding of photochemical reactions under low light intensities. Optimised conditions for the photochemical reaction was determined to be pH = 5 and illumination yielded = 0.0036% with an apparent quantum yield (AQY) = 1.6%. Photocatalytic decomposition of organic compounds in a dye-sensitised photoelectrocatalytic cell was investigated for the complete mineralisation of EDTA into CO2, H2 and simple amines and interpreted through photocurrent observations. This was extended to a broad range of organic compounds of various solution concentrations as a simulated industrial waste stream. Photooxidation gave unique photocurrent-time profiles which identified two distinct interfacial processes by mathematical treatment of photocurrent transients with a kinetic model. Kinetic parameters were proposed as a factor for qualitative discrimination of the organic compounds. The implications of these results for heterogeneous catalysis were discussed and the formation of Host-Guest complexes as a method of molecular sensing and as specific photocatalytic receptors was proposed.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / This work reports the chemical synthesis, characterisation and electrochemical application of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles in the determination of phthalates. The other part of this work involved electrochemical polymerization of aniline doped with titanium and iron oxide nanoparticles for the sensor platform in the electrolytic determination of phthalates. The TiO2 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles were prepared by sol gel and hydrothermal methods respectively. Particle sizes of 20 nm (TiO2) and 50 nm (Fe2O3) were estimated from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) The other technical methods used in this study for the characterization of the TiO2 and iron oxide Fe2O3 NPs were SEM, XRD and UV- visible spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to study the electrochemical properties of the nanoparticles. These electrochemical studies of the nanoparticles were performed with a Fe2O3 or TiO2/nafion/glassy carbon membrane electrode in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) and 0.1 M lithium perchlorate (pH 6.8) under an aerobic condition. / South Africa

Magister Scientiae - MSc / In this research project, nanostructured composites based on Tin dioxide (SnO2) and Titanium dioxide (TiO2) with poly-4-styrene sulfonic acid (PSSA) doped polyaniline (PANI) conducting polymer has been investigated based on their structural, electrical and electrochemical properties. The synthesis of conducting polymers and their metal oxide or composites have been carried out chemically or electrochemically according to methods modified from the literature. Layer-by-layer construction of nano-Metal Oxide/PSSA doped polyaniline composites were successfully constructed by electroanalytical methods on the surface of a glassy carbon working electrode (GCE). / South Africa

No description available.

Des oxydes semi-conducteurs, en particulier TiO2 commercialement disponible ou des échantillons mésoporeux synthétisés, ont été testés comme photocatalyseurs de l'oxydation ménagée et aérobie d'alcools dans l'acétonitrile sous UV. L'alcool benzylique a été oxydé principalement en benzaldéhyde (rendement = 60%) en présence de TiO2-P25. Malheureusement, ce catalyseur tend à se désactiver. Le rôle du dioxygène dans le processus d'oxydation a été souligné après avoir testé différents solvants. Les alcools aliphatiques ont également été étudiés. Ainsi, le cyclohexanol a donné principalement de la cyclohexanone (rendement = 70%). Parallèlement, une approche colloïdale a été développée pour déposer les nanoparticules d'oxyde de titane sur des supports de silice mésoporeux SBA-15 transparents aux UV afin d'éviter les phénomènes d'agrégation lors des tests. Après optimisation de leur synthèse (quantité d'eau, nature de l'acide et de l'alcool), des nanoparticules sphériques non cristallines stables de 5 nm de diamètre ont été obtenues. En utilisant la méthode d'imprégnation à "deux solvants", ces dernières ont été introduites avec succès dans les mésopores de deux échantillons de SBA-15, l'un avec un diamètre moyen des pores de 6 nm, l'autre de 8. Les analyses MET ont souligné que le matériau SBA-15 avec les pores les plus grands a conduit à l'incorporation de davantage de nanoparticules. A priori, les interactions silice / oxyde de titane dans les matériaux résultants semblent favorables puisque les quantités inférieures de TiO2 dans les tests de photocatalyse correspondants ont conduit à de meilleurs taux de conversion que ceux obtenus avec P25 ou la suspension mère de colloïdes. / A series of metal oxides semiconductors, including commercially available TiO2 or synthesized mesoporous samples, were tested as photocatalysts for the aerobic mild oxidation of alcohols in acetonitrile under UV. Benzyl alcohol, used as a reference, was oxidized mainly into benzaldehyde. Best yield (60%) was obtained with TiO2-P25. Unfortunately, this catalyst tended deactivate with time. The role of dioxygen solubility in the oxidation process was emphasized through the test of different solvents. Aliphatic alcohols were also studied. Among them, cyclohexanol gave mainly cyclohexanone with a yield of 70%. Parallely, a colloidal approach was developed for the deposition of titanium oxide nanoparticles on UV transparent mesoporous silica supports in order to take advantage of their important specific surface area and avoid aggregation phenomena during the photocatalysis tests. After optimizing the synthesis protocol (amount of water, nature of the acid and alcohol), spherical, non-crystalline stable nanoparticles with 5 nm diameter were obtained. Using the “two-solvents” impregnation method, these particles were successfully introduced in the mesopores of two SBA-15 silica samples differing by their mean pore diameter (either 6 or 8 nm). TEM measurements emphasized that the SBA-15 material with the largest pores led to the incorporation of more nanoparticles in its mesopores. Clearly, silica/ titanium dioxide interactions in the resulting materials appeared to play a positive role since lower amounts of TiO2 in the corresponding photocatalysis tests led to improved conversion rates of benzylalcohol compared to those performed with P25 or the parent suspension of colloids.

The aim of this diploma thesis is deposition of TiO2 thin films onto different types and sizes of substrates, and some of these layers dope by iron or silver. During the work was range of TiO2 layers created using a method of physical vapor deposition namely magnetron sputtering. For these processes was chosen the Dreva ARC 400 Hard Material Coating Plant device. The main aim of these depositions was to attempt to create TiO2 thin films on a substrates of larger surface than its in average laboratory processes usual. For this purpose were TiO2 layers deposited onto square glass plates of side length 10 cm. For comparsion and analysis were also as a substrates used microscope slides and fragments of silicon wafers. These substrates were used for testing of photocatalytic activity and on surface morphology (SEM). The theoretical part of this thesis aims to a methods of deposition TiO2 layers and their characteristics. In the experimental part is the used coating equipment and parameters of each deposition process described. Further the characteristics and results of individual experiments are described.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-08-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:56:04Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 lopes_prm_me_rcla.pdf: 1045225 bytes, checksum: 8dbfcc24e7204a8d46227309e36b3b87 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O interesse científico e comercial pela catálise ambiental expandiu-se significativamente, nos últimos anos, devido ao aumento contínuo das restrições legais sobre a qualidade das emissões. Cada vez mais, surgem demandas pelo desenvolvimento de tecnologias de tratamento e remediação de água. Com isso, a catálise pode ser a peça chave neste desenvolvimento. Os efluentes industriais, como os provenientes das refinarias de petróleo, indústrias petroquímicas e coquearias, freqüentemente contêm compostos fenólicos que são tóxicos ao ambiente aquático e ao homem. Estes compostos são tratados convencionalmente através de processos biológicos, de extração e adsorção. Entretanto, estas técnicas apresentam limitações para aplicação em sistemas de concentrações intermediárias e em presença de multicomponentes fenólicos, além de representarem um elevado custo de tratamento. Dessa forma, o uso de tecnologias avançadas de oxidação catalítica vem se consolidando como uma das tendências de desenvolvimentos futuros em catálise, como a fotocatálise. Neste contexto, estão os processos oxidativos avançados (POAs), os quais se caracterizam pela capacidade de gerar radicais hidroxila que são responsáveis por oxidar compostos orgânicos. Dentre os POAs se encontra o processo fotocatalítico. A fotocatálise heterogênea é baseada na irradiação de um fotocatalisador, geralmente um semicondutor inorgânico, como o TiO2, cuja energia do fóton deve ser maior ou igual a energia do band gap do semicondutor para provocar uma transição eletrônica (excitação). Assim, o processo é capaz de oxidar os compostos orgânicos à CO2 e H2O. Entretanto, a aplicação prática da fotocatálise heterogênea em suspensões de TiO2 apresenta algumas desvantagens, como a separação final das partículas do catalisador e o baixo rendimento quântico. Através de eletrodos térmicos... / Scientific and commercial interest in environmental catalysis expanded significantly in last years due to restrictions about the emissions quality. Even more, it has been increasing the demands for the development of technologies for water treatment and remediation. Thus, catalysis may be an important technique in this area. Industrial effluents, such as petrochemical wastewater, often present phenolic compounds that are toxic to aquatic environment and humans. These compounds are conventionally treated by biological, extraction and adsorption process. However, these processes have limitation in systems with intermediate concentrations and in presence of phenol derivates, besides of represent high cost. Therefore, the use of advanced technologies of catalytic oxidation has been consolidated as one of tendencies in future developments in catalysis, such as the photocatalysis. In this context are the advanced oxidative processes (AOPs), which are able to generate hydroxyl radicals that are responsible for oxidizing organic compounds. And, within the AOPs is the photocatalysis. The heterogeneous photocatalysis is based on irradiation of a photocatalyzer that is usually an inorganic semiconductor, such as TiO2. Photon energy must be greater or equal to the semiconductor’s band gap energy to cause an electronic transition (excitation). Hence, the process is able to oxidize organic compounds to CO2 and H2O. Nevertheless, heterogeneous photocatalysis application with TiO2 suspensions presents some disadvantages, for example the final separation of catalyst particles and the low quantum yield. Through Ti/TiO2 thermal electrodes, these problems can be solves, because it becomes unnecessary the final separation of particles and it is also possible the application of an electric potential on electrode. Electric potential improves the photocatalytic efficiency due to the electronic drainage that... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:56:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3348.pdf: 1114779 bytes, checksum: e39992bae2d3fc251224c09556e57bb0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-26 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Currently, scientific research in the field of nanotechnology has attracted growing interest because of its several applications, either through design of new products, materials characterization, production and application of structures, devices and systems in the form or function are features of the nanoscale. Thus, there is advancement in technology and industrial application involving nanoparticles, however, raise the concern with control of nanoparticles released into the environment, which is one of the most harmful to human health by causing an increase in the incidence cardio-respiratory disease. Several techniques for production of nanoparticles, and methods of chemical synthesis, have been developed and improved. Among the various methods of chemical synthesis used in the preparation of nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO2), the polymeric precursor method, also called Pechini method, has stood successfully for the issue of nanomaterial. In this context, this work aims to generate in the laboratory a nano material alternative that can be dispersed in a gas stream, forming an aerosol in motion. Furthermore, it should be synthesized in sufficient quantities to use as the test aerosol relatively simple and inexpensive. The technique is primarily on the reaction between citric acid with titanium isopropoxide, obtaining as a product of titanium citrate. After the synthesis of citrate, the addition of ethylene glycol polymerization promoted by a reaction polyesterification, resulting in a polymeric resin clear and viscous. At the end of the process, the resin is burned to remove organic matter and oxidation of the metal cation, forming nanoparticles of TiO2. The powders were characterized by several techniques, among them the thermal analysis, absorption spectroscopy in the infrared, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, UV Visible spectroscopy, method of nitrogen / helium adsorption (method BET), and the Particle Scanning Mobility Sizer (SMPS), which examined the dispersion of the size of nanoparticles as a function of concentration in the gas stream. The results obtained in the characterization techniques showed that the polymeric precursor method was promising in obtaining nano-TiO2. In addition, the SMPS can be observed a high concentration of TiO2 nanoparticles in the range of 15 to 50 nm. / Nos dias atuais, pesquisas científicas na área da nanotecnologia tem despertado um crescente interesse devido às suas mais variadas aplicações, seja através de projetos de novos produtos, caracterização de materiais, produção e aplicação de estruturas, dispositivos e sistemas em que a forma ou função são particularidades da escala nanométrica. Ao mesmo tempo em que se observa o avanço na aplicação tecnológica e industrial envolvendo nanopartículas, emerge a preocupação com o controle de particulados nanométricos liberados no meio ambiente, que constituem uma das formas mais danosas à saúde humana por ocasionar um aumento na incidência de doenças cardiorrespiratórias. Várias técnicas para produção de nanopartículas, como os métodos de sínteses químicas, têm sido desenvolvidas e aprimoradas. Entre os diversos métodos de síntese química utilizados na obtenção de nanopartículas de dióxido de titânio (TiO2), o método do precursor polimérico, também chamado método Pechini, tem se destacado com sucesso para a obtenção do nanomaterial. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo gerar em laboratório um material nanométrico que possa ser disperso em uma corrente gasosa, formando um aerossol em movimento. Além disso, deve poder ser sintetizado em quantidade suficiente para sua utilização como aerossol de teste de forma relativamente simples e barata. A técnica constitui, primordialmente, na reação entre o ácido cítrico com o isopropóxido de titânio, obtendo-se como produto o citrato de titânio. Após a síntese do citrato, a adição de etilenoglicol promove a polimerização através de uma reação de poliesterificação, originando uma resina polimérica límpida e viscosa. Ao final do processo, a resina é calcinada a fim de eliminar a matéria orgânica e oxidação do cátion metálico, formando nanopartículas de TiO2. Os pós resultantes foram caracterizados por diversas técnicas, dentre elas a análise térmica, a espectrofotometria de absorção na região do infravermelho, difração de raios-X, espectroscopia Raman, espectroscopia na região do ultravioleta e visível, e método de adsorção de nitrogênio/hélio (método BET), além do Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS), que averiguou a dispersão do tamanho das nanopartículas em função da concentração na corrente gasosa. Os resultados obtidos nas técnicas de caracterização evidenciaram que o método do precursor polimérico foi promissor na obtenção de TiO2 nanométrico. Além disso, no SMPS pode-se observar uma alta concentração das nanopartículas de TiO2 na faixa de 15 a 50 nm.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:41:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:04:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T17:19:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Guilherme Forbeck.pdf: 6226510 bytes, checksum: 7f238f7600472963b75dd6e2ce64f9e5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Photovoltaic solar energy is an interesting way of generating electricity in light because of its low environmental impact, particularly for on-grid application in order to mitigate BOS (balance of system: batteries, etc) costs. The method of operation of the solar cell does not generate environmental impact, but their production does, especially when high-purity materials are used, such as solar grade silicon (SoG-Si: 99,9999% or 5N). Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are an interesting option since they are based on metal oxides as semiconductor materials. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) in its anatase polymorphic crystalline phase, presents interesting properties, such as a wide bandgap to minimize photocorrosion issues, high refractive index and high dielectric constant. In this work, nanocrystalline TiO2, predominantly in its anatase crystalline phase, was prepared by the sol-gel process under acid medium. Peptization was carried out at room temperature. Porous layers were deposited onto transparent conducting oxide substrates from powder TiO2 samples. A commercial TiO2 powder sample (P25, Evonik) was used as a reference. Different heat treatment times for the powder TiO2 samples and also for the porous TiO2 layers were studied. In order to analyze the influence of heating time on the morphological e crystalline structure of the resulting porous TiO2 layers, photoelectrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), surface area analysis (BET) and X-ray diffraction (DRX). DSCs were assembled from photoelectrodes produced by using different powder samples and their characteristic current-voltage (I-V) curves were measured. Nanosized crystallites were predominant in all studied batches. The average particle size increased under increasing heating time, especially for powders submitted to a heating time of 120min. The heat treatment at 450°C for 30 min provided powder samples endowed with higher crystallinity, but a lower anatase content. The anatase content was reflected in the power energy conversion efficiency (η) of the DSCs, which provides evidence for the importance of the heat treatment of 450°C for 30min on the dependent variable (η). / A energia solar fotovoltaica e uma forma interessante de obtencao de energia eletrica por apresentar baixo impacto ambiental. Quando utilizada na geração distribuida, permite reduzir custos com balanco do sistema (baterias, etc). O processo de operacao das celulas solares nao gera impacto ambiental, mas sua producao sim, em funcao da utilizacao de materiais de elevado grau de pureza, como o silicio grau solar (SoG-Si: 99,9999% ou 5N). As celulas solares sensibilizadas por corante (CSSCs) sao uma opcao interessante, pois utilizam um um oxido metalico como material semicondutor. O dioxido de titanio (TiO2), em sua fase polimorfica anatase, apresenta propriedades interessantes, tais como separacao entre bandas adequada para dificultar a corrosao, elevado indice de refracao e alta constante dieletrica. Neste trabalho, foram produzidos pos de dióxido de titanio nanocristalino pelo metodo sol-gel em ambiente acido, com peptizacao em temperatura ambiente. Diferentes tempos de tratamento termico dos pos foram estudados. Camadas porosas foram depositadas sobre substratos condutores transparentes a partir de amostras de TiO2 em po. Uma amostra de TiO2 comercial (P25, Evonik) foi utilizada como referencia. Diferentes tempos de tratamento térmico destas camadas porosas tambem foram estudados. Com o objetivo de observar a influencia do tempo de aquecimento nos materiais resultantes, os fotoeletrodos foram caracterizados por microscopia eletronica de varredura (MEV), microscopia de forca atomica (AFM), analise de area superficial (BET) e difracao de raios-X (DRX). As CSSCs foram montadas a partir dos fotoeletrodos produzidos com os diferentes pos e suas propriedades eletricas foram avaliadas atraves da curva característica corrente tensao (I V). Cristalitos nanometricos predominaram em todos os lotes estudados. O tamanho medio de particula aumentou com o aumento no tempo de aquecimento, especialmente para amostras em po submetidas a um tempo de aquecimento de 120min. As amostras apresentaram tambem um aumento na cristalinidade e uma reducao no teor da fase anatase apos tratamento termico a 450°C. As CSSCs apresentaram eficiencias compativeis com o teor de anatase presente nas amostras, evidenciando que o tempo de aquecimento no patamar de 450°C e significativo para a variavel resposta eficiencia de conversao energetica.