The synthesis of poly(vinyl chloride) nanocomposite films containing ZrO2 nanoparticles modified with vitamin B1 with the aim of improving the mechanical, thermal and optical properties

Synergetic effects of boron nitride with waste zirconia: Evaluation of instantaneous fingerprint detection and mechanical properties for biomedical applications

Herein, present study mainly focuses on the synthesis and characterizations of boron nitride reinforced waste zirconia (wZrO2) with different concentrations. Composites were prepared via a scalable solid-state reaction method. Various physical parameters such as density, ionic concentration, polaron radius, and field strength were evaluated. XRD results reveal crystalline nature with a major phase of tetragonal zirconia and as boron nitride is reinforced, the tetragonal transforms into a monoclinic zirconia. Interconnected spherical grains and nanosheets were observed using FESEM. Mechanical characterizations revealed the highest compressive strength of 266 MPa. The latent fingerprints were visualized using a composite on different surfaces, implementing the powder dusting and solution techniques. MTT assay was performed and revealed good biocompatible nature. These results reveal that composite is suitable for fabrication of bioceramics with acceptable mechanical and biological performances. The composite can also be utilized for latent fingerprint detection in forensic science.

Synthesis of CeO2/ZrO2/ZnO nano alloy oxide and investigation of photocatalysis of naphthol orange under sunlight

Novel metal-like cerium- and zirconium-doped ZnO photocatalysts were prepared herein with various proportions of molar ratios via a cost-effective co-precipitation method. The effects of novel metal doping on the photocatalytic activity of ZnO were studied. Various techniques were used to investigate the structural, morphological, and elemental composition, particle size, optical properties, and catalytic activity of the synthesized photocatalysts. It was found that the crystallite size and particle size of the nano alloy oxides were 15.12 ± 1 and 5 ± 1 nm, respectively, and the surface morphology of the nanoparticles indicated a satisfactory surface area. Among all synthesized nanocomposites, Ce_xZr_xZn_xO₅ (x = 1) [CZ₁Z₂-A] exhibited satisfactory photo-oxidation activity against naphthol orange (NO) under sunlight with a rate constant of 57.5 × 10^-3 min^-1. The effects of pH, inorganic salts, dye concentrations, and catalytic dosage on NO degradation were studied. A probable mechanistic pathway for the degradation of NO in the presence of CZ₁Z₂-A was proposed, and studies of sacrificial agents indicated that superoxide radical anion (O₂˙^-) was the main accountable active species in NO degradation. In addition, CZ₁Z₂-A exhibited excellent recyclability potential, and XRD studies revealed that there was no change in the crystal structure before or after degradation, which indicated its high stability. The intriguing finding was that Ce- and Zr-doped ZnO did not exhibit satisfactory catalytic performance in the photo-oxidation of NO. However, the composite formula of Ce_xZr_xZn_xO₅ (x = 1) with a 1 : 1 : 1 ratio of metal ions offered excellent catalytic activity.

Synthesis of New Zirconium Magnetic Nanocomposite as a Bioactive Agent and Green Catalyst in the Four-Component Synthesis of a Novel Multi-Ring Compound Containing Pyrazole Derivatives

New nanocomposites containing zirconium were synthesized using microwave irradiation. Their structure was confirmed by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) curves, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms. After the structure confirmation of the zirconium magnetic nanocomposite, the catalytic properties in the synthesis of pyrazole derivatives were investigated. Next, the biological activities of the zirconium magnetic nanocomposite, such as the antibacterial and antifungal activities, were investigated. The research results showed that the zirconium magnetic nanocomposite has high catalytic properties and can be used as a magnetic nanocatalyst for synthesizing heterocyclic compounds such as pyrazole derivatives in addition to having high biological properties. The unique properties of the nanoparticles can be attributed to their synthesis method and microwave radiation.

High-k Polymer Nanocomposite Materials for Technological Applications

Understanding the properties of small molecules or monomers is decidedly important. The efforts of synthetic chemists and material engineers must be appreciated because of their knowledge of how utilize the properties of synthetic fragments in constructing long-chain macromolecules. Scientists active in this area of macromolecular science have shared their knowledge of catalysts, monomers and a variety of designed nanoparticles in synthetic techniques that create all sorts of nanocomposite polymer stuffs. Such materials are now an integral part of the contemporary world. Polymer nanocomposites with high dielectric constant (high-k) properties are widely applicable in the technological sectors including gate dielectrics, actuators, infrared detectors, tunable capacitors, electro optic devices, organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), and sensors. In this short colloquy, we provided an overview of a few remarkable high-k polymer nanocomposites of material science interest from recent decades.

Geometrical, vibrational and physical properties of polyvinyl chloride nanocomposites: Molecular modeling approach

B3LYP/6-31G([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) quantum mechanical calculations were conducted to study polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and PVC with metal oxides (ZnO and CuO). Accordingly, model molecules for PVC; PVC/[Formula: see text]ZnO; PVC/[Formula: see text]CuO and PVC/[Formula: see text]ZnO/[Formula: see text]CuO, where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], 2 and 3, were proposed. The calculated results of total dipole moment (TDM), HOMO–LUMO energy band gap, and molecular electrostatic potentials (ESPs) indicated that the conductivity of PVC is increased and its surface became more reactive due to interaction with metal oxides. The effect of hydration on PVC was also studied at the same level of theory in order to assess the effect of up to 23 water molecules on PVC. The TDM value of PVC is increased but HOMO/LUMO band gap energy value is decreased because of hydration. Moreover, the results of calculated ESP indicated that the reactivity in the presence of water molecules increased, which could indicate possible degradation of PVC. Additionally, some geometrical parameters were studied. Furthermore, the scaled infrared spectrum (IR) for PVC was also calculated at B3LYP/6-31G ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) and indicated that there are two bands at 2990[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] and 2975[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] in comparison with Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR).

Ultrasound-assisted surface treatment of ZrO2 with BSA and incorporating in PVC to improve the properties of the obtained nanocomposites: Fabrication and characterization

This paper describes the preparation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) nanocomposites (NCs) reinforced with modified zirconia (ZrO₂) nanoparticles (NPs). The ZrO₂ NPs were defined as efficient filler for PVC NCs. For achieving the best dispersion and improvement of properties, the surface of ZrO₂ NPs was modified by Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA). Carboxylic acids and amines are important functional groups of BSA which handle the grafting BSA on the surface of ZrO₂ NPs. The PVC/ZrO₂-BSA NCs were fabricated by incorporation of various amounts of the ZrO₂-BSA NPs (3, 6 and 9wt%) into PVC matrix. All the above processes were accomplished by ultrasonication asa green and environmentally-friendly method. Also, the magnetic and mechanical stirrer was used for the preparation of samples but the results are not suitable and the aggregation was observed which indicated the use of ultrasonic irradiation is the best method for the preparation of NC. The products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Thermogravimetric analysis, Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, wettability, and mechanical tests. The achieved PVC/ZrO₂-BSA NCs showed high thermal stability, good mechanical, optical and wettability properties compared to the pure PVC. In addition, among the obtained NCs, the PVC/ZrO₂-BSA NC 6wt% showed the best improvement.

Ultrasonic-promoted rapid preparation of PVC/TiO2-BSA nanocomposites: Characterization and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

In the present project in order to prevent agglomeration and better dispersion of TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) in the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix, initially, the surface of TiO₂ NPs was covered by bovine serum albumin protein (BSA) via sonication method. Then, the TiO₂-BSA powders were embedded into the PVC matrix using ultrasonic irradiations. With mechanical and magnetic stirring homogenous mixture was not obtained. So sonication process was very essential and vital. Physical, chemical and structural properties of the samples were investigated with various tools. Morphology studies showed the well distribution of spherical TiO₂ NPs in the PVC matrix. TGA analysis showed that nanocomposites (NCs) have higher thermal stability than the pristine polymer. The photocatalytic activity tests by destroying the methylene blue dye on the pristine TiO₂ NPs, TiO₂-BSA NPs and PVC/TiO₂-BSA NC 6 wt% were examined. The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ NPs was reduced in the presence of BSA and PVC. It can be concluded that the TiO₂-BSA NPs and PVC/TiO₂-BSA NC 6 wt% have UV shielding properties and can protect film from degradation by UV.

A simple method for the sonochemical synthesis of PVA/ZrO2-vitamin B1 nanocomposites: Morphology, mechanical, thermal and wettability investigations

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) based nanocomposites (NCs) filled by various weight percent of modified ZrO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) with vitamin B₁ (VB₁) up to 7wt% were fabricated via ultrasonication method then was cast to thin films. The ultrasonication was applied for the preparation and modification process asan easy, safe and fast method. Ultrasonic was responsible for great homogeneities of NPs into PVA matrix, which could not be achieved by mechanical or magnetically stirring. The creation of polymer NCs and changes in the structural properties were examined by X-ray diffraction. FT-IR spectroscopy indicated the possible interactions of the ZrO₂-VB₁ NPs with the PVA backbones and also, existence of absorption bands related to PVA and ZrO₂ NPs in the NC structures. The distribution of nano-fillers and uniform morphology of the NCs showed that the ZrO₂-VB₁ NPs were homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix in the nanosized scale. UV-Vis analysis shown that the the optical absorption were improved by evolution of ZrO₂-VB₁ NPs content. The tensile strength of PVA film was increased significantly with increasing the ZrO₂-VB₁ NPs content. Thermal gravimetric analysis confirmed that NCs displayed higher thermal stability than the pristine PVA. Also, water contact angle analysis indicated that the hydrophilicity of NC films was enhanced with increasing the concentration of ZrO₂ NPs.