The Benefits of the ZnO/Clay Composite Formation as a Promising Antifungal Coating for Paint Applications

The presence of mold is a serious problem in different environments as industrial, agricultural, hospital and household, especially for human health. Large quantities of mold spores can potentially cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Therefore, it is essential to keep buildings free of fungi without harming human health and the environment. Here, we pose a composite of modified bentonite clay and ZnO nanoparticles as an alternative antifungal preservative. The new composite is obtained by an easy and eco-friendly method based on a dry nanodispersion, without altering the properties of each material. The antifungal test reveals a robust response against fungi thanks to the ZnO nanoparticles’ contribution. Our results reveal that the antifungal activity of ZnO/clay composite is governed by both a uniform distribution and an adequate concentration of the ZnO nanoparticles onto the clay surface. Specifically, we find that for concentration below 10 wt.% of the ZnO nanoparticles, the nanoparticles are well dispersed onto clay giving rise to an excellent antifungal response. By contrast, when the concentration of ZnO increases, the formation of ZnO agglomerates onto the clay surface is favored. This effect provokes that antifungal behavior changes towards a more moderate improvement. Finally, we have demonstrated that this composite can be used as a promising paint preservative for antifungal applications.

Synthesis of ZnO Hierarchical Structures and Their Gas Sensing Properties

Firecracker-like ZnO hierarchical structures (ZnO HS1) were synthesized by combining electrospinning with hydrothermal methods. Flower-like ZnO hierarchical structures (ZnO HS2) were prepared by a hydrothermal method using ultrasound-treated ZnO nanofibers (ZnO NFs) as raw material which has rarely been reported in previous papers. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope's (TEM) images clearly indicated the existence of nanoparticles on the ZnO HS2 material. Both gas sensors exhibited high selectivity toward H₂S gas over various other gases at 180 °C. The ZnO HS2 gas sensor exhibited higher H₂S sensitivity response (50 ppm H₂S, 42.298) at 180 °C than ZnO NFs (50 ppm H₂S, 9.223) and ZnO HS1 (50 ppm H₂S, 17.506) gas sensors. Besides, the ZnO HS2 sensor showed a shorter response time (14 s) compared with the ZnO NFs (25 s) and ZnO HS1 (19 s) gas sensors. The formation diagram of ZnO hierarchical structures and the gas sensing mechanism were evaluated. Apart from the synergistic effect of nanoparticles and nanoflowers, more point-point contacts between flower-like ZnO nanorods were advantageous for the excellent H₂S sensing properties of ZnO HS2 material.

Temperature controlled shape evolution of iron oxide nanostructures in HMTA media

HMTA assisted morphological evolution of iron oxide (alkoxide) nanostructures only by altering the reaction temperature in a single synthetic protocol.

Rectangular ZnO porous nano-plate assembly with excellent acetone sensing performance and catalytic activity

An assembled porous rectangular single crystalline ZnO plate with superior acetone sensing performance and catalytic activity is presented.

Unexpected efficiency boosting in CO2-microemulsions: a cyclohexane depletion zone near the fluorinated surfactants evidenced by a systematic SANS contrast variation study

Concentration gradient of cyclohexane in a CO₂/cyclohexane swollen micelle stabilized by fluorinated surfactants revealed by the GIFT analysis of a SANS contrast variation.

A patterned ZnO nanorod array/gas sensor fabricated by mechanoelectrospinning-assisted selective growth

Micropatterned ZnO nanorod arrays fabricated by mechanoelectrospinning and the hydrothermal growth method exhibited excellent sensitivity response to NO₂.