Photocarrier Recombination Dynamics in Highly Scattering Cu2O Nanocatalyst Clusters

Inversion analysis of transient absorption data to capture the photoexcited charge carrier population rate dynamics is a powerful technique for extracting realistic lifetimes and identifying recombination pathways. However, for highly scattering samples such as Cu2O nanoparticles (NPs) with associated dielectric Mie scattering, the scattering leads to an inaccurate measure of the excited photocarrier. This work studies methods to correct for the scattering to generalize the use of inversion analysis and provide secondary information about the nature of the scattering NPs. Scattering profiles of semitransparent disks containing Cu2O NPs with different shapes and sizes are measured to demonstrate that the inclusion of scattering in analysis reduces the photoexcited carrier density by 1 order of magnitude. It is found that the photocarrier density response is affected by shape rather than size. A Fourier transform of the scattering profiles produces a distribution of length scales within the sample characteristic of the mean separation of scatterers. This analysis reveals that NPs are forming clusters. Links are made between the scattering and carrier dynamics.

Preparation of cationic surfactant modified two-dimensional (2D) multi-layered Ti3C2Tx MXene for methyl orange removal from aqueous solution: Kinetic, equilibrium, and adsorption mechanisms

In this study, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-modified multi-layered Ti3C2Tx MXene (CMM) was produced using a Ti3AlC2 precursor, and its capacity to remove the anionic dye, methyl orange (MO), was investigated in detail. An electrostatic combination between negatively charged Ti3C2Tx nanosheets and cationic surfactant solution (CTAB) produced this adsorbent. This triggered an exposure of the accessible active sites to further boost adsorption effectiveness by increasing the distance between the MXene nanosheets. Prepared adsorbents were characterized using some analytical techniques, including TGA, FESEM, EDX, FTIR, XRD, and N2 adsorption-desorption. Furthermore, some influencing parameters such as contact time, solution of pH, loading adsorbent, and initial dye concentration were evaluated, with findings showing that MO could adsorb CMM to its maximum capacity at an adsorbent dosage of 0.83 g/L, a contact time of 90 min, and a solution pH of 3. Adsorption results were found to be highly linked with both Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.9990) and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.9924). The maximum adsorption capacity of MO was obtained at approximately 213.00 mg/g. Also, hydrogen bonding, π-cation interactions, and electrostatic adsorption can all be implicated in the mechanism of MO adsorption on CMM. The fabricated CMM is presented as a prospective adsorbent for the removal of dyes from polluted water, demonstrating robust recyclability for up to the fifth iteration. All these outstanding properties indicate that cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-modified multi-layered Ti3C2Tx MXene can be considered as applicable adsorbents for textile pollutants.

Pyrolyzed magnetic NiO/carbon-derived nanocomposite from a hierarchical nickel-based metal-organic framework with ultrahigh adsorption capacity

Herein, a simple one-pot solvothermal approach is used to create magnetic porous carbon nanocomposites which obtained from a nickel-based metal-organic framework (Ni-MOF) and examined for their ability to uptake methyl orange (MO) dye. Derived carbons with exceptional porosity and magnetic properties were created during the different pyrolysis temperatures of Ni-MOF (700, 800, and 900 °C) under a nitrogen atmosphere. The black powders were given the names CDM-700, CDM-800, and CDM-900 after they were obtained. A variety of analysis methods, including FESEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, VSM, and N₂ adsorption-desorption were used to characterize as-prepared powders. Furthermore, adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH variation, and initial dye concentration effects was investigated. The maximum adsorption capacities were 307.38, 5976.35, 4992.39, and 2636.54 mg/g for Ni-MOF, CDM-700, CDM-800, and CDM-900, respectively, which show the ultrahigh capacity of the resulted nanocomposites compared to newest materials. The results showed that not only the crystallinity turned but also the specific surface area was increased about four times after paralyzing. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of MO dye for CDM-700 was obtained at adsorbent dosage of 0.083 g/L, contact time of 60 min, feed pH of 3, and temperature of 45 °C. The Langmuir model has the best match and suggests the adsorption process as a single layer. According to the results of reaction kinetic studies using well-known models, the pseudo-second-order model (R² = 0.9989) displayed high agreement with the experimental data. The synthesized nanocomposite is introduced as a promising superadsorbent for eliminating dyes from contaminated water due to strong recycling performance up to the fifth cycle.

Monodispersed core/shell nanospheres of ZnS/NiO with enhanced H2 generation and quantum efficiency at versatile photocatalytic conditions

This investigation is first to elucidate the synthesis of mono-dispersed ZnS/NiO-core/shell nanostructures with a uniform thin layer of NiO-shell on the ZnS-nanospheres as a core under controlled thermal treatments. NiO-shell thickness varied to 8.2, 12.4, 18.2, and 24.2 nm, while the ZnS-core diameter remained stable about 96 ± 6 nm. The crystalline phase and core/shell structure of the materials were confirmed using XRD and HRTEM techniques, respectively. Optical properties through UV-vis spectroscopy analysis revealed the manifestation of red-shift in the absorption spectrum of core/shell materials, while the XPS analysis of elements elucidated their stable oxidation states in ZnS/NiO core/shell structure. The optimized ZnS/NiO-core/shell showed 1.42 times higher H₂ generation (162.1 mmol h^-1 g^-1_cat) than the pristine ZnS-core (113.2 mmol h^-1 g^-1_cat), and 64.5 times higher than the pristine NiO-shell (2.5 mmol h^-1 g^-1_cat). The quantum efficiency at wavelengths of 420, 365 nm, and 1.5 G air mass filters was found to be 13.5%, 25.0%, and 45.3%, respectively. Water splitting experiments was also performed without addition of any additives, which showed enhanced H₂ gas evolution of 1.6 mmol h^-1 g^-1_cat under the sunlight illumination. Photoelectrochemical measurements revealed the stable photocurrent density and minimized charge recombination in the system. The performed recyclability and reusability tests for five recycles demonstrated the excellent stability of the developed photocatalysts.

Recyclable ZnS QDs as an efficient photocatalyst for dye degradation under the UV and visible light

Energy-efficient synthesized ZnS QDs with unique visible range absorption through defects show the best photocatalytic activity under UV light and best degradation under visible light.

Sonophotocatalytic treatment of rhodamine B using visible-light-driven CeO2/Ag2CrO4 composite in a batch mode based on ribbon-like CeO2 nanofibers via electrospinning

CeO₂/Ag₂CrO₄ composite photocatalyst was successfully fabricated using electrospinning and calcination and chemical precipitation method based on CeO₂ ribbon-like fibers and characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The as-obtained CeO₂/Ag₂CrO₄ composite used photocatalytic performance in the sonophotodegradation of rhodamine B in aqueous solution under visible-light (LED) irradiation. DRS analysis illustrates that CeO₂/Ag₂CrO₄ composite exhibited enhanced absorption in the visible region-attributed CeO₂ nanofibers_. The effect of four effective parameters including initial concentration of rhodamine B (RhB), photocatalyst dosage, pH, and irradiation time was studied and optimized using central composite design. The kinetic studies confirmed ability of pseudo first-order reaction based on the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model for fitting empirical data, while its rate constant (k_obs), L-H rate constants (k_r), and L-H adsorption constants (K_A) were 0.0449 min^-1, 11.66 mg L^-1 min^-1 and 1.09E-3 mg L^-1, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be ascribed to the ultrasound field and formation of a heterojunction system among CeO₂ and Ag₂CrO₄, which lead to a better mass transfer and higher efficiency of charge electron-hole separation, respectively.

Diameter- and Length-controlled Synthesis of Ultrathin ZnS Nanowires and Their Size-Dependent UV Absorption Properties, Photocatalytical Activities and Band-Edge Energy Levels

Benefiting from their ultra-small diameters and highly structural anisotropies, ultrathin semiconductor nanowires (USNWs) are well-known for their fascinating physical/chemical properties, as well as their promising applications in various fields. However, until now, it remains a challenge to synthesize high-quality USNWs with well-controlled diameters and lengths, let alone the exploration of their size-dependent properties and applications. To solve such a challenge, we report herein a ligand-induced low-temperature precursor thermolysis route for the controlled preparation of ultrathin ZnS nanowires, which is based on the oriented assembly of the in-situ formed ZnS clusters/tiny particles. Optimized synthetic conditions allowed the synthesis of ZnS nanowires with a diameter down to 1.0 nm and a length approaching 330 nm. The as-prepared ultrathin ZnS nanowires were then intensively examined by morphological, spectroscopic and electrochemical analytical means to explore their size-dependent optical absorption properties, photocatalytic activities and band-edge energy levels, as well as their underlying growth mechanism. Notably, these USNWs, especially for the thinnest nanowires, were identified to possess an excellent performance in both the selective absorption of ultraviolet (UV) light and photocatalytic degradation of dyes, thus enabling them to serve as longpass ultraviolet filters and high-efficiency photocatalysts, respectively. For the ultrathin ZnS nanowires with a diameter of 1.0 nm, it was also interesting to observe that their exciton absorption peak positions were kept almost unchanged during the continuous extension of their lengths, which has not been reported previously.

One-pot synthesis of 3D Cu2S–MoS2 nanocomposites by an ionic liquid-assisted strategy with high photocatalytic activity

Cu₂S–MoS₂ nanocomposites are synthesised by a one-step hydrothermal method and show better catalytic activity than Cu₂S and MoS₂ monomers.

Synthesis of ZnS/CuS nanospheres loaded on reduced graphene oxide as high-performance photocatalysts under simulated sunlight irradiation

Schematic descriptions for the formation of ZnS/CuS–rGO nanocomposites and their excellent photocatalytic performance.

Facile and green one pot synthesis of zinc sulphide quantum dots employing zinc-based ionic liquids and their photocatalytic activity

Zinc-based ionic liquids are found to be suitable candidates for the preparation of ZnS QDs, whose properties depend upon the alkyl chain length of imidazolium.

Nanoparticle Clusters: Assembly and Control Over Internal Order, Current Capabilities, and Future Potential

The current state of the art in the use of colloidal methods to form nanoparticle assemblies, or clusters (NPCs) is reviewed. The focus is on the two-step approach, which exploits the advantages of bottom-up wet chemical NP synthesis procedures, with subsequent colloidal destabilization to trigger assembly in a controlled manner. Recent successes in the application of functional NPCs with enhanced emergent collective properties for a wide range of applications, including in biomedical detection, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement, photocatalysis, and light harvesting, are highlighted. The role of the NP-NP interactions in the formation of monodisperse ordered clusters is described and the different assembly processes from a wide range of literature sources are classified according to the nature of the perturbation from the initial equilibrium state (dispersed NPs). Finally, the future for the field and the anticipated role of computational approaches in developing next-generation functional NPCs are briefly discussed.

Self-assembled ZnS nanospheres with nanoscale porosity as an efficient carrier for the delivery of doxorubicin

Self-aggregated mesoporous ZnS nanomaterials have been utilized as a drug-delivery vehicle that can activates the apoptotic pathway with a minimal concentration of doxorubicin and it can regulates lymphocytic leukemia cell growth.