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Saadi H, Khaldi O, Pina J, Costa T, Seixas de Melo JS, Vilarinho P, Benzarti Z. Effect of Co Doping on the Physical Properties and Organic Pollutant Photodegradation Efficiency of ZnO Nanoparticles for Environmental Applications. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 14:122. [PMID: 38202577 PMCID: PMC10780624 DOI: 10.3390/nano14010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
This paper presents a comprehensive investigation of the synthesis and characterization of Zn1-xCoxO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) nanopowders using a chemical co-precipitation approach. The structural, morphological, and vibrational properties of the resulting ZnO nanostructures were assessed through X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy to examine the influence of cobalt doping. Remarkably, a notable congruence between the experimental results and the density functional theory (DFT) calculations for the Co-doped ZnO system was achieved. Structural analysis revealed well-crystallized hexagonal wurtzite structures across all samples. The SEM images demonstrated the formation of spherical nanoparticles in all the samples. The vibrational properties confirmed the formation of a hexagonal wurtzite structure, with an additional Raman peak corresponding to the F2g vibrational mode characteristic of the secondary phase of ZnCo2O4 observed at a 5% cobalt doping concentration. Furthermore, a theoretical examination of cobalt doping's impact on the elastic properties of ZnO demonstrated enhanced mechanical behavior, which improves stability, recyclability, and photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic study of the synthesized compositions for methylene blue (MB) dye degradation over 100 min of UV light irradiation demonstrated that Co doping significantly improves photocatalytic degradation. The material's prolonged lifetime, reduced rate of photogenerated charge carrier recombination, and increased surface area were identified as pivotal factors accelerating the degradation process. Notably, the photocatalyst with a Zn0.99Co0.01O composition exhibited exceptional efficiency compared to that reported in the literature. It demonstrated high removal activity, achieving an efficiency of about 97% in a shorter degradation time. This study underscores the structural and photocatalytic advancements in the ZnO system, particularly at lower cobalt doping concentrations (1%). The developed photocatalyst exhibits promise for environmental applications owing to its superior photocatalytic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajer Saadi
- Laboratory of Multifunctional Materials and Applications (LaMMA), Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, University of Sfax, Soukra Road km 3.5, B.P. 1171, Sfax 3000, Tunisia;
| | - Othmen Khaldi
- LMOP(LR99ES17), Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 2092, Tunisia;
| | - João Pina
- CQC-IMS, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.P.); (T.C.)
| | - Telma Costa
- CQC-IMS, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.P.); (T.C.)
| | - J. Sérgio Seixas de Melo
- CQC-IMS, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.P.); (T.C.)
| | - Paula Vilarinho
- CICECO–Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Materials and Ceramic Engineering, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Zohra Benzarti
- Laboratory of Multifunctional Materials and Applications (LaMMA), Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, University of Sfax, Soukra Road km 3.5, B.P. 1171, Sfax 3000, Tunisia;
- CEMMPRE, ARISE, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Luís Reis Santos, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal
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Xu JJ, Lu YN, Tao FF, Liang PF, Zhang PA. ZnO Nanoparticles Modified by Carbon Quantum Dots for the Photocatalytic Removal of Synthetic Pigment Pollutants. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:7845-7857. [PMID: 36872993 PMCID: PMC9979235 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic pigment pollutants caused by the rapid development of the modern food industry have become a serious threat to people's health and quality of life. Environmentally friendly ZnO-based photocatalytic degradation exhibits satisfactory efficiency, but some shortcomings of large band gap and rapid charge recombination reduce the removal of synthetic pigment pollutants. Here, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with unique up-conversion luminescence were applied to decorate ZnO nanoparticles to effectively construct the CQDs/ZnO composites via a facile and efficient route. The ZnO nanoparticles with a spherical-like shape obtained from a zinc-based metal organic framework (zeolitic imidazolate framework-8, ZIF-8) were coated by uniformly dispersive quantum dots. Compared with single ZnO particles, the obtained CQDs/ZnO composites exhibit enhanced light absorption capacity, decreased photoluminescence (PL) intensity, and improved visible-light degradation for rhodamine B (RhB) with the large apparent rate constant (k app). The largest k app value in the CQDs/ZnO composite obtained from 75 mg of ZnO nanoparticles and 12.5 mL of the CQDs solution (∼1 mg·mL-1) was 2.6 times that in ZnO nanoparticles. This phenomenon may be attributed to the introduction of CQDs, leading to the narrowed band gap, an extended lifetime, and the charge separation. This work provides an economical and clean strategy to design visible-light-responsive ZnO-based photocatalysts, which is expected to be used for the removal of synthetic pigment pollutants in food industry.
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Morsy M, Abdel-Salam AI, Gomaa I, Moustafa H, Kalil H, Helal A. Highly Efficient Photocatalysts for Methylene Blue Degradation Based on a Platform of Deposited GO-ZnO Nanoparticles on Polyurethane Foam. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 28:molecules28010108. [PMID: 36615302 PMCID: PMC9822506 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The demand for reactive dyes in industries has increased rapidly in recent years, and producing a large quantity of dye-containing effluent waste contaminates soils and water streams. Current efforts to remove these harmful dyes have focused on utilizing functionalized nanomaterials. A 3D polyurethane foam loaded with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and ZnO nanocomposite (PUF/rGO/ZnO) has been proposed as an efficient structural design for dye degradation under the influence of visible light. The proposed structure was synthesized using a hydrothermal route followed by microwave irradiation. The resultant 3D PUF/rGO/ZnO was examined and characterized by various techniques such as XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDAX, BET, and UV-visible spectroscopy. SEM data illustrated that a good dispersion and embedment of the rGO/ZnO NPs within the PUF matrix occurred. The adsorption capacity for neat PUF showed that around 20% of the Methylene blue (MB) dye was only adsorbed on its surface. However, it was found that an exceptional adsorption capacity for MB degradation was observed when the rGO/ZnO NPs inserted into the PUF, which initially deteriorated to ~ 70 % of its initial concentration. Notably, the MB dye was completely degraded within 3 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Morsy
- Building Physics and Environment Institute, Housing & Building National Research Center (HBRC), Dokki, Giza 12311, Egypt
- Nanotechnology Research Centre (NTRC), The British University in Egypt (BUE), Suez Desert Road, El-Sherouk City, Cairo 11837, Egypt
- Correspondence: author: (M.M.); (H.K.)
| | - Ahmed I. Abdel-Salam
- Nanotechnology Research Centre (NTRC), The British University in Egypt (BUE), Suez Desert Road, El-Sherouk City, Cairo 11837, Egypt
| | - Islam Gomaa
- Nanotechnology Research Centre (NTRC), The British University in Egypt (BUE), Suez Desert Road, El-Sherouk City, Cairo 11837, Egypt
| | - Hesham Moustafa
- Department of Polymer Metrology & Technology, National Institute of Standards (NIS), Tersa Street, El Ha-ram, P.O. Box 136, Giza 12211, Egypt
- Bioanalysis Laboratory, National Institute of Standards (NIS), Tersa Street, El Haram, P.O. Box 136, Giza 12211, Egypt
| | - Haitham Kalil
- Chemistry Department, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
- Correspondence: author: (M.M.); (H.K.)
| | - Ahmed Helal
- Nanostructured Materials and Nanotechnology Division, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute, Helwan, Cairo 11722, Egypt
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Pourrahmati-Shiraz M, Mohagheghian A, Shirzad-Siboni M. Synthesis of ZnO immobilized on recycled polyethylene terephtalate for sonocatalytic removal of Cr(VI) from synthetic, drinking waters and electroplating wastewater. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 324:116395. [PMID: 36352728 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In this study, Cr(VI) was removed sonocatalytically by the zinc oxide nanoparticle coated with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabricated through a facile co-precipitation method. The crystal structure, functional groups on the surface, morphology, surface composition and oxidation states of the nanomaterials were investigated by XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX and XPS techniques. Environmental parameters including solution pH, catalyst dose, hexavalent chromium concentration, H2O2 content, purging gases, organic compounds and type and anions strength on the sonotocatalytic removal of Cr(VI) were also investigated. Additionally, the contribution of each process, reusability, Cr(VI) reduction from actual water and electroplating wastewater were evaluated. Under the optimal conditions, [Cr(VI)]0=20 mg/L, nanocomposite loading=1.6 g/L and pH=5, 99.92% of Cr(VI) was removed within 60 min. By increaing, Cr(VI) concentration (5-50 mg/L), kobs decreased to values between 0.1498 and 0.0063 min-1 and the calculated electrical energy per order (EEo) increased from 148.68 to 3535.24 kWh.m-3, respectively. The presence of purging gases, organic compounds and ionic strength negatively affected Cr(VI) reduction. Examination of radical scavengers showed that the most active radicals in Cr(VI) removal were O2•- and h+. The removal of the Cr(VI) using the US/ZnO-PET method (99.92%) was higher than that of the US/ZnO method (70.78%). The catalyst activity was well maintained up to eight consecutive cycles. In addition, the removal efficiency was approximately 72.23 and 68.55% for drinking water and real electroplating wastewater samples, respectively. The results of toxicity in the sonotocatalytic removal of Cr(VI) by Daphnia magna showed LC50 and toxicity unit (TU) 48 h, which was equal to 81.46 and 1.227 vol percent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Pourrahmati-Shiraz
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Azita Mohagheghian
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran; Research Center of Health and Environment, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Mehdi Shirzad-Siboni
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran; Research Center of Health and Environment, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
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Ahmad M, Ahmad MK, Mamat MH, Mohamed A, Suriani AB, Ismail NMAN, Soon CF, Nafarizal N. Effects of Group-I Elements on Output Voltage Generation of ZnO Nanowires Based Nanogenerator; Degradation of Screening Effects by Oxidation of Nanowires. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1450. [PMID: 36144073 PMCID: PMC9503292 DOI: 10.3390/mi13091450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Here, we report the successful incorporation of group I elements (K, Na, Li) to ZnO nanowires. Three distinct (2, 4, and 6 wt.%) doping concentrations of group I elements have been used to generate high piezoelectric voltage by employing a vertically integrated nanowire generator (VING) structure. X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) indicated the seepage of dopants in ZnO nanowires by substitution of Zn. Shallow acceptor levels (LiZn, NaZn, KZn) worked as electron trapping centers for intrinsically n-type ZnO nanowires. Free moving electrons caused a leakage current through the nanowires and depleted their piezoelectric potential. Reverse leakage current is a negative factor for piezoelectric nanogenerators. A reduction in reverse leakage current signifies the rise in output voltage. A gradual rise in output voltage has been witnessed which was in accordance with various doping concentrations. K-doped ZnO nanowires have generated voltages of 0.85 V, 1.48 V, and 1.95 V. For Na-doped ZnO nanowires, the voltages were 1.23 V, 1.73 V, and 2.34 V and the voltages yeilded for Li-doped ZnO nanowires were 1.87 V, 2.63 V, and 3.54 V, respectively. Maximum voltage range has been further enhanced by the surface enrichment (oxidized with O2 molecules) of ZnO nanowires. Technique has been opted to mitigate the screening effect during an external stress. After 5 h of oxidation in a sealed chamber at 100 ppm, maximum voltage peaks were pronounced to 2.48 V, 3.19 V, and 4.57 V for K, Na, and Li, respectively. A low-cost, high performance mechanical transducer is proposed for self-powered devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoor Ahmad
- Microelectronic and Nanotechnology—Shamsuddin Research Centre (MiNT-SRC), Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Parit Raja 86400, Malaysia
| | - M. K. Ahmad
- Microelectronic and Nanotechnology—Shamsuddin Research Centre (MiNT-SRC), Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Parit Raja 86400, Malaysia
| | - M. H. Mamat
- NANO-ElecTronic Centre (NET), School of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam 40450, Malaysia
| | - A. Mohamed
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, Department of Physic, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjung Malim 35900, Malaysia
| | - A. B. Suriani
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, Department of Physic, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjung Malim 35900, Malaysia
| | - N. M. A. N. Ismail
- Microelectronic and Nanotechnology—Shamsuddin Research Centre (MiNT-SRC), Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Parit Raja 86400, Malaysia
| | - C. F. Soon
- Microelectronic and Nanotechnology—Shamsuddin Research Centre (MiNT-SRC), Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Parit Raja 86400, Malaysia
| | - N. Nafarizal
- Microelectronic and Nanotechnology—Shamsuddin Research Centre (MiNT-SRC), Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Parit Raja 86400, Malaysia
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Preparation and photocatalytic performance of ZnO/CuO/GO heterojunction under visible light. INORG CHEM COMMUN 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2021.109097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Abebe B, Ravikumar C, Zereffa EA, Naveen Kumar A, Murthy HCA. Photocatalytic and superior ascorbic acid sensor activities of PVA/Zn-Fe-Mn ternary oxide nanocomposite. INORG CHEM COMMUN 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2020.108343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Vu Anh T, Pham TAT, Mac VH, Nguyen TH. Facile Controlling of the Physical Properties of Zinc Oxide and Its Application to Enhanced Photocatalysis. JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL METHODS IN CHEMISTRY 2021; 2021:5533734. [PMID: 33936835 PMCID: PMC8055421 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5533734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the physical properties of ZnO were facile controlled by the synthesis method with the addition of capping and precipitation agents. As-prepared ZnO samples had different morphologies such as carnation flower-like ZnO (CF-ZnO), rose-flower-like ZnO (RF-ZnO), rod-like ZnO (R-ZnO), and nanoparticle ZnO (N-ZnO) and were characterized by SEM, XRD, N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, FT-IR, and DR/UV-vis. All samples had a crystallite structure of hexagonal wurtzite type. The CF-ZnO and RF-ZnO samples had the hierarchical structure like a carnation flower and a beautiful rose, respectively. R-ZnO was composed of many hexagonal rods and few spherical particles, while N-ZnO microstructures were made up of nanoparticles with approximately 20-30 nm, exhibiting the largest surface area, pore volume, and pore width among as-prepared samples, and their crystal size and bandgap energy were 17.8 nm and 3.207 eV, respectively. The catalytic performances of ZnO samples were evaluated by degradation of Tartrazine (TA) and Caffeine (CAF) under low UV irradiation (15 W). N-ZnO showed a high photocatalytic activity compared to other samples. Besides, the reaction kinetics was investigated by the first-order kinetic model, and the catalytic performance of ZnO was evaluated through several organic pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan Vu Anh
- School of Chemical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thi Anh Tuyet Pham
- School of Chemical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Van Hung Mac
- School of Chemical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thanh Hung Nguyen
- School of Chemical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
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