Facile Synthesis, Characterization, Catalytic and Photocatalytic Activity of Multiferroic BiFeO3 Perovskite Nanoparticles

We report the synthesis of multiferroic BiFeO3 perovskite nanoparticles using the microwave combustion technique. Phase evolution is investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), which confirms that the formation of a secondary α-Bi2O3 phase with a monoclinic structure along with the existing rhombohedral (BiFeO3) structure. The average crystalline size has been found at 50 nm. The optical band gap was calculated from the Tauc’s plot it has been found 2.18 eV, as measured by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The appearances of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) absorption bands at 550 and 444 cm-1 were correlated to the rhombohedral stretching modes of bismuth ferrite nanostructure. The morphology observations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the formation of nanosized grains with pores. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) was done to confirm the extent of Bi3+, Fe3+, and O2- in the samples. The magnetization-Field (M-H) hysteresis curves recorded from the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) revealed the appearance of ferrimagnetic behavior at room temperature. The specific surface area characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm is found 44.86 m2 g-1 using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) technique. The as-fabricated BiFeO3 perovskite nanoparticles were investigated for their superior catalytic activity in two applications, which include (i) the conversion of glycerol to formic acid in a selective liquid phase batch reactor at atmospheric pressure. This bismuth-based nanoparticles exhibit as an efficient multifunctional catalyst with high conversion and selectivity efficiency around 99.2% and 98.5%, respectively, (ii) the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B under visible light irradiation is found maximum efficiency (99.9%), when a small amount of H2O2 was added during photocatalysis, indicating the samples possessed photo-Fenton like catalytic activity. Finally, we concluded that the BiFeO3 perovskite nanoparticles' high performance in future multifunctional devices is demonstrated by the simultaneous enhancement of catalytic and photocatalytic activities.

Structural, FTIR, Optical and Dielectric Properties of Zn1-xAlxO Ceramics For Advanced Applications

We report here the structural, FTIR, optical and dielectric properties of Zn1−xAlxO with x = 00.00 < x ≤ 0.20)). The wurtzite structure is conformed to all samples and the lattice constants, crystallite diameter, porosity and average crystalline size are generally decreased. The residual stress is compressive for pure samples, but it is changed to tensile for the doped samples. Interestingly, Debye temperature and elastic modulus are increased as x increases to 0.10, followed by a decrease at x = 0.20. Two different energy gaps Egh and Egl are apparent for each sample, corresponding of two transition absorption peaks. Interestingly, the ΔE = (Egh – Egl) ~ 0.60 for all samples. Further, the residual dielectric constant is decreased by increasing x to 0.10, followed by a sharp increase at x = 0.20 while the opposite behavior for (N/m*). The dielectric constant ε′ is slightly increased as x increases to 0.025, followed by a sharp increase as x increases to 0.20, as well as the ac conductivity σ/. The conduction is electronic for x ≤ 0.025 samples, but it is changed to hole with an increase of x to 0.20. The binding energy Wm was decreased as x increases to 0.20, but there is no exact trend against x for the behaviors of minimum hopping distance Rmin and density of localized states N. In addition, the density of states at Fermi level N (EF) has an optimum value at 195 KHz for all samples. The F-factor for solar cell design is increased as x increases to 0.10, but it is almost constant at x = 0.20. The Cole-Cole plot is a straight line for x = 0.00, a semicircle arc for x = 0.025 and a complete semicircle for x ≥ 0.05. The impedance resistance of grain Z\(g) and grain boundaries Z\(gb) are gradually decreased by increasing x to 0.20. These outcomes indicate that the addition of Al to ZnO shifts the mechanical, optical, and dielectric medium to higher values, which is strongly recommended for the design of optoelectronic and solar cell instruments.

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles for Study of Their Antimicrobial Effect on Plasma-Treated Textiles

Dielectric barrier discharges (DBD) are the configurations for the production of electrical discharges using a dielectric medium between the metallic electrodes. Plasma treatment produces negative radicals, which increase the adhesion of fabric for nanoparticles. The plasma treatment made the fabric surface rougher because of the etching effect. UV-vis spectra of the Plasmon resonance band observed at 253-400 nm. X-ray diffraction results showed that AgNPs has a cubical structure and the average crystalline size is 25 nm. SEM results determined that the morphology of the silver nanoparticles are flower shaped. The energy bandgap of AgNPs was observed at 2.59 eV. The silver nanoparticles were found to have enhanced antimicrobial properties and showed better zone of inhibition against isolated bacteria (Escherichia coli). DBD plasma treatment changed the chemical as well as physical properties of the cotton fabric. FTIR spectrum revealed that oxygen-containing groups, such as C-O, C=O, O-C-O, as well as O-C=O, increased on DBD treatment of cotton samples.

Impurity Defect Induced Ferromagnetism Investigation of SiO2-Supported NiO Particles

This study examines amorphous SiO2-supported NiO particles by nickel concentration and calcination temperature arrangement to determine photoluminescence emission peaks and magnetic properties. Conventional co-precipitation with thermal calcination was used to produce NiO nanoparticles. Cubic NiO crystallization with single phase was improved by doubling the nickel concentration by calcination at 500 ºC and 600 ºC. Average crystalline size of 72 nm was obtained in the samples where double nickel concentration with calcination temperature at 600 ºC. Granular forms have been observed in all samples, and nickel clusters were shown in the samples where the nickel concentration is twice as high. Green band emission intensity increases with improved NiO crystallinity due to surface oxygen vacancies at 505 nm. It is interesting to observe ferrimagnetism for SiO2-supported NiO particles calcined at 500 ºC. From these results, optimal synthesis procedure and reduction in nucleation growth of NiO nanoparticles was achieved by double nickel concentration with calcination temperature at 600 ºC. Resumen. Este estudio examina partículas de NiO soportadas en SiO2. El estudio comprende la variación de la concentración de níquel y la temperatura de calcinación para determinar los picos de emisión de fotoluminiscencia y las propiedades magnéticas. Se utilizó la coprecipitación convencional con calcinación para producir nanopartículas de NiO. Se mejoró la cristalización cúbica de NiO con fase única al duplicar la concentración de níquel y calcinación a 500 ºC y 600 ºC. Se obtuvo un tamaño cristalino promedio de 72 nm en las muestras donde se duplicó la concentración de níquel con temperatura de calcinación a 600 ºC. Se observaron formas granulares en todas las muestras, y se encontraron agregados de níquel en las muestras donde la concentración de níquel fue el doble. La intensidad de la banda de emisión aumenta con la cristalinidad de NiO debido a las vacantes de oxígeno en la superficie. Es interesante observar el ferrimagnetismo de las partículas de NiO soportadas en SiO2 calcinadas a 500 ºC. A partir de estos resultados, se logró un procedimiento de síntesis óptimo y la reducción del crecimiento de nucleación de nanopartículas de NiO mediante una concentración doble de níquel con una temperatura de calcinación de 600 ºC.

Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Acacia caesia Bark Extract and Its Photocatalytic and Antimicrobial Activities

This paper presents the green synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles and their microbial and photocatalytic application. The green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles was carried out using Zinc nitrate hexahydrate and the bark extract of Acacia caesia (L.) Willd. The nanoparticles were synthesized at an optimum temperature of 65 °C followed by calcination at 400 °C. The samples were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, SEM, XRD, FTIR and EDX analysis. UV-visible spectroscopy showed a characteristic peak at 338 nm and the bandgap energy was found to be 3 eV which is specific for ZnO. SEM confirmed the presence of ZnO on its nanoscale. EDX gave the elemental details of Zinc constituting to 37.77% and Oxygen comprising 20.77% of its atomic weight. XRD analysis gave the diffractogram indexed at various angles corresponding to ZnO nanoparticles. It also revealed the average crystalline size to be 32.32 nm and the shape was found to be hexagonal. The functional group present in the nanoparticles was characterized using FTIR, which gave a characteristic peak at 485 cm−1. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited significant photocatalytic (methyl blue under UV irradiation). The presence of nanoparticles induces changes in its kinetics, whose rate constants and correlation coefficients were analyzed during the photocatalytic degradation of the model pollutant Methyl Blue. Studies on antibacterial (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus), antifungal (Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans) and anti-inflammatory (COX assay) properties were also carried out. The nanoparticles were synthesized in an eco-friendly and cost-effective method. The study opens new horizons in the field of water treatment, biosensors and nanotechnology.

Synthesis of ZIF-11- effect of source of zinc salts on the structure

In this paper, ZIF-11 material was synthesized from benzimidazole and different zinc salt sources at room temperature. The obtained samples were characterized using XRD, SEM, FTIR and TGA measurements. The results showed that the synthesized materials had nano-size, and uniformity with the sharp dodecahedrons structure of ZIF-11. Zinc sources had an influence on the size and nature of the ZIF-11 crystal. The average crystalline size of the nanoparticles calculated by Scherrer equation were 85.5 nm for sample of zinc nitrate, 91.9 nm for sample of zinc chloride and 111.5 nm for sample of zinc acetate. The obtained samples had high thermal stability ( 460 °C). The adsorption capacity of the synthesized materials for iodine from aqueous solution was very high (236 mg/g).

Synthesis of ZIF-67- Effect of solvent on the structure

In the present paper, ZIF-67 material was synthesized from cobalt (II) nitrate hexahydrate and 2-methyl imidazole in three different solvents (methanol, ethanol and acetone) at room temperature. The obtained samples were characterized using XRD, SEM, FTIR, TGA and nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements. The results show that the synthesized ZIF-67 materials had a high purity, nano-size, and uniformity with the sharp dodecahedrons structure of ZIF-67. Solvents had an influence on the size and nature of the ZIF-67 crystal. The average crystalline size of the nanoparticles calculated by Scherrer equation were 64 nm for sample in acetone solvent, 128 nm for sample in ethanol solvent and 132 nm for sample in methanol solvent. The obtained samples had high thermal stability ( 320 °C). The ZIF-67 material with ethanol solvent had a high specific surface area (SBET) of 1506 m2/g. The synthesized samples exhibited better adsorption capacity of methyl oranges than that of rhodamine B.

Fabrication and Characterization of Nb2O5 Dopant Al Thin Films Prepared by DC Reactive Plasma Sputtering Technique

The development of niobium oxide (Nb2O5) thin films is an important work as a result of wide applications of this oxide in the field of material science and thin-film applications. In this study, thin-film microstructures of aluminum (Al)-doped Nb2O5 were prepared by DC plasma sputtering on glasses substrate. The ratio of doping was (0.5, 1, and 1.5) wt. % Al. The obtained samples were thermally treated at 450 °C. Characterized and analyzed the physical properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and UV-Visible spectroscopy for optical properties investigation. Results showed that the average crystalline size of Nb2O5:0.5%Al film was found at 26.47 nm and the structure was a monoclinic phase for all samples. The distribution of grain size was found lower than 36.3 nm and uninformed particles on the surface. The analyzed optical properties showed the absorption decreased from 0.46 to 0.05 with increasing the wavelength and Low energy gap values decreased from 3.10 eV for Nb2O5 samples to 2.84 eV for 1.5%Al samples. In general, the doping by aluminum improved the physical properties of Nb2O5 films.

Influence of NIR Laser and Alternating Magnetic Field on Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Cell Lines Treatment

ore-shell nanoparticles (CSNPs) have attracted attention in biomedical applications as they have highly useful materials with modified characteristics, such as high stability, dispersibility, higher permeability to certain target cells and reduction in consumption of precious materials. Synthesis of core-multishell nanoparticles with suitable sizes, structural characteristics and absorption using simple methods continues to be a challenge. In this study, Fe3O-4­Au @SiO2, CSNPs were synthesized in three stages to control their size and the potential for tuning their properties. FESEM images confirmed that CSNPs has a small particle size of about 22.5 nm; average crystalline size in XRD was 22.8 nm; stability was about -49.1 mV; and synthesis with magnetic and optical properties improved their biocompatibility. Treatment of CAL-51 and HBL-100 cell lines by Fe3O-4­Au @SiO2, CSNPs under NIR laser and alternating magnetic field (AMF) generated enough heat to increase cell death.

Semiconducting Poly (1-Aminoanthroquinone) Nanoscale Materials: Synthesis, Morphological Aspects and Novel Catalytic Applications

The intrinsic semiconducting poly (1-aminoanthraquinone) (PAAQ) was synthesized by simple oxidative polymerization of 1-aminoanthraquinone (1-AAQ) as a starting monomer at 25, 40 and 50 °C in the biphasic system. In this study 70 % of perchloric acid (HClO4) was used to enhance the acidity and 30 % of hydrogen peroxide was acted as an oxidant. The synthesized polymers were undergone studies for their crystalline nature, surface morphology, optical behavior, and electrochemical potential using XRD, SEM, UV-Vis, Fluorescence, FT-IR, DLS, and CV techniques respectively. The average crystalline size were found to be 45.47, 45.88, 45.51 nm and its band gap energies were 3.95, 3.89, 3.70, 3.55 eV at 25, 40 and 50 °C respectively. The SEM images reveal the formation of well-defined nanocubes with sheets and the average particles size was 75 nm. The efficiency in electrochemical properties of synthesized PAAQ polymerare evident from its redox peaks and in impedance curve. The synthesized PAAQ polymer at 25 °C have showed an optimized catalytic conversion of CO2 to CO3 and the stabilized shielding property against X-Ray irradiation during radiation therapy.