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Toward preparation and operando characterization of nanostructured heterogeneous photocatalysts


EMSL Project ID
20291a

Abstract

This proposal involves the use of EMSL facilities to characterize nanostructured TiO2 and its dopants. Standard structural tools will be used to characterize the TiO2 nanophases before and after photocatalytic reactions. Grazing angle XRD will be used to determine crystallite size; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) will be used to determine doping level; optical and electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) will be also used to determine surface topography.

Our proposed research focuses on the photooxidation chemistry of various organic substrates on nanostructured TiO2 phases. The aim of our current project is to gain new knowledge regarding the formation and charge transfer of photon-generated energetic electrons and holes and how the properties of the photoactive substrate can be tailored to enhance the efficiency of desirable interface chemistry. To accomplish this, we will prepare a variety of nanostructured TiO2 phases on various substrates, characterize the phases thoroughly, study their photocatalytic activity with certain model reactions, and perform operando characterization of photocatalytic (and any accompanying thermal) processes.

Project Details

Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2007-06-15
End Date
2008-04-17
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Glen Fryxell
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Team Members

Kent Parker
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Yongsoon Shin
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Rick Williford
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Xiaohong Li
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Related Publications

Li XS, GE Fryxell, CM Wang, and MH Engelhard. 2008. "The Synthesis of Ag-Doped Mesoporous TiO2 ." Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 111(1-3):639-642. doi:10.1016/j.micromeso.2007.07.042