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Titania Surface Modification: Theory, Methods, and Applications

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 6389

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Inorganic and Coordination Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Gagarina 7, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
Interests: titania nanotubes; nanomaterials; surface modification; methylene blue; photodegradation; catalysis; platinum complexes; kinetics; substitution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am inviting submissions to the Special Issue on titania surface modification with chemical compounds in nanoscale.

There are a lot of groups of modern materials that attract the attention of scientists. One of them is the group of nanomaterials based on titania. Deep studies on these materials have revealed many possible morphologies, i.e. nanotubes, nanowires, and much more. Their application lets people produce better catalysts, more efficient solar cells, and excellent dyes, for example.

However, pure titania materials are not all we can achieve from titania dioxide! There are hundreds of possible modifications which can extend the fantastic but basic properties of titania.

Among popular studies, we can find quite numerous groups of metal-decorated titania surfaces or materials where other atoms or compounds are incorporated into the titania structure. Studies on efficient titania modification with more complicated compounds such as non-titanic oxides or transition metal complexes are of considerable interest.

This Special Issue presents an excellent occasion to present new ideas and solutions on titania surface modification with chemical compounds. The Special Issue aims to collect a set of exciting papers focused on modifying titania, which can hopefully improve this great material.

Dr. Adrian Topolski
Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Radtke
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • titania
  • materials
  • nanomaterials
  • modificaction
  • functionalization

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 3733 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Photocatalytic Properties of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Composites with Titanium(IV) and Ruthenium(III) Complexes
by Barbara Kubiak, Adrian Topolski, Aleksandra Radtke, Tadeusz Muzioł, Olga Impert, Anna Katafias, Rudi van Eldik and Piotr Piszczek
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 1679; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15041679 - 7 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 749
Abstract
This study explores poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based composites as potential alternatives to conventional TiO2-based photocatalysts. Specifically, it examines PMMA composites enriched with oxo–titanium(IV) complexes, [Ti8O2(OiPr)20(man)4] (1), [Ti4O(Oi [...] Read more.
This study explores poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based composites as potential alternatives to conventional TiO2-based photocatalysts. Specifically, it examines PMMA composites enriched with oxo–titanium(IV) complexes, [Ti8O2(OiPr)20(man)4] (1), [Ti4O(OiPr)10(O3C14H8)2] (2), and [Ti6O4(OiPr)2(O3C14H8)4(O2CEt)6] (3), alongside ruthenium(III) complexes, K[Ru(Hedta)Cl]∙2H2O (4) and [Ru(pic)3]·H2O (5). We assessed the physicochemical, adsorption, and photocatalytic properties of these composites with structural analyses (Raman spectroscopy, X-ray absorption (XAS), and SEM-EDX), confirming the stability of complexes within the PMMA matrix. Composites containing titanium(IV) compounds demonstrated notably higher photocatalytic efficiency than those with ruthenium(III) complexes. Based on activity profiles, composites were categorized into three types: (i) UV-light active (complexes (1) and (2)), (ii) visible-light active (complexes (4) and (5)), and (iii) dual-range active (complex (3)). The results highlight the strong potential of titanium(IV)–PMMA composites for UV-driven photocatalysis. Moreover, their activity can be extended to the visible range after structural modifications. Ruthenium(III)–PMMA composites, in turn, showed superior performance under visible light. Overall, PMMA composites with titanium(IV) or ruthenium(III) complexes demonstrate promising photocatalytic properties for applications using both UV and visible light ranges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Titania Surface Modification: Theory, Methods, and Applications)
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13 pages, 3910 KiB  
Article
Ionic Character and Alkyl Chain Length of Surfactants Affect Titanium Dioxide Dispersion and Its UV-Blocking Efficacy
by Jaehun Mun, Yeji Jeon, Suhui Jeong, Jeong Min Lim, Yeojin Kim, Hwain Myeong, Jeongwoo Han, Youngwoo Choi, Seong-Min Jo, Seung Yun Yang, Beum-Soo An, Dae Youn Hwang and Sungbaek Seo
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(23), 11035; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142311035 - 27 Nov 2024
Viewed by 855
Abstract
The dispersion of titanium dioxide (TiO2) determines the performance of TiO2-based formulations in cosmetic and coating applications. In particular, the chemical and structural characteristics of the surfactants used to prepare TiO2 dispersions are significant. However, the influence of [...] Read more.
The dispersion of titanium dioxide (TiO2) determines the performance of TiO2-based formulations in cosmetic and coating applications. In particular, the chemical and structural characteristics of the surfactants used to prepare TiO2 dispersions are significant. However, the influence of surfactants on TiO2 dispersion quality has not been systematically investigated. In this study, we observed the effects of the ionic character of commercial surfactants on the dispersion stability and UV-blocking efficacy of TiO2. Among the experimental surfactant groups, anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate was efficient in stabilizing TiO2 as a water-in-oil formulation and enhancing its UV-blocking efficacy. Furthermore, an anionic fatty acid as a surfactant with a longer alkyl chain length was sufficient to stabilize the TiO2 formulation, which also displayed the highest UV-blocking efficacy, comparable to the values of commercial TiO2-based cosmetic products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Titania Surface Modification: Theory, Methods, and Applications)
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14 pages, 3847 KiB  
Article
Photoconductive TiO2 Dielectrics Prepared by Plasma Spraying
by Pavel Ctibor and Libor Straka
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 1714; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14051714 - 20 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1591
Abstract
Titanium dioxide coatings (TiO2) were sprayed using a water-stabilized plasma gun (WSP) to form robust self-supporting bodies with the character of a ceramic disc capacitor (CDC). Agglomerated nanometric powder was used as feedstock. Argon was applied for powder feeding as well [...] Read more.
Titanium dioxide coatings (TiO2) were sprayed using a water-stabilized plasma gun (WSP) to form robust self-supporting bodies with the character of a ceramic disc capacitor (CDC). Agglomerated nanometric powder was used as feedstock. Argon was applied for powder feeding as well as coating–cooling to minimize the influence of ambient air. Stainless steel was used as a substrate, and the coatings were released after cooling. A more than three-millimeter-thick self-supporting TiO2 plate was observed using HR-TEM and SEM. Porosity was studied by image analysis on polished sections. Thermal post-treatment on the coating was conducted at a rather low temperature of 500 °C. The results of the subsequent dielectric measurement showed high permittivity, but this was strongly frequency-dependent and accompanied by a progressively decreasing loss tangent. On the other hand, the plasma-sprayed TiO2 exhibited persistent DC photoconductivity under and after illumination with a standard bulb. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Titania Surface Modification: Theory, Methods, and Applications)
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19 pages, 5898 KiB  
Article
Photocatalytic Testing Protocol for N-Doped TiO2 Nanostructured Particles under Visible Light Irradiation Using the Statistical Taguchi Experimental Design
by Maria-Emmanouela Kassalia, Zoe Nikolaou and Evangelia A. Pavlatou
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(2), 774; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13020774 - 5 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2368
Abstract
The primary objective of this research is to propose and compile a specific protocol for photocatalytic measurements of modified TiO2 particles under visible-light irradiation. Nitrogen-modified titanium dioxide (N-TiO2) powder was synthesized by the sol–gel method and characterized by X-ray Diffraction [...] Read more.
The primary objective of this research is to propose and compile a specific protocol for photocatalytic measurements of modified TiO2 particles under visible-light irradiation. Nitrogen-modified titanium dioxide (N-TiO2) powder was synthesized by the sol–gel method and characterized by X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Raman Spectroscopy (micro-Raman), and Ultraviolet–visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis). Photocatalytic tests were performed on a specially designed photocatalytic batch reactor to test the ability of the powder to degrade hazardous toxic compounds. Via the Taguchi method, nine experiments (L9) were compiled to examine the factors that affect the photocatalytic activity of the nano-sized powder. The N-TiO2 particles were characterized by the dominance of the crystalline anatase phase, exhibiting crystals in the nano-scale. The Taguchi method was designed to control four selected parameters (pollutant selection among azo dyes, amount of catalyst to pollutant, distance of the photocatalytic cell from the radiation source, and time protocol) with three levels/options each. Conclusions were drawn regarding the way each parameter affects the final degradation of the pollutant. The parameter that proved to affect the degradation of the pollutant to a greater extent was the choice of pollutant, followed by the amount of catalyst. The other two factors almost slightly affect the process, with a similar percentage. Taking into account the abovementioned results, a photocatalytic protocol for testing TiO2 nano-powder activity under visible light irradiation is proposed by using a batch, horizontal, rectangular, vis-LED equipped reactor with reflective walls. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Titania Surface Modification: Theory, Methods, and Applications)
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