Synthesis and Catalytic Performances of SiC Nanoparticles by DC Arc-discharge Plasma

doi:10.15541/jim20160371

Abstract

Abstract:

SiC nanoparticles were synthesized by direct current (DC) arc-discharge plasma method, using bulk Si as silicon source and in a mixed atmosphere of CH₄, H₂ and Ar. The chemical composition and morphology of the SiC nano product were affected by the pressure of CH₄ obviusly. These products were characterized by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectra, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that the product contains the main phases of 3C- and 6H-SiC, while prepared at low CH₄ pressure of 0.005 MPa, which exists few Si/SiC core-shell structures in the product. The SiC nanoparticles, prepared at 0.01 MPa CH₄, were used as the catalyst to remove the Cl atoms in persistent 2,4-dichlorophenol through photoelectric catalytic reduction. The results show that the SiC nanoparticles have good photoelectric catalytic reductive dechlorination ability under ultraviolet illumination at a constant optical intensity of 500 mW/cm². The removal efficiency reaches about 92.5% and the adsorption efficiency is 19.6% at an appropriate bias potential of -1.02 V after 180 min of photoelectric catalysis. Hence, SiC nanoparticles are identified as a kind of low-cost photoelectrocatalysis candidates to replace noble metals in wastewater treatments.

Key words: silicon carbide, DC arc-discharge plasma, photoelectric catalysis, 2,4-dichlorophenol

CLC Number:

X703

YU Jie-Yi, HUANG Hao, GAO Jian, ZHOU Lei, GAO Song, DONG Xing-Long, QUAN Xie. Synthesis and Catalytic Performances of SiC Nanoparticles by DC Arc-discharge Plasma[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2017, 32(4): 351-356.

Figures/Tables 9

Table 1 Preparation conditions of SiC samples

Sample	Pressure /MPa			Arc voltage /V	Arc current /A
Sample	H₂	Ar	CH₄	Arc voltage /V	Arc current /A
SiC-0.005	0.01	0.02	0.005	20~40	90
SiC-0.01	0.01	0.02	0.01	20~40	90

Fig. 1 TEM and high resolution (HR-TEM) images of (a,b) SiC-0.005 and (c,d) SiC-0.01 nanoparticles

Fig. 2 Raman spectra of SiC-0.005 and SiC-0.01 nanoparticles

Fig. 3 XRD patterns of SiC-0.005 and SiC-0.01 nanoparticles

Fig. 4 FTIR spectra of SiC-0.005 and SiC-0.01 nanoparticles

Fig. 5 XPS spectra of SiC-0.005 (a, b) and SiC-0.01 nanoparticles (a, a’) C1s; (b, b’) Si2p

Fig. 6 UV-visible absorption spectra of SiC-0.005 and SiC-0.01

Fig. 7 Linear voltammograms of (a) ITO and SiC-0.01 electrodes under dark and light with 2,4-DCP;, (b) SiC-0.01 electrodes under dark and light with/without 2,4-DCP, the scanning speed is 10 mV/s

Fig. 8 (a) Adsorption curve, removal curves of electric catalysis and photoelectric catalysis of 2,4-DCP by SiC-0.01 electrodes under bias potentials of -0.76 V and -1.02 V, (b) mass spectrum of reduzate after 180 min of degradation

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