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Recently, efficient decontamination of water and wastewater have attracted global attention due to the deficiency in the world’s water sources. Herein, activated carbon (AC) derived from willow catkins (WCs) was successfully synthesized using chemical modification techniques and then loaded with different weight percentages of nickel ferrite nanocomposites (10, 25, 45, and 65 wt.%) via a one-step hydrothermal method. The morphology, chemical structure, and surface composition of the nickel ferrite supported on AC (NFAC) were analyzed by XRD, TEM, SEM, EDX, and FTIR spectroscopy. Textural properties (surface area) of the nanocomposites (NC) were investigated by using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. The prepared nanocomposites were tested on different dyes to form a system for water remediation and make this photocatalyst convenient to recycle. The photodegradation of rhodamine B dye was investigated by adjusting a variety of factors such as the amount of nickel in nanocomposites, the weight of photocatalyst, reaction time, and photocatalyst reusability. The 45NFAC photocatalyst exhibits excellent degradation efficiency toward rhodamine B dye, reaching 99.7% in 90 min under a simulated source of sunlight. To summarize, NFAC nanocomposites are potential photocatalysts for water environmental remediation because they are effective, reliable, and reusable.

Nanosphere and nanotube titanates (TNT) amalgamated with different graphene oxide (GO) ratios synthesized by one pot microwave irradiation route have presented excellent potential towards hydrogen production photoelectrochemically under solar irradiation. The hybrid nanospherical array of the 50TNT-50GO photocatalyst showed a current density equal 9.2 mA cm-2 at a bias of 0.20 V vs. RHE exceeding those of the nanotubes 30TNT-70GO (4.0 mA cm-2 at 0.38 V) and 10TNT-90GO (3.7 mA cm-2 at 0.4 V). The former electrode also exhibits small Tafel slope value (40 mV dec-1), decreased particle diameter (7 nm), decreased band gap (2.6 eV) and high rate of charges transfer. The hybrid structure elucidation carried out using TEM-SAED, XRD, N2 adsorption, UV-Vis, FTIR and PL techniques approved the interfacial interaction between TNT and GO(RGO) networks that was responsible for the high quantum yield, delay of charges recombination beside the increase in the pore volume.

The storey begins with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), or an abnormal connection between the trachea and the oesophagus. This research was conducted to learn about the outcomes of treating TEF (EOS) in newborns and to see whether various neonatal demographic and clinical data correlate. Methods: A total of 10 neonates identified with TEF utilising chest X-ray obtained after the gastrographin had been poured via the implanted Ryle's tube was included in the research. The researchers studied 16 male newborns and 14 female newborns. To calculate the results, it was determined that the gender ratio among survivors was greater and the birth weight was higher in survivors than non-survivors. GA was somewhat longer in survivors. Compared to survivors, non-survivors were much more likely to have linked congenital abnormalities. However, although the incidence of related congenital cardiac anomalies and pneumonia was non-significantly greater among non-survivors, it was substantially higher among survivors. Therefore, the diagnosis of oesophageal atresia is most frequently made within the first 24 hours of birth, although it may also be diagnosed during pregnancy, and delayed diagnosis until the newborn begins to feed and develop aspiration pneumonitis does not exist today. Early postoperative problems include anastomotic leakage or stricture occur in around 56.7% of patients. Consequences of pre-exciting other congenital abnormalities or development of chest infection or recurrent pneumonia cause most of the deaths.

In the current study, CoFe

The present work aims to recognize the geometry and buildmodeling of the Oligo-Miocene unconventional igneous intrusions ofthe fracture reservoir in Rudeis-Sidri field, Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Thesereservoirs, much more difficult to predict, evaluate and to buildmodeling than the conventional reservoirs. Seismic attribute is aquantity extracted or derived from the seismic data that analyzed inorder to enhance information that might be subtler in a traditionalseismic image, leading to a better understanding and interpretation ofthe data. Two attributes (Local Structural Dip), through detecting thescattered dip from the seismic events, (Sweetness), through recognizingthe variations of reflectors, that have potential to predict possiblefracturing and absorption effects, to recognize the geometry to getcriteria to build the modeling process to differentiate betweensedimentary and basalt intrusions. As a result, the combination andintegration of the two types of seismic attributes, the available well logdata analysis as control points to establish building 3-D models, whichhelp to differentiate between the sedimentary and non-sedimentaryrocks, to delineate the geometry, distribution, and to follow the new oilpotentially at Rudeis-Sidri field

Aim: The purpose of study was to evaluate wear and surface roughness of ZLS compared to lithium disilicate glass ceramic before and after simulated mastication. Materials and Methods: Thirty samples were divided according to material of construction into three groups (n = 10). Group (1): E Max-CAD, Group (2): Celtra duo ZLS, Group (3): Celtra press ZLS. The sectioned samples of E-max CAD blocks were polished and crystalized. The sectioned samples of Celtra Duo ZLS blocks were glazed and fired. The Ingots of celtra press were lab pressed, sectioned, glazed and power fired. The two-body wear testing was done using chewing simulator. Each ceramic sample was weighed and evaluated for surface roughness before and after wear simulation test using electronic analytical balance and the optical profilometry, respectively. Results: IPS E-max CAD revealed highest amount of weight loss with no statistically significant difference between groups. The change in weight for each group was non-significant . The roughness mean value for E-max CAD was significantly decreased and recorded the lowest roughness change. No significant difference in the roughness mean value between the two celtra materials. The roughness change for either Celtra Duo or Celtra Press groups was non-significantly increased. Conclusions: ZLS Celtra ceramics had insignificant less wear and significant higher surface roughness with enamel antagonist compared to E-max CAD. Although wear and roughness were affected by the surface finishing of glass ceramics, the construction method of ZLS restorative materials had no significant impact on both.

Ten genotypes of bread wheat were crossed in a line x tester mating design. The twenty-one F1's and their parents (seven lines and three testers) were estimated under three levels of nitrogen fertilizer; low (25 kg N/fed), mid (50 kg N/fed) and normal (75 kg N/fed) in three experiments. Each experiments in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt during 2019/2020. The results cleared that nitrogen fertilizer levels mean squares were significant for all studied traits. A significant difference was found among lines, testers, line x testers and their interaction with nitrogen levels for all studied traits. Analysis of genetic revealed that GCA and SCA variances were significant for all studied traits under different levels of nitrogen fertilizer, indicating the importance of both additive and non-additive components in the inheritance of these traits. However, the hybrids L1 x T1, L2 x T1, L2 x T3, L3 x T2, L4 x T2, L5 x T2, L6 x T2, L7 x T1and L7 x T3were excellent harmonious combiners for specific combining ability effects for grain yield per plant and most of its components under different nitrogen fertilizer levels. The parental lines 1, 4, 6 and 7 proved to have better general combiners for grain yield per plant and most of its components under different levels of nitrogen. Therefore, these genotypes must be taken care of when breeding to tolerate low levels of nitrogen fertilization.

Background There is increasing interest and patient demand for minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Aim We aimed to assess the safety and potential indications of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and possibilities of such techniques and debating it will become the standard procedure. Patients and methods From February 2015 till February 2020, 83 cases underwent CABG via right submammary incision, and of them, 18 cases underwent hybrid technique. Results The procedure was successfully performed in all. Conversion rate to full sternotomy was 0%. Hospital mortality was seen in two (2.4%) patients. Re-exploration for bleeding was done in 0 (0%) patients. Superficial wound infection was seen in five (6%) patients, and deep wound infection was seen in one (1.2%) patient. Graft failure occurred in one patient who needed redo-operation after 6 months postoperatively, and one patient needed to lengthen the left internal mammary artery with composite vein graft. Conclusions Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass is a safe procedure for patients requiring left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending, as for hybrid CABG, clear indications are still to be revised.

The essential treatment for colon malignant growth is medical procedure. The piece of the huge inside with malignancy is evacuated, alongside encompassing lymph hubs. Malignancy found in the climbing colon and hepatic flexure, the correct side is evacuated by right hemicolectomy or expanded right hemicolectomy. The idea of complete mesorectal extraction (TME) as proposed by Heald et al. in the mid 80's brought about altogether better oncological results in rectal malignant growth medical procedure. TME likewise raised the issue of better results in colon malignant growth medical procedure, which, up to that point, was not normalized and the reports in the writing showed a lot of heterogeneity and high repeat rates. In 2009 and in corresponding to the TME idea, came the primary report and portrayal of the total mesocolic extraction (CME) with focal vascular ligation (CVL), with very noteworthy oncological results and a general 5-year endurance coming to up to 70% for stage III colon malignant growth patients. They additionally demonstrated that it is a sheltered and plausible strategy which bears at any rate a similar dreariness and mortality as the "purported" standard technique.CME with CVL comprises of two primary segments. Right off the bat, it focuses on the safeguarding of flawless fasciae of the mesocolon between which pertinent lymph hubs are contained. Also, the vessels that gracefully the tumor colon site must be ligated at their starting point, to be specific at the degree of the unrivaled mesenteric vein for right sided injuries, thusly the nerves of the celiac plexus, which run along the predominant mesenteric supply route, and the hypogastric plexus, which runs on the aorta, individually, are secured, and the evacuation of the total mesocolon and the greatest lymph hub yield is accomplished.

A field experiment was conducted during 2017/2018 to assess the effects of Argel (Solenostemmaargel, Del. Hayne) and Nitrogen fertilizer on the performance of two Sunflower Hybrid cultivars, with the objectives to exploit an easy, economic, and accessible organic fertilizer, the Argel in the phase of the continuous increasing prices of chemical fertilizers.. This experiment was laid out on spilt-split-plot experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Observations were taken on some agronomic traits (Plant height (m), Leaf area (LA), leaf Number (NL), Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Mean Seed Weight). The results revealed that the application of Argel and Nitrogen fertilizer have significantly increased the leaf Area (F= 7.22, P < 0.001), Plant Height (F=2.68, P < 0.2001), Leaf Number (F= 3.90, P < 0.0024), Leaf Area Index (F= 3.83, P < 0.0026) and Mean Seed Weight of both Serena and Opera cultivars respectively compared to the control. However, the different treatments of Argel and Nitrogen reflected variable degree of increase for the studied parameters. The study concludes that Argel is very promising, therefore a further study with different levels of Argel including other plant parameters is recommended.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) photoreduction into renewable fuels over semiconductor photocatalysts has emerged as a green and sustainable alternative for energy production. Consequently, tremendous efforts are being performed to develop robust and sustainable photocatalysts. Therefore, visible-light active nanocomposite photocatalysts composed of 5.0–20.0 wt.% bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) and cerium oxide (CeO2) were synthesized by a sol-gel-based process. The prepared nanocomposites were evaluated for the promoted photocatalytic reduction of CO2 into methanol (CH3OH). Various characterizations of the obtained photocatalysts exposed an outstanding development of crystalline structure, morphology, and surface texture due to the presence of Bi2O3. Moreover, the absorbance of light in the visible regime was improved with enhanced charge separation, as revealed by the exploration of optical response, photoluminescence, and photocurrent measurements. The overall bandgap calculations revealed a reduction to 2.75 eV for 15% Bi2O3/CeO2 compared to 2.93 eV for pure CeO2. Moreover, the adjusted 2.8 g L−1 dose of 15% Bi2O3/CeO2 selectively produced 1300 μmol g−1 CH3OH after 9 h of visible light irradiation. This photocatalyst also exhibits bearable reusability five times. The improved progression of 15% Bi2O3/CeO2 is denoted by significant charge separation as well as enhanced mobility. This study suggests the application of metal oxide-based heterojunctions for renewable fuel production under visible light.

Different loading of Ag nanoparticles (2 and 6%) modified TiO2 synthesized by employing polymeric template; comprises of polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol (Tev), were utilized to react hydrothermally (433 K for 48 h) with functionalized SWCNT and MWCNT. Several characterization techniques, including UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, HRTEM-ASED, and N2 sorptiometry were utilized for obtaining information about surface texturing, morphology, optical properties and crystalline phases. The synthesized photocatalysts were tested for their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (Gram negative bacterium) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive bacterium) through agar well diffusion method under visible light irradiation (λ > 450 nm, 60 mWcm2). It has been revealed that the photocatalyst TevAg6-SWCNT exhibited the maximum lethal action thereby inhibiting the growth of bacteria as compared to rest of the catalysts; this was due to increase in surface area value with delay in electrons and holes recombination as well as the diameter of Ago nanoparticles which was reduced to 3 nm. It has been evidenced that the nanocomposites attack mechanism on while disinfecting bacteria indicates the formation of O2•− and ∙OH radicals, those played significant role in inactivation of cellular process. The TEM images revealed the role of Ag+ ions, and the presence of TevAg6-SWCNT were thoroughly studied and correlated to identify the disinfection mechanisms induced through irradiation of visible light.

This study were implemented within four growing seasons from 2017/2018 to 2020/2021. The five populations (P1, P2, F1, F2 and F3) of two crosses of bread wheat (Misr 3 x Shandaweel-1 and Giza 168 x Sakha 94) were evaluated in two locations during 2020/2021 growing season, at West West El-Minia and Sids Agricultural Research Station, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt, In order to determine the mode of gene action and the inheritance pattern of plant height, no. of spikes plant-1, no. of kernels spike-1, 100-kernel weight and grain yield plant-1. The t-test showed significant differences among parental genotypes of each cross for all studied characters. The mean effects (m) were highly significant for all characters under the study in the two crosses and locations, indicating the ability to enhance the performance of these characters by pedigree selection. Scaling test revealed the presence of nonallelic interactions (epistasis) in the most studied characters. Dominance gene effects were generally greater than additive ones in most characters. Gene effects varied among characters, whereas the dominance and duplicate dominance beside additive gene effects were found to play important role in the inheritance of most studied characters. The desired significant and highly significant positive heterotic effects to mid-parents for two crosses were detected in the two locations. Broad sense heritability estimates displayed moderate values in most characters. The highest expected genetic gain was found to be correlated with high heritability in narrow sense estimated in all studied characters.

A novel photocatalyst based on the design of P-N heterojunction between hollow spherical Mn3O4 and nanorods shape of α-Ag2WO4 is synthesized using a sonication-deposition–precipitation route. The nanocomposite Mn3O4/α-Ag2WO4(60%) exhibits a great potential towards nitroarenes (including 4-nitrophenol, 4-nitro-aniline and 4-Nitro-acetanilide) reduction under visible light irradiation exceeding that of Mn3O4/α-Ag2WO4(40%) as well as their individual counterparts (3–5%). The Mn3O4/α-Ag2WO4(60%) catalyst exhibited an excellent photo-reduction activity comprised of 0.067 s−1 towards 4-nitrophenol (0.001 M) in only 60 s reaction time using NaBH4 (0.2 M). This was due to the successful formation of the Mn3O4/α-Ag2WO4 composite as validated by XRD, TEM-SAED, XPS, FTIR, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance and PL techniques. Decreasing the Eg value into 2.7 eV, the existence of a new (151) plane in the composite beside enhancement of the composite electrical conductivity (1.66 × 10–7 Ω−1 cm−1) helps the facile nitroarenes adsorption and hydrogenation. Transient photocurrent response and linear sweep voltammetry results prove the facilitation of photogenerated charge carriers separation and transport via improving electron lifetime and lessening recombination rate. The composite photocatalyst produced higher amounts of H2 production, when inserted in a typical reaction medium containing NaBH4, comprised of 470 µ mole/g exceeding those of the counterparts (35 µ mole/g). This photocatalyst is strikingly hydrogenated 4-nitrophenol under mild conditions (25 °C and 0.35 MPa pressure of H2) with magnificent rate constant equal 34.9 × 10−3 min−1 with 100% selectivity towards 4-aminophenol.

The synthesis of nitrogen, boron, and nitrogen–boron-codoped graphenes was attained via mixing solutions of GO with urea, boric acid, and a mixture of both, respectively, followed by drying in vacuum and annealing at 900 °C for 10 h. These materials were thoroughly characterized employing XRD, TEM, FTIR, Raman, UV–vis, XPS, IPCE%, and electrical conductivity measurements. The nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) showed an excellent supercapacitor performance with a higher specific capacitance (388 F·g–1 at 1 A·g–1), superior stability, and a higher power density of 0.260 kW kg–1. This was mainly due to the designated N types of doping and most importantly N–O bonds and to lowering charge transfer and equivalent series resistances. The NG also indicated the highest photocatalytic performance for methylene blue (MB 20 ppm, power = 160 W, λ > 420 nm) and phenol (5 ppm) degradation under visible light illumination with rate constants equal 0.013 min–1 and 0.04 min–1, respectively. The photodegradation mechanism was proposed via determining the energy band potentials using the Mott–Schottky measurements. This determined that photoactivity enhancement of the NG is accounted for by acquisition of nitrogen-oxy-carbide phases that shared in inducing a higher IPCE% (60%) and a lower band gap value (1.68 eV) compared to boron and nitrogen–boron-codoped graphenes. The achieved photodegradation mechanism relied on scavengers performance suggesting that •OH and electrons were the main reactive species responsible for the MB photodegradation.

Silver nanoparticles successfully incorporated in titanate nanosheets and synthesized hydrothermally via employing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and triblock copolymer (pluronic F127) assisted templates were thoroughly characterized using transmission electron microscopy-selected area electron diffraction (TEM-SAED), X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance UV/visible absorption spectroscopy, N 2 sorptiometry, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The dispersed Ag nanoparticles of uniform size (2–3 nm) were found to contact intimately with titanate F127 nanosheets to show superior crystallinity, wider layer distances and higher surface area and pore volume (S BET = 51.1 m 2 g −1 , V p = 0.081 cm 3 g −1 ) than Ag/titanate CTAB (7.2 m 2 g −1 , 0.02 cm 3 g −1 ). This constructed Ag/titanate F127 exhibits markedly improved electrocatalytic (1.4-fold) and photoelectrocatalytic (4.0-fold) activities and stabilities towards methanol oxidation than that of Ag/titanate CTAB ; as determined using cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The enhanced activity of Ag/titanate F127 was also attributed to electron transfer across the interface potential of the composite Ag-titanate F127 as well as the delay of charge recombination that has been substantiated not only via exposed Ag but also through the non-decomposed carbon template. This enhanced electron transfer and electronic conductivity was established by impedance spectroscopy, and exhibits the maximum obtained photocurrent density (2.0 mA cm −2 ) under visible light illumination (λ > 420 nm, 88 W). The results revealed that the template F127 had a significant effect not only on enhancing the titanate crystallinity and exhibiting a surface plasmon resonance band; unlike Ag/titanate CTAB , but also in acquiring a high pore volume value and widened layers, which all work towards improving the Ag-titanate F127 durability for methanol oxidation.

TiO2-MWCNT and TiO2-GNP nanocomposites as well as titanate (Na2Ti3O7) nanosheets synthesized via deposition-hydrothermal (5 M NaOH, 150 °C for 10 h) technique were thoroughly characterized using XRD, TEM-SAED-EDX, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, PL, Raman and N2 sorptiometry. The Performances of as-synthesized photocatalysts toward methanol oxidation were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance (EIS) and Tafel plots under the influence of UV light irradiation (λ = 296–390 nm, 8 and 64 W). Amongst the photocatalysts, TiO2-MWCNT showed the highest photooxidation current density (4.5 mA cm−2) surpassing that of Na2Ti3O7 by 2.6 times. This enhancement was not only originated from the strong binding between MWCNTs and TiO2 but also due to the oxygen vacancies created on TiO2. TiO2-MWCNT also offered the highest incident photon to current efficiency (14.5%) and maximum surface area (32.0 m2 g−1). Although TiO2-GNP presented a lower band gap (1.2 eV) and higher optical absorptivity than TiO2-MWCNT, it offered lower current density (1.0 mA cm−2) due to hampering the charges separation. The EIS of TiO2-MWCNT indicated inferior charge transfer resistance comprised of 3.5 times than Na2Ti3O7 and TiO2-GNP. This was consistent with the Tafel charge transfer coefficient data. Investigating the reactive species created during methanol photooxidation suggested that O2− was the reaction intermediate.

A novel photocatalyst based on the design of P-N heterojunction between hollow spherical Mn3O4 and nanorods shape of α-Ag2WO4 is synthesized using a sonication-deposition–precipitation route. The nanocomposite Mn3O4/α-Ag2WO4(60%) exhibits a great potential towards nitroarenes (including 4-nitrophenol, 4-nitro-aniline and 4-Nitro-acetanilide) reduction under visible light irradiation exceeding that of Mn3O4/α-Ag2WO4(40%) as well as their individual counterparts (3–5%). The Mn3O4/α-Ag2WO4(60%) catalyst exhibited an excellent photo-reduction activity comprised of 0.067 s−1 towards 4-nitrophenol (0.001 M) in only 60 s reaction time using NaBH4 (0.2 M). This was due to the successful formation of the Mn3O4/α-Ag2WO4 composite as validated by XRD, TEM-SAED, XPS, FTIR, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance and PL techniques. Decreasing the Eg value into 2.7 eV, the existence of a new (151) plane in the composite beside enhancement of the composite electrical conductivity (1.66 × 10–7 Ω−1 cm−1) helps the facile nitroarenes adsorption and hydrogenation. Transient photocurrent response and linear sweep voltammetry results prove the facilitation of photogenerated charge carriers separation and transport via improving electron lifetime and lessening recombination rate. The composite photocatalyst produced higher amounts of H2 production, when inserted in a typical reaction medium containing NaBH4, comprised of 470 µ mole/g exceeding those of the counterparts (35 µ mole/g). This photocatalyst is strikingly hydrogenated 4-nitrophenol under mild conditions (25 °C and 0.35 MPa pressure of H2) with magnificent rate constant equal 34.9 × 10−3 min−1 with 100% selectivity towards 4-aminophenol.

WO3 nanorods and GO (at 1 wt% loading) doped WO3 were synthesized using a template free deposition-hydrothermal route and thoroughly characterized by various techniques including XRD, FTIR, Raman, TEM-SAED, PL, UV-Vis, XPS, and N2 adsorption. The nano-materials performance was investigated toward photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye (20 ppm) under visible light illumination (160 W, λ> 420) and gas sensing ability for ammonia gas (10–100 ppm) at 200°C. HRTEM investigation of the 1%GO.WO3 composite revealed WO3 nanorods of a major d-spacing value of 0.16 nm indexed to the crystal plane (221). That relevant plane was absent in pure WO3 establishing the intercalation with GO. The MB degradation activity was considerably enhanced over the 1%GO.WO3 catalyst with a rate constant of 0.0154 min−1 exceeding that of WO3 by 15 times. The reaction mechanism was justified dependent on electrons, holes and •OH reactive species as determined via scavenger examination tests and characterization techniques. The drop in both band gap (2.49 eV) and PL intensity was the main reason responsible for enhancing the photo-degradation activity of the 1%GO.WO3 catalyst. The later catalyst initiated the two electron O2 reduction forming H2O2, that contributed in the photoactivity improvement via forming •OH moieties. The hexagonal structure of 1%GO.WO3 showed a better gas sensing performance for ammonia gas at 100 ppm (Ra-Rg/Rg = 17.6) exceeding that of pure WO3 nanorods (1.27). The superiority of the gas-sensing property of the 1%GO.WO3 catalyst was mainly ascribed to the high dispersity of GO onto WO3 surfaces by which different carbon species served as mediators to hinder the recombination rate of photo-generated electron-hole pairs and therefore facilitated the electron transition. The dominancy of the lattice plane (221) in 1%GO.WO3 formed between GO and WO3 improved the electron transport in the gas-sensing process.

Mn3O4 (M) incorporated graphenes (G) synthesized by a deposition–solvothermal process, formed at various nominal weight percentages (G1M1, G3M1 and G1M3), were efficiently used for the photodegradation of methylene blue dye (MB) under visible light illumination (λ > 420 nm, 88 W, 20 ppm, 298 K) and under microwave irradiation (800 W, 2.45 GHz, 373 K). These materials were characterized using XRD, TEM-SAED, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance, N2 sorptiometry, FTIR and Raman techniques. Amongst the nanocomposites, G3M1 of polyhedral structure and an average domain equal to 10–12 nm has presented unique photo-degradation performance (100% degradation, 60 min, 0.0791 min−1 and TOC of 60%) exceeding the rest of the materials. This was mainly due to the extraordinary optical properties and to the strong interaction between Mn3O4 and graphene through which charge recombination is hampered. Based on the conduction and valence band edges together with the studied reactive species, it has been shown that ˙OH was the dominant species responsible for the MB degradation. Interestingly, the G3M1 nanocomposite has shown fascinating microwave absorption properties and is capable of degrading MB at a faster rate (0.287 min−1) than the one conducted via photocatalysis. Scavenger studies have shown that ˙OH and electrons were responsible for the excellent performance of the MB microwave degradation. The microwave results were discussed in view of the marked increase in dielectric constant (e−) and dielectric loss (e′′) in the studied frequency range of 1.0 Hz to 100 kHz, in addition to the electronic conductivity measurements. This work offers an exceptional approach for exploring high-performance microwave absorption as well as distinctive visible light photocatalytic reaction for organics degradation.

Graphene oxide (GO):MnFe 2 O 4 (Mn) hybrids synthesized by sol-gel hydrothermal (453 K, 48 h); and annealed at 373 K, were thoroughly characterized using XRD, TEM-SAED, N 2 adsorption, XPS, UV–vis diffuse reflectance, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. These hybrids were applied as photoelectrochemical (PEC) materials for water splitting and as photocatalysts for methylene blue (MB) degradation under visible light irradiation. GO 1 :Mn 1 has indicated higher PEC activity towards water splitting with supreme photocurrent density (0.875 mA cm −2 ) doubling that of GO 5 :Mn 1 (0.350 mA cm −2 ). High optical absorption and charge transfer rate played key roles in enhancing the PEC activity of the former comparatively; as recorded via chronoamperometric curves. Concurrently, the incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) of GO 1 :Mn 1 has exceeded the rest of hybrids in the wavelength range of 500–850 nm. Increasing the dispersion of MnFe 2 O 4 between G/GO sheets in GO 1 :Mn 1 , lowering the E g (0.55 eV) value, increasing reduced graphene ratio over oxidized ones as well as increasing the pore radius (76.5 A) value has all shared in increasing the photocurrent density. More specifically, the residual oxides depicted in GO 1 :Mn 1 (9%); as calculated via XPS, were important in evoking the reactive intermediates OH and O 2 − ; those were responsible for the MB degradation. Increasing the ratio of the reduced graphene (91%) in this particular sample (GO 1 :Mn 1 ) was chiefly important for lowering the energy gap (E g ) value. In agreement, impedance spectroscopy of the GO 1 :Mn 1 sample has substantiated the charger transfer process; depicted from optical results, via exhibiting the lowest resistance between all the nanohybirds. This latter hybrid of nano-spindle shape and monomodal mesopore type of pores (140 A) has presented high photocatalytic degradation for MB (10 ppm, 1 g/L, 30 min) with rate constant 0.037 min −1 surpassing the rest of samples.

Highly stable and magnetically recoverable MFe 2 O 4 (M = Zn, Co, Mn) spinel ferrite nanoparticles; synthesized using sol gel-hydrothermal technology via utilizing polyvinyl alcohol surfactant, were proposed as heterogeneous catalysts for the reduction of nitroarenes. The morphological characteristics, structural exploration, surface, optical, vibrational and magnetic properties were performed using powder X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, N 2 sorptiometry, diffused UV–vis reflectance spectroscopy, FTIR, point of zero charge, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and thermokinetic analysis via TGA technique. The results showed that MnFe 2 O 4 exhibited the best performance in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), 2,4,6 tri-nitrophenol (2,4,6-NP) and 4-nitroaniline (4-NA) and revealed 100% conversion into the corresponding amino derivatives in 270 sec with rate constant equal 0.01061 s −1 , 0.01134 s −1 and 0.01355 s −1 , respectively. The superiority of the catalytic reduction of MnFe 2 O 4 was due to increasing the pore radius and pore volume (6.75 nm, 0.227 cm 3 /g) values compared to other nanoferrites. The synthesized nanoferrites indicate independence of the activity on crystallite sizes due to the insignificant margin of change (from 6 to10 nm). Conversely, decreasing the activity of ZnFe 2 O 4 was due to increasing the Zn 2+ ions size that induces an increase in lattice parameter values and thus increases the long-range electron transfer between Fe 2+ –Fe 3+ ions. The MnFe 2 O 4 catalyst that presented the highest saturation magnetization (135 emu/g) indicated the highest reduction potential for 4-NA comparatively in the presence of NaBH 4 and the reduction reaction followed pseudo first-order kinetics. Increasing the reduction performance of 4-NA compared to other nitroaromatics on MnFe 2 O 4 was explained based on the formed intermediates, their reactivities, hydrophobicity and to point of zero charges. It has been explored that the reduction efficacy of 4-NP was enhanced on MnFe 2 O 4 with the addition of ammonium oxalate and benzoquinone where it was inferior following the addition of tertiary-butyl alcohol. More important correlations concerning the effect of octahedral sites, residual organics, heat of activation ( E a ) and activation free energy (Δ G *) values; determined while the removal of citrate/PVA moieties, on nitroarenes reduction rates were well scrutinized and discussed.

Titanate-SWCNT; synthesized via exploiting the interaction between TiO2 anatase with oxygen functionalized SWCNT, supported Ag nanoparticles and Ag/titanate are characterized using XRD, TEM-EDX-SAED, N2 adsorption, Photoluminescence, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. These samples are tested for methanol electrooxidation via using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance measurements. It is shown that Ag/titanate nanotubes exhibited superior electrocatalytic performance for methanol oxidation (4.2 mA cm−2) than titanate-SWCNT, Ag/titanate-SWCNT and titanate. This study reveals the existence of a strong metal-support interaction in Ag/titanate as explored via formation of Ti–O–Ag bond at 896 cm−1 and increasing surface area and pore volume (103 m2 g−1, 0.21 cm3 g−1) compared to Ag/titanate-SWCNT (71 m2 g−1, 0.175 cm3 g−1) that suffers perturbation and defects following incorporation of SWCNT and Ag. Embedding Ag preferably in SWCNT rather than titanate in Ag/titanate-SWCNT disturbs the electron transfer compared to Ag/titanate. Charge transfer resistance depicted from Nyquist impedance plots is found in the order of titanate > Ag/titanate-SWCNT > titanate-SWCNT > Ag/titanate. Accordingly, Ag/titanate indicates a slower current degradation over time compared to rest of catalysts. Conductivity measurements indicate that it follows the order Ag/titanate > Ag/titanate-SWCNT > titanate > titanate-SWCNT declaring that SWCNT affects seriously the conductivity of Ag(titanate) due to perturbations caused in titanate and sinking of electrons committed by Ago through SWCNT.

An approach involving ultrasonic irradiation/hydrothermal route was employed for fabricating a series of ZnO nanospheres-carbon nanotubes (Z/CNT) and reduced graphene oxides (Z/GO) nanocomposites, at different weight % ratios of both. The synthesized catalysts were tested in heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP, 10 ppm) via Fenton approach in the attendance of visible light irradiation (160 W, λ > 420), ultrasonic illumination (60 W, 20 kHz) and during coupling the latter irradiations (sonophotocatalysis). The experimental parameters for the Photo-Fenton degradation of 4-NP at the surface of the Z(70)/CNT(30) catalyst were 40 mM H2O2, pH 4, catalyst dosage of 1.75 g/L and at 25 °C. The rate constants of 4-NP degradation using the sonophotocatalytic approach (0.3 min-1); that takes 15 min to accomplish, exceeded those of sonocatalytic (0.15 min-1) and photocatalytic (0.06 min-1) systems, unveiling the synergistic performance of the former system. These values were lower when performing the reaction at the same conditions but at pH 11 to elucidate the importance of the slow releasing of ∙OH in the acid range. The sono- and photo- coupled irradiations induced a synergy percentage comprised of 30 to demonstrate the efficacy of the adopted approach and the catalyst in the degradation of 4-NP.