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Pulsed current electrodeposition of Zn–Ag2S/TiO2 nanocomposite films as potential photoelectrodes

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Abstract

Nanocomposite Zn–Ag2S/TiO2 and Zn–TiO2 films were prepared by pulsed current electrolysis from acidic zinc sulphate solutions on a titanium substrate. The influence of the nanoparticles' nature on the structural and morphological characteristics of the metallic electrodeposit was also investigated. The electrodeposits were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Using transmission electron microscopy, it was possible to conclude that the chemical treatment applied to the commercial TiO2 particles promotes the formation of Ag2S/TiO2 composite nanoparticles, with Ti, Ag, S and O in its composition. This was also was confirmed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. These particles absorb visible light radiation which makes them promising materials for photoelectrocatalytic processes. Moreover, the modification in nanoparticle composition plays a remarkable influence on the coating morphology and Zn crystallite size. When TiO2 is added, a change of Zn texture was observed along with a decrease in crystallite size. In contrast, the metal matrix nanocomposites prepared with Ag2S/TiO2 exhibit a spongy Zn morphology with a lower average Zn crystallite size. The nanocomposite films were tested in the photoelectrodegradation of ibuprofen and the best results were obtained for Zn–Ag2S/ TiO2 photoelectrodes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge financial support from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (Portugal) under research project PTDC/CTM/64856/2006. A. Gomes acknowledges PEst-OE/QUI/UI0536/2011 and the Ciência 2007 programme. O.C. Monteiro and C. Nunes acknowledge PEst-OE/QUI/UI0612/2011 and Ciência 2007 programme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CCMM, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal

    A. Gomes & A. Videira

  2. CQB, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal

    O. C. Monteiro & C. D. Nunes

  3. Centro Física Atómica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 2, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal

    M. L. Carvalho

  4. CICECO—Departamento de Engenharia de Materiais e Cerâmica, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

    A. B. Lopes

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  1. A. Gomes
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  2. A. Videira
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  3. O. C. Monteiro
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  4. C. D. Nunes
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  5. M. L. Carvalho
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  6. A. B. Lopes
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Correspondence to A. Gomes.

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Gomes, A., Videira, A., Monteiro, O.C. et al. Pulsed current electrodeposition of Zn–Ag2S/TiO2 nanocomposite films as potential photoelectrodes. J Solid State Electrochem 17, 2349–2359 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-013-2099-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-013-2099-y

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