The effects of Zn vacancies on ferromagnetism in Cu-doped ZnO films controlled by oxygen pressure and Li doping

Zn0.99Cu0.01O films were studied experimentally and theoretically.The films were prepared by pulsed-laser deposi tion on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates under various oxygen pressures to investigate the growth-dependence of the ferromag netic properties.The structural,magnetic,and optical properties were studied,and it was found that all the samples possess a typical wurtzite structure,and that the films exhibit room-temperature ferromagnetism.The sample deposited at 600℃and an oxygen pressure of 10 Pa showed a large saturation magnetization of 0.83μB/Cu.The enhanced ferromagnetism in the(Cu,Li)-codoped ZnO is attributable to the existence of Zn vacancies(VZn),as shown by first-principles calcu lations.The photoluminescence analysis demonstrated the existence of V Zn in both Zn0.99Cu0.01O and(Cu,Li)-codoped ZnO thin films,and this plays an important role in the increase of ferromagnetism,according to the results of first-principles calculations.     

铟镓共掺杂对n-ZnO纳米棒/p-GaN异质结生长行为和光电性能的影响

利用低温水热法在p-GaN薄膜上生长了铟(In)和镓(Ga)共掺杂的ZnO纳米棒。X射线衍射(XRD)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和X射线能量色谱仪(EDS)结果表明,In和Ga已固溶到ZnO晶格中。扫描电子显微镜(SEM)结果表明, ZnO纳米棒具有良好的c轴取向性,随着In和Ga共掺杂浓度的增加,纳米棒的直径减小,密度增加。XRD结果表明,In和Ga共掺杂引起ZnO晶格常数增大,导致(002)衍射峰向低角度方向偏移。同时,ZnO的光学性质受到In和Ga共掺杂的影响。与纯ZnO相比, 共掺杂ZnO纳米棒的紫外发射峰都出现轻微红移,这是表面共振和带隙重整效应综合作用的结果。I-V特性曲线表明,随着In和Ga共掺杂浓度的增加,n-ZnO纳米棒/p-GaN异质结具有更好的导电性。     

Green synthesis,characterization, and biological activities of saffron leaf extract-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles: A sustainable approach to reuse an agricultural waste

To increase the profitability and sustainability of agricultural waste, a facile green approach was established to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using saffron leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Structural characteristics of NPs were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and UV–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. Characterization results revealed that ZnO NPs is highly crystalline with a hexagonal wurtzite structure and spherical particles with diameter less than 50 nm, as confirmed by XRD and FESEM techniques. UV–Vis absorption spectra depicted an absorption peak at 370 nm, which confirms the formation of ZnO NPs. FTIR spectral analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups and metal oxygen groups. The biological activities of ZnO NPs were also investigated. The antibacterial effect of ZnO NPs was investigated against selected food pathogens (Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, and Enterococcus faecalis). The study results prove that the green synthesized ZnO NPs show enhanced antibacterial activity against S. Typhimurium when compared with other strains. A dose-dependent free radical scavenging activity was observed for ZnO NPs in both 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) assays. The ZnO NPs were evaluated for their photocatalytic activity during the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye in aqueous solutions. The maximum removal of MB achieved was 64% with an initial ZnO NP concentration of 12 mg/mL under UV light. The present study revealed that the agricultural waste (saffron leaf) provides a simple and eco-friendly option to sustainably synthesize ZnO NPs for use as a photocatalyst. In addition, this is the first report on saffron leaf-mediated synthesis of ZnO NPs.     

Enhanced output voltage of nano energy harvester with diverse textiles

Abstract

We demonstrate the electrical properties of nano energy harvesters (NEHs) with various textiles for smart textiles that can be applied to the next generation wearable electronics. Output voltages and currents of NEHs with various fabrics, such as a cotton, rayon and wool that have different triboelectricity were measured. Cotton, rayon and wool shows the maximum output voltages of 1.250, 3.313 and 4.063 V, respectively. In addition, output currents of those textiles were 0.75, 4.4, 1.063 μA, respectively. Wool, in particular, which has the highest triboelectricity of 350 V exhibits the highest output voltage.     

Investigation of molar concentration effect on structural,optical, electrical,and photovoltaic properties of spray‐coated Cu2O thin films

High quality copper oxide thin films were prepared by nebulizer spray pyrolysis technique using different concentrations of copper precursor solution. Concentration‐dependent structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties of the prepared films are discussed. X‐ray diffraction studies done for the samples confirmed that the deposited films are in Cu₂O phase with polycrystalline cubic structure. Atomic force microscopy analysis revealed that all the films are composed of nano sheet shaped grains covering the substrate surface. Optical studies done on the samples showed band gap values 2.42, 2.31, and 2.02 eV for the solution concentration 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 M, respectively. Photoluminescence spectral analysis showed the emission band at 620 nm confirming the formation of cuprous oxide. Electrical analysis of the films showed p‐type conductivity with a low resistivity 2.19 × 10² Ω.cm and high carrier concentration 16.76 × 10 ¹⁵ cm⁻³ for the molar concentration 0.1 M. In this work, Cu₂O/ZnO heterojunctions were also prepared, and solar cell properties were studied; they were found to show increased open circuit voltage and short circuit current for higher copper concentration.     

高岭石基复合材料在光催化领域应用的研究进展

环境污染和能源紧缺已成为当今社会亟须解决的重大问题。高岭石基复合材料光催化处理技术因绿色环保、经济安全、无二次污染而备受关注。鉴于高岭石在光催化领域的研究现状,本文介绍了高岭石的层状硅酸盐结构特征及其在光催化领域的应用优势,综述了高岭石基光催化材料的主要类型、基本特征、合成方法、改性过程、光催化特点及其应用进展与优势,最后,提出了高岭石基复合材料在光催化领域应用的重点研究方向。以期获得制备工艺简单、光催化性能优异、原料易获取且无环境污染的高岭石基光催化复合材料,从根本上解决环境污染问题,缓解能源紧缺危机。     

Kinetic modeling of ZnO-rGO catalyzed degradation of methylene blue

Photodegradation of organic pollutants strongly depends on design of metal oxide semiconductor photocatalysts. Graphene, if composited with ZnO, can effectively enhance its photocatalytic performance for the eradication of pollutants from aqueous medium. Here in, ZnO-rGO is reported as highly active catalyst for degradation of methylene blue. A 200-mg/L solution of methylene blue dye was completely degraded within 1 h in comparison to 74% and 56% degradation over ZnO and rGO, respectively. The commonly used mechanisms of heterogeneous catalytic reactions, the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism, and the Eley-Rideal mechanisms, were used to describe the reaction kinetics. The Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism was found as more favorable in this study. Apparent activation energy, E_ap, true activation energy, E_T, entropy, ΔS, and enthalpy, ΔH were calculated as 36.2 kJ/mol, 13.1 kJ/mol, 197.5 J/mol, and 23.1 kJ/mol, respectively.     

One-step synthesis of novel flower-like Sn-doped ZnO architectures with enhanced photocatalytic activity

A facile hydrothermal method to synthesize flower-like Sn-doped ZnO (FLSn-ZnO) nanostructures is described. The obtained hierarchical architectures of FLSn-ZnO are found to be assembled with abundant regular-shaped nanosheets and nanoparticles. A possible formation mechanism is proposed on the base of a series of control experiments. The tests show that FLSn-ZnO architectures exhibit higher photocatalytic activity in the degrading Rhodamine B and tetracycline aqueous solution than pure ZnO under UV-light irradiation. And photocurrent response and photoluminescence of ZnO and FLSn-ZnO demonstrates that in photocatalytic performance, the latter is higher.     

Green synthesis of Fe3O4/ZnO magnetic core-shell nanoparticles by Petasites hybridus rhizome water extract and their application for the synthesis of pyran derivatives: Investigation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity

In this research, Fe₃O₄/ZnO magnetic core-shell nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄/ZnO MCNPs) were synthesized through a green method using Petasites hybridus rhizome water extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The morphology and size of the Fe₃O₄/ZnO MCNPs was identified by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. The catalytic activity of the Fe₃O₄/ZnO MCNPs was evaluated in the efficient and green preparation of pyran derivatives in excellent yield using three-component reactions of dimedone, aldehydes, and malononitrile in ethanol at room temperature. The ability of some synthesized compounds to scavenge the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical was measured and the results proved this observation. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of some synthesized compounds was proved by employing the disk diffusion test on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The results for the disk diffusion test showed that compounds ( 4c, 4d, 4f and 4g ) prevented bacterial growth.     

Sonocatalytic degradation of Acid Blue 92 using sonochemically prepared samarium doped zinc oxide nanostructures

Pure and Sm-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized applying a simple sonochemical method. The nanocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques which confirmed the successful synthesis of the doped sonocatalyst. The sonocatalytic degradation of Acid Blue 92 (AB92), a model azo dye, was more than that with sonolysis alone. The 6% Sm-doped ZnO nanoparticles had a band gap of 2.8 eV and demonstrated the highest activity. The degradation efficiency (DE%) of sonolysis and sonocatalysis with undoped ZnO and 6% Sm-doped ZnO was 45.73%, 63.9%, and 90.10%, after 150 min of treatment, respectively. Sonocatalytic degradation of AB92 is enhanced with increasing the dopant amount and catalyst dosage and with decreasing the initial AB29 concentration. DE% declines with the addition of radical scavengers such as chloride, carbonate, sulfate, and tert-butanol. However, the addition of enhancers including potassium periodates, peroxydisulfate, and hydrogen peroxide improves DE% by producing more free radicals. The results show adequate reusability of the doped sonocatalyst. Degradation intermediates were recognized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Using nonlinear regression analysis, an empirical kinetic model was developed to estimate the pseudo-first-order constants (k_app) as a function of the main operational parameters, including the initial dye concentration, sonocatalyst dosage, and ultrasonic power.