Silver-Loaded Carbon and Phosphorous Co-Doped Boron Nitride Quantum Dots (Ag@CP-BNQDs) for Efficient Organic Waste Removal: Theoretical and Experimental Investigations

Advances in boron nitride-based nanomaterials for environmental remediation and water splitting: a review

Boron nitride has gained wide-spread attention globally owing to its outstanding characteristics, such as a large surface area, high thermal resistivity, great mechanical strength, low density, and corrosion resistance. This review compiles state-of-the-art synthesis techniques, including mechanical exfoliation, chemical exfoliation, chemical vapour deposition (CVD), and green synthesis for the fabrication of hexagonal boron nitride and its composites, their structural and chemical properties, and their applications in hydrogen production and environmental remediation. Additionally, the adsorptive and photocatalytic properties of boron nitride-based nanocomposites for the removal of heavy metals, dyes, and pharmaceuticals from contaminated waters are discussed. Lastly, the scope of future research, including the facile synthesis and large-scale applicability of boron nitride-based nanomaterials for wastewater treatment, is presented. This review is expected to deliver preliminary knowledge of the present state and properties of boron nitride-based nanomaterials, encouraging the future study and development of these materials for their applications in various fields.

Impact of Polythiophene ((C4H4S)n; n = 3, 5, 7, 9) Units on the Adsorption, Reactivity, and Photodegradation Mechanism of Tetracycline by Ti-Doped Graphene/Boron Nitride (Ti@GP_BN) Nanocomposite Materials: Insights from Computational Study

This study addresses the formidable persistence of tetracycline (TC) in the environment and its adverse impact on soil, water, and microbial ecosystems. To combat this issue, an innovative approach by varying polythiophene ((C4H4S)n; n = 3, 5, 7, 9) units and the subsequent interaction with Ti-doped graphene/boron nitride (Ti@GP_BN) nanocomposites was applied as catalysts for investigating the molecular structure, adsorption, excitation analysis, and photodegradation mechanism of tetracycline within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP-gd3bj/def2svp method. This study reveals a compelling correlation between the adsorption potential of the nanocomposites and their corresponding excitation behaviors, particularly notable in the fifth and seventh units of the polythiophene configuration. These units exhibit distinct excitation patterns, characterized by energy levels of 1.3406 and 924.81 nm wavelengths for the fifth unit and 1.3391 and 925.88 nm wavelengths for the seventh unit. Through exploring deeper, the examination of the exciton binding energy emerges as a pivotal factor, bolstering the outcomes derived from both UV-vis transition analysis and adsorption exploration. Notably, the calculated exciton binding energies of 0.120 and 0.103 eV for polythiophene units containing 5 and 7 segments, respectively, provide compelling confirmation of our findings. This convergence of data reinforces the integrity of our earlier analyses, enhancing our understanding of the intricate electronic and energetic interplay within these intricate systems. This study sheds light on the promising potential of the polythiophene/Ti-doped graphene/boron nitride nanocomposite as an efficient candidate for TC photodegradation, contributing to the advancement of sustainable environmental remediation strategies. This study was conducted theoretically; hence, experimental studies are needed to authenticate the use of the studied nanocomposites for degrading TC.

Efficient photo-Fenton catalysis using magnetic iron nanoparticles decorated boron nitride quantum dots: theoretical and experimental investigations

To achieve the efficient removal of pharmaceutical wastes, novel photo-Fenton catalysts, iron-decorated boron nitride quantum dots (Fe@BNQDs) were prepared. Fe@BNQDs were characterized using XRD, SEM-EDX, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The decoration of Fe on the surface of BNQDs enhanced the catalytic efficiency due to the photo-Fenton process. Photo-Fenton catalytic degradation of folic acid was investigated under UV and visible light. The influence of H₂O₂, catalyst dose, and temperature on the degradation yield of folic acid was investigated using Response Surface Methodology. Moreover, the efficiency of the photocatalysts and kinetics was investigated. Radical trapping experiments revealed that holes were the main dominant species in the photo-Fenton degradation mechanism and BNQDs played active roles because of their hole extraction ability. Additionally, active species such as e^- and O₂ ^-˙ have a medium effect. The computational simulation was utilized to provide insights into this fundamental process, and for this purpose, electronic and optical properties were calculated.