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Zhang J, Yu K, Yu M, Dong X, Tariq Sarwar M, Yang H. Facet-engineering strategy of phosphogypsum for production of mineral slow-release fertilizers with efficient nutrient fixation and delivery. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 182:259-270. [PMID: 38677143 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.04.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Phosphogypsum (PG) presents considerable potential for agricultural applications as a secondary primary resource. However, it currently lacks environmentally friendly, economically viable, efficient, and sustainable reuse protocols. This study firstly developed a PG-based mineral slow-release fertilizer (MSRFs) by internalization and fixation of urea within the PG lattice via facet-engineering strategy. The molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that the binding energy of urea to the (041) facet of PG surpassed that of the (021) and (020) facets, with urea's desorption energy on the (041) facet notably higher than on the (021) and (020) facets. Guided by these calculations, we selectively exposed the (041) dominant facet of PG, and then achieving complete urea fixation within the PG lattice to form urea-PG (UPG). UPG exhibited a remarkable 48-fold extension in N release longevity in solution and a 45.77% increase in N use efficiency by plants compared to conventional urea. The facet-engineering of PG enhances the internalization and fixation efficiency of urea for slow N delivery, thereby promoting nutrient uptake for plant growth. Furthermore, we elucidated the intricate interplay between urea and PG at the molecular level, revealing the involvement of hydrogen and ionic bonding. This specific bonding structure imparts exceptional thermal stability and water resistance to the urea within UPG under environmental conditions. This study has the potential to provide insights into the high-value utilization of PG and present innovative ideas for designing efficient MSRFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Mineral Materials and Application, School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Kun Yu
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Laboratory of Advanced Mineral Materials, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Menghan Yu
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Laboratory of Advanced Mineral Materials, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xiongbo Dong
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Laboratory of Advanced Mineral Materials, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Muhammad Tariq Sarwar
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Laboratory of Advanced Mineral Materials, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Huaming Yang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Mineral Materials and Application, School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Laboratory of Advanced Mineral Materials, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
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Kusior A, Michalec K, Micek-Ilnicka A, Radecka M. Unraveling the Impact of Adsorbed Molecules on Photocatalytic Processes: Advancements in Understanding Facet-Controlled Semiconductor Photocatalysts. Molecules 2024; 29:2290. [PMID: 38792151 PMCID: PMC11124397 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This work aims to demonstrate that the Fe2O3 nanocrystals' adsorptive and photocatalytic properties can be adjusted by exposing the crystal facets that are functionalized. To this end, cube- and disc-like structures were synthesized using a metal ion-mediated hydrothermal route. Thereafter, some of the samples were annealed at 500 °C for 3 h. Our paper combines the experimental part with theoretical calculations of the obtained materials' band edge positions. The results reveal that-aside from hematite-the as-synthesized discs also contain γ-FeOOH and β-Fe2O3 phases, which transform into α-Fe2O3 during annealing. The hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential, and adsorption kinetics measurements show that the cube-like samples exhibit the highest affinity for cationic, whereas the discs have an affinity for anionic dye. Measurements of the wall zeta potential also reveal that annealing the discs modifies their surface state and ability to adsorb molecules. Photocatalytic tests show that the as-synthesized powders have better photocatalytic performance toward methylene blue decomposition than the annealed ones. The observed small changes in the concentration of the MO during illumination result from the energy band structure of the cube-like crystal orientation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kusior
- Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland; (K.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Kinga Michalec
- Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland; (K.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Anna Micek-Ilnicka
- Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Niezapominajek 8, 30-239 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Marta Radecka
- Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland; (K.M.); (M.R.)
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Chen BH, Kumar G, Wei YJ, Ma HH, Kao JC, Chou PJ, Chuang YC, Chen IC, Chou JP, Lo YC, Huang MH. Experimental Revelation of Surface and Bulk Lattices in Faceted Cu 2 O Crystals. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2303491. [PMID: 37381620 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202303491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Semiconductor crystals have generally shown facet-dependent electrical, photocatalytic, and optical properties. These phenomena have been proposed to result from the presence of a surface layer with bond-level deviations. To provide experimental evidence of this structural feature, synchrotron X-ray sources are used to obtain X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of polyhedral cuprous oxide crystals. Cu2 O rhombic dodecahedra display two distinct cell constants from peak splitting. Peak disappearance during slow Cu2 O reduction to Cu with ammonia borane differentiates bulk and surface layer lattices. Cubes and octahedra also show two peak components, while diffraction peaks of cuboctahedra are comprised of three components. Temperature-varying lattice changes in the bulk and surface regions also show shape dependence. From transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, slight plane spacing deviations in surface and inner crystal regions are measured. Image processing provides visualization of the surface layer with depths of about 1.5-4 nm giving dashed lattice points instead of dots from atomic position deviations. Close TEM examination reveals considerable variation in lattice spot size and shape for different particle morphologies, explaining why facet-dependent properties are emerged. Raman spectrum reflects the large bulk and surface lattice difference in rhombic dodecahedra. Surface lattice difference can change the particle bandgap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Hao Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu, 300092, Taiwan
| | - Gautam Kumar
- Department of Chemistry and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jung Wei
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Heng Ma
- Department of Chemistry and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Cheng Kao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 30010, Taiwan
| | - Po-Jung Chou
- Department of Chemistry and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chun Chuang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu, 300092, Taiwan
| | - I-Chia Chen
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| | - Jyh-Pin Chou
- Department of Physics, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua, 50007, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chieh Lo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 30010, Taiwan
| | - Michael H Huang
- Department of Chemistry and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
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Baranov O, Bazaka K, Belmonte T, Riccardi C, Roman HE, Mohandas M, Xu S, Cvelbar U, Levchenko I. Recent innovations in the technology and applications of low-dimensional CuO nanostructures for sensing, energy and catalysis. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2023; 8:568-602. [PMID: 36928662 DOI: 10.1039/d2nh00546h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Low-dimensional copper oxide nanostructures are very promising building blocks for various functional materials targeting high-demanded applications, including energy harvesting and transformation systems, sensing and catalysis. Featuring a very high surface-to-volume ratio and high chemical reactivity, these materials have attracted wide interest from researchers. Currently, extensive research on the fabrication and applications of copper oxide nanostructures ensures the fast progression of this technology. In this article we briefly outline some of the most recent, mostly within the past two years, innovations in well-established fabrication technologies, including oxygen plasma-based methods, self-assembly and electric-field assisted growth, electrospinning and thermal oxidation approaches. Recent progress in several key types of leading-edge applications of CuO nanostructures, mostly for energy, sensing and catalysis, is also reviewed. Besides, we briefly outline and stress novel insights into the effect of various process parameters on the growth of low-dimensional copper oxide nanostructures, such as the heating rate, oxygen flow, and roughness of the substrates. These insights play a key role in establishing links between the structure, properties and performance of the nanomaterials, as well as finding the cost-and-benefit balance for techniques that are capable of fabricating low-dimensional CuO with the desired properties and facilitating their integration into more intricate material architectures and devices without the loss of original properties and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Baranov
- Department of Theoretical Mechanics, Engineering and Robomechanical Systems, National Aerospace University, Kharkiv 61070, Ukraine.
- Department of Gaseous Electronics, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Kateryna Bazaka
- School of Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | | | - Claudia Riccardi
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Giuseppe Occhialini", Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 3, I20126 Milan, Italy
| | - H Eduardo Roman
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Giuseppe Occhialini", Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 3, I20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Mandhakini Mohandas
- Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Anna University, Chennai, 600 025, India
| | - Shuyan Xu
- Plasma Sources and Application Centre, NIE, Nanyang Technological University, 637616, Singapore.
| | - Uroš Cvelbar
- Department of Gaseous Electronics, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Igor Levchenko
- Plasma Sources and Application Centre, NIE, Nanyang Technological University, 637616, Singapore.
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Zhao Y, Zhang Q, Ma J, Yi R, Gou L, Nie D, Han X, Zhang L, Wang Y, Xu X, Wang Z, Chen L, Lu Y, Zhang S, Zhang L. Directional growth of quasi-2D Cu2O monocrystals on rGO membranes in aqueous environments. iScience 2022; 25:105472. [DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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