Tungsten trioxide (WO3) films are important for various optical devices and especially for electrochromic materials. Sputtered WO3 thin films were deposited on conductive glass substrate (ITO/glass) by RF sputtering from a WO3 target(diameter 2¡¨x 6 mm) in a reactive atmosphere of oxygen and argon flow ratio(0 to 1) mixture in a total gas pressure of 10m Torr. The RF power was 100W operating at 13.56MHz.We will improve the WO3 films by post-annealing in different atmosphere ambient. In addition, to prepare treatment solution of growing WO3 films were dissolved tungsten to aqueous which mixed hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid until it supersaturate. This solution was then diluted to 0.02 M of tungsten ions with distilled water. And we can get the treatment solution (WO3-HF aqueous). The WO3 thin films have been deposited at 40oC with the treatment solution (WO3-HF aqueous) which full of W ions, the 0.1M boric acid (H3BO3) solution and added aluminium metal by liquid phase deposition (LPD) technique. The deposition rate could be controlled to 45 nm/h. In our experiment, the WO3 films morphology and thickness was characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), chemical properties was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), optical properties was characterized by spectrophotometer(MP-100M), and electrochromic characterized by cyclic voltammetry(CHI627C). In our results, it will be improved the optical and electrochromic properties of sputtered-WO3 films by post-annealing in O2 ambient. we also have try a novel and very simple process for the thin films of WO3 by the LPD process. Adherent and conformal WO3 electrochromic films were prepared on ITO/glass from aqueous fluoride solution.

The development of sustainable and green technologies powered by renewable energy sources is highly desired to address the growing global energy need and water scarcity problems. Heterogeneous photocatalysis emerged in the past decades as promising solar-powered technology for environmental remediation applications such as wastewater treatment. The photoactivity of the materials is believed to be governed by complex mechanisms, still it was shown that it may be critically dependent on the following material properties (i) ability and effectiveness to absorb incident photons, (ii) charge separation efficiency, (iii) charge utilization efficiency, (iv) morphology including the size and shape of the nanostructure and its distribution and (v) the crystal structure, phase composition and crystallinity ... etc. Hence, most strategies aiming to improve the performance of photocatalytic materials may focus on one or more of the aforementioned aspects. Beside developing new materials or modifying existing systems, the development of sustainable, easy-to-operate systems are highly desired for developing countries such as Africa where almost half of the population are affected by water scarcity of some sort. For this motivation the immobilization of powder catalyst could be one attractive solution. In this thesis three experimental systems are presented. In the first two the effect of material properties on the photoactivity whereas in the third chapter the immobilization of powder catalyst was investigated. The first experimental project aimed to study the effect of synthesis parameters of WO3 nanostructures on its morphology, phase composition, optical properties and ultimately on the photoactivity. Understanding the role of process parameters to gain control over the material properties is still a challenge but is of great interest in photocatalysis. Here, a hydrothermal synthesis method was employed to synthesize WO3 nanostructures with various morphologies, crystal phases and optical properties. The effect of the solution pH, the polymeric surface modulator and the added EtOH was investigated on the material properties and on the photocatalytic activities. It was found that the crystal structure and the morphology of WO3 was influenced by the solution pH in the first place. It was proposed that stabilization effects between the crystal phase and the morphology could also influence the crystallization process beside supersaturation. It was revealed that despite the highest surface area of W-2.01-P20E, reduced oxidation state did not promote high photo-response. Instead the photoactivity of WO3 was seen as the compromise of the material properties including the optical, structural properties and the oxidation state. In the second experimental project the effect of Ag co-catalysis was studied on TiO2- Cu2O heterostructure formation. Coupling a wide band gap (TiO2) and a narrow band gap (Cu2O) semiconductor could benefit from extended light absorption properties and additionally from enhanced charged separation. In this study a facile wet chemical synthesis method was coupled with a UV treatment step to fabricate TiO2-Ag-CuxO ternary hybrid nano-materials. The effect of the Ag loading (1-5%) and the synthesis sequence of the Ag deposition step was evaluated on the material properties as well as on the visible photocatalytic activity. It was revealed that both the amount and the order of the Ag-deposition altered the material properties considerably. Typically TiO2/CuxO/Ag (TCA) catalysts had better visible light absorption properties but reduced affinity to adsorb methyl orange (MO) to their surface. Whereas, TiO2/Ag/CuxO (TAC) catalysts in general had better dye adsorption properties relative to TCA and had more efficient decoloration properties under visible light. TOC and HPLC-MS analysis revealed that MO and possibly its degradation products were mainly mineralized and/or adsorbed to the surface of TAC catalyst with 5% nominal Ag content in the visible process generating limited amount of byproducts in the final solution. The third experimental project focused on the immobilization of the previously prepared powder TiO2-Cu2O nanostructure. In this work a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass sheet was used as a substrate and the doctor-blade coating technique has been employed to make TiO2-Cu2O thin films. Although this technique has a widespread use in the fabrication of solar cells to the best of our knowledge this is the first report on supported TiO2-Cu2O photocatalytic systems prepared by this method. To optimize the performance of the TiO2- Cu2O thin film under visible light irradiation, the chemical composition of the doctor-blading paste and the temperature of the final thermal treatment step was studied. It was found that both the paste composition and the heat treatment step played an important role in the material properties. When the film contained ethyl cellulose the minimum temperature to remove organic additives was 350 °C. Whereas for the films containing only alpha terpineol 300 °C was sufficient. It was revealed that the higher temperature treatment resulted in more oxidized films which were also shown in their deeper colour. The most effective film under visible light irradiation was TC-0-300 which contained no cellulose and was treated at the lowest temperature.

No description available.

Este estudo propôs uma avaliação do papel dos três principais parâmetros clássicos da síntese do nitreto de carbono grafítico: temperatura final, tempo de permanência na temperatura final e taxa de aquecimento. Realizou-se a otimização da síntese, via metodologia de superfície de resposta, usando-se como variável-resposta a degradação fotocatalítica de um poluente-modelo (tartrazina). A significância estatística dos fatores foi confirmada, com 95% de confiança. Em seguida, um modelo de segunda ordem foi ajustado às melhores respostas e, no ponto de máxima degradação, as condições foram: 605oC por 183 min, com taxa de aquecimento de 5oC min-1. A taxa de degradação com o fotocatalisador sintetizado foi aproximadamente três vezes maior que a da fotólise. As amostras da região de melhores respostas foram analisadas em uma série de experimentos de caracterização, sendo eles: difratometria de raios X, espectroscopia na região do infravermelho médio, área superficial específica, microscopias de varredura (MEV e MEV-FEG), potencial zeta e espectroscopia de reflectância difusa na região do ultravioleta-visível. O fotocatalisador com maior atividade apresentou menor energia de band gap e maior área superficial especifica do que as relatadas na literatura (2,59 eV e 29,5 m2 g-1, respectivamente). Foram criadas heteroestruturas entre o fotocatalisador sintetizado e o trióxido de tungstênio. A partir de uma série de caracterizações básicas, confirmou-se a formação da heteroestrutura. Com essa heteroestrutura, a taxa de degradação foi aproximadamente cinco vezes maior que a com o nitreto de carbono grafítico. / This study proposed an assessment of the role of the three major classical parameters for synthesizing graphitic carbon nitride: final temperature, residence time at the final temperature and heating rate. The synthesis was optimized, via response surface methodology, using the photocatalytic degradation of a model pollutant (tatrazine) as the response-variable. The statistical significance of the factors was confirmed, within 95% confidence level. Afterwards, a second-order model was adjusted to the better responses and, at the maximum degradation point, the conditions were: 605oC for 183 min, with heating rate of 5oC min-1. The degradation rate with the synthetized photocatalyst was approximately three times greater than the photolytic one. The samples from the better response region were analyzed in a series of characterization experiments: X ray diffractometry, mid-infrared spectrometry, specific surface area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM and FEG-SEM), zeta potential, and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The most active photocatalyst showed smaller band gap energy and greater specific surface area than the ones reported in literature (2.59 eV and 29.5 m2 g-1, respectively). Heterostructures were formed between the synthetized photocatalyst and tungsten trioxide. A series of basic characterization techniques confirmed the heterostructure formation. Using this heterostructure, the degradation rate was approximately five times greater than the one with graphitic carbon nitride.

Foram estudados os filmes finos eletrocrômicos de WO3, MoO3 e PEDOT:PSS e aplicados em pequenos dispositivos eletrocrômicos. Os filmes finos de WO3 foram produzidos por meio do processo de eletrodeposição galvanostática a partir de um sol de ácido peroxotungstênico. Realizaram-se dois estudos de eletrodeposição dos filmes de WO3: 1º) produziu-se filmes em diferentes correntes -0,45 -0,50, -0,60 e -1,0 mA com tempo de 600 segundos; 2º) produziu-se filmes variando os tempos de eletrodeposição de 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 e 600 s com corrente de -0,45 mA. O tratamento térmico foi efetuado a 120 ºC por 1 hora. Os filmes de WO3 eletrodepositados com corrente -0,45 mA no tempo de 600 s foram estudados com maiores detalhes. Os filmes com espessura de 140 nm apresentaram mudança na coloração de transparente para azul em resposta a aplicação de potencial de -1,0 a 1,0 V. A variação em transmitância foi medida no visível (λ = 633 nm) resultando em ΔT = 61 %. A densidade de carga foi de 35 mC/cm2 e a estabilidade eletroquímica foi de até 3.000 ciclos. As medidas de difração de raios-X mostraram que a estrutura dos filmes de WO3 é amorfa e as imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) evidenciaram uma superfície homogênea e sem rachaduras. O filme de PEDOT:PSS depositado por dip-coating apresentou uma espessura em torno de 400 nm, mudança de coloração de azul para transparente com a aplicação do potencial de -1,0 a 1,0 V e ΔT= 50 % para o filme de uma camada. Os filmes de MoO3 foram depositados pela técnica de spin-coating e avaliados conforme o número de camadas (1 a 10 camadas) sendo os melhores resultados foram obtidos para a amostra composta por 9 camadas. Este filme apresentou densidade de carga em torno de 25 mC/cm2 e uma mudança de cor de transparente (T= 80%) para azul (T=38%) após a aplicação de potencial de 1,5 e -1,5 V, respectivamente. Foram confeccionados e estudados dispositivos eletrocrômicos (ECDs) com os filmes finos de WO3 e PEDOT:PSS, eletrólitos poliméricos a base de hidroxipropilcelulose (HPC) e goma gelana (GGLA) e contra eletrodo de CeO2-TiO2. As melhores respostas óticas foram obtidas com o dispositivo eletrocrômico WO3/HPC/CeO2-TiO2, sendo ΔT=29% e a densidade de carga de 12 mC/cm2. A melhor estabilidade em função do número de ciclos de coloração/descoloração de 5.500 foi obtido com o dispositivo eletrocrômico WO3|GGLA-PVP-NHS|CeO2-TiO2 com glicerol. / Electrochromic WO3, MoO3 and PEDOT: PSS thin films were deposited and characterized. WO3 thin films were produced using the galvanostatic electrodeposition process from peroxotungstic acid sol. There were two studies of electrodeposition of WO3 films: 1) films were produced in different streams -0.45 -0.50, -0.60 and -1.0 mA with a time of 600 seconds, and 2) produced films were electrodeposited varying times 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 s with a current of -0.45 mA. The heat treatment was performed at 120 °C for 1 hour. The WO3 films electrodeposited with -0.45 mA current for 600 s were chosen and studied deeply. These films with a thickness of 140 nm showed change in color from transparent to blue in response to applied potential of -1.0 to 1.0 V. The variation in transmittance was measured at λ = 633 nm, resulting in ΔT = 61%, charge density of about 35 mC/cm2 and electrochemical stability up to 3,000 cycles. X-ray diffractograms showed that the structure of the films is amorphous and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed a homogeneous surface without cracks. The film of PEDOT: PSS deposited by dip-coating had a thickness around 400 nm, color change from blue to transparent upon applied potential of -1.0 to 1.0 V and ΔT = 50% for the one layer film. The MoO3 films were deposited by spin-coating and evaluated as the number of layers (1 to 10 layers) appointing the best results for the sample with 9 layers. This displayed the charge density of around 25 mC/cm2 and a color change from transparent (T = 80%) to blue (T = 38%) after applying the potential of 1.5 and -1.5 V, respectively. Furthermore, the electrochromic devices containing WO3 and/or PEDOT: PSS thin films, polymer electrolytes based cellulose and/or gellan gum and counter electrode of CeO2-TiO2 were assembled and characterized. The best responses of ΔT = 29% and charge density of 12 mC/cm2 were obtained for the electrochromic device with WO3/cellulose/CeO2-TiO2 configuration. However, the best coloring/bleaching stability of 5,500 cycles was obtained with the electrochromic device WO3|GGLA-PVP-NHS|CeO2-TiO2 with glycerol configuration.

Este estudo propôs uma avaliação do papel dos três principais parâmetros clássicos da síntese do nitreto de carbono grafítico: temperatura final, tempo de permanência na temperatura final e taxa de aquecimento. Realizou-se a otimização da síntese, via metodologia de superfície de resposta, usando-se como variável-resposta a degradação fotocatalítica de um poluente-modelo (tartrazina). A significância estatística dos fatores foi confirmada, com 95% de confiança. Em seguida, um modelo de segunda ordem foi ajustado às melhores respostas e, no ponto de máxima degradação, as condições foram: 605oC por 183 min, com taxa de aquecimento de 5oC min-1. A taxa de degradação com o fotocatalisador sintetizado foi aproximadamente três vezes maior que a da fotólise. As amostras da região de melhores respostas foram analisadas em uma série de experimentos de caracterização, sendo eles: difratometria de raios X, espectroscopia na região do infravermelho médio, área superficial específica, microscopias de varredura (MEV e MEV-FEG), potencial zeta e espectroscopia de reflectância difusa na região do ultravioleta-visível. O fotocatalisador com maior atividade apresentou menor energia de band gap e maior área superficial especifica do que as relatadas na literatura (2,59 eV e 29,5 m2 g-1, respectivamente). Foram criadas heteroestruturas entre o fotocatalisador sintetizado e o trióxido de tungstênio. A partir de uma série de caracterizações básicas, confirmou-se a formação da heteroestrutura. Com essa heteroestrutura, a taxa de degradação foi aproximadamente cinco vezes maior que a com o nitreto de carbono grafítico. / This study proposed an assessment of the role of the three major classical parameters for synthesizing graphitic carbon nitride: final temperature, residence time at the final temperature and heating rate. The synthesis was optimized, via response surface methodology, using the photocatalytic degradation of a model pollutant (tatrazine) as the response-variable. The statistical significance of the factors was confirmed, within 95% confidence level. Afterwards, a second-order model was adjusted to the better responses and, at the maximum degradation point, the conditions were: 605oC for 183 min, with heating rate of 5oC min-1. The degradation rate with the synthetized photocatalyst was approximately three times greater than the photolytic one. The samples from the better response region were analyzed in a series of characterization experiments: X ray diffractometry, mid-infrared spectrometry, specific surface area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM and FEG-SEM), zeta potential, and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The most active photocatalyst showed smaller band gap energy and greater specific surface area than the ones reported in literature (2.59 eV and 29.5 m2 g-1, respectively). Heterostructures were formed between the synthetized photocatalyst and tungsten trioxide. A series of basic characterization techniques confirmed the heterostructure formation. Using this heterostructure, the degradation rate was approximately five times greater than the one with graphitic carbon nitride.

Foram estudados os filmes finos eletrocrômicos de WO3, MoO3 e PEDOT:PSS e aplicados em pequenos dispositivos eletrocrômicos. Os filmes finos de WO3 foram produzidos por meio do processo de eletrodeposição galvanostática a partir de um sol de ácido peroxotungstênico. Realizaram-se dois estudos de eletrodeposição dos filmes de WO3: 1º) produziu-se filmes em diferentes correntes -0,45 -0,50, -0,60 e -1,0 mA com tempo de 600 segundos; 2º) produziu-se filmes variando os tempos de eletrodeposição de 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 e 600 s com corrente de -0,45 mA. O tratamento térmico foi efetuado a 120 ºC por 1 hora. Os filmes de WO3 eletrodepositados com corrente -0,45 mA no tempo de 600 s foram estudados com maiores detalhes. Os filmes com espessura de 140 nm apresentaram mudança na coloração de transparente para azul em resposta a aplicação de potencial de -1,0 a 1,0 V. A variação em transmitância foi medida no visível (λ = 633 nm) resultando em ΔT = 61 %. A densidade de carga foi de 35 mC/cm2 e a estabilidade eletroquímica foi de até 3.000 ciclos. As medidas de difração de raios-X mostraram que a estrutura dos filmes de WO3 é amorfa e as imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) evidenciaram uma superfície homogênea e sem rachaduras. O filme de PEDOT:PSS depositado por dip-coating apresentou uma espessura em torno de 400 nm, mudança de coloração de azul para transparente com a aplicação do potencial de -1,0 a 1,0 V e ΔT= 50 % para o filme de uma camada. Os filmes de MoO3 foram depositados pela técnica de spin-coating e avaliados conforme o número de camadas (1 a 10 camadas) sendo os melhores resultados foram obtidos para a amostra composta por 9 camadas. Este filme apresentou densidade de carga em torno de 25 mC/cm2 e uma mudança de cor de transparente (T= 80%) para azul (T=38%) após a aplicação de potencial de 1,5 e -1,5 V, respectivamente. Foram confeccionados e estudados dispositivos eletrocrômicos (ECDs) com os filmes finos de WO3 e PEDOT:PSS, eletrólitos poliméricos a base de hidroxipropilcelulose (HPC) e goma gelana (GGLA) e contra eletrodo de CeO2-TiO2. As melhores respostas óticas foram obtidas com o dispositivo eletrocrômico WO3/HPC/CeO2-TiO2, sendo ΔT=29% e a densidade de carga de 12 mC/cm2. A melhor estabilidade em função do número de ciclos de coloração/descoloração de 5.500 foi obtido com o dispositivo eletrocrômico WO3|GGLA-PVP-NHS|CeO2-TiO2 com glicerol. / Electrochromic WO3, MoO3 and PEDOT: PSS thin films were deposited and characterized. WO3 thin films were produced using the galvanostatic electrodeposition process from peroxotungstic acid sol. There were two studies of electrodeposition of WO3 films: 1) films were produced in different streams -0.45 -0.50, -0.60 and -1.0 mA with a time of 600 seconds, and 2) produced films were electrodeposited varying times 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 s with a current of -0.45 mA. The heat treatment was performed at 120 °C for 1 hour. The WO3 films electrodeposited with -0.45 mA current for 600 s were chosen and studied deeply. These films with a thickness of 140 nm showed change in color from transparent to blue in response to applied potential of -1.0 to 1.0 V. The variation in transmittance was measured at λ = 633 nm, resulting in ΔT = 61%, charge density of about 35 mC/cm2 and electrochemical stability up to 3,000 cycles. X-ray diffractograms showed that the structure of the films is amorphous and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed a homogeneous surface without cracks. The film of PEDOT: PSS deposited by dip-coating had a thickness around 400 nm, color change from blue to transparent upon applied potential of -1.0 to 1.0 V and ΔT = 50% for the one layer film. The MoO3 films were deposited by spin-coating and evaluated as the number of layers (1 to 10 layers) appointing the best results for the sample with 9 layers. This displayed the charge density of around 25 mC/cm2 and a color change from transparent (T = 80%) to blue (T = 38%) after applying the potential of 1.5 and -1.5 V, respectively. Furthermore, the electrochromic devices containing WO3 and/or PEDOT: PSS thin films, polymer electrolytes based cellulose and/or gellan gum and counter electrode of CeO2-TiO2 were assembled and characterized. The best responses of ΔT = 29% and charge density of 12 mC/cm2 were obtained for the electrochromic device with WO3/cellulose/CeO2-TiO2 configuration. However, the best coloring/bleaching stability of 5,500 cycles was obtained with the electrochromic device WO3|GGLA-PVP-NHS|CeO2-TiO2 with glycerol configuration.

Orientador: Cláudia Longo / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T05:10:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Oliveira_HaroldoGregoriode_D.pdf: 8058595 bytes, checksum: b4141a5719256524b785c37f949ee3d8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Eletrodos de filmes porosos contendo TiO2 e WO3 foram preparados sobre vidro revestido com SnO2:F (FTO), a partir de suspensões aquosas de TiO2 Degussa P25®, precursores de WO3, polietileno glicol e aquecimento (450°C, 30 min). As amostras de TiO2 e WO3 apresentaram máximo de absorção respectivamente em 390 e 480 nm; valores intermediários foram observados para as misturas. Os filmes de TiO2, ca. 4,5 mm, consistem de partículas esféricas interconectadas (diâmetro 25 nm) resultando em superfície porosa e excelente cobertura do substrato. A presença de H2WO4 na suspensão de TiO2 resultou no filme TiO2/WO3, com morfologia semelhante porém menos poroso. O eletrodo de WO3 apresentou cobertura não uniforme, com partículas na forma de flocos (0,1-1 mm). A deposição de TiO2 sobre o WO3 resultou no eletrodo de WO3-TiO2, de morfologia similar a do TiO2. As propriedades eletroquímicas foram investigadas em solução aquosa de Na2SO4, na ausência de luz e sob irradiação policromática. Os eletrodos apresentaram comportamento de semicondutor tipo n, com fotopotencial negativo e fotocorrente anódica; a presença do WO3 promoveu um aumento na fotocorrente. Os eletrodos foram utilizados para remediação de solução aquosa do corante rodamina 6G (10 mmol L) nas configurações de fotocatálise heterogênea (FH) e FH eletroquimicamente assistida por polarização a 0,7 V (FHE). Sob irradiação, nas 3 h iniciais, observou-se cinética de pseudo-1a ordem para o descoramento da solução; em FH, os eletrodos de WO3, TiO2 e WO3-TiO2 promoveram respectivamente a remoção de 8, 34 e 38 % do corante (constante de velocidade aparente de 0,37x10; 2,3x10 e 2,8x10 min) e, na ausência de fotocatalisador, apenas 4%. Maior eficiência foi observada em FHE; para o WO3-TiO2, p.ex., houve remoção de 44% do corante (3,2x10 min). Os eletrodos também foram utilizados para tratamento de solução aquosa do hormônio 17 a-etinilestradiol (34 mmol L); após 4 h em condições de FH e FHE, a remediação com TiO2 resultou na degradação de 38 e 48 %, enquanto que o eletrodo de TiO2/WO3 promoveu a degradação de 45 e 54 %. Ambos os eletrodos promoveram mineralização semelhante do hormônio, 15 e 19 %, para as condições de FH e FHE; na ausência de fotocatalisador, observou-se degradação de 10 % (4 % de mineralização). A oxidação fotocatalítica dos poluentes com estes eletrodos foi discutida considerando diagramas de energia; na presença de WO3, além de se obter um maior aproveitamento da radiação visível, a posição favorável das bandas de condução e de valência de ambos os semicondutores promove a separação das cargas fotogeradas, o que minimiza sua recombinação e aumenta a eficiência do processo de oxidação dos compostos orgânicos / Abstract: Porous films electrodes containing TiO2 and WO3 were deposited on SnO2:F (FTO) conducting glass from aqueous suspensions with TiO2 Degussa P25®, WO3 precursors and polyethylene glycol, followed by heating (450°C, 30 min). The maximum absorption was respectively observed at 390 and 480 nm for TiO2 and WO3 samples; intermediate values were obtained for the mixtures. The TiO2 films, ca. 4.5 mm, consisted of interconnected spherical particles (25 nm), resulting in a porous surface and excellent substrate coverage. Adding H2WO4 on the TiO2 suspension resulted in the TiO2/WO3 film, with comparable morphology but less porous. The WO3 electrode exhibited a non-uniform surface coverage with disk shaped particles (0.1-1mm). The morphology of the bilayer WO3-TiO2, obtained from the deposition of a TiO2 film on the top of a WO3 electrode, was similar to that observed for TiO2. The electrochemical properties were investigated in Na2SO4 aqueous solution, in the dark and under polychromatic irradiation. The electrodes exhibited an n-type semiconductor behavior, with negative photopotential and anodic photocurrent; higher photocurrent was observed for electrodes containing WO3. The electrodes were used for remediation of Rhodamine 6G dye aqueous solution (10 mmol L) using the configurations for heterogeneous photocatalysis (HP) and electro assisted-HP by polarization at 0.7 V (EHP). Under irradiation, at the initial 3 h, a pseudo first order kinetics was observed for the dye solution bleaching; in HP configuration, the WO3, TiO2 and WO3-TiO2 electrodes promoted respectively 8, 34 and 38 % of dye removal (apparent rate constants of 0.37x10; 2.3x10 and 2.8x10 min) and, without photocatalysts, only 4 %. Higher efficiency was observed under EHP configuration; for WO3-TiO2, 44 % of dye was removed (3.2x10 min). Also, the electrodes were used for treatment of aqueous solution containing the 17 a-ethynylestradiol hormone (34 mmol L); after 4 h in HP and EHP configurations, the remediation with TiO2 resulted in degradation of 38 and 48 % of the hormone, and the TiO2/WO3 electrode promoted 45 and 54 %. HP and EHP configuration resulted in similar mineralization for both electrodes, 15 and 19 %, respectively; without the photocatalyst, 10 % of degradation was observed (4 % of mineralization). The dye and hormone photocatalytic oxidation by these electrodes was discussed considering energy diagrams; for the electrodes containing WO3, the better harvesting of visible radiation, as well as, the favorable relative position of valence and conduction band of these semiconductors, promotes the separation of photogenerated charges, which minimizes their recombination, improving the efficiency of organic compounds oxidation / Doutorado / Físico-Química / Doutor em Ciências

Στην παρούσα ερευνητική εργασία μελετάται η φωτοηλεκτροχημική διάσπαση δύο οργανικών ενώσεων: της χρωστικής Methylene Blue (MB), και της γλυκόζης. Η φωτοκαταλυτική διεργασία πραγματοποιήθηκε με φωτοβόληση υπεριώδους ακτινοβολίας UV (λάμπα Hg, 125 W). Για το σκοπό αυτό χρησιμοποιήθηκαν δύο φωτοκαταλύτες: η νανοκρυσταλλική τιτάνια (TiO2) και το οξείδιο του βολφραμίου (WO3). Η φωτοδιάσπαση των οργανικών ρύπων πραγματοποιήθηκε σε μία φωτοηλεκτροχημική κυψελίδα, η οποία αποτελείται από τα εξής μέρη: 1)Το ηλεκτρόδιο της ανόδου το οποίο φέρει το φωτοκαταλύτη. Στη φωτοάνοδο παράγονται τα ηλεκτρόνια και πραγματοποιόυνται οι αντιδράσεις οξείδωσης. 2)Το ηλεκτρόδιο της καθόδου, το οποίο φέρει τον ηλεκτροκαταλύτη, ο οποίος διευκολύνει τη μεταφορά των ηλεκτρονίων από το ηλεκτρόδιο στο διάλυμα. Στη φωτοκάθοδο πραγματοποιούνται αντιδράσεις αναγωγής. Ως ηλεκτροκαταλύτης χρησιμοποιήθηκε ο λευκόχρυσος ο οποίος είναι ευγενές μέταλλο. 3)Τον ηλεκτρολύτη, ο οποίος ρυθμίζει το pH του διαλύματος και αυξάνει την ιοντική αγωγιμότητα. Ο ηλεκτρολύτης που χρησιμοποιήθηκε είναι το καυστικό νάτριο (NaOH). Όταν ο φωτοκαταλύτης διεγείρεται με ακτινοβολία ενέργειας ίσης ή μεγαλύτερης του ενεργειακού του χάσματος, δημιουργούνται ζεύγη οπών-ηλεκτρονίων. Ένα μέρος των δημιουργούμενων ζευγών φορτίου επανασυνδέονται χάνοντας τη φωτεινή ενέργεια σε θερμότητα. Οι οπές οξειδώνουν το ρύπο απελευθερώνοντας ιόντα υδρογόνου. Τα ηλεκτρόνια ρέουν μέσω του εξωτερικού κυκλώματος στην κάθοδο, όπου αντιδρούν με τα ιόντα υδρογόνου, σχηματίζοντας είτε μοριακό υδρογόνο (υπό αναερόβιες συνθήκες), είτε νερό (υπό αερόβιες συνθήκες). Το πρώτο και σημαντικότερο στάδιο της φωτοκαταλυτικής διεργασίας είναι η προσρόφηση του ρύπου στην επιφάνεια του φωτοκαταλύτη. Ο μηχανισμός προσρόφησης γίνεται σύμφωνα με το κινητικό μοντέλο Langmuir-Hinshelwood. To TiO2 αποτελεί έναν από τους πιο διαδεδομένους και αποδοτικούς φωτοκαταλύτες. Τα υμένια TiO2 εναποτέθηκαν σε υπόστρωμα γυαλιού με τη μέδοδο Doctor Blade. Το WO3 είναι ένας εξίσου αποδοτικός φωτοκαταλύτης με το TiO2, αλλά λιγότερο δημοφιλής. Η εναπόθεση των υμενίων WO3 σε γυάλινα υποστρώματα έγινε με τη μέθοδο του ψεκασμού. Η παρασκευή του αντιηλεκτροδίου, δηλαδή του ηλεκτροδίου της καθόδου, έγινε με τη μέθοδο της ηλεκτροαπόθεσης. Το υψηλό pH του ηλεκτρολύτη (NaOH) είναι απαραίτητο για τη φωτοδιάσπαση οργανικών ενώσεων. Εκτός από την ιοντική αγωγιμότητα που προσφέρει στο φωτοηλεκτροχημικό κελί, επηρεάζει και την επιφανειακή φόρτιση του φωτοκαταλύτη. Η αύξηση της συγκέντρωσης του NaOH, δηλαδή η αύξηση των ιόντων ΟΗ-, είχε σαν αποτέλεσμα την αύξηση της σταθεράς ταχύτητας της φωτοκαταλυτικής αντίδρασης kapp και επομένως ταχύτερη φωτοδιάσπαση του ρύπου. Στα διαλύματα με τις μεγαλύτερες συγκεντρώσεις ηλεκτρολύτη ο χρόνος ημιζωής του ρύπου είναι πολύ μικρότερος συγκριτικά με τα διαλύματα χαμηλής συγκέντρωσης NaOH. Η μέτρηση της συγκέντρωσης των οργανικών ενώσεων στα υδατικά διαλύματα έγινε με φασματοφωτομετρία απορρόφησης ορατού-υπεριώδους (UV/vis). Οι φωτοαποικοδομούμενες ουσίες, λειτουργούν ως «θυσιαστήριες ενώσεις», αφού μειώνουν το ρυθμό επανασύνδεσης ηλεκτρονίων-οπών και επομένως συμβάλλουν στην αύξηση της απόδοσης του συστήματος, ενώ παράλληλα η διάσπασή τους προσφέρει τεράστιο περιβαλλοντικό όφελος. Από τις δύο οργανικές ενωσεις που μελετήθηκαν, μόνο η χρωστική Methylene Blue λειτούργησε αποτελεσματικά ως θυσιαστήρια ένωση. Αντιθέτως η γλυκόζη, που είναι πολύπλοκο μόριο, δεν κατάφερε να διασπαστεί. Τέλος έγινε σύγκριση της δραστικότητας των δύο φωτοκαταλυτών, κατά τη φωτοαποικοδόμηση των οργανικών ρύπων που μελετήθηκαν. Παρατηρήθηκε ότι και το TiO2 και το WO3 είναι εξίσου αποδοτικοί φωτοκαταλύτες. Σε αντίθεση με το TiO2, το WO3 δεν είναι ανθεκτικό στη φωτοδιάβρωση, καθιστώντας αδύνατη την επαναχρησιμοποίησή του σε περισσότερες από δύο φωτοκαταλυτικές διεργασίες. / The present study deals with the photo electrochemical degradation of two organic compounds, namely Methylene Blue and glucose. The photocatalytic process was carried out using UV radiation (Hg lamp, 125 W). The employed photo catalysts were titanium dioxide (TiO2) and tungsten oxide (WO3) deposited in the form of thin films on SnO2:F-coated glass. The photodecomposition of organic wastes was carried out in a photo electrochemical (PEC) cell with the following components: 1) The anode electrode which carries the photo catalyst. The photo anode produces electrodes and oxidation reactions take place there. 2) The cathode electrode, which carries the electro catalyst and facilitates the transfer of electrons from the cathode to the liquid phase. Reduction reactions take place at the cathode. In this study, a noble metal, Pt was used as electro catalyst. Thin films of Pt were obtained by electrodeposition on SnO2:F-coated glass slides. 3) The electrolyte which is added to adjust the Ph in order to increase the ionic conductivity. In this study, an aqueous solution of NaOH has been used as electrolyte. The operation of such a PEC cell is as follows: The absorption of photons by the photocatalyst leads to the creation of electron-hole pairs. The photodegradable substance is oxidized by the holes, liberating hydrogen ions in the aqueous solution. Electrons are transferred through the external circuit towards the cathode, where they reduce hydrogen ions producing hydrogen molecules (in the absence of oxygen). The initial step of the photoelectrocatalytic decomposition is the adsorption of the organic waste on the surface of the photocatalyst according to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism. TiO2 is among the most successful photo catalysts for heterogeneous photo catalytic degradation of organic wastes. Thin films of nano crystalline titania were deposited on glass substrates using the Doctor Blade method. Another wide band gap semiconductor with that can be used in heterogeneous photo catalysis is WO3. It was also tested and compared with TiO2. The pH value of the electrolyte (NaOH) was found to affect strongly the process. High pH values were required to obtain high OH- concentration because efficient hole scavenging and production of hydrogen radicals is ensured, especially when an organic sacrificial agent is added. As a consequence, the apparent rate constant kapp was increased with increasing NaOH concentrations. The photodegradable substances act like “sacrificial agents” preventing the recombination of electron-hole pairs, which is the main cause for low efficiencies. Of the two organic wastes that have been studied, only MB could be successfully degraded. Finally, the photo catalytic activity of TiO2 and WO3 was compared. Although both catalysts were equally efficient, WO3 is characterized by low stability. .

Esta tesis tiene como objetivo el diseño de una célula tándem fotoelectroquímica estable para la generación de hidrógeno y otros combustibles solares. Para ello se investiga la factibilidad de diferentes materiales, tales como el CuCrO2 y el CN el para su aplicación como fotocátodos y WO3 para su aplicación como fotoánodo.