ABSTRACT
Incorporation of conducting polymers (CPs) with TiO2 is considered a promising pathway toward the fabrication of highly efficient non-metal based photocatalysts. Herein, we report the fabrication of TiO2@polyaniline, TiO2@polypyrrole, and TiO2@poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) photocatalyst heterostructures via the facile wet incipient impregnation method. The mass ratios of CPs in the composites were optimized. The structure, morphology, optical and surface texture of the samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, TGA, DRS, and N2-physisorption techniques. The TiO2@2PEDOT, TiO2@2PPy, and TiO2@5PAn composites were found to exhibit the highest H2 evolution rate (HER) of 1.37, 2.09, and 3.1 mmol h-1 g-1, respectively. Compared to bare TiO2, the HER was significantly enhanced by 16, 24, and 36-fold, respectively. Photoelectrochemical measurements (CV, CA and EIS) were conducted, to evaluate the photoelectric properties of the synthesized composites and assist in understanding the photocatalytic mechanism. The deposition method plays a key-role in forming the photocatalyst/CP interface. This simple impregnation route was found to provide an excellent interface for charge transfer between composite components compared to chemisorption and in situ polymerization methods. This study sheds light on the promising effect of CP incorporation with semiconductor photocatalysts, as a cheap and efficient matrix, on photocatalytic performance.
ABSTRACT
The electrochemical activity of poly(8-hydroxyquinoline) (PHQ) in acid and alkaline media has been investigated by use of differential pulse polarography (DPP). The reduction peak height (I(p)) of PHQ in universal buffer solutions is not useful as an analytical signal, because it is highly affected by hydrogen evolution in acid media and appears as a small peak located at more negative potential values in alkaline media. A new and highly sensitive reduction peak (E(p)=-0.45, pH 9.25) appears, however, after addition of trace amounts of PHQ to Cu(II), or vice versa. This reduction peak is a result of the reduction of Cu(II) chelates in the PHQ-Cu(II) complex and is highly promising for the trace determination of PHQ at nanomolar and submicromolar levels. The response current (I(p)/mu A) for the reduction peak of Cu(II) chelates in a PHQ-Cu(II) matrix results in sensitivity to the concentration of PHQ at least three orders of magnitude higher than that for the reduction peak of PHQ alone under the same conditions. The limit of detection is as low as 5.264 ppb (microg L(-1)). The effect of a variety of anions and cations and of an insulating poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix has been investigated. Electroactive PHQ-Cu(II) at a level of 0.685% could induce a current of approximately 240 nA in an insulating PVA matrix, suggesting possible application for the preparation of a PHQ-Cu(II)-PVA electroactive composite.
