Structural, optical and photocatalytic studies of Fe doped ZnS nanoparticles

Fe doped ZnS nanoparticles (Zn_1?xFe_xS; where x = 0.00, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.10) were synthesized by a chemical precipitation method. The synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, ultraviolet–visible and photoluminescence spectrometer. The X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope studies show that the size of crystallites is in the range of 2–10 nm. Photocatalytic activities of ZnS and 3, 5 and 10 mol% Fe doped ZnS were evaluated by decolorization of methylene blue in aqueous solution under ultraviolet and visible light irradiation. It was found that the Fe doped ZnS bleaches methylene blue much faster than the undoped ZnS upon its exposure to the visible light as compared to ultraviolet light. The optimal Fe/Zn ratio was observed to be 3 mol% for photocatalytic applications.     

Role of bio-derived zinc oxide nanoparticles in antifungal and photocatalytic activities

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are known as a material in the treatment of environmental pollutions. In this study, ZnO-NPs were synthesized using...     

Structural,optical, electrical,and photocatalytic properties of manganese doped zinc oxide nanocrystals

Manganese-doped and undoped ZnO nanocrystals were synthesized via wet-chemical methods. The structure, physico-chemical, electrical and optical properties of the as-prepared products were characterized by using the X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PLS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The photocatalytic activity of Mn-doped ZnO nanocrystal (mixed phases) has been examined under the visible-irradiation by using photocatalytic oxidation of rhodamine B (RhB) dye as a model reaction, and compared with that of known system such as pure ZnO nanocrystal (single-phase). The results showed that Mn doped ZnO nanocrystals bleaches RhB much faster than undoped ZnO upon its exposure to the visible light. The enhancement of the photocatalytic activity was discussed as an effect due to the Mn doping in the Mn-doped ZnO semiconductors, which shifts the optical absorption edge to the visible region and alters the electron-hole pair separation conditions. These factors are responsible for the higher photocatalytic performance of Mn/ZnO composites.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of low-dimensional cobalt-doped zinc oxide with different crystal shapes

The glycoxide complexes Zn_1–x Co _x (HCOO)(HOCH₂CH₂O)_1/2 and Zn_1−x Co _x (OCH₂CH₂O) (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) have been synthesized by heating ethylene glycol solutions of zinc formate Zn(HCOO)₂ · 2H₂O or its mixtures with cobalt formate Co(HCOO)₂ · 2H₂O. The crystals of these complexes have the shape of filaments (needles, bars) and distorted octahedra, respectively. A new method in which these complexes are used as the precursor is suggested for the synthesis of low-dimensional wurtzite-like Zn_1−x Co _x O. The shape of the precursor crystals is fully inherited by Zn_1−x Co _x O resulting from their heat treatment. The Zn_1−x Co _x O solid solutions show high photocatalytic activity in hydroquinone oxidation in aqueous solution under UV or blue light irradiation, and their activity increases as their cobalt content is increased.     

WO3纳米颗粒修饰ZnO纳米管的光催化性能

二甲四氯钠(MCPA-Na)是一种广泛用于牧场和果园的除草剂,但由于其生物降解性极低,已成为地下水和浅水中的主要污染物.研究发现,半导体可以有效地辅助降解转化危险化学品.ZnO纳米管因其中空结构和较大的比表面积,而在光催化降解有机物方面备受关注.但是,ZnO只能吸收紫外光,如果将其与窄带隙半导体进行复合,可以有效降低带隙,增强其在可见光区域的光吸收,表现出更好的光催化性能.WO3是一种具有稳定物理化学性质及耐光腐蚀窄带隙半导体.采用WO3修饰ZnO纳米管,能扩展ZnO吸收光的范围以及提高ZnO纳米管的耐光腐蚀性能.本文首先通过电化学合成的方法制备了ZnO纳米管,然后按照不同的W/Zn摩尔比将(NH4)6H2W12O40·XH2O滴加在纳米管表面,并在450 ℃下退火2 h制得ZnO-WO3纳米管阵列.研究了不同WO3含量的ZnO-WO3纳米管光催化降解MCPA-Na性能,并且通过X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、傅里叶红外光谱仪(FTIR)、紫外可见光谱(UV-Vis)和光致发光光谱(PL)等手段研究了复合WO3纳米颗粒后ZnO纳米管半导体光催化性能提高的原因.XPS结果表明,W元素在ZnO-WO3纳米管阵列中以W6+的形式存在.FTIR结果表明,复合WO3后的ZnO-WO3复合半导体上比纯ZnO纳米管表面具有更多的OH-基团.由于OH-可以捕获光生空穴,并转化为具有反应活性的●OH自由基,因此复合WO3能在一定程度上提高ZnO纳米管的光催化活性.UV-Vis结果表明,WO3的复合使得光谱发生明显红移,但随着WO3含量的增加,ZnO-WO3的吸光度明显增加.另外,PL结果表明,适当的复合WO3可以抑制光生电子-空穴的复合.这是因为W6+和晶格氧的相互作用产生了较高不饱和键和表面缺陷,而表面缺陷可以作为光生载流子的陷阱,促进了光生电子和空穴的分离,因而光催化性能提高.在模拟太阳光下研究了不同WO3含量的ZnO纳米管对光催化降解MCPA-Na溶液的性能.发现W/Zn摩尔比为3%的ZnO-WO3样品表现出最好的光催化活性,200 min内其降解率为98.5%.与纯ZnO纳米管相比,其光催化循环性能也有所提高.利用Mott-Schottky测试方法并结合UV-vis结果,我们计算得到不同WO3含量的ZnO-WO3复合半导体导带价带位置.由于WO3导带位置和价带位置都比ZnO的更高,WO3上产生的光生电子会向ZnO的导带移动,而ZnO光生空穴向WO3的价带移动,从而促使光生电子和空穴的分离,提高了光催化性能.但是如果WO3复合的量太大,则在ZnO纳米管上分散性不好,反而成为光生空穴和电子复合中心,导致其光催化活性降低.     

Synthesis of nanocomposite materials based on cobalt-doped tin oxide and study of their physicochemical properties

Coprecipitation followed by sintering were used to synthesize nanocomposite materials in the CoO–SnO₂ system under various conditions. The crystal structure, morphology, chemical and phase transformations of the materials were examined. The specific capacity of the materials was determined in their possible use as electrode materials for supercapacitors.     

Structural,optical and photocatalytic applications of biosynthesized NiO nanocrystals

NiO is one of the most important candidates for semiconductors metal oxide nanocrystals by the arrangement of photocatalytic application. However, the photocatalytic performance of biosynthesized nanocrystals using Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R. Dahlgren has not been investigated yet. In this contribution, we synthesize α-Ni(OH)₂ using an A. linearis. A heat treatment of the α-Ni(OH)₂ is carried out at 300–400°C for 2?h at normal air yields. Furthermore, we have characterized the structural, optical and photocatalytic activity of the samples. The optical results indicate that biosynthesized nanocrystals exhibit UV–visible light absorption and a narrow range distribution of intense green light (518.95?nm) emission, which decreases significantly as annealing temperature increases. The bandgap energies of the sample annealed at 300–400°C shift to lower photon energy, compared to bulk NiO (～ 4?eV). Moreover, the photocatalytic experimental results reveal that NiO nanocrystals enable color switching of methylene blue.     

Structural,optical and photocatalytic activity of cerium doped zinc aluminate

Zinc aluminate and cerium-doped zinc aluminate nanoparticles are synthesised by co-precipitation method. Ammonium hydroxide is used as a precipitating agent. The synthesised compounds are characterised by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Ultraviolet diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Surface area measurements. The photocatalytic activity of zinc aluminate and cerium doped zinc aluminate nanoparticles are studied under the UV light and visible light taking methylene blue as a model pollutant. The amount of catalyst, concentration of dye solution and time are optimised under UV-light. Degradation of methylene blue under the UV-light is found to be 99% in 20 min with 10 mg of cerium doped catalyst. Compared to visible light degradation, the degradation of dye under UV-light is higher. Cerium doping in zinc aluminate (ZnAl₂O₄:Ce³⁺) increased the photocatalytic activity of zinc aluminate.     

Preparation, phase transformation and photocatalytic activities of cerium-doped mesoporous titania nanoparticles

Cerium-doped mesoporous TiO₂ nanoparticles with high surface area and thermal stable anatase wall were synthesized via hydrothermal process in a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)/Ti(SO₄)₂/Ce(NO₃)₄/H₂O system. The obtained materials were characterized by XRD, FESEM, HRTEM, FTIR spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption and DRS spectra. Experimental results indicated that the doping of cerium not only increased the surface area of mesoporous TiO₂ nanoparticles, but also inhibited the mesopores collapse and the anatase-to-rutile phase transformation. Moreover, the undoped, doped anatase mesoporous nanoparticles exhibit higher photocatalytic activity than commercial photocatalyst (Degussa, P25), but the maximum photodegradation rate corresponds to the undoped mesoporous TiO₂ nanoparticles. The lower photocatalytic activities of cerium-doped samples compared with undoped one may be ascribed to that the doped cerium partially blocks titania's surface sites available for the photodegradation and absorption of Rhodamine B (RB).     

Biogenic fabrication of silver nanoparticles,oxidative dissolution and antimicrobial activities

Metallic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared by using Foeniculum vulgare Mill seeds extract. The silver nitrate was used as silver precursor in an aqueous solution. The photooxidative dissolution of AgNPs with persulfate (K₂S₂O₈) under UV light was investigated. Effects of initial concentration of K₂S₂O₈, AgNPs, initial solution pH, and temperature were studied on dissolution of AgNPs. The 100% AgNPs dissolution was achieved in 60 min under typical conditions (pH = 4.0, 1.2 mM K₂S₂O₈, and 30 ⁰C). The experimental results showed higher temperature brought faster dissolution rate, and the activation energy was 65.2 kJ/mol. The effects of ethanol, tertiary butanol, and nitrobenzene were studied to establish the role of SO₄^? and HO radical species. AgNPs dissolution was inhibited by Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, and NO₃^? ions. Staphylococcus auerus (s. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) were the effective human pathogens against the AgNPs. The lag phase, growth kinetics, minimum bactericidal concentration, death rate, and antimicrobial efficacy depend on the concentration of AgNPs.     

Effect of precursor sol pH on microstructural, optical and photocatalytic properties of vacuum annealed zinc tin oxide thin films on glass

Dip coated vacuum annealed zinc tin oxide thin films on soda lime silica glass have been deposited from the precursor sols containing zinc acetate dihydrate and tin (IV) chloride pentahydrate (Zn:Sn = 67:33, atomic ratio in percentage) in 2-methoxy ethanol by varying sol pH (0.85–5.5). Crystallinity, morphology, optical and photocatalytic properties of the films strongly depend on sol pH. Measurement of grazing incidence X-ray diffraction confirms the presence of hexagonal nano ZnO in the films derived from the sols of pH < 5.5. Film crystallinity deteriorates on increasing sol pH and the film deposited from the sol of pH 5.5 shows XRD amorphous but the selected area diffraction pattern and HRTEM image evidence the presence of nano Zn₂SnO₄ (size, 5–6 nm). Direct band gap energy of films increases on increasing sol pH. To visualize the film surface microstructure, FESEM study has been done and a rod-like surface feature is revealed in the film deposited from the sol of pH 2.85. A dependence of precursor sol pH on the photocatalytic activity of films towards degradation of Rhodamine 6G dye under UV (254 nm) irradiation is found and the highest decomposition rate constant, ‘k’ value is obtained from the film prepared from the sol of pH 5.5. The presence of zinc deficient nano Zn₂SnO₄ in the film may consider for generating the highest ‘k’ value. We also measure gelling time, viscosity of sols as well as UV and FTIR studies on the films and propose chemical reactions.     

Synthesis of cobalt-doped ZnO/rGO nanoparticles with visible-light photocatalytic activity through a cobalt-induced electrochemical method

ZnO is a semiconductor photocatalyst widely applied in photodegradation of organic pollutants and in photoelectric conversion. ZnO exhibits low photocatalytic activity due to poor absorption in the visible region. In this work, a novel cobalt-induced electrochemical growth method was developed to synthesize cobalt-doped ZnO/rGO nanoparticles in an aqueous solution at room temperature. Cobalt-doped ZnO/rGO nanoparticles exhibited wider visible-light absorption band ranging from 400 nm to 700 nm due to cobalt doping. The surface structure of ZnO formed by the cobalt-induced electrochemical method without other ions is suitable for photocatalytic reactions. The cobalt-doped ZnO/rGO nanoparticles were found to exhibit in photodegradation and photo-electrochemical measurements and exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation.     

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of cobalt-doped CeO2 nanorods

In this paper, CeO₂ and cobalt-doped CeO₂ nanorods synthesized by surfactant free co-precipitation method. The microstructures of the synthesized products were characterized by XRD, FESEM and TEM. The structural properties of the grown nanorods have been investigated using electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction. High resolution transmission electron microscopy studies show the polycrystalline nature of the Co-doped cerium oxide nanorods with a length of about 300?nm and a diameter of about 10?nm were produced. The X-ray Photoelectron spectrum confirms the presence of cobalt in cerium oxide nanorods. From BET, the specific surface area of the CeO₂ (Co-doped) nanostructures (131 m²?g^??) is found to be significantly higher than that of pure CeO₂ (52 m²?g^??). The Co-doped cerium nanorods exhibit an excellent photocatalytic performance in rapidly degrading azodyes acid orange 7 (AO7) in aqueous solution under UV illumination.     

Silver nanoparticles: green synthesis and their antimicrobial activities

This review presents an overview of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) preparation by green synthesis approaches that have advantages over conventional methods involving chemical agents associated with environmental toxicity. Green synthetic methods include mixed-valence polyoxometallates, polysaccharide, Tollens, irradiation, and biological. The mixed-valence polyoxometallates method was carried out in water, an environmentally-friendly solvent. Solutions of AgNO(3) containing glucose and starch in water gave starch-protected Ag NPs, which could be integrated into medical applications. Tollens process involves the reduction of Ag(NH(3))(2)(+) by saccharides forming Ag NP films with particle sizes from 50-200 nm, Ag hydrosols with particles in the order of 20-50 nm, and Ag colloid particles of different shapes. The reduction of Ag(NH(3))(2)(+) by HTAB (n-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide) gave Ag NPs of different morphologies: cubes, triangles, wires, and aligned wires. Ag NPs synthesis by irradiation of Ag(+) ions does not involve a reducing agent and is an appealing procedure. Eco-friendly bio-organisms in plant extracts contain proteins, which act as both reducing and capping agents forming stable and shape-controlled Ag NPs. The synthetic procedures of polymer-Ag and TiO(2)-Ag NPs are also given. Both Ag NPs and Ag NPs modified by surfactants or polymers showed high antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The mechanism of the Ag NP bactericidal activity is discussed in terms of Ag NP interaction with the cell membranes of bacteria. Silver-containing filters are shown to have antibacterial properties in water and air purification. Finally, human and environmental implications of Ag NPs to the ecology of aquatic environment are briefly discussed.     

Synthesis of tin and tin oxide nanoparticles of low size dispersity for application in gas sensing

Nanocomposite core-shell particles that consist of a Sn0 core surrounded by a thin layer of tin oxides have been prepared by thermolysis of [(Sn(NMe2)2)2] in anisole that contains small, controlled amounts of water. The particles were characterized by means of electronic microscopies (TEM, HRTEM, SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies, photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The TEM micrographs show spherical nanoparticles, the size and size distribution of which depends on the initial experimental conditions of temperature, time, water concentration, and tin precursor concentration. Nanoparticles of 19 nm median size and displaying a narrow size distribution have been obtained with excellent yield in the optimized conditions. HRTEM, XPS, XRD and Mossbauer studies indicate the composite nature of the particles that consist of a well-crystallized tin beta core of approximately equals 11 nm covered with a layer of approximately equals 4 nm of amorphous tin dioxide and which also contain quadratic tin monoxide crystallites. The thermal oxidation of this nanocomposite yields well-crystallized nanoparticles of SnO2* without coalescence or size change. XRD patterns show that the powder consists of a mixture of two phases: the tetragonal cassiterite phase, which is the most abundant, and an orthorhombic phase. In agreement with the small SnO2 particle size, the relative intensity of the adsorbed dioxygen peak observed on the XPS spectrum is remarkable, when compared with that observed in the case of larger SnO2 particles. This is consistent with electrical conductivity measurements, which demonstrate that this material is highly sensitive to the presence of a reducing gas such as carbon monoxide.     

Facile synthesis of tin oxide nanoparticles stabilized by dendritic polymers

Tin(IV) oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via the reaction of carbon dioxide with stannate ions immobilized by dendritic polymers. For PAMAM and PPI dendrimer hosts, resultant nanoparticle diameters were 2.5-3 nm; 3-3.5 nm nanoparticles resulted from use of a poly(ethyleneimine) hyperbranched polymer. Our conditions represent the only precedent for SnO2 nanoparticulate growth using dendritic architectures, as well as a novel application for CO2 as a reactive gas for the controlled growth of metal oxide nanoparticles.     

Controlled synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles from a Zn(II) coordination polymer: Structural characterization,optical properties and photocatalytic activity

A zinc coordination polymer derived from pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate (PDC), {[Zn₂(PDC)₂]}_n, was successfully prepared via conventional, sonication and microwave-irradiation methods. The composition and characteristics of the obtained coordination polymers (CPs) were investigated by elemental analysis, TGA/DTA, X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques. The so obtained CPs were heat-treated in the air at 600 °C for 2 h to produce ZnO of nanosized particles (NPs). It is of interest to note that the synthesis approach of the precursor greatly affects both the nanoparticle size and the structure of the resulting ZnO NPs. Moreover, the smallest particle size was associated with the sample derived from the ultrasonically prepared precursor. TEM analysis revealed that all samples have sphere-like morphologies. Structural analysis of the prepared ZnO samples was conducted and compared using Rietveld analysis of their PXRD patterns. Optical band gap calculations based on analysis of the UV–vis spectra of ZnO samples using Tauc's power law were achieved. The highest band gap of 3.63 eV was observed for ZnO sample obtained from the ultrasonically prepared precursor. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of ZnO NPs for the removal of Eosin Y color was monitored. The highest removal efficiency was recorded for ZnO originated from the ultrasonically synthesized precursor. Enhancement of removal efficiency that reached 98% was attained in only a period of 8 min. Its recycling test showed that it can be reused without structural changes over four cycling experiments.     

Surfactant assisted zinc doped tin oxide nanoparticles for supercapacitor applications

Zinc doped tin oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by employing sol–gel method assisted with different surfactants namely cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), hexamine and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG-400). The synthesis of uniform distribution of spherical Zn-SnO₂ nanoparticles in presence of PEG-400 was optimized. The synthesized Zn-SnO₂ nanoparticles were characterized by employing standard characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction results confirmed the product high-quality crystalline formation. The photoluminescence peaks appeared at 360?nm revealed the recombination of electron and hole from band to band emission of SnO₂ optical properties. The vibrational properties of Zn-SnO₂ nanoparticles were confirmed by both Raman and infra red spectra. The spherical morphology and nano sized product was evident in 200?nm scale SEM images. The cyclic voltammetry result of the product Zn-SnO₂ assisted PEG-400 exhibited the specific capacitance value of 312.7?F/g at scan rate of 10?mV/s and revealed the superior electrochemical properties. Moreover, the EIS and GCD studies also revealed the good supercapacitor nature with specific capacitance of 132.1?F/g at current density of 1?A/g for the product Zn-SnO₂ (PEG-400).

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Diagrammatic representation of Zn doped SnO₂ synthesis by sol-gel method with enhanced specific capacitance of 132.1?F/g at 1?A/g for Zn-SnO₂ (PEG-400).