Fluorine ions in photocatalysts’ synthesis: an obstacle or an ally? The investigation of photocatalysts in Ti-O-F system - Publication - Bridge of Knowledge

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Fluorine ions in photocatalysts’ synthesis: an obstacle or an ally? The investigation of photocatalysts in Ti-O-F system

Abstract

Titanium(IV) oxide (TiO2) is one of the most promising photocatalysts, which is expected to be applied in the photocatalytic degradation of xenobiotics. For sustainable development and green chemistry approach recently, much effort has been paid to enhance TiO2 photocatalytic activity in UV-vis light by modifying its structure. The photocatalytic process’s complexity cannot be simply described as electron-hole pairs generations and •OH formation; therefore, the interaction between the surface structure of photocatalyst and reactant molecules needs further investigation. The surface chemistry and morphology of TiO2 are crucial factors that can affect its photocatalytic performance by influencing the selective adsorption and photocatalytic oxidation of substrates. In this regard, considering the strong complexation between F- and Ti and the high electronegativity of fluorine, the present study focused on Ti-O-F photocatalytic system. An advantage of introducing fluorine compounds inside the reaction system is the stabilization of thermodynamically unfavoured {0 0 1} facets, which are described as more active than other TiO2 facets with defined morphology. The obtained results for anatase nanosheets with exposed {0 0 1} facets have shown that a higher amount of surface fluorine enhances the photocatalytic degradation of phenol and its mineralization. This observation can be explained by F atoms influencing the surface charge distribution and raising charge separation in the 2D structure of TiO2. Meanwhile, samples with a lower F/Ti ratio on the surface and the presence of Ti3+ exhibited lower photocatalytic activity. On the other hand, titanium oxyfluoride (TiOF2) used as a precursor for the synthesis of 2D TiO2 had a negative effect on phenol photocatalytic degradation and TOC mineralization. In this case, fluorine ions could induce the surface formation of nonstoichiometric TiO2−x, which decreased photocatalytic activity of TiO2 particles with exposed {0 0 1} facets.

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Keywords

Details

Category:
Conference activity
Type:
publikacja w wydawnictwie zbiorowym recenzowanym (także w materiałach konferencyjnych)
Title of issue:
Chemistry Proceedings
Language:
English
Publication year:
2021
Bibliographic description:
Kowalkińska M., Dudziak S., Karczewski J., Fiszka Borzyszkowska A., Zielińska-Jurek A.: Fluorine ions in photocatalysts’ synthesis: an obstacle or an ally? The investigation of photocatalysts in Ti-O-F system// Chemistry Proceedings/ : MDPI, 2021,
DOI:
Digital Object Identifier (open in new tab) 10.3390/eccs2021-11035
Sources of funding:
Verified by:
Gdańsk University of Technology

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