K. Basavaiah

Bio: K. Basavaiah is an academic researcher from Andhra University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Chemistry & Adsorption. The author has an hindex of 13, co-authored 30 publications receiving 317 citations.

Fe2O3/RGO nanocomposite photocatalyst: Effective degradation of 4-Nitrophenol

Abstract: We synthesized Fe2O3/RGO nanocomposite (NC) via simple and green hydrothermal method. The structure, morphology and thermal stability of prepared NC was studied using XRD, FESEM, EDS, TGA, FTIR and UV-DRS. As-synthesized NC was tested for photocatalytic activity by the degradation of model organic pollutant, 4-Nitrophenol (4-NP) under visible light irradiation. The effect of pH and H2O2 were studied on photocatalytic degradation of 4-NP by Fe2O3/RGO NC. This NC as benign photocatalyst for completely degraded 4-NP in 50 min. We stated that H2O2 played a key role in photocatalytic degradation of dye pollutant under visible light irradiation with the help of composite which was prepared by hydrothermal route. However H2O2 acts as promising oxidant due to its high efficiency, low cost and produce harmless co-additives. Moreover H2O2 can serve as electron scavengers and generates the hydroxyl radicals.

Green synthesis of reduced graphene oxide grafted Ag/ZnO for photocatalytic abatement of methylene blue and antibacterial activities

Abstract: We have reported a facile, green synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) grafted Ag/ZnO (RGO-Ag/ZnO) nanocomposite in the presence of L-Methionine (L-Met) for synergetic photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) and antibacterial activities. L-Met shows an excellent efficiency as stabilizing and reducing agents for the synthesis of both Ag NPs and RGO. The successful synthesis of pure phase L-Met-RGO-Ag/ZnO was confirmed by XRD. According to UV-DRS analysis, the doping of Ag resulted in a decrease bandgap energy of ZnO from 3.34 eV to 3.18 eV. The mixed morphologies of the nanocomposite were studied by SEM and TEM. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of L-Met-RGO-Ag/ZnO towards MB dye was investigated at varying initial concentrations of MB dye, H2O2, and ultrasonication. The optimum degradation efficiency of the nanocomposite (50 mg) at room temperature (25 °C) was found to be 99% with an initial MB dye concentration of 10 mg/L and 120 min contact time. The fast degradation of MB dye was observed in the presence of H2O2. The ultrasonication of the catalyst vanishes the synergetic interface of the nanocomposite, as a result, poor photocatalytic performance (85%) was observed even at a long period of contact time (210 min). Moreover, RGO-Ag/ZnO nanocomposites have shown strong antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive bacteria (B. Subtilis) and Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli). In conclusion, RGO-Ag/ZnO nanocomposite shows a promising photocatalyst for the degradation of organic dyes and antibacterial activities.

Synthesis of nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots/magnetite nanocomposites for efficient removal of methyl blue dye pollutant from contaminated water

Abstract: As a remedy for environmental pollution, a simple synthesis approach has been developed to prepare nitrogen doped carbon quantum dot/magnetite nanocomposites (Fe3O4@NCQDs NCs) using non-toxic and cost effective lemon juice as precursor for removal of organic dye pollutant. Fe3O4@NCQDs NCs were characterized by using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDS, TEM, VSM and TGA/DTA. TEM results show spherical shaped Fe3O4@NCQDs NCs with an average particle size of 5 nm. Batch adsorption studies were done to investigate the tendency of the nanocomposites to remove representative methyl blue (MB) dye from aqueous solution. The effects of MB dye concentration, dosage of Fe3O4@NCQDs NC adsorbent, pH, contact time and temperature were optimized by varying one variable while all the other parameters were kept constant. The experiment showed rapid removal of MB dye within 20 minutes with an adsorption efficiency of over 90.84% under optimum conditions. The adsorption process fits the Freundlich isotherm model well with R2 and n values of 0.993 and 1.842, respectively, at 298 K indicating the feasibility of the adsorption process. The adsorption process is spontaneous and involves exothermic behaviour as confirmed by thermodynamic studies. From a kinetic study, it was found that the pseudo-second order model is more suitable to describe the adsorption process than the pseudo-first order model for adsorption of MB dye onto Fe3O4@NCQDs NCs.

Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles and Their Prospective Biotechnological Applications: an Overview

Abstract: The green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) using living cells is a promising and novelty tool in bionanotechnology. Chemical and physical methods are used to synthesize NPs; however, biological methods are preferred due to its eco-friendly, clean, safe, cost-effective, easy, and effective sources for high productivity and purity. High pressure or temperature is not required for the green synthesis of NPs, and the use of toxic and hazardous substances and the addition of external reducing, stabilizing, or capping agents are avoided. Intra- or extracellular biosynthesis of NPs can be achieved by numerous biological entities including bacteria, fungi, yeast, algae, actinomycetes, and plant extracts. Recently, numerous methods are used to increase the productivity of nanoparticles with variable size, shape, and stability. The different mechanical, optical, magnetic, and chemical properties of NPs have been related to their shape, size, surface charge, and surface area. Detection and characterization of biosynthesized NPs are conducted using different techniques such as UV-vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, TEM, SEM, AFM, DLS, XRD, zeta potential analyses, etc. NPs synthesized by the green approach can be incorporated into different biotechnological fields as antimicrobial, antitumor, and antioxidant agents; as a control for phytopathogens; and as bioremediative factors, and they are also used in the food and textile industries, in smart agriculture, and in wastewater treatment. This review will address biological entities that can be used for the green synthesis of NPs and their prospects for biotechnological applications.

Green synthesis, biomedical and biotechnological applications of carbon and graphene quantum dots. A review

Abstract: Carbon and graphene quantum dots are prepared using top-down and bottom-up methods. Sustainable synthesis of quantum dots has several advantages such as the use of low-cost and non-toxic raw materials, simple operations, expeditious reactions, renewable resources and straightforward post-processing steps. These nanomaterials are promising for clinical and biomedical sciences, especially in bioimaging, diagnosis, bioanalytical assays and biosensors. Here we review green methods for the fabrication of quantum dots, and biomedical and biotechnological applications.

Highly dispersed CuO nanoparticles prepared by a novel quick-precipitation method

Abstract: Highly dispersed copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles with an average size of 6 nm have been successfully prepared by a novel quick-precipitation method. The as-prepared CuO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy and BET nitrogen adsorption. The results show that the as-prepared CuO nanoparticles have high dispersion and narrow size distribution. The influence of reaction conditions on morphology of CuO nanocrystals was discussed. Spherical, ellipsoidal and needle-shaped CuO nanocrystals can be obtained simply by varying the reaction temperature and controlling the addition of NaOH.

About graphene oxide

Abstract: Popularity of graphene oxide (GO) became ballistic in the last few years – in short, it almost seems that now everyone wants to work with graphene. However, as the number of electrochemical papers about graphene grows, so is the amount of misinterpretations. Our work was mostly focused on preparation of GO and its electrochemical properties, namely catalysis. Our results show, that chemical preparation of GO by strong oxidation is very tricky. Several approaches were tested, such as different sizes of graphite particles, oxidation mixtures, even repetitive preparations under the same conditions usually resulted in different products. Another big topic are impurities which are present due to natural occurrence in graphite and some of them might be also introduced during purification processes of GO. This could also lead to often observed catalytic activity of graphene. From our observations neither selectivity nor significant electrocatalytic abilities of the reduced graphene oxide modified electrodes towards H2O2 were observed. Moreover, our results suggest that GO does not need linking molecules in order to be deposited onto the surface of the electrodes, since it attaches spontaneously and keeps its electrochemical properties. Graphene is usually reported as a superior material, but its proper description and characterization should not be underestimated.