Sacrificial template-directed synthesis of mesoporous magnesium oxide architectures with superior performance for organic dye adsorption [corrected]

Enhancing Benzylamine Electro-Oxidation and Hydrogen Evolution Through in-situ Electrochemical Activation of CoC2O4 Nanoarrays

The sluggish anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) seriously restricts the overall efficiency of water splitting. Here, we present an environmentally friendly and efficient aniline oxidation (BOR) to replace the sluggish OER, accomplishing the co-production of H2 and high value-added benzonitrile (BN) at low voltages. Cobalt oxalates grown on cobalt foam (CoC2O4 ⋅ 2H2O/CF) are adopted as the pre-catalysts, which further evolve into working electrocatalysts active for BOR and HER via appropriate electrochemical activation. Thereinto, cyclic voltammetry activation at positive potentials is performed to reconstruct cobalt oxalate via extensive oxidation, resulting in enriched Co(III) species and nanoporous structures beneficial for BOR, while chronoamperometry at negative potentials is introduced for the cathodic activation toward efficient HER with obvious improvement. The two activated electrodes can be combined into a two-electrode system, which achieves a high current density of 75 mA cm-2 at the voltage of 1.95 V, with the high Faraday efficiencies of both BOR (90.0 %) and HER (90.0 %) and the satisfactory yield of BN (76.8 %).

Facile activation of natural calcium-rich sepiolite with oxalic acid for selective Pb(II) removal: Highly-efficient performance, mechanisms and site energy distribution

The design and development of adsorbents with high efficiency, selectivity, and economy for Pb(II) are essential to environmental governance and ecological safety. Herein, an oxalic acid (OA) activated natural sepiolite (nSEP) composite for highly efficient Pb(II) removal was prepared by a facile impregnation strategy. The OA activated nSEP nanocomposite (OA-nSEP) was characterized by various instrumental techniques and its adsorption performance towards Pb(II) was further evaluated through a series of static and dynamic experiments under various environmental conditions. Results revealed that OA reacted with the calcium impurities in nSEP to form calcium oxalate, causing mesoporous structure and larger specific surface area of OA-nSEP. The obtained OA-nSEP possessed super high Pb(II) adsorption capacities (858.4-1252 mg/g), which were much higher than that of most modified clays or conventional materials. The average adsorption site energy and the standard deviation of the site energy distribution were analyzed to investigate the strength of Pb(II) binding onto OA-nSEP and the adsorption site heterogeneity. Mechanism studies confirmed that oxalate groups exerted a primary role in the adsorption process. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) unveiled that the coordination of oxalate with Pb(II) and precipitation of lead oxalate was responsible for the high efficiency and selectivity. Distinguishing feature of high adsorption capacity, specific selective adsorption, abundant availability, and splendid reusability make the OA-nSEP a promising candidate for eliminating Pb(II) in practical scenarios.

In Situ Fabrication of Nickel-Iron Oxalate Catalysts for Electrochemical Water Oxidation at High Current Densities

Ni-Fe-based electrode materials are promising candidates for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The synergy between Fe and Ni atoms is crucial in modulating the electronic structure of the active site to enhance electrochemical performance. Herein, a simple chemical immersion technique was used to grow Ni-Fe oxalate nanowires directly on a porous nickel foam substrate. The as-prepared Ni-Fe oxalate electrode exhibited an excellent electrochemical performance of the OER with ultralow overpotentials of 210 and 230 mV to reach 50 and 100 mA cm-2 current densities, respectively, in a 1 M KOH aqueous solution. The excellent OER performance of this Ni-Fe oxalate electrode can be attributed to its bimetallic composition and nanowire structure, which leads to an efficient ionic diffusion, high electronic conductivity, and fast electron transfer. The overall analysis indicates a suitable approach for designing electrocatalysts applicable in energy conversion.

Electrokinetic sweeping of colloids at a reactive magnesium oxide interface

Investigating the electrokinetic (EK) response in the vicinity of interfaces has regained interest due to the development of new membrane based processes for energy harvesting or soil depollution. However, the case of reactive interfaces, ubiquitous in these processes, remains scarcely explored. Here we experimentally investigate the EK response of a model interface between an aqueous electrolyte and a bulk MgO crystal surface (100), for different pH. For that purpose, we use a lab-scale non invasive method to monitor the zeta potential of the interface versus time, by confocal fluorescent particle tracking. An unexpected motion of the particles, repelled and then attracted again by the interface is observed. We attributed this motion to the surface reactivity, inducing ion concentration gradients perpendicular to the interface and subsequent diffusiophoresis of the charged particle. Accordingly, we could describe at a semi-quantitative level the particle dynamics by solving numerically the Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations to establish concentration profile in the system and subsequent diffusiophoretic motion. These experiments open the way to the characterization of both the EK response and the reaction rate in the vicinity of reactive interfaces.

Biocidal chitosan-magnesium oxide nanoparticles via a green precipitation process

In the present scenario, the development of eco-friendly multifunctional biocidal substances with low cost and high efficiency, has become the center of focus. This study is, focused on the synthesis of magnesium oxide (MgO) and chitosan-modified magnesium oxide (CMgO) nanoparticles (NPs), via a green precipitation process. In this process, leaves extract of Plumbago zeylanica L was, used as a nucleating agent. The MgO and CMgO NPs exhibit face-centered cubic structures, as confirmed by XRD studies. Morphologically, the FESEM and TEM images showed that the MgO and CMgO NPs were spherical, with an average particle size of ~40±2 and ~37±2 nm, respectively. EDX spectra were used to identify the elemental compositions of the nanoparticles. By using FTIR spectra, the Mg-O stretching frequency of MgO and CMgO NPs were observed at 431 and 435 cm^-1, respectively. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of MgO and CMgO NPs, revealed oxygen vacancies at 499 nm and 519 nm, respectively, due to the active radicals generated, which were responsible for their biocidal activities. The toxicity effects of the nanoparticles developed, on cell viability (antibacterial and anticancer), were measured on the MCF-7 cell line and six different types of gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial activities of the nanoparticles on: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Vibrio cholerae bacteria, were studied with the well diffusion method. The MgO and CMgO NPs were tested on breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) via an MTT assay and it proved that CMgO NPs possess higher anticancer properties than MgO NPs. Overall, CMgO NPs showed a higher amount of cytotoxicity for both the bacterial and cancer cells when compared to the MgO NPs. Toxicity studies of fibroblast L929 cells revealed that the CMgO NPs were less harmful to the healthy cells when compared to the MgO NPs. These results suggest that biopolymer chitosan-modified MgO NPs can be used for healthcare industrial applications in order to improve human health conditions.

Mixed-valent manganese oxide for catalytic oxidation of Orange II by activation of persulfate: heterojunction dependence and mechanism

The coexistence of aliovalent cations in manganese oxide catalysts with a suitable mole ratio accelerates the activation process of persulfate for the degradation of organic pollutants.

Rational design, synthesis, adsorption principles and applications of metal oxide adsorbents: a review

The shortage of water resources and increasingly serious water pollution have driven the development of high-efficiency water treatment technology. Among a variety of technologies, adsorption is widely used in environmental remediation. As a class of typical adsorbents, metal oxides have been developed for a long time and continued to attract widespread attention, since they have unique physicochemical properties, including abundant surface active sites, high chemical stability, and adjustable shape and size. In this review, the basic principles of the adsorption process will be first elucidated, including affecting factors, evaluation index, adsorption mechanisms, and common kinetic and isotherm models. Then, the adsorption properties of several typical metal oxides, and key parameters affecting the adsorption performance such as particle/pore size, morphology, functionalization and modification, supports and calcination temperature will be discussed, as well as their application in the removal of various inorganic and organic contaminants. In addition, desorption and recycling of the spent adsorbent are summarized. Finally, the future development of metal oxide based adsorbents is also discussed.

Cr2O72− inside Zr/Hf-based metal–organic frameworks: highly sensitive and selective detection and crystallographic evidence

The (4,8)-connected Zr/Hf-MOFs exhibit excellent performances in the detection of Cr₂O₇²⁻ and the exact location and configuration of Cr₂O₇²⁻ inside the MOFs were revealed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies for the first time.

Adsorptive removal and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants using metal oxides and their composites: A comprehensive review

Metal oxide nanomaterials and their composites are comprehensively reviewed for water remediation. The controlled morphological and textural features, variable surface chemistry, high surface area, specific crystalline nature, and abundant availability make the nanostructured metal oxides and their composites highly selective materials for efficient removal of organic pollutants based on adsorption and photocatalytic degradation. A wide range of metal oxides like iron oxides, magnesium oxide, titanium oxides, zinc oxides, tungsten oxides, copper oxides, metal oxides composites, and graphene-metal oxides composites having variable structural, crystalline and morphological features are reviewed emphasizing the recent development, challenges, and opportunities for adsorptive removal and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants viz. dyes, pesticides, phenolic compounds, and so on. It also covers the deep discussion on the photocatalytic mechanism of metal oxides and their composites along with the properties relevant to photocatalysis. High photodegradation efficiency, economically-viable approaches for the preparation of photocatalytic materials, and controlled band-gap engineering make metal oxides highly efficient photocatalysts for degradation of organic pollutants. The review would be an excellent resource for researchers who are currently focusing on metal oxides-based materials for water remediation as well as for those who are interested in adsorptive and photocatalytic applications of metal oxides and their composites.

High surface area 3D-MgO flowers as the modifier for the working electrode for efficient detection of 4-chlorophenol

We report for the first time, magnesium oxide (MgO) 3D-flowers, synthesized by a simple reflux method. The synthesized MgO 3D-flowers were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), ultra-violet visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping to confirm their purity, morphology and elemental composition. The synthesized MgO 3D-flowers had a very high specific surface area of 218 m2 g-1 as confirmed by the N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm. These MgO 3D-flowers were employed as an electrode modifier for the construction of an electrochemical sensor to detect 4-chlorophenol (4-CP). The active surface area of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with MgO 3D-flowers with the assistance of 0.1% Nafion (MgO 3D-flowers/GCE) and the MgO 3D-flowers/GCE sensor shows an excellent electrocatalytic behavior towards 4-CP. The constructed MgO 3D-flowers/GCE sensor exhibits the limits of detection (LOD) of 45 nM, 68 nM, and 52 nM, and sensitivities of 2.84 μA μM-1 cm-2, 5.94 μA μM-1 cm-2, and 10.67 μA μM-1 cm-2 in cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) techniques, respectively. The modified MgO 3D-flowers/GCE sensor displays excellent performance in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, repeatability and reproducibility. The excellent electrocatalytic activity of the proposed MgO 3D-flowers/GCE sensor was attributed to the high specific surface area, surface electron transfer ability and the presence of the edges/corner defects of MgO 3D-flowers.

A solid-state chemical method for synthesizing MgO nanoparticles with superior adsorption properties

As a traditional and effective adsorbent, MgO is a low-cost, eco-friendly, nontoxic, and economical material for wastewater treatment. However, multistep processing and the use of organic agents result in high costs and lead to environmental pollution, strongly inhibiting the practical application of MgO. Herein, a simple solid-state chemical route has been used to prepare small-sized MgO nanoparticles with a large specific surface area of 213 m2 g-1 without using liquid solvents, template agents, or surfactants. This facile method is a green strategy that is suitable for large-scale production, avoiding complex preparation processes and serious environmental pollution. The obtained small-sized MgO nanoparticles showed a superior adsorption capacity of 2375 mg g-1 towards Congo red, originating from the large specific surface area and surface features (hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions). The adsorption behavior obeyed a pseudo-second-order rate equation and the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model. This study provides a route for the synthesis of oxides with large specific surface areas and obtained an adsorbent with superior adsorption capacity.

Fabrication of MgO nanostructures and its efficient photocatalytic, antibacterial and anticancer performance

Magnesium oxide (MgO) nanostructures were prepared using microwave-assisted (M 1) and hydrothermal (M 2) methods and characterized by XRD, SEM and FT-IR. It exhibits cubic structure with an average crystallite size of 20 nm (M 1) and 14 nm (M 2) and the lattice strain (WH plot) is 0.0017 (M 1), 0.0037 (M 2). It's spherical and rods like structures are confirmed through SEM and TEM. The vibrational stretching mode of MgO is 439 (M 1) and 449 cm^-1 (M 2). The optical bandgap is estimated as 5.93 eV (M 1) and 5.85 eV (M 2) through UV-Vis spectra. The fluorescence spectrum shows emission peaks at 414 and 437 (M 1) and 367 and 385 nm (M 2). The photodegradation studies of MgO nanostructures were assessed by monitoring the decolorization of methylene blue and Congo red dyes in aqueous solution under sunlight irradiation. The antibacterial activities of M 1 and M 2 are investigated against the gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Aeromonas hydrophila and Vibrio cholera) and gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis and Rhodococcus rhodochrous) bacteria. The zone of inhibition of 24 (M 1) and 25 mm (M 2) indicates high antibacterial activity towards the gram negative bacterium A. hydrophila. Confocal laser scanning microscopic (CLSM) analysis was utilized for understanding the variation in antibacterial activity between different orientations of MgO nanostructures. The cytotoxicity assay confirmed that the prepared nanostructures are non - toxic to normal healthy RBC's. In-vitro anticancer efficiency (IC₅₀) of MgO nanostructures against human lung cancer cell line (A549) was investigated.

Characterization and adsorption mechanism of ZrO2 mesoporous fibers for health-hazardous fluoride removal

One-dimension ZrO₂ mesoporous fibers were successfully synthesized by utilizing the electrospinning device combining with the soft-template method. The morphology and composite of the fibers were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, TGA/DSC and XPS, and the pore structure and surface area were calculated according the BET measured results. The fluoride adsorption performance of the fibers was investigated and the adsorption capacity was upto 297.70 mg g^-1. Moreover, the equilibrium concentration could be reached to 1.41 mg L^-1 with the initial of 30 mg L^-1, and the removal rate could be reached to 95.3%. The adsorption data were well fitted with the Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The fibers had a good reusability and long-term utilization for fluoride adsorption. All the results suggested that the as-prepared ZrO₂ mesoporous fibers with high surface area could be an excellent adsorbent for the wastewater defluoridation treatment.

Template-free synthesis of nanoparticle-built MgO and Zn-doped MgO hollow microspheres with superior performance for Congo red adsorption from water

A template-free route was developed to synthesize MgO and Zn-doped MgO hollow microspheres with ultrahigh adsorption performances and excellent reusability.

Preparation and exceptional adsorption performance of porous MgO derived from a metal–organic framework

Porous MgO-hex and MgO-dhp materials were synthesized by annealing metal–organic framework [NH₄][Mg(HCOO)₃], and exhibit excellent adsorption capacities toward Congo red.

A facile sacrificial template method to synthesize one-dimensional porous CdO/CdFe2O4 hybrid nanoneedles with superior adsorption performance

A novel adsorbent based on 1D porous CdO/CdFe₂O₄ hybrid nanoneedles has been firstly synthesized via a facile sacrificial template (solid Cd₂Fe(CN)₆) method, which exhibit an superior adsorption capacity of 1491 mg g⁻¹ for CR from aqueous solution.

Hierarchically structured magnesium based oxides: synthesis strategies and applications in organic pollutant remediation

In this highlight, we review the design and formation of MgO based hierarchical structures and cover some selected examples on their applications in adsorption of organic contaminants.

Highly selective transfer hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds using Cu-based nanocatalysts

Simultaneous dehydrogenation of cyclohexanol to cyclohexanone and hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds to corresponding α,β-unsaturated alcohols was carried out in a single pot reaction without addition of any external hydrogen donor.

Fe3O4–Ag2WO4: facile synthesis, characterization and visible light assisted photocatalytic activity

Photo-generated charge carriers are effectively separated on a magnetic nano-composite (Fe₃O₄–Ag₂WO₄) surface under visible light irradiation.

Adsorptive amputation of hazardous azo dye Congo red from wastewater: a critical review

Increasing amount of dyes in an ecosystem has propelled the search of various methods for dye removal. Amongst all the methods, adsorption occupies a prominent place in dye removal. Keeping this in mind, many adsorbents used for the removal of hazardous anionic azo dye Congo red (CR) from aqueous medium were reviewed by the authors. The main objectives behind this review article are to assemble the information on scattered adsorbents and enlighten the wide range of potentially effective adsorbents for CR removal. Thus, CR sorption by various adsorbents such as activated carbon, non-conventional low-cost materials, nanomaterials, composites and nanocomposites are surveyed and critically reviewed as well as their sorption capacities are also compared. This review also explores the grey areas of the adsorption performance of various adsorbents with reference to the effects of pH, contact time, initial dye concentration and adsorbent dosage. The equilibrium adsorption isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic data of different adsorbents used for CR removal were also analysed. It is evident from a literature survey of more than 290 published papers that nanoparticle and nanocomposite adsorbents have demonstrated outstanding adsorption capabilities for CR. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

In situ ultrafast separation and purification of oil/water emulsions by superwetting TiO2 nanocluster-based mesh

Combined with special wettability and photocatalytic properties, a TiO2 nanocluster-based mesh was constructed, successfully used for emulsion separation and soluble contaminants degradation under UV illumination in one step, with extremely high flux and efficiency. This work provides a new way to develop multifunctional materials for potential use in water remediation.

Synthesis of porous Al doped ZnO nanosheets with high adsorption and photodecolorizative activity and the key role of Al doping for methyl orange removal

Porous Al doped ZnO (AZO) nanosheets have been prepared as an efficient multifunctional water treatment material.

Preparation of crosslinked porous polyurea microspheres in one-step precipitation polymerization and its application for water treatment

Porous polyurea microspheres (PPUMs) were simply prepared in one-step by the precipitation polymerization of isophorone diisocyanate with triethylenetetramine and SiO₂ particles.

Fabrication of manganese dioxide/carbon/attapulgite composites derived from spent bleaching earth for adsorption of Pb(ii) and Brilliant green

Manganese dioxide/carbon/attapulgite ternary composites were fabricated via hydrothermal method of the SBE served as adsorbents for the efficient removal of Pb(ii) and BG.

Comparative study on arsenate removal mechanism of MgO and MgO/TiO2 composites: FTIR and XPS analysis

The arsenate removal mechanism using MgO and MgO/TiO₂ adsorbents was revealed by Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Porphyrin Metalation at the MgO Nanocube/Toluene Interface

Molecular insights into porphyrin adsorption on nanostructured metal oxide surfaces and associated ion exchange reactions are key to the development of functional hybrids for energy conversion, sensing, and light emission devices. Here we investigated the adsorption of tetraphenyl-porphyrin (2HTPP) from toluene solution on two types of MgO powder. We compare MgO nanocubes with an average size d < 10 nm and MgO cubes with 10 nm ≤ d ≤ 1000 nm. Using molecular spectroscopy techniques such as UV/vis transmission and diffuse reflectance (DR), photoluminescence (PL), and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy in combination with structural characterization techniques (powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, TEM), we identified a new room temperature metalation reaction that converts 2HTPP into magnesium tetraphenyl-porphyrin (MgTPP). Mg(2+) uptake from the MgO nanocube surfaces and the concomitant protonation of the oxide surface level off at a concentration that corresponds to roughly one monolayer equivalent adsorbed on the MgO nanocubes. Larger MgO cubes, in contrast, show suppressed exchange, and only traces of MgTPP can be detected by photoluminescence.

Synthesis of Magnesium Oxide Hierarchical Microspheres: A Dual-Functional Material for Water Remediation

High concentration of heavy metals and microbes present in water can reduce the quality of water and bring serious side effects to human beings. Their removal from water is of great importance. In this study, MgO microspheres with hierarchical morphology have been synthesized by a facile and low-cost precipitation-aging-calcination method and their dual functionality for effective arsenic removal and microbial inhibition has been investigated for the first time. By systematical investigation on the synthesis, structure and performance relationship, optimized MgO microspheres are prepared with both high arsenic removal capacity and prominent antibacterial activity. Hierarchical MgO microspheres calcined at 500 °C exhibit the best trade-off between As(III) adsorption (502 mg g(-1)) and antibacterial performance (complete elimination at 700 μg mL(-1)). It is also demonstrated that our materials can be used for the simultaneous removal of arsenic and microbes in a model water system. This study offers a convenient and low cost dual-function agent with efficient performance for water treatment.

Fe-species-loaded mesoporous MnO2 superstructural requirements for enhanced catalysis

In this work, a novel catalyst, Fe-species-loaded mesoporous manganese dioxide (Fe/M-MnO2) urchinlike superstructures, has been fabricated successfully in a two-step technique. First, mesoporous manganese dioxide (M-MnO2) urchinlike superstructures have been synthesized by a facile method on a soft interface between CH2Cl2 and H2O without templates. Then the M-MnO2-immobilized iron oxide catalyst was obtained through wetness impregnation and calcination. Microstructural analysis indicated that the M-MnO2 was composed of urchinlike hollow submicrospheres assembled by nanorod building blocks with rich mesoporosity. The Fe/M-MnO2 retained the hollow submicrospheres, which were covered by hybridized composites with broken and shortened MnO2 nanorods. Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis was used to determine the availability of Fe loading processes and the homogeneity of Fe in Fe/M-MnO2. Catalytic performances of the M-MnO2 and Fe/M-MnO2 were evaluated in catalytic wet hydrogen peroxide oxidation of methylene blue (MB), a typical organic pollutant in dyeing wastewater. The catalytic degradation displayed highly efficient discoloration of MB when using the Fe/M-MnO2 catalyst, e.g., ca. 94.8% of MB was decomposed when the reaction was conducted for 120 min. The remarkable stability of this Fe/M-MnO2 catalyst in the reaction medium was confirmed by an iron leaching test and reuse experiments. Mechanism analysis revealed that the hydroxyl free radical was responsible for the removal of MB and catalyzed by M-MnO2 and Fe/M-MnO2. MB was transformed into small organic compounds and then further degraded into CO2 and H2O. The new insights obtained in this study will be beneficial for the practical applications of heterogeneous catalysts in wastewater treatments.

High interfacial storage capability of porous NiMn2O4/C hierarchical tremella-like nanostructures as the lithium ion battery anode

Porous hierarchical NiMn2O4/C tremella-like nanostructures are obtained through a simple solvothermal and calcination method. As the anode of lithium ion batteries (LIBs), porous NiMn2O4/C nanostructures exhibit a superior specific capacity and an excellent long-term cycling performance even at a high current density. The discharge capacity can stabilize at 2130 mA h g(-1) within 350 cycles at a current density of 1000 mA g(-1). After a long-term cycling of 1500 cycles, the capacity is still as high as 1773 mA h g(-1) at a high current density of 4000 mA g(-1), which is almost five times higher than the theoretical capacity of graphite. The porous NiMn2O4/C hierarchical nanostructure provides sufficient contact with the electrolyte and fast three-dimensional Li(+) diffusion channels, and dramatically improves the capacity of NiMn2O4/C via interfacial storage.