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Sharma M, Sajwan D, Gouda A, Sharma A, Krishnan V. Recent progress in defect-engineered metal oxides for photocatalytic environmental remediation. Photochem Photobiol 2024; 100:830-896. [PMID: 38757336 DOI: 10.1111/php.13959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Rapid industrial advancement over the last few decades has led to an alarming increase in pollution levels in the ecosystem. Among the primary pollutants, harmful organic dyes and pharmaceutical drugs are directly released by industries into the water bodies which serves as a major cause of environmental deterioration. This warns of a severe need to find some sustainable strategies to overcome these increasing levels of water pollution and eliminate the pollutants before being exposed to the environment. Photocatalysis is a well-established strategy in the field of pollutant degradation and various metal oxides have been proven to exhibit excellent physicochemical properties which makes them a potential candidate for environmental remediation. Further, with the aim of rapid industrialization of photocatalytic pollutant degradation technology, constant efforts have been made to increase the photocatalytic activity of various metal oxides. One such strategy is the introduction of defects into the lattice of the parent catalyst through doping or vacancy which plays a major role in enhancing the catalytic activity and achieving excellent degradation rates. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of defects and their role in altering the photocatalytic activity of the material. Various defect-rich metal oxides like binary oxides, perovskite oxides, and spinel oxides have been summarized for their application in pollutant degradation. Finally, a summary of existing research, followed by the existing challenges along with the potential countermeasures has been provided to pave a path for the future studies and industrialization of this promising field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Sharma
- School of Chemical Sciences and Advanced Materials Research Center, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Kamand, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Devanshu Sajwan
- School of Chemical Sciences and Advanced Materials Research Center, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Kamand, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Ashrumochan Gouda
- School of Chemical Sciences and Advanced Materials Research Center, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Kamand, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Anitya Sharma
- School of Chemical Sciences and Advanced Materials Research Center, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Kamand, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Venkata Krishnan
- School of Chemical Sciences and Advanced Materials Research Center, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Kamand, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
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Ahmed N, Khalil Z, Farooq Z, Khizar-ul-Haq, Shahida S, Ramiza, Ahmad P, Qadir KW, Khan R, Zafar Q. Structural, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of Pure and Ni-Fe-Codoped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized by a Sol-Gel Autocombustion Method. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:137-145. [PMID: 38239284 PMCID: PMC10796112 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c01727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Pure and Ni-Fe-codoped Zn1 - 2xNixFexO (x = 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, and 0.04) nanoparticles were effectively synthesized using a sol-gel autocombustion procedure. The structural, optical, morphological, and magnetic properties were determined by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), scanning electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer techniques. The XRD confirmed the purity of the hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure. XRD analysis further indicated that Fe and Ni successfully substituted the lattice site of Zn and generated a single-phase Zn1-2xNixFexO magnetic oxide. In addition, a significant morphological change was observed with an increase in the dopant concentration by using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. The UV-vis spectroscopy analysis indicated the redshift in the optical band gap with increasing dopant concentration signifying a progressive decrease in the optical band gap. The vibrating sample magnetometer analysis revealed that the doped samples exhibited ferromagnetic properties at room temperature with an increase in the dopant concentration. Dopant concentration was confirmed by using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The current results provide a vital method to improve the magnetic properties of ZnO nanoparticles, which may get significant attention from researchers in the field of magnetic semiconductors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasar Ahmed
- Department
of Physics, King Abdullah Campus, University
of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad 13100, Pakistan
| | - Zakia Khalil
- Department
of Physics, Mirpur University of Science
and Technology, Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 10250, Pakistan
| | - Zahid Farooq
- Department
of Physics, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Khizar-ul-Haq
- Department
of Physics, Mirpur University of Science
and Technology, Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 10250, Pakistan
| | - Shabnam Shahida
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir 12350, Pakistan
| | - Ramiza
- Department
of Physics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Pervaiz Ahmad
- Department
of Physics, King Abdullah Campus, University
of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad 13100, Pakistan
| | - Karwan Wasman Qadir
- Computation
Nanotechnology Research Lab (CNRL), Department of Physics, College
of Education, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Kurdistan 44002, Iraq
- Renewable
Energy Technology Department, Erbil Technology College, Erbil Polytechnic University, Erbil, Kurdistan 44001, Iraq
| | - Rajwali Khan
- Department
of Physics, University of Lakki Marwat, Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 28440, Pakistan
- Department
of Physics, United Arab Emirates University, Al ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Qayyum Zafar
- Department
of Physics, University of Management and
Technology, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
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Alsaiari M, Afzal S, Sultan A, Shukrullah S, Saleem M, Yasin Naz M, Rizk MA, Irfan M. Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Processing and Sr-Doped ZnO/CNT Photocatalyst Decoration of Cotton Fabrics for Self-Cleaning Application. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:1977-1989. [PMID: 38222649 PMCID: PMC10785292 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09207] [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: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Nonthermal plasma processing is a chemical-free and environmentally friendly technique to enhance the self-cleaning activity of nanoparticle-coated cotton fabrics. In this research, Sr-doped ZnO/carbon nanotube (CNT) photocatalysts, namely, S10ZC2, S15ZC2, and S20ZC2 with different Sr doping concentrations, were synthesized using the sol-gel method and coated on plasma-functionalized fabric to perform the self-cleaning tests. The fabrics were treated with dielectric barrier discharge plasma in an open environment for 3 min to achieve a stable coating of nanoparticles. The energy band gap of the photocatalyst decreased with an increase in the level of Sr doping. The band gap of S10ZC2, S15ZC2, and S20ZC2 photocatalysts was estimated to be 2.85, 2.78, and 2.5 eV, respectively. The hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO was observed on the fabric surface composited with CNTs and Sr. The S20ZC2 photocatalyst showed better homogeneity and photocatalytic response on the fabric when compared with S10ZC2- and S15ZC2-coated fabrics. The S20ZC2 photocatalyst showed 89% dye degradation efficiency after 4 h of light exposure in methylene blue solution, followed by S15ZC2 (84%) and S10ZC2 (80%) photocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mabkhoot Alsaiari
- Empty
Quarter Research Unit, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science
and Arts at Sharurah, Najran University, Sharurah 68342, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saba Afzal
- Department
of Physics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Ameer Sultan
- Department
of Physics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Shazia Shukrullah
- Department
of Physics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Saleem
- Department
of Physics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Yasin Naz
- Department
of Physics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Moustafa A. Rizk
- Empty
Quarter Research Unit, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science
and Arts at Sharurah, Najran University, Sharurah 68342, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Irfan
- Electrical
Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Najran University Saudi Arabia, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia
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Anandhakumari G, Jayabal P, Balasankar A, Ramasundaram S, Oh TH, Aruchamy K, Kallem P, Polisetti V. Synthesis of strontium oxide-zinc oxide nanocomposites by Co-precipitation method and its application for degradation of malachite green dye under direct sunlight. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20824. [PMID: 37867874 PMCID: PMC10585331 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Photocatalysts workable under direct sunlight are the safe and cost-effective option for water purification. The nanocomposites of strontium oxide and zinc oxide (SZ NCs) were synthesized using coprecipitation method. The respective precursors of SZ NCs were subjected to alkaline hydrolysis and subsequently thermally treated to yield SZ NCs. The SZ NCs with different ZnO composition was synthesized by varying the concentration of ZnO precursor from 0.2 to 1 M. The structural properties of SZ NCs evaluated using X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Differential thermal analysis DTA). The optical properties of SZ NCs studied using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopic study. The trend observed in the intensity of XRD peaks indicated the occurrence of Zn doping in the crystalline lattice of SrO and the formation of SrO-ZnO composite. Upon incorporation of 1 M of ZnO precursor, the grain size of the SrO was decreased from 49.3 to 27.6 nm. The weight loss in the thermal analysis indicates the removal of carbonates from the sample upon heating and shows the formation of an oxide structure. UV-Vis spectra confirmed that the presence of SrO enhanced the sunlight absorption of SZ NCs. The increase in the composition of ZnO precursors increased the bandgap of SrO (2.09 eV) to the level of ZnO (3.14 eV). SZ NCs exhibited heterostructure morphology, where the nanosized domains with varying shapes (layered and rod-like) were observed. Under direct sunlight conditions, SZ NCs prepared using 1 M/0.6 M of SrO/ZnO precursors exhibited 15-20 % higher photocatalytic efficiency than neat SrO and ZnO. In precise, 1 mg of this SZ NC was degraded 98 % of malachite green dye dissolved in water (10 ppm) under direct sunlight. Additionally, the thermal stability results showed that 18 % decomposition was obtained due to the degradation impurities in SrO/ZnO catalysts and the XRD results revealed that no structural change is obtained in SrO/ZnO photocatalysts after stability test. The SZ NCs can be effectively used as safe and economic sunlight photocatalysts for water purification in remote areas without the electricity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Govindharaj Anandhakumari
- Department of Physics, Gobi Arts & Science College, Gobichettipalayam, Erode, Tamilnadu-638 453, India
| | - Palanisamy Jayabal
- Department of Physics, Gobi Arts & Science College, Gobichettipalayam, Erode, Tamilnadu-638 453, India
| | - Athinarayanan Balasankar
- Department of Physics, Gobi Arts & Science College, Gobichettipalayam, Erode, Tamilnadu-638 453, India
| | | | - Tae Hwan Oh
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea
| | - Kanakaraj Aruchamy
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea
| | - Parashuram Kallem
- Department of Environmental and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 59911, United Arab Emirates
| | - Veerababu Polisetti
- Wallenberg Wood Science Center, Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE−100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
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Irfan M, Afzal S, Hussain M, Naz MY, Shukrullah S, Rahman S, Faraj Mursal SN, Ghanim AAJ. Testing of Sr-Doped ZnO/CNT Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution from Water Splitting under Atmospheric Dielectric Barrier Plasma Exposure. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:18891-18900. [PMID: 37273618 PMCID: PMC10233682 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c01262] [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: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Nonthermal plasma is a well-recognized environmentally advantageous method for producing green fuels. This work used different photocatalysts, including PZO, SxZO, and SxZCx for hydrogen production using an atmospheric argon coaxial dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)-based light source. The photocatalysts were produced using a sol-gel route. The DBD discharge column was filled with water, methanol, and the catalyst to run the reaction under argon plasma. The DBD reactor was operated with a 10 kV AC source to sustain plasma for water splitting. The light absorption study of the tested catalysts revealed a decrease in the band gap with an increase in the concentration of Sr and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the Sr/ZnO/CNTs series. The photocatalyst S25ZC2 demonstrated the lowest photoluminescence (PL) intensity, implying the most quenched recombination of charge carriers. The highest H2 evolution rate of 2760 μmol h-1 g-1 was possible with the S25ZC2 catalyst, and the lowest evolution rate of 56 μmol h-1 g-1 was observed with the PZO catalyst. The photocatalytic activity of S25ZC2 was initially high, which decreased slightly over time due to the deactivation of the photocatalyst. The photocatalytic activity decreased from 2760 to 1670 μmol h-1 g-1 at the end of the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Irfan
- Electrical
Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saba Afzal
- Department
of Physics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Muzammil Hussain
- Department
of Physics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Yasin Naz
- Department
of Physics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Shazia Shukrullah
- Department
of Physics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Saifur Rahman
- Electrical
Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salim Nasar Faraj Mursal
- Electrical
Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia
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