1. First utilization of magnetically-assisted photocatalytic iron ▫$oxide-TiO_2$▫ nanocomposites for the degradation of the problematic antibiotic ciprofloxacin in an aqueous environmentJosip Radić, Gregor Žerjav, Lucija Jurko, Perica Bošković, Lidija Fras Zemljič, Alenka Vesel, Andraž Mavrič, Martina Gudelj, Olivija Plohl, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The emergence of antimicrobial resistance due to antibiotics in the environment presents significant public health, economic, and societal risks. This study addresses the need for effective strategies to reduce antibiotic residues, focusing on ciprofloxacin degradation. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IO NPs), approximately 13 nm in size, were synthesized and functionalized with branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) to obtain a positive charge. These IO-bPEI NPs were combined with negatively charged titanium dioxide NPs (TiO2@CA) to form magnetically photocatalytic IO-TiO2 nanocomposites. Characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), electrokinetic measurements, and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), confirmed the successful formation and properties of the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites exhibited a high specific surface area, reduced mobility of photogenerated charge carriers, and enhanced photocatalytic properties. Testing the photocatalytic potential of IO-TiO2 with ciprofloxacin in water under UV-B light achieved up to 70% degradation in 150 min, with a degradation rate of 0.0063 min−1. The nanocomposite was magnetically removed after photocatalysis and successfully regenerated for reuse. These findings highlight the potential of IO-TiO2 nanocomposites for reducing ciprofloxacin levels in wastewater, helping curb antibiotic resistance. Keywords: photocatalytic degradation, magnetic iron oxide-TiO2 nanocomposites, hetero-agglomeration, multifunctionality, antibiotic ciprofloxacin, antimicrobial resistance Published in RUNG: 09.09.2024; Views: 552; Downloads: 6 Full text (14,48 MB) This document has many files! More... |
2. Chemical (in)stability of interfaces between different metals and Bi[sub]2Se[sub]3 topological insulatorKatja Ferfolja, Mattia Fanetti, Sandra Gardonio, Matjaž Valant, 2018, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: In recent years a classification of materials based on their topological order gained popularity due to the discovery of materials with special topological character – topological insulators (TI). TI have different band structure than regular insulators or conductors. They are characterized by a band gap in the bulk of the material, but at the surface they possess conductive topological surface states (TSS) that cross the Fermi level. TSS are a consequence of the non-trivial bulk band structure and have properties that differ from ordinary surface states. They are robust toward contamination and deformation of the surface. Additionally, they are also spin polarized, which means that an electron spin is locked to a crystal momentum and, therefore, backscattering during transport is suppressed [1]. Due to their specific properties the TI could be used in fields of spintronics, quantum computing and catalysis [2].
The investigation of the interfaces between metals and the TI has not been given much attention even though its characterization is interesting from fundamental physics and applicative point of view. (In)stability of the contacts with metal electrodes, in a form of a chemical reaction or diffusion, has to be taken into account since it can affect the transport properties of the material or increase the contact resistance. Our research is dedicated to the study of the metal/TI interfaces, in particular to Bi2Se3 with deposited metals that are relevant for electrical contacts (Au, Ag, Pt, Cr, Ti). The thermal and chemical stability of the interfaces are of fundamental importance for understanding the contact behavior, therefore, we focused our work to the characterization of these properties. The metal/TI interfaces are investigated mainly with an electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, STM), EDX microanalysis and XRD. Our previous studies showed that the interface between Bi2Se3, and Ag deposited either chemically or from a vapor phase, results in the formation of new phases already at room temperature [3]. On the contrary, Au deposited on the Bi2Se3 surface shows very limited reactivity and is stable at RT, but diffusion and coalescence of the metal are observed starting from 100 °C [4]. In this contribution, we will present further characterization on the evolution of the Ag/Bi2Se3 and Au/Bi2Se3 interfaces, show preliminary results about recently investigated systems (Pt/Bi2Se3, Ti/Bi2Se3) and compare the thermal and chemical stability of the systems under investigation. Keywords: thermal lens spectrometry, photothermal beam deflection spectroscopy, dye remediation, photothermal technique, photocatalytic degradation, reactive blue 19, TiO2 modification Published in RUNG: 20.08.2021; Views: 3088; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
3. Photocatalytic properties of metal modified TiO2 by photothermal techniquesZeinab Ebrahimpour, Olena Pliekhova, Humberto Cabrera, Dorota Korte, Urška Lavrenčič Štangar, Mladen Franko, 2018, published scientific conference contribution abstract Keywords: Thermal lens spectrometry, Photothermal beam deflection spectroscopy, Dye remediation, Photothermal technique, Photocatalytic degradation, Reactive Blue 19, TiO2 modification Published in RUNG: 09.11.2018; Views: 4592; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
4. PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HIGHLY PHOTOACTIVE COATINGS ON GLASS SUPPORTS FOR DEGRADATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL SUBSTANCE PARACETAMOL IN WATERLidija Sinovčić, 2016, master's thesis Abstract: Pharmaceuticals in aquatic environment are considered as emerging environmental contaminants due to their constant presence, evironmental resistance and toxic effect they could have on aquatic organisms. Studies for Slovenia have shown the presence of pharmaceutical substances in waters to be comparable with published results of pharmaceutical water pollution in Europe. As conventional methods do not reach efficient pharmaceutical removal from water sources, more powerful and effective methods like heterogeneous photocatalysis using TiO2/UV have been implemented. Titanium dioxide coatings in silicate binder were prepared by the sol-gel process and deposited on a glass support with dip-coating technique. The films showed good quality and possibility of multiple use. The characterization of the films was performed with scanning electron microscope (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and hardness test (Elcometer 501 Pencil Hardness Tester). Effectiveness and quality of prepared TiO2 coatings for photodegradation of pharmaceutical compound paracetamol (PCT) were assessed during photocatalytic treatment and compared to photolysis, a process without presence of a catalyst. Photolysis caused substantial changes in paracetamol concentration between 120 and 180 minutes of irradiation where 92% of degradation was achieved, but with no changes in mineralization. Photocatalytic treatment was much faster and effective where 95% of paracetamol degraded within 90 minutes of UV irradiation and after prolonged irradiation time from 120 to 240 minutes also mineralization of paracetamol solution increased from 59% to 83%. Accordingly, toxicity decreased, but it was still not lower than in the starting PCT solution as it was shown by acute toxicity test on Daphnia magna aquatic organisms. The master thesis represents a step forward in studying photocatalytic removal of paracetamol from water, because to my knowledge all the published investigations on this pharmaceutical up to now include photocatalyst mostly in powder and not in immobilized form, which is more advantageous from application point of view. Keywords: Pharmaceuticals, paracetamol, titanium dioxide, photocatalytic degradation, Daphnia magna. Published in RUNG: 14.09.2016; Views: 7935; Downloads: 303 Full text (2,50 MB) |