Search

An experimental analysis comprising pongamia, soyabean, and corn biodiesel was selected and mixed with diesel and di-butyl ether at different proportions for its viability and phase separation. The test samples were experimentally confirmed for their density, sound speed, and refractive index characteristics by varying the temperatures between 298 K and 343 K. The mixing models, namely the Lorentz-Lorenz (L-L) and Gladstone-Dale (G-D) methods, were tested for the uncertainty of experimental results. The use of artificial neural networks (ANN) was made as an attempt to characterize the backpropagation algorithm's gradient to pursue the minimum error function of experimental and mixing models. The L-L and G-D with and without ANN equations were used to compare the different proportions and temperatures for the fuel blends of D50PD50, D50PD45DBE05, and D50PD25DBE25, and so on. Furthermore, each sample has been computed for the excess molar volume, and interactions between the liquids have been verified. The exergy analysis for PD, SB, and CB biodiesel under ambient conditions and the experimental and predicted results of energy destruction can be narrowed. The use of ternary fuel in place of diesel shows significant improvements in terms of energy annihilation and homogeneity, which have a lesser impact on emissions and the environment. [Display omitted] • Qualitative proportions endorse fuel parameters due to temperature influences. • Experimental and mixing model error analysis using the ANN backpropagation algorithm. • Hypothetical and attainable outcomes of ternary blends in energy and exergy analysis. • Exergy analysis provides substantial prospects for resolving environmental problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen vacancies and its associated defect states have a great influence on the electronic and structural aspects of semiconductor photocatalysts, yet there is paucity of investigations about the influence of the defect states on their photocatalytic properties. Herein, this study reports the hierarchical fabrication of oxygen vacancy enriched ZnO/ZnMn 2 O 4 /ZnS-PVA nanocomposite (NCs) for the enhanced photodegradation of rifampicin and co-trimoxazole. The formation of lattice expansion induced oxygen vacancies and its associated Urbach tail energy, and n-p-n heterojunction-based S-scheme charge transfer path synergistically contributed to the boosted photocatalytic performance of the as prepared NCs. The photocatalytic performance of the nanomaterial towards rifampicin and co-trimoxazole has been determined to be 80% and 90% under visible light irradiation, respectively. Furthermore, various operating parameters including the concentration of NCs and drug, pH and interference of various ions have been evaluated. The degraded product intermediates have been elucidated by GC-MS analysis. The toxicity of the as-prepared nanomaterials has been evaluated by treating the samples with root tips of Allium cepa , where the NCs was found to be non-toxic. The study provides a new-fangled insight on the preparation and fabrication of non-toxic and defect rich nanomaterials which may help stimulate this area of research. [Display omitted] • ZnO–ZnMn 2 O 4 –ZnS assembled nanocubes has been synthesized using a facile coprecipitation method. • Correlation among the Urbach tail energy and enhanced photocatalysis has been established. • Effects of various environmental factors have been evaluated systemically. • QSAR method has been exploited for intermediate toxicity evaluation. • A thermodynamically feasible charge transfer path has been proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalysis is a reliable technology to treat polluted wastewater. Herein, we report S-scheme photocatalyst namely ZnS/CdS nanocomposites (NCs) with S-vacancies and interstitial defect states, immobilised on the polymer matrix of cellulose and chitosan. It showed significant performance in photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye. Defect sites present in ZnS facilitates charge separation and two-photon excitation concomitantly with a bandgap shift in ZnS/CdS NCs to 2.65 eV and promotes visible light harvesting. XRD analysis demonstrated the highly crystalline nature of the NCs. TEM and SEM were used to observe the crystal phases, particle morphology and defect sites. XPS and EDAX ensured the composition and purity of the synthesized NCs. FTIR displayed the peaks representing the bonds present in metal sulphides and chitosan/cellulose matrix. The photodegradation of RhB by ZnS/CdS NCs reached a maximum of 99.18% in 120 min which displayed 6.8 and 10.25 times higher rate than pure ZnS and CdS respectively. Further, ZnS/CdS NCs was able to achieve the TOC reduction of 86% after the photodegradation of RhB. Defect engineering played a vital role in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of NCs. PL spectra revealed the prolonged life time of photogenerated charge carriers and EIS analysis was used to investigate the charge mobility of the fabricated materials. Superoxide radical was found to be the major radical involved in photodegradation of RhB by NCs. The degradation pathway of RhB was elucidated based on GC-MS/MS analysis. The recyclability of NCs was tested for six consecutive cycles and remarkable stability was observed. The results of in vitro cytotoxicity assay, and cellular reactive oxygen species generation suggest that ZnS/CdS NCs are safety photocatalysts to environment and human being. [Display omitted] S-scheme heterojunction of ZnS/CdS NCs on cellulose/chitosan matrix was fabricated. S-vacancies and interstitial defect states brought in the play of two-photon excitation. This aided bandgap tuning, visible light sensitization and reduced charge recombination. Remarkable Rhodamine B photodegradation of 99.18 % was achieved. In vitro cytotoxicity assay suggested the non-toxic nature of the NCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]