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In this study, a novel nanocomposite material consisting of Bi 2 O 3 and Bi 2 MoO 6 , named as Bi 2 O 3 @Bi 2 MoO 6 , was successfully fabricated by co-precipitation method in ethylene glycol solvent. Morphological analysis of the heat-treated sample at 400 °C for 12 h in Ar atmosphere (Bi 2 O 3 @Bi 2 MoO 6 _400 °C) showed that it contained nano-sized particles of Bi 2 O 3 and Bi 2 MoO 6 ; in addition, an amorphous phase along with a crystalline structure was also observed. When used as an anode for Li-ion batteries (LIBs), Bi 2 O 3 @Bi 2 MoO 6 _400 °C anode exhibits excellent electrochemical properties such as high Coulombic efficiency, high specific capacity, excellent capacity retention, and outstanding rate capacity. Specifically, the Bi 2 O 3 @Bi 2 MoO 6 _400 °C anode presented a reversible capacity of 786 mAh g−1 at the beginning cycle at 0.1 A g−1 and retained about 90 % of the charging capacity value after 80 cycles. The advanced electrochemical properties of the nanocomposite anode are related to the combination of many aspects such as nanostructure, existence of amorphous phase, and pseudo-behaviour of metal-based components. The structural stability and electrochemical performance of the anode material, therefore, are improved. These results demonstrate Bi 2 O 3 @Bi 2 MoO 6 _400 °C as a promising material for establishing high-performance LIB anodes. [Display omitted] • Bi 2 O 3 @Bi 2 MoO 6 powders are prepared by a facile method. • Bi 2 O 3 @Bi 2 MoO 6 powders contain amorphous and crystalline phases. • Bi 2 O 3 @Bi 2 MoO 6 materials possess nanostructures (from 20 nm to 50 nm). • Bi 2 O 3 @Bi 2 MoO 6 _400 °C anode displays high initial coulombic efficiency (>80 %). • Bi 2 O 3 @Bi 2 MoO 6 _400 °C anode shows a reversible capacity of 701 mAh g−1 after 80 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase stability of (Bi 1-x Y x) 2 O 3 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.275) solid state electrolytes synthesized using the sol-gel method was investigated over prolonged periods under ambient conditions. The cubic polymorph was found to be metastable under ambient conditions, particularly for 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.15 where significant cubic-to-tetragonal transformation occurred. Spontaneous minor formation of both the rhombohedral polymorph and a bismuth subcarbonate phase was evident across the doping range but with varied reproducibility. Aging was significantly more prevalent for samples that had only been calcined (at 450 °C) as compared to those that were subsequently annealed (at 750 °C). The more highly substituted annealed materials (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.275) were initially phase pure cubic and far more stable, yet some rhombohedral and bismuth subcarbonate phase formation was also seen. Although the initial source of carbon which leads to the formation of the subcarbonate phase is not known at this stage, several suggestions are made. Pelletisation with additional sintering, as well as annealing powder samples under an inert atmosphere, was also shown to enhance the long-term phase stability characteristics of the cubic phase. This is the first longer term (over 2 years) ambient phase aging study of substituted bismuth oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent emphasis on nanocomposites composed of polymers and metal oxides is largely due to their significant promise as effective radiation sensors, detectors, and dosimeters for gamma rays, X-rays, and charged particles. The sensitivity of a system may be affected by various factors, including the volume of the sensitive material, the concentration of heavy metal oxide nanoparticles, the bias voltage applied, and the degree of crystallinity within the polymer matrix. Studies have shown that a pronounced degree of crystallinity in polymers can restrict the homogeneous spread of nanoparticles. This research utilized two distinct polymer matrices, namely HDPE and PC, to create a nanocomposite that incorporated bismuth oxide nanoparticles at concentrations reaching 60 wt%. FESEM images revealed that PC exhibited better dispersion up to 60 wt%, while HDPE showed agglomeration at 40 wt%. Under a defined dose rate of 42.67 mGy.min-1, and with a fixed amount of Bi2O3 nanofillers, the dosimetry response (measured as a change in electrical current) of PC was twice as pronounced compared to HDPE. Therefore, PC, as an amorphous polymer containing 50 wt% Bi2O3, may be considered a suitable candidate for dosimetry applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of technology and industries has led to environmental pollution and caused serious harm to living beings. Photocatalysis has attracted widespread attention as an efficient way to increase the purity of air and water by controlling environmental pollution. Several materials such as metal oxides, chalcogenides, and semiconductors have emerged as outstanding photocatalysts because of their cleaner processes, low cost, chemical stability, high photo-catalytic ability, non-toxicity, and ability to absorb UV/visible radiations. In this review, photocatalytic activities of metal oxides and other materials are studied for environmental remediation and other applications. Some major materials used as photocatalysts include TiO2, ZnO, CuO, Fe2O3, ZnS, MOFs, COFs, graphene, g-C3N4, CNTs and bismuth oxides. The present article discusses the size, structure, surface area, morphology, and band gap of photocatalysts. These are the crucial factors for photocatalysis and influence photocatalytic kinetics. This review summarizes the use of various materials as photocatalysts in numerous applications such as the degradation of inorganic or organic pollutants, environmental remediation, air purification, CO2 photoreduction and water splitting for hydrogen production. Finally, a conclusion is drawn regarding future research plans to make photocatalyst materials more efficient and stable for environmental and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxyfluoride‐based sodium‐aluminum‐phosphate glasses with a fixed 7 mol% content of Gd2O3 and various amounts of CeF3 were fabricated by the melt quenching process. The fabricated glasses (NAPGCe) were studied by physical, optical, scintillation, and light yield properties. In NAPGCe glasses, intense emission peaks were observed at 312 nm (6P7/2 → 8S7/2) for Gd3+ and 336 nm (5d → 4f) for Ce3+ ions in both photoluminescence (275 and 294 nm) and radioluminescence (X‐ray) spectra. Upon excitation with 275 nm ultraviolet radiation, a decrease in Gd3+ emission and an increase in Ce3+ emission intensity lead to efficient energy transfer (ET) from Gd3+ to Ce3+ ion in NAPGCe glasses. The bi‐exponential function was applied to fit the non‐exponential decay curves of NAPGCe glasses and then calculated their lifetimes in the order of fast (18.25–16.94 ns) and slow (72.99–67.74 ns) decay times. An overall integrated scintillation efficiency of about 67% was estimated for NAPGCe0.10 glass compared to bismuth germanate oxide (BGO:Bi4Ge3O12) crystal. Under 241Am α‐ray (5.5 MeV) source, the light yield of the NAPGCe1.00 glass was obtained by comparing it with a commercial Li‐glass scintillator (GS20), and it was found to be 26 photons MeV−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assemblies of magnesium and bismuth oxides (Mg−Bi−O) were synthesized with (MBO : Fe) and without iron (MBO) by using a hydrothermal method. Such assemblies were utilized to promote the germination and growth of pinto bean seedlings. The MBO : Fe assemblies had rambutan‐like morphology, which is composed by nanohairs/flagella. The MBO : Fe assemblies were loaded with fomesafen herbicide and the release kinetics of such herbicide was explained by using the Korsmeyer‐Peppas model and the non‐Fickian transport mechanism. The cumulative fomesafen release at pH 7.5 reached percentages of 4.38 %, 71.02 %, 75.04 %, and 100 % for the MBO, MBO‐1 % Fe, MBO‐3 % Fe, and MBO‐5 % Fe, respectively. Also, the MBO and MBO : Fe assemblies were utilized to promote the growth of pinto bean plants. The germination percentages for the MBO, MBO‐1 % Fe, MBO‐3 % Fe, and MBO‐5 % Fe samples were 83.33, 100, 91.67 and 100 %, respectively. Such percentages are higher than that for the control plants grown without MBO : Fe (66.67 %). The longest root/shoot lengths (20.62/48 cm) were obtained for the plant grown with the MBO‐3 % Fe assembly. In contrast, lower root/shoot lengths (14.7/30.66 cm) were obtained for the control plants. Thus, MBO : Fe assemblies loaded with fomesafen improved the physical characteristics of the bean plants, which is of interest for the sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several glassy oxide semiconductors exhibit large electron mobilities; however, these oxides may not be considered environmentally friendly because of their toxicity. Herein, we report on the electrical conduction of iron oxide-containing bismuth sesquioxide borate glasses that are not toxic and show ohmic transport in the temperature range of 100–400 °C. The dominant carrier is the electron, which is revealed by the signs of Hall and Seebeck coefficients, without sign anomalies. The Hall mobility is ∼0.1 cm2/(V s), and the carrier density is ∼6 × 1015 cm−3 at 400 °C. The Seebeck coefficient is approximately −500 μV/K at 388 °C. The carriers might be generated by charge transfer between Fe2+ and Fe3+ substituted in the glass, and they exhibit thermally activated hopping-type electronic conduction. The oxide glass can be used as a glass thermistor for a temperature range of 100–400 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adding excessive metal oxide doping to a powder batch is a known way to compensate for the loss of volatile cation species during high temperature sintering. An important case in the piezoelectric ceramics is the bismuth oxide in the lead-free ferroelectric ceramic bismuth sodium titanate (BNT). Building from the earlier knowledge about excessive bismuth oxide's influences on the properties of BNT, we further note that varying the sintering temperature can both control the distribution of excessive Bi3+ and impact the relaxor/normal ferroelectric behaviors and corresponding phase transition. In addition to the nature of polarization, the sintering temperature also significantly manipulates the electrical conductivity. A hypothetical mechanism for the resistive grain boundary is proposed, based on inferences from electrical—microstructure—processing relations in 85% Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-15% BaTiO3 with batched Bi2O3 excess and acceptor Mg2+ in a co-doped strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly efficient ternary nanocomposite consisting of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), and bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) is developed via a simple one-step hydrothermal route. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the developed nanocomposites are systematically analyzed using x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron microscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller analysis. The ternary nanocomposite g-C3N4/Bi2S3/MWCNT-6 wt. % exhibits two times higher photocatalytic performance (99.6%) than g-C3N4/Bi2S3 and g-C3N4/MWCNT binary heterostructures under visible light irradiation within 50 min. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the strong absorption of visible light and enhanced charge carriers separation efficiency, high surface area, and synergistic effect of g-C3N4, Bi2S3, and MWCNTs. A reaction mechanism for enhanced photocatalytic performance has also been proposed. The effect of different scavengers is performed to determine the role of the main reactive species responsible for dye degradation, which reveals that electrons are the main reactive species responsible for dye degradation. Moreover, the g-C3N4/Bi2S3/MWCNT ternary photocatalyst maintained excellent stability even after several cycles. Thus, the study offers a promising, stable, highly efficient, and visible-light-driven photocatalyst for dye wastewater purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine learning (ML) is increasingly applied across various fields, including chemistry, for molecular design and optimizing reaction parameters. Yet, applying ML to experimental data is challenging due to the limited number of synthesized samples, which restricts its broader application in device development. In energy harvesting, photoanodes are crucial for solar-driven water splitting, generating hydrogen and oxygen. We explored electrodes like hematite and bismuth vanadate for photocatalytic uses, noting varied photoelectrochemical performances despite similar preparations. To understand this variability, we applied a data-driven ML approach, predicting photocurrent values and identifying key performance influencers even with limited experimental data in the research development of inorganic devices. We have utilized multiple machine learning algorithms to predict the target value in the calculation process, where the contributions of the dominant descriptors were unknown. We introduced a novel methodology, incorporating clustering to manage multicollinearity from correlated analytical data and Shapley analysis for clear interpretation of contributions to performance prediction. This method was validated on hematite and bismuth vanadate, showing superior predictability and factor identification, and then extended to tungsten oxide and bismuth vanadate heterojunction photoanodes. Despite their complexity, our approach achieved determination coefficients (R2) with a prediction accuracy over 0.85, successfully pinpointing performance-determining factors, demonstrating the robustness of the new scheme in advancing photodevice research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle (NP) and bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) nanoparticles were synthesized by the thermal decomposition method. Different amounts of each NP (1% W/V, 3% W/V, and 5% W/V) were used separately to combine with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to prepare composite nanofibers using a simple, fast, and cost-effective electrospinning method. Characterization of NPs and nanofibers was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine morphology and size, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) to check chemical structure, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to study functional groups, X-ray diffraction (XRD) to evaluate crystal structure, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) to show size and distribution size. According to the results, a mixture of 3% ZnO NPs and 3% Bi2O3 NPs incorporated in PMMA was selected as the best nanofiber due to smooth and fine morphology without any knot or adhesion with low diameter distributions. Based on the Debye–Scherrer equation, the average size was obtained for ZnO NPs, Bi2O3 NPs, and PMMA congaing 3% W/V ZnO NPs and 3% W/V Bi2O3 NP as 32.93, 76.82, and 21.52 nm, respectively. The hydrophilicity test was performed by measuring the contact angle of PMMA, PMMA congaing 3% W/V ZnO NPs, PMMA congaing 3% W/V Bi2O3 NPs, PMMA congaing 3% W/V ZnO NPs and 3% W/V Bi2O3 NPs, which were obtained 132.56°, 74.13°, 128.24°, and 132.70°, respectively. The result the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) show that PMMA congaing 3% W/V ZnO NPs, PMMA congaing 3% W/V Bi2O3 NPs can be inhibiting Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria. The fabricated composite nanofibers have good potential for the treatment of skin infections, tissue engineering, and biomedical and industrial applications as a transdermal antibacterial patch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desulfurization of petroleum derivatives is a topic of interest to researchers because compounds containing sulfur are harmful in the oil refining process and cause problems such as deactivation of catalysts and corrosion in pipelines and refining equipment. In order to improve the efficiency of desulfurization of dibenzothiophene, copper bismuth oxide/reduced graphene oxide (Bi7.38Cu0.62O11.69/rGO) nanocomposite was synthesized by a simple sonochemical method for the first time. The synthesized nanocomposite was identified by FESEM, FT-IR, XRD, DRS, and EDS analyses. Based on XRD analysis, pure copper bismuth oxide is formed using hydrazine, while using sodium hydroxide does not lead to the desired product. FESEM images showed that the size of Bi7.38Cu0.62O11.69 particles decreases in the presence of rGO. The desulfurization results showed that the presence of rGO causes a significant increase in efficiency due to increased light absorption and reduced recombination rate, so that Bi7.38Cu0.62O11.69/rGO nanocomposite has an efficiency of 87%, while pure Bi7.38Cu0.62O11.69 has an efficiency of 68%. Also, it was found that the purity of the copper bismuth oxide has a great effect on the photocatalytic efficiency, so that by calcining the product and removing the impurities, the efficiency increases from 55% to 68%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramic materials are promising for the ever-increasing demand in next-generation electronic devices. In this regard, we report the development and characterizations (structural, microstructural surface, dielectric, transport, impedance, resistive and current-voltage properties) of a novel complex material Ba 3 Bi 2 Fe 2 O 9. Preliminary investigation of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern shows the dual phase nature (cubic and tetragonal phase). The analysis of the Williamson-Hall plot illustrates the average crystallite size and micro-lattice strain are 91.37 nm and 0.002, respectively. The scanning electron microscopic spectrum examines the microstructural surface interface analysis, fractal study and topographic roughness (using the standard ISO25178). The analysis of Maxwell-Wagner dielectric dispersion, relaxation, and transport mechanisms are investigated utilizing dielectric, impedance, and conductivity spectrum accumulated within the experimental frequency (1 kHz–1 MHz) and temperature (298 K–373 K) range. The energy band of intrinsic and ionization regions with different frequencies (1 kHz and 10 kHz) indicates the semiconducting behavior of the material. The presence of non-Ohmic and space charge limited conduction (SCLC) mechanisms is investigated by the varistor constant β 1 and β 2. The thermistor constant (β) is determined to be 1683.13, and the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) is −0.00903, which may be suitable for wearable NTC thermistors and other related device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large size (4 cm × 4 cm × 1 cm) Ce3+-doped high gadolinium oxyfluoride glass with density of 5.83 g/cm³ was prepared by the melt quench method at 1220 °C. The glass is colorless and transparent over the visible range. The prolonged decay time under 275 nm UV light demonstrates the energy transfer from Gd3+ ions to Ce3+ ions. The X-ray excited luminescence spectra (XEL) show the emission peak corresponds to the 5d→4f transitions of Ce3+ ion. The integral emission intensity of glass was compared with that of bismuth germanate oxide (BGO) crystals. The scintillation property of glass was studied under the γ -ray from 137Cs source and a clear energy peak was observed with light yield (LY) over 1100 ph/MeV. The scintillation decay time comprises fast and slow components. All results presented in this work indicate the appropriate potential to be high-energy rays detecting material for CEPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facilely topochemical-like reduction method is used to prepare narrow bandgap bismuth thiooxide and use it for tumor phototherapy under near-infrared light. [Display omitted] The physical property tuning of nanomaterials is of great importance in energy, medicine, environment, catalysis, and other fields. Topochemical synthesis of nanomaterials can achieve precise control of material properties. Here, we synthesized a kind of element-doped bismuth-based nanomaterial (BOS) by topochemical-like synthesis and used it for the phototherapy of tumors. In this study, we employed bismuth fluoride nanoflowers as a template and fabricated element-doped bismuth oxide nanoflowers by reduction conditions. The product is consistent with the precursor in crystal structure and nanomorphology, realizing topochemical-like synthesis under mild conditions. BOS can generate reactive oxygen species, consume glutathione, and perform photothermal conversion under 730 nm light irradiation. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that BOS could suppress tumor growth by inducing apoptosis and ferroptosis through phototherapy. Therefore, this study offers a general regulation method for tuning the physical properties of nanomaterials by using a topochemical-like synthesis strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The development of novel semiconductor photo-catalysts for the efficient degradation of antibiotics poses a considerable challenge in the context of ever-increasing environmental pollution. Herein, an S-scheme photo-catalyst consisting of TiO 2 quantum dots (QDs, size ∼4–6 nm) anchored on Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 nano-sheets was synthesised via a facile hydrothermal protocol. TiO 2 /Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 (TB) nano-composite exhibits enhanced photo-catalytic removal of tetracycline, achieving ∼0.0158 min−1 photo-degradation rates using visible light, which is 3- and 53-fold greater than that of pristine TiO 2 and Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 , respectively. The theoretical calculations substantiate that the built-in electric field in the TB nano-composite is conducive to the separation and transfer of photo-excited carriers. Notably, the generated superoxide radicals rather than hydroxyl were identified as the responsible species for tetracycline degradation. In addition, the corresponding degradation pathway and eco-toxicity analysis were also elucidated. In conclusion, this work contributes valuable insights and presents a feasible approach for the fabrication of S-scheme photo-catalysts (TiO 2 QDs and bismuth-based nano-materials), thereby enabling the efficient removal of water pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a series of Bi-ZnAl-LDHs (BZA-X) enriched with oxygen vacancies (OVs) were synthesized by doping ZnAl-LDHs with different ratios of bismuth ions. The characterization results indicated that the doping of bismuth ions promotes the formation of oxygen vacancies (OVs), with the highest level of oxygen vacancies when the bismuth ions are doped at 50%. The level of oxygen vacancies is lower than that of the conduction band, which leads to a substantial increase in the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers from BZA-X. In addition, the oxygen vacancies in BZA-X promote the adsorption of H+ in the reaction system, which further promotes the formation of ˙OH. The main active species ˙OH and h+ contributed the most to the photodegradation of CIP, and the degradation rate and the degradation kinetic constant of ciprofloxacin (CIP) for BZA-0.5 were 1.56 and 2.63 times higher than those of ZA, respectively. On this basis, a CIP transformation pathway was proposed based on the identified transformation products. This work provides a new strategy to improve the degradation of ciprofloxacin in wastewater through the synergistic effect of bismuth-doped and oxygen vacancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research work employed a hydrothermal technique to synthesize GO-based Pure Bi 2 O 3 and GO-based Fe-doped Bi 2 O 3 mesoporous nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, FE-SEM, EDAX, UV–Vis, Photoluminescence, and BET were introduced to characterize the nanocomposites that were synthesized. The photocatalytic degradation of Congo red and Methylene Blue-Methyl Orange mixed dye under solar light irradiation was then scrutinized. The results showed that the photocatalytic efficiency of GO-based 0.5 % Fe doped Bi 2 O 3 was significantly greater than all other synthesized samples, with 91.57 % in 90 min for Congo red and 91.47 % in 120 min for MO-MB dyes. The enhancement in the degradation of harmful dyes in GO/0.5 % Fe doped Bi 2 O 3 nanocomposite was attributable to a larger surface area of about 102.571 m2/g, the development of defects, low band gap and the production of higher active sites. According to the regeneration investigation, GO-based 0.5 % Fe doped Bi 2 O 3 nanocomposite can be effectively recycled up to three cycles while keeping high efficiency without a significant reduction in degradation rate and excellent stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall goal of this research was to develop the Vis/BC-BiOI/PMS system, integrating multiple advanced oxidation technologies, to effectively treat Enrofloxacin (ENR), a typical antibiotic pollutant known for its resistance to degradation. The modified biochar underwent thorough characterization, including analysis of its structure, morphology, surface material composition, and other properties. Adsorption experiments revealed that the Biochar (BC) component exhibited the most robust adsorption removal rate, reaching 15%, followed by Bismuth Iodide Oxide loaded Biochar (BC-BiOI) (9%) and Bismuth Iodide Oxide (BiOI) (2%). The control experiment was separately conducted under dark or visible light conditions, demonstrating that photocatalysis primarily contributed to ENR degradation. The subsequent degradation kinetics also showed this point. The pathway and mechanism of ENR degradation in the Vis/BC-BiOI/PMS system were extensively analyzed. The contribution of each active substance was determined through free radical quenching tests and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectra. The results indicated that ·OH and SO4−· played dominant roles in the early stages of ENR degradation, while 1O2 became the primary contributor in the later stages, with 1O2 > ·OH > SO4−·. In addition, the toxicity and applicability of the Vis/BC-BiOI/PMS system were evaluated. This study demonstrates the effectiveness and feasibility of the Vis/BC-BiOI/PMS system in treating ENR wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To increase the effectiveness of both the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER), significant efforts are made to produce bifunctional water‐splitting electrocatalysts. In this study, bismuth oxide/nickel oxide (Bi2O3/NiO)‐based composite is supported over the nickel foam (Bi2O3/NiO‐NF) and carbon nanotube fiber (Bi2O3/NiO‐CNTF) to develop two different electrode systems for water‐splitting studies. For OER, Bi2O3/NiO‐NF and Bi2O3/NiO‐CNTF require overpotential of 401 and 369 mV, respectively, to achieve the current density of 50 mA cm−2 in alkaline media, while the current density of 50 mA cm−2 is achieved at overpotential of 398 and 304 mV, respectively, in neutral media. For HER, Bi2O3/NiO‐NF and Bi2O3/NiO‐CNTF achieve the current density of 50 mA cm−2 at overpotential of 301 and 268 mV, respectively, in neutral media. For overall water splitting in neutral media, Bi2O3/NiO‐CNTF achieves the current density of 50 mA cm−2 at cell voltage of 1.654 V. The promising performance of synthesized electrocatalysts reveals that the mixed metal oxides (p‐block and d‐block elements)‐based electrocatalysts can be potential candidates for practical water splitting in basic (1 M KOH) as well as neutral media (1 M phosphate‐buffered saline). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel photocatalyst WO 3 /BiMOF/Bi 2 WO 6 was prepared by self-assembly of benzene dicarboxylic acid ligand (H 2 BDC) anchoring Bi source on the surface of Bi 2 WO 6 to form BiMOF, in which WO 3 spherical particles were scattered uniformly. Thereby, an amount of metal and oxygen vacancies (V M + O) are generated. The 3D flower-like spherical photocatalyst has a large specific surface area and close interfacial contacts, which can provide sufficient channels for carrier migration. The introduction of BiMOF enhanced the light absorption capability of photocatalyst. As a result, the flower-like WO 3 /BiMOF/Bi 2 WO 6 structure exhibits excellent nitrogen fixation as well as high-level photocatalytic activity in degrading Rhodamine B (RhB) and tetracycline (TC) under visible light. For one thing, WO 3 /BiMOF/Bi 2 WO 6 produce ammonia up to 227 μmol L−1 h−1. For another, the degradation efficacy displayed by RhB 99.3% in 15 min and TC 93.6% degradation in 50 min, respectively. In addition, the catalysts showed excellent cyclic stability, with constant degradation efficiencies for at least 4 cycles. The experimental results of free radical scavenging showed that holes (h+) and superoxide radical (·O2−) were the main active substances in the photodegradation process. Therefore, the photocatalytic mechanism of 3D flower-like WO 3 /BiMOF/Bi 2 WO 6 was also proposed. [Display omitted] • Design of a novel Bi-source MOF to load WO 3 as a heterojunction on a 3D hydrangea BiMOF. • Photocatalytic synthesis of ammonia, degradation of tetracycline (TC), rhodamine B (RhB). • Improved ammonia production and tetracycline(TC) and dye(RhB) degradation efficiencqy. • The photocatalytic mechanism of ammonia synthesis and degradation reaction was elaborated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High photo-generated carrier recombination rate and weak spectral response are important constrained factors for the enhancement of photocatalytic activities. In this contribution, ultrathin Bi 7 Fe 2 Ti 2 O 17 Cl nanosheets with Sillén-Aurivillius structure were fabricated from ultrasonic assisted exfoliation. The relevant photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) pollutant solutions and the reduction of CO 2 under the visible light irradiation. The formation of oxygen vacancies (OVs) can build the new donor level of OVs and reduce the band gap in ultrathin Bi 7 Fe 2 Ti 2 O 17 Cl nanosheets, which can enhance the light absorption of nanosheets. Simultaneously, this created energy level also can expedite the separation and migration efficiencies of photo-generated charges, boosting the reaction rate. Eventually, the photocatalytic performance of ultrathin Bi 7 Fe 2 Ti 2 O 17 Cl nanosheets demonstrates the superior photocatalytic activities, with CH 3 OH yield from CO 2 and RhB degradation efficiencies under the visible light irradiation, are 2.16 and 3.87 times higher than those of the raw Bi 7 Fe 2 Ti 2 O 17 Cl material fabricated from the molten salt synthesis method. This work aims at providing a simple and easy route for the exfoliation of Sillén-Aurivillius oxyhalides to boost photocatalytic performances. [Display omitted] • Ultrathin nanosheets were prepared by ultrasonic assisted exfoliation. • Ultrathin Bi 7 Fe 2 Ti 2 O 17 Cl nanosheets show the superior photocatalytic activities. • Oxygen vacancies boost the light absorption and separation of carriers. • Possible photocatalytic mechanisms have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A solid-state PET/CT system uses bismuth germanium oxide (BGO) scintillating crystals coupled to silicon photomultipliers over an extended 32 cm axial field-of-view (FOV) to provide high spatial resolution and very high sensitivity. Performance characteristics were determined for this digital-BGO system, including NEMA and EARL standards. Methods: Spatial resolution, scatter fraction (SF), noise equivalent count rate (NECR), sensitivity, count rate accuracy, and image quality (IQ) were evaluated for the digital-BGO system as per NEMA NU 2-2018, at 2 sites of first clinical install. System energy resolution was measured. Bayesian penalized-likelihood reconstruction (BPL) was used for IQ. EARL Standards 2 studies were reconstructed by BPL combined with a contrast-enhancing deep learning algorithm. An Esser PET phantom was evaluated. Three patient examples were obtained with low-dose radiotracer activity: 2 MBq/kg of [18F]FDG ([18F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose), 2.3 MBq/kg [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE ([dodecane tetra-acetic acid,Tyr3]-octreotate), and 14.5 MBq/kg [82Rb]RbCl ([82Rb]-rubidium-chloride). Total scan times were ≤ 8 min. Results: NEMA sensitivity was 47.6 cps/kBq at the axial center. Spatial resolution at 1 cm from the center axis was ≤4.5 mm (filtered back projection) and ≤3.8 mm (ordered subset expectation maximization). SF was 35.6%, count rate accuracy was 2.16%, and peak NECR was 485.2 kcps at 16.9 kBq/mL. Contrast for IQ was 61.1 to 90.7% (smallest to largest sphere) with background variations from 7.6 to 2.1%, and a "lung" error of 4.7%. The average detector energy resolution was 9.67%. Image quality for patient scans was good. EARL Standards 2 criteria were robustly met and Esser phantom features ≥4.8 mm were resolved at 2 min per bed position. Conclusion: A solid-state 32 cm axial FOV digital-BGO PET/CT system provides good spatial and energy resolution, high count rates, and superior NEMA sensitivity in its class, enabling fast clinical acquisitions with low-dose radiotracer activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we describe the creation of linked semiconductor nanomaterials, which represents a significant development for photocatalytic applications. A Bi2O3–ZnO hetrostructured thin film was created using the SILAR-CBD deposition technique. In comparison to pure ZnO and Bi2O3, the produced heterostructured thin film showed greater photocatalytic (PCD) activity for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under UV light. The formation of Bi2O3 (monoclinic lattice phase) and ZnO (hexagonal wurtzite phase) are the heterostructured nanomaterials that were generated, according to a powder XRD inspection. An image taken with HR-TEM demonstrates the mixing of nanoparticles and nanorod formations in the Bi2O3/ZnO. The vectorial movement of electrons (e−) and holes (h+) between ZnO and Bi2O3 is responsible for the boosted photocatalytic efficiency, which is in turn, accountable for the enhanced photocatalytic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hexagonal nanosheets like mesoporous nanostructures were developed on the flexible copper substrate as a binder-free thin-film electrode via a simple and cost-effective successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique. Among the numerous deposition techniques available for supercapacitor applications, this one was the most affordable and straightforward. Contact angle examination confirmed the hydrophilic nature of the deposited material. The obtained cobalt oxide/bismuth oxide/copper oxide electrode exhibited a notable specific capacitance (SC) of 1777.12 F/g at 2 mV/s in 1 M KOH and cycling stability (83.53% capacity holding after 5000 cycles). Furthermore, the asymmetric solid-state supercapacitor device assembled with cobalt oxide/bismuth oxide/copper oxide as a positive thin-film electrode and activated carbon (AC) as a negative thin-film electrode demonstrated a high specific energy (SE) of 20.46 Wh/kg at a specific power (SP) of 5640 W/kg and outstanding cycling stability (89.05% retained after 5000 cycles). As a consequence, it showed that the cobalt oxide/bismuth oxide/copper oxide synthesized by the SILAR technique could be a promising thin-film electrode for asymmetric solid-state supercapacitor devices with high energy density and power density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the hydrophobicity of the composite film on the wood surface, the wettability of the wood surface and its morphology, chemical structure, roughness and free energy changes were investigated in this paper after modification treatments with different volume fractions of octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). It can be found that the water contact angle and surface roughness of the hydrophobically modified wood increased with the increase in volume fraction, but the overall effect of OTS hydrophobic modification was better than that of PDMS, and a maximum water contact angle of up to 140.8° could be obtained at a volume fraction of 2% of OTS. In addition, the intensity of the stretching vibration peak of -OH was weakened after the modification, while the intensity of the stretching vibration peak of -CH2- was enhanced, resulting in an increase in hydrophobicity. At the same time, it can be found that the surface free energy of the modified wood specimens was reduced, which shows that OTS and PDMS improve the surface hydrophobicity of the wood by increasing the surface roughness and decreasing the surface free energy together. Finally, the hydrophobically modified Bi2O3-doped silica–titanium composite film still possessed high photocatalytic degradation activity for rhodamine B and gas formaldehyde, and the degradation rate could reach more than 90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composite phosphors SrAl2O4/Sr3Al2O6:Bi2O3/Bi2O4 synthesized by a solid-phase approach have been studied by means of X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and optical spectroscopy methods. A redistribution of Bi3+ ions between two phases was observed by changes in crystal parameters, bond length, and vibrational frequencies on Raman spectra. A relationship between the structure of the host matrix and the optical characteristics of phosphors has been established.

Acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) based composites with a high content of tungsten and bismuth oxide were developed using an innovative process to obtain lead‐free x‐ray shielding materials. ABS was chosen for its good mechanical properties and its widespread availability as a recycled material. The composites underwent flexural tests, Shore D hardness tests, thermogravimetric and morphological analysis, and their x‐ray attenuation properties were determined through numerical simulations and experimental measurements. Despite their high filler content (up to 75 wt%), the composites showed good filler dispersion within the polymeric matrix and maintained their mechanical properties. Across the investigated energy range (50–150 kV), the lead equivalence for x‐ray shielding was achieved with composite plates containing 75 wt% of tungsten and bismuth oxide, at thickness values corresponding to a weight increase of only 29% and 36%, respectively, in comparison to lead. These findings pave the way for a new generation of lead‐free x‐ray shielding materials. Moreover, their mechanical properties, including flexibility for potential application in wearable personal protective equipment, can be tailored by adjusting the filler content. Highlights: High filler content lead‐free ABS composites with WO3 and Bi2O3 were developed.They show good polymer/filler interfacial adhesion and flexural properties.Numerical simulations of their x‐ray shielding properties were performed.Experimental tests with polychromatic sources confirmed good x‐ray attenuation.Results pave the way for the development of new lead‐free x‐ray shielding systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheap, stable and easy‐to‐handle Werner ammine salts have been known for more than a century; but they have been rarely used in organic synthesis. Herein, we report that the Werner hexammine complex [Ni(NH3)6]Cl2 can be used as both a nitrogen and a catalytic nickel source that allow for the efficient amination of aryl chlorides in the presence of a catalytic amount of bipyridine ligand under the irradiation of 390–395 nm light without the need of any additional catalysts. More than 80 aryl chlorides, including more than 20 drug molecules, were aminated, demonstrating the practicality and generality of this method in synthetic chemistry. A slow NH3 release mechanism is in operation, obviating the problem of catalyst poisoning. Still interestingly, we show that the Werner salt can be easily recovered and reused, solving the problem of difficult recovery of transition metal nickel catalysts. The protocol thus provides an efficient new strategy for the synthesis of primary aryl amines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction and application of novel highly efficient photocatalysts have been the focus in the field of environmental pollutant removal. In this work, a novel CuFe 2 O 4 /Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 photocatalysts were synthesized by simple hydrothermal and chemical precipitation method. The fabricated CuFe 2 O 4 /Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 composite exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity than pristine CuFe 2 O 4 and Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 in the removal of bisphenol A (BPA) under visible-light illumination, which ascribed to the intrinsic p-n junction of CuFe 2 O 4 and Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2. The photocatalytic degradation rate of BPA on CuFe 2 O 4 /Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 with an optimized CuFe 2 O 4 content (1.0 wt.%) reached 93.0% within 30 min. The capture experiments of active species confirmed that the hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and superoxide radicals (•O 2 −) played crucial roles in photocatalytic BPA degradation process. Furthermore, the possible degradation mechanism and pathways of BPA was proposed according to the detected intermediates in photocatalytic reaction process. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, for the first time, the bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) nanoparticles functionalized graphene oxide (GO) were synthesized for the removal of nonylphenol (NP). The surface of the GO‐Bi2Te3 nanocomposite was modified by hyperbranched dendrimer and characterized by different spectroscopic and morphological techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field‐emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In this paper, to enhance the capacity, the surface of GO‐Bi2Te3@GlyTsCl dendrimer was modified by 5‐amino‐2‐hydroxybenzoic acid (5‐ASA). The effects of parameters on the removal of NP were also studied. This study reports the utilization of nanoadsorbent (GO‐Bi2Te3@GlyTsCl/5‐ASA) for the removal of NP by high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (HPLC‐FLD). Under optimal conditions, the removal values for the method were in the range of 90–96 %. Additionally, the Langmuir model was found to be fit with the isotherms data. The best kinetic model fit for the adsorption of NP from nanoadsorbent was the pseudo‐second‐order model. Moreover, GO‐Bi2Te3@GlyTsCl/5‐ASA nanoadsorbent exposed good reusability even after six consecutive cycles (from 100 % to 93 %) with high stability. Consequently, synthesized GO‐Bi2Te3@GlyTsCl/5‐ASA composites could be potentially used as an efficient nanoadsorbent for NP removal in water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we have reported the synthesis of both pure and bismuth‐doped lead oxide nanoparticles using solvothermal method. The synthesized nanomaterials were analyzed to assess their structure, crystallinity, phase, maximum absorption and band gap. The electrical characteristics of the fabricated nanostructures were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electron impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The maximum specific capacitance and energy density, 349.96 F/g and 95.27 Wh/g respectively, were attained at a scan rate of 200 mV/s in pure lead oxide. The synthesized pure lead oxide has displayed remarkable cyclic stability, retaining approximately 83 % of its performance even after undergoing 2000 cycles. The addition of bismuth to the lead oxide appeared to inhibit the electrochemical properties of lead oxide due to bismuth ion adsorption. This effect is directly concerned with the amount of dopant which predicted the increase in bismuth contents potentially suppressed the performance of the lead oxide. Our study provides insights into the possible uses of lead oxides in energy storage and conversion devices by revealing a previously unexplored method for optimizing their electrochemical characteristics. The understanding of oxide‐based materials in materials science and electrochemistry is expected to advance with the use of this novel technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile strategy to boost the activity and preserve the selectivity of CO2 reduction to formate using organic‐functionalized metal catalysts, specifically 2‐methyl‐imidazole coordinated to Bi, Bi[2‐MeIm], is reported, and the active surfaces are investigated during structural transformation under the applied cathodic potential necessary for CO2 reduction. Operando Raman spectroscopy unveils the structure evolution during the reaction and post‐electrolysis analysis shows the formation of three phases of bismuth‐based active surfaces. As a result, Bi[2‐MeIm] achieves an excellent CO2 reduction performance with an average formate selectivity of ≈90% Faradaic efficiency and high activity reaching a current density of up to −1 A cm−2 in a narrow window of cathodic potentials from −0.46 to −0.78 V versus RHE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coupled semiconductors with 1D carbon structures must be urgently developed. Herein, novel morphological semiconductors, namely fan wing-shaped ZnO and porous flower-shaped Bi 2 O 3 , are created, and the structural ZnO–Bi 2 O 3 composite is impregnated with carbon nanofiber CNF. The performance of the generated heterohybrid and pure nanostructures for photoelectrochemical water splitting is assessed using a material for the anode. Compared with pure fan-wing type ZnO and porous flower type Bi 2 O 3 nanostructures, the ZnO–Bi 2 O 3 @CNF heterohybrid exhibits a fourfold higher photocurrent density (1.7 mA/cm2) vs RHE by linear sweep voltammetry, and strong photocurrent response with continuous light irradiation and without light irradiation for 5 h. These photoelectrochemical enhancements are due to increased visible light absorption, higher surface active-sites, and effective charge separation enabled by the heterojunction formation between ZnO and Bi 2 O 3. The CNFs impregnated with ZnO–Bi 2 O 3 operate as electron sinks and/or acceptors, thereby decreasing the rate of recombination, facilitating the migration of electron–hole pairs to the catalyst surface, and improving the overall water splitting performance. Thus, this study presents an alternate structural layout and enhanced photoelectrochemical activity of ternary heterostructures. Additional materials with comparable structures can be used in this method to create efficient heterojunctions. [Display omitted] • One-step calcination method used for synthesis of fan wings ZnO and porous Bi 2 O 3. • ZnO–BiO@C showed the 1.7 mA/cm2 photocurrent density by LSV with light on. • Hybrid photo-electrode showed good stability upto 5 h with on and off light irradiation. • ZnO–BiO@C showed four fold higher current density than the pristine ZnO and Bi 2 O 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductor photocatalysis is the most efficient advanced oxidation processes for wastewater treatment. A new carbon-based photocatalyst bismuth oxide/multi-walled carbon nanotube (Bi2O3/MWCNT) nanocomposite has a considerable impact on improving photocatalytic performance. Bi2O3/MWCNTs (BMC) nanocomposite was prepared through the hydrothermal processing with 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 wt% of MWCNTs. The prepared photocatalysts have been thoroughly examined by various techniques. The X-ray diffraction confirmed the prepared photocatalyst as α-Bi2O3 with high crystallinity. The band gap of Bi2O3 and BMC 7.5 nanocomposite was found to be 2.41 and 1.94 eV. The prepared photocatalyst revealed smooth and porous merged flower-like structure with respect to the addition of MWCNTs. The model pollutant chromium(VI) (Cr(VI)) has been used to check the reduction efficiency of the prepared photocatalyst under solar irradiation. It was found that BMC 7.5 nanocomposite showed enhanced photocatalytic metal ion reduction (87.48%) compared to pristine Bi2O3 (69.29%). The preliminary photocatalytic Cr(VI) ion reduction experiments were carried to determine the photoreduction efficiency of pristine bismuth oxide and bismuth MWCNT nanocomposite. The kinetic study on Cr(VI) ion reduction obeyed pseudo-first-order rate kinetics for both the prepared photocatalysts. The efficiency of the photocatalysts was further analysed by reusing the same up to 3 cycles without loss of the efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of water photo-electrolysis possesses the capability to generate sustainable and renewable hydrogen fuels, consequently addressing the challenge of the irregularity of solar energy. Thus, developing highly-efficient and low-cost electrocatalysts for the use in contemporary renewable energy devices is critical. Herein, we report the fabrication of a novel BaCeFex−yBixO6 nanocrystalline material through a one-step solvothermal route using a post-annealing process at 500 °C. The synthesized material was investigated for its light-induced electrochemical HER and OER activities in alkaline media and the results revealed that the as-prepared BaCeFex−yBixO6-500 °C exhibited an excellent OER activity with an overpotential of 100 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2, thus outperforming the IrO2 electrocatalyst. Besides its excellent water oxidation performance, the catalyst also demonstrated an admirable HER activity comparable to that of the Pt/C catalyst, indicating that the higher temperature treatment plays a significant role in achieving the maximum performance of the developed electrocatalyst. This work provides insights into the enhancement of light-induced OER and HER activities of bismuth oxides for a wide range of catalytic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, synthesis (solid-state reaction) and characterization (structure, microstructure, and electrical) of the gadolinium (Gd) modified bismuth lanthanum oxide (LaBi0.9Gd0.1O3, and LBGO) are reported. Rietveld refinement of the x-ray diffraction (XRD) data was done using MAUD software, which adopts an orthorhombic crystal symmetry. The average crystallite size in the prepared sample was calculated using Scherer's relation. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph analysis reveals that grains are uniformly distributed over the sample's surface through well-defined grain boundaries so that a dense sample is formed, which may be a possible reason for elevated dielectric properties. The study of energy dispersive analysis of the x-ray (EDX) spectrum confirms the presence of all constituent elements (Bi, La, Gd, and O) in the studied sample. The presence of Maxwell–Wagner type of dispersion is confirmed from the study of dielectric properties as a function of frequency. The analysis of the modulus study confirms the presence of a non-Debye type of relaxation. The negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) nature of the sample is confirmed by the impedance study. The study of ac conductivity suggests the presence of a thermally activated relaxation process in the studied sample. Again, analysis of the Nyquist plots confirms the semiconducting character and may be suitable for some energy storage devices applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work is devoted to the study of the effect of variation of the ratio of oxides in the composition of (1-x)ZnO-0.25Al2O3-0.25WO3-xBi2O3 glass-like ceramics on shielding characteristics when employed as materials to mitigate the adverse effects of gamma radiation with different energy. The primary incentive behind these investigations is to discover novel protective shielding materials that lack lead or its oxide forms yet possess high shielding efficiency. Additionally, the aim is to identify the most promising compositions for potential practical applications in shielding. During the studies of shielding characteristics, it was observed that partial replacement of zinc oxide with bismuth oxide leads to a pronounced increase in shielding for low-energy gamma rays, for which, according to the data obtained, an increase in the concentration of bismuth oxide leads to an increase in the linear and mass coefficient by more than 0.8 - 1.2 times. An analysis of the influence of variations in the ratio of zinc and bismuth oxides in the composition of glass-like ceramics on the shielding characteristics revealed that the replacement of zinc oxide with bismuth oxide, leading to an elevation in density of the order of 10 - 15 %, leads to a steep rise in the shielding efficiency for low-energy gamma rays (more than 120 %), and to a 15 - 17 % growth in shielding efficiency in the case of gamma-quanta shielding for which the main interaction mechanisms are the Compton effect and the formation of electron - positron pairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Enhancing interfacial charge transfer is a promising approach to improve the efficiency of photocatalysts. This research effectively exploited an Ag-modified Z-scheme TiO 2 /Bi 2 MoO 6 heterojunction for photocatalytic degradation and disinfection under visible light. The catalyst was fabricated using simple hydrothermal and photo-deposition methods, and the characterization outcomes revealed that a built-in electric field (BIEF) was generated in the TiO 2 /Bi 2 MoO 6 heterojunctions, which significantly promotes the separation of photogenerated carriers and increases light absorption efficiency. Besides, the theoretical calculation demonstrated that electron migration between TiO 2 and Ag resulted in a strong coupling on the surface, which serves as the foundation for driving photoelectric charge transfer. Furthermore, the TiO 2 /Bi 2 MoO 6 /Ag-45 displayed 459% and 512% higher degradation efficiency of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) after 100 min compared to pristine TiO 2. Moreover, the complexes wholly inactivated gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and significantly inhibited the growth of gram-positive Staphylococcus albus (S. albus) after 200 min. Additionally, we have deduced the potential degradation pathways of TC-HCl and CIP and photocatalytic mechanisms. The research results provide an idea to solve the problems of limited light absorption range and rapid carrier combination speed of traditional photocatalytic materials, which is expected to be applied in the field of actual wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single crystal of Bi6Te2O15 was obtained from the melt of the solid-state reaction of Bi2O3 and TeO3. Bi6Te2O15 crystallizes in the Pnma space group (No. 62) and exhibits a three-dimensional network structure with a =10.5831(12) Å, b = 22.694(3) Å, c = 5.3843(6) Å, α = β = γ = 90°, V = 1293.2(3) Å3, and Z = 4. The structure was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. An asymmetric unit in the unit cell, Bi3Te1O7.5, uniquely composed of four Bi3+ sites, one Te6+ site, and nine O2− sites, was solved and refined. As a bulk phase, Bi6Te2O15 was also synthesized and characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry, and the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) method. Through bond valence sum (BVS) calculations from the single crystal structure, Bi and Te cations have +3 and +6 oxidation numbers, respectively. Each Bi3+ cation forms a square pyramidal structure with five O2− anions, and a single Te6+ cation forms a six-coordinated octahedral structure with O2− anions. Since the lone-pair electron (Lp) of the square pyramidal structure, [BiO5]7−, where the Bi+ cation occupies the center of the square base plane, exists in the opposite direction of the square plane, the asymmetric environments of all four Bi3+ cations were analyzed and explored by determining the local dipole moments. In addition, to determine the extent of bond strain and distortion in the unit cell, which is attributed to the asymmetric environments of the Bi3+ and Te6+ cations in Bi6Te2O15, bond strain index (BSI) and global instability index (GII) were also calculated. We also investigated the structural, electronic, and optical properties of the structure of Bi6Te2O15 using the full potential linear augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method and the density functional theory (DFT) with WIEN2k code. In order to study the ground state properties of Bi6Te2O15, the theoretical total energies were calculated as a function of reduced volumes and then fitted with the Birch–Murnaghan equation of state (EOS). The band gap energy within the modified Becke–Johnson potential with Tran–Blaha parameterization (TB-mBJ) revealed a value of 3.36 eV, which was higher than the experimental value of 3.29 eV. To explore the optical properties of Bi6Te2O15, the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function, refraction index, optical absorption coefficient, reflectivity, the real part of the optical conductivity extinction function, and the energy loss function were also calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photocatalytic degradation technique is considered to be one of the most promising approaches for solving the problem of environmental pollution. In this study, novel binary Bi2Ti2O7/g-C3N4 Z-scheme heterojunctions were prepared using a calcination method. The prepared composite materials were used to degrade bisphenol A under visible-light irradiation. The degradation experiments proved that the composite material with 50 wt.% Bi2Ti2O7 (denoted as BTC-50) showed excellent photocatalytic performance, which was consistent with the characterization results. The composite material displayed no significant decrease in photocatalytic activity after five recycles, and the degradation process was proven to follow pseudo-first-order kinetics. Besides, it was found that-O2- played the main role in the photocatalytic reaction process. This work significantly deepens the understanding of Z-scheme heterojunction material for organic degradation and provides ideas for the design of high-performance catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Sn and dual-oxygen-vacancy mediated Z-scheme Bi 2 Sn 2 O 7 /Sn/NiAl-LDH was synthesized. • The V O,O -Bi 2 Sn 2 O 7 /Sn/NiAl-LDH showed desired photoelectrochemical properties. • The SPR effect of Sn and oxygen defects accelerated charges separation and transfer. • Superior CO 2 photoreduction performance was achieved by V O,O -Bi 2 Sn 2 O 7 /Sn/NiAl-LDH. • The mechanism of CO 2 photoreduction on the V O,O -Bi 2 Sn 2 O 7 /Sn/NiAl-LDH was proposed. Photocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO 2) into high value-added chemicals is an attractive yet challenging process, primarily due to the readily recombination of hole-electron pairs in photocatalysts. Herein, dual-oxygen-vacancy mediated Z-scheme Bi 2 Sn 2 O 7 /Sn/NiAl-layered double hydroxide (V O,O -20BSL) heterojunctions were hydrothermally synthesized and subsequently modified with Sn monomers to enhance photocatalytic activity toward CO 2 reduction. The abundance of oxygen vacancies endowed the V O,O -20BSL with extended optical adsorption, enhanced charges separation, and superior CO 2 adsorption and activation. The interfacial charges transfer of the V O,O -20BSL was demonstrated to follow a Z-scheme mechanism via photochemical deposition of metal/metal oxide. Under visible light irradiation, the V O,O -20BSL exhibited the highest yields of carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH 4), with values of 72.03 and 0.85 umol·g−1·h−1, respectively, which were 2.66 and 1.57 times higher than that of the V O -NiAl-layered double hydroxide (V O -1LDH). In situ diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) revealed that carboxylic acid groups (COOH*) and aldehyde groups (CHO*) were the predominant intermediates during CO 2 reduction, and accordingly, possible CO 2 reduction pathways and mechanism were proposed. This study presents a feasible approach to incorporate dual vacancies into Z-scheme heterojunctions for CO 2 reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bismuth oxide/polyacrylonitrile (Bi2O3/PAN) composite nanofiber film was prepared by electrospinning technology to explore the preparation process of the film and its X-ray protection performance. During the preparation process, we took polyethylene glycol (PEG) as dispersant and PAN as polymer, then dispersed Bi2O3 into the polymer solution. The effect of Bi2O3 content on the morphology, mechanical properties and X-ray protection of the film were investigated. The results indicate that the nanofiber film with light weight (0.21 g/cm³ density), uniform particle dispersion and good fiber morphology can be obtained by electrostatic spinning and drying at 60 °C for 2 h, at the mass percentage of Bi2O3 and PAN of 160%. The nanofiber film has good X-ray protection effect, with X-ray attenuation efficiency above 50% during the tube voltage rising from 20 kV to 120 kV, and the mass attenuation coefficient reaching 62.16 cm²/g under the voltage of 20 kV. It has great significance for the development of X-ray protection materials with lead-free, lightweight and high shielding efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a mono-functional ZrO2 nanomaterial was treated with sulfur and loaded with two different percentages of platinum metals (i.e., 0.5 and 1 wt%) to generate an acidic bi-functional Pt/SZrO2 nanocatalyst for the purpose of increasing the catalytic activity and selectivity together. This work aims to determine the least amount of the costly platinum metal that can be added to the catalyst to achieve the appropriate balance between the acidic and metallic sites. Both rapid deactivation of the super-acid nanaocatalyst and fast cleavage of the zero-octane n-heptane chain can consequently be prevented throughout the reaction. This can be achieved by accelerating the hydroisomerization reactions at a pressure of 5 bar to reach the highest selectivity towards producing the desired multi-branched compound in fuel. Several characterization techniques, including XRD, SEM, EDX, BET, and FTIR, have been used to evaluate the physical properties of the catalysts. The best reaction product was obtained at 230 °C compared to the other tested temperatures. The conversion, selectivity, and yield of reaction products over the surfaces of the prepared catalysts followed this order: 0.5 wt% Pt/SZrO2 > 1 wt% Pt/SZrO2 > 0.5 wt% Pt/ZrO2 > 1 wt% Pt/ZrO2 > SZrO2 > ZrO2. The highest conversion, selectivity, and yield values were obtained on the surface of the 0.5 wt% Pt/SZrO2 catalyst, which are 69.64, 81.4 and 56.68 wt%, respectively, while the lowest values were obtained on the surface of the parent ZrO2 catalyst, which are 43.9, 61.1 and 26.82, respectively. The kinetic model and apparent activation energies were also implemented for each of the hydroisomerization, hydrogenation/dehydrogenation, and hydrocracking reactions, which track the following order: hydroisomerization < hydrogenation/dehydrogenation < hydrocracking. The lowest apparent activation energy value of 123.39 kJ/mol was found on the surface of the most active and selective 0.5% Pt/SZrO2 nanocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A piezo-photocatalytic system integrating dual electric fields constructed by weak force-driven piezoelectric polarization and Z-scheme junction is developed in 0D/2D α-Fe 2 O 3 /Bi 2 WO 6 , which shows accelerated migration of bulk and interfacial photoexcited carriers and strong visible light response, resulting in a superb tetracycline hydrochloride photodegradation efficiency. [Display omitted] • 0D/2D α-Fe 2 O 3 /Bi 2 WO 6 Z-scheme junction was synthesized. • Water flow-driven piezoelectric polarization field was introduced into photocatalysis. • Piezoelectric filed and internal electric field increase separation efficiency of charges. • FO/BWO exhibits excellent piezo-photocatalytic performance for TH degradation. Photocatalysis shows huge potential in environmental purification, but suffers from fast photocharge recombination and finite photoabsorption. Piezoelectric polarization is perceived as a promising approach to drive charge separation, but it always relies on the energy-guzzling ultrasonic vibration. Herein, a piezo-photocatalytic system integrating dual electric fields constructed by weak force-driven piezoelectric polarization and Z-scheme junction is developed in 0D/2D α-Fe 2 O 3 /Bi 2 WO 6. The introduction of low-frequency water flow-induced piezoelectric polarization field accelerates the migration of bulk photoexcited carriers of polar Bi 2 WO 6 , and forming Z-scheme junction with intimate interface guarantees the spatial separation of interfacial charges and strong visible light response. Benefiting from these merits, water flow-triggered α-Fe 2 O 3 /Bi 2 WO 6 delivers a superb tetracycline hydrochloride photodegradation efficiency of 82% within 20 min, which outperforms related piezo-photocatalysts in previous reports, even those driven by high-frequency ultrasound. KPFM and DFT calculations provide forceful evidence for the Z-scheme transfer pathway between α-Fe 2 O 3 and Bi 2 WO 6. Additionally, the synergetic effect of constructing the Z-scheme junction and introducing piezoelectric polarization is well confirmed by PFM, COMSOL simulation, ESR and photoelectrochemical characterization. This work offers a novel strategy to design the piezo-photocatalytic system and maybe realize the in-situ treatment of sewage taking full advantage of hydrodynamic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isostructural lanthanoid bismuth oxide oxidosilicates with the formula LnBiO[SiO4] (Ln=La and Gd) crystallize in the triclinic space group P1‾ ${P\overline 1 }$ with the lattice parameters a=571.04(3) pm, b=681.13(4) pm, c=697.98(4) pm and α=105.805(2)°, β=110.456(2)°, γ=99.871(2)°, Vuc=0.23380(2) nm3 for Ln=La and a=554.12(3) pm, b=670.68(4) pm, c=689.57(4) pm and α=104.619(2)°, β=110.793(2)°, γ=99.560(2)°, Vuc=0.22237(2) nm3 for Ln=Gd with Z=2 for both. Colorless single crystals were serendipitously obtained from the reaction of bismuth sesquioxide, bismuth trifluoride and the lanthanoid sesquioxides at 850 °C in unprotected torch‐sealed silica ampoules as SiO2 source. Their crystal structure features Ln3+ cations surrounded by eight oxygen atoms as distorted square antiprisms [LnO8]13−, which are linked via edges with three further polyhedra of this kind to form layers 2∞ ${\begin{matrix}2 \\ \infty \end{matrix} }$ {[LnOe6/2 ${\begin{matrix}e \\ 6/2 \end{matrix} }$ Ot2/1 ${\begin{matrix}t \\ 2/1 \end{matrix} }$ ]7−} within the (010) plane. The oxygen environment of the Bi3+ cations has to be described as ψ1‐octahedral (square pyramids [BiO5]7−) with five oxide ligands and the stereochemically active lone pair. Two of them are edge‐linked to form ψ1‐bioctahedra [Bi2O8]10−. Four out of five oxygen atoms belong to discrete [SiO4]4− tetrahedra, which separate 1∞ ${\begin{matrix}1 \\ \infty \end{matrix} }$ {[OLne2/2 ${\begin{matrix}e \\ 2/2 \end{matrix} }$ Bie2/2 ${\begin{matrix}e \\ 2/2 \end{matrix} }$ ]4+} chains of trans‐edge connected [OLn2Bi4]10+ tetrahedral, centered by the fifth oxygen atom propagating along [100] for charge compensation. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of GdBiO[SiO4] were investigated, showing Curie‐Weiss behavior without any magnetic ordering phenomena down to lowest temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

9-Borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-based boronium triflates bearing a N-substituted 2-pyridylmethanimine, N,N′-dialkylethane-1,2-diimine, or 2-arylcarbonylpyridine ligand were synthesized. Their tetracoordinate boron structures were determined using 11B NMR spectra and X-ray crystallography. The pyridine-imine complexes exhibited solid-state photoresponsive color changes upon UV irradiation, which indicated that boronium complexes without a bipyridine moiety also have photoresponsive capabilities. Combination of TD-DFT calculations and measurements of UV-vis absorption and fluorescence properties, diffuse reflectance spectra, and ESR spectra provided suggestions on the determining factor of the photoresponsive color change capabilities and structures of the photoproducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

g-C3N4/Bi2Fe4O9 composite photocatalysts were prepared by the mechanica mixing-calcination method. The heterojunction structure formed by the composite of the two materials made it difficult for photogenerated electrons and holes to reunite and improved the degradation rate of RhB. At 60 min, the adsorption rate of 25%-g-C3N4/Bi2Fe4O9 was higher than that of Bi2Fe4O9 and g-C3N4, and the adsorption rate reached 33.33%. At 240 min, 25%-g-C3N4/Bi2Fe4O9 photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 10 mg/L RhB was good, reaching to 87.59%. The reaction rate constant was 0.00674 min−1, which was 2.53 times and 2.32 times that of Bi2Fe4O9 and g-C3N4. Superoxide radical (O2−·) and ·OH were the main active components in the dye degradation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]