Fabrication of binary (ZnO) x (TiO 2 ) 1−x nanoparticles via thermal treatment route and evaluating the impact of various molar concentrations on the structure and optical behaviors
TL;DR: In this article, binary (ZnO)x(TiO2)1−x NPs were effectively blended by using thermal treatment technique, where Zinc nitrate and titanium(IV) propoxide with polyvinylpyrrolidone, PVP, were utilized to set up the samples.
Abstract: Numerous studies have explored the behaviors of ZnO–TiO2 nanoparticles resulting through various routes of fabrication. To date, the utilization of thermal treatment method to convey ZnO–TiO2 nanoparticles has never been considered. In the present study, binary (ZnO)x(TiO2)1−x NPs were effectively blended by using thermal treatment technique. Zinc nitrate and titanium(IV) propoxide with polyvinylpyrrolidone, PVP, were utilized to set up the samples. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometer transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photoluminescence spectroscopy were utilized to examine the impact of changing the molar proportion to the structure and optical features of (ZnO)x(TiO2)1−x NPs. The XRD spectra revealed that after calcination, the amorphous sample had transformed into crystalline nanoparticles. The prepared (ZnO)x(TiO2)1−x NPs average diameter was around 25.922–28.531 nm according to TEM analysis. The analyzation of UV–Vis spectroscopy determined the optical measurements parameters including the energy gap and Urbach energy of binary (ZnO)x(TiO2)1−x NPs. The optical energy gap varied in the range of 3.2496–3.2863 eV as the molar ratio increases from x = 0.24 to x = 0.72. The enhancement within the nanoparticles optical properties suggests a good potential for photocatalysis application.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors synthesize the (Cr2O3)x (NiO)1-x nanoparticles at lower and higher precursor values using the calcination method using several techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).
Abstract: This study aims to synthesize the (Cr2O3)x (NiO)1-x nanoparticles at lower and higher precursor values using the calcination method. There is a lack in regard to investigating the lower and higher precursor values on structural and optical properties of the (Cr2O3)x (NiO)1-x nanoparticles. To synthesize the (Cr2O3)x (NiO)1-x nanoparticles, Cr (III) acetate hydrate and Ni (II) acetate tetrahydrate were reacted with poly (vinyl alcohol). Several techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), have been employed to characterize the synthesized sample. The XRD pattern analysis indicated that, following calcination, nanoparticle formation occurred, indicating hexagonal crystalline structures (HCP) and face-centred cubic (FCC) of (Cr2O3)x (NiO)1-x nanoparticles. FT-IR verified the existence of Ni–O and Cr–O as the original compounds of ready (Cr2O3)x (NiO)1-x nanoparticle samples. In term of average particle size, this varied from 5 to 16 nm when the precursor concentration rised from x = 0.20 to x = 0.80, as reflected in the TEM results. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was employed to measure the valence state and surface composition of the prepared product nanoparticles. To identify the optical band gap using the Kubelka–Munk equation, diffuse UV–visible reflectance spectra were employed, which revealed that the energy band gap fell with a rise in the value of x. In addition, photoluminescence (PL) spectra indicated that the photoluminescence intensity was related to a directly proportional way to particle size. Hence, the results can be employed with a broad range of applications in solar cell energy applications at higher x values and antibacterial activity at lower x values.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this article, zinc titanates (ZTO) were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated aiming to study their photocatalytic properties for hydrogen production under visible-light irradiation and employing MeOH (methanol) and TEOA (Triethanolamine) as sacrificial agents.
Abstract: In the present work, zinc titanates (ZTO) as photocatalysts were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated aiming to study their photocatalytic properties for hydrogen production under visible-light irradiation and employing MeOH (methanol) and TEOA (Triethanolamine) as sacrificial agents. ZTO were synthesized by modified Pechini method. Characterization of materials consisted in TGA, XRD, TEM, EELS, BET, and UV–Vis. Surface interaction studies consisted of FT-IR spectroscopy and determination of MeOH and TEOA adsorption–desorption capacities on the ZTO by TGA. Zinc titanates were evaluated as photocatalyst for H2 production using an artificial visible light and monitored by GC. TGA results led to establish calcination temperatures of 550 °C (Zn2Ti3O8) and 700 °C (ZnTiO3) to reach their crystalline phases. XRD analysis of sample cds-ZTO found cubic Zn2Ti3O8 and traces of the ZnO crystalline phase, while p-ZTO exhibited a mixture of cubic and hexagonal ZnTiO3 crystalline phases. Surface area for cds-ZTO was 88 m2/g, while ZnTiO3 had 13 m2/g. Photocatalytic H2 production for cds-ZTO and p-ZTO using TEOA as sacrificial agent showed the highest photocatalytic activities generating 548 and 441 µmolH2/h.gcat. TEOA adsorption–desorption capacity was found superior on cds-ZTO and p-ZTO than that for MeOH on both samples.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the structural, morphological, and optical properties of NiO nanoparticles were investigated at different calcined temperatures, and the results approved the successful formation of binary NiO 0.4 (Ag2O)0.6 nanoparticles by a novel facile synthesis route.
Abstract: Many studies have concentrated on exploring behaviors of nickel silver oxide nanoparticles using various routes of fabrication. Thermal treatment technique has never been utilized to fabricate nickel oxide silver oxide nanoparticles. In this research, binary (NiO)0.4 (Ag2O)0.6 nanoparticles were synthesized using the thermal treatment method due to its attractive advantages such as low cost, eco-friendly, and purity of nanoparticles. The structural, morphological, and optical behaviors of these nanoparticles were investigated at different calcined temperatures. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), and photoluminescence (PL) were the techniques used to characterize the synthesized nanoparticles. XRD was conducted at different calcined temperatures. The crystallite size was increased from 25.4 nm to 37.0 nm as the calcined temperature increased from 500 °C to 800 °C. Also, TEM results verified that the mean particle size was enlarged as the calcined temperatures increased. Two band gaps were found for each temperature, which were decreased from (3.05, 2.45) to (2.70, 1.95) eV as the temperature varied from 500 to 800 °C, respectively. Broadbands were observed by PL spectra, and the intensity of two emission peaks was also increased at higher temperatures. The results approved the successful formation of binary (NiO)0.4 (Ag2O)0.6 nanoparticles by a novel facile synthesis route. These nanoparticles are likely to have various applications, especially optical applications due to the formation of two band gaps.
5 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a thermal treatment technique is applied for the synthesis of CexSn1−xO2 nanoparticles and the results indicated that lower x values yield smaller particle size with a higher energy band gap, while higher x values yielded a larger particle size and a smaller energy bands gap.
Abstract: In the present work, a thermal treatment technique is applied for the synthesis of CexSn1−xO2 nanoparticles. Using this method has developed understanding of how lower and higher precursor values affect the morphology, structure, and optical properties of CexSn1−xO2 nanoparticles. CexSn1−xO2 nanoparticle synthesis involves a reaction between cerium and tin sources, namely, cerium nitrate hexahydrate and tin (II) chloride dihydrate, respectively, and the capping agent, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The findings indicate that lower x values yield smaller particle size with a higher energy band gap, while higher x values yield a larger particle size with a smaller energy band gap. Thus, products with lower x values may be suitable for antibacterial activity applications as smaller particles can diffuse through the cell wall faster, while products with higher x values may be suitable for solar cell energy applications as more electrons can be generated at larger particle sizes. The synthesized samples were profiled via a number of methods, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). As revealed by the XRD pattern analysis, the CexSn1−xO2 nanoparticles formed after calcination reflect the cubic fluorite structure and cassiterite-type tetragonal structure of CexSn1−xO2 nanoparticles. Meanwhile, using FT-IR analysis, Ce-O and Sn-O were confirmed as the primary bonds of ready CexSn1−xO2 nanoparticle samples, whilst TEM analysis highlighted that the average particle size was in the range 6−21 nm as the precursor concentration (Ce(NO3)3·6H2O) increased from 0.00 to 1.00. Moreover, the diffuse UV-visible reflectance spectra used to determine the optical band gap based on the Kubelka–Munk equation showed that an increase in x value has caused a decrease in the energy band gap and vice versa.
5 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a photo-electrochemical response of 141% for the TiO2/ZnO hybrid nanosponges electrodeposited at 75 °C with 10 mM Zn(NO3)2 for 15 min.
Abstract: In the present work, TiO2/ZnO hybrid nanosponges have been synthesized for the first time. First, TiO2 nanosponges were obtained by anodization under hydrodynamic conditions in a glycerol/water/NH4F electrolyte. Next, in order to achieve the anatase phase of TiO2 and improve its photocatalytic behaviour, the samples were annealed at 450 °C for 1 h. Once the TiO2 nanosponges were synthesized, TiO2/ZnO hybrid nanosponges were obtained by electrodeposition of ZnO on TiO2 nanosponges using different temperatures, times, and concentrations of zinc nitrate (Zn(NO3)2). TiO2/ZnO hybrid nanosponges were used as photoanodes in photoelectrochemical water splitting tests. The results indicate that the photoelectrochemical response improves, in the studied range, by increasing the temperature and the Zn(NO3)2 concentration during the electrodeposition process, obtaining an increase in the photoelectrochemical response of 141% for the TiO2/ZnO hybrid nanosponges electrodeposited at 75 °C with 10 mM Zn(NO3)2 for 15 min. Furthermore, morphological, chemical, and structural characterization was performed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX), Raman Confocal Laser Spectroscopy, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Grazing Incidence X-Ray Diffraction (GIXRD).
2 citations
References
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TL;DR: The semiconductor ZnO has gained substantial interest in the research community in part because of its large exciton binding energy (60meV) which could lead to lasing action based on exciton recombination even above room temperature.
Abstract: The semiconductor ZnO has gained substantial interest in the research community in part because of its large exciton binding energy (60meV) which could lead to lasing action based on exciton recombination even above room temperature. Even though research focusing on ZnO goes back many decades, the renewed interest is fueled by availability of high-quality substrates and reports of p-type conduction and ferromagnetic behavior when doped with transitions metals, both of which remain controversial. It is this renewed interest in ZnO which forms the basis of this review. As mentioned already, ZnO is not new to the semiconductor field, with studies of its lattice parameter dating back to 1935 by Bunn [Proc. Phys. Soc. London 47, 836 (1935)], studies of its vibrational properties with Raman scattering in 1966 by Damen et al. [Phys. Rev. 142, 570 (1966)], detailed optical studies in 1954 by Mollwo [Z. Angew. Phys. 6, 257 (1954)], and its growth by chemical-vapor transport in 1970 by Galli and Coker [Appl. Phys. ...
10,260 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a thermocouple is used to measure the sample temperature in a Stanton HT-D thermobalance, the bead of which is positioned in or near the sample, depending on crucible design.
Abstract: THE use of thermogravimetric data to evaluate kinetic parameters of solid-state reactions involving weight loss (or gain) has been investigated by a number of workers1–4. Freeman and Carroll2 have stated some of the advantages of this method over conventional isothermal studies. To these reasons may be added the advantage of using one single sample for investigation. However, the importance of procedural details, such as crucible geometry, heating rate, pre-history of sample, and particle size, on the parameters has yet to be fully investigated. It is also necessary to ensure accurate temperature measurement, both for precision and also to detect any departure from a linear heating rate due to endo- or exo-thermic reactions. (The effect of these may be largely eliminated by the use of small samples.) In our present work (using a Stanton HT–D thermobalance) the sample temperature is measured directly by means of a thermocouple the bead of which is positioned in or near the sample, depending on crucible design, the wires of which run down a twin-bore rise rod. The connexion between the end of the thermocouple wires on the balance arm and the terminal block is made by 0.001 in. platinum and platinum/rhodium wires5. It has been shown that these wires do not affect the performance of the balance but act merely as a subsidiary damping. From the terminal block compensated cable leads to the cold junction and a potentiometric arrangement for direct measurement of the thermocouple output.
5,770 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the bactericidal efficacy of ZnO nanoparticles increases with decreasing particle size, and it is proposed that both the abrasiveness and the surface oxygen species of ZNO nanoparticle promote the biocidal properties of ZngN nanoparticles.
1,352 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a comparison of the band gap energy estimated from UV-vis reflectance spectra of TiO2 powders prepared by sol-gel route versus commercial TiO 2 powders, nanopowder, bulk powder and P25 is reported.
Abstract: A comparison of the band gap energy estimated from UV–vis reflectance spectra of TiO2 powders prepared by sol–gel route versus commercial TiO2 powders, nanopowder, bulkpowder and P25 is reported. The experimental results obtained from the optical absorption spectra were reported for all the TiO2 samples. Graphic representations were used to calculate Eg: absorbance versus λ; F(R) versus E; (F(R) hν)n versus E, with n = ½ for an indirect allowed transition and n = 2 for a direct allowed transition. From the results, it could be seen that Eg strongly varied according to the equation used for the graphic representation. Differences in Eg up to 0.5 eV for the same semiconductor depending on the transition chosen were observed. Accurate Eg estimation in the four semiconductors studied was obtained by using the general equation α (hν) ≈ B (hν − Eg)n (where α ~ F(R)) and indirect allowed transition.
1,290 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive review of titania (TiO2)-based semiconductor photocatalysts is presented, including crystal growth, doping, and heterostructuring.
Abstract: Semiconductor photocatalysts have important applications in renewable energy and environment fields. To overcome the serious drawbacks of low efficiency and narrow light-response range in most stable semiconductor photocatalysts, many strategies have been developed in the past decades. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive update and examination of some fundamental issues in titania (TiO2)-based semiconductor photocatalysts, such as crystal growth, doping and heterostructuring. We focus especially on recent progress in exploring new strategies to design TiO2-based photocatalysts with unique structures and properties, elucidating the chemical states and distribution of dopants in doped TiO2, designing and fabricating integrated heterostructure photocatalysts with different charge-carrier transfer pathways, and finally identifying the key factors in determining the photocatalytic efficiency of titania-based photocatalysts.
1,033 citations