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[Display omitted] • SnS and SnS 2 are synthesized in the form of quantum dots from aqueous solutions. • Syntheses are conducted under room conditions thanks to application of ultrasound. • Influence of sonication time on QDs properties is investigated. • SnS and SnS 2 QDs were utilized as photo- and (for the first time) sonocatalysts. • The greatest color removal was observed in the case of SnS QDs sonocatalyst (85.2%) Our study reports the ultrasound-assisted synthesis of SnS and SnS 2 in the form of nanoparticles using aqueous solutions of respective tin chloride and thioacetamide varying sonication time. The presence of both compounds is confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, as well as Raman and FT-IR spectroscopic techniques. The existence of nanoparticles is proven by powder X-ray diffraction investigation and by high resolution transmission electron microscopy observations. The size of nanocrystallites are in the range of 3–8 nm and 30 50 nm for SnS, and 1.5–10 nm for SnS 2. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, used to investigate the chemical state of tin and sulphur atoms on the surface of nanoparticles, reveal that they are typically covered with tin on the same oxidation degree as respective bulk compound. Values of optical bandgaps of synthesized nanoparticles, according to the Tauc method, were 2.31, 1.47 and 1.05 eV for SnS (60, 90 and 120 min long synthesis, respectively), and 2.81, 2.78 and 2.70 eV for SnS 2 (60, 90 and 120 min long synthesis, respectively). Obtained nanoparticles were utilized as photo- and sonocatalysts in the process of degradation of model azo-dye molecules by UV-C light or ultrasound. Quantum dots of SnS 2 obtained under sonication lasting 120 min were the best photocatalyst (66.9 % color removal), while quantum dots of SnS obtained under similar sonication time were the best sonocatalyst (85.2 % color removal). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Cu2+ doped MgFe 2 O 4 have been synthesized by microwave combustion method. • Cu2+ doped MgFe 2 O 4 confirms cubic inverse spinel structure with Fd 3 ¯ m space group. • Structural and elementals are confirmed by XRD, XPS and EDX analysis for MgFe 2 O 4. • Hysteresis confirms Mg 1- x Cu x Fe 2 O 4 were shows a ferromagnetic behaviour in nature. • The detailed photocatalytic degradation mechanism of Mg 0.7 Cu 0.3 Fe 2 O 4 is discussed. This study presents the synthesis of Mg 1- x Cu x Fe 2 O 4 (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5) nanoparticles (NPs) using the direct microwave combustion method (MCM) with L-arginine as the fuel source. The samples were characterised comprehensively using various analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), High resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in the ultraviolet–visible (DRS-UV) range, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The cubic spinel structure was verified by X-ray diffraction analysis. It revealed an average crystallite size ranging from 15.8 to 26.6 nm. The oxidation states and elemental composition of Mg 1- x Cu x Fe 2 O 4 were evaluated using XPS analysis. Notably, the major absorption bands at 557 and 434 cm−1 corresponded to the tetrahedral (Mg2+ –O2−) and octahedral (Fe3+ –O2−) sites, respectively. HRSEM images showed agglomerated particles with elemental verification of Mg 1- x Cu x Fe 2 O 4. This was validated by EDX studies. The optical bandgap was determined by DRS-UV analysis. Functional groups were analyzed by FTIR spectra. Hysteresis loop measurements revealed the ferromagnetic properties of the obtained samples. Furthermore, the study evaluated the detailed mechanism of the photocatalytic degradation (PCD) of Mg 0.7 Cu 0.3 Fe 2 O 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bi 4 O 5 I 2 and AgI nanoparticles were anchored over g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets. • The ternary photocatalyst illustrated the highest activity in degradation of pollutants. • Activity was 58.4-folds greater than g-C 3 N 4 in RhB degradation under visible light. • A cascade mechanism was suggested to describe the enhanced photocatalytic activity. In this research, Bi 4 O 5 I 2 and AgI nanoparticles were anchored over g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets (denoted as NGCN/Bi 4 O 5 I 2 /AgI) to preparation highly impressive visible-light-driven samples. The synthesized nanocomposites were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDX), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), photocurrent density, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and photoluminescence (PL) analyses. Among the ternary photocatalysts, the NGCN/Bi 4 O 5 I 2 /AgI (20%) photocatalyst illustrated the highest photoactivity in degradation of rhodamine B (RhB), which was approximately 58.4, 15.2, and 12.8 times higher than the GCN, NGCN, and NGCN/Bi 4 O 5 I 2 (20%) samples, respectively. Furthermore, the O 2 − was discovered as the main species in the respective system by the quenching tests. Also, by studying the electrochemical properties, a cascade photocatalytic mechanism was suggested based on the energy bands to describe the enhanced charge carriers migration and separation, which caused impressive photocatalytic performances in degradations of four hazardous contaminants. This study highlights the rational anchoring of Bi 4 O 5 I 2 and AgI nanoparticles over NGCN to prepare highly efficient photocatalysts for wastewater remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Spherical morphology of Fe substituted Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles were produced by microwave refluxing technique. • The effect of high concentration of dopant Fe on the structural, optical and magnetic properties of Co 3 O 4 have been studied. • The absence of defect states in the samples were confirmed using photoluminescence spectroscopy. • The magnetization values were increased with augmentation of Fe concentration due to occurrence of ferromagnetic interactions in the samples. In the present investigation, ferromagnetic behavior has been identified for the Fe substituted Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles which produced by microwave refluxing method. The detailed investigation of magnetic properties with different concentration of Fe substitutions revealed the ferromagnetic behavior due to the anti-ferromagnetic interaction of magnetic sublattices. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) studies confirmed the spherical morphology of nanoparticles with a size between 8 and 20 nm. The absence of other phases than Co 3 O 4 was ruled out by XRD, TEM and Raman spectroscopy analyses. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis evidenced the presence of Fe3+, Co2+ and Co3+ ions in the samples. Photoemission spectra confirmed the absence of defect states in the samples. Magnetic measurement analysis revealed that the strong influence of Fe concentration on the saturation magnetization values of Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles. These structural and optical properties of the Fe substituted Co 3 O 4 are suitable for various gas sensor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sb 2 O 3 nanoparticles are successfully obtained under acidic condition. • Preparation of the Sb 2 O 3 nanoparticles is simple. • Surface morphology of Sb 2 O 3 nanoparticles is regulated by reaction time and pH value. • Formation mechanisms for Sb 2 O 3 microcrystals with diverse morphologies are proposed. Antimony trioxide (Sb 2 O 3) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via a facile and practical liquid phase method under acidic condition. The structure, composition and surface morphology of the as-prepared products have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The as-obtained products revealed a cubic phase of Sb 2 O 3 (JCPDS No. 05–0534) with a preferred plane of (2 2 2) and lattice spacing of a = 11.180 Å. Besides, Sb 2 O 3 octahedra, spherical and polyhedral nanoparticles, coral-like nanorod and paddy-like nanosheets have also been synthesized by the modulating reaction time and solution pH value under acidic condition. According to the results of the time-dependent and pH-dependent experiments, the possible formation mechanisms for Sb 2 O 3 nanocrystals with diverse morphologies have been proposed, which could be a favorable suggestion for the synthesis of other metal-oxide nanomaterials with morphology control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports new optical properties of niobium oxide (Nb 2 O 5) nanoparticles made in the form of nanogel synthesized by an ex-situ wet chemistry method. We studied the structural properties, inorganic/organic binding energy, nanoparticle crystallinity, and second harmonic generation optical properties, by means of X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and second harmonic generation microscopy. Results showed dark/bright field images of the nanogel, Nb 2 O 5 nanoparticles of ~7 nm, Fast Fourier Transform (FFTs) diffractograms, oxidation states of Nb5+, 4+, 3+, 2+, 1+, and 0, binding energies (C 1s) of nanogel, and SHG non-linear properties at 450 nm, and fluorescence at 710 nm, related to blue and green colors of the synthesized nanogel of Nb 2 O 5 nanoparticles, respectively • Nanogel of niobium oxide (Nb2O5) nanoparticles. • Properties of second harmonic generation. • Nonlinear optical properties useful for further applications in air/water treatment, and nanomedicine, just to mention a few. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remarkable electrocatalytic property of Pd nanostructures dispersed on CNS areca coated CFP electrode towards TEMPO mediated electrooxidation of pyridyl carbinol was reported for the first time. Carbon nanospheres (CNSs) derived from Areca catechu decorated with Pd nanoparticles were coated on carbon fiber paper (CFP) and was employed for electrooxidation of pyridyl carbinol in aqueous acidic medium. An environmentally benign and economic strategy was utilized for the preparation of CNSs obtained from Areca catechu. The physical characterizations, electronic state and chemical composition of the modified electrode were studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) techniques were used for analyzing the morphology of modified electrode. The electrochemical characterizations of the modified electrodes were performed by Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Pd decorated CNS areca dispersed on CFP electrode has exhibited strong electrocatalytic activity towards TEMPO mediated oxidation of pyridyl carbinol. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe x O y nanoparticles have been prepared by hydrothermal technique in the absence and presence of 5% polymer blend of PVA/PVP as structure-directing agent. The as-prepared nanoparticles have been characterized by powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet visible light spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). TEM, and HRTEM results revealed that the as-prepared nanoparticles were single crystalline and had semi-spherical morphology. Also, the results revealed that the presence of the polymer blend served as a structural controlling agent as the presence of the polymer blend produced Fe 3 O 4 (magnetite) nanoparticles selectively rather than γ-Fe 2 O 3 (maghemite) nanoparticles. The reasons behind the impact of polymer blend were investigated. This method represents a facile and polymorphs-selective synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles for different applications. Image 1069524 • Fe x O y nanoparticles had been prepared by hydrothermal technique. • Presence of the PVA/PVP served as a structural directing agent. • PVA/PVP selectively produced magnetite NPs selectively rather than maghemite NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-temperature carbonisation is used to prepare many traditional Chinese medicine charcoal drugs, but the bioactive haemostatic substances of these medicines and their mechanisms are still unknown. This study developed and evaluated nanoparticles (NPs) derived from Selaginella pulvinate Carbonisata (STC) for the first time. The haemostatic effect of STC-NPs prepared at 300, 350, and 400 °C were investigated in mouse tail amputation and liver scratch experiments. STC-NPs obtained at 400 °C had the strongest haemostatic effect, and were accordingly characterised by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. STC-NPs averaged 1.4–2.8 nm and exhibited a quantum yield of 6.06% at a maximum excitation wavelength of 332 nm and emission at 432 nm. STC-NPs displayed low toxicity against mouse monocyte macrophage RAW 264.7 cells by CCK-8 assay, and STC-NP treatment significantly shortened bleeding time in rat and mouse models. Coagulation assays showed that the haemostatic effects of STC-NPs were related to improving the fibrinogen and platelet contents, as well as decreasing the prothrombin time that resulted from stimulating extrinsic blood coagulation and activating the fibrinogen system. The STC-NPs had remarkable haemostatic effects in the tail amputation and liver scratch models; these effects may be associated with the exogenous coagulation pathway and activation of the brinogen system, according to the evaluation of the mouse coagulation parameters. This novel evaluation supports the material basis of STC use in traditional Chinese medicine, and this article is worthy of study by authors of clinical pharmacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]