Synergistic activation of lamellar bismuth selenide anchored functionalized carbon nanofiber for detecting hazardous carbendazim in environmental water samples

Pesticides pollute natural water reservoirs through persistent accumulation. Therefore, their toxicity and degradability are serious issues. Carbendazim (CBZ) is a pesticide used against fungal infections in agricultural crops, and its overexploitation detrimentally affects aquatic ecosystems and organisms. It is necessary to design a logical, efficient, and field-deployable method for monitoring the amount of CBZ in environmental samples. Herein, a nano-engineered bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3)/functionalized carbon nanofiber (f-CNF) nanocomposite was utilized as an electrocatalyst to fabricate an electrochemical sensing platform for CBZ. Bi2Se3/f-CNF exhibited a substantial electroactive surface area, high electrocatalytic activity, and high conductivity owing to the synergistic interaction of Bi2Se3 with f-CNF. The structural chemical compositions and morphology of the Bi2Se3/f-CNF nanocomposite were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Electrochemical analysis was carried out using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The voltammetry and impedance experiments exposed that the Bi2Se3/f-CNF-modified GCE has attained adequate electrocatalytic function with amended features of electron transportation (Rct = 35.93 Ω) and improved reaction sites (0.082 cm2) accessible by CBZ moiety along with exemplary electrochemical stability (98.92%). The Bi2Se3/f-CNF nanocomposite exhibited higher sensitivity of 0.2974 μA μM-1cm-2 and a remarkably low limit of detection (LOD) of 1.04 nM at a broad linera range 0.001-100 μM. The practicability of the nanocomposite was tested in environmental (tap and pond water) samples, which supports excellent signal amplification with satisfactory recoveries. Hence, the Bi2Se3/f-CNF nanocomposite is a promising electrode modifier for detecting CBZ.

Bi2Se3 Sensitized TiO2 Nanotube Films for Photogenerated Cathodic Protection of 304 Stainless Steel Under Visible Light

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanotube arrays coupled with a narrow gap semiconductor-bismuth selenide (Bi₂Se₃)-exhibited remarkable enhancement in the photocathodic protection property for 304 stainless steel under visible light. Bi₂Se₃/TiO₂ nanocomposites were successfully synthesized using a simple two-step method, including an electrochemical anodization method for preparing pure TiO₂ and a chemical bath deposition method for synthesizing Bi₂Se₃ nanoflowers. The morphology and structure of the composite films were studied by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. In addition, the influence of the Bi₂Se₃ content on the photoelectrochemical and photocathodic protection properties of the composite films was also studied. The photocurrent density of the Bi₂Se₃/TiO₂ nanocomposites was significantly higher than that of pure TiO₂ under visible light. The sensitizer Bi₂Se₃ enhanced the efficient separation of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs and the photocathodic protection properties of TiO₂. Under visible light illumination, Bi₂Se₃/TiO₂ nanocomposites synthesized by the chemical bath deposition method with Bi³⁺ (0.5 mmol/L) exhibited the optimal photogenerated cathodic protection performance for 304 stainless steel.

Surfactant mediated synthesis of bismuth selenide thin films for photoelectrochemical solar cell applications

In the present report, nanostructured bismuth selenide (Bi₂Se₃) thin films have been successfully deposited by using arrested precipitation technique (APT) at room temperature. The effect of three different surfactants on the optostructural, morphological, compositional and photoelectrochemical properties of Bi₂Se₃ thin films were investigated. Optical absorption data indicates direct and allowed transition with a band gap energy varied from 1.4 eV to 1.8 eV. The X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) revealed that Bi₂Se₃ thin films are crystalline in nature and confirmed rhombohedral crystal structure. SEM micrographs shows morphological transition from interconnected mesh to nanospheres like and finally granular morphology. Surface topography of Bi₂Se₃ thin films was determined by AFM. Compositional analysis of all samples was carried out by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Finally, all Bi₂Se₃ thin films shows good PEC performance with highest photoconversion efficiency 1.47%. In order to study the stability of Bi₂Se₃ thin films four cycles are repeated after gap of one week each. Further PEC performance of all Bi₂Se₃ thin films are also supported by electrochemical impedance (EIS) measurement study.

Voltammetric deposition of BiCdTe composite films with improved functional properties for photo-electrochemical cells

n-Type BiCdTe nanostructured films produced by periodic voltammetry exhibit high photo-conversion efficiency and significantly promote charge transport across the electrode/electrolyte interface.

Solvothermal synthesis and electrochemical properties of S-doped Bi2Se3 hierarchical microstructure assembled by stacked nanosheets

Hierarchical S-doped Bi₂Se₃ microspheres assembled by stacked nanosheets were successfully synthesized as the anode of a lithium ion battery, which shows an initial discharge capacity of 771.3 mA h g⁻¹ with great potential in energy storage.

A facile and low cost strategy to synthesize Cd1−xZnxSe thin films for photoelectrochemical performance: effect of zinc content

In the present work, we report a facile chemical route for the deposition of Cd_1−xZn_xSe thin films using a simple, self-organized arrested precipitation technique (APT).

Thermoelectric properties of nanocrystalline Cu3SbSe4 thin films deposited by a self-organized arrested precipitation technique

Ternary Cu₃SbSe₄ thin films prepared by an arrested precipitation technique using non-toxic tartaric acid exhibit good thermoelectric properties.

Novel route for the synthesis of surfactant-assisted MoBi2(Se0.5Te0.5)5 thin films for solar cell applications

As-deposited thin film shows a fibrous reticulate framework, SDS-assisted synthesis produces a dendrite star fish like morphology, and TOPO-assisted synthesis produces nanothreads with flakes.

Low temperature and controlled synthesis of Bi2(S1−xSex)3 thin films using a simple chemical route: effect of bath composition

Nanostructured Bi₂(S_1−xSe_x)₃ thin films were synthesized using a simple chemical bath deposition method at room temperature, and their photoelectrochemical performance was tested.