1. Beyond surface area : enhanced pseudocapacitive properties of cobalt layered double hydroxide through structural modificationsAnja Siher, Ksenija Maver, Uroš Luin, Albin Pintar, Iztok Arčon, Andraž Mavrič, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Cobalt hydroxide and other first-row transition metal hydroxides have gained significant attention as pseudocapacitor materials due to their rapid and reversible redox processes. Their layered structures facilitate interactions between electrolyte anions and cobalt cation sites within the bulk of the material, enabling higher charge density and extending redox activity beyond the particle surface. By controlled precipitation under hydrothermal conditions, the structure and morphology of cobalt hydroxides can be optimized to enhance electrochemical performance. Challenging conventional assumptions, surface area alone is not the primary factor driving increased pseudocapacitive performance. The hexagonal hydrotalcite-like structure, characterized by lower skeletal density and larger basal plane spacing, outperforms the monoclinic cobalt carbonate hydroxide structure, achieving an order of magnitude higher capacitance. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy provides critical insights into the pseudocapacitive behavior, revealing enhanced accessibility of Co2+ sites for electrochemical oxidation. While monoclinic cobalt carbonate hydroxide exhibits minimal changes in the Co2+ oxidation state, indicative of surface-limited redox activity, the hydrotalcite-like cobalt hydroxides show substantial shifts in the Co K-edge position, highlighting oxidation of Co2+ sites throughout the bulk. Keywords: pseudocapacitors, layered-double hydroxides, cobalt hydroxide, redox processes, in situ x-ray absorption spectroscopy Published in RUNG: 14.03.2025; Views: 498; Downloads: 6
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2. Nickel-decorated ZnO nanoparticles for effective solar reduction of hexavalent chromium and removal of selected pharmaceuticalsMiha Ravbar, Ksenija Maver, Tilen Knaflič, Iztok Arčon, Nataša Novak Tušar, Urška Lavrenčič Štangar, Andraž Šuligoj, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The efficient visible light driven photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI) was demonstrated using ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) decorated with oxo-clusters of transition metals. The ZnO NPs were synthesized by a facile one-pot solvothermal synthesis followed by a fast microwave-assisted (MW) grafting of transition metals on the surface of NPs. Nickel was found to be the most active transition metal for photocatalytic activity as demonstrated by reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). The optimally grafted samples contained 0.5 wt% Ni and increased photocatalytic activity by almost one-fold. The oxo-clusters did not enter the lattice of ZnO but rather resided on the surface and their efficient bonding to the ZnO surface was proved by Raman, TEM and X-Ray absorption techniques. Influence of MW power was studied and shown that excessive power load leads to formation of elongated structures of ZnO which decreases the photocatalytic activity. It was demonstrated by measuring fluorescent radical products that electrons, efficiently transferred via oxygen, were the main active species in combination with the unchanged oxidation power of holes and • OH in the grafted samples. The applicability of the materials was tested in immobilized plug flow photoreactor system degrading five pharmaceuticals simultaneously where their long-term use was shown. Keywords: Zinc oxide, Pharmaceuticals, Grafting, Cr(VI), Zn XANES, Zn EXAFS Published in RUNG: 24.10.2024; Views: 894; Downloads: 5
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3. Transparent vanadium doped titania-silica films : structural characterization and self-cleaning propertiesAndraž Šuligoj, Nejc Povirk, Ksenija Maver, Andraž Mavrič, Urška Lavrenčič Štangar, Angelja Kjara Surca, 2024, original scientific article Keywords: photocatalysis, TiO2-SiO2, vanadium, film, Raman spectroscopy Published in RUNG: 09.09.2024; Views: 1135; Downloads: 7
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4. Multicomponent Cu-Mn-Fe silica supported catalysts to stimulate photo-Fenton-like water treatment under sunlightAndraž Šuligoj, Ivalina Trendafilova, Ksenija Maver, Albin Pintar, Alenka Ristić, Goran Dražić, Wael H. M. Abdelraheem, Zvonko Jagličić, Iztok Arčon, Nataša Zabukovec Logar, Dionysios D. Dionysiou, Nataša Novak Tušar, original scientific article Keywords: Magnetic catalyst, Photocatalyst, Water treatment, Sunlight, Contaminants of emerging concern, Photo-Fenton-like systems, Cu, Mn, Fe, XANES, EXAFS Published in RUNG: 06.07.2023; Views: 3484; Downloads: 10
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5. Improved photocatalytic activity of SnO[sub]2-TiO[sub]2 nanocomposite thin films prepared by low-temperature sol-gel methodKsenija Maver, Iztok Arčon, Mattia Fanetti, Samar Al Jitan, Giovanni Palmisano, Matjaž Valant, Urška Lavrenčič Štangar, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: The objective of this research was to investigate how the photocatalytic activity of pure TiO2 can be improved by
SnO2 modification. Different molar ratios of tin to titanium were prepared. The correlation between tin concentration
and structural properties was investigated to explain the mechanism of photocatalytic efficiency and
to optimize the synthesis conditions to obtain enhanced activity of the SnO2-modified TiO2 photocatalysts under
UV-irradiation. The SnO2-modified TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by a low-temperature sol-gel method
based on organic tin and titanium precursors. The precursors underwent sol-gel reactions separately to form
SnO2-TiO2 sol. The sol-gels were deposited on a glass substrate by a dip-coating technique and dried at 150 ◦C to
obtain the photocatalysts in the form of a thin film. To test the thermal stability of the material, an additional set
of photocatalysts was prepared by calcining the dried samples in air at 500 ◦C. The photocatalytic activity of the
samples was determined by measuring the degradation rate of an azo dye. An increase of up to 30% in the
photocatalytic activity of the air-dried samples was obtained when the TiO2 was modified with the SnO2 in a
concentration range of 0.1–1 mol.%. At higher SnO2 loadings, the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst
was reduced compared to the unmodified TiO2. The calcined samples showed an overall reduced photocatalytic
activity compared to the air-dried samples. Various characterization techniques (UV-Vis, XRD, N2-physisorption,
TEM, EDX, SEM, XAS and photoelectrochemical characterization) were used to explain the mechanism for the
enhanced and hindered photocatalytic performances of the SnO2-modified TiO2 photocatalysts. The results
showed that the nanocrystalline cassiterite SnO2 is attached to the TiO2 nanocrystallites through the Sn-O-Ti
bonds. In this way, the coupling of two semiconductors, SnO2 and TiO2, was demonstrated. Compared to
single-phase photocatalysts, the coupling of semiconductors has a beneficial effect on the separation of charge
carriers, which prolongs their lifetime for accessibility to participate in the redox reactions. The maximum increase
in activity of the thin films was achieved in the low concentration range (0.1–1 mol.%), which means that
an optimal ratio and contact of the two phases is achieved for the given physical parameters such as particle size,
shape and specific surface area of the catalyst. Keywords: photocatalytic activity, Sn-modified TiO2, low-temperature, thin films, XAS analysis Published in RUNG: 05.07.2021; Views: 4544; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
6. Sn-modified TiO[sub]2 thin film photocatalysts prepared by low-temperature sol-gel processing : dissertationKsenija Maver, 2021, doctoral dissertation Abstract: Due to many advantageous physiochemical properties, titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the most widely used photocatalyst in numerous applications, such as wastewater treatment and air purification, self-cleaning surfaces and energy conversion (H2 generation). However, one of its disadvantages is the high electron-hole recombination rate, and coupling with other semiconductors is one of the strategies to improve it. The objective of this dissertation was to investigate how the photocatalytic activity of pure TiO2 can be improved by tin modification and to explain the mechanism of increased or hindered photoactivity in correlation with the structural properties of the modified TiO2 photocatalysts.
A new low-temperature sol-gel synthesis route was developed to prepare Sn- or SnO2-modified TiO2 photocatalysts. In both cases, organic tin and titanium precursors were used. Tin in the form of Sn cations was used to prepare Sn-modified TiO2. In this case, the precursors went through the sol-gel reaction together to form a Sn-TiO2 sol. In the case of SnO2 modification, the SnO2 sol was prepared separately and additionally mixed with the TiO2 sol to form a TiO2/SnO2 bicomponent semiconductor system. Different molar ratios of tin to titanium were prepared to investigate the correlation between the tin concentration and the photocatalytic properties of the photocatalysts in the form of thin films. The results were used to optimize the synthesis conditions to obtain an improved activity of the modified TiO2 photocatalysts under UV-irradiation.
The photocatalytic activity of the thin films was determined by measuring the degradation rate of an azo dye. An increase of up to 40 % in the photocatalytic activity of the dried samples (at 150 °C) was achieved when the TiO2 was modified with the Sn or SnO2 in a concentration range of 0.1 to 1 mol.%. At higher Sn or SnO2 loadings and after calcination of the samples at 500 °C, the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst was reduced compared to the unmodified TiO2.
Different characterization techniques (UV-Vis, XRD, nitrogen physisorption, TEM, SEM and XAS) were employed to clarify the mechanism responsible for the enhanced and hindered photocatalytic performance of the Sn- and SnO2-modified TiO2 photocatalysts. The results showed that a nanocrystalline structure is already achieved in the samples by the low-temperature film treatment (drying at 150 °C) and that the photocatalytic efficiency is mainly influenced by the crystalline phase composition: anatase/rutile in the case of Sn-modified and TiO2/SnO2 in the case of SnO2-modified TiO2. The crystal size and specific surface area differ insignificantly between the equally thermally treated samples and partly explain the differences in photoefficiency of the calcined samples compared to the dried samples. The structural study at the atomic level, using the Sn K-edge EXAFS, revealed that Sn cations act as nucleation sites for the anatase to rutile transformation in the Sn-modified TiO2 photocatalysts, while in the SnO2-modified TiO2 samples the nanocrystalline cassiterite SnO2 is bound to the TiO2 nanocrystallites via the Sn-O-Ti bond. In both cases, the advantage of coupling the two semiconductors was achieved by separating the charge carriers and thus prolonging their lifetime for accessibility to participate in the redox reactions. The maximum activity enhancement was achieved in the low concentration range (0.1–1 mol.%), which means that an optimal ratio and contact of the two phases are obtained for the given physical parameters, such as particle size, shape and specific surface area of the catalyst. Keywords: Sn-modified TiO2, SnO2-modified TiO2, low-temperature sol-gel, thin films, photocatalytic activity, anatase/rutile system, Sn K-edge EXAFS, dissertations Published in RUNG: 09.06.2021; Views: 7209; Downloads: 182
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7. Improved photocatalytic activity of anatase-rutile nanocomposites induced by low-temperature sol-gel Sn-modification of TiO2Ksenija Maver, Iztok Arčon, Urška Lavrenčič Štangar, Mattia Fanetti, Saim Emin, Matjaž Valant, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: The Sn-modified TiO2 photocatalysts are prepared by low-temperature sol-gel processing based on organic titanium
and tin precursors with varied Sn concentrations (from 0.1–20 mol .%). The role of Sn dopant as the
promotor of the formation of TiO2 rutile crystalline phase is explained and the optimal Sn concentration for
preparation of efficient Sn-modified titania photocatalyst is determined. Up to 40 % increase in photocatalytic
activity is achieved in Sn-modified TiO2 photocatalytic thin films dried at 150 °C with low Sn concentrations in
the range from 0.1 to 1 mol .%. At low Sn concentrations optimal ratio between anatase and rutile (nano)crystals
is obtained, which facilitates charge separation at the TiO2 photocatalyst’s surface. When the concentration of Sn
increases above 5 mol.% or when the films are calcined at 500 °C, the relative amount of rutile phase with
inferior photocatalytic activity, increases and the nanocrystals of titania grow, leading to fewer active sites per
unit mass and the reduction of activity in comparison to unmodified TiO2. Keywords: Anatase-rutile
Sn-modified TiO2
XAS analysis
Photocatalytic activity Published in RUNG: 10.02.2020; Views: 4263; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
8. XAS studies of Sn modified TiO2 coatingsKsenija Maver, Iztok Arčon, Urška Lavrenčič Štangar, 2018, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: Coatings based on TiO2 are extensively investigated material for the preparation of surfaces which are referred as self-cleaning. Under solar illumination these coatings catalyze pollutants degradation and enhance their removal from the surface due to photoinduced superhydrophilicity [1]. There are two main drawbacks of using pure TiO2 (anatase) as a photocatalyst; i) its band gap lies in the UVA region so it can exploit only a part of the sunlight spectrum, and ii) it has a high degree of recombination between photo generated electrons and holes on the surface. There are various strategies to improve the photocatalytic efficiency of TiO2, one of them is the modification with transition metals.
Based on our previous experiences with sol-gel synthesis of low-temperature TiO2 thin films [2], we prepared a series of Sn modified TiO2 photocatalysts. As a starting material only organic (Ti and Sn alkoxide) precursors were used. The loadings of Sn cations were varied in the range of 0.05 to 20 mol.%. The coatings, deposited on glass substrates by dip-coating technique, were dried at 150 oC. In addition, another set of photocatalyst coatings was prepared by further calcination at 500 °C in air. The comparison of photocatalytic activities of Sn modified TiO2 to unmodified TiO2 showed that Sn loadings in the range of 1-10 mol.% improved photocatalytic activity up to 8 times. At lower loadings of Sn, the photocatalytic activity was improved only by 30 %. After the coatings are calcined, their photocatalytic activity was significantly reduced.
The objective of the research was to examine the mechanism responsible for photocatalytic properties of Sn modified TiO2 and to to clarify the role of Sn cations in the TiO2 photocatalytic process. For this purpose, Sn and Ti K-edge XANES and EXAFS analysis was used to precisely determine the local structure and the site of incorporation of Sn cations on titania nanoparticles in the coatings. We examined the hypothesis that the solid-solid interface was a crucial structural feature that facilitates charge separation and enhances photocatalytic efficiency of titania. Keywords: Sn, EXAFS, TiO2 fotokatalizator Published in RUNG: 12.09.2018; Views: 4778; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |