Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles Loaded on Biochar Derived from Spartina alterniflora with Superior Photocatalytic Degradation Performance

Spartina alterniflora is an invasive plant from coastal wetlands, and its use in applications has garnered much interest. In this study, a composite photocatalyst (ZnO@BC) was synthesized by preparing zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with S. alterniflora extracts, S. alterniflora, and one-step carbonization, which was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS), photoluminescence (PL) and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm. The degradation capacity and mechanism of malachite green (MG) using ZnO@BC were analyzed under visible irradiation, and the degradation products of malachite green were detected by LC–MS. The results show that ZnO@BC has a larger surface area (83.2 m2/g) and various reactive groups, which enhance its photocatalytic efficiency, with the presence of oxygen vacancy further improving the photocatalytic activity. The total removal rate of malachite green (400 mg/L) using ZnO@BC is up to 98.38%. From the LC–MS analysis, it could be concluded that malachite green is degraded by demethylation, deamination, conjugate structure and benzene ring structure destruction. This study provides a novel idea for the high-value utilization of S. alterniflora.

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Adsorption Characteristics and Molecular Simulation of Malachite Green onto Modified Distillers’ Grains

Water ◽

10.3390/w14020171 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 171

Author(s):

Chengtao Li ◽

Deyi Kong ◽

Xiaolong Yao ◽

Xiaotao Ma ◽

Chunhui Wei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Simulation ◽

Correlation Coefficient ◽

Malachite Green ◽

Removal Rate ◽

Waste Product ◽

Freundlich Isotherm ◽

Distillers Grains ◽

Order Kinetic ◽

Distiller's Grains ◽

Adsorption Desorption

Adsorbent material was prepared using distillers’ grains (DG), which is a waste product of distilleries. The DG was pre-treated with NaOH and esterification-modified with CS2, which is a commonly used anionic modifier. The structure and morphology of the adsorbent was characterized by FTIR, XRD, EDS, SEM, BET, and zeta potential. The related mechanism of adsorption of malachite green (MG) onto modified distiller’s grains (MDG) was studied by adsorption experiments and molecular simulation techniques. The experimental results showed that CS2 successfully modified the DG fiber, and simultaneously yielded the MDG with a uniform pore distribution. MDG had a considerable adsorption capacity of 367.39 mg/g and a maximum removal rate of 96.51%. After eight adsorption–desorption cycle experiments, the adsorption removal rate of MDG to MG dye remained at 82.6%. The adsorption process could be fitted well by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model (the correlation coefficient R2 > 0.998) and Freundlich isotherm adsorption equation (the correlation coefficient R2 > 0.972). Moreover, the adsorption of MG dye by MDG is a spontaneous, endothermic, and increased entropy process. The results of molecular simulation showed that the mechanism of MG molecules onto MDG was mainly chemical adsorption. The adsorption performance of MG onto MDG was better and more stable than DG. Molecular simulation also provided a theoretical guidance of MDG adsorption–desorption for the research on recycling of DG resources.

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Pore Modification and Phosphorus Doping Effect on Phosphoric Acid-Activated Fe-N-C for Alkaline Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano11061519 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1519

Author(s):

Jong Gyeong Kim ◽

Sunghoon Han ◽

Chanho Pak

Keyword(s):

Phosphoric Acid ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Electronic States ◽

Nitrogen Adsorption ◽

Reduction Reaction ◽

Phosphorus Doping ◽

X Ray ◽

Precious Metal Catalysts ◽

Adsorption Desorption

The price and scarcity of platinum has driven up the demand for non-precious metal catalysts such as Fe-N-C. In this study, the effects of phosphoric acid (PA) activation and phosphorus doping were investigated using Fe-N-C catalysts prepared using SBA-15 as a sacrificial template. The physical and structural changes caused by the addition of PA were analyzed by nitrogen adsorption/desorption and X-ray diffraction. Analysis of the electronic states of Fe, N, and P were conducted by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The amount and size of micropores varied depending on the PA content, with changes in pore structure observed using 0.066 g of PA. The electronic states of Fe and N did not change significantly after treatment with PA, and P was mainly found in states bonded to oxygen or carbon. When 0.135 g of PA was introduced per 1 g of silica, a catalytic activity which was increased slightly by 10 mV at −3 mA/cm2 was observed. A change in Fe-N-C stability was also observed through the introduction of PA.

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Lubricant Removal, Degradation, and Recovery on Particulate Magnetic Recording Media

Journal of Tribology ◽

10.1115/1.2920869 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 114 (1) ◽

pp. 61-67 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

V. J. Novotny ◽

T. E. Karis ◽

N. W. Johnson

Keyword(s):

Bulk Viscosity ◽

Magnetic Recording ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Removal Rate ◽

Lateral Diffusion ◽

Recording Media ◽

Magnetic Recording Media ◽

Removal Rates ◽

Linear Chains ◽

Mechanical Durability

Lubrication of particulate magnetic recording media improves their mechanical durability in sliding and flying by several orders of magnitude compared with unlubricated media. Lubricant removal, degradation, and recovery were studied using microslit scanning Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and microspot scanning X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These techniques measure the total and surface lubricant amounts in the porous film, respectively. Lubricant dynamics were compared for two physisorbed polyperfluoroalkylether lubricants of similar molecular weight but different molecular structure—Y with a CF3 side group and Z with linear chains. The bulk viscosity of Y was about ten times higher than the viscosity of Z. In sliding, the lubricant removal rate of Y was significantly higher than that of Z while in flying the removal rates were reversed. Removal rates in sliding were orders of magnitude higher than those in flying. Effective lateral diffusion coefficients estimated from the rate of lubricant reflow back to the depleted tracks were close to inversely proportional to the bulk viscosity. During sliding and flying both lubricants degraded as evidenced by chemically altered lubricant detected on the surfaces after dissolution of undegraded lubricant.

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Accumulation and Output of Heavy Metals by the Invasive Plant Spartina alterniflora in a Coastal Salt Marsh

Pedosphere ◽

10.1016/s1002-0160(17)60369-2 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (6) ◽

pp. 884-894 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Lian CHEN ◽

Jianhua GAO ◽

Qingguang ZHU ◽

Yaping WANG ◽

Yang YANG

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Salt Marsh ◽

Spartina Alterniflora ◽

Invasive Plant ◽

Coastal Salt Marsh

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FeYO3@rGO nanocomposites: Synthesis, characterization and application in photooxidative degradation of atrazine under visible light

Materials Express ◽

10.1166/mex.2021.1957 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 706-716

Author(s):

Nada D. Al-Khthami ◽

Tariq Altalhi ◽

Mohammed Alsawat ◽

Mohamed S. Amin ◽

Yousef G. Alghamdi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visible Light ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Sol Gel ◽

Bandgap Energy ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

X Ray ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Reduced Graphene ◽

Structural Surface ◽

Adsorption Desorption

Different organic pollutants have been remediated photo catalytically by applying perovskite photocatalysts. Atrazine (ATR) is a pesticide commonly detected as a pollutant in drinking, surface and ground water. Herein, FeYO3@rGO heterojunction was synthesized and applied for photooxidation decomposition of ATR. First, FeYO 3nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared via routine sol-gel. After that, FeYO3 NPs were successfully incorporated with different percentages (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt.%) of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in the synthesis of novel FeYO3@rGO photocatalyst. Morphological, structural, surface, optoelectrical and optical characteristics of constructed materials were identified via X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), adsorption/desorption isotherms, diffusive reflectance (DR) spectra, and photoluminescence response (PL). Furthermore, photocatalytic achievement of the constructed materials was evaluated via photooxidative degradation of ATR. Various investigations affirmed the usefulness of rGO incorporation on the advancement of formed photocatalysts. Actually, novel nanocomposite containing rGO (15 wt.%) possessed diminished bandgap energy, as well as magnified visible light absorption. Furthermore, such nanocomposite presented exceptional photocatalytic achievement when exposed to visible light as ATR was perfectly photooxidized over finite amount (1.6 g · L-1) from the optimized photocatalyst when illuminated for 30 min. The advanced photocatalytic performance of constructed heterojunctions could be accredited mainly to depressed recombination amid induced charges. The constructed FeYO3@rGO nanocomposite is labelled as efficient photocatalyst for remediation of herbicides from aquatic environments.

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Preparation of Novel Ag–Si–TiO2 Composite and Research on Its Photocatalytic Degradation of Formaldehyde

Science of Advanced Materials ◽

10.1166/sam.2021.3864 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 371-380

Author(s):

Yongjun Wu ◽

Nina Xie ◽

Lu Yu

Keyword(s):

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Removal Rate ◽

Sol Gel ◽

Catalytic Performance ◽

Formaldehyde Concentration ◽

Order Kinetic ◽

Solution Ph ◽

Visible Absorption ◽

X Ray ◽

Co Doped

A novel Ag–Si–TiO2 composite was prepared via sol–gel method for removing residual formaldehyde in shiitake mushroom. The structure of Ag–Si–TiO2 composite was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and N2 adsorption-desorption tests showed that Ag and Si co-doped decreased the band gap, the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area of the samples increased and the recombination probability of electron-hole pairs (e--h+) reduced. Effect on removal rate of formaldehyde with different Ag-Si co-doped content, formaldehyde concentration and solution pH were investigated, and the results showed that 6.0 wt%Ag-3.0 wt%Si-TiO2 samples had an optimum catalytic performance, and the degradation efficiency reached 96.6% after 40 W 365 nm UV lamp irradiation for 360 min. The kinetics of formaldehyde degradation by Ag–Si–TiO2 composite photocatalyst could be described by Langmuir-Hinshelwood first-order kinetic model.

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Decolourization of malachite green dye by mentha plant biochar (MPB): a combined action of adsorption and electrochemical reduction processes

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2018.059 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 77 (6) ◽

pp. 1734-1743 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Abhay Prakash Rawat ◽

D. P. Singh

Keyword(s):

Malachite Green ◽

Electron Transfer Reaction ◽

Order Kinetic ◽

Voltammetric Analysis ◽

Malachite Green Dye ◽

Type Iv ◽

Bet Analysis ◽

Order Kinetic Model ◽

Combined Action ◽

Adsorption Desorption

Abstract Adsorption behavior of mentha (mint) plant biochar (MPB) in removal of malachite green (MG) dye from aqueous solution was analyzed as a function of different pH (4.0–10.0), initial dye concentration (20–100 mg/L), contact time (0–45 min) and dose of adsorbent (0.05–0.3 g/100 mL). The zeta potential of the MPB particles was found to be −37.9 mV, indicating a negatively charged sorption surface of MPB particles. MPB was found to be more effective in removal of MG dye at pH 6.0 due to combined action of physico-chemisorption and a reductive electron transfer reaction. Results on the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis of the N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm of MPB as adsorbent showed sigmoidal shape similar to the type IV isotherm and mesoporous nature. The cyclic voltammetric analysis of MG dye showed a reversible, coupled redox reaction at the interface of dye molecules and MPB particles. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity (qmax) of MPB was found to be 322.58 mg g−1. The separation factor (RL) value was between 0 and 1, indicating a favourable adsorption of MG dye onto MPB. The results fitted well to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Further results from desorption experiments showed recovery of MG dye by about 50% in the presence of 1 N HCl.

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A Facile Strategy to Fabricate Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron Decorated Graphene Oxide Composite for Dechloridation of Trichloroacetic Acid in Water

Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology ◽

10.1166/jnn.2018.16374 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 8252-8257 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Huixuan Zhang ◽

Xinyi Zhang ◽

Ruonan Guo ◽

Qingfeng Cheng ◽

Xiuwen Cheng

Keyword(s):

Graphene Oxide ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Sewage Treatment ◽

Reduction Process ◽

Zero Valent Iron ◽

Chlorinated Organic Compounds ◽

X Ray ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Nanoscale Zero Valent Iron ◽

Adsorption Desorption

In this study, nanoscale zero-valent iron decorated graphene oxide (NZVI/GO) composite was fabricated through a reduction process in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) solution. Subsequently, physicochemical properties of the NZVI/GO composites were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption/desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Raman spectra. Results indicated that Fe species existed in the form of Fe0, which uniformly dispersed on the surface of GO. Furthermore, the performance of NZVI/GO was evaluated by the degradation of tichloroacetic acid (TCAA). TCAA can be rapidly degraded by NZVI/GO. This paper provides a promising strategy to synthesize versatile catalyst which would be potentially applied in sewage treatment to degrade chlorinated organic compounds.

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Synthesis and characterizations of TiN–SBA-15 mesoporous materials for CO2 dry reforming enhancement

Pure and Applied Chemistry ◽

10.1515/pac-2019-0806 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 92 (4) ◽

pp. 545-556

Author(s):

Maslin Chotirach ◽

Supawan Tantayanon ◽

Duangamol Nuntasri Tungasmita ◽

Junliang Sun ◽

Sukkaneste Tungasmita

Keyword(s):

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Synthesis Method ◽

High Specific Surface Area ◽

Dry Reforming ◽

Dry Reforming Of Methane ◽

Ni Catalyst ◽

X Ray ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Temperature Programmed ◽

Adsorption Desorption

AbstractA novel approach of titanium nitride (TiN) incorporated into SBA-15 framework was developed using one-step hydrothermal synthesis method. TiN contents up to ~18 wt% were directly dispersed in a synthetic gel under a typical strong acidic condition. The physico-chemical characteristics and the surface properties were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), N2 adsorption-desorption, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) and CO2-temperature programmed desorption (CO2-TPD). The results indicated that the highly ordered mesostructured was effectively maintained with high specific surface area of 532–685 m2g−1. The basicity of the modified SBA-15 increased with rising TiN loading. These modified materials were applied as a support of Ni catalyst in dry reforming of methane (DRM). Their catalytic behavior possessed superior conversions for both CO2 and CH4 with the highest H2/CO ratio (0.83) as well as 50 % lower carbon formation, compared to bare SBA-15 support.

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Bulk Versus Surface Modification of Alumina with Mn and Ce Based Oxides for CH4 Catalytic Combustion

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma12111771 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 1771 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Stefan Neatu ◽

Mihaela M. Trandafir ◽

Adelina Stănoiu ◽

Ovidiu G. Florea ◽

Cristian E. Simion ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Catalytic Combustion ◽

Mixed Oxides ◽

Sol Gel ◽

Nitrogen Adsorption ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

X Ray ◽

Temperature Programmed ◽

Catalytic Combustion Of Methane ◽

Adsorption Desorption

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of lanthanum-modified alumina supported cerium–manganese mixed oxides, which were prepared by three different methods (coprecipitation, impregnation and citrate-based sol-gel method) followed by calcination at 500 °C. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized materials were investigated by various characterization techniques, namely: nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and H2–temperature programmed reduction (TPR). This experimental study demonstrated that the role of the catalytic surface is much more important than the bulk one. Indeed, the incipient impregnation of CeO2–MnOx catalyst, supported on an optimized amount of 4 wt.% La2O3–Al2O3, provided the best results of the catalytic combustion of methane on our catalytic micro-convertors. This is mainly due to: (i) the highest pore size dimensions according to the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) investigations, (ii) the highest amount of Mn4+ or/and Ce4+ on the surface as revealed by XPS, (iii) the presence of a mixed phase (Ce2MnO6) as shown by X-ray diffraction; and (iv) a higher reducibility of Mn4+ or/and Ce4+ species as displayed by H2–TPR and therefore more reactive oxygen species.

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