scholarly journals Nanosheets of CuCo2O4 As a High-Performance Electrocatalyst in Urea Oxidation

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila Zequine ◽  
Fangzhou Wang ◽  
Xianglin Li ◽  
Deepa Guragain ◽  
S.R. Mishra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Nickel Foam ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Bifunctional Catalyst ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Electroactive Material

The urea oxidation reaction (UOR) is a possible solution to solve the world’s energy crisis. Fuel cells have been used in the UOR to generate hydrogen with a lower potential compared to water splitting, decreasing the costs of energy production. Urea is abundantly present in agricultural waste and in industrial and human wastewater. Besides generating hydrogen, this reaction provides a pathway to eliminate urea, which is a hazard in the environment and to people’s health. In this study, nanosheets of CuCo2O4 grown on nickel foam were synthesized as an electrocatalyst for urea oxidation to generate hydrogen as a green fuel. The synthesized electrocatalyst was characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electroactivity of CuCo2O4 towards the oxidation of urea in alkaline solution was evaluated using electrochemical measurements. Nanosheets of CuCo2O4 grown on nickel foam required the potential of 1.36 V in 1 M KOH with 0.33 M urea to deliver a current density of 10 mA/cm2. The CuCo2O4 electrode was electrochemically stable for over 15 h of continuous measurements. The high catalytic activities for the hydrogen evolution reaction make the CuCo2O4 electrode a bifunctional catalyst and a promising electroactive material for hydrogen production. The two-electrode electrolyzer demanded a potential of 1.45 V, which was 260 mV less than that for the urea-free counterpart. Our study suggests that the CuCo2O4 electrode can be a promising material as an efficient UOR catalyst for fuel cells to generate hydrogen at a low cost.

scholarly journals Ni2P/rGO/NF Nanosheets As a Bifunctional High-Performance Electrocatalyst for Water Splitting

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinyu Huang ◽  
Feifei Li ◽  
Baozhong Liu ◽  
Peng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Water Splitting ◽  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
High Performance ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Splitting Method ◽  
Bifunctional Catalyst ◽  
Strong Activity ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Transmission Electron

The hydrogen generated via the water splitting method is restricted by the high level of theoretical potential exhibited by the anode. The work focuses on synthesizing a bifunctional catalyst with a high efficiency, that is, a nickel phosphide doped with the reduced graphene oxide nanosheets supported on the Ni foam (Ni2P/rGO/NF), via the hydrothermal approach together with the calcination approach specific to the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The Raman, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), as well as elemental mapping, are adopted to study the composition and morphology possessed by Ni2P/rGO/NF. The electrochemical testing is performed by constructing a parallel two-electrode electrolyzer (Ni2P/rGO/NF||Ni2P/rGO/NF). Ni2P/rGO/NF||Ni2P/rGO/NF needs a voltage of only 1.676 V for driving 10 mA/cm2, which is extremely close to Pt/C/NF||IrO2/NF (1.502 V). It is possible to maintain the current density for no less than 30 hours. It can be demonstrated that Ni2P/rGO/NF||Ni2P/rGO/NF has commercial feasibility, relying on the strong activity and high stability.

An Efficient Simple Hydrothermal Method to Synthesis FeS2 Microspheres and their Optical Property

2016 ◽  
Vol 847 ◽  
pp. 72-77
Author(s):  
Yu Xuan Liang ◽  
Peng Peng Bai ◽  
Shu Qi Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Wave Length ◽  
Functional Materials ◽  
Optical And Electrical Properties ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Synthetic Sample ◽  
X Ray ◽  
New Type ◽  
Good Uniformity

Pyrite (FeS2) is an important semiconductor material which shows various excellent optical and electrical properties and extensive applied prospect as a new-type, photoelectrical functional materials. In this study, a low cost and efficient simple hydrothermal two-step synthetic method was given to obtain FeS2 microspheres with 2-3 μm in diameter. The obtained products were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis). XRD showed that the synthetic sample consisted of two crystal structures of FeS2, pyrite and marcasite. SEM observation indicated that FeS2 microspheres were well crystallized and had good uniformity. UV-Vis spectrum had a strong optical absorption in the region of 200-400 nm wave length. The reaction temperature had an impact on the size of FeS2 microspheres. A possible mechanism for the size of the FeS2 microspheres generated at high temperature is smaller than that at low temperature is discussed.

Low Cost Integrated Sensors Utilizing Patterned Nano-Structured Titania Arrays Fabricated Using a Simple Process

2004 ◽  
Vol 828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuruzi Abu Samah ◽  
Andrei Kolmakov ◽  
Martin Moskovits ◽  
Noel C. MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Sol Gel ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Aqueous Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Sensing Systems ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Nano Wires ◽  
Low Temperature Process

ABSTRACTUsing a novel low-temperature process, we demonstrate the facile integration of crack-free nanostructured titania (NST) as sensing elements in microsystems. Unlike conventional sol-gel methods, NST layers of interconnected nano-walls and nano-wires were formed by reacting Ti surfaces with aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. Cracks were observed in NST layers formed on blanket Ti films but absent on arrays of patterned Ti pads below a threshold dimension. Analyses using TEM, high resolution SEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveal that NST consists of anatase TiO2 nano-crystals. NST pads were found able to detect oxygen gas of a few ppm. NST pad arrays were integrated on rigid and flexible substrates with potential applications in low cost and wearable sensing systems.

scholarly journals A Simple Low-Cost Method to Prepare Lignocellulose-Based Composites for Efficient Removal of Cd(II) from Wastewater

Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingying Wen ◽  
Yong Ji ◽  
Shifeng Zhang ◽  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Gaotang Cai
Keyword(s):  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Particle Structure ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Removal Capacity ◽  
Secondary Reactions ◽  
Green Separation ◽  
Surface Modified

The fabrication of functional lignocellulose-based materials has drawn considerable attention because it acts as a green separation/absorption material owing to its multi-porous mesostructure. In this study, a surface functionalized lignocellulose-based adsorbent for the highly efficient capture of Cd(II) ions was prepared through facile in situ co-deposition of wood waste-derived saw powder (SP) in the presence of tannic acid (TA) and aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) mixed aqueous solution. The SP was first modified using TA-APTES coating to synthesize the functional SP substrate (SP-(TA-APTES)). The SP-(TA-APTES) hybrids served as reactive platforms, which enabled further decoration with amino-rich polyethylenimine (PEI) due to the outstanding secondary reactions of the TA-APTES layer. The surface morphology of the resulting SP-(TA-APTES)-PEI (SP-TAPI) composites were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Significantly, the combined advantages of the lignocellulosic skeleton, the layer-particle structure, and the hybrid coating contributed to the enhanced adsorption capacity of Cd(II) (up to 22.66 mg/g at pH = 5.0). This removal capacity was higher than that of most reported agricultural waste-based or lignocellulose-based materials. The Cd(II) adsorption mechanism of the surface-modified SP-TAPI composites was studied in detail. These results provide new insights into the high value-added utilization of agricultural waste for water purification applications.

scholarly journals Incorporating N Atoms into SnO2 Nanostructure as an Approach to Enhance Gas Sensing Property for Acetone

Nanomaterials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangfeng Guan ◽  
Yongjing Wang ◽  
Peihui Luo ◽  
Yunlong Yu ◽  
Dagui Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Gas Sensor ◽  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Gas Sensing ◽  
Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Sno2 Nanostructure

The development of high-performance acetone gas sensor is of great significance for environmental protection and personal safety. SnO2 has been intensively applied in chemical sensing areas, because of its low cost, high mobility of electrons, and good chemical stability. Herein, we incorporated nitrogen atoms into the SnO2 nanostructure by simple solvothermal and subsequent calcination to improve gas sensing property for acetone. The crystallization, morphology, element composition, and microstructure of as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), Raman spectroscopy, UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS), and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. It has been found that N-incorporating resulted in decreased crystallite size, reduced band-gap width, increased surface oxygen vacancies, enlarged surface area, and narrowed pore size distribution. When evaluated as gas sensor, nitrogen-incorporated SnO2 nanostructure exhibited excellent sensitivity for acetone gas at the optimal operating temperature of 300 °C with high sensor response (Rair/Rgas − 1 = 357) and low limit of detection (7 ppb). The nitrogen-incorporated SnO2 gas sensor shows a good selectivity to acetone in the interfering gases of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, hydrogen, and methane. Furthermore, the possible gas-sensing mechanism of N-incorporated SnO2 toward acetone has been carefully discussed.

scholarly journals Sorption of Molybdates and Tungstates on Functionalized Montmorillonites: Structural and Textural Features

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 2253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Tuchowska ◽  
Barbara Muir ◽  
Mariola Kowalik ◽  
Robert P. Socha ◽  
Tomasz Bajda
Keyword(s):  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Inorganic Compounds ◽  
Ammonium Bromide ◽  
Reaction Products ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Mineral Sorbent ◽  
Dimethyl Ammonium

Montmorillonite—the most popular mineral of the smectite group—has been recognized as a low-cost, easily available mineral sorbent of heavy metals and other organic and inorganic compounds that pollute water. The aim of this work was to determine the sorption mechanism and to identify the reaction products formed on the surface of montmorillonite and organo-montmorillonite after sorption of molybdates (Mo(VI)) and tungstates (W(VI)). Montmorillonites are often modified to generate a negative charge on the surface. The main objective of the study was to investigate and compare the features of Na-montmorillonite (Na-M), montmorillonite modified with dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DDTMA-M), and montmorillonite modified with didodecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide (DDDDMA-M) before and after sorption experiments. The material obtained after sorption was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XRD pattern showed the presence of a new crystallic phase in the sample that was observed under an SEM as an accumulation of crystals. The FTIR spectra showed bands related to Mo–O and W–O vibration (840 and 940 cm−1, respectively). The obtained results suggest that molybdenum(VI) and tungsten(VI) ions sorb onto the organo-montmorillonite in the form of alkylammonium molybdates and tungstates.

scholarly journals Detoxification, Active Uptake, and Intracellular Accumulation of Chromium Species by a Methane-Oxidizing Bacterium

2020 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salaheldeen Enbaia ◽  
Abdurrahman Eswayah ◽  
Nicole Hondow ◽  
Philip H. E. Gardiner ◽  
Thomas J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cell Fractionation ◽  
Methylococcus Capsulatus ◽  
Chromium Species ◽  
Content Type ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Chromium Vi

ABSTRACT Despite the wide-ranging proscription of hexavalent chromium, chromium(VI) remains among the major polluting heavy metals worldwide. Aerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria are widespread environmental microorganisms that can perform diverse reactions using methane as the feedstock. The methanotroph Methylococcus capsulatus Bath, like many other microorganisms, detoxifies chromium(VI) by reduction to chromium(III). Here, the interaction of chromium species with M. capsulatus Bath was examined in detail by using a range of techniques. Cell fractionation and high-performance liquid chromatography–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC–ICP-MS) indicated that externally provided chromium(VI) underwent reduction and was then taken up into the cytoplasmic and membranous fractions of the cells. This was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of intact cultures that indicated negligible chromium on the surfaces of or outside the cells. Distribution of chromium and other elements within intact and sectioned cells, as observed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), was consistent with the cytoplasm/membrane location of the chromium(III), possibly as chromium phosphate. The cells could also take up chromium(III) directly from the medium in a metabolism-dependent fashion and accumulate it. These results indicate a novel pattern of interaction with chromium species distinct from that observed previously with other microorganisms. They also suggest that M. capsulatus and similar methanotrophs may contribute directly to chromium(VI) reduction and accumulation in mixed communities of microorganisms that are able to perform methane-driven remediation of chromium(VI). IMPORTANCE M. capsulatus Bath is a well-characterized aerobic methane-oxidizing bacterium that has become a model system for biotechnological development of methanotrophs to perform useful reactions for environmental cleanup and for making valuable chemicals and biological products using methane gas. Interest in such technology has increased recently owing to increasing availability of low-cost methane from fossil and biological sources. Here, it is demonstrated that this versatile methanotroph can reduce the toxic contaminating heavy metal chromium(VI) to the less toxic form chromium(III) while accumulating the chromium(III) within the cells. This is expected to diminish the bioavailability of the chromium and make it less likely to be reoxidized to chromium(VI). Thus, M. capsulatus has the capacity to perform methane-driven remediation of chromium-contaminated water and other materials and to accumulate the chromium in the low-toxicity chromium(III) form within the cells.

scholarly journals Selective adsorption of PHC and regeneration of washing effluents by modified diatomite

2020 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 2066-2077
Author(s):  
Zhuoqi Xu ◽  
Gengbo Ren ◽  
Yanying Zhu ◽  
Xiaodong Ma ◽  
Hongrui Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Selective Adsorption ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Soil Washing ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Monolayer Adsorption ◽  
Pseudo Second Order ◽  
Adsorption Desorption ◽  
Modified Diatomite

Abstract Selective removal of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) from soil washing effluents is the key to the surfactant-enhanced soil washing technology. In this study, the diatomite was modified by nonionic surfactant TX-100 and applied in the selective adsorption of PHCs in the soil washing effluents. The modified diatomites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption/desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy respectively. The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order model and the adsorption isotherms indicated that the interaction between PHCs and modified diatomite was monolayer adsorption. The important operating factors such as TX-100 dosage, adsorbent dosage, time and temperature were optimized. With the participation of the low-cost adsorbent TX3-Db with high adsorption capacity, the recovery efficiency of the washing effluents was still up to 78.9% after three cycles. A selective adsorption mechanism, based on steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion, was proposed to explain the removal of PHCs from washing effluents.

In situ remediation of arsenic-rich mine tailings using slag zero valence iron

2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 420-434
Author(s):  
Tingting Yue ◽  
Shu Chen ◽  
Jing Liu
Keyword(s):  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Selective Extraction ◽  
Hunan Province ◽  
Control Group ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Land Occupation ◽  
X Ray

AbstractArsenopyrite (FeAsS) and realgar (As4S4) are two common arsenic minerals that often cause serious environmental issues. Centralised treatment of arsenic-containing tailings can reduce land occupation and save management costs. The current work examined the remediation schemes of tailings from Hunan Province, China, where by different tailings containing arsenopyrite and realgar were blended with exogenous slag zero valence iron (ZVI). Introducing Fe-oxidising bacteria (Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans) recreates a biologically oxidative environment. All bioleaching experiments were done over three stages, each for 7 days and the solid phase of all tests was characterised by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and selective extraction analyses. The results showed that the mixture group reduced arsenic release by 72.9–74.7% compared with the control group. The addition of 0.2 g ZVI clearly decreased arsenic release, and the addition of 4.0 g ZVI led to the lowest arsenic release among all tests. The decrease of arsenic released from the tailings was due to the adsorption and uptake of arsenic by secondary iron-containing minerals and Fe–As(V) secondary mineralisation. The addition of large amounts of ZVI reduced the arsenic detected in the amorphous Fe precipitates. Therefore, a low cost and integrated strategy to reduce arsenic release from tailings is to mix two typical tailings and apply exogenous slag ZVI, which can apply to the in situ remediation of two kinds or more arsenic-containing tailings.

scholarly journals Electrochemical alcohols oxidation mediated by N-hydroxyphthalimide on nickel foam surface

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Behrouzi ◽  
Robabeh Bagheri ◽  
Mohammad Reza Mohammadi ◽  
Zhenlun Song ◽  
Petko Chernev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Nickel Foam ◽  
Oxidation Products ◽  
High Yield ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Lower Yield ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Aldehydes And Ketones ◽  
X Ray Absorption ◽  
By Products

Abstract Alcohol to aldehyde conversion is a critical reaction in the industry. Herein, a new electrochemical method is introduced that converts 1 mmol of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones in the presence of N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI, 20 mol%) as a mediator; this conversion is achieved after 8.5 h at room temperature using a piece of Ni foam (1.0 cm2) and without adding an extra-base or a need for high temperature. Using this method, 10 mmol (1.08 g) of benzyl alcohol was also successfully oxidized to benzaldehyde (91%) without any by-products. This method was also used to oxidize other alcohols with high yield and selectivity. In the absence of a mediator, the surface of the nickel foam provided oxidation products at the lower yield. After the reaction was complete, nickel foam (anode) was characterized by a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and spectroelectrochemistry, which pointed to the formation of nickel oxide on the surface of the electrode. On the other hand, using other electrodes such as Pt, Cu, Fe, and graphite resulted in a low yield for the alcohol to aldehyde conversion.

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