Ultrasonic-assisted pyrolyzation fabrication of reduced SnO<Subscript>2–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/g-C<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> heterojunctions: Enhance photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic activity under visible LED light irradiation

Novel SnO_2–x /g-C₃N₄ heterojunction nanocomposites composed of reduced SnO_2–x nanoparticles and exfoliated g-C₃N₄ nanosheets were prepared by a convenient one-step pyrolysis method. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized in detail, indicating that the aggregation of g-C₃N₄ nanosheets was prevented by small, well-dispersed SnO_2–x nanoparticles. The ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy absorption bands of the nanocomposites were shifted to a longer wavelength region than those exhibited by pure SnO₂ or g-C₃N₄. The charge transfer and recombination processes occurring in the nanocomposites were investigated using linear scan voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under 30-W visible-light-emitting diode irradiation, the heterojunction containing 27.4 wt.% SnO_2–x exhibited the highest photocurrent density of 0.0468 mA·cm^–2, which is 33.43 and 5.64 times larger than that of pure SnO₂ and g-C₃N₄, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the heterojunction material was investigated by degrading rhodamine B under irradiation from the same light source. Kinetic study revealed a promising degradation rate constant of 0.0226 min^?1 for the heterojunction containing 27.4 wt.% SnO_2–x , which is 32.28 and 5.79 times higher than that of pure SnO₂ and g-C₃N₄, respectively. The enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic performances of the nanocomposite may be due to its appropriate SnO_2–x content and the compact structure of the junction between the SnO_2–x nanoparticles and the g-C₃N₄ nanosheets, which inhibits the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes.

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Synthesis and photocatalytic behaviors of Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–CNT/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite materials under visible light

Cr₂O₃–CNT/TiO₂ composites derived from chromium acetylacetonate, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and titanium n-butoxide (TNB) were prepared, and the photocatalytic activity of the Cr₂O₃–CNT and CNT/TiO₂ composites was examined. The Cr₂O₃–CNT/TiO₂ composites were characterized by BET surface area measurement, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The photocatalytic activity was determined from the decomposition of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. Methylene blue was photodegraded successfully in the presence of the Cr₂O₃–CNT/TiO₂ composite under visible light irradiation.     

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation for thiophene by Ag/α-MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript> heterojunction under visible-light irradiation

Ag/α-MoO₃ heterojunctions were prepared by a photoreduction process and characterized using XRD, TEM, UV–Vis-DRS, EDS, XPS, PL, EIS and PT. Ag/α-MoO₃ heterojunctions exhibited excellent photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization activity for thiophene under visible-light irradiation. The removal efficiency of 5% Ag/α-MoO₃ composites could get to 98.3% with 1.5 g L^?1 amount of catalyst used under visible-light irradiation for 270 min, which is 2.5 times as high as that of pure α-MoO₃ nanobelts. The stability of as-prepared Ag/α-MoO₃ heterojunctions were investigated through recycling run experiment, which the desulfurization rate of 5 wt% Ag/α-MoO₃ for thiophen still remained 92.8% after five consecutive cycles. Furthermore, the active species trapping experiment confirmed that h⁺ and ^·O₂ ^? were the main active in photocatalytic degradation process for thiophene. Additionally, the mechanism of the enhanced photocatalytic activity for Ag/α-MoO₃ was proposed. These features demonstrate that the Ag/α-MoO₃ heterojunctions have great application potential for refractory pollutants’ removal from fuel oil.     

Synthesis of ternary rGO–ZnO–Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocomposites and their application for visible light photocatalytic degradation of dyes

The rGO–ZnO–Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites were synthesized by a simple, economical and environmentally benign solvothermal method. The morphology, structure and photocatalytic activity of rGO–ZnO–Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites were characterized, and the effects of the preparation conditions were analyzed. The 25 mg of rGO–ZnO–Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites performed efficient photocatalytic activity for the degradation of 25 mL of 4.79 mg/L Rhodamine B under both ultraviolet and visible light irradiation. The nanocomposites could be easily retrieved from the wastewater by extra magnetic field due to the presence of magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. After the degradation experiment was carried out five times, the degradation ratio is still close to 90% after irradiation after 5 cyclic, indicating that the rGO–ZnO–Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites have high stability for reuse. Therefore, the prepared rGO–ZnO–Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites may be a promising potential material for wastewater treatment.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic performance of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanospheres–graphene nanocomposite under visible and UV light irradiation

In this article, we present a fast and simple method to produce TiO₂ nanospheres–graphene nanocomposite with high photocatalytic activity under visible and UV light irradiation. TiO₂ nanospheres were adsorbed on graphene in sol–gel process. First, titanium (IV) butoxide underwent hydrolysis in graphene oxide (GO) ethanol solution resulting in TiO₂ nanospheres deposition on GO. Next, the material was calcinated to generate the phase transition of TiO₂ into anatase and reduce GO to graphene. The detailed characterization of the material was performed via transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-rays spectrometer, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. Interestingly, the band-gap energy of the prepared photocatalyst was drastically decreased in comparison with the commercial photocatalyst P25 from 3.05 to 2.36 eV. This influenced in the activation of the material under visible light and resulted in high photocatalytic activity in the process of phenol decomposition in visible and UV irradiation.     

Preparation and bactericidal property of MgO nanoparticles on γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

After being impregnated in the solution containing Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, -Al₂O₃ was dried and calcined at 500°C which results in the production of a bactericide, highly dispersed MgO loaded on the surface of -Al₂O₃. The threshold value of the monolayer dispersion of MgO on -Al₂O₃ is 14.97%, and MgO crystal formed when the load amount beyond this value. The samples with different load amount were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Low-temperature N₂ adsorption-desorption, Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) and High Resolution Scan Electronic Microscope (SEM). The results showed that these MgO microcrystals are highly dispersed and have regular size in the range of 4 to 10.8 nm. The specific surface, pore volume and pore size of the sample decreases with the increase of load amount. It is demonstrated that -Al₂O₃ with highly dispersed MgO on the surface is efficient bactericide, and the one with 20% load amount of MgO can kill more than 99% bacteria and spore cells.     

Reaction of CaAl<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> with (0001)-oriented α-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Reactions between thin films of CA₂ and (0001)-oriented α-Al₂O₃ have been studied using a combination of microscopy techniques. Thin films of amorphous CA₂ were deposited on sapphire substrates by pulsed-laser deposition at 900 °C in an oxygen ambient atmosphere. After deposition, the reaction couples were heat treated in air for various times either at 1300 or 1400 °C. Atomic-force microscopy was used to monitor changes in the microstructure of the films. Interfaces between the different regions were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of cross-sectional samples prepared by focused ion-beam milling. The CA₂ films had dewetted the substrate surface as a result of the heat treatment. An interfacial reaction layer was observed between the dewetted CA₂ droplets and the substrate. The structure of this reaction layer was found to be consistent with γ-Al₂O₃ by computer analysis of high-resolution TEM images. There is a perfect epitaxy between the interfacial layer and the substrate. For the samples heat treated for longer times, hexagonal features were found on the substrate surface. The presence of these features on (0001)-oriented α-Al₂O₃ suggests that CA₆ platelets form by the transformation of the interfacial reaction layer. The results are discussed in relation to the crystallization behavior of the various calcium aluminate phases and the equilibrium-phase diagram of the CaO–Al₂O₃ system.     

Catalytic activity of CuO-loaded TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> for NO Reduction by CO

The activities in NO + CO reaction of CuO-loaded TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared by precipitation (P), co-precipitation (C-P), or sol-gel (S-G) were examined using a micro-reactor-gas chromatography (GC) system. The study showed higher catalytic activity of 12%CuO/15%TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ (P) than that of 12%CuO/15%TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ (S-G) or 12%CuO/15%TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ (C-P) in air condition, compared with higher activity of 12%CuO/15%TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ (P) or 12%CuO/15%TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ (S-G) than that of 12%CuO/15%TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ (C-P) in H₂ condition. The specific surface area and crystallite formation had little effect on catalytic activities. H₂-temperature programmed reduction (TPR) revealed four reduction peaks of 12%CuO/15%TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ (P), three reduction peaks of 12%CuO/15%TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ (S-G), but only one reduction peak of 12%CuO/15%TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ (C-P). CuO diffraction peaks were detected only in 12%CuO/15%TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ (P), indicating that CuO was highly dispersed on the other two TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts. As a result, 12%CuO/15%TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ (P) had the highest activity of reducing NO. During NO + CO reaction, the absorption peaks of intermediate product N₂O were shown at 150 °C by 12%CuO/15%TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ (P), at 200 °C by 12%CuO/15%TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ (S-G), and at 100 °C by 12%CuO/15%TiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ (C-P) after H₂ pretreatment at 400 °C for 1 h.     

BaFe<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>19</Subscript> films produced from BaFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/α-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> heterostructures

BaFe₁₂O₁₉ hexaferrite films have been produced on thermally oxidized single-crystal silicon (SiO₂/Si) substrates by sequential ion-beam sputtering of BaFe₂O₄ and α-Fe₂O₃ targets in an argon-oxygen atmosphere. Their crystal structure has been studied, and the origin of the impurity phases forming during heat treatment has been identified. The results show that heat treatment may lead to the formation of eutectic melts. As a result, the hexaferrite films may contain spherulites.     

Optically stimulated luminescence of proton-irradiated α-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystals

We present the results of the first domestic experimental investigation of the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) in commercial thermoluminescence (TL) detectors based on proton-irradiated anion-defect corundum. It is demonstrated that the OSL and TL phenomena can, in principle, be jointly used for the dose diagnostics of accelerated particle beams. The observed phenomena have good prospects for application in radiation physics.     

Catalytic combustion of methane over Pt and PdO-supported CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts

Catalytic combustion of methane was investigated on Pt and PdO-supported CeO₂–ZrO₂–Bi₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared by a wet impregnation method in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray fluorescence analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectra, transmission electron microscopy, and BET specific surface area measurements. The Pt/CeO₂–ZrO₂–Bi₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ and PdO/CeO₂–ZrO₂–Bi₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were selective for the total oxidation of methane into carbon dioxide and steam, and no by-products such as HCHO, CO, and H₂ were obtained. The catalytic activities of the PdO/CeO₂–ZrO₂–Bi₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were relatively higher than those of the Pt-supported catalysts, due to the facile re-oxidation of metallic Pd into PdO based on lattice oxygen supplied from the CeO₂–ZrO₂–Bi₂O₃ bulk. A decrease in the calcination temperature during the preparation process was found to be effective in enhancing the specific surface area of the catalysts, whereby particle agglomeration was inhibited. Optimization of the PdO amount and calcination temperature enabled complete oxidation of methane at temperatures as low as 320 °C on the 11.6 wt% PdO/CeO₂–ZrO₂–Bi₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst prepared at 400 °C.     

Variable—Range hopping in Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-K<Subscript>2</Subscript>B<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> glasses

The dc conductivity of the glasses in the Fe₂O₃-Bi₂O₃-K₂B₄O₇ system was studied at temperatures between 223 and 393 K. At temperatures from 300 to 223 K, T^–1/4 (T is temperature) dependence of the conductivity was found, however, both Mott variable-range hopping and Greaves intermediate range hopping models are found to be applicable. Mott and Greaves parameters analysis gave the density of states at Fermi level N (E_F) = 3.13 × 10²⁰–21.01 × 10²⁰ and 1.93 × 10²¹–16.39 × 10²¹ cm^–3eV^–1 at 240 K, respectively. The variable-range hopping conduction occurred in the temperature range T = 300–223 K, since W_D was found to be large (W_D = 0.08–0.14 eV for these glasses) and dominated the conduction at T < 300 K.     

Atomistic structure and energetics of interface between Mn-doped γ-Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and MgAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The interface between an Mn-doped γ-gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) thin film and an MgAl₂O₄ (001) substrate has been investigated using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), and first-principles calculations. A high-quality Mn-doped γ-Ga₂O₃ film with a defective spinel structure has been epitaxially grown by pulsed laser deposition. The γ-Ga₂O₃ crystal shows an uniform tetragonal distortion with a tetragonality of 1.05 throughout the film thickness of 75 nm. HRTEM and HAADF-STEM observations reveal that the γ-Ga₂O₃ and MgAl₂O₄ crystals form a coherent interface without any interfacial layers or precipitates. The atomistic structure and energies are theoretically evaluated for the interfaces with two types of termination plane, i.e., Mg- and Al₂O₄-termination of MgAl₂O₄. The cation sublattice is found to be continuous for both interfaces despite the defective spinel structure of Mn-doped γ-Ga₂O₃ with some vacant cation sites. The Al₂O₄-termination shows a lower interfacial energy than the Mg-termination under most conditions of the chemical potentials. This behavior is attributed to the energetic preference of the Mn–Al₂O₄ local configuration at the interface.     

Evaluation of CaO–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>–Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O–Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> bioglass-ceramics for hyperthermia application

Magnetic bioglass ceramics (MBC) are being considered for use as thermoseeds in hyperthermia treatment of cancer. While the bioactivity in MBCs is attributed to the formation of the bone minerals such as crystalline apatite, wollastonite, etc. in a physiological environment, the magnetic property arises from the magnetite [Fe₃O₄] present in these implant materials. A new set of bioglasses with compositions 41CaO · (52 ? x)SiO₂ · 4P₂O₅  · xFe₂O₃ · 3Na₂O (2 ≤ x ≤ 10 mol% Fe₂O₃) have been prepared by melt quenching method. The as-quenched glasses were then heat treated at 1050°C for 3 h to obtain the glass-ceramics. The structure and microstructure of the samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction and microscopy techniques. X-ray diffraction data revealed the presence of magnetite in the heat treated samples with x ≥ 2 mol% Fe₂O₃. Room temperature magnetic property of the heat treated samples was investigated using a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer. Field scans up to 20 kOe revealed that the glass ceramic samples had a high saturation magnetization and low coercivity. Room temperature hysteresis cycles were also recorded at 500 Oe to ascertain the magnetic properties at clinically amenable field strengths. The area under the magnetic hysteresis loop is a measure of the heat generated by the MBC. The coercivity of the samples is another important factor for hyperthermia applications. The area under the loop increases with an increase in Fe₂O₃ molar concentration and the. coercivity decreases with an increase in Fe₂O₃ molar concentration The evolution of magnetic properties in these MBCs as a function of Fe₂O₃ molar concentration is discussed and correlated with the amount of magnetite present in them.     

System ZnO ⋅ B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-CuO ⋅ B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Differential thermal analysis and x-ray diffraction data indicate that the ZnO B₂O₃-CuO B₂O₃ join of the ternary system CuO-B₂O₃-ZnO is pseudobinary, with eutectic phase relations and a liquid-liquid miscibility gap in the composition range 25–35 mol % CuO.Translated from Neorganicheskie Materialy, Vol. 41, No. 3, 2005, pp. 339–340.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kasumova, Bananyarly.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Synthesis of BaWO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/NRGO–g-C<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocomposites with excellent multifunctional catalytic performance via microwave approach

Novel barium tungstate/nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide-graphitic carbon nitride (BaWO₄/NRGO-g-C₃N₄) nanocomposite has been synthesized by a simple one-pot microwave technique. The synthesized nanocomposites are well characterized by diffraction, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques to study its crystal structure, elemental composition, morphological features and optical properties. The material prepared is tested for its performance as an electrocatalyst, photocatalyst and reduction catalyst. The nanocomposite catalyzed the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye in 120 min, reduction of 4-nitro phenol (4-NP) to 4-amino phenol (4-AP) in 60 s, showed an impressive Tafel slope of 62 mV/dec for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The observed results suggest that the nanocomposite acts as an efficient multifunctional catalyst. The reported approach provides fundamental insights which can be extended to other metal tungstate-based ternary composites for applications in the field of clean energy and environment in the future.     

Increased mobility of an <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> grain boundary by electron-beam irradiation

When subjected to electron-beam irradiation in a transmission electron microscope, the grain boundary in an α-Al₂O₃ bicrystal is observed to migrate even at room temperature. The bicrystal is composed of grains with the same normal direction, and thus the difference in strain energy or surface energy between the two grains cannot explain the observed migration. We attribute this phenomenon to an increase in grain boundary mobility by electron-beam irradiation, especially by radiolysis effects.     

Spectroscopic characterisation of local structure in Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> glasses doped with gadolinium

Gadolinium doped bismuth borate glasses containing up to 30 mol% Y₂O₃ were prepared by fast melt quenching method. The effect of yttrium on the local order in 3B₂O₃ · Bi₂O₃ and B₂O₃ · Bi₂O₃ glass matrices, particularly on the bismuth sites, was investigated by infrared (IR) spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of Gd³⁺ ions. The IR results show that the local structure is more ordered in the glass system with higher bismuth content and the progressive addition of yttrium increases the local disorder in both bismuth–borate glass matrices. The EPR results indicate that Gd³⁺ ions occupy both bismuth and yttrium sites and reflect the same structural disorder like that suggested by IR results.     

Novel mesoporous Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/CTAB–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> as an effective adsorbent for the removal of amoxicillin and tetracycline from water

The current study was carried out to investigate the efficiency of using magnetic mesoporous of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-functionalized silica-coated magnetite for removing amoxicillin (AMX) and tetracycline (TC) from tap water, river water, and medical wastewater as real samples. The properties of the synthesized adsorbent were characterized through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, pH_pzc, and also Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) methods. The BET surface area and the average diameter of mesoporous Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/CTAB–SiO₂ in accordance with TEM were 157.8 m² g^?1 and around 55 nm, respectively. In batch tests, the adsorption parameters, including the initial concentration, contact time, pH of solution, ionic strength, and adsorbent dose, were analysed. The experimental adsorption data were modelled using different classical and recently developed models. According to the results, the maximum adsorption capacities of AMX and TC on mesoporous Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/CTAB–SiO₂ were found to be 362.66 and 220.70 mg g^?1, respectively. Also, the results indicated that AMX and TC loaded on the adsorbent could be easily desorbed with 0.1 mol L^?1 HNO₃⁺ acetonitrile (1:1, v/v) and the adsorbent showed good reusability for the adsorption of the drugs studied.     

The crystallographic orientation relationship between Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and MgAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> in the composite material Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Al–Mg–Si alloy

The formation mechanism of spinels on Al₂O₃ particles in the Al₂O₃/Al–1.0 mass% Mg₂Si alloy composite material has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in order to determine the crystallographic orientation relationship. A thin sample of the Al₂O₃/Al–Mg–Si alloy composite material was obtained by the FIB method, and the orientation relationship between Al₂O₃ and MgAl₂O₄, which was formed on the surface of Al₂O₃ particles, was discovered by the TEM technique as follows: