Graphitic carbon nitride for photocatalytic air treatment

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a conjugated polymer, which recently drew a lot of attention as a metal-free and UV and visible light responsive photocatalyst in the field of solar energy conversion and environmental remediation. This is due to its appealing electronic band structure, high physicochemical stability and earth-abundant nature. In the present work, bulk g-C(3)N(4)was synthesized by thermal decomposition of melamine. This material was further exfoliated by thermal treatment. S-doped samples were prepared from thiourea or further treatment of exfoliated g-C(3)N(4)by mesylchloride. Synthesized materials were applied for photocatalytic removal of air pollutants (acetaldehyde and NOx) according to the ISO 22197 and ISO 22197-1 methodology. The efficiency of acetaldehyde removal under UV irradiation was negligible for all g-C(3)N(4)samples. This can be explained by the fact that g-C(3)N(4)under irradiation does not directly form hydroxyl radicals, which are the primary oxidation species in acetaldehyde oxidation. It was proved by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy that the dominant species formed on the irradiated surface of g-C(3)N(4)was the superoxide radical. Its production was responsible for a very high NO(x)removal efficiency not only under UV irradiation (which was comparable with that of TiO2), but also under visible irradiation.Web of Science1313art. no. 303

Radical Intermediates in Photoinduced Reactions on TiO2 (An EPR Spin Trapping Study)

The radical intermediates formed upon UVA irradiation of titanium dioxide suspensions in aqueous and non-aqueous environments were investigated applying the EPR spin trapping technique. The results showed that the generation of reactive species and their consecutive reactions are influenced by the solvent properties (e.g., polarity, solubility of molecular oxygen, rate constant for the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with the solvent). The formation of hydroxyl radicals, evidenced as the corresponding spin-adducts, dominated in the irradiated TiO2 aqueous suspensions. The addition of 17O-enriched water caused changes in the EPR spectra reflecting the interaction of an unpaired electron with the 17O nucleus. The photoexcitation of TiO2 in non-aqueous solvents (dimethylsulfoxide, acetonitrile, methanol and ethanol) in the presence of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide spin trap displayed a stabilization of the superoxide radical anions generated via electron transfer reaction to molecular oxygen, and various oxygen- and carbon-centered radicals from the solvents were generated. The character and origin of the carbon-centered spin-adducts was confirmed using nitroso spin trapping agents

Fused-Ring Derivatives of Quinoxalines: Spectroscopic Characterization and Photoinduced Processes Investigated by EPR Spin Trapping Technique

10-Ethyl-7-oxo-7,10-dihydropyrido[2,3-f]quinoxaline derivatives, synthesized as promising biologically/photobiologically active compounds were characterized by UV/vis, FT-IR and fluorescent spectroscopy. Photoinduced processes of these derivatives were studied by EPR spectroscopy, monitoring in situ the generation of reactive intermediates upon UVA (λmax = 365 nm) irradiation. The formation of reactive oxygen species and further oxygen- and carbon-centered radical intermediates was detected and possible reaction routes were suggested. To quantify the investigated processes, the quantum yields of the superoxide radical anion spin-adduct and 4-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine N-oxyl generation were determined, reflecting the activation of molecular oxygen by the excited state of the quinoxaline derivative

Interfacial charge transfer complex between TiO2 and non-aromatic ligand squaric acid

The attachment of squaric acid, a non-aromatic molecule, to the surface of TiO2 powder induced the optical absorption of the obtained hybrid material in the visible spectral range due to the interfacial charge transfer complex formation. The optical characterization of the hybrid is supported by the density functional theory calculations of the model cluster. The paramagnetic species generated upon excitation with ultraviolet or visible light, in both TiO2 powders, pristine and surface-modified, were identified conducting low-temperature solid-state and indirect electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy experiments (spin trapping and spin scavenging). The solid-state EPR experiments indicated the promotion of electrons from the organic moiety to the titania conduction band under visible-light excitation of hybrid. Also, the spin scavenging experiments showed that the electrons generated in the hybrid upon the visible-light activation facilitate the reduction of the radical cations present in the dispersion, while these effects are not observed for pristine TiO2

Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution over surface-modified titanate nanotubes by 5-aminosalicylic acid decorated with silver nanoparticles

The efficiency of titanate-nanotubes-based photocatalysts towards hydrogen production was studied in the presence of the sacrificial agent, 2-propanol. The highest hydrogen production rate (~120 lmol h 1 g 1 ) was observed over surface-modified titanate nanotubes by 5-amino salicylic acid decorated with nanometer-sized silver nanoparticles. The X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, and diffuse reflection spectroscopy were applied to characterize the prepared photocatalytic materials. The better photocatalytic performance of inorganic–organic hybrid materials in comparison to the pristine titanate nanotubes is a consequence of their improved light-harvesting ability due to the formation of interfacial charge transfer (ICT) complex, as well as the presence of metallic silver nanoparticles that suppress the recombination of photo-generated charge carriers. The spin trapping EPR experiments under irradiation of prepared photocatalysts with either UV or visible light were used to monitor the appearance of hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radical anions. The generation of superoxide radical anions under visible light irradiation was detected for hybrid materials, but not for the pristine titanate nanotubes. These results are a consequence of enhanced promotion ofelectrons to the conduction band due to extended absorption in visible spectral range in hybrids and support the higher efficiency of hydrogen generation observed for surface-modified titanate nanotubes by 5-amino salicylic acid decorated with silver nanoparticles.In Press, Corrected Proo

UV-induced reactions of Mg2+-doped anatase nanocrystals with exposed {0 0 1} facets: An EPR study

The photoinduced processes of pristine and Mg2+-doped anatase nanopowders with the exposed {0 0 1} facets synthesized by a solvothermal method, using HF as the capping agent, were investigated by EPR spectroscopy. The adsorbed fluoride ions on the {0 0 1} facets of the as-prepared anatase samples have been removed by NaOH washing (washed samples) or calcination at 600 °C (calcined samples). EPR spectra monitored at 100 K for the as-prepared and washed anatase nanopowders characterized with high percentage of the exposed {0 0 1} facets, evidenced the presence of paramagnetic signals attributed to the intrinsic Ti3+ centers with narrow-line axially symmetric spectrum (g⊥ = 1.988, g∥ = 1.956) and holes (O−) characterized with g-tensor g⊥ = 2.006, g∥ = 2.003 already before exposure. Upon in situ UV exposure under air, the intensity of EPR signals of Ti3+ and O− increased significantly and two additional signals compatible with the photogenerated O2− and O2H were observed. A series of indirect EPR techniques, e.g., spin trapping using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), hindered amine oxidation, or reduction of radical cation of 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate), were applied to follow the reactions in the irradiated TiO2 dispersions. While in the irradiated aerated aqueous media all anatase samples revealed the generation of DMPO-OH spin-adduct, upon UV exposure of the as-prepared samples in deaerated acetonitrile, the formation of a unique EPR spectrum attributed to DMPO-F was found. The DMPO-F spin-adduct is most probably produced by the inverted spin trapping mechanism via interaction of DMPO+ with the surface fluorides

Copper(II) Complexes with Isomeric Morpholine-Substituted 2-Formylpyridine Thiosemicarbazone Hybrids as Potential Anticancer Drugs Inhibiting Both Ribonucleotide Reductase and Tubulin Polymerization: The Morpholine Position Matters

The development of copper(II) thiosemicarbazone complexes as potential anticancer agents, possessing dual functionality as inhibitors of R2 ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) and tubulin polymerization by binding at the colchicine site, presents a promising avenue for enhancing therapeutic effectiveness. Herein, we describe the syntheses and physicochemical characterization of four isomeric proligands H2L3–H2L6, with the methylmorpholine substituent at pertinent positions of the pyridine ring, along with their corresponding Cu(II) complexes 3–6. Evidently, the position of the morpholine moiety and the copper(II) complex formation have marked effects on the in vitro antiproliferative activity in human uterine sarcoma MES-SA cells and the multidrug-resistant derivative MES-SA/Dx5 cells. Activity correlated strongly with quenching of the tyrosyl radical (Y•) of mouse R2 RNR protein, inhibition of RNR activity in the cancer cells, and inhibition of tubulin polymerization. Insights into the mechanism of antiproliferative activity, supported by experimental results and molecular modeling calculations, are presented