title: Facile one-step synthesis of inorganic-framework molecularly imprinted TiO2/WO3 nanocomposite and its molecular recognitive photocatalytic degradation of target contaminant.
abstract: Inorganic-framework molecularly imprinted TiO2/WO3 nanocomposites with molecular recognitive photocatalytic activity were first prepared successfully by a facile one-step sol-gel method using 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol as template molecules, and tetrabutyl orthotitanate as titanium source as well as the precursor of functional monomer which could complex with template molecules. The template molecules could be completely removed by means of high-temperature calcination, avoiding the traditional extraction procedures that are time- as well as solvent-consuming. Compared to nonimprinted TiO2/WO3, the molecularly imprinted TiO2/WO3 shows a much higher adsorption capacity and selectivity toward the template molecules. The enhancement in terms of adsorption capacity and selectivity can be attributed to the chemical interaction between target molecules and imprinted cavities, as well as size matching between imprinted cavities and target molecules. The photocatalytic activity of molecularly imprinted TiO2/WO3 toward the target molecules is more than two times that of non-imprinted TiO2/WO3, a result of selective adsorption of target molecules on molecularly imprinted TiO2/WO3. The formation pathway of intermediate products in 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol degradation process was provided. Moreover, molecularly imprinted TiO2/WO3 exhibits high stability. The results indicate that inorganic-framework molecularly imprinted TiO2/WO3 nanocomposites have a promising prospect in the treatment of wastewater for irrigation.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Control and Resources Recycle, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China.
authors.forename: Xubiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Lujuan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Shenglian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Guisheng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Chaktong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Au
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D008027:Light; D054802:Molecular Imprinting; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D009596:Nitrophenols / Q000737:chemistry; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010782:Photolysis; D059027:Recycling; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014414:Tungsten / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D009596:Nitrophenols; D010087:Oxides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C009495:titanium dioxide; C511604:tungsten oxide; C045573:2-nitrophenol; D014025:Titanium; D014414:Tungsten; C024836:4-nitrophenol