1
|
Cui P, Wu Q, Zhiwei L. Exploring the dual capabilities of BNQDs: a comprehensive study on enhancing photoelectric performance and photoluminescence via ligand functionalization. J Mol Model 2023; 30:6. [PMID: 38091121 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-023-05803-1] [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: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) are emerging as promising multifunctional nanomaterials for renewable energy and optoelectronics owing to their versatile properties. However, rational design principles to tailor their photoelectric and photoluminescent capabilities remain scarce. This study employs density functional theory (DFT) to provide fundamental insights into using urea, thiourea, and PPD ligands to modulate the bandgap, charge transfer dynamics, and recombination processes of BNQDs. Modeling explains that incorporating specific ligands enables visible light absorption, spatial charge separation, continuous photocatalytic cycling, and high quantum yields in BNQDs. The structure-property relationships established pave the way for targeted synthesis of high-performance BNQD photocatalysts and light emitters. METHODS This investigation utilized density functional theory (DFT) with the B3LYP functional and 6-31G(d,p) basis set to optimize the geometries of pristine and ligand-functionalized boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs). The absorption spectra were generated using time-dependent DFT (TDDFT). A Ti38O76 cluster modeled the TiO2 substrate. The cpcm solvation model in Gaussian 09 defined the toluene solvent. Cohesive energies, charge transfer lengths, recombination rates, and conversion efficiencies were calculated to establish structure-property relationships. Multiwfn analyzed the charge densities. The modeling provides insights into tuning BNQD photocatalytic and photoluminescent properties using specific ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Cui
- School of New Materials and Shoes & Clothing Engineering, Liming Vocational University, Quanzhou, China.
| | - Qiulan Wu
- School of New Materials and Shoes & Clothing Engineering, Liming Vocational University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Li Zhiwei
- School of New Materials and Shoes & Clothing Engineering, Liming Vocational University, Quanzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Annamalai S, Shin WS. Algae-derived metal-free boron-doped biochar acts as a catalyst for the activation of peroxymonosulfate toward the degradation of diclofenac. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 331:121850. [PMID: 37211229 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In this study, plain seaweed biochar (SW) and boron-doped seaweed biochar (BSW) were prepared through a simple pyrolysis process using Undaria pinnatifida (algae biomass) and boric acid. The BSW catalyst was utilized to degrade organic pollutants in aqueous environments by activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Surface characterization of the BSW demonstrated successful doping of boron into the biochar materials. BSW600 exhibited greater catalytic activity than SW600, as evidenced by the former's maximum adsorption capacity of diclofenac (DCF) onto BSW600 (qmax = 30.01 mg g-1) and the activation of PMS. Complete degradation of DCF was achieved in 30 min using 100 mg L-1 BSW600, 0.5 mM PMS, and 6.5 initial solution pH as critical parameters. The pseudo-first-order kinetic model accurately described the DCF degradation kinetics. The scavenger experiment displayed that radical and non-radical reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed in the BSW600/PMS system. Furthermore, the generation of ROS in the BSW600/PMS system was confirmed by electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR). The percentage contribution of ROS was assessed to be 10, 65, and 25% for HO•, SO4•-, and 1O2, respectively. Additionally, the electron transfer pathway was also confirmed by electrochemical analysis. Moreover, the influence of water matrics on the BSW600/PMS system was demonstrated. The co-existence of anions and humic acid (HA) did not affect the catalytic activity of the BSW600/PMS system. The recyclability of BSW600 was assessed by DCF removal (86.3%) after three cycles. Ecological structure-activity relationships software was used to assess by-product toxicity. This study demonstrates the efficacy of non-metallic heteroatom-doped biochar materials as eco-friendly catalysts in groundwater applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sivasankar Annamalai
- School of Architecture, Civil, Environmental and Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Sik Shin
- School of Architecture, Civil, Environmental and Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Antibacterial Activity of Solvothermal Obtained ZnO Nanoparticles with Different Morphology and Photocatalytic Activity against a Dye Mixture: Methylene Blue, Rhodamine B and Methyl Orange. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065677. [PMID: 36982751 PMCID: PMC10058279 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we report the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by forced solvolysis of Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O in alcohols with a different number of –OH groups. We study the influence of alcohol type (n-butanol, ethylene glycol and glycerin) on the size, morphology, and properties of the obtained ZnO NPs. The smallest polyhedral ZnO NPs (<30 nm) were obtained in n-butanol, while in ethylene glycol the NPs measured on average 44 nm and were rounded. Polycrystalline particles of 120 nm were obtained in glycerin only after water refluxing. In addition, here, we report the photocatalytic activity, against a dye mixture, of three model pollutants: methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB), and rhodamine B (RhB), a model closer to real situations where water is polluted with many chemicals. All samples exhibited good photocatalytic activity against the dye mixture, with degradation efficiency reaching 99.99%. The sample with smallest nanoparticles maintained a high efficiency >90%, over five catalytic cycles. Antibacterial tests were conducted against Gram-negative strains Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, and Gram-positive strains Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus. The ZnO samples presented strong inhibition of planktonic growth for all tested strains, indicating that they can be used for antibacterial applications, such as water purification.
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang Q, Yao Y, Sang X, Zou L, Ge S, Wang X, Zhang D, Wang Q, Zhou H, Fan J, Sang D. Photoluminescence and Electrical Properties of n-Ce-Doped ZnO Nanoleaf/p-Diamond Heterojunction. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:3773. [PMID: 36364548 PMCID: PMC9656198 DOI: 10.3390/nano12213773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The n-type Ce:ZnO (NL) grown using a hydrothermal method was deposited on a p-type boron-doped nanoleaf diamond (BDD) film to fabricate an n-Ce:ZnO NL/p-BDD heterojunction. It shows a significant enhancement in photoluminescence (PL) intensity and a more pronounced blue shift of the UV emission peak (from 385 nm to 365 nm) compared with the undoped heterojunction (n-ZnO/p-BDD). The prepared heterojunction devices demonstrate good thermal stability and excellent rectification characteristics at different temperatures. As the temperature increases, the turn-on voltage and ideal factor (n) of the device gradually decrease. The electronic transport behaviors depending on temperature of the heterojunction at different bias voltages are discussed using an equilibrium band diagram and semiconductor theoretical model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qinglin Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Optical Communication Science and Technology, School of Physics Science and Information Technology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
- Shandong Liaocheng Laixin Powder Materials Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Yu Yao
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Optical Communication Science and Technology, School of Physics Science and Information Technology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Xianhe Sang
- Ulsan Ship and Ocean College, Ludong University, Yantai 264000, China
| | - Liangrui Zou
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Optical Communication Science and Technology, School of Physics Science and Information Technology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Shunhao Ge
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Optical Communication Science and Technology, School of Physics Science and Information Technology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Xueting Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Optical Communication Science and Technology, School of Physics Science and Information Technology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Optical Communication Science and Technology, School of Physics Science and Information Technology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Qingru Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Optical Communication Science and Technology, School of Physics Science and Information Technology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Huawei Zhou
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Jianchao Fan
- Shandong Liaocheng Laixin Powder Materials Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Dandan Sang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Optical Communication Science and Technology, School of Physics Science and Information Technology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
- Shandong Liaocheng Laixin Powder Materials Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Liaocheng 252000, China
| |
Collapse
|