Reduced graphene oxide–gold nanoparticle membrane for water purification

The reduced graphene oxide–gold nanoparticle (rGO–Au NP) membranes are prepared by vacuum filtration method. The sizes of the Au NPs on the surface of the rGO are about 8–10 nm, and the lattice spacing of Au NPs is 0.0241 nm, which is relative to the cubic lattice of the gold crystal. The layer-by-layer stacking structure of rGO–Au NP membrane can be observed clearly by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The water flux of the rGO–Au NP membrane is as high as 204.1 L m^?2 h^?1 bar^?1, and its retention for Rhodamine B (RhB) is as high as 99.79%.     

Synergistic effect between ternary iron–zinc–copper mixed oxides and graphene for photocatalytic water decontamination

Environment-friendly photocatalysts with wide spectral responses for water decontamination are currently in demand. Ternary iron–zinc–copper mixed oxides with various molar ratios of Fe₃O₄/CuO to ZnO and ternary mixed oxides incorporated on graphene were synthesized using sol–gel and hydrothermal methods. The physicochemical properties of these magnetically separable materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. Furthermore, their photocatalytic and adsorptive properties were investigated using methylene blue as a model organic pollutant. Owing to their higher specific surface area and saturation magnetization, the ternary mixed oxides incorporated on graphene served as better adsorbents and photocatalysts than those without graphene. The adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir adsorption isotherm model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 68.03 mg/g. The ternary mixed oxide with an Fe₃O₄/CuO to ZnO molar ratio of 1:3 showed better photocatalytic activity under both UV and visible light irradiation, and the efficiency increased with increasing graphene incorporation in the photocatalyst. Moreover, the photocatalyst maintained high efficiency with repetitive use. Radical scavenging experiments revealed that holes were the predominant oxidative species involved in the photodegradation of methylene blue. Thus, these magnetically separable photocatalysts are effective for the removal of organic pollutants from wastewater.     

Exclusive and fast water channels in zwitterionic graphene oxide membrane for efficient water–ethanol separation

Graphene oxide (GO) membranes have shown great prospects as the next-generation membranes to tackle many challenging separation issues. However, the employment of GO membranes remains difficult for the precise separation of molecules with strong coupling effect and small size discrepancy such as water–ethanol. Herein, a new strategy of constructing exclusive and fast water channels in GO membrane was proposed to achieve high-performance water–ethanol separation via the synergy between zwitterion-functionalized GO and hydrophilic polyelectrolyte. The as-formed ordered and stable channels possess high-density ionic hydrophilic groups, which benefit from inhibiting the strong coupling between water and ethanol, facilitating the fast permeation of water molecules while suppressing ethanol molecules. As a result, the ultrathin GO-based membrane acquires exceptionally high separation performance with a flux of 3.23 kg/m² h and water–ethanol separation factor of 2,248 when separating water–ethanol (10 wt%/90 wt%) mixture at 343 K. This work paves a feasible way to construct 2D channels for the high-efficiency separation of strong-coupling mixtures.     

Optimized zinc electrode for the rechargeable zinc–air battery

For the development of a long-lived, electrically rechargeable zinc–air battery the structure and wettability of pasted zinc electrodes were optimized. Pasted zinc electrodes containing 1 to 10% cellulose but having almost the same nominal capacities were prepared and tested in zinc/oxygen cells. The effect of discharge rate on cell voltage and delivered capacity, as well as the maximum power, were measured. Furthermore, cell charge–discharge behaviour and cycle life were examined. After different times of operation, the porosity and the pore size distribution of the pasted zinc electrodes were measured by means of mercury porosimetry. The cycle life and peak power drain capability of the Zn/oxygen battery could be substantially improved by the addition of 10wt% cellulose to the pasted zinc electrode.     

Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline zinc aluminate spinel powder by sol–gel method

Single-phase nanocrystalline zinc aluminate (ZnAl₂O₄) spinel powder has been synthesized by the sol–gel method. Zinc aluminate nanoparticles were formed at 600 °C, which is at much lower temperature than by solid state reactions. Formation of ZnAl₂O₄ and their particle size depend on the calcination temperature. Calcination temperature also affects the specific surface area and pore volume. The nanocrystalline zinc aluminate was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, surface area measurements, field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Catalytic reactivity of nanocrystalline zinc aluminate was tested for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol using NaBH₄.     

Modulation of magnetoelectric coupling through systematically engineered spin canting in nickel–zinc ferrite

A nickel–zinc ferrite system, which is one of the well-known versatile soft-ferromagnetic oxides, was investigated in terms of magnetoelectric (ME) coupling at room temperature. Herein, we demonstrated that spin canting is manipulated through a composition-induced structural transition from an inverse to a normal spinel structure, leading to modulation in the ME coupling. The ME coefficient was maximized at 60 at.% Zn substitution with a value of 0.1 mV/(Oe·cm), denoting ∼70% enhancement compared to that of the pure nickel ferrite. It was revealed that the interspin angle is enhanced along the octahedral site at up to ∼60 at.% Zn substitution, consistent with the composition level at the culmination of the ME coupling, evidenced by X-ray diffraction profiles and magnetic hysteresis loops combined with density functional theory calculations. Given that this approach is based on a tractable fabrication method, this study is expected to be widely used in modulation of the ME coupling in spinel-structured oxides.     

Covalently intercalated graphene oxide for oil–water separation

We report the transformation of hydrophilic graphene oxide (GO) sheets into superhydrophobic nanomaterial by direct esterification with epoxy-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (ePOSS). The covalently functionalized GO–ePOSS composite shows superhydrophobicity with a water/air contact angle of ∼145°. The highest dispersion limits for GO in selected organic solvents are obtained in the literature. The dispersion of GO–ePOSS can be extended to solvents with Hansen solubility parameters as low as 3.4. Efficient oil–water separation is also demonstrated by using a GO–ePOSS membrane.     

Erbium substituted nickel–cobalt spinel ferrite nanoparticles: Tailoring the structural,magnetic and electrical parameters

In this article, we have reported an effective, rapid as well as economical Er³⁺ substituted Ni_0.4Co_0.6Fe₂O₄ ferrite nanoparticles synthesized via surfactant-assisted co-precipitation route. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dielectric properties, current-voltage (I–V) measurements, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). XRD and FTIR confirmed the face-centered (FCC) spinel structure of all compositions of the synthesized spinel ferrite nanoparticles. The deviations in the lattice constant granted with the variation in size of the guest (Er³⁺) and host (Fe³⁺) cations. These ferrites were also subjected for electrical, magnetic and dielectric investigations. I–V measurements showed that resistivity values decreased from 6.20 × 10⁷ Ω cm to 0.03 × 10⁷ Ω cm with the increased Er³⁺ contents. Saturation magnetization increased from 35.99 to 39.95 emu/g. This high value of saturation magnetization suggested the possible utilization of such ferrites for practical applications such as microwave and recording devices fabrication. Interestingly, the magnetic and dielectric properties of nickel-cobalt ferrite nanoparticles showed ample improvement upon Er³⁺ substitution. The results clearly indicate the potential of Er⁺³ substituted spinel ferrite particles in various advanced technological devices fabrication.     

Regeneration of zinc particles for zinc–air fuel cells in a spouted-bed electrode

Fuel cells wherein zinc particles form a negative electrode and a gas-diffusion electrode (air electrode) is the positive electrode, are under development. Such cells are dependent on the regeneration of the zinc particles (and electrolyte). This paper describes experiments on electrolytic cells equipped with spouted bed cathodes for use in this application. Experiments have been carried out on laboratory scale cells to determine the operability of cells for growing 'seed particles in the range from 0.4 to 1 mm to measure cell voltage and current efficiency (and thereby energy consumption rate), and to identify a suitable material that could be used as a diaphragm (separating the spouted bed from the oxygen evolving anode). A larger cell, capable of producing up to 10 kg Zn per day, was designed and built. The larger cell was run successfully fifteen times and showed cell voltages and energy consumption rates comparable with those of smaller cells.     

Selective oxidation of hydrocarbons under air using recoverable silver ferrite–graphene (AgFeO2–G) nanocomposite: A good catalyst for green chemistry

The selective oxidation of hydrocarbons is a main academic and industrial research challenge. A lot of researches have been done about this issue, but till now relatively little attention has been paid to graphene-complex oxide nanocomposites. Herein, we report our studies on a new catalyst. Silver ferrite–graphene (AgFeO₂–G) as a separable nanocomposite from the reaction solution, was used as an effective oxidizing agent for the oxidation of various hydrocarbons (1- decene, cyclohexene, cis-cycloctene, cyclohexane, cyclooctane etc.) under mild conditions (55 ^০C, 8 h) with high conversion and selectivity using air, that is proper for ‘green’ chemistry. Metal or metal oxide nanoparticles assembled on graphene sheets revealed high electrocatalytic activity. Indeed, AgFeO₂ with graphene due to low band gap and graphene oxide with large amounts of oxygen-containing groups, provide facility catalytic activity of catalyst-supported system. We also found that, with this catalyst, selective oxidation could be achieved without the need for the addition of solvent, which is appropriate in particular for ‘green’ chemistry. The catalysts showed little deactivation and maintained their conversion and selectivity levels duration of the measurements.     

Reduced graphene oxide for Li–air batteries: The effect of oxidation time and reduction conditions for graphene oxide

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has shown great promise as an air-cathode for Li–air batteries with high capacity. In this article we demonstrate how the oxidation time of graphene oxide (GO) affects the ratio of different functional groups and how trends of these in GO are extended to chemically and thermally reduced GO. We investigate how differences in functional groups and synthesis may affect the performance of Li–O₂ batteries. The oxidation timescale of the GO was varied between 30 min and 3 days before reduction. Powder X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman, FE-SEM, BET analysis, and XPS were used to characterize the GO’s and rGO’s. Selected samples of GO and rGO were analyzed by solid state ¹³C MAS NMR. These methods highlighted the difference between the two types of rGO’s, and XPS indicated how the chemical trends in GO are extended to rGO. A comparison between XPS and ¹³C MAS NMR showed that both techniques can enhance the structural understanding of rGO. Different rGO cathodes were tested in Li–O₂ batteries which revealed a difference in overpotentials and discharge capacities for the different rGO’s. We report the highest Li–O₂ battery discharge capacity recorded of approximately 60,000 mAh/g_carbon achieved with a thermally reduced GO cathode.     

Hierarchical NiO nanoflake coated CuO flower core–shell nanostructures for supercapacitor

In this work, we developed a simple and cost-effective approach to prepare the hierarchical NiO/CuO nanocomposite without any surfactant. The morphology and structure of the hybrid nanostructure was examined by focus ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Furthermore, the electrochemical properties of the hierarchical NiO/CuO nanocomposite electrodes were elucidated by cyclic voltammograms, galvanostatic charge/discharge tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 6 M KOH electrolyte. The electrochemical results demonstrated that this unique NiO/CuO nanostructure exhibited a specific capacitance of 280 F g⁻¹ and excellent cycling stability (91.4% retention after 3000 cycles). The remarkable electrochemical performance coupled with the facile synthesis of the hierarchical NiO/CuO nanocomposite indicated the great application potential in supercapacitors.     

Sol–gel method and reactive SPS for novel alumina–graphene ceramic composites

Reinforced ceramic matrix composites of alumina and graphene oxide have been widely researched, but there are still unresolved issues such as the optimum distribution of the graphene or the presence of efficient bonds between filler and matrix. This work introduces a novel fabrication procedure based on the sol–gel method, using boehmite as an alumina precursor, and graphene oxide nanoplatelets as the reinforcing phase. Full densification of the samples was done through reactive spark plasma sintering under milder conditions than usual. Structural characterization was done by XRD, SEM and micro-Raman among other techniques, and the presence of Al-O-C bonds was studied by XPS. Mechanical characterization was performed by Vickers microindentation and nanoindentation. No significant change was observed concerning the Young’s modulus, hardness or fracture toughness, though improvements in the homogeneity of the distribution of the graphene and the chemical bonds between the matrix and the reinforcing phase were confirmed.     

New structures of thin air cathodes for zinc–air batteries

Thin composite cathodes for air reduction were manufactured using microfibre-based papermaking technology. The electrodes have a thin structural design, less than 0.15 mm in thickness. Composite cathode materials for oxygen reduction applications were fabricated by entrapping carbon particles in a sinter-locked network of 2–8 m diameter metal fibres. The thin structure not only results in electrodes that are 30–75% thinner than those commercially available, but also offers an opportunity for custom-built air cathodes optimized for high-rate pulse applications. Using a thin composite structure for the air cathode in a zinc–air battery that is part of a zinc–air/capacitor hybrid is likely to increase the pulse capability of the hybrid power system. The thin cathode structure provides a better, more efficient three-phase reaction zone. In a half-cell test, the ultrathin air cathode generated more than 1.0 V vs Zn/ZnO for a current of 200 mA cm^–2. Half-cell, full-cell and pulse-power tests revealed that thin composite cathodes have a better rate and pulse performance than the air cathodes commonly used.     

Thermodynamic and kinetic studies of crystal violet dye adsorption with poly(methyl methacrylate)–graphene oxide and poly(methyl methacrylate)–graphene oxide–zinc oxide nanocomposites

We successfully prepared poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)–graphene oxide (GO) and PMMA–GO–zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposites and characterized them using different techniques. The adsorption performances of the as-prepared composites were investigated for crystal violet (CV) dye removal. The contact time as a main factor affecting the adsorption process by adsorbents was studied. Because the adsorption capacity value for CV was found to show no extensive changes after 35 min, 35 min was selected as the best contact time for our system. The adsorption results revealed that the best capacity of CV adsorption onto the PMMA–GO and PMMA–GO–ZnO nanocomposites occurred at pH 12 and 298 K. The respective entropies (−0.208 and −0.168 kJ mol⁻¹ K⁻¹) and enthalpies (−72.86 kJ/mol, and −55.54 kJ/mol) for PMMA–GO and PMMA–GO–ZnO and Gibbs energy revealed that the process of adsorption was exothermic. In addition, the Elovich, pseudo-first-order, intraparticle diffusion, and pseudo-second-order (four types) models were applied to our kinetic study. Our results indicate that CV adsorption onto PMMA–GO and PMMA–GO–ZnO was good with the pseudo-second-order (type 1) and pseudo-first-order models because of the low χ² value and the high correlation coefficient value. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47495.     

Processing of alumina-coated clay–diatomite composite membranes for oily wastewater treatment

Crack-free alumina-coated clay–diatomite composite membranes were successfully prepared by a simple pressing and dip-coating route using inexpensive raw materials at a temperature as low as 1000 °C in air. The changes of porosity, flexural strength, pore size, flux, and oil rejection rate of the membranes were investigated while changing the diatomite content. A simple burn-out process subjected to the used membranes in air completely recovered the specific surface area, steady state flux, and oil rejection rate of the virgin membranes. The recycled membranes showed an exceptionally high oil rejection rate (99.9%) with a feed oil concentration of 600 mg/L at an applied pressure of 101 kPa. The typical porosity, pore size, flexural strength, oil rejection rate, and steady state flux of the recycled alumina-coated clay–diatomite composite membrane were 36.5%, 0.12 μm, 32 MPa, 99.9%, and 6.91×10⁻⁶ m³ m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively, at an applied pressure of 101 kPa.     

Integrated ozone–photo–Fenton process for the removal of pollutant from industrial wastewater

The use of hybrid advanced oxidation processes(AOPs) for the removal of pollutants from industrial effluents has been extensively studied in recent literature. The aim of this study is to compare the performance of the photo,Fenton, photo-Fenton and ozone–photo–Fenton processes in terms of color removal and chemical oxygen demand(COD) removal of distillery industrial effluent together with the associated electrical energy per order. It was observed from the experimental results that the O_3/UV/Fe~(2 +)/H_2O_2 process yielded a 100% color and95.50% COD removals with electrical energy per order of 0.015 k W·h·m~(-3) compared to all other combinations of the AOPs. The effects of various operating parameters such as H_2O_2 and Fe~(2+) concentration, effluent pH, COD concentration and UV power on the removal of color, COD and electrical energy per order for the ozone–photo–Fenton process was critically studied and reported. The color and COD removals were analyzed using a UV/Vis spectrometer and closed reflux method.     

Mesoporous copper–cerium–oxygen hybrid nanostructures for low temperature catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide

Mesoporous copper–cerium–oxygen hybrid nanostructures were prepared by one-pot cetyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactant-assisted method, and were characterized by thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature-programmed reduction techniques. Low temperature carbon monoxide oxidation was used as probe reaction to investigate the application of the prepared mesoporous copper–cerium–oxygen hybrid nanostructures in catalysis. The product calcined at 400 °C, with disordered wormlike mesoporous structure, high specific surface area (SSA) of 117.4 m²/g and small catalyst particle size of 8.3 nm, shows high catalytic activity with the 100 % CO conversion at 110 °C, indicating its potential application in catalysis. Catalytic activity results from the samples calcinied at different temperature suggested that high SSA, small catalyst particle size, finely dispersed CuO species and synergistic effect between CuO and CeO₂ were responsible for the high catalytic activity of the catalysts.     

Hypochlorite generation on Ru–Pt binary oxide for treatment of dye wastewater

Ruthenium–platinum binary oxides [(Ru + Pt)O_x] were coated on titanium substrates by thermal decomposition. The surface morphologies and elemental analyses of these electrodes were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical behaviour was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear scanning voltammetry (LSV). The effects of electrolyte conditions on the current efficiency (CE) of hypochlorite production on binary (Ru + Pt)O_x electrodes and the treatment of a high salt-containing dye wastewater using this hypochlorite were also investigated. The highest CE for hypochlorite production occurred on the RP1 (20 mol% Pt in precursor) electrode. The major factors influencing CE for hypochlorite production were the electrolyte flow rate, current density and chloride ion (C1^–) concentration. The RP1 electrode exhibited the best removal of organics and chromophoric groups in the dye wastewater. On this electrode, better removal of organics and chromophoric groups was obtained at 300 mA cm^–2. The colour of black–red dye wastewater became light yellow when a charge of 13.2 A h was passed while the COD of the wastewater decreased from 10 500 to 1250 mg L^–1.     

Air–water interfacial synthesis of metal–organic framework hollow fiber membranes for water purification

In this study, we report a novel air–water interfacial self-crystallization (AWISC) method for scalable depositing continuous metal–organic framework (MOF) layers on modification-free polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fibers. Through importing MOF precursors into porous hollow fiber substrates with outer diameters of 1.2 mm and evaporating aqueous solutions under mild conditions, the metal ions and linkers close to solution surface can be concentrated firstly, thus the crystallization of MOFs will preferentially occur at interface of air and liquid precursors. The formed crystals can block off the pores of substrates to form defect-free MOF membranes. The prepared ZIF-8 membranes exhibit superior performance in molecular separation, with high rejections of 94.1 ∼ 99.5% for small molecules (molecular weight: 320 ∼ 800 Da) and large permeance up to 50 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹. Moreover, by combining AWISC and microfluidic processing, the high-performance ZIF-8 hollow fiber membranes with long length of 30 cm can be easily fabricated in scalability.