Utilization of ZnO nanocones for the photocatalytic degradation of acridine orange

Tailoring the structural and electro-optical properties of avisible-light emitting BaZrO3 photocatalyst: integrating DFT and comprehensive experimental analysis

In the present work, the synthesis of BaZrO3 nano-ceramics is explored through flash combustion utilizing glycine as a fuel. The resulting nanoparticles exhibit a cubic Pm3̄m space group and a spherical morphology with an average size of 45.31 nm. XRD and EDAX verify the integrity of the phase. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy is used to analyze the molecular bonds and their vibrations, while XPS reveals surface compositions and oxidation states. The electro-optical properties of BaZrO3 are explored through UV-Vis spectroscopy and electronic band structure analysis. The Tauc plot displays a pair of band gaps, with values of 3.08 eV and 3.84 eV, corresponding to indirect and direct characteristics. BaZrO3 demonstrates photocatalytic potential with a degradation efficiency of approximately 36.41% for rhodamine B under visible light. Electronic band structure analysis reveals an indirect band gap of 3.05 eV in BaZrO3. The Bader analysis emphasizes the pronounced covalent characteristics present in the Zr-O bond. Photoluminescence spectra exhibit electronic transitions with a peak observed at 420.57 nm (∼2.94 eV), suggesting activity within the violet light spectrum. The CIE chromaticity coordinates imply prospective uses in the manufacture of violet-blue LEDs. These findings underscore the tailored properties of BaZrO3 nano-ceramics, showcasing their versatility for various applications, notably in advanced optoelectronic devices.

Synthesis of cerium, zirconium, and copper doped zinc oxide nanoparticles as potential biomaterials for tissue engineering applications

A novel eco-friendly high throughput continuous hydrothermal flow system was used to synthesise phase pure ZnO and doped ZnO in order to explore their properties for tissue engineering applications. Cerium, zirconium, and copper were introduced as dopants during flow synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles, Zirconium doped ZnO were successfully synthesised, however secondary phases of CeO and CuO were detected in X-ray diffraction (XRD). The nanoparticles were characterised using X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Dynamic Light scattering Measurements, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and RAMAN spectroscopy was used to evaluate physical, chemical, and structural properties. The change in BET surface area was also significant, the surface area increased from 11.35 (ZnO_2) to 26.18 (ZrZnO_5). However. In case of CeZnO_5 and CuZnO_5 was not significant 13.68 (CeZnO_5) and 12.16 (CuZnO_5) respectively. Cell metabolic activity analysis using osteoblast-like cells (MG63) and human embryonic derived mesenchymal stem cells (hES-MP) demonstrated that doped ZnO nanoparticles supported higher cell metabolic activity compared to cells grown in standard media with no nanoparticles added, or pure zinc oxide nanoparticles. The ZrZnO_5 demonstrated the highest cell metabolic activity and non-cytotoxicity over the duration of 28 days as compared to un doped or Ce or Cu incorporated nanoparticles. The current data suggests that Zirconium doping positively enhances the properties of ZnO nanoparticles by increasing the surface area and cell proliferation. Therefore, are potential additives within biomaterials or for tissue engineering applications.

Ternary V-Scheme Ag2WO4/BaO/NiO Heterojunction Photocatalysts: Very Fast Degradation Process for Congo Red under UV-Light Irradiation

With increasing industrial production, pollutants generated in the process of bleaching or dying disperse to the natural water medium. Therefore, an effective photocatalytic material must be prepared for water treatment quickly. In the present study, a novel and effective V-scheme Ag₂WO₄/BaO/NiO heterostructure photocatalyst with high photocatalytic performance for the degradation of different organic pollutants was designed and formed by a simple precipitation method. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that BaO, NiO, and Ag₂WO₄/BaO/NiO have a nanopipe, spherical, and nanorod morphology, respectively. X-ray diffraction results indicated that cubic phases were obtained with higher crystallite structure and lower crystallite distortion. The optical properties of the samples exhibited UV-absorption regions with about 3.35, 3.38, and 3.28 eV band gaps for BaO, BaO/NiO, and Ag₂WO₄/BaO/NiO, respectively. The photocatalytic activity was investigated by the degradation of Congo red under UV-light irradiation. To investigate the photocatalytic mechanism, the photodegradation performance of the catalyst was analyzed with different scavengers such as isopropyl alcohol, ascorbic acid, and potassium iodide (KI), and it was shown that the main active species were ^•O₂ ^- radicals and that OH^• radicals have a significant contribution toward the degradation process. Compared to bare BaO and BaO/NiO samples, Ag₂WO₄/BaO/NiO showed excellent photocatalytic activity and about 41%, 66 and 99% of Congo red photodegraded under UV light within 30 min. The reason for this is that the Ag₂WO₄/BaO/NiO heterostructure displayed wider contact which promoted more charge-transfer ways to shorten the electron transportation path and increase the inhibition of electron-hole pairs.

Highly porous ZnO nanosheets self-assembled in rosette-like morphologies for dye-sensitized solar cell application

Facile and direct growth of highly porous ZnO nanosheets self-assembled in rosette-like morphologies on ITO for high performance dye-sensitized solar cell application.