Nanocomposites (TiO-NTbs/rGO) consisting of titanate nanosheets (H2Ti3O7) scrolled to nanotubes (TiO-NTbs) and deposited on reduced graphite oxide (rGO) were synthesized through the combination of low-power/low-frequency (37 kHz) ultrasound and hydrothermal treatment procedures. The materials were characterized by X‑ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, N2 physisorption, thermal analysis (in air or helium), potentiometric titration, X‑ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The addition of 4% of rGO was found as optimal, leading to the composite with a high surface area of 359 m2/g. The materials, when tested as media to remove toxic vapors of a chemical warfare agent (mustard gas) surrogate either under dark or visible light conditions, exhibited adsorption capacity of greater than 600 mg/g which is far higher than those of other well-preforming materials (e.g., barium titanate nanoparticles or metal-organic frameworks). The photocatalytic activity of TiO-NTbs was also superior to P25 or other well-known nanomaterials. On their surface, various compounds of low- or non-toxicity were identified to be formed photochemically via free radical reactions.
D.A. Giannakoudakis, K. Vikrant, A.P. LaGrow, D. Lisovytskiy, K‑H Kim, T.J. Bandosz, and J.C. Colmenares. Chemical Engineering Journal, 415 (2021) 128907.
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