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Vu Nhat P, Duy NVA, Tran TN, Si NT, Nguyen TA, To Van N, Van Nghia N, Schall P, Dinh VA, Dang MT. Optoelectronic Properties of Nitrogen-Doped Hexagonal Graphene Quantum Dots: A First-Principles Study. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:20056-20065. [PMID: 38737018 PMCID: PMC11079900 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c10501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Graphene quantum dots have been widely studied owing to their unique optical, electrical, and optoelectrical properties for various applications in solar devices. Here, we investigate the optoelectronic properties of hexagonal and nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots using the first-principles method. We find that doping nitrogen atoms to hexagonal graphene quantum dots results in a significant red shift toward the visible light range as compared to that of the pristine graphene quantum dots, and the doped nitrogen atoms also induce a clear signature of anisotropy of the frontier orbitals induced by the electron correlation between the doped nitrogen atoms and their adjacent carbon atoms. Moreover, time-dependent density functional theory calculations with the M06-2X functional and 6-311++G(d,p) basis set reproduce well the experimental absorption spectra reported recently. These results provide us with a novel approach for more systematic investigations on next-generation solar devices with assembled quantum dots to improve their light selectivity as well as efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pham Vu Nhat
- Can
Tho University, 3-2 Road, Can Tho 900000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Vo Anh Duy
- FPT
University, Can Tho Campus, 600 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho 900000, Vietnam
| | - Thi Nhan Tran
- Faculty
of Fundamental Sciences, Hanoi University
of Industry, 298 Cau Dien Road, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thanh Si
- Institute
of Environmental Science and Technology, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh 94000, Vietnam
| | - Truc Anh Nguyen
- Faculty
of Mechanics, Can Tho University of Technology, 256 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Can Tho 900000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen To Van
- Faculty of
Chemico-Physical Engineering, Le Quy Don
Technical University, Ha Noi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Van Nghia
- Open
Training Institute, Hanoi Architectural
University, Km10, Nguyen Trai Street, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Peter Schall
- Van
der Waals-Zeeman Institute, University of
Amsterdam, Science Park
904, Amsterdam 1098 XH, The Netherlands
| | - Van An Dinh
- Department
of Precision Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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2
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Hamza MA, Rizk SA, Ezz-Elregal EEM, El-Rahman SAA, Ramadan SK, Abou-Gamra ZM. Photosensitization of TiO 2 microspheres by novel Quinazoline-derivative as visible-light-harvesting antenna for enhanced Rhodamine B photodegradation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12929. [PMID: 37558660 PMCID: PMC10412568 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38497-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Water pollution is one of the global threats severely affecting our planet and human health. Organic textile dyes are one of the common organic water pollutants that are presentient to degradation by traditional physical methods. Semiconductor-assisted photocatalysis is considered a green, efficient, and sustainable technology for wastewater treatment. To maximize the efficient utilization of solar radiation, it is of pivotal significance to explore novel organic molecules to be employed as efficient dye sensitizers for wide-bandgap semiconductors to extend their performance to the Visible-light region. Hence, in this work, we are proposing the design and synthesis of novel structures of QAD molecule as a dye photosensitizer with extended visible light absorptivity due to the extended π-π/n-π conjugations, to promote the performance of TiO2 nanoparticles to the visible-light region and enhance the charge separation. The physicochemical characterizations confirmed the successful synthesis of QAD, TiO2, and QAD/TiO2 samples with the proposed structures. The anchoring of QAD molecules on the surface of TiO2 caused a substantial improvement in the optical characteristics of TiO2 as well as overcoming its common drawbacks by decreasing its bandgap energy to 2.6 eV, a remarkable reduction of PL intensity indicating reducing the e-h recombination and enhancing the charge separation, and creation of efficient visible light-harvesting antenna in the range of 400-600 nm. Besides, the QAD/TiO2 sample achieved a 3-fold enhancement in the observed rate constant of the photodegradation of Rhodamine B dye compared to the bare TiO2. The parameters affecting the photodegradation process were optimized and the sample displayed outstanding stability after 4 consecutive cycles. Finally, the effect of the scavengers was investigated and [Formula: see text] was proposed to be the most reactive species and the mechanism of the enhancement was suggested based on the electron injection from the QAD's HOMO level to the TiO2's CB. Finally, this work opens the door for various studies for the investigation of the proposed structures or similar structures in various photocatalytic/biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Adel Hamza
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain-Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Sameh A Rizk
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain-Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | | | - Sayed K Ramadan
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain-Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Zeinab M Abou-Gamra
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain-Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt
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3
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Goyal A, van der Laan M, Troglia A, Lin M, Agarwal H, van de Groep J, Bliem R, Paulusse JMJ, Schall P, Dohnalova K. Microscopic Proof of Photoluminescence from Mechanochemically Synthesized 1-Octene-Capped Quantum-Confined Silicon Nanoparticles: Implications for Light-Emission Applications. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:24881-24887. [PMID: 35874190 PMCID: PMC9301942 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c03396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) have been explored intensively for their use in applications requiring efficient fluorescence for LEDs, lasers, displays, photovoltaic spectral-shifting filters, and biomedical applications. High radiative rates are essential for such applications, and theoretically these could be achieved via quantum confinement and/or straining. Wet-chemical methods used to synthesize SiNPs are under scrutiny because of reported contamination by fluorescent carbon species. To develop a cleaner method, we utilize a specially designed attritor type high-energy ball-mill and use a high-purity (99.999%) Si microparticle precursor. The mechanochemical process is used under a continuous nitrogen gas atmosphere to avoid oxidation of the particles. We confirm the presence of quantum-confined NPs (<5 nm) using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Microphotoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy coupled to AFM confirms quantum-confined tunable red/near-infrared PL emission in SiNPs capped with an organic ligand (1-octene). Using micro-Raman-PL spectroscopy, we confirm SiNPs as the origin of the emission. These results demonstrate a facile and potentially scalable mechanochemical method of synthesis for contamination-free SiNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Goyal
- Van
der Waals-Zeeman Institute, Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco van der Laan
- Van
der Waals-Zeeman Institute, Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alessandro Troglia
- Advanced
Research Center for Nanolithography, Science Park 904, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Min Lin
- Department
of Biomolecular Nanotechnology, MESA+ Institute, Faculty of Science
and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jorik van de Groep
- Van
der Waals-Zeeman Institute, Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Roland Bliem
- Advanced
Research Center for Nanolithography, Science Park 904, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jos M. J. Paulusse
- Department
of Biomolecular Nanotechnology, MESA+ Institute, Faculty of Science
and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Schall
- Van
der Waals-Zeeman Institute, Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Katerina Dohnalova
- Van
der Waals-Zeeman Institute, Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Huang Z, Seo S, Shin J, Wang B, Bell RG, Hong SB, Zou X. 3D-3D topotactic transformation in aluminophosphate molecular sieves and its implication in new zeolite structure generation. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3762. [PMID: 32724071 PMCID: PMC7387333 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17586-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Zeolites have unique pore structures of molecular dimensions and tunable compositions, making them ideal for shape selective catalysis and separation. However, targeted synthesis of zeolites with new pore structures and compositions remains a key challenge. Here, we propose an approach based on a unique 3D-3D topotactic transformation, which takes advantage of weak bonding in zeolites. This is inspired by the structure transformation of PST-5, a new aluminophosphate molecular sieve, to PST-6 by calcination. The structure of nano-sized PST-5 crystals is determined by 3D electron diffraction. We find that the 3D-3D topotactic transformation involves two types of building units where penta- or hexa-coordinated Al is present. We apply this approach to several other zeolite systems and predict a series of new zeolite structures that would be synthetically feasible. This method provides a concept for the synthesis of targeted zeolites, especially those which may not be feasible by conventional methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhehao Huang
- Bezerlii Center EXSELENT on Porous Materials, Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Seungwan Seo
- Center for Ordered Nanoporous Materials Synthesis, Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, POSTECH, Pohang, 37673, Korea
| | - Jiho Shin
- Research Center for Convergent Chemical Process, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Korea
| | - Bin Wang
- Bezerlii Center EXSELENT on Porous Materials, Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Robert G Bell
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Suk Bong Hong
- Center for Ordered Nanoporous Materials Synthesis, Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, POSTECH, Pohang, 37673, Korea.
| | - Xiaodong Zou
- Bezerlii Center EXSELENT on Porous Materials, Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
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