In-situ synthesis of amorphous silver silicate/carbonate composites for selective visible-light photocatalytic decomposition

Characterization of Silver Carbonate Nanoparticles Biosynthesized Using Marine Actinobacteria and Exploring of Their Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity

Bacterial resistance to different antimicrobial agents is growing with alarming speed, especially when bacterial cells are living in biofilm. Hybrid nanoparticles, synthesized through the green method, hold promise as a potential solution to this challenge. In this study, 66 actinomycete strains were isolated from three distinct marine sources: marine sediment, the algae Codium bursa, and the marine sponge Chondrosia reniformis. From the entirety of the isolated strains, one strain, S26, identified as Saccharopolyspora erythrea, was selected based on its taxonomic position and significant antimicrobial activity. Using the biomass of the selected marine Actinobacteria, the green synthesis of eco-friendly silver carbonate nanoparticles (BioAg2CO3NPs) is reported for the first time in this pioneering study. The BioAg2CO3NPs were characterized using different spectroscopic and microscopic analyses; the synthesized BioAg2CO3NPs primarily exhibit a triangular shape, with an approximate size of 100 nm. Biological activity evaluation indicated that the BioAg2CO3NPs exhibited good antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms and were able to remove 58% of the biofilm formed by the Klebsiella pneumoniae kp6 strain.

'Laccase-like' properties of coral-like silver citrate micro-structures for the degradation and determination of phenolic pollutants and adrenaline

Laccases are multicopper containing oxidase enzymes that are highly important in environmental remediation and biotechnology. To date, complex Copper containing materials have been reported as laccase mimic, and the possibility of a non-Cu laccase mimic remained unknown. In this work, we report an exceptionally simple functional laccase mimic based on coral-like silver citrate (AgCit) microstructures. The AgCit was synthesized by a simple precipitation method and was found to possess excellent laccase-like activity capable of oxidizing phenolic substrates and the endocrine hormone adrenaline. Compared to the natural laccase enzyme, our reported laccase-mimic has a higher υ_max and lower K_m value using adrenaline as a substrate. In addition, the AgCit laccase mimic was observed to be stable at extreme pH, higher temperature, and suitable for long-term storage at room temperature. The laccase-like properties of the AgCit nanozyme were successfully applied for the quantification and degradation of various phenolic pollutants and the adrenaline hormone.

Impact of metals on (star)dust chemistry: a laboratory astrophysics approach

Laboratory experiments are essential in exploring the mechanisms involved in stardust formation. One key question is how a metal is incorporated into dust for an environment rich in elements involved in stardust formation (C, H, O, Si). To address experimentally this question we have used a radiofrequency cold plasma reactor in which cyclic organosilicon dust formation is observed. Metallic (silver) atoms were injected in the plasma during the dust nucleation phase to study their incorporation in the dust. The experiments show formation of silver nanoparticles (~15 nm) under conditions in which organosilicon dust of size 200 nm or less is grown. The presence of AgSiO bonds, revealed by infrared spectroscopy, suggests the presence of junctions between the metallic nanoparticles and the organosilicon dust. Even after annealing we could not conclude on the formation of silver silicates, emphasizing that most of silver is included in the metallic nanoparticles. The molecular analysis performed by laser mass spectrometry exhibits a complex chemistry leading to a variety of molecules including large hydrocarbons and organometallic species. In order to gain insights into the involved chemical molecular pathways, the reactivity of silver atoms/ions with acetylene was studied in a laser vaporization source. Key organometallic species, Ag n C2H m (n=1-3; m=0-2), were identified and their structures and energetic data computed using density functional theory. This allows us to propose that molecular Ag-C seeds promote the formation of Ag clusters but also catalyze hydrocarbon growth. Throughout the article, we show how the developed methodology can be used to characterize the incorporation of metal atoms both in the molecular and dust phases. The presence of silver species in the plasma was motivated by objectives finding their application in other research fields than astrochemistry. Still, the reported methodology is a demonstration laying down the ground for future studies on metals of astrophysical interest such as iron.

A novel 3D Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst: Ag6Si2O7 anchored on flower-like Bi2WO6 and its excellent photocatalytic performance for the degradation of toxic pharmaceutical antibiotics

A novel 3D Ag₆Si₂O₇/Bi₂WO₆ Z-scheme heterojunction exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance for the degradation of toxic pharmaceutical antibiotics.

Mechanistic Insights into Photodegradation of Organic Dyes Using Heterostructure Photocatalysts

Due to its low cost, environmentally friendly process, and lack of secondary contamination, the photodegradation of dyes is regarded as a promising technology for industrial wastewater treatment. This technology demonstrates the light-enhanced generation of charge carriers and reactive radicals that non-selectively degrade various organic dyes into water, CO2, and other organic compounds via direct photodegradation or a sensitization-mediated degradation process. The overall efficiency of the photocatalysis system is closely dependent upon operational parameters that govern the adsorption and photodegradation of dye molecules, including the initial dye concentration, pH of the solution, temperature of the reaction medium, and light intensity. Additionally, the charge-carrier properties of the photocatalyst strongly affect the generation of reactive species in the heterogeneous photodegradation and thereby dictate the photodegradation efficiency. Herein, this comprehensive review discusses the pseudo kinetics and mechanisms of the photodegradation reactions. The operational factors affecting the photodegradation of either cationic or anionic dye molecules, as well as the charge-carrier properties of the photocatalyst, are also fully explored. By further analyzing past works to clarify key active species for photodegradation reactions and optimal conditions, this review provides helpful guidelines that can be applied to foster the development of efficient photodegradation systems.

Fabrication of Ag/AgBr/Ag3VO4 composites with high visible light photocatalytic performance

Herein, Ag/AgBr/Ag₃VO₄ composites were synthesized by a simple continuous precipitation method. The obtained composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). Photocatalytic performance of the composites was assessed by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) and tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) under visible light, and the effects of different nominal mass ratios of AgBr and Ag₃VO₄ on the photocatalytic activity were investigated. The results showed that after 20 min of visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm), the removal rate of MO in the presence of a 5 : 1 sample reached 98.6%. The EIS and photocurrent results demonstrated that the enhancement of the visible light photocatalytic activity was attributed to the efficient electron–hole pair separation. In addition, the scavenging reactions conducted via the addition of different scavengers confirmed that h⁺ and ·O²⁻ were the main active species in the reaction. The present study offers potential for the degradation of contaminants.

Ag/AgBr/Ag₃VO₄ composites were synthesized by a simple continuous precipitation method, which were used to degrade organic pollutants and found to have excellent photocatalytic properties.

In situ growth of metallic Ag0 intercalated CoAl layered double hydroxides as efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline solutions

Metallic Ag⁰ intercalated CoAl LDHs synthesized via a facile redox process exhibited excellent ORR activity through a four-electron reduction process.

Fabrication of Hierarchical ZnO@NiO Core-Shell Heterostructures for Improved Photocatalytic Performance

ZnO@NiO core-shell heterostructures with high photocatalytic efficiency and reusability were prepared via electrochemical deposition on carbon fiber cloth substrates. Their photocatalytic properties were investigated by measuring the degradation of rhodamine B and methyl orange (MO) under ultraviolet light irradiation. The photodegradation efficiency of the ZnO@NiO heterostructures toward both dyes was better than those of the pure ZnO nanorods and NiO nanosheets. The higher performance could be attributed to the formation of p-n heterojunction between ZnO and NiO. Especially, the ZnO@NiO heterostructure formed upon deposition of NiO for 10 min degraded 95% of MO under ultraviolet light irradiation for 180 min. The high photodegradation efficiency of the ZnO@NiO heterostructures was also attributed to the high separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers, as confirmed by the higher photocurrent of the ZnO@NiO heterostructures (eightfold) when compared with that of the pure ZnO nanorods. Moreover, the high photodegradation efficiency of the ZnO@NiO heterostructures was maintained over three successive degradation experiments and decreased to 90% after the third cycle.

Fabrication of selective interface of ZnO/CdS heterostructures for more efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Selective interface in ZnO/CdS heterostructure promote the photocatalytic activity.