The aim of this work is to discuss the photocatalytic performance of the titania-zirconia porous photocatalyst layers synthesized via micro arc oxidation technique. An attempt was also made to put forward the basic formation mechanism of the layers. Impedance and optical properties of the photocatalyst layers were studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Photoluminescence spectroscopy and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, in order to assess their intrinsic catalytic properties.The results of the EIS were correlated with the microstructural characteristics along with measurements of Methylene Blue (MB) photocatalytic degradation. The results show enhanced photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 -ZrO 2 composite layers compared to pure TiO 2 layer. It was revealed that the photocatalytic activity of the layers prepared at different duty cycles is influenced by characteristics of microdischarge regime imposed by working electrolytes with varying additive concentration. The results of photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue were in good agreement with those obtained from electrochemical analysis.
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Effect of glycerol on the behavior of an expansive soil during wetting and drying cyclesThe behavior of an expansive soil with different flooding fluid, i.e. distilled water and solution of glycerol with different percentages of glycerol (10, 20, 30 and 40%) was studied through a number of cyclic wetting and drying tests. Experimental tests were conducted on compacted samples of the expansive soil in a modified oedometer with different flooding fluids under a surcharge pressure of 10 kPa. The vertical and radial deformations of the samples were determined during different stages of wetting and drying. The results showed that during cycles of wetting and drying, the deformation of the soil decreased with increasing the number of cycles for all flooding fluids. The magnitude of deformation for samples flooded with solution of glycerol is less than distilled water and this reduction is a function of glycerol concentration. The equilibrium condition of samples with glycerol solution is reached in fewer cycles than distilled water and the number of cycles to reach equilibrium was a function of percent of glycerol. The results also indicated that the swelling-shrinking deformation was nearly the same when the equilibrium condition was attained. Comparison of the results showed that by increasing the percent of glycerol, these curves were contracted. Furthermore, the paths of wetting and drying converged to an Sshaped curve at equilibrium condition.
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