Facile Synthesis of BiOI Nanoparticles at Room Temperature and Evaluation of their Photoactivity Under Sunlight Irradiation

In this study, highly photoactive BiOI nanoparticles (NPs) under sunlight irradiation were synthesized by a facile precipitation method using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) at room temperature. The as‐prepared catalysts were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transition electron microscopy (TEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–vis DRS). The results of XRD showed that PVP did not have any significant effect on tetragonal crystalline structure of BiOI. Also, using different amounts of PVP in the synthesis led to different morphologies and sizes of BiOI particles. It was found that using 0.2 g of PVP in the synthesis method changed morphology from 1‐μm platelets to NPs with size under 10 nm. In addition, the photocatalytic performance of prepared photocatalysts was evaluated in the photodegradation of reactive blue 19 (RB19) dye under sunlight irradiation. The BiOI synthesized using 0.2 g PVP (BiOI0.2) showed higher degradation efficiency compared to BiOI prepared without any additive. Excellent visible light photocatalytic properties of nano‐scaled BiOI0.2 samples compared to BiOI platelets could be attributed to higher surface‐to‐volume ratio and narrow band‐gap energy of as‐prepared BiOI0.2 NPs.     

Facile fabrication of cerium niobate nano-crystalline fibers by electrospinning technology

In this study, one-dimensional (1D) cerium niobate nano-crystalline fibers were first prepared by a facile sol–gel and electrospinning process, followed by heat treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) were used to characterize the samples. It can be seen from SEM images that the as-prepared xerogel samples and those annealed at 900 °C presented uniform fibrous morphology, with the diameter of 100–300 nm and length of several centimeters. The XRD and FT-IR results showed that cerium niobate samples had well-crystallized phase of CeNbO_4.25 with the crystallite size of about 28.6 nm at a heat treatment temperature of 900 °C, which can also be validated with the TEM image. The AC impedance of annealed disks made from the CeNbO_4.25 nano-crystalline fibers has been probed.     

Modification in structural,optical, morphological,and electrical properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) by metal (Ni,Co) dopants for electronic device applications

In the present work, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by the chemical co-precipitation method using Zinc Chloride as the initial chemical, while Nickel and Cobalt chloride as dopants. Phase identification of metal (Ni, Co) doped Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (NPs) was observed using x-ray diffraction (XRD). The small lattice distortion or phase changes appeared due to shifting of diffraction angles peaks towards larger angle in ZnO are corresponded to metal (Ni, Co) dopant. The average crystallite size appears to decrement in NP size from 7.67 nm to 6.52 nm and 5.35 nm to 5.17 nm with increasing 5 % to 80 % of metal (Ni, Co) dopant respectively. The optical characteristics, including the absorption spectra of the prepared sample were observed through UV–Vis spectroscopy, Meanwhile SEM confirmed the observation of composition change in specimen with metal (Ni, Co) dopant concentration. The bandgap value was also found decrement 5.23 eV to 5.05 eV with increment of metal (Ni, Co) dopant concentration. The functional groups were measured by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). FTIR peaks found the metal (Ni, Co) doped ZnO with the vibration mode of (Zn²⁺ –O^2?) ions due to the increment of dopant concentrations. Furthermore, electrical results show the ohmic behavior of prepared samples. These findings indicate the possibility of tuning optical, structural and electrical properties of metal (Ni, Co) doped ZnO with various dopant concentrations of Nickel and will have great potential to find application in optoelectronic devices.     

Strong thermal optical nonlinearity caused by CdSe nanoparticles synthesised in smectic ionic liquid crystal

Spectral and nonlinear optical properties of cadmium octanoate composites containing CdSe nanoparticles (NPs) have been studied by using optical absorption spectroscopy and laser scanning technique (Z-scan). CdSe NPs are chemically synthesised in thermotropic ionic liquid crystal (ILC) phase of cadmium octanoate which is used as nanoreactor. Anisotropic glassy nanocomposites are obtained by the rapid cooling of the ILC phase of nanocomposites to room temperature. The sizes of the CdSe NPs are determined from the absorption spectra. The thermo-optical nonlinearity of the new nanocomposites is characterised by extremely large value of the nonlinear refractive index, n₂, under relatively low-powered CW laser irradiation. This nonlinearity is caused by (1) the efficient light-induced heating due to the CdSe NPs strong exciton absorption, and (2) consequent thermal dissipation, which in turn, produces the photoelastic tensions in the glassy smectic matrix.     

Role of surface modification of colloidal CdSe quantum dots on the properties of hybrid organic–inorganic nanocomposites

In this work, tri-octyl phosphine/tri-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO)-capped cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots (QDs) of varied sizes (5–9 nm), prepared by varying the input Cd:Se precursor ratio using chemical route, were dispersed in conducting polymer matrices viz. poly[2-methoxy, 5-(2-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV) and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). By using a binary solvent mixture (pyridine–chloroform), homogeneous dispersion of CdSe nanocrystals in polymers (MEH-PPV, P3HT) could be realized. The properties of the resulting dispersions could be tailored by the composition and concentration of QDs in polymer. The emission and structural properties of polymer–CdSe nanocomposites are found to be dependent on the crystallite size and morphology of CdSe nanocrystallites. An effective quenching of photoluminescence emission in the polymer nanocomposite was observed for smaller CdSe quantum dots (size ∼6 nm) as compared to larger CdSe quantum dots (size ∼9 nm), thus ensuring efficient charge transfer process across the polymer–CdSe interface in the former case. The incomplete quenching, particularly for MEH-PPV:CdSe nanocomposites, could be as a result of insufficient coverage of polymers on the surface of CdSe nanocrystallites, mainly due to phase segregation for TOPO-stripped CdSe nanocrystallites. The superior morphology and optical properties of polymer nanocomposite (P3HT:CdSe QDs) could play a pivotal role for the realization of effective charge separation and transport in hybrid solar cells.     

Preparation of Cd-doped SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles by sol–gel route and their optical properties

Nanocrystalline cadmium doped tin oxide (SnO₂) powders of about 2.5–4.5 nm in size have been synthesized by using different solvents via sol–gel method. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM), UV-Vis absorption and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The PL emission spectra revealed that the band centered at 452 nm might be related with oxygen vacancies. A spherical, small rod and slice like morphologies of the prepared Cd-SnO₂ nanoparticles were observed in the SEM and TEM studies. The presence of Cd modifies the structural, morphological and optical properties of the tin oxide nanoparticles.     

Spectral and photochemical characteristics of CdSe nanoparticles stabilized in polymer-containing media

The optical characteristics of CdSe nanoparticles, produced in aqueous solutions and polymer films in the reaction of cadmium chloride and sodium selenosulfate, were studied. The main parameters that make it possible to vary the forbidden band width were identified. The absorption, photoluminescence, Raman, and nonstationary decolorization spectra of CdSe nanoparticles of various sizes were analyzed. It was demonstrated that under the conditions of pulsed irradiation the CdSe nanoparticles are capable of accumulating excess electrons and inducing redox transformations in components of the solution (oxygen, methylviologen, and sulfite ions). __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 150–155, May–June, 2006.     

Photoassisted synthesis of CdSe and core-shell CdSe/CdS quantum dots

This paper describes the synthesis of core-shell CdSe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) in aqueous solution by a simple photoassisted method. CdSe was prepared from cadmium nitrate and 1,1-dimethylselenourea precursors under illumination for up to 3 h using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm. The effects that the temperature and the laser irradiation process have on the synthesis of CdSe were monitored by a series of experiments using the precursors at a Cd:Se concentration ratio of 4. Upon increasing the temperature (80-140 degrees C), the size of the CdSe QDs increases and the time required for reaching a maximum photoluminescence (PL) is shortened. Although the as-prepared CdSe QDs possess greater quantum yields (up to 0.072%) compared to those obtained by microwave heating (0.016%), they still fluoresce only weakly. After passivation of CdSe (prepared at 80 degrees C) by CdS using thioacetamide as the S source (Se:S concentration ratio of 1) at 80 degrees C for 24 h, the quantum yield of the core-shell CdSe/CdS QDs at 603 nm is 2.4%. Under UV irradiation of CdSe/CdS for 24 h using a 100-W Hg-Xe lamp, the maximum quantum yield of the stable QDs is 60% at 589 nm. A small bandwidth (W1/2 < 35 nm) indicates the narrow size distribution of the as-prepared core-shell CdSe/CdS QDs. This simple photoassisted method also allows the preparation of differently sized (3.7-6.3-nm diameters) core-shell CdSe/CdS QDs that emit in a wide range (from green to red) when excited at 480 nm.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Copper Ferrite Nanocrystals via Coprecipitation

Nanocrystalline CuFe₂O₄ powder was prepared by a coprecipitation method from iron chloride and copper chloride in the presence of octanoic acid (C₈H₁₆O₂) as surfactant. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, FT-IR and VSM. SEM and TEM indicated that the particles were quasi spherical with the particle sizes in the range of 23±7?nm. The magnetic properties of the sample were measured by using a vibration sample magnetometer (VSM), which showed that the sample exhibited a typical ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature, while present finite coercivity of 245.5?Oe at 300?K.     

Ethylene glycol-assisted electrochemical synthesis of CaMoO4 crystallites with different morphology and their luminescent properties

CaMoO₄ crystallites with different morphology were successfully prepared by an electrochemical method with the assistance of ethylene glycol (EG) for the first time. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescent spectra techniques (PL), respectively. The results showed that the crystallization of CaMoO₄ relies on both applied electric current intensity and EG content in the electrolytic solution. With the increase of EG content, CaMoO₄ crystallite sizes decreased, and their morphology gradually changed from a cake-like shape into micro-rods with a higher aspect ratio. Moreover, the higher the applied electric current intensity, the more obvious the above effect was. All samples exhibit a green emission centered at 512 nm with 280 nm excitation wavelength at room temperature, but show different PL intensity.     

V2O5 based quadruple nano‐perovskite as a new catalyst for the synthesis of bis and tetrakis heterocyclic compounds

In this article, we presented a novel, efficient and facile approach for using strontium titanate supported catalyst in organic synthesis. Bis and tetrakis of coumarin, indole and xanthene derivatives can effortlessly have prepared using V₂O₅/perovskite nanoparticles (NPs) under solvent‐free condition. V₂O₅/perovskite in (NPs) was prepared and identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope supported with energy dispersive X‐ray (SEM/EDAX). Calculated crystal size was from the intense XRD peaks was found to range between 50–60 nm in agreement with that obtained from the transmission electron microscopic investigation. EDAX analysis and mapping images reveal a homogenous distribution of all constituents with their calculated ratios in the synthesized catalyst.     

氢氧化镁纳米片的合成及其润滑性能的研究

以硫酸镁和氢氧化钠为原料,油酸为表面修饰剂,采用原位合成的方法制备出了疏水性的Mg(OH2)纳米片.研究了反应温度、反应物浓度等因素对氢氧化镁纳米片平均粒径的影响.用X-射线粉末衍射(XRD)、红外(IR)和热重(DTA-TGA)及扫描电子显微镜(SEM),对制备出的Mg(OH)2纳米片的结构和形貌进行了表征,证实制备出的Mg(OH)2纳米片具有良好分散性,纳米片尺度为200～300nm,厚度10nm.摩擦实验证明Mg(OH2)纳米片可以作为润滑油中的添加剂来应用.     

高质量CdSe量子点的水相制备与表征

以巯基丁二酸为稳定剂, 亚硒酸钠为硒源, 制备了高质量水溶性CdSe量子点. 研究了反应时间、 镉与硒的摩尔比及镉与巯基丁二酸的摩尔比等实验条件对CdSe量子点光谱性能的影响. 分别用紫外-可见光谱、 荧光光谱、 X射线粉末衍射和透射电子显微镜等对量子点进行表征. 结果表明, 采用这种方法制得的CdSe量子点为立方晶型, 量子点的荧光发射峰在518～562 nm范围内连续可调, 并且发射峰的半峰宽始终保持在35 nm左右, 荧光量子产率可达21%.     

Synthesis of tin oxide nanoparticles by sol–gel process: effect of solvents on the optical properties

Tin oxide (SnO₂) nanoparticles were synthesized by the reaction of SnCl₄·5H₂O in methanol, ethanol and water via sol–gel method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared, Scanning electron microscopy and Transmission electron microscopy. The optical properties of the as-prepared samples were investigated. The XRD analysis showed well crystallized tetragonal SnO₂ can be obtained and the crystal sizes were 3.9, 4.5 and 5 nm for the sample calcined at 400 °C for 2 h. It was found that solvents played important roles in the particle size effect of nanocrystalline SnO₂.     

Efficient photodegradation of methyl orange and bactericidal activity of Ag doped ZnO nanoparticles

In the present work, silver-doped ZnO (Ag–ZnO NPs) with different concentrations of silver ions (0.3, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mol %) were synthesized by using a simple co-precipitation method. The Ag–ZnO NPs were primarily characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDS, TEM, UV–Vis. DRS, PL and BET surface area. The XRD analysis of Ag–ZnO NPs shows a wurtzite structure and optimized Ag–ZnO NPs (1.0 mol %) exhibit a lower crystallite size of 15.96 nm than that of bare ZnO (19.07 nm). Optical study shows a decrease in band gap from 3.13 to 2.97 eV as the concentration of Ag ions increases from 0.3 to 1.5 mol%. TEM images reveal the spherical shape particle with sizes ranging between 10 and 15 nm. From the multipoint BET plot, the surface area of Ag–ZnO NPs found 38.06 m²/gwhich is higher than the ZnO NPs (34.48 m²/g). The photocatalytic study demonstrated that the Ag–ZnO NPs (1.0 mol %) has an excellent photodegradation efficiency of Methyl Orange (96.74%)with a 26% increment as compared to bare ZnO (70.47%). Furthermore, the bactericidal activity of Ag–ZnO NPs (1.0 mol %) was investigated against four different bacterial strains. The results explored that the Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and P. vulgaris) are more sensitive than Gram-positive (S. aureus and B. cereus) to Ag–ZnO NPs. Overall, the anticipated material is economical and reusable for photodegradation and antibacterial activity.     

Characterization and activity of visible light–driven TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> photocatalysts co<Emphasis Type="Bold">-</Emphasis>doped with nitrogen and lanthanum

Nitrogen and lanthanum co-doped titania photocatalysts were prepared by a modified sol–gel process with urea and lanthanum nitrate doping precursors and characterized by various techniques including XRD, FTIR, TEM, EDS, and UV–Vis DRS. The average crystallite size was ca. 12–15 nm as calculated from XRD patterns, and anatase was the dominant crystalline type in the as-prepared samples. The UV–Vis DRS of the samples revealed significant absorption within the range of 400–500 nm. The optimum composition of N(0.020)La(0.012)TiO₂ exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity for degradation of methyl orange (MO) aqueous solution under simulated sunlight. The percent degradation of MO was ca. 97% for N(0.020)La(0.012)TiO₂ under simulated sunlight irradiation for 9 h. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was ascribed to the synergistic effects of the nitrogen and lanthanum co-doping.     

Biomimetic Synthesis of CdSe Quantum Dots through Emulsion Liquid Membrane System of Gas-Liquid Transport

The cadmium selenide quantum dots (QD) have been synthesized by template-control in an emulsion fiquid membrane system. The system consisted of kerosene as solvent, L152 (dialkylene succinimide) as surfactant,N7301 (trialiphatic amine, R3N, R=C8-C10) as carrier, 0.1mol/L CdCl2 solution as internal-aqueous phase and H2Se gas as external phase. Additive organic template agent in internal-aqueous phase was necessary to form CdSe QD. The influence of the nature of template and its concentration on sizes of the formed CdSe QD has also been studied. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the sizes of the products could be controlled down to 3-4nm. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the crystals had cubic structure. The formation process and the optical properties of CdSe QD have also been presented.     

三维有序大孔-介孔二氧化硅的可控制备及表征

以聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)胶晶为大孔模板、嵌段共聚物P123为介孔模板,利用双模板剂法进行了三维有序大孔-介孔二氧化硅材料的制备研究。采用SEM、TEM、低角XRD以及N₂吸脱附技术对样品进行了表征。结果表明,通过简单的调控PMMA胶晶模板的组装过程,就可以调变合成材料中的大孔结构,从而轻松地实现可控的制备出具有网状或者层状结构的三维有序大孔-介孔二氧化硅材料,并提出了其可能的形成机理。此外,所制备的三维有序大孔-介孔二氧化硅样品均具有较大的BET比表面积(>550m₂·g^-1),大孔孔径200nm左右,介孔孔径分布集中于3.5nm左右。     

Preparation,characterization and photocatalytic properties of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanostructured spheres synthesized by the Sol–Gel method modified with ethylene glycol

Monodispersed nanostructured TiO₂ spheres were obtained by the Sol–Gel method modified with ethylene glycol. The sample morphology and surface textural properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂-physisorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The SEM image showed spheres with sizes ranging from 600 to 700 nm. In addition, HRTEM micrographs reveal hexagonal grains slightly elongated (20 nm). The powders present a BET surface area of 116 m² g⁻¹. Samples without thermal treatment and those treated at 400 °C both showed characteristic reflections of the anatase phase. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared TiO₂ spheres was determined by degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in aqueous solution. Kinetics parameters have displayed than the nanostructured material present a reaction half-life time of 30 min and it was two times faster than commercial TiO₂ (P25).     

Highly sensitive fluorometric method based on nitrogen-doped carbon dot clusters for tartrazine determination in cookies samples

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanodots (CDs) were prepared via the solvothermal method, using urea and triethylene glycol as the starting materials. The as-prepared CDs had individual diameters of approximately 100 nm and were in clusters of different sizes. The surface composition and optical properties of the as-prepared CDs were characterized. They exhibited multicolor emission properties in the visible range when excited with a wide wavelength range. The aqueous solution of the CDs was used in highly sensitive tartrazine determination. The fluorescence quenching of the CDs was in a linear relationship with the concentrations of tartrazine in the range of 0.5–30.0 μM. The detection limit of the assay was 0.18 μM. Acceptable recovery results were obtained via spike-recovery experiments on cookie samples.