Enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity of CdMoO4 microspheres modified with AgI nanoparticles

Carbendazim imprinted electrochemical sensor based on CdMoO4/g-C3N4 nanocomposite: Application to fruit juice samples

Carbendazim (CAR) as a fungicide is utilized for fruits and vegetables to provide diseases' control and the degradation of carbendazim having benzimidazole ring is slow. Herein, a molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor based on CdMoO₄/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite was prepared for CAR determination in fruit juice samples. Firstly, CdMoO₄/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite with high yield was fabricated via one-pot in-situ hydrothermal approach including environmentally friendly method. Formation of CAR imprinted polymers was performed on CdMoO₄/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in presence of CAR as template and pyrrole (Py) as a monomer by cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. Following the morphological, structural, and optical characterization of as-synthesized nanocomposite, the electrochemical techniques were also implemented to evaluate the electrochemical features of fabricated electrodes. The limit of quantification (LOQ) and limit of detection (LOD) values were calculated as 0.1 × 10^-10 M, and 2.5 × 10^-12 M, respectively in addition to satisfactory selectivity, stability, reproducibility and reusability. The findings revealed that the proposed CAR imprinted electrochemical sensor can be successfully employed in food safety.

Influence of yttrium doping on the nonlinear optical limiting properties of cadmium molybdate nanostructures

The emerging demand for the production of nonlinear optical materials with high optical limiting performance has an apparent impact in the field of nonlinear optics owing to their wide application in photonic devices. In this regard, transition metal molybdates have received attention owing to their remarkable optical and luminescence characteristics, leading to their extensive use in next generation optoelectronics devices. Herein, we report the nonlinear optical response of yttrium (Y³⁺) doped cadmium molybdate (CdMoO₄) nanostructures synthesized via a co-precipitation technique. The X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy results confirm the formation of CdMoO₄ nanostructures with a tetragonal structure having the I4₁/a space group. High resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) of the pristine CdMoO₄ exposed the cubic flat edged nature of the nanostructures and that doping results in particle size reduction due to lattice contraction. X-ray photo electron spectroscopy confirmed the chemical state of the elements present in Y³⁺doped CdMoO₄. The optical properties of the samples were studied using UV-Vis Spectroscopy and the bandgap was found to increase upon Y³⁺ doping. The NLO response measured using the open aperture z-scan technique with a Nd: YAG pulsed laser (532 nm, 7 ns, 10 Hz) exhibited a reverse saturable absorption arising from a two photon absorption (2PA) process. An increase in the 2PA coefficient and simultaneous decrease in the onset of the optical limiting threshold clearly suggests the great potential of the yttrium-doped CdMoO₄ nanoparticles for good optical limiting applications.

(a) Polyhedral structure and (b) two photon absorption of CdMoO4 nanostructures.

Historical development and prospects of photocatalysts for pollutant removal in water

Photocatalysis, as a low-cost and environment friendly technology, has demonstrated a significant potential for water pollution purification; it has received extensive attention in recent decades. The key is the photocatalyst; a large number of photocatalysts have been developed. To better understand and further develop the photocatalysis technology for water treatment, this review summarizes its development over time. The development period is divided into four stages (1960s-1993, 1994-2000, 2001-2010, and 2011-present) to provide readers with a better understanding of the development characteristics, and causes and consequences of each historical stage. This review expounds the origin and development of photocatalysis and the obstacles encountered and overcome. It describes the development of mechanisms and methods to solve these problems in each time period. Moreover, it reviews the recent development of new photocatalysts, the concept of designing photocatalysts, and photocatalytic-coupling systems. Finally, it enumerates the problems that continue to exist in the application of photocatalysis technology, and highlights the key issues that must be addressed in future research. The review is aimed at providing the researchers with a deeper understanding of photocatalysis technology and encourage further development of the application of photocatalysis to water treatment.

Plasmonic Ag decorated CdMoO4 as an efficient photocatalyst for solar hydrogen production

The synthesis of Ag-nanoparticle-decorated CdMoO4 and its photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen generation under sunlight has been demonstrated. The CdMoO4 samples were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal approach in which Ag nanoparticles were in situ decorated on the surface of CdMoO4. A morphological study showed that 5 nm spherical Ag nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed on the surface of CdMoO4 particles. The UV/DRS spectra show that the band gap of CdMoO4 was narrowed by the incorporation of a small amount of Ag nanoparticles. The surface plasmonic effect of Ag shows broad absorption in the visible region. The enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production activities of all the samples were evaluated by using methanol as a sacrificial reagent in water under natural sunlight conditions. The results suggest that the rate of photocatalytic hydrogen production using CdMoO4 can be significantly improved by loading 2% Ag nanoparticles: i.e. 2465 μmol h-1 g-1 for a 15 mg catalyst. The strong excitation of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption by the Ag nanoparticles was found in the Ag-loaded samples. In this system, the role of Ag nanoparticles on the surface of CdMoO4 has been discussed. In particular, the SPR effect is responsible for higher hydrogen evolution under natural sunlight because of broad absorption in the visible region. The current study could provide new insights for designing metal/semiconductor interface systems to harvest solar light for solar fuel generation.

Constructing magnetic and high-efficiency AgI/CuFe2O4 photocatalysts for inactivation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus under visible light: Inactivation performance and mechanism analysis

Magnetic materials usually exhibit advanced performance in many areas for their easy separating and recycle ability. In this study, silver iodide/copper ferrite (AgI/CuFe₂O₄) catalysts with excellent magnetic property were successfully synthesized and characterized by a series of techniques. Two typical bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were applied to estimate the photocatalytic inactivation performance of obtained AgI/CuFe₂O₄ catalysts. Results revealed that the AgI/CuFe₂O₄ (12.5% AgI) composite could absolutely inactivate 3 × 10⁹ CFU/mL E. coli and 2.7 × 10⁸ CFU/mL S. aureus cells severally in 50 min and 40 min under visible light irradiation, which showed a much higher photo-disinfection activity than monomers. Transmission electron microscopy was used to study the biocidal action of this nanocatalyst, the results confirmed that the treated E. coli cells were damaged, the nanocatalyst permeated into cells and resulting in death of cells. Besides, it was found that the destruction of bacterial membrane together with substantial leaked potassium ion (K⁺) which caused by the photo-generated reactive species superoxide radical (O₂^-) and holes (h⁺) could be the direct disinfection principles. For a deep insight into practical applications, the influences of different catalyst concentrations and reaction pH were also taken into discussion in details. The overall results indicated the novel photocatalyst with strong redox capacity and outstanding reusability can be widely employed in bacteria elimination.

Break the Interacting Bridge between Eu3+ Ions in the 3D Network Structure of CdMoO4: Eu3+ Bright Red Emission Phosphor

Eu³⁺ doped CdMoO₄ super red emission phosphors with charge compensation were prepared by the traditional high temperature solid-state reaction method in air atmosphere. The interrelationships between photoluminescence properties and crystalline environments were investigated in detail. The 3D network structure which composed by CdO₈ and MoO₄ polyhedra can collect and efficiently transmit energy to Eu³⁺ luminescent centers. The relative distance between Eu³⁺ ions decreased and energy interaction increased sharply with the appearance of interstitial occupation of O^2- ions ([Formula: see text]). Therefore, fluorescence quenching occurs at the low concentration of Eu³⁺ ions in the 3D network structure. Fortunately, the charge compensator will reduce the concentration of [Formula: see text] which can break the energetic interaction between Eu³⁺ ions. The mechanism of different charge compensators has been studied in detail. The strong excitation band situated at ultraviolet and near-ultraviolet region makes it a potential red phosphor candidate for n-UV based LED.

Effective removal of colourless pollutants and organic dyes by Ag@AgCl nanoparticle-modified CaSn(OH)6 composite under visible light irradiation

The Ag@AgCl nanoparticles could broaden visible-light absorption of pure CSH and depress the recombination of photoinduced electron–hole pairs.