Experimental data of CaTiO3 photocatalyst for degradation of organic pollutants (Brilliant green dye) - Green synthesis, characterization and kinetic study.

The data presented here focuses on the physicochemical characterization of perovskite CaTiO3 nanoparticles (orthorhombic) as photocatalyts and the kinetic study of their photodegradation performance toward organic pollutant, i.e. brilliant green (BG) which is azo derivatives dye. The CaTiO3 nanoparticles was synthesized using chicken eggshell-derived CaCO3 and anatase TiO2 with molar ratio of (1:1), (1:3), (2:5), and (2:7). The physical and microstructural properties of CaTiO3 were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and UV/vis spectrometer. The effect of initial dye concentration, catalyst composition, and catalyst dosage on the adsorption mechanism of dye on CaTiO3 was investigated in jacketed photoreactor under UV irradiation. The analysis reveals that BG molecules are efficiently chemisorbed, as indicated by pseudo first order kinetic, and degraded within 120 min. Considering the low-cost preparation process and high photocatalytic performance, the resultant CaTiO3 can further be used as an efficient photocatalyst for organic pollutant removal from aqueous and industrial wastewater.

Electrochemical properties of TiO x /rGO composite as an electrode for supercapacitors.

Transition metal oxides are known as the active materials for capacitors. As a class of transition metal oxide, Magnéli phase TiO x is particularly attractive because of its excellent conductivity. This work investigated the electrochemical characteristics of TiO x and its composite with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Two types of TiO x , i.e. low and high reduction extent, were employed in this research. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that TiO x with lower reduction extent delivered higher electro-activity and charge transfer resistance at the same time. However, combining 10% of low-reduction state TiO x and rGO using a simple mixing process delivered a high specific capacitance (98.8 F g-1), which was higher than that of standalone rGO (49.5 F g-1). A further improvement in the specific capacitance (102.6 F g-1) was given by adding PEDOT:PSS conductive polymer. Results of this research gave a basic understanding in the electrochemical behavior of Magnéli phase TiO x for the utilization of this material as supercapacitor in the future.

Patterned indium tin oxide nanofiber films and their electrical and optical performance.

We report on the preparation and characterization of indium tin oxide (ITO) nanofiber films with a patterned architecture that are transparent and conductive with a uniform fiber size. ITO nanofiber films with a crisscross pattern were prepared by the electrospinning of a precursor solution containing ethanol, dimethyl formamide (DMF), indium chloride tetrahydrate, tin chloride pentahydrate and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP K90) onto a metal mesh template, followed by calcinations after transfer to a glass substrate. The resulting ITO nanofibers had diameters of the order of 100 nm and were composed of single-crystalline nanoparticles that were pure in chemical composition. The morphology, crystallinity and performance of the resulting nanofibers could be controlled mainly by calcination. Optical and electrical investigations demonstrated that these nanofiber films are transparent conductors with an optical transmittance as high as 92%. The resulting patterned ITO nanofiber films would be suitable for applications such as solar cells, sensors and electromagnetic field filters.

Colloidal nanoparticle analysis by nanoelectrospray size spectrometry with a heated flow.

A nanoelectrospray-furnace-scanning mobility particle spectrometer (SMPS) system was developed which is capable of rapidly and accurately measuring the size distributions of colloidal nanoparticles. Many colloidal suspensions require the use of nonvolatile surfactants to stabilize the suspensions. Nonvolatile materials coat colloidal particles and form residue particles during the electrospray process; thus, SMPS measurements are normally inaccurate for colloidal particles. Here, a tubular furnace reactor is used to evaporate residue nanoparticles and coatings, which allows for correct nanoparticle size measurement. Test suspensions of silver, gold, and SiO(2) nanoparticles were measured in the electrospray-furnace-SMPS system. SMPS measurements and field emission scanning electron microscopy measurements were in excellent agreement for all test suspensions. High-temperature heating in the furnace was used to evaporate the nanoparticles themselves, which shifted the nanoparticle size spectra to smaller sizes, allowing for thermal analysis to be performed on colloidal suspensions in addition to size measurement.