Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured photocatalyst films of TiO2@±-Fe2O3 deposited by InkJet-Printing: application for decomposition of benzoadiazepine organic compounds

Abstract

The increasing demand for renewable energy has been encouraging the search for more alternative, efficient and economically viable technologies for treatment of organic compounds. In this sense, the development of new technologies of a viable semiconductor photocatalysts for decomposition of organic compounds requires efficient light absorption, low electron-hole recombination rate, stability and low cost. The heterogeneous photocatalysis stands out among the so-called "Advanced Oxidative Processes" because it involves the activation of a semiconductor through sunlight or artificial light and has attracted great interest for being sustainable in long term. In this context, TiO2 has been used for this purpose due to its high chemical stability and low toxicity. However, its common use transitions metals to achieve photoelectrochemical stability and form heterojunctions with TiO2 to reduce bandgap energy, increase photon-electron efficiency conversion and promote better absorption of visible light. Studies related to the synthesis of two-oxide core-shell nanoparticles (TiO2@±-Fe2O3) are practically non-existent in the literature, especially when considering the use of deposition techniques such as Inkjet Printing (IJP) to fabricate nanostructured photo-anodes. For this purpose, the TiO2@±-Fe2O3 NPs will be obtained by hydrothermal synthesis and will be characterized in "in-situ" as regards their structural transformations and electronic transport properties.Also, photoactivity and photodegradation tests will be carried out. At the end of this project, it is expected to have implemented a new research area related to the development of new photocatalytic materials and processes thus contributing to the INCT-DATREM goals, mainly with the knowledge and state of art of emergent polutants degradation in aqueous media.