Microsolvation effects on the optical properties of crystal violet

We present a joint experimental and theoretical study of the photoabsorption and photodissociation behavior of crystal violet, that is, the tris[p-(dimethylamino)phenyl]methyl cation. The photodissociation spectra of isolated and microsolvated crystal violet have been measured. A single band is observed for the bare cation. This is in good agreement with the calculated vibronic absorption spectrum based on time-dependent density functional theory calculations. The interaction of crystal violet with a single water molecule shifts and broadens the photodissociation spectrum, so that it approaches the spectrum obtained in solution. Theoretical calculations of the structure of the complex suggest that the shift in the absorption spectrum originates from a water molecule bonding with the central carbon atom of crystal violet.     

Formation and properties of hydrophobic CeO2 nanoparticles

Uniform hydrophobic cerium oxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles in a cubic structure with an average size of 4.6 nm were obtained by a novel oil-water interface method in the presence of 0.40 M NaOH. Effects of reactants concentration, oxidation reaction temperature, and the type of surfactants on the final products were investigated. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, room-temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. The products exhibited high luminescence and strong hydrophobicity. The data suggest that Ce(OH) _x ^4?x (x < 4) is a precursor complex for the formation of CeO₂ nanoparticles in liquid phase and its concentration controls the size of CeO₂ particles. The adsorption of the surfactant influences the formation of the hydrophobic particles of CeO₂ by the oil-water interface method.     

Preparation and characterization of Pd modified CeO2 nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of dye

The aim of this work was to investigate the structural and optical properties of bare cerium dioxide (CeO₂) and Pd-doped CeO₂ (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 wt%) photocatalysts prepared by a combination of homogeneous precipitation and the impregnation method. X–ray diffraction analysis indicated that all samples were composed of the cubic fluorite phase of CeO₂. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that all samples provided mostly spherical morphology with high agglomeration and estimated particle sizes ranging from 10 to 20 nm in diameter. The XPS core-level spectra of Pd species after incorporating 2.0 wt% Pd–doped CeO₂ showed double peaks with binding energies of Pd3d_5/2 and Pd3d_3/2 corresponding to the Pd²⁺ oxidation state. The results from diffuse reflectance UV–visible spectroscopy showed that doping with Pd increased the absorbance onset of CeO₂ to a longer wavelength, while the band gap decreased from 3.0 eV to 2.8 eV with 2.0% Pd doping concentration. This was likely due to the creation of impurity levels of Pd²⁺ inside the conduction and valence bands of CeO₂. The photoluminescence spectra (PL) indicated that the emission peak intensity of CeO₂ decreased in the presence of Pd²⁺ dopant in CeO₂. This was associated with a decrease in the electron–hole recombination rate for electronically-excited. Photocatalytic activity for methyl orange dye degradation under visible light irradiation of 1.0 wt% Pd–doped CeO₂ was determined as the optimal doping level with photocatalytic activity 5 times higher than that of bare CeO₂ photocatalyst.     

Spectral characteristics and nonlinear studies of crystal violet dye

Solid-state dye-doped polymer is an attractive alternative to the conventional liquid dye solution. In this paper, the spectral characteristics and the nonlinear optical properties of the dye crystal violet are studied. The spectral characteristics of crystal violet dye doped poly(methylmethacrylate) modified with additive n-butyl acetate (nBA) are studied by recording its absorption and fluorescence spectra and the results are compared with the corresponding liquid mixture. The nonlinear refractive index of the dye in nBA and dye doped polymer film were measured using z-scan technique, by exciting with He-Ne laser. The results obtained are intercompared. Both the samples of dye crystal violet show a negative nonlinear refractive index. The origin of optical nonlinearity in the dye may be attributed due to laser-heating induced nonlinear effect.     

Nanocomposite hydrogel from grafting of acrylamide onto HPMC using sodium montmorillonite nanoclay and removal of crystal violet dye

Hydrogel nanocomposites were synthesized from grafting of acrylamide onto hydroxypropyl methylcellulose using methylenebisacrylamide crosslinker and sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMt) nanoclay. The effect of nanoclay content on the swelling of nanocomposites was investigated and an optimum swelling capacity was obtained at 12.7 wt% of Na-MMt. The effect of salt solutions on the swelling of nanocomposites revealed that the degree of swelling of samples depends only slightly on the salinity. The structure of nanocomposites was characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR, and TEM techniques. The XRD and TEM results confirmed the exfoliation of Na-MMt nanoclay in nanocomposite matrix. The morphology of the nanocomposites was characterized by SEM technique and according to the results a loose surface was observed. The nanocomposite hydrogels were evaluated to remove cationic crystal violet dye from water. The investigation of the dye adsorption capacity and rate of nanocomposite hydrogels as a function of Na-MMt content revealed that the both adsorption capacity and rate is enhanced as the nanoclay content is increased in nanocomposite composition. The experimental equilibrated adsorption capacity of nanocomposites was analyzed using Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The best fit to the experimental data was obtained with the Langmuir model.     

Effect of preparation procedure on the properties of CeO2

The effect of preparation procedure on the physicochemical and catalytic properties of CeO₂ was studied. Differences in the electronic and structural characteristics of CeO₂ depending on preparation procedure and treatment temperature were found using X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible electronic spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. With the use of the temperature-programmed reaction with CO, it was demonstrated that CeO₂ samples with a high concentration of point defects—oxygen vacancies caused by the presence of Ce³⁺—were characterized by an increased mobility of bulk oxygen. The samples of CeO₂ with a high concentration of structural defects—micropores of size 1–2 nm and stepwise vicinal faces in crystallites—exhibited a high catalytic activity in the reaction of CO oxidation.     

Effect of sunset yellow dye on morphological,optical, dielectric,thermal and mechanical properties of KDP crystal

Herein, we describe the growth and morphology of well-defined dyed crystals of KH₂PO₄ (potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate; KDP) containing organic azo (sunset yellow; SSY) dye in the {1 0 1} & {0 0 1} pyramidal growth sectors. An understanding on selective dye inclusion in various growth sector of host crystal is proposed, which will help in designing novel tailor-made dyed photonic crystals. The structural analysis and the identification of various functional groups present in as grown KDP crystals were carried out using powder XRD, FTIR and Raman studies. Solid state transmittance spectra for dyed KDP crystals displayed three absorption peaks at 230 nm, 311 nm and 477 nm, which were blue shifted for SSY dye in KDP crystal relative to neutral aqueous solution of SSY dye. These blue shifts in the absorption maxima confirm the successful incorporation of sunset yellow dye into the pyramidal growth sectors of dyed KDP crystals. The band around 409 nm in the photoluminescence emission spectrum indicates a violet emission. SSY dye doped KDP crystals showed enhanced dielectric properties and thermal stability as compared to pure KDP crystal. The mechanical strength of the KDP crystals estimated using Vickers microhardness test was found to decrease with the increase in SSY dye doping.     

Growth, structural, optical and thermal properties of gamma-glycine crystal

Single crystals of gamma-glycine were grown from a mixture of glycine, water and lithium bromide. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the growth of gamma-glycine phase. Presence of various functional groups of gamma-glycine was identified by FTIR spectrum. Optical absorbance spectrum recorded in the wavelength range of UV-vis-NIR revealed that this crystal has good optical transparency in the range 250-1500 nm. Vickers microhardness values were estimated on the prominent (100) face. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric analyses were carried out to study the thermal properties of gamma-glycine. Second harmonic generation efficiency of the crystal measured by Kurtz's powder method using Nd:YAG laser is about three times that of KDP.     

Effects of slight Fe (III)-doping on structural and optical properties of TiO2 nanoparticles

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - In this research work, undoped and slight Fe-doped-TiO2 nanoparticles (Fe–TiO2 NPs) were prepared using simple chemical sol–gel method and...     

Green synthesis and characterization of copper and nickel hybrid nanomaterials: Investigation of their biological and photocatalytic potential for the removal of organic crystal violet dye

Nanotechnology deals with the materials at nanoscale to synthesize nanoparticles. The current study introduced a new green approach for the synthesis of Copper and Nickel hybrid nanoparticles by using Zingiber officinale rhizome extract as a capping and reducing agent. The nanoparticles were physico-chemically characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Scanning electron microscopy. It was revealed by scanning electron micrograph that the Cu-Ni hybrid nanoparticles have spherical geometries with average grain size of 25.12 ± 1.2 nm. Furthermore, biocatalytic and photocatalytic applications of the biosynthesized nanoparticles were assessed. The results of antibacterial assay revealed that Cu-Ni hybrid nanoparticles had an inhibition zones of 28 ± 1.0, 25 ± 0.8, and 25 ± 1.5 mm against P. aeruginosa, E. coli and Proteus vulgaris. Commercially available antibiotics were purchased and coated with Cu-Ni hybrid nanoparticles, it was found that their antimicrobial efficacy was increased twice. To evaluate the antioxidant potential, nanoparticles having a concentration of 200 µg/mL were applied against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radicals and NPs showed 42.1 ± 0.71 % inhibition. Cu-Ni nanoparticles have shown a dose-dependent cytotoxicity against amastigote and promastigote in anti-leishmanial assay. The synthesized nanoparticles were found biocompatible and safe in nature to be used in vivo, as they showed no significant hemolysis of human red blood cells at their highest concentration. In antidiabetic assay, NPs inhibited alpha-amylase enzyme up to 38.07 ± 0.65 %. An organic crystal violet dye was successfully degraded by the synthesized nanoparticles in photocatalytic assay. Hence, it is concluded that Cu-Ni hybrid nanoparticles can be used both in vitro and in vivo for drug delivery in biomedical research. These nanoparticles can also be used in the remediation of organic dyes as a catalyst.     

Synthesis and properties of oil-soluble butyl crystal violet lactone

A novel compound of butyl crystal violet lactone (BCVL) has been prepared by oxidizing leuco butyl crystal violet lactone (LBCVL), which was obtained by the mixture of N,N-dibutylaniline, p-(dibutylamino) benzaldehyde and methyl-m-(dibutylamino) benzoate. The structure of BCVL was characterized by ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR), and mass spectrometry (MS). The color of BCVL can change reversibly in some acid or alkali solvents. The result of the dissolution experiment showed that solubility of BCVL in organic solvent was improved compared with crystal violet lactone (CVL). Translated from Journal of Fudan University (Natural Science), 2006, 45(3): 375–379 [译自: 复旦学报(自然科学版)]     

Ultrasound facilitates and improves removal of triphenylmethane (crystal violet) dye from aqueous solution by activated charcoal: A kinetic study

This work was aimed at removing crystal violet (CV) from an aqueous solution via an ultrasound-aided sorption process. Different operational parameters, such as contact time, ultrasonic power, and the sorbent dosage, were investigated. The results indicated that the sorption process was more rapid compared with the previously stated process; a sorption equilibrium was obtained after 1.5 h. The increase in the dose from 0.02 to 5.0 g/L increased the adsorption efficiency by 100%. The decolorization of the CV pigment occurred very rapidly at the highest sound power, 200 W, and it reached ～85%. The kinetics study indicated that the sorption process fitted the pseudo-second-order model with the chemisorption mechanism. The sorption isotherm data were also interpreted by the mass-transfer model, which established the intraparticle diffusion. Additionally, to estimate the rate-limiting step mechanisms, the intraparticle diffusion was not considered as the sole rate-controlling step. The maximum sorption capacity (q_max) increased from 19.0 to 24 mg/g during the ultrasound and indicated the positive synergistic effect of the ultrasound. The proposed sonosorption technique is a low cost-effective method for purifying water and wastewater from organic pollutants.     

A novel triphenylamine-based dye sensitizer supported on titania nanoparticles and the effect of titania fabrication on its optical properties

A new synthesised triphenylamine-based dye having a branched structure with one OH-ending branch able to interact with the surface hydroxyl moieties of mesoporous TiO₂ is reported. Optical properties of the dye-titania hybrid material are presented and the higher efficiency of the dye on pure anatase TiO₂ compared to the commercial Degussa P25, which contains a rutile phase component, is confirmed. The optical and chemical properties of the dye make it a promising candidate as a metal-free dye for DSSCs or as a host for a variety of transition or main group metal ions for different applications.     

Controlled crystal phase and particle size of loaded-TiO2 using clinoptilolite as support via hydrothermal method for degradation of crystal violet dye in aqueous solution

TiO₂-supported clinoptilolites (TiO₂/clinoptilolites) were successfully synthesized with controlled crystal phase and particle size via hydrothermal method to enhance photocatalytic performance of TiO₂. The effects of various parameters including temperature, acidity and concentration of Ti-containing solutions on the particle size, crystal phase and agglomeration of TiO₂ supported on clinoptilolite were investigated thoroughly by characterizations of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), BET isotherm, UV–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometer and Malvern zetasizer. The results demonstrate that increasing temperature and strengthen acidity are beneficial to enhance the crystallinity and particle size of supported TiO₂. Increase in acidity also leads to more uniform distribution of TiO₂ on the surface of clinoptilolite. The TiO₂ nano-crystals deposited on the surface of clinoptilolite, exhibit rutile or anatase phase, strongly depending on the preparation procedure. The resultant TiO₂/clinoptilolites could be used as photo-catalysts for the degradation of crystal violet (CV) dye in aqueous solution, showing a higher photo-catalytic activity with 89% degradation within 100 min. The effect of operational parameters, such as pH values of reaction media, dose of used catalyst, and concentration of CV dye on the CV degradation performance were investigated, in which the kinetics of CV dye degradation was found to follow the pseudo-first order kinetic model.     

Thermal,structural and optical properties of Al2CoO4-Crocoite composite nanoparticles used as pigments

Novel zinc(II) complex compounds of general formula Zn(C₆H₅COO)₂·L₂ (where L=caffeine (caf) and urea (u)) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. The thermal behaviour of the complexes was studied during heating in air by thermogravimetry. It was found that the thermal decomposition of the anhydrous Zn(II) benzoate compounds with bioactive ligands was initiated by the release of organic ligands at various temperatures. On further heating of the compounds up to 400°C the thermal degradation of the benzoate anions took place. Zinc oxide was found as the final product of the thermal decomposition of all zinc(II) benzoate complex compounds heated to 600°C. Results of elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and thermogravimetry are presented.     

Effect of sodium hydroxide pre-treatment on the optical and structural properties of lyocell

Lyocell is a type of regenerated cellulose. Fibres spun from cellulose solution in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide hydrate consist of crystalline cellulose II and amorphous cellulose. Lyocell fabrics were treated with aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) to study the influence of alkali on optical and structural properties. It was observed that sodium hydroxide treatment causes the density, orientation and crystallinity of lyocell fibre to decrease with increasing sodium hydroxide concentration, a corresponding decrease in tensile strength is also observed. The greatest change in fibre properties occurs between 3.0 and 5.0 mol dm⁻³ NaOH. This is attributed to the onset of formation of Na-cellulose II at 3.0 mol dm⁻³ NaOH; a fully formed Na-cellulose II structure is expected above 6.8 mol dm⁻³ NaOH. Formation of Na-cellulose II causes plasticization of the lyocell fibres as both inter- and intra-molecular hydrogen bonds are broken by these higher sodium hydroxide concentrations.     

Effect of synthesis parameters on the structural,morphological characteristics,and photocatalytic activity of La2O3 nanoparticles

This study investigates the influence of synthesis processes such as sonication, sol-gel, and microwave on the production of highly crystalline Lanthanum oxide nanoparticles (La₂O₃) employing Lanthanum nitrate and Ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH) as precursors. X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size analysis (DLS), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–Vis), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to examine the most effective processing method and its effects on the nanoparticle characteristics, such as structure, morphology, and optical and electrical behavior. Sonication produces La₂O₃ NPs with a smaller crystalline size, an agglomerated nanorod structure, a higher bandgap, and better electrical responsiveness than sol-gel and microwave techniques. Structural and optical characterization tests discovered this. The photocatalytic degradation activity of cationic Safranin and anionic Congo red dye exhibits degradation efficiency of around 90.13% and 89.66%, respectively.