Comprehensive review of micro/nanostructured ZnSnO3: characteristics, synthesis, and diverse applications

Generally, zinc stannate (ZnSnO3) is a fascinating ternary oxide compound, which has attracted significant attention in the field of materials science due to its unique properties such high sensitivity, large specific area, non-toxic nature, and good compatibility. Furthermore, in terms of both its structure and properties, it is the most appealing category of nanoparticles. The chemical stability of ZnSnO3 under normal conditions contributes to its applicability in various fields. To date, its potential as a luminescent and photovoltaic material and application in supercapacitors, batteries, solar cells, biosensors, gas sensors, and catalysts have been extensively studied. Additionally, the efficient energy storage capacity of ZnSnO3 makes it a promising candidate for the development of energy storage systems. This review focuses on the notable progress in the structural features of ZnSnO3 nanocomposites, including the synthetic processes employed for the fabrication of various ZnSnO3 nanocomposites, their intrinsic characteristics, and their present-day uses. Specifically, we highlight the recent progress in ZnSnO3-based nanomaterials, composites, and doped materials for their utilization in Li-ion batteries, photocatalysis, gas sensors, and energy storage and conversion devices. The further exploration and understanding of the properties of ZnSnO3 will undoubtedly lead to its broader implementation and contribute to the advancement of next-generation materials and devices.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Zn2SnO4 Nanostructures for Photodegradation of Rhodamine B under UV and Sunlight

The contamination of water resources by pollutants resulting from human activities represents a major concern nowadays. One promising alternative to solve this problem is the photocatalytic process, which has demonstrated very promising and efficient results. Oxide nanostructures are interesting alternatives for these applications since they present wide band gaps and high surface areas. Among the photocatalytic oxide nanostructures, zinc tin oxide (ZTO) presents itself as an eco-friendly alternative since its composition includes abundant and non-toxic zinc and tin, instead of critical elements. Moreover, ZTO nanostructures have a multiplicity of structures and morphologies possible to be obtained through low-cost solution-based syntheses. In this context, the current work presents an optimization of ZTO nanostructures (polyhedrons, nanoplates, and nanoparticles) obtained by microwave irradiation-assisted hydrothermal synthesis, toward photocatalytic applications. The nanostructures’ photocatalytic activity in the degradation of rhodamine B under both ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and natural sunlight was evaluated. Among the various morphologies, ZTO nanoparticles revealed the best performance, with degradation > 90% being achieved in 60 min under UV irradiation and in 90 min under natural sunlight. The eco-friendly production process and the demonstrated ability of these nanostructures to be used in various water decontamination processes reinforces their sustainability and the role they can play in a circular economy.

Silver Doped Zinc Stannate (Ag-ZnSnO3) for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Caffeine under UV Irradiation

Contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) spread across a wide range of organic product compounds. As biorecalcitrants, their removal from conventional wastewater treatment systems remains a herculean task. To address this issue, heterogenous solar driven advanced oxidation process based-TiO2 and other semiconductor materials has been extensively studied for their abatement from wastewater sources. In this study, we have synthesized by hydrothermal assisted co-precipitation Ag doped ZnSnO3. Structural and morphological characterizations were performed via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), N2 adsorption-desorption at 77 K by Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) and Barrett, Joyner, and Halenda (BJH) methods, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning electron microscopy coupled with Energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and UV-visible absorption in Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis/DRS) mode. Crystallite size estimate for Ag-ZnSnO3 and undoped form was 19.4 and 29.3 nm, respectively, while respective TEM particle size estimate was 79.0 nm and 98.2 nm. BET surface area and total pore volume by BJH for Ag-ZnSnO3 were estimated with respective values of 17.2 m2/g and 0.05 cm3/g in comparison to 18.8 m2/g and 0.06 cm3/g for ZnSnO3. Derived energy band gap (Eg) values were 3.8 eV for Ag-ZnSnO3 and 4.2 eV for ZnSnO3. Photocatalytic performance of Ag-ZnSnO3 was tested towards caffeine achieving about 68% removal under (natural) unmodified pH = 6.50 and almost 100% removal at initial pH around 7.5 after 4 h irradiation. The effect of initial pH, catalyst dosage, pollutant concentration, charge scavengers, H2O2, contaminant inorganic ions (anions) as well as humic acid (HA) on the photocatalyst activity over caffeine degradation were assessed. In accordance with the probation test of the reactive species responsible for photocatalytic degradation process, a reaction mechanism was deduced.

The hydrothermal synthesis of ZnSn(OH)6 and Zn2SnO4 and their photocatalytic performances

The pH value and hydrothermal temperature played an important part in the transition between ZnSn(OH)₆ and Zn₂SnO₄.

Highly dispersed Au nanoparticles decorated WO3 nanoplatelets: Laser-assisted synthesis and superior performance for detecting ethanol vapor

Loading of noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) on the surfaces of semiconductor oxides to form a hybrid nanostructure is an effective strategy to improve gas-sensing performance. In this study, WO₃ nanoplatelets decorated with Au NPs were prepared by laser ablation in liquids (LAL) with subsequent aging and annealing treatments. Results indicated that Au NPs with an average size of 7.8 ± 2.5 nm were highly dispersed on the surface of WO₃ nanoplatelets. As gas-sensing materials, the obtained Au-decorated WO₃ nanoplatelets showed lower operating temperature of 320 °C and higher response value of 3.5-fold in detecting ethanol molecules compared with pure WO₃ nanoplatelets. Moreover, Au-decorated WO₃ nanoplatelets displayed good selectivity toward ethanol compared with other tested vapors and excellent stability within several cycled measurements. These results can be ascribed to the supported Au NPs, which promote the adsorption and dissociation of oxygen species, eventually resulting in accelerated electron depletion on the surface of Au-WO₃ hybrids.

Laser Synthesis and Processing of Colloids: Fundamentals and Applications

Driven by functionality and purity demand for applications of inorganic nanoparticle colloids in optics, biology, and energy, their surface chemistry has become a topic of intensive research interest. Consequently, ligand-free colloids are ideal reference materials for evaluating the effects of surface adsorbates from the initial state for application-oriented nanointegration purposes. After two decades of development, laser synthesis and processing of colloids (LSPC) has emerged as a convenient and scalable technique for the synthesis of ligand-free nanomaterials in sealed environments. In addition to the high-purity surface of LSPC-generated nanoparticles, other strengths of LSPC include its high throughput, convenience for preparing alloys or series of doped nanomaterials, and its continuous operation mode, suitable for downstream processing. Unscreened surface charge of LSPC-synthesized colloids is the key to achieving colloidal stability and high affinity to biomolecules as well as support materials, thereby enabling the fabrication of bioconjugates and heterogeneous catalysts. Accurate size control of LSPC-synthesized materials ranging from quantum dots to submicrometer spheres and recent upscaling advancement toward the multiple-gram scale are helpful for extending the applicability of LSPC-synthesized nanomaterials to various fields. By discussing key reports on both the fundamentals and the applications related to laser ablation, fragmentation, and melting in liquids, this Article presents a timely and critical review of this emerging topic.

A retrospect on the role of piezoelectric nanogenerators in the development of the green world

This paper gives a detailed report of the evolution and potential applications of piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs).

CO2 fixation at atmospheric pressure: porous ZnSnO3 nanocrystals as a highly efficient catalyst for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates

Self-assembled, ultra small, porous zinc stannate nanocrystals have been synthesized, which catalyzes the formation of cyclic carbonates from various epoxide and CO₂ under very mild reaction conditions.

Highly Dispersed Ultrafine Pt Nanoparticles on Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheets: In Situ Sacrificial Template Synthesis and Superior Electrocatalytic Performance for Methanol Oxidation

We report a simple and environmentally friendly route to prepare platinum/reduced graphene oxide (Pt/rGO) nanocomposites (NCs) with highly reactive MnOx colloids as reducing agents and sacrificial templates. The colloids are obtained by laser ablation of a metallic Mn target in graphene oxide (GO)-containing solution. Structural and morphological investigations of the as-prepared NCs revealed that ultrafine Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with an average size of 1.8 (±0.6) nm are uniformly dispersed on the surfaces of rGO nanosheets. Compared with commercial Pt/C catalysts, Pt/rGO NCs with highly electrochemically active surface areas show remarkably improved catalytic activity and durability toward methanol oxidation. All of these superior characteristics can be attributed to the small particle size and uniform distribution of the Pt NPs, as well as the excellent electrical conductivity and stability of the rGO catalyst support. These findings suggest that Pt/rGO electrocatalysts are promising candidate materials for practical use in fuel cells.

Reduced graphene oxide anchored magnetic ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

A colloidal approach was developed to immobilize magnetic ZnFe₂O₄ onto simultaneously reduced GO toward the degradation of dyes under visible-light irradiation.

Self-assembled ultra-small zinc stannate nanocrystals with mesoscopic voids via a salicylate templating pathway and their photocatalytic properties

Self-assembled ultra small zinc stannate nanocrystals with mesoscopic void spaces show high photocatalytic activity in the photodegradation of Rhodamine B.

Spontaneous Growth and Chemical Reduction Ability of Ge Nanoparticles

Forming colloidal solutions containing semiconductor quantum-sized nanoparticles (NPs) with clean surface has been a long-standing scientific challenge. In this contribution, we report a “top-down” method for the fabrication of Ge NPs by laser ablation of a Ge target in deionized water without adding any stabilizing reagents. The initial Ge NPs in amorphous structure showed spontaneous growth behavior by aging Ge colloids in deionized water under ambient temperature, which gradually evolved into a metastable tetragonal structure as an intermediate phase and then transformed into the stable cubic structure, being consistent with the Ostwald's rule of stages for the growth in a metastable system. The laser-induced initial Ge NPs demonstrate a unique and prominent size-dependent chemical reductive ability, which is evidenced by the rapid degradation of organic molecules such as chlorinated aromatic compounds, organic dyes, and reduction of heavy metal Cr(VI) ions.