| 1. |
- Elhadi Adam, Rania Elhadi, et al.
(författare)
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Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles by co-precipitation method for solar driven photodegradation of Congo red dye at different pH
- 2018
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Ingår i: PHOTONICS AND NANOSTRUCTURES-FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLICATIONS. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. - 1569-4410. ; 32, s. 11-18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Solar driven photocatalytic processes to remove organic pollutants from wastewater and other aqueous solutions is very important and useful due to its environmental benefits regarding sustainability aspect. In this article, we report a study on the use of bare zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) prepared by the chemical low temperature co-precipitation method and used as a catalyst to degrade the Congo red dye from aqueous solution using solar radiation. We performed the photocatalytic experiments for degradation of Congo red dye under solar radiation at different pH values. The results showed that the ZnO NPs are effective under solar radiation for degradation of Congo red dye. Even when the pH was varied down to 4 or raised to 10, the degradation was observed to be slightly improved. This result is due to the excess of radicals species, which enhance the photocatalytic process. In general, the observed degradation efficiency of the ZnO NPs is due to the deep level defects within the band gap that were introduced during the growth process of the ZnO NPs, which enhance the absorption wavelength band towards the visible light region. Recycling of the ZnO NPs for 3 successive runs have indicated the feasibility of reusing the NPs for several times. This implies that by using bare ZnO NPs an efficient approach for degradation of toxic waste can be achieved. Radical scavengers were used to evaluate the role of the radicals in the reaction mechanism.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Mustafa, Elfatih Mohammed, et al.
(författare)
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Efficient CuO/Ag2WO4 photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting using solar visible radiation
- 2023
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Ingår i: RSC Advances. - : ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY. - 2046-2069. ; 13:17, s. 11297-11310
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Water splitting energy production relies heavily on the development of high-performance photoelectrochemical cells (PECs). Among the most highly regarded semiconductor materials, cupric oxide (CuO) is an excellent photocathode material. Pristine CuO does not perform well as a photocathode due to its tendency to recombine electrons and holes rapidly. Photocathodes with high efficiency can be produced by developing CuO-based composite systems. The aim of our research is to develop an Ag2WO4/CuO composite by incorporating silver tungstate (Ag2WO4) nanoparticles onto hydrothermally grown CuO nanoleaves (NLs) by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR). To prepare CuO/Ag2WO4 composites, SILAR was used in conjunction with different Ag2WO4 nanoparticle deposition cycles. Physicochemical characterization reveals well-defined nanoleaves morphologies with tailored surface compositions. Composite CuO/Ag2WO4 crystal structures are governed by the monoclinic phase of CuO and the hexagonal phase of Ag2WO4. It has been demonstrated that the CuO/Ag2WO4 composite has outstanding performance in the PEC water splitting process when used with five cycles. In the CuO/Ag2WO4 photocathode, water splitting activity is observed at low overpotential and high photocurrent density, indicating that the reaction takes place at low energy barriers. Several factors contribute to PEC performance in composites. These factors include the high density of surface active sites, the high charge separation rate, the presence of favourable surface defects, and the synergy of CuO and Ag2WO4 photoreaction. By using SILAR, silver tungstate can be deposited onto semiconducting materials with strong visible absorption, enabling the development of energy-efficient photocathodes.
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| 4. |
- Mustafa, Elfatih Mohammed, et al.
(författare)
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Solar-Driven Photoelectrochemical Performance of Novel ZnO/Ag2WO4/AgBr Nanorods-Based Photoelectrodes
- 2021
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Ingår i: Nanoscale Research Letters. - : Springer. - 1931-7573 .- 1556-276X. ; 16:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Highly efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation under solar visible light is crucial for water splitting to produce hydrogen as a source of sustainable energy. Particularly, silver-based nanomaterials are important for PEC performance due to their surface plasmon resonance which can enhance the photoelectrochemical efficiency. However, the PEC of ZnO/Ag2WO4/AgBr with enhanced visible-light water oxidation has not been studied so far. Herein, we present a novel photoelectrodes based on ZnO/Ag2WO4/AgBr nanorods (NRs) for PEC application, which is prepared by the low-temperature chemical growth method and then by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The synthesized photoelectrodes were investigated by several characterization techniques, emphasizing a successful synthesis of the ZnO/Ag2WO4/AgBr heterostructure NRs with excellent photocatalysis performance compared to pure ZnO NRs photoelectrode. The significantly enhanced PEC was due to improved photogeneration and transportation of electrons in the heterojunction due to the synergistic effect of the heterostructure. This study is significant for basic understanding of the photocatalytic mechanism of the heterojunction which can prompt further development of novel efficient photoelectrochemical-catalytic materials.
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| 5. |
- Savoyant, A., et al.
(författare)
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Light-induced high-spin state in ZnO nanoparticles
- 2020
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Ingår i: Nanotechnology. - : IOP PUBLISHING LTD. - 0957-4484 .- 1361-6528. ; 31:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The effects of white-light irradiation on similar to 15.nm diameter ZnO nanoparticles are investigated by means of electron paramagnetic resonance, near liquid-nitrogen and liquid-helium temperatures. Under dark conditions, usual core- and surface-defects are detected, respectively, at g = 1.960 and g = 2.003. Under white-light illumination, the core-defect signal intensity is strongly increased, which is to be correlated to the light-induced conductivitys augmentation. Beside, a four-lines structure appears, with the same gravity center as that of the surface defects. Simulations and intensity power-dependence measurements show that this four-line-structure is very likely to arise from a localized high spin S = 2, induced by light irradiation, and subjected to a weak axial anisotropy. At 85K, this high-spin state can last several hours after the light-irradiation removal, probably due to highly spin-forbidden recombination process. The possible excited resonant complexes at the origin of this signal are discussed. Other light-induced S = 1/2-like centers are detected as well, which depend on the nanoparticles growth conditions.
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| 6. |
- Willander, Magnus, et al.
(författare)
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Optical and magneto-optical properties of zinc-oxide nanostructures grown by the low-temperature chemical route
- 2018
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Ingår i: OXIDE-BASED MATERIALS AND DEVICES IX. - : SPIE-INT SOC OPTICAL ENGINEERING. - 9781510615526
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- We demonstrate that the low temperature synthesis chemical route can be utilized to control the functionality of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) and nanorods (NRs) for optical and magneto-optical performance. Different structural, optical, electro-and magneto-optical results will be displayed and analyzed. In the first part, we show how high quality ZnO NPs can be efficient for photodegradation using ultra-violet radiation. In the second part we will present our recent results on the control of the core defects in cobalt doped ZnO NR. Here and by using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements, the substitution of Co2+ ions in the ZnO NRs crystal is shown. The relation between the incorporation and core defects concentration will be discussed. The findings give access to the magnetic anisotropy of ZnO NRs grown by the low temperature chemical route and can lead to demonstrate room temperature ferromagnetism in nanostructures with potential for different device applications.
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| 7. |
- Adam, Rania Elhadi, 1978-, et al.
(författare)
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Graphene-based plasmonic nanocomposites for highly enhanced solar-driven photocatalytic activities
- 2019
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Ingår i: RSC Advances. - Cambridge : Royal Meteorological Society. - 2046-2069. ; 9:52, s. 30585-30598
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- High-efficiency photocatalysts are crucial for the removal of organic pollutants and environmental sustainability. In the present work, we report on a new low-temperature hydrothermal chemical method, assisted by ultrasonication, to synthesize disruptive plasmonic ZnO/graphene/Ag/AgI nanocomposites for solar-driven photocatalysis. The plasmonic nanocomposites were investigated by a wide range of characterization techniques, confirming successful formation of photocatalysts with excellent degradation efficiency. Using Congo red as a model dye molecule, our experimental results demonstrated a photocatalytic reactivity exceeding 90% efficiency after one hour simulated solar irradiation. The significantly enhanced degradation efficiency is attributed to improved electronic properties of the nanocomposites by hybridization of the graphene and to the addition of Ag/AgI which generates a strong surface plasmon resonance effect in the metallic silver further improving the photocatalytic activity and stability under solar irradiation. Scavenger experiments suggest that superoxide and hydroxyl radicals are responsible for the photodegradation of Congo red. Our findings are important for the fundamental understanding of the photocatalytic mechanism of ZnO/graphene/Ag/AgI nanocomposites and can lead to further development of novel efficient photocatalyst materials.
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| 8. |
- Adam, Rania Elhadi, 1978-
(författare)
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Synthesis and Characterization of Some Nanostructured Materials for Visible Light-driven Photo Processes
- 2020
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Nanostructured materials for visible light driven photo-processes such as photodegradation of organic pollutants and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation for hydrogen production are very attractive because of the positive impact on the environment. Metal oxides-based nanostructures are widely used in these photoprocesses due to their unique properties. But single nanostructured metal oxide material might suffer from low efficiency and instability in aqueous solutions under visible light. These facts make it important to have an efficient and reliable nanocomposite for the photo-processes. The combination of different nanomaterials to form a composite configuration can produce a material with new properties. The new properties which are due to the synergetic effect, are a combination of the properties of all the counterparts of the nanocomposite. Zinc oxides (ZnO) have unique optical and electrical properties which grant it to be used in optoelectronics, sensors, solar cells, nanogenerators, and photocatalysis activities. Although ZnO absorbs visible light from the sun due to the deep level band, it mainly absorbs ultraviolet wavelengths which constitute a small portion of the whole solar spectrum range. Also, ZnO has a problem with the high recombination rate of the photogenerated electrons. These problems might reduce its applicability to the photo-process. Therefore, our aim is to develop and investigate different nanocomposites materials based on the ZnO nanostructures for the enhancement of photocatalysis processes using the visible solar light as a green source of energy. Two photo-processes were applied to examine the developed nanocomposites through photocatalysis: (1) the photodegradation of organic dyes, (2) PEC water splitting. In the first photo-process, we used the ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), Magnesium (Mg)-doped ZnO NPs, and plasmonic ZnO/graphene-based nanocomposite for the decomposition of some organic dyes that have been used in industries. For the second photo-process, ZnO photoelectrode composite with different silver-based semiconductors to enhance the performance of the ZnO photoelectrode was used for PEC reaction analysis to perform water splitting. The characterization and photocatalysis experiment results showed remarkable enhancement in the photocatalysis efficiency of the synthesized nanocomposites. The observed improved properties of the ZnO are due to the synergetic effects are caused by the addition of the other nanomaterials. Hence, the present thesis attends to the synthesis and characterization of some nanostructured materials composite with ZnO that are promising candidates for visible light-driven photo-processes.
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| 9. |
- Adam, Rania Elhadi, 1978-, et al.
(författare)
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Synthesis of Mg-doped ZnO NPs via a chemical low-temperature method and investigation of the efficient photocatalytic activity for the degradation of dyes under solar light
- 2020
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Ingår i: Solid State Sciences. - : Elsevier. - 1293-2558 .- 1873-3085. ; 99
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Doped semiconductors nanostructures (NSs) have shown great interest as a potential for green and efficient photocatalysis activities. Magnesium (Mg)-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) has been synthesized by a one-step chemical low temperature (60 °C) co-precipitation method without further calcination and their photocatalytic performance for photodegradation of Methylene blue (MB) dye under the illumination of solar light is investigated. The crystal structure of the synthesized NPs is examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD data indicates a slight shift towards higher 2θ angle in Mg-doped samples as compared to the pure ZnO NPs which suggest the incorporation of Mg2+ into ZnO crystal lattice. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–Vis spectrophotometer and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy, were used to study electronics, and optical properties, respectively. The XPS analysis confirms the substitution of the Zn2+ by the Mg2+ into the ZnO crystal lattice in agreement with the XRD data. The photocatalytic activities showed a significant enhancement of the Mg-doped ZnO NPs in comparison with pure ZnO NPs. Hole/radical scavengers were used to reveal the mechanism of the photodegradation. It was found that the addition of the Mg to the ZnO lattices increases the absorption of the hydroxyl ions at the surface of the NPs and hence acts as a trap site leading to decrease the electron-hole pair and consequently enhancing the photodegradation.
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| 10. |
- Elhadi Adam, Rania, et al.
(författare)
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Photocatalytic properties for different metal-oxide nanomaterials
- 2019
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Ingår i: Oxide-based Materials and Devices X. - : SPIE.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- We here demonstrate the synthesis of different nanostructures, including nanoparticles, nanorods, core-shell structures,and compound metal oxide nanostructures all synthesized by a low temperature chemical process. We furtherinvestigated their photocatalytic properties for degradation of toxic waste and their photochemical efficiency for watersplitting. All the photocatalytic properties as well as the photochemical properties were utilized using sun radiation. Theresults presented indicate huge potential for the investigated processes with positive impact to energy consumption andbenefits for the environment.
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