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The purpose of this study is to synthesize a semiconductor photocatalyst which responds to both UV light and visible light in removal of organic dyes.

ZnO nanoparticles were pre-synthesised via sol-gel method using zinc nitrate tetrahydrate and methanamine at 90°C for 20 h. Subsequently, the as-synthesised ZnO nanoparticles were filtered, washed and dried. To synthesize ZnO-MnO₂ core shell nanocomposites (CSNs), 2:3 M ratio of KMnO₄ and MnSO₄ solution was stirred for an hour. Next, ZnO nanoparticles were added into the solution. The solution was heated at 160°C for 3 h for the formation of ZnO-MnO₂ CSNs. The structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of ZnO-MnO₂ CSNs were characterised by field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometer and PL spectroscopy, respectively.

The photodegradation efficiencies of rhodamine B (RhB) dye by ZnO-MnO₂ CSNs as photocatalysts are 87.1 per cent under UV irradiation and 76.6 per cent under visible light irradiation, respectively. Their corresponding rate constants are 0.016 min⁻¹ under UV irradiation and 0.013 min⁻¹ under visible light irradiation. It can be concluded that N-deethylation was the dominant step during the photodegradation of RhB dye as compared to cycloreversion. The ZnO-MnO₂ CSNs demonstrated good photostability after three consecutive runs.

ZnO-MnO₂ CSN photocatalyst which could response to UV and visible light in degradation of RhB dye was synthesised using sol-gel method. The analysis shows that N-deethylation was the key photodegradation mechanism of RhB by ZnO-MnO₂ CSN.

Dyeing and printing are important steps in textile manufacturing. After the process completion, these dyes are released in the effluent. These dyes impart an unacceptable appearance but are also toxic to the soil and water bodies. The present research has been carried out to study the rate of photocatalytic degradation of an azo dye, namely, CI Direct Green 26, using titania nanoparticles under ultra violet (UV) irradiation as a function of temperature and time. Azo dyes account for the majority of all dyestuffs are produced and extensively used in the textile, paper, food, leather, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Titania nanoparticles have been found to successfully degrade these dyes in the presence of UV light. The purpose of the present paper was to study the photodegradation of azo dyes using titania nanoparticles at different temperatures and time periods.

Titania nanoparticle concentration of 0.1% (w/v) was dispersed in distilled water by sonication for 1 h in sonication bath. The of rate of degradation of Direct Green 26 dye in the titania nanoparticle dispersion, under UV-A exposure was studied at different temperatures ranging from 25°C to 65 °C for time periods ranging from 1 h to 6 h. Photocatalytic degradation tests were performed in a specially designed UV reactor chamber. Raman spectroscopy of Titania nanoparticles, dye and titania/dye mixture before and after UV exposure was carried out using Confocal Laser Dispersion Raman Microscope (Renishaw, UK) with 785 nm excitation laser.

Titanium dioxide is an efficient photocatalyst for decolourisation of direct dye. The photodegradation of the direct Green dye was found to follow the pseudo first-order reaction. The Arrhenius activation energy was found to be 24.8 kJ/mol with A value of 0.0013 for the photocatalytic degradation of the dye. Raman spectroscopy also confirmed the adsorption of dye on titania nanoparticle and its complete degradation on exposure to UV light.

This research highlights the application of titania nanoparticles for the effective degradation of dye in the effluent from textiles, clothing, paper and any kind of dyeing process. Azo dyes account for the majority of all dyestuffs are produced and extensively used in the textile, paper, food, leather, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Titania nanoparticles have been found to successfully degrade these dyes in the presence of UV light which can be very beneficial for the effluent treatment plants in textile and other industries.

Azo dyes are one of the harmful pollutants released in textile waste water. The degradation and removal of the coloured waste in the textile effluent is an important environmental concern and needs to be investigated. The research is one of the first to investigate and understand the mechanism of the degradation of an azo dye in the presence of titania nanoparticles by Raman spectroscopy.

This study aims to embed anatase, rutile and brookite TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) with different crystal phases into cotton fabrics by epoxy silane and to examine the effect of these applications on the photocatalytic and mechanical properties of the fabric.

Different aqueous dispersions which contain anatase, rutile and brookite were prepared at three different concentrations (5%, 10% and 15%). These NPs were embedded in cotton fabrics by using GPTS [(3-glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane]. Characterization tests were performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT/IR). Samples were stained with methylene blue (MB) and then exposed to solar light for different periods. Color changes of the samples were examined with a spectrophotometer. Air permeability, abrasion and tear strength tests were applied to all samples.

According to SEM images, the NPs were successfully attached to the cotton fabrics, and epoxy silane coating surrounded the fiber surfaces. The presence of the coating was also confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and FT/IR. The treatments reduced the stainability of the samples. The most effective applications for ensuring photocatalytic activity in cotton fabrics were suspensions as 10% brookite, 10% anatase and 5% anatase, in descending order. The applied coating slightly reduced the samples’ air permeability, and wear and tear strength.

The importance of this study is to determine the optimal crystal phase and its concentration by using epoxy silane to ensure self-cleaning properties on cotton fabrics. The sample treated with 10% brookite is the most approached its original white color by 99.65% as a result of degradation of MB (after 120 min). On the other hand, using the pure rutile with epoxy silane was not suitable for removing MB from the fabric.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the spacer length of zinc porphyrin-TiO₂ hybrids by photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) in aqueous solution under visible light.

5-Mono-[4-hydroxyphenyl]-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin was synthesized using Alder method. A new series of porphyrins and their corresponding zinc complexes (ZnPp) were obtained from 5-mono-[4-hydroxyphenyl]-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin via nucleophilic substitution reaction. The ZnPp-TiO₂ photocatalysts were prepared by loading ZnPp onto TiO₂ and characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

The results indicated that zinc porphyrins were successfully loaded on the surface of TiO₂ microsphere, which is crucial to enhance the activity of the catalytic composite under visible light. All the novel photocatalysts showed much enhanced photoactivity than bare TiO₂. Among all the prepared ZnPp-TiO₂, 5,10,15-triphenyl-20-[4-(4-naphthoxy)-butoxy]phenyl zinc porphyrin-TiO₂ (4b) showed the highest photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MO.

Synthesis of these zinc porphyrins had never been reported previously.

Four novel zinc porphyrin-TiO₂ photocatalysts which could response to visible light in degradation of MO were synthesized using Alder method. The results show that the photocatalytic activity of 5,10,15-triphenyl-20-[4-(4-naphthoxy)butoxy] phenyl zinc porphyrin- TiO₂ is higher than others.

A review of the common photodegradation processes in polymeric coatings is presented, and the photoactivity of titanium dioxide and its consequences are discussed. Experimental work which explores the durability implications of the use of titanium dioxide in coatings is presented. This includes the effects of pigment flocculation, film thickness and photostability of the pigment. The importance of the correct selection of light source for accelerated weathering is stressed. Finally, results are presented from a recent study of the influence of geographical location on the weathering of titanium dioxide pigmented paint films.

Alkyd paints make up two thirds of the paints made in Australia and in fact three quarters of the paint used by the Armed Services is alkyd based. It can be seen, therefore, that increasing the service life of alkyd paints would effect considerable savings both to our defence effort and to the community at large. Photodegradation is a major cause in the reduction of a paints service life. It may cause chalking, checking, cracking, blistering and embrittlement and these in turn may lead to loss of adhesion. This could allow water, oxygen, air pollutants and grit to attack the underlying substrate causing corrosion and possibly loss of expensive equipment.

The purpose of this work was to study the effect of different wood surface preparations on the wetting and adhesion of coating.

In this research, six different chemical preparations to evaluate the photostability and properties of wood coating. Also, the effect of the same wood treatments on the properties of the coating, i.e. wetting, adhesion and the permeability of two types of coatings, was investigated.

As a result, benzoyl chloride and chromic acid were found to be the most effective photostabilizing preparations. Solvent-based polyurethane was more compatible with the prepared wood surfaces compared with water-based alkyd coatings.

Chemical modifications of wood surfaces affected the wetting of various coatings.

Various surface properties could be changed using preparation that affects important coating properties.

Unfortunately, the properties of transparent wood coatings used outdoors disappear through the early years of use, essentially due to the wood substrate’s photodegradation.

Wood is a widespread substrate because of its comfortable handling, availability, proper cost of preparation and its good mechanical strength because of its density. Architects and designers tend to use wood in the construction of green buildings. However, this material is disposed to weathering while using outdoors and it should be solved.

Industrial progress is in large measure a function of the scientific understandings inherent in a given body of technology. It is, of course, true that technology can be developed empirically and much of it has been. It is also true, however, that technology based on scientific understandings is in practically every instance more effective. If only empiricism is involved there inevitably comes a time when technological progress ceases. It is for this reason that scientific studies in the coatings industry must be continually encouraged.

This paper aims to investigate the reusability of metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO nanorods (ZnO NRs) to degrade rhodamine B (RhB).

ZnO NRs particles were synthesized by precipitation method and used to remove various types of metal ions such as Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Cr²⁺ ions under UV illumination. The metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO NRs were characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance. The photodegradation of RhB dye by these metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO NRs under UV exposure was assessed.

The metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO NRs were successfully reused to remove RhB dye in which more than >90% of RhB dye was degraded under UV exposure. Furthermore, the coupling of Ag, CuO, MnO₂, Cd and Ni particles onto the surface of ZnO NRs even enhanced the degradation of dye. The dominant reactive species involved in the degradation of RhB dye were ^•OH- and ^•O₂⁻-free radicals.

The coupling of metal/metal oxide onto the surface of ZnO NRs after metal ions removal could affect the photocatalytic performance of ZnO NRs in the degradation of organic pollutants in subsequent stage.

A good reusability performance of metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO NRs make ZnO NRs become a desirable photocatalyst material for the treatment of wastewater, which consists of both heavy metal ions and organic dyes.

Metal/metal oxide coupling onto the surface of ZnO NRs particles improved subsequent UV-assisted photocatalytic degradation of RhB dye.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is popular for many applications including the production of photocatalysts. This paper aims to focus on developing of 3D-printed photocatalyst-nano composite lattice structure. Digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing of photocatalyst composites was performed using photosensitive resin mixed with 0.5% Wt. of TiO₂ powder and varying amounts (0.025% Wt. to 0.2% Wt.) of graphene nanoplatelet powder. The photocatalytic efficiency of DLP 3D-printed photocatalyst TiO₂ composite was investigated, and the effects of nano graphite powder incorporation on the photocatalytic activity, thermal and mechanical properties were investigated.

Methods involve 3D computer-aided design modeling, printing parameters and comprehensive characterization techniques such as structural equation modeling, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and mechanical testing.

Results highlight successful dispersion and characteristics of TiO₂ and graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) powders, intricate designs of 3D-printed lattice structures, and the influence of GNPs on thermal behavior and mechanical properties.

The study suggests applicability in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation, showcasing the adaptability of 3 D printing in designing effective photocatalysts. Future research should focus on practical applications and the long-term durability of these 3D-printed composites.