title: Photocatalytic conversion of gaseous ethylbenzene on lanthanum-doped titanium dioxide nanotubes.
abstract: The photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) make it an attractive material for environmental remediation. In the present study, lanthanum (La(3+))-doped TiO2 nanotubes with excellent photocatalytic activity were fabricated by a combination of sol-gel method and hydrothermal technique. The optimal preparation parameters were determined by the structural characterization using a range of methods and the photocatalytic degradation of gaseous ethylbenzene (EB). Compared with pure TiO₂ nanoparticles, 1.2%-La(3+)-doped - titania nanotubes (1.2%-La(3+)-TNTs) exhibited higher activity under 254 nm UV for conversion of EB. The initial EB concentrations and relative humidity (RH) obviously influenced the photocatalytic activity of 1.2%-La(3+)-TNTs. Kinetic analysis showed that surface adsorption and surface reaction controlled the rate-determining step for RH of 40-50% and >80%, respectively. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to analyze the intermediates generated in the conversion of EB, allowing a tentative decomposition pathway to be proposed. The prepared photocatalyst exhibited enhanced EB conversion compared with undoped TiO₂, and showed a promise for the decomposition of recalcitrant compounds before subsequent biopurification.
authors: College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.
authors: Zhuo-Wei
authors: ZW
authors: Cheng
authors: College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Feng
authors: College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China. Electronic address: jchen@zjut.edu.cn.
authors: Jian-Meng
authors: JM
authors: Chen
authors: College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.
authors: Jian-Ming
authors: JM
authors: Yu
authors: College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China. Electronic address: jyf@zjut.edu.cn.
authors: Yi-Feng
authors: YF
authors: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry*; D001555:Benzene Derivatives / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D007811:Lanthanum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010782:Photolysis; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D001555:Benzene Derivatives; C009495:titanium dioxide; D007811:Lanthanum; D014025:Titanium; C004912:ethylbenzene