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Catalysts
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Innovative Functional Materials in Photocatalysis
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Innovative Functional Materials in Photocatalysis

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Photocatalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 13395

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Biljana F. Abramovic

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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: advanced oxidation processes; photocatalytic decomposition; environmental protection; emerging organic pollutants; wastewaters purification; kinetics methods of analysis; analytical chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Tamara B. Ivetić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: condensed matter physics; functional materials; metal oxides; electro-ceramics; luminescence powders; nanomaterials; structure, optical and electrical characterization; photocatalysis; environmental protection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The hot spot in the research of heterogeneous semiconductor photocatalysis is achieving high efficiency under visible solar energy through stable and low-cost photocatalytic materials. Doping improvements, surface modifications, and band gap couplings of the semiconductors expect to allow progress in this area, as well as the use of nanotechnology. Hybrid materials made from inorganic semiconductors and conjugated polymers or zeolites have appeared as new promising photoactive materials as well. Processing, characterization, and photocatalytic applications of a broad range of differently shaped (powders, ceramics, thin films, membranes) semiconductor materials of metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, composites, conjugated polymers, inorganic–organic hybrids, and zeolites are under consideration for this Special Issue.
We especially welcome papers that give straightforward solutions to ecological and economically feasible wastewaters treatments and clean and sustainable production of energy. Papers on innovative functional materials for the generation of oxygen/hydrogen, conversion of methane, and separation of natural gas are welcome as well.
The articles presented in this Special Issue will cover various topics, ranging from the synthesis of semiconductors and their characterization to their specific applications, especially for their use in advanced oxidation processes. Of special interest are advances in semiconductors’ better efficiency in the degradation of water contaminants under visible light irradiation.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

Metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, composite semiconductors, conjugated polymers, inorganic–organic hybrids, and zeolites:

  • Synthesis and characterization;
  • Powders, ceramics, thin films, functional membranes, nanomaterials;
  • Photocatalysis;
  • Environmental protection;
  • Energy conversion.

The format of welcomed articles includes full papers, short communications, and reviews.

Submit your paper and select the Journal “Catalysts” and the Special Issue “Innovative Functional Materials in Photocatalysis” via: MDPI submission system. Please contact the Guest Editor or the journal editor ([email protected]) for any queries. Our papers will be published on a rolling basis and we will be pleased to receive your submission once you have finished it.

Prof. Dr. Biljana F. Abramovic
Dr. Tamara B. Ivetić
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • metal oxides
  • metal chalcogenides
  • composite semiconductors
  • conjugated polymers
  • hybrid inorganic–organic materials
  • functional membranes
  • nanomaterials
  • advanced oxidation processes
  • photocatalysis
  • environment protection
  • energy conversion

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 21231 KiB  
Article
Rutile-TiO2/PtO2 Glass Coatings Disinfects Aquatic Legionella pneumophila via Morphology Change and Endotoxin Degradation under LED Irradiation
by Ryosuke Matsuura, Arisa Kawamura, Yasunobu Matsumoto, Takashi Fukushima, Kazuhiro Fujimoto, Heihachiro Ochiai, Junichi Somei and Yoko Aida
Catalysts 2022, 12(8), 856; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12080856 - 03 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2253
Abstract
Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) is the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever, collectively known as legionellosis. L. pneumophila infection occurs through inhalation of contaminated aerosols from water systems in workplaces and institutions. The development of disinfectants that can eliminate [...] Read more.
Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) is the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever, collectively known as legionellosis. L. pneumophila infection occurs through inhalation of contaminated aerosols from water systems in workplaces and institutions. The development of disinfectants that can eliminate L. pneumophila in such water systems without evacuating people is needed to prevent the spread of L. pneumophila. Photocatalysts are attractive disinfectants that do not harm human health. In particular, the TiO2 photocatalyst kills L. pneumophila under various conditions, but its mode of action is unknown. Here, we confirmed the high performance of TiO2 photocatalyst containing PtO2 via the degradation of methylene blue (half-value period: 19.2 min) and bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli (half-value period: 15.1 min) in water. Using transmission electron microscopy, we demonstrate that the disinfection of L. pneumophila (half-value period: 6.7 min) by TiO2 photocatalyst in water is accompanied by remarkable cellular membrane and internal damage to L. pneumophila. Assays with limulus amebocyte lysate and silver staining showed the release of endotoxin from L. pneumophila due to membrane damage and photocatalytic degradation of this endotoxin. This is the first study to demonstrate the disinfection mechanisms of TiO2 photocatalyst, namely, via morphological changes and membrane damage of L. pneumophila. Our results suggest that TiO2 photocatalyst might be effective in controlling the spread of L. pneumophila. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Functional Materials in Photocatalysis)
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16 pages, 1890 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Activity of a Titanium Dioxide Additivated Thermoset
by Markus Ahrens, Theresa Fischer, Nina Zuber, Serhiy Yatsenko, Thomas Hochrein, Martin Bastian, Markus Eblenkamp and Petra Mela
Catalysts 2022, 12(8), 829; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12080829 - 28 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1929
Abstract
The transmission of pathogens via surfaces poses a major health problem, particularly in hospital environments. Antimicrobial surfaces can interrupt the path of spread, while photocatalytically active titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles have emerged as an additive for creating antimicrobial materials. Irradiation of [...] Read more.
The transmission of pathogens via surfaces poses a major health problem, particularly in hospital environments. Antimicrobial surfaces can interrupt the path of spread, while photocatalytically active titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles have emerged as an additive for creating antimicrobial materials. Irradiation of such particles with ultraviolet (UV) light leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species that can inactivate bacteria. The aim of this research was to incorporate TiO2 nanoparticles into a cellulose-reinforced melamine-formaldehyde resin (MF) to obtain a photocatalytic antimicrobial thermoset, to be used, for example, for device enclosures or tableware. To this end, composites of MF with 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt% TiO2 were produced by ultrasonication and hot pressing. The incorporation of TiO2 resulted in a small decrease in tensile strength and little to no decrease in Shore D hardness, but a statistically significant decrease in the water contact angle. After 48 h of UV irradiation, a statistically significant decrease in tensile strength for samples with 0 and 10 wt% TiO2 was measured but with no statistically significant differences in Shore D hardness, although a statistically significant increase in surface hydrophilicity was measured. Accelerated methylene blue (MB) degradation was measured during a further 2.5 h of UV irradiation and MB concentrations of 12% or less could be achieved. Samples containing 0, 10, and 20 wt% TiO2 were investigated for long-term UV stability and antimicrobial activity. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed no changes in the chemical structure of the polymer, due to the incorporation of TiO2, but changes were detected after 500 h of irradiation, indicating material degradation. Specimens pre-irradiated with UV for 48 h showed a total reduction in Escherichia coli when exposed to UV irradiation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Functional Materials in Photocatalysis)
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13 pages, 3230 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Photocatalytic and Photoluminescence Properties Resulting from Type-I Band Alignment in the Zn2GeO4/g-C3N4 Nanocomposites
by Victor Y. Suzuki, Luis H. C. Amorin, Guilherme S. L. Fabris, Swayandipta Dey, Julio R. Sambrano, Hagai Cohen, Dan Oron and Felipe A. La Porta
Catalysts 2022, 12(7), 692; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12070692 - 24 Jun 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2383
Abstract
Well-defined Zn2GeO4/g-C3N4 nanocomposites with a band alignment of type-I were prepared by the ultrasound-assisted solvent method, starting from g-C3N4 nanosheets and incorporating 0, 10, 20, and 40 wt% of Zn2GeO4 [...] Read more.
Well-defined Zn2GeO4/g-C3N4 nanocomposites with a band alignment of type-I were prepared by the ultrasound-assisted solvent method, starting from g-C3N4 nanosheets and incorporating 0, 10, 20, and 40 wt% of Zn2GeO4. In this study, we have investigated in-depth the photoluminescence emission and photocatalytic activity of these nanocomposites. Our experimental results showed that an increased mass ratio of Zn2GeO4 to g-C3N4 can significantly improve their photoluminescence and photocatalytic responses. Additionally, we have noted that the broadband photoluminescence (PL) emission for these nanocomposites reveals three electronic transitions; the first two well-defined transitions (at ca. 450 nm and 488 nm) can be attributed to π*→ lone pair (LP) and π*→π transitions of g-C3N4, while the single shoulder at ca. 532 nm is due to the oxygen vacancy (Vo) as well as the hybridization of 4s and 4p orbital states in the Zn and Ge belonging to Zn2GeO4. These experimental findings are also supported by theoretical calculations performed under periodic conditions based on the density functional theory (DFT) fragment. The theoretical findings for these nanocomposites suggest a possible strain-induced increase in the Zn-O bond length, as well as a shortening of the Ge-O bond of both tetrahedral [ZnO4] and [GeO4] clusters, respectively. Thus, this disordered structure promotes local polarization and a charge gradient in the Zn2GeO4/g-C3N4 interface that enable an efficient separation and transfer of the photoexcited charges. Finally, theoretical results show a good correlation with our experimental data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Functional Materials in Photocatalysis)
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20 pages, 4557 KiB  
Article
Shape-Dependent Catalytic Activity of Gold and Bimetallic Nanoparticles in the Reduction of Methylene Blue by Sodium Borohydride
by Heike Lisa Kerstin Stephanie Stolle, Jonas Jakobus Kluitmann, Andrea Csáki, Johann Michael Köhler and Wolfgang Fritzsche
Catalysts 2021, 11(12), 1442; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal11121442 - 26 Nov 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2595
Abstract
In this study the catalytic activity of different gold and bimetallic nanoparticle solutions towards the reduction of methylene blue by sodium borohydride as a model reaction is investigated. By utilizing differently shaped gold nanoparticles, i.e., spheres, cubes, prisms and rods as well as [...] Read more.
In this study the catalytic activity of different gold and bimetallic nanoparticle solutions towards the reduction of methylene blue by sodium borohydride as a model reaction is investigated. By utilizing differently shaped gold nanoparticles, i.e., spheres, cubes, prisms and rods as well as bimetallic gold–palladium and gold–platinum core-shell nanorods, we evaluate the effect of the catalyst surface area as available gold surface area, the shape of the nanoparticles and the impact of added secondary metals in case of bimetallic nanorods. We track the reaction by UV/Vis measurements in the range of 190–850 nm every 60 s. It is assumed that the gold nanoparticles do not only act as a unit transferring electrons from sodium borohydride towards methylene blue but can promote the electron transfer upon plasmonic excitation. By testing different particle shapes, we could indeed demonstrate an effect of the particle shape by excluding the impact of surface area and/or surface ligands. All nanoparticle solutions showed a higher methylene blue turnover than their reference, whereby gold nanoprisms exhibited 100% turnover as no further methylene blue absorption peak was detected. The reaction rate constant k was also determined and revealed overall quicker reactions when gold or bimetallic nanoparticles were added as a catalyst, and again these were highest for nanoprisms. Furthermore, when comparing gold and bimetallic nanorods, it could be shown that through the addition of the catalytically active second metal platinum or palladium, the dye turnover was accelerated and degradation rate constants were higher compared to those of pure gold nanorods. The results explore the catalytic activity of nanoparticles, and assist in exploring further catalytic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Functional Materials in Photocatalysis)
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17 pages, 8037 KiB  
Article
Water-Active Titanium/Molybdenum/Mixed-Oxides: Removal Efficiency of Organic Water Pollutants by Adsorption and Photocatalysis and Toxicity Assessment
by Tamara B. Ivetić, Nina L. Finčur, Daniela V. Šojić Merkulov, Vesna N. Despotović, Dragana D. Četojević-Simin, Sanja J. Armaković, Maria M. Uzelac, Szabolcs I. Bognár, Nataša J. Zec, Svetlana R. Lukić-Petrović and Biljana F. Abramović
Catalysts 2021, 11(9), 1054; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal11091054 - 31 Aug 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2725
Abstract
A new titanium/molybdenum/mixed-oxides (TMO) contact-type heterojunction photocatalyst was prepared by a simple, low-cost, and environmentally-friendly mixing-calcination solid-state method. A microstructural investigation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showsirregularly shaped agglomerated morphology of TMO that consists of firmly connected globular TiO2 and rod-like MoO [...] Read more.
A new titanium/molybdenum/mixed-oxides (TMO) contact-type heterojunction photocatalyst was prepared by a simple, low-cost, and environmentally-friendly mixing-calcination solid-state method. A microstructural investigation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showsirregularly shaped agglomerated morphology of TMO that consists of firmly connected globular TiO2 and rod-like MoO3 particles. The detailed structure and optical bandgap investigation by X-ray diffraction, Raman, and UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed the TMO’s composition of ~37 wt.% rutile TiO2, ~25 wt.% of anatase TiO2, and ~38 wt.% of molybdite MoO3 phase and an absorption threshold of around 380 nm, which implies more probability of desirable higher visible light absorption. The removal efficiency of pesticides quinmerac (QUI) and tembotrione (TEM), and pharmaceuticals metoprolol (MET), amitriptyline (AMI), ciprofloxacin (CIP),and ceftriaxone (CEF) from water in the presence of starting pure TiO2, MoO3, and prepared TMO were investigated under different pH values and UV irradiation/simulated sunlight (SS). Each starting metal-oxide precursors and prepared TMO showed a different affinity for adsorption of tested pesticides and pharmaceuticals, and, in general, better photocatalytic degradation efficiency under UV irradiation than under simulated sunlight. The highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency under UV irradiation was 81.6% for TEM using TMO; using TiO2 was 65.0% for AMI, and using MoO3 was 79.3% for CEF after 135 min. However, TMO showed a very high synergic adsorption/photocatalytic under-SS efficiency in the removal of CIP of almost 80% and under UV irradiation of 90% CIP removal after 75 min. The toxicity of catalysts, starting compounds, and their intermediates formed during the removal process was assessed using a rat hepatoma cell line (H-4-II-E). The highest hepatotoxic effects were obtained by using UV irradiated QUI and MET suspension with TMO for up to 60 min. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Functional Materials in Photocatalysis)
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