Photocatalytic degradation of phosphamidon using Ag-doped ZnO nanorods

The photocatalytic degradation of the organo-phosphorous pesticide phosphamidon at low concentration in aqueous solution on Ag-doped ZnO nanorods was investigated. Nanosized Ag-doped ZnO rods were synthesized by using a microwave assisted aqueous method. High molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol was used as a stabilizing agent. Composition and structure were investigated using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD pattern reveals that ZnO nanorods are of hexagonal wurtzite structure. The average crystallite size calculated from Scherrer's relation was found to be 30?nm. The effects of catalyst loading, pH value, and initial concentration of phosphamidon on the photocatalytic degradation efficiency using Ag-doped ZnO nanorods as a photocatalyst have been discussed. The results revealed that Ag-doped ZnO nanorods with a diameter of 30?nm showed highest photocatalytic activity at a surface density of 1?g?dm^?3. The catalyst doped with 0.2?mol% Ag is effective for the degradation of phosphamidon with visible light. This opens a new possibility to decompose pesticides that are present in wastewater.     

Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange using ZnO/TiO2 composites

ZnO/TiO₂ composites were synthesized by using the solvothermal method and ultrasonic precipitation followed by heat treatment in order to investigate their photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) in aqueous suspension under UV irradiation. The composition and surface structure of the catalyst were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The degradation efficiencies of MO at various pH values were obtained. The highest degradation efficiencies were obtained before 30 min and after 60 min at pH 11.0 and pH 2.0, respectively. A sample analysis was conducted using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry. Six intermediates were found during the photocatalytic degradation process of quinonoid MO. The degradation pathway of quinonoid MO was also proposed.     

Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange using ZnO/TiO composites

ZnO/TiO₂ composites were synthesized by using the solvothermal method and ultrasonic precipitation followed by heat treatment in order to investigate their photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) in aqueous suspension under UV irradiation. The composition and surface structure of the catalyst were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The degradation efficiencies of MO at various pH values were obtained. The highest degradation efficiencies were obtained before 30min and after 60min at pH 11.0 and pH 2.0, respectively. A sample analysis was conducted using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry. Six intermediates were found during the photocatalytic degradation process of quinonoid MO. The degradation pathway of quinonoid MO was also proposed.     

Photocatalytic activity of ZnO films with micro-grid structure

A layer of zinc oxide (ZnO) micro-grid was deposited on the surface of ZnO film using the DC reactive magnetron sputtering method and the micro-sphere lithography technique on glass substrates. Samples of this layer were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and ultraviolet-visible light spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction showed the high crystallinity of ZnO film and the regular arrangement of the micro-grid. The microgrid ZnO has a lower specular reflection and a higher diffuse reflection, allowing incident light to reflect two or three times to enhance the usage of light. Photocatalytic degradation experiments on methylene blue using both ZnO micro-grid and ordinary film showed that the ZnO micro-grid has better photo-catalytic properties than ordinary film. The ZnO micro-grid enhanced the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO film by 28% with a degradation time of 300 min.     

A simple and cheap method for preparation of coupled ZrO2/ZnO with high photocatalytic activities

The objective of this study was to prepare a new photocatalyst with high activities for degradation of organic pollutants. Coupled ZrO₂/ZnO photocatalyst was prepared with a simple precipitation method with cheap raw materials zinc acetate and zirconium oxychloride, and was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Reactive brilliant red X-3B was used as a model compound to investigate the photocatalytic activity of synthesized catalysts in water under 254 nm UV irradiation. Results show that the optimal calcination temperature and coupling molar ratio of Zr were 350°C And 2.5%, respectively. At the calcination temperature of 350°C, ZrO₂ was dispersed on the surface of hexagonal ZnO in the form of amorphous clusters. The particle size of ZrO₂/ZnO decreased with the decrease of calcination temperature and the increase of Zr coupling amount. ZrO₂/ZnO has better photocatalytic activity for degradation of reactive brilliant red (RBR) X-3B than pure ZnO and P25-TiO₂.     

Preparation and characterization of ZnO/ZnS hybrid photocatalysts via microwave-hydrothermal method

The photocatalytic performance of ZnO/ZnS hybrid nanocomposite was largely higher than that of the mere ZnO or ZnS nanoparticles, but the complicated procedure and misdistribution of final products limited its large-scale productions. The exploration of a novel synthesis route of ZnO/ZnS hybrid photocatalysts with high catalytic performance is becoming a crucial step for the large-scale application of ZnO/ZnS hybrid photocatalytic technique. Preparation and characterization of nanosized ZnO/ZnS hybrid photocatalysts were studied in this paper. The photocatalysts were obtained via microwave-hydrothermal crystallization with the help of sodium citrate. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size distribution (PSD), and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results indicated that so-synthesized ZnO/ZnS samples consisted of the high pure cubic (sphalerite) ZnS and hexagonal ZnO nanocrystallines with a narrow particle size distribution. The possible formation mechanisms of ZnO/ZnS nanocrystallines were mainly attributed to the superficially protective effect of citrate. The photocatalytic experiments demonstrated that the ZnO/ZnS photocatalysts exhibited a higher catalytic activity for the degradation of acid fuchsine than other monocomponents.     

Zn-TiO_2纳米管的光催化活性

采用水热合成-浸渍法制备锌掺杂TiO2纳米管（Zn-TiO2纳米管）,透射电镜照片显示Zn-TiO2纳米管为两端开口形貌均一的中空管状结构,管径约6～8 nm,壁厚约1 nm,长度约50～200 nm。研究了Zn-TiO2纳米管对甲基橙的光催化性能,结果表明：掺杂适量锌提高了TiO2纳米管对甲基橙的光催化降解性能,0.4%Zn-TiO2纳米管的光催化性能最佳。同时还探讨了Zn-TiO2纳米管用量和初始pH值等因素对光催化降解甲基橙的影响,结果显示Zn-TiO2纳米管能有效地降解甲基橙。随着光催化反应进行,CODCr去除率和脱色率变化规律不完全相同,可能是由于芳基和烷基降解速率不同所致。     

Ionic dye adsorption by zinc oxide nanoparticles

The adsorption behaviour of Basic Red 12, Acid Orange 7 and Acid Blue 1 on zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNP) has been investigated to understand the physicochemical process involved and to explore the possible use of nanoparticles in the treatment and management of textile waste matter. The dye removal capacity of ZNP towards Basic Red 12, Acid Orange 7 and Acid Blue 1 was found to be 15.64, 6.78 and 6.38 mg g^?1, respectively. The adsorption process was pH dependent and optimum pH values of 9.0, 2.0 and 4.0 were obtained for Basic Red 12, Acid Orange 7 and Acid Blue 1, respectively. Equilibrium was established after 1.0 h for all dyes. Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models were applied to the system. The adsorbent ZNP was characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. SEM analysis revealed the noticeable nanoporous morphology of the material. The results of FTIR spectroscopy showed that the process is driven by an electrostatic complexation mechanism. XRD studies revealed the nanocrystalline structure of ZNP. BET surface area measurement suggested a high pore volume and large surface area for the adsorbent. The kinetic measurements suggested pseudo-second-order kinetic processes with high regression coefficients and smaller standard error of estimate values and lower residual sum of squares. The thermodynamic measurements suggested that all processes were exothermic and accompanied by negative values for Δ G⁰, Δ S⁰ and Δ H⁰.     

ZnO薄膜光电催化降解乙酰甲胺磷

采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了ZnO薄膜,并通过光电流响应、EIS、SEM、XRD等分析方法对其光电化学性能、表面形貌和结构进行表征.以制备的ZnO薄膜为工作电极对乙酰甲胺磷进行光电催化降解.实验表明,ZnO薄膜电极在UV照射下能够有效地光电催化降解乙酰甲胺磷,加入适量H2O2后具有一定的协同作用.在H2O2浓度为9.908 mmol.L-1,外加电压为1.2 V,支持电解液Na2SO4浓度为0.01 mol.L-1,溶液pH值为5.4的条件下,对0.1 mmol.L-1的乙酰甲胺磷180 min的降解率可达到89.6%.     

ZnO纳米丛的制备及其光催化性能研究

以沉淀法制备了高活性ZnO纳米丛(nanobushes,ZNB),以水热反应制备得到普通ZnO纳米颗粒(nanoparticles,ZNP).利用X射线衍射仪(XRD)、透射电镜(TEM)、扫描电镜(SEM)、比表面积测定仪(BET)和光致发光光谱(PL)等手段对ZNB和ZNP进行了表征,并比较了其光催化活性的差异.在紫外光(λ≤387 nm)照射40 min后ZNB使有机染料罗丹明B(Rhodamine B,RhB)完全褪色,而相同条件下ZNP仅能使RhB褪色53%.通过总有机碳(TOC)的测定,研究了ZnO对RhB深度氧化矿化程度,光照6 h后ZNB对RhB矿化率高达92%,而ZNP对RhB的矿化率只有77%.跟踪测定了光催化降解过程中活性氧化物种相对含量的变化,表明紫外光激发条件下,ZnO光催化反应机理主要涉及羟基自由基(.OH)历程,且ZNB产生活性氧化物种的量高于ZNP.     

Zn-TiO2纳米管的光催化活性

采用水热合成-浸渍法制备锌掺杂TiO2纳米管(Zn-TiO2纳米管),透射电镜照片显示Zn-TiO2纳米管为两端开口形貌均一的中空管状结构,管径约6～8 nm,壁厚约1 nm,长度约50～200 nm。研究了Zn-TiO2纳米管对甲基橙的光催化性能,结果表明:掺杂适量锌提高了TiO2纳米管对甲基橙的光催化降解性能,0.4%Zn-TiO2纳米管的光催化性能最佳。同时还探讨了Zn-TiO2纳米管用量和初始pH值等因素对光催化降解甲基橙的影响,结果显示Zn-TiO2纳米管能有效地降解甲基橙。随着光催化反应进行,CODCr去除率和脱色率变化规律不完全相同,可能是由于芳基和烷基降解速率不同所致。     

Efficient photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B dye using ZnO/graphitic C<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocomposites synthesized by microwave

Semiconductor photocatalysis is a solution to issues of environmental pollution and energy shortage because photocatalysis can use solar energy to degrade pollutants. The photocatalytic activity can be improved by using composites of ZnO and other semiconductors. Here, composites of ZnO and polymeric graphite-like C₃N₄ (g-C₃N₄) with high photocatalytic activities were prepared by microwave synthesis. Products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B was tested under irradiation from a Xe lamp. Results show that adding graphite-like C₃N₄ promotes the photocatalytic activity of ZnO. Composites with 1.0 wt% g-C₃N₄ showed the best photodegradation efficiency, and the reaction average energy was approximately 33.71 kJ mol^?1.     

TiO2,ZnO光催化降解庚烷的活性研究

采用XRD，SPS，XPS，BET技术对TiO2和ZnO超细粉进行了结构、性能测试、考察了不同粒径的超细粉和普通商品（体相）TiO2、ZnO对庚烷的气相光催化反应，结果表明，TiO2（锐钛矿型）光催化活性大于ZnO，锐钛矿型TiO2光催化活性较金红石型TiO2好，对于同一结构的粒子来说，粒径愈小，表面羟基含量愈高，光催化活性愈高，通过反应产物的分析，探讨了反应机理。     

Photodegradation of an azo dye by silver-doped nano-particulate titanium dioxide

The synthesis of silver doped nano-particulate titanium dioxide (Ag/TiO₂) using a microemulsion method and an investigation of its photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Acid Red 27 in distilled water under UV-irradiation is reported. The prepared Ag/TiO₂ is characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The size of the Ag nanoparticles is around 5–15?nm, with almost uniform distribution on the TiO₂ particles. The efficiency of the photocatalytic process is evaluated to establish the optimum conditions, found to be at 2?wt% of Ag loading on TiO₂, catalyst dosage of 400?mg?L^?1, and calcination temperature of 300°C. Complete decolorization of the dye solution on Ag/TiO₂ was observed in 20?min of UV irradiation in the optimum conditions.     

Responses of oxidative stress,genotoxicity and immunotoxicity as biomarkers in Theba pisana snails dietary exposed to silver nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are now being of a great interest by ecotoxicological researchers. Their potential hazards to humans and other non-target organisms had led to crucial concerns. In this research, white radish leaf extract was used for the green synthesis of AgNPs. UV–Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) have been utilised to characterise the biosynthesised AgNPs. Furthermore, the present study aimed to investigate the ecotoxicological effects of 1?mM biosynthesised AgNPs on the land snail, Theba pisana after two weeks of exposure and one week recovery with respect to oxidative stress parameters; lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), cytogenetic parameters; DNA content and micronucleus test, as well as immunological parameters; cell death, phagocytosis, lysosomal membrane stability (LMS), lectins, superoxide anion (O₂^?) generation, phenoloxidase (PO), peroxidase (POD) and haemocyanin (Hc) were examined. AgNPs have been biosynthesised successfully; the UV–vis spectrum exhibited a single and broad absorption band located between 375 and 415?nm, TEM image shows AgNPs formed were nearly spherical in shape with a mean size of 2.18–19.87?nm and the crystalline nature of nanoparticles was confirmed by XRD. After two weeks exposure, the result showed that AgNPs significantly increased LPO level as well as CAT and GST activities, cell death, cell abnormalities and Hc level, whereas, significant decline was found in DNA and GSH contents, phagocytic activity, LMS, lectins, O₂^? generation, POD and PO activities compared to the controls. After a week of recovery, most of the tested biomarkers in AgNP-exposed snails did not completely return to the control levels. The multiple measured parameters could be effectively used as sensitive biomarkers in the risk assessment of contaminants in the terrestrial ecosystem.     

Preparation of ceria-zirconia solid solution with enhanced oxygen storage capacity and redox performance

A new method called ultrasonic-assisted membrane reaction (UAMR) was reported for the fabrication of ceria-zirconia solid solution. A series of ceria-zirconia solid solutions with different Ce/Zr molar ratios were prepared by the UAMR method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption, hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The UAMR method proved to be superior, especially when the Ce/Zr molar ratio was lower than 1, in fabricating ceria-zirconia solid solutions with large BET surface area, high oxygen storage capacity (OSC), and low reduction temperature.     

Enhancement of photocatalytic performance in sonochemical synthesized ZnO–rGO nanocomposites owing to effective interfacial interaction

Nanocomposites composed of two or more components with desirable performance have attracted tremendous attention, mainly due to the synergic effect between the components. The effective combination of ZnO and reduced graphene oxide would lead to ameliorate the photocatalytic performance. To enhance applicability of semiconductor photocatalytic, the composites used should be good interfacial contact governed by suitable particle size distribution. Herein we aim to fabricate the different crystallize size of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in ZnO–reduced graphene oxide (ZnO–rGO) nanocomposites by sonochemical synthesis and subsequent facile drying treatment method. The Zn precursor, Zn(Ac)₂, with a plenty of functional groups, was used as a starting source for both reduction of graphene oxide and formation of ZnO on rGO sheets through chemical bonds without the addition of hazardous reducing agents. LiOH was chosen as an assistive reagent to enhance the complete reaction between Zn(Ac)₂ and GO in the formation of ZnO–rGO nanocomposites. More remarkably, drying condition has the great influence on the crystallize size of ZnO NPs in as-prepared ZnO–rGO nanocomposites. It is found that ZnO–rGO nanocomposites dried at ?50 °C (freeze drying) show the highest photocatalytic efficiency in the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) as compared to ZnO–rGO nanocomposites by other drying conditions under visible-light irradiation. Correlating the crystallize size obtained by different drying temperatures with the photocatalytic activity, it is probed that the smaller crystallize size in ZnO–rGO nanocomposites enhances the interfacial contact and a chemical bonding between rGO and ZnO NPs leading to the effective separation of electrons and holes. In addition, the O ₂ ^·? anion was determined to be the main active oxidant by free radicals trapping experiment and a photodegradation mechanism of ZnO–rGO nanocomposites over rhodamine B (RhB) was proposed based on our observations.     

Visible light sensitive activated carbon-metal oxide (TiO2, WO3, NiO,and SnO) nano-catalysts for photo-degradation of methylene blue: a comparative study

Four composites of metal oxide doped with activated carbon with a metal oxide weight of 20% were prepared using mechano-mixing method. The nano-catalysts were characterized by N₂-adsorption–desorption, X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-diffuse reflectance, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Photo-catalytic degradation of methylene blue dye under UV 254 nm and visible light was examined. In general, prepared catalysts are more active for degradation of dye under visible light than UV, reaching 96% within 180?min irradiation using the SnO catalyst. Photo-degradation of methylene blue followed pseudo first order reaction mechanism with a rate constant of 14.8?×?10^?3?min^?1, and the time required for removal of 50% of dye was 47?min.     

Removal of rhodamine B from aqueous solution by BiPO4 hierarchical architecture

Hexahedron-like BiPO₄ microcrystals were sucessfully synthesized via a template-free hydrothermal method. The resulting samples were characterized by Xray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis spectroscopy. The BiPO₄ samples were of pure monoclinic phase, and the initial amount of PO_3–4 during synthesis did not show obvious effect on the phase properties of the materials. The hexahedron-like BiPO₄ microcrystal had explicitly cut edges, and its thickness was about 1 μm. The photocatalytic performance of the BiPO₄ catalysts was evaluated by photodegradation of RhB under UV light irradiation with commerial Degussa P25 TiO₂ as reference. Compared with P25, the BiPO₄ catalysts displayed higher photocatalytic activity, with 98.7% of RhB degraded during 60-min experiment. Cost evaluation analysis was adopted to describe the energy consumption of the degradation process, and the results suggested the potential application of this material in the field of dye-contaminated wastewater treatment or environmental matrices remediation.     

玻璃弹簧负载镶嵌纳米粒子TiO2膜光催化降解活性深蓝K-R

以玻璃弹簧负载镶嵌纳米粒子的TiO2膜降解活性深蓝K-R模拟废水,考察了pH值和温度对脱色率的影响以及CODCr去除率与脱色率之间的关系,并用XRD和SEM对催化剂进行了表征.结果表明,pH值和温度对脱色率均有显著影响,CODCr去除率与脱色率的比值约为70%左右;XRD表明,TiO2矿相主要为锐钛型,SEM表明,镶嵌TiO2粒子均匀,粒径约50nm.