1. |
- Al-Soubaihi, Rola, et al.
(author)
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Synthesis of hierarchically porous silica aerogel supported Palladium catalyst for low-temperature CO oxidation under ignition/extinction conditions
- 2020
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In: Microporous and Mesoporous Materials. - : Elsevier. - 1387-1811 .- 1873-3093. ; 292
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Synthesis of well-dispersed palladium nanoparticles within silica aerogel pores with controlled size was carried out using sol-gel synthesis under supercritical ethanol drying. The high concentration of silanol groups on silica (SiO2) surface facilitated a superior palladium (Pd) loading up to 10 wt %. The synthesized Pd/SiO2 nanocomposite aerogels were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic methods. The silica aerogel supported catalysts were found to have a wide pore size distribution. TEM investigations confirmed that Pd nanocrystals were located within the SiO2 microspores and mesopores. The catalyst was evaluated for carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation reaction under ignition/extinction conditions. The synthesized catalyst demonstrated a high catalytic activity at low operating temperatures (<200 °C) compared to unsupported Pd nanoparticles or bare SiO2 aerogels. This enhancement in CO oxidation activity with Pd/SiO2 aerogel catalysts are attributed to the small Pd particles, Pd interaction with the surface of the underlying SiO2 and the better dispersion of Pd particles within the SiO2 pores. Porosity played a more important role during the extinction cycle as a result of the slow dissipation of the heat leading to hysteresis. We demonstrate the influence of porosity of catalyst supports on the size, dispersion, and catalytic activity of Pd nanoparticles.
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2. |
- Alvarado Ávila, María Isabel, et al.
(author)
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Cellulose as sacrificial agents for enhanced photoactivated hydrogen production
- 2023
-
In: Sustainable Energy & Fuels. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2398-4902. ; 7:8, s. 1981-1991
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The search for new energy sources together with the need to control greenhouse gas emissions has led to continued interest in low-emitting renewable energy technologies. In this context, water splitting for hydrogen production is a reasonable alternative to replace fossil fuels due to its high energy density producing only water during combustion. Cellulose is abundant in nature and as residuals from human activity, and therefore a natural, ecological, and carbon-neutral source for hydrogen production. In the present work, we propose a sustainable method for hydrogen production using sunlight and cellulose as sacrificial agents during the photocatalytic water splitting process. Platinum (Pt) catalyst activates hydrogen production, and parameters such as pH of the system, cellulose concentration, and Pt loading were studied. Using different biomasses, we found that the presence of hemicellulose and xyloglucan as part of the molecular composition considerably increased the H-2 production rate from 36 mu mol L-1 in one hour for rapeseed cellulose to 167.44 mu mol L-1 for acid-treated cellulose isolated from Ulva fenestrata algae. Carboxymethylation and TEMPO-oxidation of cellulosic biomass both led to more stable suspensions with higher rates of H-2 production close to 225 mu mol L-1, which was associated with their water solubility properties. The results suggest that cellulosic biomass can be an attractive alternative as a sacrificial agent for the photocatalytic splitting of water for H-2 production.
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3. |
- Bahari, Helma Sadat, et al.
(author)
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Chitosan nanocomposite coatings with enhanced corrosion inhibition effects for copper
- 2020
-
In: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier BV. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 162, s. 1566-1577
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A biopolymer coating on copper was prepared based on chitosan nanocomposite and its corrosion inhibition efficiency was investigated. Inclusion of silica nanoparticles substantially reduces swelling ratio of chitosan coating while enhancing its thermal stability. The corrosion resistance of chitosan-based coatings is improved by introducing 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and silica in the matrix. It is found that upon crosslinking the chitosan coatings, a higher corrosion resistance could be achieved and the highest inhibition efficiency for chitosan nanocomposite coatings is calculated as 85%. The corrosion mechanism is found closely related to mass transition and diffusion process, and also the polarization resistance contributes to the impedance. Calculated impedance using Kramers-Kronig transformation shows good agreement with experimental values, thus validating the impedance measurements. This study exhibits the enhanced efficiency of nanocomposite and potential of chitosan coatings in corrosion prevention for copper.
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4. |
- Ciobanu, V., et al.
(author)
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Large-Sized Nanocrystalline Ultrathin β-Ga2 O3 Membranes Fabricated by Surface Charge Lithography
- 2022
-
In: Nanomaterials. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-4991. ; 12:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Large-sized 2D semiconductor materials have gained significant attention for their fascinat-ing properties in various applications. In this work, we demonstrate the fabrication of nanoperforated ultrathin β-Ga2 O3 membranes of a nanoscale thickness. The technological route includes the fabrication of GaN membranes using the Surface Charge Lithography (SCL) approach and subsequent thermal treatment in air at 900◦ C in order to obtain β-Ga2 O3 membranes. The as-grown GaN membranes were discovered to be completely transformed into β-Ga2 O3, with the morphology evolving from a smooth topography to a nanoperforated surface consisting of nanograin structures. The oxidation mechanism of the membrane was investigated under different annealing conditions followed by XPS, AFM, Raman and TEM analyses.
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5. |
- Das, Biswanath, et al.
(author)
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Bifunctional and regenerable molecular electrode for water electrolysis at neutral pH
- 2023
-
In: Journal of Materials Chemistry A. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2050-7488 .- 2050-7496. ; 11:25, s. 13331-13340
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The instability of molecular electrodes under oxidative/reductive conditions and insufficient understanding of the metal oxide-based systems have slowed down the progress of H2-based fuels. Efficient regeneration of the electrode's performance after prolonged use is another bottleneck of this research. This work represents the first example of a bifunctional and electrochemically regenerable molecular electrode which can be used for the unperturbed production of H2 from water. Pyridyl linkers with flexible arms (–CH2–CH2–) on modified fluorine-doped carbon cloth (FCC) were used to anchor a highly active ruthenium electrocatalyst [RuII(mcbp)(H2O)2] (1) [mcbp2− = 2,6-bis(1-methyl-4-(carboxylate)benzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine]. The pyridine unit of the linker replaces one of the water molecules of 1, which resulted in RuPFCC (ruthenium electrocatalyst anchored on –CH2–CH2–pyridine modified FCC), a high-performing electrode for oxygen evolution reaction [OER, overpotential of ∼215 mV] as well as hydrogen evolution reaction (HER, overpotential of ∼330 mV) at pH 7. A current density of ∼8 mA cm−2 at 2.06 V (vs. RHE) and ∼−6 mA cm−2 at −0.84 V (vs. RHE) with only 0.04 wt% loading of ruthenium was obtained. OER turnover of >7.4 × 103 at 1.81 V in 48 h and HER turnover of >3.6 × 103 at −0.79 V in 3 h were calculated. The activity of the OER anode after 48 h use could be electrochemically regenerated to ∼98% of its original activity while it serves as a HE cathode (evolving hydrogen) for 8 h. This electrode design can also be used for developing ultra-stable molecular electrodes with exciting electrochemical regeneration features, for other proton-dependent electrochemical processes.
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6. |
- Das, Biswanath, et al.
(author)
-
Cobalt Electrocatalyst on Fluorine Doped Carbon Cloth – a Robust and Partially Regenerable Anode for Water Oxidation
- 2022
-
In: ChemCatChem. - : Wiley. - 1867-3880 .- 1867-3899. ; 14:18
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The low stability of the electrocatalysts at water oxidation (WO) conditions and the use of expensive noble metals have obstructed large-scale H2 production from water. Herein, we report the electrocatalytic WO activity of a cobalt-containing, water-soluble molecular WO electrocatalyst [CoII(mcbp)(OH2)] (1) [mcbp2−=2,6-bis(1-methyl-4-(carboxylate)benzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine] in homogeneous conditions (overpotential of 510 mV at pH 7 phosphate buffer) and after anchoring it on pyridine-modified fluorine-doped carbon cloth (PFCC). The formation of cobalt phosphate was identified only after 4 h continuous oxygen evolution in homogeneous conditions. Interestingly, a significant enhancement of the stability and WO activity (current density of 5.4 mA/cm2 at 1.75 V) was observed for 1 after anchoring onto PFCC, resulting in a turnover (TO) of >3.6×103 and average TOF of 0.05 s−1 at 1.55 V (pH 7) over 20 h. A total TO of >21×103 over 8 days was calculated. The electrode allowed regeneration of∼ 85 % of the WO activity electrochemically after 36 h of continuous oxygen evolution.
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7. |
- Falfushynska, Halina I., et al.
(author)
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The effects of ZnO nanostructures of different morphology on bioenergetics and stress response biomarkers of the blue mussels Mytilus edulis
- 2019
-
In: Science of the Total Environment. - : ELSEVIER. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 694
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biofouling causes massive economical losses in the maritime sector creating an urgent need for effective and ecologically non-harmful antifouling materials. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod coatings show promise as an antifouling material; however, the toxicity of ZnO nanorods to marine organisms is not known. We compared the toxicity of suspended ZnO nanorods (NR) with that of ZnO nanoparticles (NP) and ionic Zn2+ in amarine bivalve Mytilus edulis exposed for two weeks to 10 or 100 mu g Zn L-1 of ZnO NPs, NRs or Zn2+, or to immobilized NRs. The multi-biomarker assessment included bioenergetics markers (tissue energy reserves, activity ofmitochondrial electron transport system and autophagic enzymes), expression of apoptotic and inflammatory genes, and general stress biomarkers (oxidative lesions, lysosomalmembrane stability and metallothionein expression). Exposure to ZnO NPs, NRs and Zn2+ caused accumulation of oxidative lesions in proteins and lipids, stimulated autophagy, and led to lysosomal membrane destabilization indicating toxicity. However, these responses were not specific for the form of Zn (NPs, NR or Zn2+) and showed no monotonous increase with increasing Zn concentrations in the experimental exposures. No major disturbance of the energy status was found in the mussels exposed to ZnO NPs, NRs, or Zn2+. Exposure to ZnO NPs and NRs led to a strong induction of apoptosis- and inflammation-related genes, which was not seen in Zn2+ exposures. Based on the integrated biomarker response, the overall toxicity as well as the pro-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory action was stronger in ZnO NPs compared with the NRs. Given the stability of ZnO NR coatings and the relatively low toxicity of suspended ZnO NR, ZnO NR coating might be considered a promising low-toxicity material for antifouling paints.
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8. |
- Kumar, Santosh, et al.
(author)
-
Chitosan Nanocomposite Coatings Containing Chemically Resistant ZnO-SnOx Core-shell Nanoparticles for Photocatalytic Antifouling
- 2021
-
In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. - : MDPI. - 1661-6596 .- 1422-0067. ; 22:9
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Functional nanocomposites with biopolymers and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles is an emerging application of photocatalysis in antifouling coatings. The reduced chemical stability of ZnO in the acidic media in which chitosan is soluble affects the performance of chitosan nanocomposites in antifouling applications. In this study, a thin shell of amorphous tin dioxide (SnOx) was grown on the surface of ZnO to form ZnO-SnOx core-shell nanoparticles that improved the chemical stability of the photocatalyst nanoparticles, as examined at pH 3 and 6. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO-SnOx in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under visible light showed a higher efficiency than that of ZnO nanoparticles due to the passivation of electronic defects. Chitosan-based antifouling coatings with varying percentages of ZnO or ZnO-SnOx nanoparticles, with or without the glutaraldehyde (GA) crosslinking of chitosan, were developed and studied. The incorporation of photocatalysts into the chitosan matrix enhanced the thermal stability of the coatings. Through a mesocosm study using running natural seawater, it was found that chitosan/ZnO-SnOx/GA coatings enabled better inhibition of bacterial growth compared to chitosan coatings alone. This study demonstrates the antifouling potential of chitosan nanocomposite coatings containing core-shell nanoparticles as an effective solution for the prevention of biofouling.
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9. |
- Kumar, Santosh, et al.
(author)
-
Nanocoating Is a New Way for Biofouling Prevention
- 2021
-
In: Frontiers in Nanotechnology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2673-3013. ; 3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biofouling is a major concern to the maritime industry. Biofouling increases fuel consumption, accelerates corrosion, clogs membranes and pipes, and reduces the buoyancy of marine installations, such as ships, platforms, and nets. While traditionally marine installations are protected by toxic biocidal coatings, due to recent environmental concerns and legislation, novel nanomaterial-based anti-fouling coatings are being developed. Hybrid nanocomposites of organic-inorganic materials give a possibility to combine the characteristics of both groups of material generating opportunities to prevent biofouling. The development of bio-inspired surface designs, progress in polymer science and advances in nanotechnology is significantly contributing to the development of eco-friendly marine coatings containing photocatalytic nanomaterials. The review mainly discusses photocatalysis, antifouling activity, and formulation of coatings using metal and metal oxide nanomaterials (nanoparticles, nanowires, nanorods). Additionally, applications of nanocomposite coatings for inhibition of micro- and macro-fouling in marine environments are reviewed.
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10. |
- Li, L., et al.
(author)
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Ruthenium containing molecular electrocatalyst on glassy carbon for electrochemical water splitting
- 2022
-
In: Dalton Transactions. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1477-9226 .- 1477-9234. ; 51:20, s. 7957-7965
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Electrochemical water splitting constitutes one of the most promising strategies for converting water into hydrogen-based fuels, and this technology is predicted to play a key role in the transition towards a carbon-neutral energy economy. To enable the design of cost-effective electrolysis cells based on this technology, new and more efficient anodes with augmented water splitting activity and stability will be required. Herein, we report an active molecular Ru-based catalyst for electrochemically-driven water oxidation (overpotential of ∼395 mV at pH 7 phosphate buffer) and two simple methods for preparing anodes by attaching this catalyst onto glassy carbon through multi-walled carbon nanotubes to improve stability as well as reactivity. The anodes modified with the molecular catalyst were characterized by a broad toolbox of microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, and interestingly no RuO2 formation was detected during electrocatalysis over 4 h. These results demonstrate that the herein presented strategy can be used to prepare anodes that rival the performance of state-of-the-art metal oxide anodes.
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11. |
- Mutafela, Richard, et al.
(author)
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Sustainable extraction of hazardous metals from crystal glass waste using biodegradable chelating agents
- 2022
-
In: Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management. - : Springer Nature. - 1438-4957 .- 1611-8227. ; 24:2, s. 692-701
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Extraction of hazardous metals from dumped crystal glass waste was investigated for site decontamination and resource recovery. Mechanically activated glass waste was leached with biodegradable chelating agents of ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), where the concentration and reaction time were determined by using Box–Wilson experimental design. Hazardous metals of lead (Pb), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb) and cadmium (Cd) with concentrations higher than regulatory limits were extracted wherein the extraction yield was found to vary Pb > Sb > As > Cd. Extraction was influenced more by type and concentration of chelator rather than by reaction time. A maximum of 64% of Pb could be extracted by EDDS while 42% using NTA. It is found that increase of chelator concentrations from 0.05 M to 1 M did not show improved metal extraction and the extraction improved with reaction time until 13 h. This study provides sustainable alternative for treating hazardous glass waste by mechanical activation followed by extraction using biodegradable chelator, instead of acid leaching. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].
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12. |
- Raji, Mahdieh, et al.
(author)
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Nano zero-valent iron on activated carbon cloth support as Fenton-like catalyst for efficient color and COD removal from melanoidin wastewater
- 2021
-
In: Chemosphere. - : Elsevier BV. - 0045-6535 .- 1879-1298. ; 263
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To reduce undesired iron leaching in Fenton reaction and to realize reusability of catalyst, chitosan-coated activated carbon cloth support loaded with nano zero-valent iron (ACC–CH–nZVI) was applied as a heterogeneous Fenton catalyst to treat melanoidin wastewater. Chitosan coating on ACC by chemical crosslinking results in 6% chitosan on ACC subsequently loading 3.5% iron. At optimum conditions, ACC–CH–nZVI leads to 88.4% and 76.2% of color and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, respectively, upon treating synthetic melanoidin wastewater of 8000 mg/l COD. The corresponding weight ratio of consumed H2O2 to COD is 1.02, far below the stoichiometric ratio 2.125, indicating the economic value of this catalyst. Reusability of ACC–CH–nZVI is demonstrated for five cycles of treatment with minimal iron leaching (<2%). The high removal efficiency and very low levels of iron leaching suggests that ACC–CH–nZVI is a highly efficient and cost-effective catalyst for Fenton-like oxidation of non-biodegradable organic wastes in water.
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13. |
- Raji, Mahdieh, et al.
(author)
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Prediction of heterogeneous Fenton process in treatment of melanoidin-containing wastewater using data-based models
- 2022
-
In: Journal of Environmental Management. - : Elsevier BV. - 0301-4797 .- 1095-8630. ; 307
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Predictive capability of response surface methodology (RSM) and ant colony optimization combined with support vector regression (ACO-SVR) models are applied for determining optimal parameters in the process of heterogeneous Fenton oxidation of melanoidin, a high molecular weight polymer widely produced during fermentation processes generating large quantities of wastewater with intense brown color and extremely high chemical oxygen demand (COD). Prediction of the performance of nano zero-valent iron supported on activated carbon cloth-chitosan (ACC-CH-nZVI) catalysts was carried out using Box-Behnken design (BBD) and analysis of variance to evaluate the interaction of independent variables involved in heterogeneous Fenton reaction. The optimized condition with minimal consumption of H2O2 (173 mM) resulted in 77.1% decolorization of melanoidin-contaminated water corresponding to 74.4% COD removal at pH 3 (600 mg/l Fe dosage) for 90 min reaction time. The corresponding weight ratio of H2O2 to COD was 0.98, much lower than the stoichiometric value 2.125, indicating the effectiveness of ACC-CH-nZVI as a heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst. In comparison to previously published experimental results, ACO-SVR model shows higher coefficient of determination (R-2; 0.9983) but lower root mean squared error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) than those of RSM model, indicating relative superiority in prediction capability. Besides, ACO algorithm appears to be a promising tool for improving forecasting accuracy of SVR model. This work demonstrates the applicability of ACO-SVR model in predicting the performance of wastewater treatment using Fenton process with limited number of experiment and exhibits satisfactory prediction results.
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14. |
- Suleiman, Muhammad Yusuf, et al.
(author)
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Performance of zero-valent iron immobilized on activated carbon cloth for the removal of phenol from wastewater
- 2024
-
In: Environmental Sciences Europe. - : Springer Nature. - 2190-4707 .- 2190-4715. ; 36:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Discharge of large amounts of untreated industrial effluent into water bodies pose significant environmental challenges worldwide. This is due to the limitations of traditional wastewater treatment methods in the treatment of recalcitrant organic pollutants. Fenton processes involves the generation of hydroxyl radicals that are well suited to degrade organics in effluent water. This study focuses on reducing slag generation during Fenton processes and enhancing the reuse of nano-zero-valent iron (NZVI) through the immobilization of NZVI on activated carbon cloth (ACC) through a chitosan (CH) linker with phenol as a model pollutant. Results: Microstructural and spectroscopic techniques were employed to study the materials prepared and 37.5 wt% iron loading was achieved. Phenol degradation of 96.3% at 40 °C at pH of 3.0 with 50 mM H2O2 was achieved using ACC-CH-NZVI. Adsorption and degradation studies carried out using ACC-CH-NZVI catalyst revealed that phenol adsorption onto ACC-CH-NZVI fits the Langmuir isotherm model, following the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and first-order reaction kinetics. Thermodynamic studies indicate the non-spontaneous, endothermic and irreversible nature of the removal process. Comparing ACC-CH-NZVI with ACC and ACC-CH, phenol removal using ACC drops from 87.8 to 39%, while using ACC-CH, the removal efficiency drops from 73 to 20.9% and using ACC-CH-NZVI, phenol removal drops from 96.3 to about 70% and total organic carbon removal drops from 79 to about 60% with minimal iron leaching, highlighting the superior performance of ACC-CH-ZVI and the role of NZVI in enhancing phenol removal. Conclusions: The catalyst demonstrated good stability for phenol degradation to about 70% phenol removal from simulated wastewater and 60% TOC removal from industrial wastewater after five treatment cycles with minimal Fe leaching. Graphical abstract: (Figure presented.)
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15. |
- Tofa, Tajkia Syeed, et al.
(author)
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Enhanced Visible Light Photodegradation of Microplastic Fragments with Plasmonic Platinum/Zinc Oxide Nanorod Photocatalysts
- 2019
-
In: Catalysts. - : MDPI. - 2073-4344. ; 9:10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Microplastics are persistent anthropogenic pollutants which have become a global concern owing to their widespread existence and unfamiliar threats to the environment and living organisms. This study demonstrates the degradation of fragmented microplastics particularly low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film in water, through visible light-induced plasmonic photocatalysts comprising of platinum nanoparticles deposited on zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (ZnO-Pt). The ZnO-Pt nanocomposite photocatalysts were observed to have better degradation kinetics for a model organic dye (methylene blue) compared to bare ZnO nanorods, attributed to the plasmonic effects leading to better interfacial exciton separation and improved hydroxyl radical activity along with a 78% increase in visible light absorption. These demonstrations of the plasmonically enhanced photocatalyst enabled it to effectively degrade microplastic fragments as confirmed following the changes in carbonyl and vinyl indices in infrared absorption. In addition, visual proof of physical surface damage of the LDPE film establishes the efficacy of using plasmonically enhanced nanocomposite photocatalytic materials to tackle the microplastic menace using just sunlight for a clean and green approach towards mitigation of microplastics in the ecosystem.
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16. |
- Wang, Wujun, 1984-, et al.
(author)
-
A New High-Temperature Durable Absorber Material Solution through a Spinel-Type High Solar Absorptivity Coating on Ti2AlC MAX Phase Material
- 2021
-
In: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 13:37, s. 45008-45017
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Enhancing the operating temperature of concentrating solar power systems is a promising way to obtain higher system efficiency and thus enhance their competitiveness. One major barrier is the unavailability of suitable solar absorber materials for operation at higher temperatures. In this work, we report on a new high-temperature absorber material by combining Ti2AlC MAX phase material and iron-cobalt-chromite spinel coating/paint. This durable material solution exhibits excellent performance, passing the thermal stability test in an open-air environment at a temperature of 1250 degrees C for 400 h and at 1300 degrees C for 200 h. The results show that the black spinel coating can offer a stable high solar absorptivity in the range of 0.877-0.894 throughout the 600 h test under high temperatures. These solar absorptivity values are even 1.6-3.3% higher than that for the sintered SiC ceramic that is a widely used solar absorber material. Divergence of solar absorptivity during these relatively long testing periods is less than 1.1%, indicating remarkable stability of the absorber material. Furthermore, considering the simple application process of the coating/painting utilizing a brush followed by curing at relatively low temperatures (room temperature, 95 and 260 degrees C in sequence), this absorber material shows the potential for large-scale, high-temperature solar thermal applications.
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17. |
- Wang, Wujun, 1984-, et al.
(author)
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Photothermal performance of three chromia-forming refractory alloys for high-temperature solar absorber applications
- 2023
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In: Applied Thermal Engineering. - : Elsevier BV. - 1359-4311 .- 1873-5606. ; 225
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Spectral hemispherical emissivity is a crucial material characteristic that determines radiation heat transfer. In high-temperature solar thermal applications, it affects not only the efficiency of the solar energy absorption but also the heat losses caused by thermal radiation and the radiative heat transfer within the receiver. Due to the limitations of the working temperature of existing solar absorber coatings, the spectral hemispherical emissivity of the oxidized surface is a key performance indicator for evaluating the potential of a candidate refractory alloy for high-temperature (> 1000 degrees C) solar receiver/reactor designs. In this work, we systematically studied the photothermal performances of the oxidized surfaces of three widely used high-performance commercial chromia-forming alloys (Haynes 230, Hastelloy X, and SS 253MA) by analyzing the spectral hemispherical reflectance in the band 0.25-25 mu m. The stability of the optical properties of the formed oxide layers have also been studied by exposing the three alloys at 1150 degrees C in air for three different exposure periods (10 h, 100 h, and 200 h). The results show that the solar absorptivity of all the samples is in the range of 0.800-0.855, with SS 253MA showing the best performances in offering both high and stable solar absorptivity in the range of 0.837-0.855. The evaluation of the photothermal performances suggest the potential of these three alloys in solar-thermal applications.
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18. |
- Wang, Wujun, 1984-, et al.
(author)
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Solar selective reflector materials: Another option for enhancing the efficiency of the high-temperature solar receivers/reactors
- 2021
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In: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. - : Elsevier BV. - 0927-0248. ; 224
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The cavity wall is an important part of a cavity receiver in determining the receiver efficiency. Using solar selective reflector (SSR) materials with low solar absorptivity and high thermal emissivity for the cavity wall design is one efficient way to improve the receiver efficiency. In this work, we present a systematic study of the optical and high-temperature stability performances of six different SSR materials: one refractory ceramic fiber-based substrate material (Fiberfrax 140) and five metallic oxide coatings which are prepared by mixing metallic oxide powders of alumina, magnesium oxide and titanium dioxide with commercial inorganic adhesives. The thermal stability was studied by heating up and keeping the six candidate materials in atmospheric conditions at a temperature of 1250 ◦C for 200 h. The spectrum of hemispherical reflectance in the spectrum band 0.25–25 μmwas measured for analyzing the optical performance of the candidate materials. The obtained results show that all the six materials studied have good solar selective reflection characteristics, i.e, low solar absorptivity and relatively high thermal emissivity. Especially, the alumina-coated substrate material shows excellent performances both for thermal stability and solar selective reflection. The solar reflectivity can reach 94.6%.
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19. |
- Ye, Fei, 1979-
(author)
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Chemically Synthesized Nano-Structured Materials for Biomedical and Photonic Applications
- 2012
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Nanostructured materials have attracted a broad interest for applications in scientific and engineering fields due to their extraordinary properties stemming from the nanoscale dimensions. This dissertation presents the development of nanomaterials used for different applications, namely biomedicine and dye lasing. Various inorganic nanoparticles have been developed as contrast agents for non-invasive medical imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray computed tomography (CT), owing to their unique properties for efficient contrasting effect. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are synthesized by thermo-decomposition method and phase-transferred to be hydrophilic used as MRI T2 (negative) contrast agents. Effects of surface modification of SPIONs by mesoporous silica (mSiO2) coating have been examined on the magnetic relaxivities. These contrast agents (Fe3O4@mSiO2) were found to have a coating-thickness dependent relaxation behavior and exhibit much higher contrast efficiency than that for the commercial ones. By growing thermo-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide -co-acrylamide) (P(NIPAAm-co-AAm)) as the outermost layer on Fe3O4@mSiO2 through free radical polymerization, a multifunctional core-shell nano-composite has been built up. Responding to the temperature change, these particles demonstrate phase transition behavior and were used for thermo-triggered magnetic separation. Their lower critical solution temperature (LCST) can be subtly tuned from ca. 34 to ca. 42 ˚C, suitable for further in vivo applications. An all-in-one contrast agent for MRI, CT and fluorescence imaging has been synthesized by depositing gadolinium oxide carbonate hydrate [Gd2O(CO3)2·H2O] shell on mSiO2-coated gold nanorod (Au NR), and then the particles were grafted with antibiofouling copolymer which can further link with the fluorescent dye. It shows both a higher CT and MRI contrast than the clinical iodine and gadolinium chelate contrast agent, respectively. Apart from the imaging application, owing to the morphology of Au NR, the particle has a plasmonic property of absorbing near-infrared (NIR) irradiation and suitable for future photothermal therapy. Cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of aforementioned nanoparticles have been evaluated and minor negative effects were found, which support their further development for medical applications. Gold nanoparticles embedded in the optical gain material, water solution of Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) in particular, used in dye lasers can both increase and damp the dye fluorescence, thus, changing the laser output intensity. The studies of size effect and coating of gold nanoparticles on photostability of the gain media reveal that small sized (ca. 5.5 nm) gold nanoparticles are found detrimental to the photostability, while for the larger ones (ca. 25 nm) fluorescence enhancement rather than quenching is likely to occur. And a noticeable improvement of the photostability for the gain material is achieved when gold is coated with SiO2.
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20. |
- Yu, Dongkun, et al.
(author)
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Chitosan modified with bio-extract as an antibacterial coating with UV filtering feature
- 2023
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In: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier BV. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 230
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Benzophenone-3 grafted chitosan (CS-BP-3) was successfully synthesized and applied as an antibacterial coating for the first time. The grafting mechanism is based on the reaction between ketone and primary amine to form imine derivatives and the chemical structure of grafted chitosan was studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Water solubility of BP-3 is enhanced after covalently grafted on chitosan and consequently renders the chitosan coating with UV blocking property. Results of thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) further confirmed the thermal stability of BP-3 modified chitosan is enhanced. The CS-BP-3 coating was applied on a variety of substrates of glass, plastics, wood, and metal. The surface features of the coatings such as morphology, water contact angle (WCA), and surface roughness were investigated. The optical and thermal stabilities of the coatings under UV irradiation were studied for 16 h. Antibacterial activity of CS-BP-3 was evaluated against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. And the results of bacterial inhibition by CS-BP-3 coating indicate its potential for future application in food packaging.
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21. |
- Yu, Dongkun, et al.
(author)
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Chitosan-photocatalyst nanocomposite on polyethylene films as antimicrobial coating for food packaging
- 2024
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In: Progress in organic coatings. - : Elsevier BV. - 0300-9440 .- 1873-331X. ; 186
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chitosan (CS), an edible and non-toxic natural biopolymer, has been widely used in food preservation attributed to its intrinsic antimicrobial, biodegradable, and excellent film-forming properties. In this work, we report photocatalyst-loaded chitosan coating on commercial polyethylene (PE) film with enhanced antimicrobial properties for food packaging application. To improve the chemical stability of zinc oxide (ZnO) photocatalyst in acidic chitosan matrix, a thin layer (1–5 nm) of amorphous tin oxide (SnOx) was coated on ZnO nanoparticles. Consequently, the charge transfer efficiency of ZnO is improved and most of the surface defects are retained according to the studies of UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The thin SnOx coating on ZnO was observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and its effects on crystallinity and particle size of ZnO were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and particle sizer, respectively. The addition of ZnO@SnOx particles in chitosan coating increases water contact angle (WCA) and enhances thermal stability of chitosan coating. The antimicrobial activity of chitosan, ZnO-SnOx nanoparticles, and CS-ZnO@SnOx coated PE films were examined against both Gram-negative (E. coli, A. faecalis) and Gram-positive (S. aureus, B. subtilis) bacteria. Compared to the limited antimicrobial effects of chitosan, ZnO-SnOx demonstrates an improved inhibition effect on bacterial growth over 48 h period under light. For the CS-ZnO@SnOx nanocomposite coated PE films, no inhibition zone was observed due to the limitation of disc diffusion method. Meanwhile, there were no bacterial colonies found to develop on the film, rendering this CS nanocomposite coating a good candidate for food packaging applications.
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22. |
- Zhang, Xingyan, et al.
(author)
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Self-sacrificial growth of hierarchical P(Ni, Co, Fe) for enhanced asymmetric supercapacitors and oxygen evolution reactions
- 2023
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In: Electrochimica Acta. - : Elsevier BV. - 0013-4686 .- 1873-3859. ; 438
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Highly efficient and environmentally friendly multifunctional electrode materials for application in super -capacitors to electrocatalysis are important for advances in the future of electrical energy storage and green hydrogen production. This work reports a simple growth strategy to obtain hierarchical P(Ni, Co, Fe) modified electrodes by phosphating a core/shell composite of nickel-cobalt (NiCo) Prussian blue analogues fabricated through an in situ self-sacrificial growth process. Due to the unique microstructure, abundant surface-active sites, and enhanced interfacial conductivity, the hybrid electrode exhibits specific capacitance as high as 1125.8 F g-1 (3.7 F cm-2) at 2 mA cm-2, excellent rate capability and improved cycling stability (97.1% retention capacitance after 5000 cycles at 50 mA cm-2 and 89.9% after continuous 5000 cycles at 100 mA cm-2). Furthermore, the hybrid structure shows excellent oxygen evolution reaction performance with an overpotential of 252 mV at 100 mA cm-2 and 283 mV at 300 mA cm-2, with a low Tafel slope of 68 mV dec- 1, and overall water splitting abilities with a cell voltage of 1.55 V at 100 mA cm-2. This work provides insights into the design of next -generation high-performance multifunctional electrode materials by controlling the surface/interface of multi -component structures for enhancing their properties.
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23. |
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24. |
- Zheng, W., et al.
(author)
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Extracellular albumin covalently sequesters selenocompounds and determines cytotoxicity
- 2019
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In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-6596 .- 1422-0067. ; 20:19
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Selenocompounds (SeCs) are well-known nutrients and promising candidates for cancer therapy; however, treatment efficacy is very heterogeneous and the mechanism of action is not fully understood. Several SeCs have been reported to have albumin-binding ability, which is an important factor in determining the treatment efficacy of drugs. In the present investigation, we hypothesized that extracellular albumin might orchestrate SeCs efficacy. Four SeCs representing distinct categories were selected to investigate their cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and species transformation. Concomitant treatment of albumin greatly decreased cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of SeCs. Using both X-ray absorption spectroscopy and hyphenated mass spectrometry, we confirmed the formation of macromolecular conjugates between SeCs and albumin. Although the conjugate was still internalized, possibly via albumin scavenger receptors expressed on the cell surface, the uptake was strongly inhibited by excess albumin. In summary, the present investigation established the importance of extracellular albumin binding in determining SeCs cytotoxicity. Due to the fact that albumin content is higher in humans and animals than in cell cultures, and varies among many patient categories, our results are believed to have high translational impact and clinical implications.
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