In the present work, WO3 and WO3-TiO2 were prepared by the chemical deposition method. Structural variations, surface state and elemental compositions were investigated for preparation of WO3-TiO2 sonocatalyst. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed for characterization of these new photocatalysts. A rhodamine B (Rh.B) solution under ultrasonic irradiation was used to determine the catalytic activity. Excellent catalytic degradation of an Rh.B solution was observed using the WO3-TiO2 composites under ultrasonic irradiation. Sonocatalytic degradation is a novel technology of treating wastewater. During the ultrasonic treatment of aqueous solutions sonoluminescence, cavitaties and "hot spot" occurred, leading to the dissociation of water molecules. In case of a WO3 coupled system, a semiconductor coupled with two components has a beneficial role in improving charge separation and enhancing TiO2 response to ultrasonic radiations. In case of the addition of WO3 as new matter, the excited electrons from the WO3 particles are quickly transferred to TiO2 particle, as the conduction band of WO3 is 0.74 eV which is -0.5 eV more than that of TiO2. This transfer of charge should enhance the oxidation of the adsorbed organic substrate. The result shows that the photocatalytic performance of TiO2 nanoparticles was improved by loading WO3.

AC and ZnS modified TiO2 composites (AC/ZnS/TiO2) were prepared using a sol-gel method. The composite obtained was characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurements, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, and according to the UV-vis absorption spectra (UV-vis). XRD patterns of the composites showed that the AC/ZnS/TiO2 composites contain a typical single and clear anatase phase. The surface properties as observed by SEM present the characterization of the texture of the AC/ZnS/TiO2 composites, showing a homogenous composition in the particles showing the micro-surface structures and morphology of the composites. The EDX spectra of the elemental identification showed the presence of C and Ti with Zn and S peaks for the AC/ZnS/TiO2 composite. UV-vis patterns of the composites showed that these composites had greater photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. A rhodamine B (Rh.B) solution under visible light irradiation was used to determine the photocatalytic activity. The degradation of Rh.B was determined using UV/Vis spectrophotometry. An increase in the photocatalytic activity was observed. From the photocatalytic results, the excellent activity of the Y-fullerene/TiO2 composites for the degradation of methylene blue under visible irradiation could be attributed to an increase in the photo-absorption effect caused by the ZnS and to the cooperative effect of the AC.

In this study, we used coal-based activated carbons and charcoal as startingmaterials, phenolic resin (PR) as a binder, and TOS as a titanium source to prepare TiO2 combining spherical shaped activated carbon photocatalysts. The textural properties of the activated carbon photocatalysts (SACP) were characterized by specific surface area (BET), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), iodine adsorption, strength intensity, and pressure drop. The photocatalytic activities of the SACPs were characterized by degradation of the organic dyes Methylene Blue (MB), Methylene Orange (MO), and Rhodamine B (Rh. B) and a chemical oxygen demand (COD) experiment. The surface properties are shown by SEM. The XRD patterns of the composites showed that the SACP composite contained a typical single, clear anatase phase. The EDX spectro for the elemental indentification showed the presence of C and O with Ti peaks. According to the results, the spherical activated carbon photocatalysts sample of AOP prepared with activated carbon formed the best spherical shape, a high BET surface area, iodine adsorption capability and strength value, and the lowest pressure drop, and the photocatalytic activity was better than samples prepared with charcoal. We compared the degradation effects among three kinds of dyes. MB solution degraded with the SACP is better than any other dye solutions.

In this study, activated carbon (AC) as a carbon source was modified with different concentrations of cobalt chloride (CoCl2) to prepare a Co-AC composite, and it was used for the preparation of Co-AC/TiO2 composites with titanium oxysulfate (TOS) as the titanium precursor. The physicochemical properties of the prepared Co-AC/TiO2 composites were characterized by N2 adsorption at 77 K, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The photocatalytic treatments of organic dyes were examined under an irradiation of visible light with different irradiation times. N2 adsorption data showed that the composites had decreased surface area compared with the pristine AC, which was 389 m2/g. From the XRD results, the Co-AC/TiO2 composites contained a mixturephase structuresof anatase and rutile, but a cobalt oxide phase was not detected in the XRD pattern. The EDX results of the Co-AC/TiO2 composites confirmed the presence of various elements, namely, C, O, Ti, and Co. Subsequently, the decomposition of methylene orange (MO, C14H14N3NaO3S) and rhodamine B (Rh.B, C28H31ClN2O3) in an aqueous solution, respectively, showed the combined effects of an adsorption effect by AC and the photo degradation effect by TiO2. Especially, the Co particles in the Co-AC/TiO2 composites could enhance the photo degradation behaviors of TiO2 under visible light.

For the present paper, we prepared MgO/MWCNT/TiO2 photocatalyst by using multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs) pre-oxidized by m-chlorperbenzoic acid (MCPBA) with magnesium acetate tetrahydrate (Mg(CH2COO)2·4H2O)and titanium n-butoxide (TiOC(CH3)34) as magnesium and titanium precursors. The prepared photocatalyst was analyzed byX-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The decompositionof methylene blue (MB) solution was determined under irradiation of ultraviolet (UV) light. The XRD results show that theMgO/MWCNT/TiO2 photocatalyst have cubic MgO structure and anatase TiO2 structure. The porous structure and the TiO2agglomerate coated on the MgO/MWCNT composite can be observed in SEM images. The Mg, O, Ti and C elements can bealso observed in MgO/MWCNT/TiO2 photocatalyst from EDX results. The results of photodegradation of MB solution under UVlight show that the concentration of MB solution decreased with an increase of UV irradiation time for all of the samples. Also,the MgO/MWCNT/TiO2 photocatalyst has the best photocatalytic activity among these samples. It can be considered that theMgO/MWCNT/TiO2 photocatalyst had a combined effect, the effect of MWCNT, which could absorb UV light to create photo-induced electrons (e−), and the electron trapping effect of MgO, which resulted in an increase of the photocatalytic activity of TiO2.

The composite photocatalysts of a Fe-modified carbon nanotube (CNT)-TiO2 were synthesized by a two-step sol-gel method at high temperature. Its chemical composition and surface properties were investigated by BET surface area, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The results showed that the BET surface area was improved by modification of Fe, which was related to the adsorption capacity for each composite. Interesting thin layer aggregates of nanosized TiO2 were observed from TEM images, probably stabilized by the presence of CNT, and the surface and structural characterization of the samples was carried out. The XRD results showed that the Fe/CNT-TiO2 composites contained a mix of anatase and rutile forms of TiO2 particles when the precursor is TiOSO4·xH2O (TOS). An excellent photocatalytic activity of Fe/CNT-TiO2 was obtained for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. It was considered that Fe cation could be doped into the matrix of TiO2, which could hinder the recombination rate of the excited electrons/holes. The photocatalytic activity of the composites was also found to depend on the presence of CNT. The synergistic effects among the Fe, CNT and TiO2 components were responsible for improving the visible light photocatalytic activity.

In this paper, Fe-TiO2 and Fe-fullerene/TiO2 composite photocatalysts were prepared with titanium (IV) n-butoxide (TNB) by a sol-gel method. TiO2, Fe-TiO2 and Fe-fullerene/TiO2 were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), specific surface area (BET), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the photocatalytic oxidation of methylene blue (MB) solution. XRD patterns of the composites showed that the photocatalyst composite contained a typical single and clear anatase phase. The surface properties shown by SEM presented a characterization of the texture on Fe-fullerene/TiO2 composites and showed a homogenous composition in the particles for the titanium sources used. The EDX spectra for the elemental identification showed the presence of O, C and Ti elements. Moreover, peaks of the Fe element were observed in the Fe-TiO2 and Fe-fullerene/TiO2 composites. The degradation of MB solution by UV-light irradiation in the presence of photocatalyst compounds was investigated in complete darkness. The degradation of MB concentration in aqueous solution occurred via three kinds of physical phenomena: quantum efficiency of the fullerene; organo-metallic reaction of the Fe compound; and decomposition of TiO2. The degradation rate of the methylene blue solution increased when using Fe-fullerene/TiO2 compounds.

In this study, we used activated carbon (AC) and titanium oxysulfate as a titanium precursor to prepare carbon/titania composites. We then mixed it with bentonite in different ratios to make a carbon/titania/bentonite monolith for use in architecture bricks by using Phenolic rosin (PR) as a bonding agent. The physicochemical properties of the prepared composites were analyzed by BET surface area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), self-cleaning effect and bactericidal tests. The BET surface areas increased as the ratio of carbon/titania composites increased. The SEM microscopy showed that the TiO2 and bentonite were coated on the surface of the AC. The XRD patterns showed a mixture structure of anatase and rutile of TiO2 with a clear SiO2 structure. The EDX spectra of the carbon/titania/bentonite monolith confirmed the presence of various elements, namely C, O, Ti and Si, as well as other, impure elements. Moreover, to determine the self-cleaning effect of the carbon/titania/bentonite monolith, we used methylene blue (MB, C16H18N3S·Cl·3H2O) in an aqueous solution under the irradiation of visible light. Accordingly, all of the samples had excellent degradation of the MB solution. Furthermore, it was observed that the composites with sunlight irradiation had a greater effect on E. coli than any other experimental conditions.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles deposited on different quantitative Fe-treated carbon nanotube (CNT) composites with high photocatalytic activity of visible light were prepared by a modified sol-gel method using TNB as a titanium source. The composites were characterized by BET, XRD, SEM, TEM and EDX, which showed that the BET surface area was related to the adsorption capacity for each composite. From TEM images, surface and structural characterization of for the CNT surface had been carried out. The XRD results showed that the Fe-ACF/TiO2 composite mostly contained an anatase structure with a Fe-mediated compound. EDX results showed the presence of C, O, and Ti with Fe peaks in the Fe-CNT/TiO2 composites. The photocatalytic activity of the composites was examined by degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution under visible light, which was found to depend on the amount of CNT. The highest photocatalytic activity among the different composites was related to the optimal content of CNT in the Fe-CNT/TiO2 composites. In particular, the photocatalytic activity of the Fe-CNT/TiO2 composites under visible light was better than that of the CNT/TiO2 composites due to the introduction of Fe particles.

Methylene blue (MB) was degraded by TiO2 and ZnO deposited on an activated carbon fiber (ACF) surface under UV light. The ACF/TiO2 and ACF/ZnO composites were characterized by BET, SEM, XRD, and EDX. The BET surface area was related to the adsorption capacity for composites. The SEM results showed that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are distributed on the ACF surface. The XRD results showed that the ACF/TiO2 and ACF/ZnO composites contained a unique anatase structure for TiO2 and a typical hexagonal phase for ZnO respectively. These EDX spectra showed the presence of peaks of Ti element on ACF/TiO2 composite and peaks of Zn element on the ACF/ZnO composite. The blank experiments for either illuminating the MB solution or the suspension containing ACF/TiO2 or ACF/ZnO in the dark showed that both illumination and the catalyst were necessary for the mineralization of organic dye. Additionally, the ACF/TiO2 composites proved to be efficient photocatalysts due to degradation of MB at higher reaction rates. The addition of an oxidant ([NH4]2S2O8) led to an increase of the degradation rate of MB for ACF/TiO2 and ACF/ZnO composites.

In this study, the effects of silver treatment and activation on the physical and chemical properties of spherical activated carbon (SAC) were studied. The textural properties of SAC were characterized by BET surface area, XRD, SEM, iodine adsorption, strength intensity, pressure drop and antibacterial effects. BET surface areas of SACs decreased with an increase of the amount of PR before and after activation, and the BET surface areas of SACs were found to be about 2-3 times the size of those before activation. The XRD patterns showed their existing state as stable Ag crystals and carbon structure. The Ag particles are seaweedlike and uniform, being approximately 5-10 μm in size deposited on the surface of activated carbon. All of the samples had much more iodine adsorption capability after activation than before activation. The strength values of SACs increased with an increase of the amount of PR, and there was a smaller drop in the strength values of SACs with silver treatment than with non-silver treatment after activation. The Ag-SAC composites showed strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. Coli).

Expanded graphite (EG) is synthesized by chemical intercalation of natural graphite (NG) and rapid expansion at high temperature, with titanium n-butoxide (TNB) used as titanium source by a sol-gel method to prepare EG-TiO2 composite. The performances of the prepared EG-TiO2 composite are characterized by BET surface area measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). To compare the photocatalytic activities of the EG-TiO2 composite, three kinds of dye solutions, methylene blue (MB), methylene orange (MO) and rhodamine B (RhB), and two kinds of light source, UV light and visible light (VL), are used. Comparing the results, it can be clearly seen that the degradation of all of the dye solutions under irradiation by UV light is much better than that under irradiation by visible light, and the decomposition of MB solution was better than that of both of MO and RhB solution.

The photocatalysts of Fe-ACF/TiO2 compositeswere prepared by the sol-gel method and characterizedby BET, XRD, SEM, and EDX. It showed that the BET surface area was related to adsorption capacity foreach composite. The SEM results showed that ferric compound and titanium dioxide were distributed on thesurfaces of ACF. The XRD results showed that Fe-ACF/TiO2 composite only contained an anatase structurewith a Fe mediated compound. EDX results showed the presence of C, O, and Ti with Fe peaks in Fe-ACF/TiO2 composites. From the photocataytic degradation effect, TiO2 on activated carbon fiber surface modifiedwith Fe (Fe-ACF/TiO2) could work in the photo-Fenton process. It was revealed that the photo-Fenton reactiongives considerable photocatalytic ability for the decomposition of methylene blue (MB) compared to non-treatedACF/TiO2, and the photo-Fenton reaction was improved by the addition of H2O2. It was proved that thedecomposition of MB under UV (365nm) irradiation in the presence of H2O2 predominantly accelerated theoxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ and produced a high concentration of OH. radicals.

In this paper, non-treated ACF (Activated Carbon Fiber) /TiO2 and Zn-treated ACF/TiO2 were prepared. The prepared composites were characterized in terms of their structural crystallinity, elemental identification and photocatalytic activity. XRD patterns of the composites showed that the non-treated ACF/TiO2 composite contained only typical single and clear anatase forms while the Zn-treated ACF/TiO2 contained a mixed anatase and rutile phase with a unique ZnO peak. SEM results show that the titanium complex particles are uniformly distributed on and around the fiber and that the titanium complex particles are more regularly distributed on and around the ACF surfaces upon an increase of the ZnCl2 concentration. These EDX spectra show the presence of peaks from the C, O and Ti elements. Moreover, peaks of the Zn element were observed in the Zn-treated ACF/TiO2 composites. The prominent photocatalytic activity of the Zn-treated ACF/TiO2 can be attributed to the three different effects of photo-degradation: doping, absorptivity by an electron transfer, and adsorptivity of porous ACFs between the Zn-TiO2 and Zn-ACF.

In this study, two series of CNT/TiO2 electrodes were prepared. The decrease of surface area compared with that of the pristine carbon nanotubes (CNTs) indicated the blocking of micropores on the surface of the CNTs; was further supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and field emission SEM (FE-SEM) observations. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that the CNT/TiO2 composites contained a mix of anatase and rutile forms of TiO2 particles when the precursor was TiO2 powder, whereas when the precursor was Ti (OC4H7) (TNB), the composites contained only the typical single and clear anatase TiO2 particles. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) spectra showed the presence of C, O and Ti peaks for all samples. It was found that catalytic decomposition of methylene blue (MB) solution could be attributed to synthetic effects between the TiO2 photocatalysis and electro-assisted CNTs network, and that photoelectrocatalytic oxidation increased with an increase of CNT composition. It was also found that the photoelectrocatalytic oxidation efficiency for MB is higher than that of photocatalytic oxidation. Moreover, the CNT/TiO2 composites catalyst prepared by the impregnation method demonstrates higher photoelectrocatalytic activity than the mechanical mixture with the same CNT content.