Photocatalytic properties of TiO2@Ag2MoO4 core-shell materials

• Grant number: 13/16131-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: February 01, 2014
• End date: January 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Elson Longo da Silva
• Grantee: Cibele Aparecida de Oliveira
• Supervisor: William A. Anderson
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Waterloo, Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 12/09980-5 - Multifunctional TiO2@Ag2MoO4: antimicrobial and photocatalytic properties, BP.DR

Abstract

In this research project it is proposed to study the photocatalytic properties of nano/micro structures of TiO2, Ag2MoO4, TiO2@Ag2MoO4 and Ag2MoO4@TiO2 synthesized by the microwave-assisted solvothermal/hydrothermal method. For this photocatalytic tests will be performed in the presence of dyes and/or organic pollutants using a photo-reactor with optimized design and lamps with positions and wavelength differents. The material's optical properties (i.e. band gap) will be investigated by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The photocatalytic tests for the organic dyes degradation will be tested under UV lamps irradiation and to detect and quantify the process of photodegradation will be used analytical techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The material properties will also be analyzed as a function of composition and morphological changes. It is hoped in this way to optimize the photocatalytic measurements and deepen the study of photocatalysis, proposing mechanisms and models which can elucidate the reactions that are involved in the pollutants' degradation. With these results and with the comprehension of the fundamental phenomena and optimization of degradation system it is hoped to contribute significantly to environmental remediation. (AU)