U.S.-EGYPT Cooperative Research: Magnetic Nano-Composite as Photocatalyst Prepared by the Sol-Gel Technique for Degradation of Organic Dyes

该项目支持佛罗里达大学盖恩斯维尔分校材料科学与工程系的沃尔夫冈·西格蒙德博士和埃及赫尔万的中央冶金研究与开发研究所(CMRDI)的Reda Ouf博士进行的合作研究。本项目的目的是研究用Sol-Gel技术制备的磁性纳米复合光催化剂对有机染料的降解。技术优点：含有有毒或有机化合物的污水和工业废物对水资源的污染是一个严重的问题。纳米二氧化钛具有较大的比表面积和较高的催化性能，可以在紫外光存在的情况下转化这些化合物。然而，它们的有效商业应用受到两个严重缺点的阻碍。第一种是纳米粉末的团聚，对催化剂性能产生不利影响。二是从废水中分离回收纳米二氧化钛的难度大。本项目的目的是开发一种具有磁性、光活性和稳定性的光催化剂，采用湿法合成方法，便于从浆态光反应器中去除和回收。具体目标包括：(I)开发一种基于溶胶-凝胶法的可重复合成方法，通过在磁性材料上涂覆二氧化钛来制备磁性光催化剂；(Ii)表征所制备样品的物理和化学性质，以及(Iii)通过降解染料作为模型有机化合物来研究其光催化性能这一建议的智力优势是加深对磁性光催化纳米复合材料降解有机化合物的理解，这可能有助于环境修复。广泛的影响：更广泛的影响是美国研究生和本科生的教育以及埃及年轻研究人员的教育，从而促进埃及和美国之间的国际联系。此外，该交流项目将为美国本科生和研究生提供科学和文化体验，使他们能够成长为其他美国学生的教师，并将国际经验带给他们未来将合作的公司或政府单位。此外，这种光催化剂如果被证明成功，可以在美国、埃及或其他发展中国家应用，以净化水和修复环境。该项目得到了美国-埃及联合基金计划的支持，该计划为两国的科学家和工程师提供资助，以开展这些合作活动。

0809185SigmundThis project supports collaborative research by Dr. Wolfgang Sigmund, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville and Dr. Reda Ouf, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), Helwan, Egypt. The objective of this project is a study on ?Magnetic Nano-composite as Photocatalysts Prepared by Sol-Gel Technique for Degradation of Organic Dyes?. Technical Merit: The pollution of water resources by sewage and industrial wastes with toxic or organic compounds presents a serious problem. TiO2 nanoparticles have large specific surface areas and high catalytic performance allow reactions to convert these compounds in presence of UV light on their surface. However, their effective commercial applications are hindered by two serious disadvantages. The first is the agglomeration of the nano-powders resulting in an adverse effect on catalyst performance. The second is the separation and recovery of TiO2 nano-powders from wastewater is difficult. The aim of this project is to develop a photocatalyst that is magnetic, photoactive, and stable using a wet synthesis method, for easy removal and recovery from slurry-type photoreactor. Specific aims include: (i) developing a reproducible synthesis method based on the sol-gel process for preparing magnetic photocatalyst, by coating a magnetic material with TiO2; (ii) characterizing the physical and chemical properties of the prepared samples, and (iii) studying their photocatalytic performance by degrading dye as the model organic compound The intellectual merit of this proposal is an enhanced understanding of magnetic photocatalytic nanocomposites for degradation of organic compounds that might be useful for environmental remediation.Broader Impact: The broader impact is the education of graduate and undergraduate students in the U.S. and the education of young Egyptian researchers thus fostering the international bondsbetween Egypt and the US. Furthermore, the exchange program will provide a scientificand cultural experience for the US undergraduate and graduate students that allows them to grow into teachers for other US students and bring international experience to the companies or government units that they will work with in the future. Additionally, the photocatalysts, if proven successful, can be applied in the U.S., in Egypt or other developing countries to purify water and remediate the environment. This project is being supported under the US-Egypt Joint Fund Program, which provides grants to scientists and engineers in both countries to carry out these cooperative activities.