Introduction
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been widely used in various applications, such as photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, water splitting, and dye-sensitized solar cells, since its first use by Fujishima and Honda in 1972. However, the fast recombination ratio of photoinduced electron-hole pairs and limited solar spectrum absorption restrict its photocatalytic efficiencies. In this study, researchers report on H2Ti3O7 nanowires, a novel photocatalytic and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate, to overcome these limitations. A critical component in the characterization of the H2Ti3O7 nanowires is the use of ProTrusTech (PTT)'s Raman Spectrometer MRI, which provides valuable information on the materials' properties and performance. RexerLab is the reseller of the PTT MRI in the USA, UK, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
Method
The H2Ti3O7 nanowires were prepared on Ti foil using hydrothermal and ion-exchange methods. Researchers investigated the morphologies, crystal structures, chemical compositions, and optical properties of the as-prepared substrates through various characterization techniques, including PTT's Raman Spectrometer MRI. This advanced instrument allowed for the accurate and precise determination of the materials' properties, crucial for understanding their photocatalytic and SERS performance.
Results
H2Ti3O7 nanowires demonstrated significantly improved visible-light photocatalytic activity for degrading rhodamine 6 G solution compared to Na2Ti3O7 nanowires, TiO2 nanowires, and commercial photocatalysts (TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles). The enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation is attributed to the higher concentration of oxygen vacancies in H2Ti3O7 nanowires, which can increase visible-light absorbance. PTT's Raman Spectrometer MRI played a vital role in confirming these findings by providing detailed information on the materials' structures and compositions.
The radical-trapping test showed that holes and hydroxyl radicals played crucial roles in rhodamine 6 G photodegradation. Moreover, the deposition of Ag nanoparticles on H2Ti3O7 nanowires also served as a highly sensitive SERS substrate for detecting rhodamine 6 G solution with a concentration as low as 10−9 M using an ion-sputtering system. PTT's MRI was essential in characterizing the Ag nanoparticles' deposition and correlating it with the observed SERS performance.
Conclusion
This research highlights the potential of H2Ti3O7 nanowires as a high-performance photocatalytic and SERS substrate. The nanowires show remarkable photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation and serve as an efficient SERS substrate for detecting low concentrations of rhodamine 6 G solution. These findings could have significant implications for the development of advanced photocatalytic and sensing applications. Furthermore, PTT's Raman Spectrometer MRI's crucial role in characterizing the materials underlines the importance of this state-of-the-art device in the field of material science and its applications.
Article Info:
Authors: Yu-Cheng Chang, Jai-Cing Lin, Chia-Man Chou
Affiliations: Feng Chia University, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University
Journal: Journal of Photochemistry & Photobiology A: Chemistry
Volume: 400
Year: 2020
Pages: 112666
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2020.112666