scholarly journals ZnO Semiconductor Nanoparticles and Their Application in Photocatalytic Degradation of Various Organic Dyes

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 7537
Author(s):  
Priscy Alfredo Luque-Morales ◽  
Alejandra López-Peraza ◽  
Osvaldo Jesús Nava-Olivas ◽  
Guillermo Amaya-Parra ◽  
Yolanda Angélica Báez-López ◽  
...  

The biosynthesis of oxide semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs) using materials found in nature opens a wide field of study focused on sustainability and environmental protection. Biosynthesized NPs have the capacity to eliminate organic dyes, which pollute water and cause severe damage to the environment. In the present work, the green synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs was carried out using Capsicum annuum var. Anaheim extract. The photocatalytic elimination of methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and Rhodamine B (RhB) in UV radiation was evaluated. The materials were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) and SEM-coupled energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), attenuated total reflectance-infrared (ATR-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Photoluminescence (PL), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The TEM analysis showed the NPs have an average size of 40 nm and quasi-spherical shape. ATR-IR showed the ZnO NPs contained functional groups from the extract. The analysis through XRD indicated that the NPs have a hexagonal zincite crystal structure with an average crystallite size of approximately 17 nm. The photoluminescence spectrum (PL) presented an emission band at 402 nm. From the UV-Vis spectra and TAUC model, the band-gap value was found to be 2.93 eV. Finally, the photocatalytic assessment proved the ZnO NPs achieved 100% elimination of MB at 60 min exposure, and 85 and 92% degradation of MO and RhB, respectively, at 180 min. This indicates that ZnO NPs, in addition to using a friendly method for their synthesis, manage to have excellent photocatalytic activity in the degradation of various organic pollutants.

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 2103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae-Hee Han ◽  
So-Young Bak ◽  
Sangwoo Kim ◽  
Se Hyeong Lee ◽  
Ye-Ji Han ◽  
...  

This paper introduces a method for improving the sensitivity to NO2 gas of a p-type metal oxide semiconductor gas sensor. The gas sensor was fabricated using CuO nanowires (NWs) grown through thermal oxidation and decorated with ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) using a sol-gel method. The CuO gas sensor with a ZnO heterojunction exhibited better sensitivity to NO2 gas than the pristine CuO gas sensor. The heterojunction in CuO/ZnO gas sensors caused a decrease in the width of the hole accumulation layer (HAL) and an increase in the initial resistance. The possibility to influence the width of the HAL helped improve the NO2 sensing characteristics of the gas sensor. The growth morphology, atomic composition, and crystal structure of the gas sensors were analyzed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, respectively.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 1350-1360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Suchomski ◽  
Ben Breitung ◽  
Ralf Witte ◽  
Michael Knapp ◽  
Sondes Bauer ◽  
...  

Magnetic nanocrystals with a narrow size distribution hold promise for many applications in different areas ranging from biomedicine to electronics and energy storage. Herein, the microwave-assisted sol–gel synthesis and thorough characterization of size-monodisperse zinc ferrite nanoparticles of spherical shape is reported. X-ray diffraction, 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy all show that the material is both chemically and phase-pure and adopts a partially inverted spinel structure with Fe3+ ions residing on tetrahedral and octahedral sites according to (Zn0.32Fe0.68)tet[Zn0.68Fe1.32]octO4±δ. Electron microscopy and direct-current magnetometry confirm the size uniformity of the nanocrystals, while frequency-dependent alternating-current magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate the presence of a superspin glass state with a freezing temperature of about 22 K. Furthermore, as demonstrated by galvanostatic charge–discharge tests and ex situ X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy, the as-prepared zinc ferrite nanocrystals can be used as a high-capacity anode material for Li-ion batteries, showing little capacity fade – after activation – over hundreds of cycles. Overall, in addition to the good material characteristics, it is remarkable that the microwave-based synthetic route is simple, easily reproducible and scalable.


Author(s):  
Katarzyna Matras-Postolek ◽  
A. Zaba ◽  
S. Sovinska ◽  
D. Bogdal

Zinc sulphide (ZnS) and zinc selenide (ZnSe) and manganese-doped and un-doped with different morphologies from 1D do 3D microflowers were successfully fabricated in only a few minutes by solvothermal reactions under microwave irradiation. In order to compare the effect of microwave heating on the properties of obtained  nanocrystals, additionally the synthesis under conventional heating was conducted additionally in similar conditions. The obtained nanocrystals were systematically characterized in terms of structural and optical properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectroscopy (DR UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis. The photocatalytic activity of ZnSe, ZnS, ZnS:Mn and ZnSe:Mn nanocrystals with different morphologies was evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) and Rhodamine 6G (R6G), respectively. The results show that Mn doped NCs samples had higher coefficient of degradation of organic dyes under ultraviolet irradiation (UV).


Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Arif Khan ◽  
Nafarizal Nayan ◽  
Shadiullah Shadiullah ◽  
Mohd Khairul Ahmad ◽  
Chin Fhong Soon

In the present work, a facile one-step hydrothermal synthesis of well-defined stabilized CuO nanopetals and its surface study by advanced nanocharacterization techniques for enhanced optical and catalytic properties has been investigated. Characterization by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis confirmed existence of high crystalline CuO nanopetals with average length and diameter of 1611.96 nm and 650.50 nm, respectively. The nanopetals are monodispersed with a large surface area, controlled morphology, and demonstrate the nanocrystalline nature with a monoclinic structure. The phase purity of the as-synthesized sample was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. A significantly wide absorption up to 800 nm and increased band gap were observed in CuO nanopetals. The valance band (VB) and conduction band (CB) positions at CuO surface are measured to be of +0.7 and −1.03 eV, respectively, using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which would be very promising for efficient catalytic properties. Furthermore, the obtained CuO nanopetals in the presence of hydrogen peroxide ( H 2 O 2 ) achieved excellent catalytic activities for degradation of methylene blue (MB) under dark, with degradation rate > 99% after 90 min, which is significantly higher than reported in the literature. The enhanced catalytic activity was referred to the controlled morphology of monodispersed CuO nanopetals, co-operative role of H 2 O 2 and energy band structure. This work contributes to a new approach for extensive application opportunities in environmental improvement.


Catalysts ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos D. Charisiou ◽  
Georgios I. Siakavelas ◽  
Binlin Dou ◽  
Victor Sebastian ◽  
Steven J. Hinder ◽  
...  

In this study, a critical comparison between two low metal (Ni) loading catalysts is presented, namely Ni/Al2O3 and Ni/AlCeO3 for the glycerol steam reforming (GSR) reaction. The surface and bulk properties of the catalysts were evaluated using a plethora of techniques, such as N2 adsorption/desorption, Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP–AES), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy / Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDX, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), CO2 and NH3– Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD), and Temperature Programmed Reduction (H2–TPR). Carbon deposited on the catalyst’s surfaces was probed using Temperature Programmed Oxidation (TPO), SEM, and TEM. It is demonstrated that Ce-modification of Al2O3 induces an increase of the surface basicity and Ni dispersion. These features lead to a higher conversion of glycerol to gaseous products (60% to 80%), particularly H2 and CO2, enhancement of WGS reaction, and a higher resistance to coke deposition. Allyl alcohol was found to be the main liquid product for the Ni/AlCeO3 catalyst, the production of which ceases over 700 °C. It is also highly significant that the Ni/AlCeO3 catalyst demonstrated stable values for H2 yield (2.9–2.3) and selectivity (89–81%), in addition to CO2 (75–67%) and CO (23–29%) selectivity during a (20 h) long time-on-stream study. Following the reaction, SEM/EDX and TEM analysis showed heavy coke deposition over the Ni/Al2O3 catalyst, whereas for the Ni/AlCeO3 catalyst TPO studies showed the formation of more defective coke, the latter being more easily oxidized.


Coatings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcela Elisabeta Barbinta-Patrascu ◽  
Camelia Ungureanu ◽  
Nicoleta Badea ◽  
Mihaela Bacalum ◽  
Andrada Lazea-Stoyanova ◽  
...  

The objective of the present study is the valorization of natural resources and the recycling of vegetal wastes by converting them into novel plasmonic bio-active hybrids. Thus, a “green” approach was used to design pectin-coated bio-nanosilver. Silver nanoparticles were generated from two common garden herbs (Mentha piperita and Amaranthus retroflexus), and pectin was extracted from lemon peels. The samples were characterized by the following methods: Ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)–Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and zeta potential measurements. Microscopic investigations revealed the spherical shape and the nano-scale size of the prepared biohybrids. Their bioperformances were checked in terms of antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The developed plasmonic materials exhibited a strong ability to scavenge short-life (96.1% ÷ 98.7%) and long-life (39.1% ÷ 91%) free radicals. Microbiological analyses demonstrated an impressive antibacterial effectiveness of pectin-based hybrids against Escherichia coli. The results are promising, and the obtained biomaterials could be used in many bio-applications, especially as antioxidant and antimicrobial biocoatings.


2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (8) ◽  
pp. 1053-1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin-Lu Qian ◽  
Zhi-Xiang Wang ◽  
Hai-Xin Tian ◽  
Min Li ◽  
Bao-Long Li ◽  
...  

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much interest in the fields of gas separation and storage, catalysis synthesis, nonlinear optics, sensors, luminescence, magnetism, photocatalysis gradation and crystal engineering because of their diverse properties and intriguing topologies. A Cu–MOF, namely poly[[(μ2-succinato-κ2 O:O′){μ2-tris[4-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenyl]amine-κ2 N:N′}copper(II)] dihydrate], {[Cu(C4H4O4)(C24H18N10)]·2H2O} n or {[Cu(suc)(ttpa)]·2H2O} n , (I), was synthesized by the hydrothermal method using tris[4-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenyl]amine (ttpa) and succinate (suc2−), and characterized by IR, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), luminescence, optical band gap and valence band X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (VB XPS). Cu–MOF (I) shows a twofold interpenetrating 4-coordinated three-dimensional CdSO4 topology with point symbol {65·8}. It presents good photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB) under visible-light irradiation. A photocatalytic mechanism was proposed and confirmed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Vaijayanti Namdeo Nande ◽  
Diana Kostyukova ◽  
Jeonghee Choi ◽  
Yong Hee Chung

Layers of cerium dioxide nanoparticles were prepared on titanium by electrodeposition with organic solution. Three concentrations of cerium ions were used at 31.6 V. The organic solution was isobutanol and titanium foils were used as anodes and cathodes. Currents were monitored during the electrodeposition. Deposition times ranged from 0.5 to 8 h. Deposited Deposited layers were calcined at 700 K for 30 min. The morphology and composition of the deposited layers were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). As-prepared and calcined deposition layers were assayed to be cerium dioxide. The average crystallite size increased from 4 to 7 nm through calcination at 700 K. Sizes of calcined cerium oxide agglomerates were ranging from 73 to 146 nm for 30 min deposition and 209 to 262 nm for 8 h deposition. The electrodeposition efficiencies of 0.5 h deposition at three concentrations were measured to be highest.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1731-1738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ma Hui ◽  
Wu Juzhen ◽  
Zhao Li ◽  
Zhou Zheng ◽  
Guo Jiahu

A one-pot simple and efficient synthetic route for the synthesis of Au-loaded Fe2O3 nanoparticles was developed, and this material's photocatalytic activity for visible light assisted oxidation of alcohols and degradation of organic dye were studied. As-synthesized nanostructured catalyst was characterised by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), SEM-mapping, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm (BET), and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). It was observed that 5–10 nm Au-nanoparticles supported on 10–80 nm Fe2O3 shows boomerang-shaped nanoparticle. Gold loading of 1 wt% shows high conversion and selectivity towards the target product aldehyde. The synthesized nanomaterial also proved to be an excellent photocatalyst for degradation of organic dyes such as methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB). The catalyst proved to be noteworthy as it does not loss in its catalytic activity even after five cycles of reuse.


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