β-Ag2S–ZnO as a novel sunshine photocatalyst for the effective degradation of RR 120 dye

A. Visible-light-induced degradation of rhodamine B by nanosized Ag2S–ZnS loaded on cellulose

Visible-light-active nanosized Ag₂S–ZnS loaded on cellulose photocatalysts are used for RhB dye degradation to a maximum extent in a short period of time and the catalysts can be reused many times.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using A. indicum leaf extract and their antibacterial activity

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles has been achieved using environmentally acceptable plant extract. It is observed that Abutilon indicum leaf extract can reduce silver ions into silver nanoparticles within 15 min of reaction time. The formation and stability of the reduced silver nanoparticles in the colloidal solution were monitored by UV-Vis spectrophotometer analysis. The mean particle diameter of silver nanoparticles was calculated from the XRD pattern. FT-IR spectra of the leaf extract after the development of nanoparticles are determined to allow identification of possible functional groups responsible for the conversion of metal ions to metal nanoparticles. The AgNPs thus obtained showed highly potent antibacterial activity toward Gram-positive (Staphyloccocus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli) microorganisms.

Synthesis and characterization of surfactants assisted Cu(2+) doped ZnO nanocrystals

In the present work, we report a simple chemical precipitation method to synthesize precursors of different levels of Cu(2+) ions doped crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles in the presence of capping agents namely cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP). Thermal analysis result suggests that 300°C could be the optimum level of annealing for the harvest of pure phase of ZnO from the as prepared particles. The structural, optical and chemical features of undoped and surfactants assisted ZnO: Cu(2+) nanoparticles were studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. Among the two surfactants used SHMP is an effective one in controlling the size and morphology of the particles.