Aluminium spinel MAl2O4(M = Mg, Zn, Cu) photocatalysts were prepared by a sol-gel method. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. The results indicated that the samples possess a single spinel-type structure. Ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectra showed an extension of light absorption into the visible region. The spinel MAl2O4photocatalysts exhibited high photocatalytic activity for the degradation of industrial dyes under high pressure mercury lamp and visible light irradiation, especially CuAl2O4. With the decrease of band gap of MAl2O4(M = Mg, Zn, Cu), the photocatalytic activity increases. The possible reasons are discussed from the crystal field theory and energy band theory. These characteristics make the aluminium spinel MAl2O4(M = Mg, Zn, Cu) photocatalysts to be promising candidates for the photocatalytic degradation of dyes.
Cu(Cr0.2Al0.8)2O4/TiO2composite film electrodes were prepared on FTO glass substrate by screen printing method after Cu(Cr0.2Al0.8)2O4nano-particles were doped in TiO2powers. The characteristics were studied by the X-ray diffraction for the crystalline structure of composite films, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum instruction for absorption spectrum of composite films and dye sensitized solar cells tester for the performance of DSSC. The results show doping Cu(Cr0.2Al0.8)2O4powers could enhance UV-Vis spectral absorption strength and improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cells when the doping content of Cu(Cr0.2Al0.8)2O4is 3%. Compared with pure TiO2film electrodes, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cells reaches to 3.59%.
Foam glass was prepared by boron mud, broken glass, foaming agents and fluxes. The appropriate foaming temperature and foaming time were got by sintering parameter optimization. The effects of preparation conditions on propertis of the foam glass for soilless cultivation matrix were investigated. The results show that under the optimum preparation conditions (the foaming temperature is 800 °C and foaming time is 40 min), the formula for boron mud/broken glass: Borax: Sodium nitrate: Calcium carbonate is 35/50: 5:7:3, the bulk density is 247 kg/m3, the open porosity is 70%, the water absorption rate is 202.3%, the pH value of soak solution keeps at about 6.5 with the increase of immersion time. All of these will meet the application requirement of soilless cultivation.
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