Mg2Ti1-xSnxO4 spinels obtained by the modified-Pechini method: photocatalytic properties and microbial anti-adhesion

Magnesium stannate (Mg2SnO4) and titanate (Mg2TiO4) are inverse spinel-type oxides, applied as humidity sensors, hot resistor, dieletric, temperature compensation capacitor, electronic ceramic and refractory material. In the present work, these two materials were combined in order to obtain a solid solution, Mg2(Ti1-xSnx)O4, (x = 0; 0,25; 0,50; 0,75; 1,0) by the modified-Pechini method, in order to investigate the influence of Sn4+ substitution for Ti4+ in the spinel lattice for application as photocatalyst for discoloration of Gold yellow remazol and to avoid micro-organism adhesion into surfaces. The synthesis of the spinels was optimized. Catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-visibe spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, surface area measurement using BET method. Mg2TiO4 is a metastable compound, which decomposes into ilmenite (MgTiO3) above 800 °C. On the other hand, reaches long-range order at lower temperatures, while single phase Mg2SnO4 is only obtained from 900 °C. For these reasons, different temperatures are necessary to obtain the single phase materials. Infrared and Raman spectra confirmed the presence of [MgO6]-10, [TiO6]-8, [SnO6]-8 octahedra and (MgO4)-6 tetrahedra. The photocatalytic tests were carried out in a reactor comprising of UVC lamp (λ = 254 nm). Mg2SnO4 presented the best photocatalytic result, with 79% of discoloration at pH 6 and 87% at pH 3, while Mg2TiO4 showed 7% of conversion at pH 6, without increasing efficiency at pH 3. The obtained spinels were effective in inhibiting bacterial and fungal growth as indicated by fluorescence analysis for Gram positive bacteria (S. aureus and S. mutans), Gram negative bacteria (P. aeruginosa and E. coli) and fungus (Candida albicans) showing the potential for microbial anti-adhesion material. Tests with higher titanium content showed the best results except for E. coli.Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPqO estanato (Mg2SnO4) e o titanato de magnésio (Mg2TiO4) são óxidos do tipo espinélio inverso, aplicados como sensores de umidade, resistor de calor, dielétrico, capacitor para compensação de temperatura, cerâmica eletrônica e material refratário. Nesse trabalho, os dois materiais foram combinados com a finalidade de obter uma solução sólida, Mg2(Ti1-xSnx)O4, (x = 0; 0,25; 0,50; 0,75; 1,0), utilizando o método Pechini modificado, de modo a investigar a influência da substituição dos íons Sn4+ por íons Ti4+ na rede do espinélio para aplicação como catalisadores na descoloração do corante remazol amarelo ouro e na antiadesão microbiana. A síntese dos espinélios foi otimizada. Os catalisadores foram caracterizados pelas técnicas de difração de raios-X, espectroscopia na região do ultravioleta e do visível, e espectroscopia Raman, espectroscopia na região do infravermelho e medida de área superficial por BET. O Mg2TiO4 é um composto metaestável, se decompondo em ilmenita (MgTiO3) acima de 800 °C. Por outro lado, o Mg2TiO4 se organiza a longo alcance em temperaturas mais baixas enquanto que o Mg2SnO4 monofásico é obtido apenas a partir de 900°C. Com isso, observa-se que diferentes temperaturas são necessárias para se obter os materiais monofásicos. Os espectros de IV e Raman confirmaram a presença dos octaedros [MgO6]-10, [TiO6]-8, [SnO6]-8 e tetraedro (MgO4)-6. Os testes fotocatalíticos foram realizados em um reator composto por lâmpadas UVC (λ = 254 nm). O Mg2SnO4 apresentou o melhor resultado, com descoloração de 79 % em pH 6 e 87 % em pH 3, enquanto o Mg2TiO4 apresentou conversão de 7 % em pH 6, sem aumento de eficiência em pH 3. Os espinélios obtidos mostraram-se eficazes na inibição do crescimento bacteriano e fúngico como indicado pela análise de fluorescência para bactérias Gram positivas (S. aureus e S. mutans), Gram negativas (P. aeruginosa e E. coli) e para o fungo (Candida albicans) mostrando o potencial de antiadesão microbiana dos materiais. Os testes com maior teor de titânio apresentaram os melhores resultados exceto para a E. coli

Effect of Fe3+ Doping in the Photocatalytic Properties of BaSnO3 Perovskite

<div><p>In the last ten years, stannates with perovskite structure have been tested as photocatalysts. In spite of the ability of perovskite materials to accommodate different cations in its structure, evaluation of doped stannates is not a common task in the photocatalysis area. In this work, Fe3+ doped BaSnO3 was synthesized by the modified Pechini method, with calcination between 300 and 800ºC/4 h. The powder precursor was characterized by thermogravimetry after partial elimination of carbon. Characterization after the second calcination step was done by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy. Materials were tested in the photocatalytic discoloration of the Remazol Golden Yellow azo dye under UVC irradiation. Higher photocatalytic efficiency was observed under acid media. As no meaningful adsorption was observed at this condition we believe that an indirect mechanism prevails. Fe3+ doping decreased the band gap and favored the photocatalytic reaction, which may be assigned to the formation of intermediate levels inside the band gap.</p></div