Enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance for degradation of organic contaminants using PbWO4 nanostructure fabricated by a new,simple and green sonochemical approach

Water contamination has turned into a critical global concern that menaces the entire biosphere and has a notable effect on the lives of living beings and humans. As a proper and environmentally friendly solution, visible-light photocatalysis technology has been offered for water contamination removal. There is a strong interest in the design of the efficient catalytic materials that are photoactive with the aid of visible light. Herein, to fabricate a highly efficient photocatalyst for removal of organic pollution in water, a facile and swift sonochemical route employed for creation of the spindle shaped PbWO₄ nanostructure with the aid of an environmentally friendly capping agent (maltose) for the first time. To optimize the efficiency, dimension and structure of lead tungstate, various effective factors such as time, dose of precursors, power of ultrasound waves and kind of capping agents were altered. The attributes of PbWO₄ samples were examined with the aid of diverse identification techniques. The produced lead tungstate samples in role of visible-light photocatalyst were applied to remove organic pollution in water. The kinds of pollutants, dose and type of catalyst were examined as notable factors in the capability to eliminate contaminants. Very favorable catalytic yield and durability were demonstrated by spindle-shaped PbWO₄ nanostructure (produced at power of 60 W for 10 min and with usage of maltose). Usage of ultrasonic irradiation could bring to improvement of catalytic yield of PbWO₄ to 93%. Overall, the outcomes could introduce the spindle-shaped PbWO₄ nanostructure as an efficient substance for eliminating water contamination under visible light.     

A non-mixing technique for enhancement of the tuning range of Rhodamine 6G using Rhodamine B

An optical scheme for extension of spectral tuning range of Rhodamine 6G by Rhodamine B is reported. The dye solutions are kept separately in a specially designed coupled resonator. The tuning range of Rhodamine 6G dye laser is extended from 564–609 to 564–645 nm.     

Optical properties of Rhodamine B and Rhodamine 6G on silver surfaces

The transmission spectra of Rhodamine B and Rhodamine 6G dyes coated on silver island films for various thickness were recorded. A strong coupling between the silver particle plasma resonance and the dye molecules is observed. The absorption of dye molecules increases when the absorption band of individual dyes and silver particles overlaps. In higher silver film thicknesses, transmission increases. The theoretical calculation using Maxwell-Garnett theory and Wang and Kerker’s results qualitatively supports the observed phenomenon. A red shift in the absorption peak of dyes on silver surfaces in comparison to solution phase absorption peak indicates photobleaching.     

Study of concentration-dependent quantum yield of Rhodamine 6G by gold nanoparticles using thermal-lens technique

Tailoring optical properties of the dye molecules using metal nanoparticles is a burgeoning area of research. In this work, we report our results on the studies of how the absorption and emission behavior of Rhodamine 6G dye is tailored using gold nanoparticles. Furthermore, the influence of dye concentration on these properties for a given concentration of nanoparticles in the dye-nanoparticle mixture is investigated. In addition, the difference between the concentration-dependent fluorescence quantum yield of the dye molecules is measured in the absence and presence of nanoparticles using the dual-beam thermal-lens technique. Our absorption spectral studies show additional spectral features due to nanoparticle aggregation on interaction with cationic Rhodamine 6G dye. Dye concentration-dependent steady-state fluorescence studies in the presence of nanoparticles indicate a blue shift in peak fluorescence emission wavelength. The quantum yield value measured using thermal-lens technique exhibit a non-monotonic behavior with dye concentration with substantial quenching for lower dye concentrations. The results are interpreted in terms of dye–nanoparticle interaction and the formation of dye shell around the nanoparticle.     

Lasing characteristics of Rhodamine B and Rhodamine 6G as a sensitizer in sol–gel silica

We report lasing characteristics of Rhodamine B (Rh. B) in sol–gel silica under excitation with frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser and sensitization with Rhodamine 6G (Rh. 6G). The principle of radiative energy transfer (from Rh. 6G to Rh. B) has been utilized as a longitudinally Rh. 6G laser (at 585 nm)-pumped Rh. B laser process in the same sample. Rh. B offers a high photostable and efficient laser dye in sol–gel silica sensitized with Rh. 6G; 75,000 shots as a laser half-lifetime of the sample and 24% efficiency at pumping intensity 0.1 J/cm² of 532 nm. Wavelength shift occurs from 606 to 630 nm in the Rh. B laser with increasing its concentration from 1×10⁻⁴ to 8×10⁻⁴ M. The measured optical gain for Rh. B sensitized with Rh. 6G in sol–gel silica is higher than that in ethanol. A new effect has been observed; at 1×10⁻⁴ M of Rh. B and 0.5×10⁻⁴ M of Rh. 6G mixture, the emitted color of laser is changed by changing the pump intensity of frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser.     

罗丹明6G.四溴荧光素双显色体系浮选光度法测定锗的研究

向锗与茜素氨羧络合剂罗丹明６Ｇ形成的Ｇｅ（ＡＷＬＣ３（Ｒ６Ｇ）５甲苯浮选物，加入０．１ｍｏｌ／Ｌ的ＮａＯＨ的溶液，使Ｒ６ＧＹ颜色相同的四溴荧光互，形成等色染料离子对Ｒ６Ｇ＾＋；ＴＢＦ＾－再被甲苯浮选。将浮先物溶于丙酮，于５３０处进行光度测定，由于１０个染料分子同时吸光，使本方法具有很高的灵敏度：ε＝５．８×１０＾５Ｌ．ｍｏｉｌ＾－１，ｃｍ＾－１，锗含量在０．００４０－０．１ｍｇ／Ｌ服从比耳定律。     

氧化石墨烯猝灭罗丹明6G荧光的机理研究

The fluorescence quenching of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) by graphene oxide (GO) was interrogated by R6G fluorescence measurements using a set of controlled GO samples with varied C/O ratios as the quencher.The carbonyl groups on the GO nanosheet turned to play a dominant role in quenching the R6G fluorescence.The quenching in the static regime can be described by the "sphere of action" model.The significant absorption of the R6G fluorescence by the ground-state complex formed between R6G and GO was identified to be responsible for the static quenching.This work offers helpful insights into the fluorescence quenching mechanisms in the R6G/GO system.     

胶束中的若丹明6G荧光增强和激光行为

使用阴离子表面活性剂十二烷基硫酸钠 (SDS)有效的增强了若丹明 6G染料水溶液的荧光 ,在若丹明 6G浓度分别为 5 47× 10 -7和 5 47× 10 -4 mol·L-1时 ,最大增强比率分别为 1 95和 9 7。在后一浓度下SDS的加入使若丹明 6G染料激光阈值降低 ,能量转化效率提高。不加SDS时的激光阈值功率密度约为 6 5MW·cm-2 ,加入 4 1× 10 -2 mol·L-1的SDS后 ,激光阈值功率密度降为 0 8MW·cm-2 。泵浦光功率密度为 6 5MW·cm-2 时 ,能量转化效率达到 2 5 %。同时还观察到SDS的加入使溶液吸收谱、荧光谱和染料激光发生了红移。对以上现象的物理机制进行了讨论。     

Tunable picosecond energy transfer distributed feedback dye laser using Rhodamine 6G and Thionine dye mixture

The characteristics of Nd:YAG laser pumped energy transfer distributed feedback dye laser (ETDFDL) is studied both theoretically and experimentally. Using theoretical model proposed the behaviour of ETDFDL for dye mixture Rhodamine 6G and Thionine is studied in detail. The characteristics of donor DFDL, the acceptor DFDL, the dependence of their pulse widths and output powers on donor–acceptor concentration and pump power are studied. The output energy of DFDL is measured experimentally at the emission peaks of donor and acceptor dyes for different pump powers and donor–acceptor concentrations. In addition, the tunability of DFDL emission is measured both in donor and acceptor emission ranges.     

基于银纳米三角片与罗丹明6G的荧光共振能量转移法检测钴离子

以罗丹明6G和牛血清白蛋白的复合物为荧光探针,银纳米三角片为猝灭剂,研究了银纳米三角片与荧光复合物的荧光共振能量转移现象,建立了测定钴离子的荧光分析法。研究发现,一定浓度的荧光复合物与银纳米三角片混合后,由于荧光复合物在银纳米三角片上吸附而发生荧光共振能量转移,荧光猝灭达到80%左右。当钴离子存在时,银纳米三角片与罗丹明6G荧光共振能量转移被破坏,荧光逐渐恢复。随着钴离子浓度的增加,体系荧光值的恢复率(I/I₀)与钴离子的浓度(c_Co2+)有良好的线性关系,线性回归方程为I/I₀=1.054+21.72 c_Co2+,相关系数r2为0.996 2。通过对自然水样进行加标回收检测,实现了钴离子的定量检测,回收率在90.4%～115.1%之间。建立了一种可靠的选择性检测钴离子的荧光分析方法。     

Modifications of structural,optical and electrical properties of nanocrystalline bismuth sulphide by using swift heavy ions

Modified chemical bath deposited (MCBD) bismuth sulphide (Bi₂S₃) thin films’ structural, optical and electrical properties are engineered separately by annealing in air for 1 h at 300 °C and irradiating with 100 MeV Au swift heavy ions (SHI) at 5 × 10¹² ions/cm² fluence. It is observed that the band gap of the films gets red shifted after annealing and irradiation from pristine (as deposited) films. In addition, there is an increase in the grain size of the films due to both annealing and irradiation, leading to the decrease in resistivity and increase in thermoemf of the films. These results were explained in the light of thermal spike model.     

Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline HAp powders prepared by using aloe vera plant extracted solution

Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HAp) powders were synthesized by a simple method using aloe vera plant extracted solution. To obtain nanocrystalline HAp, the prepared precursor was calcined in air at 400–800 °C for 2 h. The phase composition of the calcined samples was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The XRD results confirmed the formation of HAp phase. With increasing calcination temperature, the crystallite of the HAp increased, showing the hexagonal structure of HAp with the lattice parameter, a, in a range of 0.9520–0.9536 nm and c of 0.6739–0.6928 nm. The particle sizes of the powder were obtained to be 43–171 nm. The optical properties of the calcined powders were characterized by Raman and FTIR spectroscopies. The Raman spectra showed a main peak of the phosphate vibration mode (ν₁(PO₄)) at ∼963 cm⁻¹ for all the calcined samples. The peaks of the phosphate carbonate and hydroxyl vibration modes were observed in the FTIR spectra for all the calcined powders. The morphology tends to change from a spherical shape to a rod-like shape with increasing calcination temperature as revealed by TEM.     

Raman characterization of the structural evolution in amorphous and partially nanocrystalline hydrogenated silicon thin films prepared by PECVD

Hydrogenated silicon (Si:H) thin films were obtained by plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the structural evolution in phosphor‐doped n‐type amorphous hydrogenated silicon thin films, which were prepared under different substrate temperatures and gas pressures. Meanwhile, the effect of nitrogen doping on the structure of P‐doped thin films was also investigated by Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, the transition from the amorphous state to the nanocrystalline state of undoped Si:H films deposited through low argon dilution was studied by Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that Raman spectroscopy can sensitively detect the structural evolution in hydrogenated silicon thin films deposited under different conditions in a PECVD system. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fabrication and efficient visible light-induced photocatalytic activity of Bi2MoO6/BiPO4 composite

Novel Bi₂MoO₆/BiPO₄ composites with heterojunction structure were fabricated by a one-step hydrothermal method. The photocatalytic properties of Bi₂MoO₆/BiPO₄ composites were evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (Rh B) under visible light irradiation (λ>420 nm). The results showed that Bi₂MoO₆/BiPO₄ photocatalysts showed much higher photocatalytic activity for the Rh B degradation than the pure BiPO₄ and Bi₂MoO₆ under visible light. The best photocatalytic performance of Bi₂MoO₆/BiPO₄ with about 98.0% Rh B degradation located at molar ratio of 2:1 under visible light illumination for 30 min. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be mainly ascribed to the formation of heterojunction interface in Bi₂MoO₆/BiPO₄ composites, which is beneficial to the transfer and separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, as well as the strong visible light absorption resulting from the sensitization role of Bi₂MoO₆ to BiPO₄. It was also observed that the photodegradation of Rh B is chiefly attributed to the oxidation action of the generated O₂⁻ radicals and the action of h_vb⁺ through direct hole oxidation process.     

Degradation of a cationic dye (Rhodamine 6G) using hydrodynamic cavitation coupled with other oxidative agents: Reaction mechanism and pathway

In the present study, decolorization and mineralization of a cationic dye, Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G), has been carried out using hydrodynamic cavitation (HC). Two cavitating devices such as slit and circular venturi were used to generate cavitation in HC reactor. The process parameters such as initial dye concentration, solution pH, operating inlet pressure, and cavitation number were investigated in detail to evaluate their effects on the decolorization efficiency of Rh6G. Decolorization of Rh6G was marginally higher in the case of slit venturi as compared to circular venturi. The kinetic study showed that decolorization and mineralization of the dye fitted first-order kinetics. The loadings of H₂O₂ and ozone have been optimized to intensify the decolorization and mineralization efficiency of Rh6G using HC. Nearly 54% decolorization of Rh6G was obtained using a combination of HC and H₂O₂ at a dye to H₂O₂ molar ratio of 1:30. The combination of HC with ozone resulted in 100% decolorization in almost 5–10 min of processing time depending upon the initial dye concentration. To quantify the extent of mineralization, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis was also performed using various processes and almost 84% TOC removal was obtained using HC coupled with 3 g/h of ozone. The degradation by-products formed during the complete degradation process were qualitatively identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and a detailed degradation pathway has been proposed.     

Flame spray synthesis under a non-oxidizing atmosphere: Preparation of metallic bismuth nanoparticles and nanocrystalline bulk bismuth metal

Metallic bismuth nanoparticles of over 98% purity were prepared by a modified flame spray synthesis method in an inert atmosphere by oxygen-deficient combustion of a bismuth-carboxylate based precursor. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy confirming the formation of pure, crystalline metallic bismuth nanoparticles. Compression of the as-prepared powder resulted in highly dense, nanocrystalline pills with strong electrical conductivity and bright metallic gloss.     

Spectroscopic and Laser Studies of Mixed Rhodamine 6G and 10-Phenyl-9-acetoxyanthracene Solutions

The spectroscopic and laser parameters of a mixed donor (10-phenyl-9-acetoxyanthracene derivations)-acceptor (rhodamine 6G) solutions have been determined. The studies performed show that rhodamine 6G is responsible for the lasting of the mixed solution. The 10-phenyl-9-acetoxyanthracene added to the R6G lasing solution decreases the spectral range of lasing and the gain value, G(), of the solution. These changes in the lasing parameters are caused by electron energy transfer processes of different types. The results of fluorescence studies of the mixed donor-acceptor solutions point out that the long-range dipole-dipole interaction mechanism of the static quenching accompanied by the formation of nonemitting complexes in the dye mixture is responsible for the noted lasing and fluorescence changes.     

Photocatalytic degradation of dyes using dioxygen activated by supported metallophthalocyanine under visible light irradiation

Zinc tetraaminophthalocyanine (Zn-TAPc) modified by cyanuric chloride was immobilized on silk fibers by covalent bond to obtain a supported photocatalyst (Zn-TDTAPc-SF). The photocatalytic degradation of acid orange II based on Zn-TDTAPc-SF/O₂ system was investigated under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 400 nm). The results indicated that Zn-TDTAPc-SF exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance in the presence of O₂ under visible light irradiation. In 6 h, more than 93% of acid orange II (AO2) in Zn-TDTAPc-SF/O₂ system was eliminated at initial pH 5 under visible light irradiation, and Zn-TDTAPc-SF still remained effective in repetitive fives cycles. Furthermore, NaCl played a positive role in the catalytic reaction, different from the negative one observed in homogeneous catalysis, and the reaction can proceed in a more wide pH range from acidic to alkaline. Based on the analysis of FT-IR and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS), AO2 was mainly converted into some small molecular biodegradable aliphatic carboxylic compounds such as maleic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, etc. The photodegradation mechanism for the evolution of AO2 was proposed by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectra.