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This study explores the synthesis of La 10 Si 6 O 27 :Sm3+ nanoparticles (LSNP) with varying samarium (Sm3+) concentrations (0–8 mol%) using eco-friendly solution combustion method with urea as a fuel. Using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), we determined that the nanoparticles typically measure between 15 and 17 nm and display a spherical morphology. These rare earth (RE)-doped nanoparticles were employed as a novel photocatalyst for the degradation of malachite green (MG) dye, exhibit unprecedented photocatalytic efficiency. The release of OH radicals during the degradation process was found to vary with the chemical structure and concentration of the photocatalyst, with the 6 mol% LSNP formulation showing a significant advancement under both UV and sunlight. Electrochemical assessments revealed that these nanoparticles exhibit excellent cyclic stability and robust performance. Notably, the specific capacitance of the nanoparticles increased with the samarium concentration, reaching a peak of 261.3 F/g in 0.1 M HCl. Furthermore, graphite-modified electrodes incorporating these nanoparticles showed significant potential as sensitive materials for detecting mercury and lead in concentrations as low as 1–6 mM, underscoring the versatility and functional adaptability of the synthesized nanoparticles in environmental and electrochemical applications. The prepared La 10 Si 6 O 27 :Sm3+ nanoparticles The nanoparticles demonstrated an optimal photocatalytic efficiency of 95.5 % under UV light and 88.15 % under sunlight at 6 mol% Sm3+ doping. Additionally, a peak specific capacitance of 261.3 F/g was achieved in 0.1 M HCl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a novel Y-NaBi(MoO 4) 2 @NaYF 4 :Yb, Tm composite was successfully synthesized for the first time by hydrothermal method. The lamellar Y-NaBi(MoO 4) 2 was dispersed on the surface of the hexagonal prism NaYF 4 :Yb, Tm without aggregation. The composite achieved a broad spectral response. The NaYF 4 :Yb, Tm absorbed near-infrared light and emitted ultraviolet and visible light by the energy transfer upconversion process. The emitted light was reabsorbed by Y-NaBi(MoO 4) 2 through the fluorescence resonance energy transfer process. Moreover, the doping of Y3+ ions enhanced the light response capability of the composite. The experimental results revealed that the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of ciprofloxacin (CIP) reached 96.2 % after 180 min of illumination under simulated sunlight. Meanwhile, the degradation pathways and attack sites of CIP were intensively investigated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and density functional theory theoretical calculations. The upconversion process, the separation of photogenerated carriers and rare earth metal ion doping all contributed to the high effective photodegradation. This work provided a new strategy for effective utilization of solar energy for the degradation of emerging pollutants to mitigate environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of global economy and industrialization, the management and protection of water resources have become increasingly important. In this paper, a novel three-dimensional Chitosan/Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2 @MXene photocatalyst with excellent degradation and bacterial inhibition properties was prepared by a simple one-step hydrothermal method using FeCl 3 ·6H 2 O, Chitosan (CS) and MXene (Ti 3 C 2) as main raw materials. TiO 2 was generated in-situ on the surface of Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets and modified by loading Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and CS films. The conformations and band gaps of the composites were modified, and then photocatalytic mechanisms, phase compositions, morphological structures, magnetic properties and photoelectrochemical properties of the photocatalysts were systematically analyzed. The degradation efficiency of the CS/Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2 @Ti 3 C 2 composite photocatalyst can reach 95.9 % when the ration of CS to FeCl 3 ·6H 2 O is 1:3 and the hydrothermal temperature is 180 °C, which showing excellent photocatalytic performance. Meanwhile, the inhibition rate of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is close to 98.91 % under the light condition. This study further reveals that visible light is a cost-effective way to treat pollution in terms of degradation and bacteriostatic inhibition, and the composite photocatalysts can be efficiently recycled and reused under the action of a magnetic field. [Display omitted] • CS/Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2 @MXene with excellent degradation and bacteriostatic properties was synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method. • Fe 3 O 4 formed Schottky heterojunction with TiO 2 generated in situ, CS formed a double-layer film regulation system with Ti 3 C 2. • Bacteriostatic system was built: Nanoparticles brought ROS, loaded on sharp sheets, wrapped by CS with positive charges. • The material also has outstanding cyclic degradation performance, can be easily recycled and reused due to its magnetism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the biggest problems in the ecosystem is wastewater contaminated with industrial dyes. These pollutants have a very stable chemical structure, which causes complicated removal. However, a possible alternative for wastewater treatment is zinc oxide semiconductor nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). The approach of this study was the implementation of a green synthesis methodology for the obtention of ZnO nanoparticles employing Ipomoea stans (TV) leaves as extracts. The properties of the ZnO nanoparticles synthesized at 1 %, 2 %, and 4 % w/v (weight/volume) concentration of the extract were obtained from the characterization using different techniques. The FTIR analysis determined the presence of the active functional groups attached to the surface, which capped and stabilized the ZnO NPs; a band located in the range of 500-390 cm−1 confirms the presence of the Zn–O bond. The UV absorption spectra of all ZnO NPs samples were determined by executing the ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy technique, with a characteristic signal located at ∼370 nm and energy gap values between 3.036 eV and 3.101 eV. In addition, XRD patterns determined the average crystallite sizes to be 30.78 nm for ZnO-TV 1 %, 18.68 nm ZnO-TV 2 %, and 11.96 nm ZnO-TV 4 %, respectively. Furthermore, the results from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) displayed the following values of mean particle size of 21 nm, 24.4 nm, and 10.16 nm for ZnO-TV 1 %, ZnO-TV 2 % and ZnO-TV 4 % with S.D. 9.10, 12.5 and 3.6. Finally, the photocatalytic activity was evaluated utilizing the industrial dyes Methyl Orange, Methylene Blue, Rhodamine B, Malachite Green, and Congo Red. Obtaining outstanding results in the degradation of all industrial dyes. All syntheses achieved degradation greater than 91 % for methyl orange, methylene blue, and rhodamine B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical anodization, under a constant voltage of 45 V and for 15, 30, and 45 min, was performed to fabricate highly ordered TiO 2 nanotubes. Depending on the processing paramters, the diameter of the TiO 2 nanotubes was found to be around 95 ± 6 nm, while the thickness of TNT layer exhibited a change with anodizing time, varying from 1 to 4 μm. Subsequent to the anodization α-Fe 2 O 3 /TiO 2 heterogeneous structure was created by the spin coating of iron precursor based solutions on TiO 2 nanotubes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were utilized to ascertain the phase structure and morphology of TiO 2 nanotubes. The change of optical band gap values depending on the processing parameters was calculated using UV–Vis spectrophotometer data. The photocatalytic performances of the samples, namely the degradation rates and kinetics, were evaluated by examining the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB). The (TC15) sample, obtained by anodizing for 15 min and decorated with α-Fe 2 O 3 , exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity, with a degradation efficiency of 70 % at the end of 7 h of light exposure. On the other hand, the inhibition percentages of bacterial growth were examined and it was seen that the TC30 sample with the highest value was 88.89 % for E.coli bacteria and 70.57 % for S.aureus. To assess the mechanism of antimicrobial activity, ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) Analysis were perfomed on T30 and TC30 groups and the ROS amount of TC30 was higher than T30. According to the results of the L929 mouse fibroblast cytotoxicity experiment with indirect contact according to ISO 10993-5 standards, all samples showed a successful performance in terms of cell viability. The cell viability of TC15 was higher in comparison to the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regular octahedral CdS/K 2 Nb 2 O 6 core-shell Z-Scheme heterojunction is synthesized via an approach of hydrothermal-chemical method. The CdS/K 2 Nb 2 O 6 nano-heterojunction (CdS/KNO-3) exhibits arresting enhanced photocatalytic HER (∼634.39 μmol g−1 h−1)/degradation (∼0.05428 min−1) than the monomer K 2 Nb 2 O 6 (∼27.8/14.4 folds) and CdS (∼20.3/10.0 folds), including a decent stability (average HER of ∼621.39 μmol∙g−1 h−1). It can be mainly attributed to the CdS/K 2 Nb 2 O 6 Z-Scheme heterojunction with appropriate potential gradient can promote the interface carrier driving to optimize carrier efficiency, including increasing carrier transport, extending carrier lifetime and reducing recombination. Additionally, the octahedral core-shell nanostructure can provide numerous active sites for decreasing overpotential and promoting electron diffusion, while improving the solar efficiency (high solar response of CdS), including shorting carrier pathway for photocorrosion optimization and increasing structural stability. [Display omitted] • Z-scheme heterojunction optimize carrier efficiency by greater Fermi levels gradient. • Core-shell structure can increase active sites to promote electron diffusion. • CdS nano-shell can enhance visible light response and shorten carrier pathway. • Regular octahedral nano-structure can increase structural stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for materials to treat wastewater is especially crucial. Herein, we have prepared 1D molybdenum oxide (MoO 3) nanobelts through a hydrothermal approach. The binary (MoO 3 /SiO 2) and ternary composites of MoO 3 /SiO 2 /MXene were synthesized via ultrasonication route. The as-prepared MoO 3 , MoO 3 /SiO 2, and MoO 3 /SiO 2 /MXene composites were employed to investigate the photocatalytic behavior of two organic dyes, methyl orange (MO) and crystal violet (CV). The % degradation of MO in the presence of MoO 3 nanobelts and MoO 3 /SiO 2 was calculated to be 48.9 % and 74.4 %, respectively. In the case of CV dye, the degradation (%) was observed at 53.7 % and 75.9 %. The MoO 3 /SiO 2 /MXene composite revealed the best photocatalytic behavior against both MO and CV dyes by removing 94.7 % and 97.7 % under visible light irradiation. The rate constant values of MoO 3 nanobelts, MoO 3 /SiO 2 and MoO 3 /SiO 2 /MXene composite for MO dye were calculated to be 0.00568 min−1, 0.01156 min−1, and 0.02399 min−1 and for CV dye 0.00679 min−1, 0.01208 min−1, and 0.02798 min−1 respectively. A scavenging test was carried out to monitor the main photo-active species that take part during the photocatalysis and hydroxyl radicals were found to be the highly active species during whole photodegradation progression. The SiO 2 particles function as a good adsorbent medium and transfer the adsorbed organics toward more active sites to advance the reaction. 2D MXene nanosheets, as good conductors, reduce the recombination rate of charges, offer large surface area, and facilitate fast transfer of charges. The results suggest that MoO 3 /SiO 2 /MXene composite is a potential contender for wastewater remediation applications. [Display omitted] • Ternary composite (MoO 3 /SiO 2 /MXene) was synthesized using an ultrasonication approach, with a crystallite size of 19.48 nm. • SEM analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of MoO 3 nanobelts and their ternary composite with SiO 2 and MXene sheets. • The synthesized samples were utilized for the photodegradation of two organic dyes, Crystal Violet and Methyl Orange. • The MoO 3 /SiO 2 /MXene nanocomposite demonstrated the highest photocatalytic activity against both dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphitic carbon nitride nanorods/titanium dioxide microspheres (g-C 3 N 4 NRs/TiO 2 MSs) Z-scheme heterojunctions were simply prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method, which showed improved visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl). The photodegradation activity of g-C 3 N 4 NRs/TiO 2 MSs is 6.6 and 1.9 times better than that of pristine g-C 3 N 4 and TiO 2 , which is assigned to the unique morphology and formed heterojunction. Hydroxyl radical (⋅OH) and superoxide radical (⋅O 2 −) were the main species for TC-HCl photodegradation according to capture experiments, and a possible mechanism is proposed. This study provides an effective reference for the preparation of binary heterostructures with excellent photocatalytic activity from a simplified process. Z-scheme g-C 3 N 4 NRs/TiO 2 MSs heterojunction was successfully constructed from the simple one-step process which shows enhanced photocatalytic activity and good stability for treating refractory tetracycline hydrochloride. The enhancement is assigned to unique morphology and the formed heterojunction which facilitates charge transfer and visible light absorption. [Display omitted] • Z-scheme g-C 3 N 4 NRs/TiO 2 MSs heterojunction was simply constructed by a one-step hydrothermal method. • TiO 2 microspheres were tightly attached to the surface of g-C 3 N 4 nanorods. • g-C 3 N 4 NRs/TiO 2 MSs (0.8:1) shows 6.6-fold higher TC-HCl degradation rate than g-C 3 N 4 NRs. • The improved activity is related to the unique morphology and heterojunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ALD is a versatile method for creating functional barriers for primary packaging materials. • ALD metal oxide coatings prevented formation of extractables and leachables as analyzed by hydrolytic resistance, water conductivity and ICP-OES in standard test conditions. • Functionality, such as transparent protection from UV–Vis light or hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, could be tailored by ALD films. Novel pharmaceuticals and drug delivery devices may require better performance from the packaging material e.g., in terms of extractables and leachables, and unwanted interactions. To address this, we applied atomic layer deposition (ALD) to build nanometer-range SiO 2 , ZrO 2 and Al 2 O 3 -TiO 2 films on primary packaging glass. Controlled modification of the surface also enabled creation of functionality without affecting visual appearance of the material. ALD-coated Type I borosilicate vials were compared to uncoated ones, and tailored functionality was presented by appropriate measurements. The tested ALD coatings formed a barrier on glass against extractables and leachables, from the vial and the coating alike. A good ALD coating prevents any leakage into the stored drug product. Hydrolytic resistance results improved by 85–92 %, and these results correlated well with straightforward water conductivity measurements. Opposite to uncoated borosilicate glass vials, no extracted elements could be detected from the extracts of the coated vials with stable ALD films. Improved surface integrity was observed with electron microscopy as well. ALD films increased hydrophilicity of the surface and tuning the ALD film thickness and composition allowed precise blocking of UV light wavelengths, without affecting transparency. As a conclusion, ALD is a versatile method to create barrier and functional films on primary packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability of fresh water is limited compared to its huge consumption. Conversely, certain industries like dyes, textiles, paper, and tanning not only consume vast quantities of fresh water, but also generate significant amounts of wastewater that poses severe threats to living organisms. The present investigation focuses on the degradation of Rhodamine-B (Rh–B) as a model pollutant by using the nanocomposite based on waste scrap tire-derived activated carbon (AC) and titanium dioxide (TiO 2). These nanostructures were fabricated using wet chemistry techniques. Analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the morphology of the structures remained largely unchanged even with a concentration of 6 mg of AC. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed the successful fabrication of rutile and anatase phases of TiO 2 @AC nanocomposite. The XPS results confirmed the presence of AC and TiO 2 in the composite. Furthermore, the optical band gap of the nanocomposites decreased up to 17.17 % and 34.57 % through direct and indirect methods respectively, owing to the varying quantity of AC used. The narrowing of optical band gap and the increased surface oxygen vacancies were caused by the successive addition of AC during the synthesis of nanocomposites. This resulted in the efficient degradation of Rhodamine-B (Rh–B) using adsorption and photocatalytic oxidation. The findings demonstrate a significant influence of AC on the TiO 2 catalyst in the removal of Rh–B dye. The maximum efficiency of dye removal, reaching up to 99.14 %, was achieved with the highest concentration of AC, thus demonstrating almost complete elimination of Rh–B dye. The findings suggest that the use of waste scrap tires can be effectively applied to design efficient photocatalysts for addressing the wastewater management issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focuses on the synthesis and characterization of nanoscale nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles doped with manganese (Mn) utilizing the cost-effective co-precipitation technique. For extensive characterization, a range of analytical methods are used, such as photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV) spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. The findings demonstrate that the addition of Mn causes the synthesized nanoparticles' crystalline size to decrease, which narrows the band gap to 3.13 eV. Furthermore, compared to pure NiO (44.11 m2/g), the surface area of Mn-doped NiO increases to 178.87 m2/g. Also as compared to pure NiO the electron-hole recombination rate of % Mn-doped NiO has decreased and an increase in the defect is observed. The study of Mn-doped NiO nanoparticles' photocatalytic activity against Rhodamine B (Rh. B) demonstrates their improved efficiency under solar light irradiation, as evidenced by their degradation up to 97.57 %, which is higher than that of pure NiO (90.94 %) in 70 min. Numerous aspects are investigated, including pH, catalyst dosage, original dye concentration, and scavenger studies. Studies on regeneration show that 5 % Mn-doped NiO nanoparticles may be recycled effectively and steadily for up to five cycles. These results demonstrate how effective photocatalysts for environmental remediation applications may be made from Mn-doped NiO nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, ultra-small nickel nanoparticles on NiFe 2 O 4 (Ni@NiFe 2 O 4) and Ni@NiFe 2 O 4 /ZnO magnetic nanocomposites were synthesized and utilized for the solar light-driven photocatalytic degradation of cefadroxil. The drug cefadroxil is widely used to treat bacterial infections and cefadroxil is a non-biodegradable pharmaceutical compound detected in the groundwater sources because of its low removal efficiency. The Raman active phonon at 540 cm−1 confirms the presence of Ni nanoparticles at the surface of NiFe 2 O 4 /ZnO. DR-UV-Vis analysis exhibited surface plasmon resonance at 350 nm for ultra-small nickel nanoparticles. The observed optical bandgap values for Ni@NiFe 2 O 4 and NiFe 2 O 4 /ZnO are 1.2 eV and 2.43 eV, respectively. Which indicates that these magnetic nanocomposites can be utilized for the mineralization of cefadroxil (β-lactam antibiotic) under ambient environmental conditions. The efficiency was determined by the direct solar light driven photocatalytic oxidation of cefadroxil in the presence and absence of peroxymonosulphate (PMS). The experimental findings exhibits that ∼95 % of cefadroxil (CDL) was eliminated by the ultra-small Ni@NiFe 2 O 4 /ZnO within 60 min (k = 7.5 × 10−4 s−1) of direct solar light irradiation. Further, the addition of PMS enhanced the photodegradation to achieve 100 % cefadroxil oxidation within 40 min (k = 25 × 10−4 s−1) of direct sunlight. The efficiency of the nanocatalyst was compared with controlled experiments and was found to be Fe 2 O 3 < ZnO < TiO 2 (P25) < Ni@NiFe 2 O 4 < Ni@NiFe 2 O 4 /ZnO under absence and presence of PMS. Moreover, ultra-small Ni@NiFe 2 O 4 /ZnO nanophotocatalyst were stable up to 3 consecutive cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, carbon nitride (MCN) samples were first prepared by the molten salt method, and then Fe-doped carbon nitride (MCN) was prepared by a two-step method of calcination and hydrothermal heating and used as a novel photocatalyst for the photodegradation of seawater for the generation of H 2 or O 2 and as a sacrificial agent when glucosamine hydrochloride is present. As a result, Fe species existed in the form of Fe3+/Fe2+ in the carbon nitride flakes, which reduced the bandgap width of modified molten-salt MCN and improved the photocatalytic performance. Compared with pure MCN prepared by the molten salt method, Fe-doped MCN has superior photocatalytic ability. The best photocatalytic performance was obtained over 0.5Fe-MCN composites. Photolysis of seawater under sunlight produced 1.41 mmol h−1g−1 H 2 and 0.12 mmol h−1g−1 O 2 , which is 5.54 and 7.6 times higher than BCN, respectively. In addition, glucosamine hydrochloride as a sacrificial agent can be completely decomposed while producing 15.84 μmol h−1g−1 H 2. This study provides a new research direction for photolysis of seawater for hydrogen and oxygen production. [Display omitted] • 0.5Fe-MCN catalyst demonstrates 5.54 and 7.6-fold increased activity for hydrogen and oxygen evolution, respectively. • 0.5Fe-MCN photocatalyst could completely remove glucosamine hydrochloride to produce 15.84 μmol g−1 H 2 per hour. • Fe doping MCN could enhance the optical properties by exciting n.→ π* electronic transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphite-phase carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) is widely recognized as a remarkable material for both the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production. In this study, we reported a method to obtain a broken hollow carbon nitride with nitrogen defects and hydroxyl groups, prepared from melamine and cyanuric acid through self-assembly. It demonstrated outstanding photocatalytic performance, achieving a 99.35% removal of Rhodamine B, 88.08% degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride, and a hydrogen production rate of 1671.12 μmol g−1 h−1, all of which are superior to the performance of bulk g-C 3 N 4. The superior redox performance was attributed to the significant increase in specific surface area and the synergistic effects of nitrogen defects and hydroxyl groups. These modifications effectively altered the built-in electric field, electronic structure, and redox potential of g-C 3 N 4. Experimental and theoretical analyses revealed that photogenerated electrons were enriched in nitrogen vacancies, while holes were captured by hydroxyl groups, resulting in the rapid transfer and separation of charge carriers. On this basis, possible synthesis pathways and photocatalytic mechanisms of the catalyst were proposed. This work provides a promising method for preparing modified carbon nitride with excellent photocatalytic performance. [Display omitted] • V N -CN-OH-45 shows a unique broken hollow tubular structure. • Nitrogen defects and hydroxyl groups synergistically enhance redox capacity. • DFT calculations indicate that defects facilitate charge separation and transfer. • Exceptional photocatalytic degradation of RhB and TCH. • Outstanding photocatalytic hydrogen production performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Perovskite LaZnO 3 photocatalyst was synthesized for SMZ removal under visible light. • Good light absorption and suitable energy levels eased the creation of radicals. • Degradation pathways were unraveled using RP-HPLC/Q-TOF-MS and DFT computation. • Toxicity of SMZ and its intermediates was evaluated using QSAR. In this work, the perovskite LaZnO 3 was synthesized via sol-gel method and applied for photocatalytic treatment of sulfamethizole (SMZ) antibiotics under visible light activation. SMZ was almost completely degraded (99.2% ± 0.3%) within 4 hr by photocatalyst LaZnO 3 at the optimal dosage of 1.1 g/L, with a mineralization proportion of 58.7% ± 0.4%. The efficient performance of LaZnO 3 can be attributed to its wide-range light absorption and the appropriate energy band edge levels, which facilitate the formation of active agents such as · O 2 −, h+, and · OH. The integration of RP-HPLC/Q-TOF-MS and DFT-based computational techniques revealed three degradation pathways of SMZ, which were initiated by the deamination reaction at the aniline ring, the breakdown of the sulfonamide moieties, and a process known as Smile-type rearrangement and SO 2 intrusion. Corresponding toxicity of SMZ and the intermediates were analyzed by quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR), indicating the effectiveness of LaZnO 3 -based photocatalysis in preventing secondary pollution of the intermediates to the ecosystem during the degradation process. The visible-light-activated photocatalyst LaZnO 3 exhibited efficient performance in the occurrence of inorganic anions and maintained high durability across multiple recycling tests, making it a promising candidate for practical antibiotic treatment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piezoelectric materials capable of generating an inherent electric field under strain, exhibit promising applications in in-situ piezocatalysis and enhanced photocatalytic activities. SrTiO 3 (STO) is a photocatalytic material, but it faces challenges such as low efficiency in photogenerated carrier separation and transfer, as well as limited reduction and oxidation reactions. To address these issues, this study utilized the piezoelectric properties of tetragonal BaTiO 3 (BTO) nanoparticles and the photocatalytic properties of STO to prepare BaTiO 3 /SrTiO 3 composite materials for piezoelectric assisted photocatalytic degradation of dyes. Disperse BTO nanoparticles with different mass ratios in STO spinning solution to produce a suspension, which is electrospun to form BTO-STO-1:x. The optimal degradation performance and catalytic activity of BTO-STO-1:x were determined through testing to identify the best composite material. It provides a robust foundation for underpinning the coupling mechanism between the enhancement of piezoelectricity and photocatalytic effect, offering an efficient pathway for advancing the field of piezoelectric assisted photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceria has attracted a lot of interest in scientific community due to its several technological uses. During this study, composite hydroxide-mediated method was used to prepare nanocubes of undoped and doped ceria. The prepared materials were characterized using a number of analytical techniques including room temperature powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) theory, and UV–Visible spectroscopy to investigate the structural, morphological, optical and photocatalytic properties. No impurity phases were observed from the XRD revealing face centred cubic (FCC) crystal symmetry of the undoped and doped ceria. The formation of nanocubes was confirmed by SEM. Pore sizes in the range of 24.9–29 mm were revealed by BET analysis. A gradual increase in photodegradation efficiency with an increase in irradiation time was seen for the doped samples compared to undoped ceria, showing suitability for photocatalytic applications. An increase in defect concentrations especially for Sr2+ doped samples indicated by the quantitative analysis of Raman spectra reveals potential for electrolytic applications in fuel cells provided necessary conductivity and long-term performance testing would need to be done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Removing persistent organic effluents from water through photocatalytic using visible light is a promising avenue of research. However, due to its broad band gap, BiPO 4 can only respond to ultraviolet radiation. In this work, we have succeeded in forming a novel type II p-Bi 3 O 4 Cl/n-BiPO 4 heterojunction by a simple solid-state reaction. This heterojunction enhances the efficiency of migration and separation of photogenerated charge carriers and subsequently improves the photocatalytic activity of BiPO 4 under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic activities of BiPO 4 and Bi 3 O 4 Cl increased by 61- and 4-fold, respectively, during 2 h of visible light irradiation for RhB degradation. The decomposition mechanism behind the improved rates is discussed based on trapping experiments, optical, electrochemical and photoluminescent findings. Furthermore, we assessed the stability and regeneration efficiency of the p-Bi 3 O 4 Cl/n-BiPO 4 heterojunction photocatalyst through five photocatalytic cycles. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photocatalyst would be a promising method for easing energy crisis and improving ecological environment. However, the high photo-generated carrier recombination and photocorrosion would be the core issue for restricting its actual applications, and can be ameliorated by the surface heterojunction modification. The Bi 2 WO 6 /CdS hollow core-shell S-scheme nano-heterojunction is synthesized via chemical-hydrothermal method. Bi 2 WO 6 /CdS nano-heterojunction (Bi 2 WO 6 /CdS-3) exhibits signally enhanced visible light HER (∼1250.33 μmol g−1·h−1)/degradation ciprofloxacin (∼85.0%/24 min, ∼0.07580 min−1) than monomer CdS (∼36/5.9-folds) and monomer Bi 2 WO 6 (∼50/12.7-folds), including decent stability (average HER ∼1225.28 μmol∙g−1 h−1 and photodegradation ∼83.3%). It mainly attributes to the Bi 2 WO 6 /CdS S-scheme heterojunction with appropriate potential gradient can promote interface carrier driving to optimize efficiency and provide strong stronger reduction/oxidation, including increasing carrier transport, extending carrier lifetime, and reducing recombination. Additionally, the hollow core-shell structure can increase numerous active sites for decreasing overpotential and promoting electron diffusion, and improve solar efficiency (multiple reflections), including shorting carrier pathway for photocorrosion optimization, while enhancing structural stability. [Display omitted] • S-scheme heterojuction optimize carrier efficiency via greater Fermi levels gradient. • S-scheme heterojuction provide strong stronger reduction/oxidation. • Hollow core-shell structure increase active sites to promote electron diffusion. • Template auxiliary can regulate size accurately and form hollow structure easily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lanthanum doped MgTiO 3 (La–MgTiO 3 ; n (La): n (Mg) = 0.05:0.95) was synthesized using a sol–gel method, and a layer of this material was supported on quartz microspheres to produce La–MgTiO 3 (x%)/SiO 2 microspheres (LMTO(x%)/SiO 2 ; where x% represents the weight fraction of La–MgTiO 3 in the microspheres). The crystal size of MgTiO 3 decreased from 43.4 nm in La–MgTiO 3 to 29.2 nm in LMTO(20 %)/SiO 2 , and the bandgap energies increased from 3.34 eV (La–MgTiO 3) to 3.91 eV (LMTO(20 %)/SiO 2). The supported La–MgTiO 3 contributed the most to the total surface area of the LMTO(x%)/SiO 2 microspheres; further, the specific surface area of the microspheres decreased with decreasing La–MgTiO 3 content. The photoluminescence intensity of the microspheres was significantly lower than that of La–MgTiO 3. The activity of La–MgTiO 3 was enhanced after loading onto the quartz microspheres. The maximum photocatalytic activity was obtained using LMTO(40 %)/SiO 2 , while the azophloxine degradation efficiency slightly decreased after five reaction cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent studies we have reported on the near-UV light-induced degradation of iron complexes of various pharmaceutical excipients, such as Fe(III)-citrate and Fe(III)-amino acid complexes. Mechanistic studies revealed a common photo-degradation pattern, i.e. the formation of carbon dioxide radical anion, a potent reducing agent, via an alkoxyl/amino radical intermediate generated by light-induced ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) involving α-hydroxycarboxylates or amino acids. Herein, we confirm the proposed general photo-degradation pathways through the study of the iron complexes of other α-hydroxycarboxylates that may be present in protein formulations, such as lactate and glycolate. The results indicate that lactate generates even higher yields of •CO 2 − as compared to citrate, suggesting a significant potential of lactate for the promotion of photo-degradation in pharmaceutical formulations. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, type-II heterojunction WO 3 /BaTiO 3 and Z-scheme WO 3 /SrTiO 3 or WO 3 /Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 TiO 3 nanocomposite photocatalysts were constructed for photodegradation of organic pollutants in wastewater under visible light. The photocatalytic performance of three WO 3 /titanate systems were estimated. Some influencing factors such as molar ratio of WO 3 and titanates, light irradiation time, catalyst dose, and initial concentration of organic pollutants on the photocatalytic activity were investigated. The stability and reusability of three WO 3 /titanates systems were examined. Moreover, the production of some radicals in the three WO 3 /titanates photocatalytic systems was demonstrated, and the three WO 3 /titanates photocatalytic reaction mechanisms were compared. The results reveal that the configurations of WO 3 /titanates photocatalytic systems are transformed from type-II heterojunction WO 3 /BaTiO 3 with lower activity to Z-scheme WO 3 /SrTiO 3 and WO 3 /Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 TiO 3 with higher activity via the change of titanates. The WO 3 /titanate nanocomposites show higher photocatalytic activity at 3.0:1.0 M ratio of WO 3 and titanates, and WO 3 /Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 TiO 3 nanoparticles have superior photocatalytic activity. The order of photocatalytic activity is as follows: WO 3 /Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 TiO 3 > WO 3 /SrTiO 3 > WO 3 /BaTiO 3. Several organic pollutants, such as rhodamine B, methyl parathion, direct brilliant yellow-4R, and methylene blue, can be efficiently degraded using WO 3 /Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 TiO 3 under visible light, and the RhB has higher degradation rate. After four cycles, WO 3 /titanate nanocomposites still have relatively high stability and reusability. •OH plays a major role in three WO 3 /titanates photocatalytic degradation. It is expected that the Z-scheme WO 3 /Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 TiO 3 photocatalytic technology creates a good foreground for disposing of dyes and pesticides in water and wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis of ternary nanocomposites of BiFeO 3 -Graphene-KNbO 3 through simple solution method has been made at various concentrations of graphene ranging 0.025–0.1 % mole fraction. The obtained nanocomposite powders with varying content of graphitic phase were subjected to different characterization techniques such as XRD, Raman, SEM/EDX/Elemental mapping, HR-TEM, UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy, dielectric and photodegradation measurements. All above studies have provided the collective impression of the existence of all entities in the prepared ternary composites. Dielectric studies revealed that progressive loading of graphene content led to the increased pathway for the conduction of electrons in the sample. However, the loading of graphene at appropriate concentration has brought out increased dye degradation capacity of BiFeO 3 -Graphene-KNbO 3 ternary nanocomposites towards methylene blue dye. The results obtained from various studies have been discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For environmental applications, it is crucial to rationally design and synthesize photocatalysts with positive exciton splitting and interfacial charge transfer. Here, a novel Ag-bridged dual Z-scheme Ag/g-C 3 N 4 /CoNi-LDH plasmonic heterojunction was successfully synthesized using a simple method, with the goal of overcoming the common drawbacks of traditional photocatalysts such as weak photoresponsivity, rapid combination of photo-generated carriers, and unstable structure. These materials were characterized by XRD, FT–IR, SEM, TEM UV–Vis/DRS, and XPS to verify the structure and stability of the heterostructure. The pristine LDH, g-C 3 N 4, and Ag/g-C 3 N 4 /CoNi-LDH composite were investigated as photocatalysts for water remediation, an environmentally motivated process. Specifically, the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline was studied as a model reaction. The performance of the supports and composite catalyst were determined by evaluating both the degradation and adsorption phenomenon. The influence of several experimental parameters such as catalyst loading, pH, and tetracycline concentration were evaluated. The current study provides important data for water treatment and similar environmental protection applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes enhanced thermal stability and excellent electrochemical and photocatalytic performance of hierarchical structure of zinc-phthalocyanine (ZnPc) samples prepared through eco-friendly enhanced microwave (MW) synthesis over 5 min at T = 200 °C. The structure and morphology of the obtained ZnPc were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM), and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). At the same time, thermal stability was analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The obtained ZnPc with high crystallinity, pure crystalline phases and reflection peaks related to the β-form of ZnPc. The average crystallite size (D) of 74 nm was determined using the Debye-Scherrer equation for a peak at 2θ = 9.30°. AFM image presented ZnPc material as a distinguished multilayered crystal with a rhombus-shaped crystal structure that seems very smooth on its surface, while TEM images showed a hierarchical structure of synthesized ZnPc self-organized assembles from the needle-like morphology which are aligned at different orientations having length up to approximately 500 nm and with 20 nm in diameter. TGA and DTA showed that the decomposition process occurred at a high temperature of 649 °C, for a heating rate of 15 °C/min, indicating good thermal stability of the investigated ZnPc. The photocatalytic activity of the hierarchically structured ZnPc was evaluated using different initial concentrations of Reactive Blue 19 (RB-19), pH value, and catalyst dose. Additionally, the electrochemical performance of ZnPc as electrode material was investigated. This study indicates facile, low-cost, and green MW method can be used for the preparation of the needle-like form of ZnPc as a promising multifunctional material for the potential applications: in thermal energy storage in future solar power technologies, as electrode material exhibiting superior voltammetric response, with cathodic and anodic current values and as photocatalyst for degradation of RB-19 and other organic dye-pollutants. [Display omitted] • Needle-like form of ZnPc were acquired through microwave-аssisted synthesis. • Thermal stability of ZnPc at high-temperature decomposition, at around 640 °C. • An electrochemical and photocatalytic properties of ZnPc were investigated. • Effects of RB-19 concentration and pH value on the decolorization rate were studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A heterojunction composite of BiOI/ZnO was successfully synthesized on JE. • BiOI/ZnO composite exhibits a flower-like architecture on the cellulosic JE fiber. • The porous and 3D network structure of JE endows the synergistic effect. Semiconductor heterojunction engineering and three-dimensional (3D) architecture construction have been considered highly desirable strategies to enhance photocatalytic performance. Herein, a BiOI/ZnO composite photocatalyst with a 3D flower-like architecture was successfully prepared, which was stably immobilized on three-dimensional porous lignocellulosic biomass Juncus effusus (JE) fiber. The outstanding photocatalytic performance of the BiOI/ZnO-JE fiber was confirmed by the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC, 90%), ciprofloxacin (CIP, 79%), and norfloxacin (NOR, 81%). The enhanced photocatalytic activities were mainly attributed to the synergistic absorption performance of the lignocellulosic JE and the effective transfer and separation of charges. Moreover, the hydroxyl (·OH) and superoxide radicals (·O 2 −) are the main reactive species in the photocatalytic process according to the analysis. This work may provide a novel perspective for constructing high-performance lignocellulosic-based photocatalytic materials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of direct ink writing technology, combined with in-situ grown whiskers, has facilitated the development of 3D-printed ceramic catalyst supports-aluminum borate porous ceramics (ABPCs) with hierarchical pore structures. The optimal slurry consists of 0.2 wt% polycarboxylate, 19 wt% water addition, and 1.2 wt% sodium alginate. The most effective printing parameters are determined to be a 1.0 mm nozzle diameter, 10 mm/s printing speed, 4.0 kPa air pressure, and 0.4 mm layer height. After sintering at 1100 ℃, pure-phase aluminum borate (Al 18 B 4 O 33) ceramics are achieved, leading to the formation of needle-like aluminum borate whiskers. The aspect ratio of whiskers, flexural strength, BET-specific surface area, and photocatalytic activity of ABPCs increase initially and then decrease with increasing sintering temperature. The ABPCs coated with a titanium oxide layer display a photocatalytic degradation rate of 83.92% for methyl orange solution. These results underscore the immense potential of ABPCs in high-temperature catalyst support applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on developing self-cleaning matte ceramics based on polycrystalline hexaferrite for oil removal. The ceramics were glazed using glaze materials BaO, Fe 2 O 3 , ZnO, and TiO 2 with varying ZnO:TiO 2 ratios. The aim of this research was to determine the glaze composition that was able to provide the best self-cleaning/PA removal characteristics. After calcination at 1200°C, a polycrystalline hexaferrite compound formed, BaFe 12 ZnTiO 19. All ceramic samples demonstrated palmitic acid (PA) photodegradation, with CM3 (ZnO:TiO 2 ; 1:1) showing the highest efficiency. This efficiency correlated with CM3's lowest bandgap of 1.43 eV. The photodegradation of PA by CM3 follows first-order kinetics with rate constants of 0.0482 min−1 under UV irradiation and 0.0179 min−1 under visible irradiation. CM3 displayed exceptional durability, maintaining PA removal even after prolonged use, making it optimal for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we used an environmentally friendly green fuel combustion synthesis method to create Cu 3 Bi 3 S 7 (CBS) nanoparticles (NPs). A thorough characterization was carried out, including XRD, UV spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, PL spectroscopy, zeta potential analysis, BET Spectra and XPS Spectra. The formation of single-phase CBS NPs with average diameters of 50 nm was unequivocally confirmed by XRD analysis. UV spectroscopy revealed that the NPs absorbed significant visible light, highlighting their potential for use in photocatalytic degradation processes. The images from SEM and TEM clearly showed NPs with uniform size distribution and spherical morphology. The CBSNPs' defect state presence may be determined from the PL spectra. CBS NPs were particularly effective in photo-catalyzing the degradation of the indigo carmine (IC) dye when exposed to Uv light. Additionally, during an electrochemical sensing examination, the NPs demonstrated extraordinary sensitivity to glucose. Overall, our results highlight the tremendous potential for CBS NPs produced using ecologically friendly green fuel combustion synthesis to advance photocatalytic degradation and electrochemical sensing applications. • Cu 3 Bi 3 S 7 NPs synthesized by introducing a new green fuel combustion process. • Advanced techniques in the characterization of the NPs including detailed characterization. • Synthesis and evaluation of Cu 3 Bi 3 S 7 NPs for efficient photodegradation of dyes. • Electrochemical sensing applications investigation with focus on suitability for sensors construct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing solar energy to decompose tetracycline (TC) is a green strategy to treat wastewater. Herein, a heterogeneous hollow structured TiO 2 decorated Pt nanoparticles were successfully designed and synthesized via hard-template approach and photo-deposition process toward TC photodegradation. The Pt nanoparticles loaded on the surface of hollow structured TiO 2 can increase the visible light absorption due to the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect. Furthermore, owing to the tough electron oscillation of the LSPR excitation, the plasmonic hot holes on the surface of Pt nanoparticles can capture the electrons of TiO 2 , effectively facilitating the separation of photo-excited charge carriers because of the formation of Schottky junction constructed between Pt and TiO 2. Combined the natural merits of shorten conveying path of charge carriers and physical structural stability for hollow structure, the optimal Pt/TiO 2 hetero-junction hybrid showed superior photocatalytic activity and durability for TC photodegradation with the degradation efficiency of 93.8 ​% after 30 ​min and the rate constant of 0.09196 min−1 under 300 ​W Xe lamp irradiation. This work displays a heterogeneous hybrids catalyst based on eco-friendly metal and semiconductor materials which can be used in the fields including without limitation TC photodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotigotine (RTG) is a dopamine agonist used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. As it is susceptible to oxidation, stability studies must be carefully designed for the identification and characterization of all possible degradation products. Here, RTG degradation was evaluated according to the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines under various stress conditions, including acidic and basic hydrolysis, oxidative, metallic, photolytic, and thermal conditions. Additionally, more severe stress conditions were applied to induce RTG degradation. Significant degradation was only observed under oxidative and photolytic conditions. The samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array detectors, charged aerosol, and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Chromatographic analyses revealed the presence of eight substances related to RTG, four of which were already described and were qualified impurities (impurities B, C, K and E) and four new degradation products (DP-1 – DP-4), whose structures were characterized by high-resolution mass spectrometry through Q-Orbitrap and electrospray ionization. In the stress testing of the active pharmaceutical ingredient in solid form, significant RTG degradation was observed in the presence of the oxidative matrix. The results corroborate the literature that confirm the high susceptibility of RTG to oxidation and the importance of using different detectors to detect degradation products in forced degradation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article evaluates the current gaps around the impact of post-manufacturing processes on the product qualities of protein-based biologics, with a focus on user centricity. It includes the evaluation of the regulatory guidance available, describes a collection of scientific literature and case studies to showcase the impact of post-manufacturing stresses on product and dosing solution quality. It also outlines the complexity of clinical handling and the need for communication, and alignment between drug providers, healthcare professionals, users, and patients. Regulatory agencies provide clear expectations for drug manufacturing processes, however, guidance supporting post-product manufacturing handling is less defined and often misaligned. This is problematic as the pharmaceutical products experience numerous stresses and processes which can potentially impact drug quality, safety and efficacy. This article aims to stimulate discussion amongst pharmaceutical developers, health care providers, device manufacturers, and public researchers to improve these processes. Patients and caregivers' awareness can be achieved by providing relevant educational material on pharmaceutical product handling. [Display omitted] • After drug product manufacturing and release, drugs may experience additional stresses during transport and clinical handling that may potentially impact product quality, safety and efficacy. • This review highlights some of these complex post-manufacturing processes, from transport, pharmacy compounding and administration to patients. The controls of these processes can be governed by different national, states and local regulatory guideline, and sometimes follow non-harmonized practices, which lack the rigor of good manufacturing practices (GMP). • Many academic studies have been published to study drug stability, but they often lack the scientific rigors of GMP characterization due to the absence of validated analytical methods, well-characterized material, and risk-based experimental designs. In isolation, these observations provide an incomplete profile product stability profile and conflicts with recommendation from regulators and drug manufacturers. • The key to bridge these differences can be achieved through collaboration between industries, academics and regulators to better understanding product development and risks. RealHOPE project fosters data driven scientific research by bringing in industry expertise and resources to help academics improve on patient outcome and to help provide educational material for better understanding of drug product handling for all stakeholders including health care providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study conveyed an in-situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ss-AgNPs) using Solanum sisymbriifolium aqueous leaf extract (SsLE) and their biological activities for the first time. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of SsLE imparted significant amounts of reducing entities/ secondary metabolites. A surface plasmon resonance peak at ∼430 nm of UV–visible spectrum evidenced the formation of Ss-AgNPs. The average particle size of the Ss-AgNPs was found to be 29.87 nm through particle size analyzer. Further, FE-SEM, HR-TEM and XRD analysis verified the spherical shape and high degree of crystallinity with face-centred cubic structure of Ss-AgNPs. The EDX, elemental mapping and FTIR spectral studies, confirmed that various phytochemicals/ metabolites of S. sisymbriifolium leaf extract participated in bio-reduction process and capping of Ss-AgNPs, which might be accountable for the antioxidant activities. Moreover, SsLE and Ss-AgNPs were found to be a rich source of antioxidants and exhibited effective DPPH, H 2 O 2 , ṄO scavenging activities along with Ferric ion reducing antioxidant power. The synthesized Ss-AgNPs showed significant antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In addition to this, Ss-AgNPs supported the degradation of methylene blue (a cationic dye), by performing as a strong photocatalyst under UV and solar irradiations. [Display omitted] • First time report on green-synthesis of AgNPs using S. sisymbriifolium leaf extract. • AgNPs possessed profuse antioxidant property as monitored by four antioxidant assays. • AgNPs showed enhanced antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. • AgNPs acted as a strong photocatalyst under UV and solar irradiation by degrading MB dye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this research is to synthesize ZnO vertical nanorods on a conductive substrate through a novel approach. In this method, ZnO nanorods are grown on kanthal wires using the direct heating (DH) technique. The study investigated the application of ZnO nanorods in photodegradation, specifically in removing Sulfamethoxazole (SMX). Through comprehensive analysis techniques, including XRD, FESEM, and TEM, the successful growth of ZnO nanorods on kanthal wires is confirmed. Their photocatalytic activity in SMX degradation is evaluated at varying concentrations (3 ppm, 5 ppm, 10 ppm) under UV light. Notably, the ZnO sample produced under 80 W power and 120 min emerges as the most promising, exhibiting a high surface area of 36 m2g-1, larger length of 755 nm, and lower diameter of 12 nm, as well as superior SMX photodegradation percentages of 87.64 % (3 ppm), 77.86 % (5 ppm), and 51.84 % (10 ppm) after 60 min. These findings highlight the potential of synthesizing ZnO nanorods via DH technique as an efficient and sustainable solution for removing pharmaceutical contamination in water sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work demonstrates the preparation of Ni 0.5 Mn 0.25 Co 0.25 Ce x Fe 2-xO4 spinel nanoferrites (NMCCF nanoferrites) using the citrate combustion method. This study also investigated the characteristics of their structure, optics, and ability to degrade under light. The lattice strain and crystallite size of each NMCCF nanoferrite were measured by evaluating the XRD results using Williamson-Hall plots. The crystallite size was between 40 and 78 nm. The hopping lengths, bond lengths, surface areas, and densities of all NMCCF nanocrystals were measured and calculated. FTIR analysis showed two strong frequency bands at 571 and 390 cm−1, which are characteristic of spinel ferrites. SEM was used to investigate the particle size, composition, and distribution of the nanoferrites in the NMCCF sample. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the presence of spherical NMCCF nanoparticles and their tendency to aggregate. The Kubelka-Munk function and Tauc plots were used to predict the direct allowed E g value of the NMCCF samples. NMCCF0, NMCCF1, NMCCF2, NMCCF3, NMCCF4, and NMCCF5 exhibited bandgap values of 1.515, 1.545, 1.506, 1.507, 1.499, and 1.473 eV, respectively. The behavior of E g can be explained based on two criteria: doping impact and particle size. A comparative analysis of the photocatalytic degradation of the ideal sample (Ni 0.5 Mn 0.25 Co 0.25 Ce 0.1 Fe 1.9 O 4) and other published photocatalytic materials demonstrated that the NMCCF5 nanoferrite exhibited a greater ability to remove methylene blue dye (97.38 %, within 60 min) compared to those materials. In addition, this comparative investigation demonstrated the enhanced stability of photocatalytic degradation capability exhibited by the current nanoferrites (with just a 1.55 % loss in efficiency after five cycles). This paper introduces an innovative method for producing spinel nanoferrites, with a specific focus on their structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties, which can be useful in the field of water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excellent recyclability of SiC foam renders it an ideal catalyst in the field of photocatalytic degradation, however to further improve its photocatalytic efficiency remains a major challenge in current research. In this regard, a honeycomb-like porous SiC foam was successfully constructed through freeze-drying and polymer-to-ceramic derivation method, with two-dimensional Ti 3 C 2 T x nanosheets anchored on its three-dimensional framework. Their photocatalytic performances were evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible-light irradiation. All Ti 3 C 2 T x /SiC hybrid foams show superior photocatalytic degradation capability compared with SiC foam, with a highest removal rate (adsorption and degradation) reaching 94.4% for TSF-4, denoting an increasement of 50.4%. Even after five cycles, the removal rate remained at 91.4% with only a slightly loss of 3%, suggesting its excellent recycling performance. These desirable results stem from the unique structural design, in which the porous structure facilitates the contact between catalyst and pollutant, while the Ti 3 C 2 T x /SiC heterojunction promotes effective separation of photogenerated carriers. This work paves the way for the development of lightweight, efficient and easily recyclable photocatalyst for wastewater purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PEO coatings are formed by subjecting a metal substrate to an electrolytic plasma discharge, resulting in the formation of a porous and rough oxide layer. Herein, the significant role of the chemical composition of the electrolyte system and additives in the formation of an oxide coating on brass alloy in the PEO process was investigated. It was observed that the coating created with 8 g/l aluminate, 1 g/l NaOH, and 1 g/l KF electrolyte had higher homogeneity than other coatings. This is because a composite oxide coating of Cu 2 O, ZnO, and AlCuO 2 was formed. Methylene Blue (MB), a widely used dye in various industries, is known to be persistent and environmentally harmful. The photocatalytic activity of the PEO coating on brass for the removal of MB was investigated under visible light exposure. According to the results, the presence of the sample produced in an electrolyte containing 8 g/l Aluminate, 1 g/l NaOH, and 1 g/l KF resulted in a degradation rate of approximately 65 % for MB photodegradation after 6 h of irradiation. The PEO-coated brass shows promising photocatalytic efficiency compared to our research group's PEO-coated TiO 2 coatings, indicating its potential as a photocatalyst. The results highlight that PEO coating on brass could be a potential candidate for photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to optimize the synergistic effect in photocatalytic processes by facilitating the accumulation of graphene oxide (GO) layers onto ZnO nanoparticles, thereby achieving close contact between the two materials, leveraging the high surface-to-volume ratio and efficient charge transport pathways inherent in ZnO nanosheets. The performance of ZnO nanosheets in the photocatalytic degradation of Simazine was investigated, with the aim of further enhancing the performance of the best-performing sample through GO decoration. Accordingly, ZnO nanosheets were obtained by the sol-gel method using different concentration of zinc acetate hexahydrate as a zinc source. According to the obtained results, it was observed that the sample prepared with a concentration of 0.44 M zinc precursor salt exhibited the best performance with a degradation rate of 67 %. In order to improve the performance of the sample prepared under this condition, graphene oxide (GO) was integrated into ZnO nanosheets to form a ZnO/GO nanocomposite structure. This composite structure achieved a photodegradation efficiency of 85 % for Simazine. The data obtained showed that the use of GO-based ZnO nanocomposites can improve charge separation, light absorption, charge transport and photo-oxidation of organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photocatalytic technology for treating various industrial wastes is extremely effective nowadays, but single-phase catalysts had many limitations such as narrow photoresponse range and high carrier recombination rate in practical application. Using V 2 C MXenes material as a co-catalyst, a series of V 2 C/Bi 2 WO 6 flower-like complexes with dual 2D structures were obtained through facile hydrothermal method, in which Bi 2 WO 6 was in situ grown on the surface of V 2 C. Compared with pure Bi 2 WO 6 , the prepared composite catalysts exhibited enhanced response in the visible light range and improved degradation rates, which were up to 0.0713 min−1 (4.55-fold enhancement) and 0.00965 min−1 (9.37-fold enhancement) for the degradation of MB and phenol, respectively. V 2 C helped to increase the photocurrent response, thus improving the photogenerated carrier separation and transport performance; meanwhile the good photothermal conversion characteristics of V 2 C also helped to utilize the infrared wavelength light for heat conversion, which made the prepared hybrids exhibit good cycling stability and environmental adaptability. This work expanded the application of V 2 C MXene materials in photocatalysis by constructing V 2 C/Bi 2 WO 6 heterojunctions with unique morphology, excellent electrochemical and photothermal conversion properties, aiming to provide a new idea for the efficient treatment of complex industrial pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductor photocatalysts are promising for Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and also for reducing organic pollutants in wastewater. However, their limited activity under UV light and the fast recombination of electron-hole pairs, hinder their utilization in wastewater treatment. To address these challenges a novel photocatalyst based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs) supported Zinc–Cobalt Oxide (ZnCo 2 O 4) was developed, which demonstrated enhanced photocatalytic efficiency. Experimental findings indicated that 0.7 CQDs/ZnCo 2 O 4 exhibited superior photocatalytic performance compared to ZnCO 2 O 4 and CQDs/ZnCO 2 O 4 composites materials, achieving over 100 and 96 % decomposition of methylene blue (MB) and methylene orange (MO) dyes after 50 and 140 min under UV light. The enhanced performance of 0.7 CQDs/ZnCo 2 O 4 can be attributed to the charge transfer rate and synergistic effect between the coupled CQDs and ZnCo 2 O 4. Moreover, studies with radical scavengers reveal that •O 2 , •OH, and h+ play crucial roles in the breakdown of MB and MO dyes. Furthermore, 0.7 CQDs/ZnCo 2 O 4 displayed very low overpotential of 220 mV at 100 mA cm−2 for OER activity with a robust durability for 250 h at 500 mA cm−2. • CQDs-decorated ZnCo 2 O 4 Mss was developed by facile impregnation-thermal methode. • The enhanced catalytic activity of CQDs/ZnCo 2O 4 is due to the n-p junction, which generatesholes, ●OH, and ●O 2−. • Optimized 0.70 CQDs/ZnCo 2O 4 achieves nearly100% MB degradation in 50 min. • The photocatalytic degradation mechanism of CQDs/ZnCo 2O 4 MSs enhanced charge separation and improve overall photocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Synthesis and characterization of graphitic carbon nitride with nanorod structure (Nr-GCN) via hydrothermal pretreatment method. • Fabrication of polystyrene (PS) fibrous mat using simple one-step electrospinning technique. • Stabilization of Nr-GCN nanoparticles on the PS fibers by spin coating method. • Investigation of the performance of nanoparticles and photocatalytic fibers in adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of oilfield-produced water pollutants under visible light irradiation. • Study of kinetic and isotherm of adsorption, as well as the kinetic of photocatalytic degradation. • Synergistic effect of oil contaminants adsorption by PS fibers and simultaneously photocatalytic degradation by Nr-GCN nanoparticles improved the oilfield-produced water treatment. Graphitic carbon nitride with nanorod structure (Nr-GCN) was synthesized using melamine as a precursor without any other reagents by hydrothermal pretreatment method. XRD, FTIR, SEM, N 2 adsorption-desorption from BET, UV–Vis DRS spectroscopy, and photoluminescence were used to characterize the prepared samples. Also, the photoelectrochemical behavior of nanoparticles was studied by photocurrent transient response and cyclic voltammetry analysis. Polystyrene (PS) fibrous mat was fabricated by electrospinning technique and used as a support for the stabilization of the nanoparticles. The performance of the synthesized nanoparticles and photocatalytic fibers (PS/Nr-GCN) was evaluated in oilfield-produced water treatment under visible light irradiation. During this process, oil contaminants were adsorbed by hydrophobic polystyrene fibers and simultaneously degraded by Nr-GCN. The removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) has been obtained 96.6% and 98.4% by Nr-GCN and PS/Nr-GCN, respectively, at the optimum conditions of pH 4, photocatalyst dosage 0.5 g/L, COD initial concentration 550 mg/L, and illumination time 150 min. The gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis results showed 99.3% removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons using photocatalytic fibers of PS/Nr-GCN. The results demonstrated that the GCN has outstanding features like controllable morphology, visible-light-driven, and showing high potential in oily wastewater remediation. Moreover, the synergistic effect of adsorption and photocatalytic degradation is an effective technique in oilfield-produced water treatment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the influence of Cu doping and gamma irradiation on the photocatalytic activity of lead sulfide (PbS) nanoparticles for methylene blue (MB) degradation under solar light. The optical bandgap of the γ-irradiated Pb (1-x) Cu x S (where x = 0 to 0.02) was calculated between 2.29 eV - 2.72 eV, facilitating the modulation of optical bandgaps in PbS. Additional analyses incorporating photoluminescence and the Brunauer (Emmett) Teller method were used to determine optical properties, surface area, and pore distribution. The photocatalytic degradation of MB under sunlight irradiation was investigated. The photocatalytic activity was enhanced with the increasing rate of MB degradation. Notably, gamma-irradiated Pb 0.99 Cu 0.01 S exhibited a remarkable MB degradation efficiency of 73.64 %, demonstrating its stability over three consecutive cycles. This underscores its inherent stability and potential for repeated use. Overall, these findings highlight the significant potential of gamma-irradiated Cu-doped PbS nanoparticles as durable, renewable photocatalysts for efficient degradation in an aqueous media, thereby offering a promising approach for environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface defect engineering is a promising strategy for enhancing the number of surface-active sites to facilitate efficient redox reactions that occur on the surface of a photocatalyst. A green approach was employed to prepare urea- and choline-chloride-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) for the synthesis of ZnO/Zn(OH) 2 supported by a DES complex (Zn precursor). Surface defects on ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were tailored by decomposing the Zn precursor in air. In addition, calcination improved the crystallinity and surface-active sites of the defective ZnO by creating surface oxygen vacancies (V o). The appearance of an Electron paramagnetic resonance peak at a g value of 1.96 confirms the formation of single-charged V o defects on the surface of ZnO. The photocatalyst prepared at a reaction bath temperature of 75 °C (V o -ZnO-75) showed the highest photocatalytic activity. The observed green emission in the photoluminescence spectrum and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis suggests the formation of defects on the ZnO surface. Consequently, V o -ZnO-75 enhanced surface donor density (14.4×1020 cm−3) and lower charge transfer resistance (88.89 × 103 Ω). The optimized photocatalyst of V o -ZnO-75 has 94% removal efficiency for rhodamine B degradation within 60 min. This study sheds new light on the development of an efficient and eco-friendly approach for preparing defective ZnO NPs for photocatalytic applications. Green synthesis route for preparing oxygen vacancies on the ZnO NP surface through the decomposition of the DES-prepared Zn precursor. The efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers on self-assembled defective ZnO NPs can enhance the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. [Display omitted] • Development of ZnO NPs using a green synthesis approach involving a deep eutectic solvent-assisted process. • The released NH 3 from the deep eutectic mixture is beneficial for forming nucleation centers that facilitate ZnO growth. • Oxygen vacancy defects were created on the ZnO surface through the thermal decomposition of the DES-prepared precursor. • Employing a decomposition-controlled deep eutectic mixture in the synthesis of ZnO NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Modification of PEO coatings on Mg alloys by LDH offers a promising avenue for enhancing the protective properties of these materials. • Integration of LDH layers or nanoparticles into PEO coatings has demonstrated significant improvements in corrosion resistance. • Incorporation of LDH layers into PEO coatings significantly enhances their antibacterial and photocatalytic properties. There is an increasing interest in the development of Mg alloys, both for industrial and biomedical applications, due to their favorable characteristics such as being lightweight and robust. However, the inadequate corrosion resistance and lack of antibacterial properties pose significant challenges in the industrial and biomedical applications, necessitating the implementation of advanced coating engineering techniques. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) has emerged as a preferred coating technique because of its distinctive properties and successful surface modification results. However, there is a continuous need for further enhancements to optimize the performance and functionalities of protective surface treatments. The integration of layered double hydroxide (LDH) into PEO coatings on Mg alloys presents a promising approach to bolstering protective properties. This thorough review delves into the latest developments in integrating LDH into PEO coatings for corrosion-related purposes. It particularly emphasizes the significant improvements in corrosion resistance, antibacterial effectiveness, and photocatalytic performance resulting from the incorporation of LDH into PEO coatings. The two key mechanisms that enhance the corrosion resistance of PEO coatings containing LDH are the anion exchangeability of the LDH structure and the pore-sealing effect. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of PEO coatings with LDH stemmed from the release of antibacterial agents stored within the LDH structure, alterations in pH levels, and the photothermal conversion property. Furthermore, by incorporating LDH into PEO coatings, new opportunities emerge for tackling environmental issues through boosted photocatalytic properties, especially in the realm of pollutant degradation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]