NiFe2O4/g-C3N4 heterojunction composite with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

Spinel structure nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) doped graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) photocatalyst NiFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ was synthesized by the coprecipitation route to enhance the photocatalytic activity for the visible-light driven degradation of methyl orange. The NiFe₂O₄ doping content is responsible for the microstructure and photocatalytic activity of NiFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ samples. Compared with pure NiFe₂O₄ and g-C₃N₄, the 2-NiFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ composite with NiFe₂O₄ doping of 2.0 wt% exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity and superior stability after five runs for degrading methyl orange under visible light irradiation. The catalytic activity of 2-NiFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ sample produced using the coprecipitation route was higher than those of conventional 2-NiFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ bulks prepared by the impregnation approach. The prepared samples for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange followed pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics. It’s ascribed to the synergistic effect between NiFe₂O₄ and g-C₃N₄, which can inhibit the recombination of photoexcited electron-hole pairs, accelerate photoproduced charges separation, and enhance the visible light absorption.     

Fabrication and electrochemical performance of nickel ferrite nanoparticles as anode material in lithium ion batteries

Nano-sized nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) was prepared by hydrothermal method at low temperature. The crystalline phase, morphology and specific surface area (BET) of the resultant samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and nitrogen physical adsorption, respectively. The particle sizes of the resulting NiFe₂O₄ samples were in the range of 5–15 nm. The electrochemical performance of NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles as the anodic material in lithium ion batteries was tested. It was found that the first discharge capacity of the anode made from NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles could reach a very high value of 1314 mAh g⁻¹, while the discharge capacity decreased to 790.8 mAh g⁻¹ and 709.0 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.2 mA cm⁻² after 2 and 3 cycles, respectively. The BET surface area is up to 111.4 m² g⁻¹. The reaction mechanism between lithium and nickel ferrite was also discussed based on the results of cycle voltammetry (CV) experiments.     

Photocatalytic activity of a novel Bi-based oxychloride catalyst Na0.5Bi1.5O2Cl

A Bi-based oxychloride Na_0.5Bi_1.5O₂Cl with a layered structure as a novel efficient photocatalyst was studied in the present paper. The powder was synthesized by a solid state reaction method. It was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrum. Degradation of methyl orange was used to evaluate the photocatalytic activity. The as-synthesized Na_0.5Bi_1.5O₂Cl has a smaller optical band gap of 3.04 eV than BiOCl (E_g = 3.44 eV). It possesses a fair visible-light-response ability. The UV-induced photocatalytic activity follows the decreasing order of BiOCl > Na_0.5Bi_1.5O₂Cl > TiO₂, different from the order of Na_0.5Bi_1.5O₂Cl > TiO₂ > BiOCl under visible light irradiation. The dispersion of Pt over Na_0.5Bi_1.5O₂Cl leads to an obvious increase in the photocatalytic performance. The internal electric fields between [Na_0.5Bi_1.5O₂] and [Cl] slabs favor the efficient separation of photostimulated electron–hole pairs.     

The effect of silver doping on photocatalytic properties of titania multilayer membranes

In this investigation an Ag doped titania multilayer membrane is successfully fabricated via the sol–gel processing method. The doped membrane is characterized via X-ray Diffraction and N₂-sorption techniques and the photocatalytic properties of the membrane are investigated via methyl orange degradation. The properties included high surface area (101 m²/g), small pore size (3.1 nm), and active anatase crystal phase. The prepared titania membrane has a high photocatalytic activity and decomposes methyl orange by 50% after 9 h of UV irradiation. The prepared membrane can be applied in the development of efficient photocatalytic systems for the treatment of water. Due to the high photoactivity of the prepared titania membrane, this study reveals the possibility of combining two processes for removal of organic pollutants: the photocatalytic process and the membrane separation process. In the combining process the lifetime of the membrane increases and the quality of water is enhanced.     

Lime peel extract induced NiFe2O4 NPs: Synthesis to applications and oxidative stress mechanism for anticancer,antibiotic activity

Nanobiotechnology, joined with green science, has incredible potential for the advancement of novel and important products that benefit human health, climate, and industries. Green chemistry of materials from synthesis to diverse biomedical applications is a talk of town in today’s sustainable ideal world. Green synthesized nickel ferrites nanoparticles via biogenic lime peel extract (LPE) are investigated with precision and complete trail has been reported as multiple efficacies. The fcc crystal structure with the crystallite size (31 nm) were accessed by the XRD, magnetic properties using VSM, and FTIR for the functional group analysis of NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles mediated by Lime peel extract (NiFe₂O₄@LPE NPs). From TEM and SEM analysis the average diameter of the NPs was observed in the range of 31–35 nm. In 3D view, the surface morphology was analyzed by the AFM. NiFe₂O₄@LPE NPs were used to assess cytotoxicity and cellular morphological alterations in In Vitro cervical cancerous cells (HeLa). Nanosized NiFe₂O₄@LPE accompanied the considerable NPs topology induced dose dependent MMP in HeLa cells unlike the previous interpretation of controlled metabolism anticancer activity for HeLa cancerous cells. Therefore, it is referred by oxidative stress and reduction phenomena for anticancer effects and inactivation of carcinogen. Moreover, Antioxidant DPPH radical scavenging method and antibacterial Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus activity were observed in the synthesized nickel ferrites NPs.     

Chimie douce preparation of CuxZn3−xV2O7(OH)2·yH2O isostructural to trigonal zinc pyrovanadate

New Cu_xZn_3−xV₂O₇(OH)₂·yH₂O (0 < x ≤ 1.5) isostructural to zinc pyrovanadate Zn₃V₂O₇(OH)₂·2H₂O, were successfully prepared by using a chimie douce technique. The method consists in mixing zinc nitrate and copper nitrate with a boiling solution of vanadium oxide (obtained by reacting V₂O₅ with few millilitres of 30 vol.% H₂O₂ followed by addition of distilled water). When ammonium hydroxide NH₄OH 10% was added (pH ≈ 6), a precipitate was obtained. Using powder X-ray diffraction data, the crystal structures of as-prepared samples were determined by Rietveld refinement. Copper substitutes zinc in the zinc pyrovanadate lattice and is found to introduce distortion in the structure, which is mainly due to the Jahn–Teller effect. Distortion becomes more pronounced when the amount of copper is increased. This restricts the amount of copper which can be incorporated in the hexagonal zinc pyrovanadate lattice.     

Enhanced catalytic activity of composites of NiFe2O4 and nano cellulose derived from waste biomass for the mitigation of organic pollutants

This study reports facile in situ synthesis of magnetically retrievable nanocomposites of nanocellulose (derived from waste biomass) and NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles using hydrothermal method. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques such as FT-IR, powder XRD, HR-TEM, BET and VSM. The characterization of nanocomposites clearly revealed that NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were well dispersed on the surface of cellulose nanofibres. The catalytic performance of the synthesized nanocomposites was assessed for both the photocatalytic oxidation and reduction of organic pollutants. The prepared nanocomposites displayed excellent catalytic performance in comparison to pristine NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles due to stabilization and increased dispersability of NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles on the cellulose matrix. The present work promotes the use of bio based renewable sources to fabricate environment friendly materials to be used in the field of catalysis for the abatement of organic pollutants.     

Nd6Li(BO3)3O4F2: A novel neodymium oxyborate fluoride containing two-dimensional Nd layers

Crystal of a new neodymium oxyborate fluoride Nd₆Li(BO₃)₃O₄F₂ was grown by the flux method. Its structure, determined by single crystal x-ray diffraction, belongs to the space group C2/c with cell parameters of a = 12.0629(2) Å, b = 6.94650(10) Å, c = 16.0528(3) Å, β = 104.5360(10)°. In the structure, Nd atoms coordinate to oxygen or fluorine atoms to yeild 7 or 8 coordinated Nd(O,F)n polyhedra. Those polyhedra are edge-shared to form a double layer of (Nd₁₂O₂₃F₄)^14? fluorite blocks. The blocks are linked by oxygen atoms of planar BO₃ groups in the c direction into a 3-dimensional network. Another novel element in the structure is that Li coordinates to 6 oxygen atoms from three BO₃ groups forming a propeller like arrangement, and theoretical calculation shows that such arrangement should give 3/4 that of BO₃ contribution to second harmonic effect. The crystal shows deep violet color with typical Nd³⁺ optical absorption and a UV transmission cut-off of 260 nm.     

Formation of nano-crystalline quartz crystals from ZnO/MgO/Al2O3/TiO2/ZrO2/SiO2 glasses

Glasses with the compositions 50.9 SiO₂ · 20.8 Al₂O₃ · (20.8 ? x) MgO· × ZnO · 3.7 TiO₂ · 3.7 ZrO₂ with x = 0, 2.3, 4.6 and 9.3 were annealed at temperatures in the range from 850 to 1100 °C. Depending on temperature, high- or low-quartz solid solutions, magnesium aluminosilicate, mullit and spinel precipitated. These glass–ceramics exhibit excellent mechanical properties and are potential candidates for applications in micromechanics or as hard disc substrate.The larger the ZnO concentration, the lower is the glass transition temperature. Also microhardnesses and Young’s moduli increased with increasing ZnO concentration. The nucleation temperature was of minor importance. To achieve good mechanical properties, the initially formed high-quartz phase must transform to the corresponding low-quartz phase. This occurs if the quartz phase contains only minor MgO or ZnO concentrations, which can be achieved by increasing the annealing times or temperature. Then MgO, ZnO and Al₂O₃ occur as separate spinel or gahnite phase.     

Optical,piezoelectric and mechanical properties of xylenol orange doped ADP single crystals for NLO applications

Single crystals of pure and xylenol orange (XO; C₃₁H₃₂N₂O₁₃S) dye doped (0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mol%) ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP; NH₄H₂PO₄) were grown by slow evaporation method with the vision to improve the properties of pure ammonium dihydrogen phosphate crystal. The theoretical morphology of the grown crystals was drawn using Bravais–Friedel–Donnay–Harker (BFDH) law. The selective nature of xylenol orange dye to selectively stain the particular growth sectors of ADP crystal was studied. The structural analysis of as grown crystals was carried out using powder XRD study. The identification of the functional groups present in the ADP material was done using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The linear optical study on pure and dye doped crystals was carried out using UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy. The optical band gap, extinction coefficient, refractive index and optical conductivity were calculated using the transmittance spectra for all the samples. In photoluminescence studies, the blue emission intensity got quenched and an orange emission at 597 nm was seen as a result of XO doping. The thermal stability and decomposition temperature of ADP crystal were found to decrease as an effect of dye doping. The piezoelectric charge coefficient, SHG conversion efficiency, mechanical strength and wettability were also enhanced as a result of XO dye doping.     

Microstructure,magnetic properties and exchange–coupling interactions for one-dimensional hard/soft ferrite nanofibers

SrFe₁₂O₁₉ (SFO)/Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ (NZFO) composite ferrite nanofibers with diameters about 120 nm have been prepared by the electrospinning and calcination process. The SFO/NZFO composite ferrites are formed after calcined at 700 °C for 2 h and the composite nanofibers with various mass ratios obtained at 900 °C are fabricated from NZFO grains about 16–40 nm and SFO grains of 19–45 nm with a uniform phase distribution. With the SFO ferrite content increasing, the coercivity (H_c) and remanence (M_r) for the composite ferrite nanofibers initially increase, reaching maximum values of 379.8 kA/m (297 K) and 242.2 kA/m (77 K), 39.1 Am²/kg (297 K) and 53.5 Am²/kg (77 K), respectively, at a mass ratio (SFO:NZFO) of 4, and then show a reduction tendency with a further increase of the mass ratio. This enhancement in magnetic properties is attributed to the competition of the exchange–coupling interaction and the dipolar interaction in the composite nanofibers.     

The improved photocatalytic properties of P-type NiO loaded porous TiO2 sheets prepared via freeze tape-casting

For the interest of the practical application, porous TiO₂ sheets were prepared by a novel freeze tape-casting method, in order to improve the photocatalytic activities of these TiO₂ sheets, p-type NiO was loaded by chemical solution deposition. The samples were characterized by a series of physical means, including XRD, SEM, EDS, XPS, ICP-OES, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange solution. The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂ sheet was greatly enhanced by the NiO loading, and the photocatalytic efficiency increased with increasing the NiO loading, the extraordinary performance for the NiO-loaded sample with 0.1 M precursor dipped was related to its unique morphology. The sample annealed at 600 °C showed the better photocatalytic activity than the sample annealed at 400 °C and 800 °C. The improvement of the photocatalytic activity was attributed to the formation of p–n junctures at the interface of the NiO/TiO₂, which facilitates the photoinduced electron/hole pairs' separation by the inner electric field, thus leading to the higher photocatalytic activities for the NiO-loaded TiO₂ sheets.     

Synthesis of highly active visible-light-driven colloidal silver orthophosphate

The present study deals with the synthesis of highly uniform and spherical visible-light-driven colloidal silver phosphate (Ag₃PO₄) with the size of ～200 nm. These colloidal particles showed excellent photocatalytic activity for the removal of different dyes and pesticide under sunlight-type excitation. The photocatalytic activity of these particles, obtained by colloidal method, was found to be much higher than silver phosphate obtained by precipitation method, or titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide under identical conditions. The effect of catalyst amount and recyclability on the photocatalytic response of Ag₃PO₄ was also investigated.     

Nanorods of transition metal oxalates: A versatile route to the oxide nanoparticles

A versatile route has been explored for the synthesis of nanorods of transition metal (Cu, Ni, Mn, Zn, Co and Fe) oxalates using reverse micelles. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the as-prepared nanorods of nickel and copper oxalates have diameter of 250 nm and 130 nm while the length is of the order of 2.5 μm and 480 nm, respectively. The aspect ratio of the nanorods of copper oxalate could be modified by changing the solvent. The average dimensions of manganese, zinc and cobalt oxalate nanorods were 100 μm, 120 μm and 300 nm, respectively, in diameter and 2.5 μm, 600 nm and 6.5 μm, respectively, in length. The aspect ratio of the cobalt oxalate nanorods could be modified by controlling the temperature.The nanorods of metal (Cu, Ni, Mn, Zn, Co and Fe) oxalates were found to be suitable precursors to obtain a variety of transition metal oxide nanoparticles. Our studies show that the grain size of CuO nanoparticles is highly dependent on the nature of non-polar solvent used to initially synthesize the oxalate rods. All the commonly known manganese oxides could be obtained as pure phases from the single manganese oxalate precursor by decomposing in different atmospheres (air, vacuum or nitrogen). The ZnO nanoparticles obtained from zinc oxalate rods are ～55 nm in diameter. Oxides with different morphology, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles faceted (cuboidal) and Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (spherical) could be obtained.     

Thermodynamic properties of two zinc borates: 3ZnO·3B2O3·3.5H2O and 6ZnO·5B2O3·3H2O

Two pure zinc borates with microporous structure 3ZnO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O and 6ZnO·5B₂O₃·3H₂O have been synthesized and characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TG techniques and chemical analysis. The molar enthalpies of solution of 3ZnO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O(s) and 6ZnO·5B₂O₃·3H₂O(s) in 1 mol · dm⁻³ HCl(aq) were measured by microcalorimeter at T = 298.15 K, respectively. The molar enthalpies of solution of ZnO(s) in the mixture solvent of 2.00 cm³ of 1 mol · dm⁻³ HCl(aq) in which 5.30 mg of H₃BO₃ were added were also measured. With the incorporation of the previously determined enthalpy of solution of H₃BO₃(s) in 1 mol · dm⁻³ HCl(aq), together with the use of the standard molar enthalpies of formation for ZnO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpies of formation of −(6115.3 ± 5.0) kJ · mol⁻¹ for 3ZnO·3B₂O₃·3.5H₂O and −(9606.6 ± 8.5) kJ · mol⁻¹ for 6ZnO·5B₂O₃·3H₂O at T = 298.15 K were obtained on the basis of the appropriate thermochemical cycles.     

Ruthenium and chromium complexes bearing pH-indicators as the η6-arene ligand: Synthesis,characterization, and protonation behavior

A series of ruthenium and chromium complexes bearing pH indicators as the η⁶-arene ligand, (η⁶-X)(ML_n)_y [X = methyl yellow, crystal violet lactone, phenolphthalein; ML_n = RuCp¹⁺, RuCl₂(L), Cr(CO)₃; y = 1, 2] is prepared and characterized by spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. Of the plural arene rings in the indicators, a specific arene ring can be successfully coordinated to the metal center in a selective manner under appropriate conditions (i.e. use of the precursors of different oxidation states and reaction with the non-protonated and protonated pH indicator). The obtained indicator complexes show halochromic behavior depending on pH as observed for the parent molecules but the transition pH ranges are shifted to the more acidic side because of the attachment of the electron-withdrawing metal fragments, which decrease the basicity of the attached pH indicators.     

Mesoporous TiO2−xAy (A = N,S) as a visible-light-response photocatalyst

Mesoporous TiO_2?xA_y (A = N, S) thin films were fabricated using thiourea as a doping resource by a combination of sol-gel and evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) processes. The results showed that thiourea could serve two functions of co-doping nitrogen and sulfur and changing the mesoporous structure of TiO₂ thin films. The resultant mesoporous TiO_2?xA_y (A = N, S) exhibited anatase framework with a high porosity and a narrow pore distribution. The formation of the O–Ti–N and O–Ti–S bonds in the mesoporous TiO_2?xA_y (A = N, S) were substantiated by the XPS spectra. A new bandgap in visible light region (520 nm) corresponding to 2.38 eV could be formed by the co-doping. After being illuminated for 3 h, methyl orange could be degraded nearly completely by the co-doped sample under both ultraviolet irradiation and visible light illumination. While pure mesoporous TiO₂ could only degrade 60% methyl orange under UV illumination and showed negligible photodegradation capability in the visible light range. Furthermore, the photo-induced hydrophilic activity of TiO₂ film was improved by the co-doping. The mesoporous microstructure and high visible light absorption could be attributed to their good photocatalytic acitivity and hydrophilicity.     

X-ray and infrared spectrum on metal complexes with indolecarboxylic acids: Part V. Catena-poly[{aqua(η2-indole-3-propionato-O,O′)zinc}-η2-:-μ-indole-3-propionato-O,O′:-O]

The catena-poly[{aqua(η²-indole-3-propionato-O,O′)zinc}-η²-:-μ-indole-3-propionato-O,O′:-O], [Zn(I3PA)₂(H₂O)]_n was prepared and characterized by infrared spectroscopy and X-ray structure determination. The crystals are monoclinic, space group Pc, with a = 21.380(2), b = 5.9076(7), c = 8.1215(9) Å, V = 1020.2(2) Å³ and Z = 2. The central zinc atom shows the coordination distorted from ideal octahedral. Each zinc centre is coordinated by two oxygen atoms of the bidentate chelating indole-3-propionato (I3PA), two oxygen atoms tridentate chelating-bridging I3PA, water molecule and one oxygen atom tridentate chelating-bridging I3PA from an adjacent [Zn(I3PA)₂(H₂O)] unit. The infrared spectrum of [Zn(I3PA)₂(H₂O)]_n in the solid state is supported by X-ray analysis. The theoretical wavenumbers and infrared intensities have been calculated by the density functional methods (B3LYP and mPW1PW) with the 6-311++G(d,p)/LanL2DZ basis sets. The theoretical wavenumbers, infrared intensities show a good agreement with experimental data. Detailed band assignment has been made on the basis of the calculated potential energy distribution (PED).     

Fabrication and magnetic properties of electrospun copper ferrite (CuFe2O4) nanofibers

Tetragonal copper ferrite (CuFe₂O₄) nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning method using a solution that contained poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and Cu and Fe nitrates as alternative metal sources. The as-spun and calcined CuFe₂O₄/PVP composite samples were characterized by TG-DTA, X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, and SEM, respectively. After calcination of the as-spun CuFe₂O₄/PVP composite nanofibers (fiber size of 89 ± 12 nm in diameter) at 500 °C in air for 2 h, CuFe₂O₄ nanofibers of 66 ± 13 nm in diameter having well-developed tetragonal structure were successfully obtained. The crystal structure and morphology of the nanofibers were influenced by the calcination temperature. After calcination at 600 and 700 °C, the nature of nanofibers changed which was possibly due to the reorganization of the CuFe₂O₄ structure at high temperature, and a fiber structure of packed particles or crystallites was prominent. Crystallite size of the nanoparticles contained in nanofibers increases from 7.9 to 23.98 nm with increasing calcination temperature between 500 and 700 °C. Room temperature magnetization results showed a ferromagnetic behavior of the calcined CuFe₂O₄ samples, having their specific saturation magnetization (M_s) values of 17.73, 20.52, and 23.98 emu/g for the samples calcined at 500, 600, and 700 °C, respectively.     

Heat capacities,third-law entropies and thermodynamic functions of the geometrically frustrated antiferromagnetic spinels GeCo2O4 and GeNi2O4 from T=(0 to 400) K

The molar heat capacities of GeCo₂O₄ and GeNi₂O₄, two geometrically frustrated spinels, have been measured in the temperature range from T=(0.5 to 400) K. Anomalies associated with magnetic ordering occur in the heat capacities of both compounds. The transition in GeCo₂O₄ occurs at T=20.6 K while two peaks are found in the heat capacity of GeNi₂O₄, both within the narrow temperature range between 11.4<(T/K)<12.2. Thermodynamic functions have been generated from smoothed fits of the experimental results. At T=298.15 K the standard molar heat capacities are (143.44 ± 0.14) J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹ for GeCo₂O₄ and (130.76 ± 0.13) J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹ for GeNi₂O₄. The standard molar entropies at T=298.15 K for GeCo₂O₄ and GeNi₂O₄ are (149.20 ± 0.60) J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹ and (131.80 ± 0.53) J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹ respectively. Above 100 K, the heat capacity of the cobalt compound is significantly higher than that of the nickel compound. The excess heat capacity can be reasonably modeled by the assumption of a Schottky contribution arising from the thermal excitation of electronic states associated with the CO²⁺ ion in a cubic crystal field. The splittings obtained, 230 cm⁻¹ for the four-fold-degenerate first excited state and 610 cm⁻¹ for the six-fold degenerate second excited state, are significantly lower than those observed in pure CoO.