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Munawar T, Sardar S, Mukhtar F, Nadeem MS, Manzoor S, Ashiq MN, Khan SA, Koc M, Iqbal F. Fabrication of fullerene-supported La 2O 3-C 60 nanocomposites: dual-functional materials for photocatalysis and supercapacitor electrodes. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:7010-7027. [PMID: 36809534 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp05357h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, water pollution and energy crises worldwide force researchers to develop multi-functional and highly efficient nanomaterials. In this scenario, the present work reports a dual-functional La2O3-C60 nanocomposite fabricated by a simple solution method. The grown nanomaterial worked as an efficient photocatalyst and proficient electrode material for supercapacitors. The physical and electrochemical properties were studied by state-of-the-art techniques. XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the formation of the La2O3-C60 nanocomposite with TEM nano-graphs, and EDX mapping exhibits the loading of C60 on La2O3 particles. XPS confirmed the presence of varying oxidation states of La3+/La2+. The electrochemical capacitive properties were tested by CV, EIS, GCD, ECSA, and LSV, which indicated that the La2O3-C60 nanocomposite can be effectively used as an electrode material for durable and efficient supercapacitors. The photocatalytic test using methylene blue (MB) dye revealed the complete photodegradation of the MB dye under UV light irradiation after 30 min by a La2O3-C60 catalyst with a reusability up to 7 cycles. The lower energy bandgap, presence of deep-level emissions, and lower recombination rate of photoinduced charge carriers in the La2O3-C60 nanocomposite than those of bare La2O3 are responsible for enhanced photocatalytic activity with low-power UV irradiation. The fabrication of multi-functional and highly efficient electrode materials and photocatalysts such as La2O3-C60 nanocomposites is beneficial for the energy industry and environmental remediation applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tauseef Munawar
- Institute of Physics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan.
| | - Sonia Sardar
- Institute of Physics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan.
| | - Faisal Mukhtar
- Institute of Physics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan.
| | | | - Sumaira Manzoor
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Naeem Ashiq
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
| | - Shoukat Alim Khan
- Division of Sustainable Development, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Muammer Koc
- Division of Sustainable Development, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Faisal Iqbal
- Institute of Physics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan.
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3D-Structured Au(NiMo)/Ti Catalysts for the Electrooxidation of Glucose. Catalysts 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/catal12080892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, 3D-structured NiMo coatings have been constructed via the widely used electrodeposition method on a Ti surface and decorated with very small Au crystallites by galvanic displacement (Au(NiMo)/Ti). The catalysts have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Different Au(NiMo)/Ti catalysts, which had Au loadings of 1.8, 2.3, and 3.9 µgAu cm−2, were prepared. The electrocatalytic activity of the Au(NiMo)/Ti catalysts was examined with respect to the oxidation of glucose in alkaline media by cyclic voltammetry. It was found that the Au(NiMo)/Ti catalysts with Au loadings in the range of 1.8 up to 3.9 µgAu cm−2 had a higher activity compared to that of NiMo/Ti. A direct glucose-hydrogen peroxide (C6H12O6-H2O2) single fuel cell was constructed with the different Au-loading-containing Au(NiMo)/Ti catalysts as the anode and Pt as the cathode. The fuel cells exhibited an open circuit voltage of ca. 1.0 V and peak power densities up to 8.75 mW cm−2 at 25 °C. The highest specific peak power densities of 2.24 mW µgAu−1 at 25 °C were attained using the Au(NiMo)/Ti catalyst with the Au loading of 3.9 µg cm−2 as the anode.
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