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Alshammari M, Alshammari K, Alhassan S, Alshammari AH, Alotaibi T, Alotibi S, Ismael A, Taha TAM. A High-Performance Cr 2O 3/CaCO 3 Nanocomposite Catalyst for Rapid Hydrogen Generation from NaBH 4. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 14:333. [PMID: 38392706 PMCID: PMC10893481 DOI: 10.3390/nano14040333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
This study aims to prepare new nanocomposites consisting of Cr2O3/CaCO3 as a catalyst for improved hydrogen production from NaBH4 methanolysis. The new nanocomposite possesses nanoparticles with the compositional formula Cr2-xCaxO3 (x = 0, 0.3, and 0.6). These samples were prepared using the sol-gel method, which comprises gelatin fuel. The structure of the new composites was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and X-ray spectroscopy (XPS). The XRD data showed the rhombohedral crystallinity of the studied samples, and the average crystal size was 25 nm. The FTIR measurements represented the absorption bands of Cr2O3 and CaO. The ESEM micrographs of the Cr2O3 showed the spherical shape of the Cr2O3 nanoparticles. The XPS measurements proved the desired oxidation states of the Cr2-xCaxO3 nanoparticles. The optical band gap of Cr2O3 is 3.0 eV, and calcium doping causes a reduction to 2.5 and 1.3 eV at 15.0 and 30.0% doping ratios. The methanolysis of NaBH4 involved accelerated H2 production when using Cr2-xCaxO3 as a catalyst. Furthermore, the Cr1.7Ca0.3O3 catalyst had the highest hydrogen generation rate, with a value of 12,750 mL/g/min.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majed Alshammari
- Physics Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box 2014, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (K.A.); (S.A.); (A.H.A.); (T.A.); (T.A.M.T.)
| | - Khulaif Alshammari
- Physics Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box 2014, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (K.A.); (S.A.); (A.H.A.); (T.A.); (T.A.M.T.)
| | - Sultan Alhassan
- Physics Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box 2014, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (K.A.); (S.A.); (A.H.A.); (T.A.); (T.A.M.T.)
| | - Alhulw H. Alshammari
- Physics Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box 2014, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (K.A.); (S.A.); (A.H.A.); (T.A.); (T.A.M.T.)
| | - Turki Alotaibi
- Physics Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box 2014, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (K.A.); (S.A.); (A.H.A.); (T.A.); (T.A.M.T.)
| | - Satam Alotibi
- Department of Physics, College of Science and Humanities in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ali Ismael
- Physics Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, UK;
| | - Taha Abdel Mohaymen Taha
- Physics Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box 2014, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (K.A.); (S.A.); (A.H.A.); (T.A.); (T.A.M.T.)
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Rajamani M, Jeyaprakash JS, Madhavan J, Neppolian B. Turning trash to treasure: Innovative use of exhausted desiccant waste supported zinc indium sulphide for sustainable photocatalytic abatement of tetracycline. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140969. [PMID: 38114024 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140969] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Employing an affordable and sustainable visible-light-driven system is crucial for organic pollutant abatement, in the field of photocatalysis. In the present investigation, a pioneering photocatalyst zinc indium sulphide, ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) supported on a silica gel matrix, SiO2 (SG) which is the leftover material after multiple rounds of dehumidification processes, was synthesized. The fabrication of the heterojunction facilitated enhancement in light absorption and charge separation efficiency. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated through the degradation of tetracycline (TC) under light irradiation. The nano-photocatalyst experienced detailed analysis using spectroscopic and microscopic methods. The ZIS/SG catalyst exhibited remarkable efficiency in degrading TC under visible light conditions, achieving a nearly 98-99% degradation. This performance surpassed the degradation rates of the original ZIS and SG catalysts by 3.6 and 4.45 times, respectively. Additionally, the catalyst was effectively used to control TC levels in real-time within pharmaceutical plant effluent, resulting in a degradation efficiency of 78.2%. With affordability, enhanced TC mineralization, and recyclability for up to six runs (efficiency ∼ 85%), the ZIS/SG photocatalyst exhibits desirable qualities of an ideal one. This innovative nano-photocatalyst introduces new possibilities for improving the process of photocatalytic decontamination of tenacious emerging pollutants by providing satisfactory reusability and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manju Rajamani
- Energy and Environmental Remediation Lab, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, 603203, India
| | - Jenson Samraj Jeyaprakash
- Energy and Environmental Remediation Lab, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, 603203, India
| | - Jagannathan Madhavan
- Solar Energy Lab, Department of Chemistry, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, 632 115, India
| | - Bernaurdshaw Neppolian
- Energy and Environmental Remediation Lab, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, 603203, India.
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Afsharpour M, Darvishi-Farash S. Novel synthesis of siligraphene/tungstates (g-SiC/AWO) with promoted transportation of photogenerated charge carriers via direct Z-scheme heterojunctions. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10022. [PMID: 37340156 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37170-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We developed here the efficient photocatalysts for the removal of high concentrations of tetracycline under visible light by immobilizing the AWO (A = Ag, Bi, Na) nanocrystals on the surface of siligraphene (g-SiC) nanosheets. The g-SiC/AWO composites was synthesized by magnesiothermic synthesis of g-SiC and sonochemical immobilization of tungstates. These new heterojunctions of g-SiC/tungstates show superior photocatalytic activities in the degradation of high concentrations of tetracycline and 97, 98, and 94% of tetracycline were removed by using low amounts of g-SiC/Ag2WO4, g-SiC/Bi2WO6, and g-SiC/Na2WO4 catalysts, respectively. Based on band structures, the band gaps reduce and the photocatalytic activities were extremely enhanced due to the shortening of electron transfer distance through the Z-scheme mechanism. Also, the graphenic structure of g-SiC is another parameter that was effective in improving photocatalytic performance by increasing the electron transfer and decreasing the rate of electron-hole recombination. Furthermore, the π back-bonding of g-SiC with metal atoms increases the electron-hole separation to enhance the photocatalytic activity. Interestingly, g-SiC composites (g-SiC/AWO) showed much higher photocatalytic properties compared to graphene composites (gr/AWO) and can remove the tetracycline even at dark by producing the oxygenated radicals via adsorption of oxygen on the positive charge of Si atoms in siligraphene structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Afsharpour
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran, Tehran, 14335-186, Iran.
| | - Somayeh Darvishi-Farash
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran, Tehran, 14335-186, Iran
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