Synthesis, structural and photocatalytic studies of Mn-doped CdS nanoparticles

Mn-doped CdS nanoparticles (Cd_1?x Mn _x S; where x = 0.00–0.10) were synthesized by a chemical precipitation method. The synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and UV–Vis spectrometer. The XRD and TEM measurements show that the size of crystallites is in the range of 10–40 nm. Optical measurements indicated a red shift in the absorption band edge upon Mn doping. The direct allowed band gaps of undoped and Mn-doped CdS nanoparticles measured by UV–Vis spectrometer were 2.3 and 2.4 eV at 400 °C, respectively. Photocatalytic activities of CdS and Mn-doped CdS were evaluated by irradiating the solution to ultraviolet light and taking methyl orange (MO) as organic dye. It was found that 5 mol% Mn-doped CdS bleaches MO much faster than undoped CdS upon its exposure to the ultraviolet light. The experiment demonstrated that the photo-degradation efficiency of 5 mol% Mn-doped CdS was significantly higher than that of undoped CdS.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of Nd-doped ZnSe nanoparticles with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

In the present study, Nd³⁺-doped ZnSe nanoparticles with variable Nd contents were successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal process using Neodymium (III) chloride hexahydrate as the doping source. X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used for characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles. It was confirmed by the DRS analysis that both of the undoped and Nd-doped ZnSe samples had significant optical absorption in the visible light range. The photocatalytic performance of as-synthesized nanoparticles was investigated towards the decolorization of C. I. Acid Orange 7 solution under visible light irradiation. Results indicated that the loading of Nd dopant into ZnSe nanoparticles significantly enhanced the photocatalytic activity of pure ZnSe with increasing Nd loading up to 6 mol% (color removal efficiency of 24.31 % for ZnSe and 84.20 % for Nd_0.06Zn_0.94Se after 120 min of treatment) and then the photocatalytic activity began to decrease.     

Progress on phthalocyanine-conjugated Ag and Au nanoparticles: Synthesis,characterization, and photo-physicochemical properties

Phthalocyanine (Pc) complexes are an important class of dyes with numerous (e.g., biological, photophysical, and analytical) applications. Among the methods used to improve the properties of these complexes, one should mention the introduction of different substituents, variation of the central metal ion, ligand exchange, and conjugation to nanomaterials (e.g., carbon-based nanomaterials and metal nanoparticles (NPs)). This work briefly reviews Pc complex conjugation to Ag and Au NPs, highlights the different NP shapes, and discusses the diversity of conjugation approaches. Moreover, the use of UV–Vis spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to characterize Pc-NP hybrids is summarized. The effect of conjugation on Pc photo-physicochemical properties (fluorescence, singlet oxygen generation, triplet state formation, and optical limiting behavior) is discussed, and future perspectives for the synthesis and applications of new hybrids are provided.     

Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic properties of InVO4 nanoparticles

Nanosized InVO₄ with orthorhombic structure was successfully synthesized at a relatively low calcination temperature of 600 °C by using an amorphous heteronuclear complex as precursor. The photocatalytic activity of InVO₄ catalyst has been evaluated by the decomposition of formaldehyde (FAD) under UV light () and visible light irradiation (). The as-synthesized InVO₄ catalyst showed higher photocatalytic activity for the FAD decomposition compared to the sample prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction. The calculations of the electronic band structures indicated that the valence band was composed of the O 2p orbitals, whereas the conduction band was formed by the V 3d orbitals with a small contribution of the In 5s orbitals. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared sample is discussed on the basis of the electronic band structure and bulk material structure.     

Thermally Stimulated Luminescence in ZnSe:Ag and ZnSe:(Ag,Gd) Phosphors

With a view to understanding the luminescence mechanism in ZnSe, a systematic study of thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) of UV ray (3650 Å) irradiated ZnSe:Ag and ZnSe:(Ag, Gd) phosphors has been undertaken. TSL glow curves of these phosphors are recorded in the temperature range 110–340 K. The TSL parameters like trap depth, frequency factor, order of kinetics, and capture cross-section of the glow peaks are evaluated employing Cutie's method, various heating method, and peak shape method.     

Sn/Cu-TiO2 nanoparticles produced via sol-gel method: Synthesis,characterization, and photocatalytic activity

TiO₂ and Sn/Cu-TiO₂ nanoparticles with different Sn/Cu contents have been synthesized and characterized by different analysis methods such as XRD, TEM, and BET. Sn/Cu-TiO₂ was preferential to TiO₂ with 2,5-fold increase in photodegradation rate of different types of dyes such as methyl orange, methylene blue and methyl red. This activity was relevant to the influences of co-doping on the physicochemical properties and surface interfacial charge transfer mechanisms. An optimum synergetic effect was found for a mass ratio of Sn/TiO₂ equal to 0.75% and Cu/TiO₂ equal to 0.5%. The degradation reaction fit well to a Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model indicating the reaction rate is depended on initial adsorption step.     

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity studies of chitosan-coated tea polyphenols nanoparticles

Chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) were prepared by ionic gelation method using carboxymethyl chitosan and chitosan hydrochloride as carriers of tea polyphenols. The characteristics of chitosan-coated tea polyphenols nanoparticles (CS-TP NPs) were determined by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and FT-IR spectroscopy. It was found that the synthesized CS-TP NPs were non-spherical in shape with an average size of 407±50nm. Meanwhile, the drug content and encapsulation rate of the nanoparticles was 8-16% and 44-83%, respectively. These CS-TP NPs also demonstrated sustained release of tea polyphenols in PBS. The antitumor of CS-TP NPs towards HepG2 cancer cells was investigated. The result showed that CS-TP NPs retained significant antitumor activities.     

Synthesis,analytical characterization and bioactivity of Ag and Cu nanoparticles embedded in poly-vinyl-methyl-ketone films

The electrosynthesis of copper and silver core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) by the sacrificial anode technique, employing tetraoctylammonium (TOA) salts as base electrolyte for the first time, is described. These surfactants were selected because they combine high NP stabilizing power with useful disinfecting properties. The resulting colloids were mixed with a solution of an inert dispersing polymer and used to prepare nanostructured composite thin films. The morphologies and chemical compositions of the nanomaterials were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The TEM reveals that the average core diameter of the metal NPs ranges between 1.7 and 6.3 nm, as a function of the nature of the metal and of the electrosynthesis conditions, and does not change significantly upon inclusion in the polymer matrix. An appreciable concentration of the metal is detected on the nanoparticle surface by XPS. High-resolution XP spectra indicate that both copper and silver are present at zero oxidation state in all of the materials (colloids and composite films). This demonstrates the high efficiency of the surfactant at controlling the morphology and the chemical composition of the nanodispersed metal in both the as-synthesized colloid and in the polymeric dispersion. The nanocoatings are shown to exert a marked inhibitory effect on the growth of eukaryote and prokaryote target microrganisms, and experimental evidence of a synergic disinfecting effect due to the surfactant and the nanodispersed metal is provided. On the basis of these stability and bioactivity results, it is clear that Cu-NPs and Ag-NPs are suitable for application in disinfecting or antifouling paint and coating formulations.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at Dedicated to the memory of Wilhelm Fresenius     

Graphene nanosheets decorated with Pd,Pt,Au,and Ag nanoparticles:Synthesis,characterization,and catalysis applications

We report that noble metal nanopartcles (Pd,Pt,Au,and Ag) decorated-graphene nanosheets can be synthesized with the template of graphene oxide by a one-pot solution-based method.The resulting hybrid materials are characterized by transmission electronic microscopy,energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,scanning electronic microscopy,atomic force microscopy,X-ray diffraction,and Raman spectroscopy,which demonstrate that the metal nanoparticles have been uniformly deposited on the surfaces of graphene nanosheet...     

Synthesis, characterization and study of photocatalytic activity of surface modified ZnO nanoparticles by PEG capping

Nanoparticles of bare and PEG (Polyethylene glycol) capped zinc oxide (ZnO) were synthesized by precipitation method. The photocatalytic activity of bare and modified ZnO nanoparticles was studied by monitoring the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The results show that PEG capped ZnO nanoparticles has reduced photocatalytic activity than the bare ZnO nanoparticles. The reduction in the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) results also revealed the reduced photocatalytic activity of PEG capped ZnO. The UV-shielding property was evaluated by measuring the transmittance which shows that both bare and PEG capped ZnO nanoparticles possess good UV-shielding ability.     

Chemical synthesis, structural characterization, optical properties, and photocatalytic activity of ultrathin ZnSe nanorods

Ultrathin ZnSe nanorods in the cubic phase have been synthesized by the reaction of selenium and zinc oleate for 30 min at 240 °C. These nanorods showed an average diameter of 2.4 nm, which is much smaller than the Bohr size of bulk ZnSe. Thus, they exhibited a remarkable quantum size effect in terms of their optical properties. The formation of the ultrathin nanorods could be attributed to the oriented attachment mechanism, which was supported by the structure of the nanorods and the control experiments. The ultrathin nanorods were transferred into an aqueous solution by ligand exchange. The performance of these nanorods as a catalyst was examined, using the photodegradation of methyl orange as a model reaction. It was found that the ultrathin nanorods possessed better photocatalytic activities than conventional ones.     

Synthesis and characterization of Au and Ag nanoparticles protected by PAMAM and its derivative

1,8-naphthalimide-labelled polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM-N) was synthesized and used to stabilize Au and Ag nanoparticles, which were characterized by UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies, and transmission electron microscopy. The dimensions of Au and Ag nanoparticles protected by PAMAM-N were smaller and the size distribution was narrower when compared to those of polyamidoamine dendrimer. The presence of chromophore fragment (1,8-naphthalimide) allowed the fluorescent labeling of Au and Ag nanoparticles.     

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.     

Homogeneously distributed CdS nanoparticles in nafion membranes: preparation, characterization, and photocatalytic properties

Stable crystalline CdS nanoparticles were synthesized in Nafion ionomer membranes by using thioacetamide (TAA) as a nonionic precursor. Unlike the ionic precursors such as Na(2)S, TAA could diffuse into the cationic-exchangeable ionomer membranes much more uniformly. This led to the formation of homogeneously distributed CdS nanoparticles in the Nafion membranes, which was confirmed by elemental mapping with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDAX) analysis. Results from the characterizations on the physical properties, the chemical stability, and the photocatalytic properties of these CdS nanoparticles embedded in Nafion membranes are presented and discussed. The parallel data from the CdS nanoparticles in Nafion membranes prepared from the ionic Na(2)S precursor are also shown for comparison.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic performance of silica-modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Silica-modified titanium dioxides were prepared by a hydrothermal method and then characterized by XRD, FT-IR, XPS, TEM, and UV-visible spectroscopy. The silica-modified titanium dioxides were in anatase phase and had large surface areas. There was strong interaction between SiO2 and TiO2, and TiOSi bonds formed during the hydrothermal process. The addition of silica in TiO2 particles could effectively suppress the formation of the rutile phase and the growth of titanium dioxide crystals. DRS spectra proved an increase in the band-gap transition with the increase of silica. The silica-modified TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited better photocatalytic activity, which increased with the silica amount, in comparison with pure TiO2 nanoparticles. Due to better thermal stability, the photocatalytic activity of the silica-modified TiO2 sample held good photocatalytic activity even after calcined at 1273 K.     

Ag2S2O7/Ag2O纳米颗粒异质结构的制备及其太阳光全光谱光催化降解应用

Ag2O是优良的感光材料,很少作为光催化材料,而常被用作光催化材料的共催化剂.此外,由于Ag2O禁带宽度窄,且可有效吸收近红外光,因而不能用于全太阳光谱的光催化应用中.同时很少被用作NIR催化剂.本文中不仅研究了纳米Ag2O颗粒的UV-Vis光催化性能,而且还系统探究了其NIR光催化活性.由于在紫外线和可见光的照射下,Ag2O纳米颗粒易发生光还原失活,因而对Ag2O表面硫化处理,使其表面上生长Ag2S2O7层以形成Ag2S2O7/Ag2O异质结,探究了该异质结UV-Vis光催化活性及其光催化循环稳定性;同时,考察了其近红外光催化及其重复使用性能.利用沉淀法成功制备了Ag2O纳米颗粒,并通过在其表面部分硫化处理得到Ag2S2O7,成功构筑Ag2S2O7/Ag2O异质结构,并研究了该Ag2S2O7/Ag2O异质结构UV-Vis-NIR光催化降解有机污染物性能.研究表明,Ag2O纳米颗粒在光子能量较低的NIR照射条件下具有较强的光催化活性,但UV-Vis照射下,虽然Ag2O具有光催化活性,但易发生光还原生成单质银,降低其光催化稳定性;Ag2S2O7/Ag2O纳米异质结,虽然在UV-Vis-NIR范围内光催化活性略降于Ag2O,但稳定性显著提高,总体来看,Ag2S2O7/Ag2O异质结构在全光谱催化方面更具优势.这主要是由于Ag2O表面部分硫化得到的Ag2S2O7纳米颗粒,且二者之间能带匹配促进了光生载流子分离,同时Ag2O表面的Ag2S2O7颗粒直接吸收能量较高的UV-Vis,进而保护内部Ag2O,抑制了其自身还原,可显著提高Ag2S2O7/Ag2O异质结在UV-Vis-NIR催化活性及稳定性.实验结果分析表明,Ag2S2O7/Ag2O异质结纳米颗粒在UV-Vis-NIR条件下均具有稳定且高效的光催化活性,其主要原因为:(1)具有窄带隙的Ag2O可有效拓宽该异质结的光谱吸收;(2)Ag2S2O7/Ag2O异质结能带匹配可有效促使光生载流子分离;(3)Ag2O颗粒表面的Ag2S2O7纳米颗粒可有效提高Ag2S2O7/Ag2O异质结纳米颗粒的光化学稳定性,尤其是在UV-Vis条件下的化学稳定性.Ag2O纳米颗粒受到光照(UV-Vis-NIR)激发后产生电子-空穴对,由于Ag2S2O7与Ag2O能带位置的匹配,Ag2O导带的光生电子注入Ag2S2O7的导带;而Ag2S2O7价带的光生空穴注入Ag2O的价带.Ag2O表面的Ag2S2O7颗粒可有效捕捉电子,从而阻止Ag2O产生的电子-空穴对复合,进而提高光催化活性;同时当光子能量较高(UV以及部分短波长的Vis)时,Ag2O表面的Ag2S2O7颗粒直接吸收该部分光能,进而保护内部Ag2O发生自身还原,因此,Ag2S2O7/Ag2O异质结纳米颗粒在UV,Vis及NIR条件下均具有稳定且高效的光催化活性,在高效利用全光谱光催化降解有机污染物方面具有较大的潜力.     

Synthesis, characterization, and applications of dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticles

In this article we describe the synthesis, characterization, and applications of dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs). These materials are synthesized by a template approach in which metal ions are extracted into the interior of dendrimers and then subsequently chemically reduced to yield nearly size-monodisperse particles having dimensions of less than 3 nm. Monometallic, bimetallic (including core/shell), and semiconductor nanoparticles have been prepared by this route. The dendrimer component of these composites serves not only as a template for preparing the nanoparticle replica but also to stabilize the nanoparticle, makes it possible to tune solubility, and provides a means for immobilization of the nanoparticle on solid supports. These materials have a number of potential applications, but the focus here is on catalysis. Homogeneous catalytic reactions, including hydrogenations, Heck coupling, and Suzuki reactions, in water, organic solvents, biphasic fluorous/organic solvents, and liquid and supercritical CO2 are discussed. In many cases it is easy to recycle catalytic DENs. DENs can also be immobilized on supports, such as silica and titania, and used for heterogeneous catalysis. Bimetallic DENs are shown to have particularly interesting catalytic properties. In addition to a discussion of current progress in this field, a number of intriguing questions related to the properties and potential applications of these materials are examined.     

Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic properties of surface-modified, silver-doped ZnO

Hydrothermal synthesis of silver-doped modified ZnO was carried out in the presence of a surface modifier. The experimental conditions were maintained constant (ZnO = 4 M; T = 250 °C; P = autogenous; Solvent = 1 N HCl; Duration = 24 h). Caprylic acid was used as a surface modifier with varying concentration from 0.1 to 2 mL. The experiments were carried out with Ag doping from 1 to 5 wt%. Hydrophobic silver-doped ZnO modified with caprylic acid was subjected to a systematic characterization using powder XRD, SEM, FTIR, and photocatalytic properties using Indigo Carmine dye.     

High-surface-area catalyst design: Synthesis, characterization, and reaction studies of platinum nanoparticles in mesoporous SBA-15 silica

Platinum nanoparticles in the size range of 1.7-7.1 nm were produced by alcohol reduction methods. A polymer (poly(vinylpyrrolidone), PVP) was used to stabilize the particles by capping them in aqueous solution. The particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM investigations demonstrate that the particles have a narrow size distribution. Mesoporous SBA-15 silica with 9-nm pores was synthesized by a hydrothermal process and used as a catalyst support. After incorporation into mesoporous SBA-15 silica using low-power sonication, the catalysts were calcined to remove the stabilizing polymer from the nanoparticle surface and reduced by H2. Pt particle sizes determined from selective gas adsorption measurements are larger than those determined by bulk techniques such as XRD and TEM. Room-temperature ethylene hydrogenation was chosen as a model reaction to probe the activity of the Pt/SBA-15 materials. The reaction was shown to be structure insensitive over a series of Pt/SBA-15 materials with particle sizes between 1.7 and 3.6 nm. The hydrogenolysis of ethane on Pt particles from 1.7 to 7.1 nm was weakly structure sensitive with smaller particles demonstrating higher specific activity. Turnover rates for ethane hydrogenolysis increased monotonically with increasing metal dispersion, suggesting that coordinatively unsaturated metal atoms present in small particles are more active for C2H6 hydrogenolysis than the low index planes that dominate in large particles. An explanation for the structure sensitivity is suggested, and the potential applications of these novel supported nanocatalysts for further studies of structure-activity and structure-selectivity relationships are discussed.     

Synthesis of Pt, Pd, Pt/Ag and Pd/Ag nanoparticles by microwave-polyol method

Pt, Pd, Pt-Ag and Pd-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles were synthesized in ethylene glycol and glycerol using the microwave technique in the presence of a stabilizer poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). It has been observed that PVP is capable of complexing and stabilizing nanoparticles. Mixed clusters were formed by simultaneous reduction of the metal ions. The clusters were characterized using UV-Vis spectra, XRD and dynamic light scattering. To understand the mechanism of formation of mixed nanoparticles, several experimental parameters such asin situ irradiation of mixed metal salts and mixing of individual sols were attempted.