Hydrothermal Method Research Articles

Influence of reduced graphene oxide layer on sensing characteristics of Co3O4/rGO nanocomposite towards Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a mixture of different hydrocarbons, is a highly inflammable and explosive gas that is harmful to the environment and human health. Thus, it is imperative to fabricate LPG sensors with higher sensitivity, selectivity, stability, and minimal power consumption, functioning at low temperatures. The current study reports on the monitoring and detection of LPG at low functional temperatures using Co3O4-loaded on rGO (rGO-Co) prepared using the hydrothermal method. The microstructural properties of the materials were investigated in detail. The rGO-Co (80 wt%) sensor showed outstanding sensitivity (0.00364 ppm−1) and selectivity toward LPG, as well as a limit of detection of 1 ppm at a temperature of 125 °C. The sensing mechanism showed that an even distribution of Co3O4 throughout the rGO layers, serving as efficient sites for the adsorption and desorption of LPG molecules, was associated with enhanced gas-sensing capabilities. Furthermore, the response to LPG detection was significantly influenced by the combination of the finite spherical nanoparticles with increased pore sizes between them and reduced energy band gaps. Thus, the novel improvement of the sensor towards LPG detection was linked to the ohmic connection formed between rGO and Co3O4 forming a p-p heterojunction at the interface. Additionally, the coupling of Co-O-C bonds validated by high-temperature X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy provided extra active sites from Co3+ for effective LPG adsorption. The sensing mechanism induced by the loading of Co3O4 on the rGO surface was also deliberated.

2D electrodeposition assembly of Cu/Cu2O nanoarrays for low temperature H2S sensing

Ultra-sensitive hydrogen sulfide (H2S) detection technology at low temperatures provides critical support for the application of one-time alert systems under extreme conditions, ensuring reliable monitoring of H2S in low-temperature environments and enhancing safety and practicability. In this study, we developed a novel low-temperature H2S sensor based on Cu/Cu2O nanoarrays, prepared through a combination of 2D electrodeposition in situ assembly and the hydrothermal method. The heterointerface between Cu nanowires and Cu2O nanocubes presents a high barrier, which can be modulated to zero through the formation of continuous CuxS conductive channels via the vulcanization reaction, thereby achieving excellent sensitivity and selectivity towards H2S at low temperatures. At freezing temperatures and low H2S concentrations (≤20 ppm), the sensors show ideal recovery and reasonable sensitivity (R=150 to 10 ppm H2S at 0 °C). However, the response significantly increases (R=5624 at 10 ppm H2S at 50 °C) and recovery is lost under reversed conditions. First-principles calculations have confirmed that the enhanced H2S adsorption at the heterointerface is the primary reason for the robust response observed at 0 °C. Experimental results demonstrate that the Cu/Cu2O nanoarrays were capable of rapid detection of H2S at low temperatures through modulation of heterointerface barriers.

Nanostructured hexagonal S-doped CeO2 for effective Rh-B and MB dye degradation

The photocatalytic efficiency of CeO2−xSx (x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5) hexagonal nanoparticles (HNPs) prepared through the hydrothermal method were tested by performing the degradation of Rhodamine-B and Methylene blue dyes under UV light irradiation. These compounds were thoroughly characterised using XRD, FESEM, EDX, HRTEM, XPS, ESR, FTIR, Raman, UV–vis DRS, BET and PL techniques. XRD analysis verified the cubic crystal structure of S-doped and pure CeO2 HNPs. HRTEM images clearly affirmed that S-doped CeO2 is made from HNPs. Over 94 % of Rh-B and 72 % of MB dyes were degraded by S-doped CeO2 for 180 min under UV light exposure, demonstrating its efficacy towards the photocatalytic activity (PCA). S-doped CeO2 HNPs have enhanced the PCA due to the reduction in the recombination rate of photo-generated electron-hole pairs, the rise in oxygen vacancy (Ov) and the narrowed optical band-gap. The photoluminescence findings clearly validated the increased PCA of S-doped CeO2. The scavenger tests confirmed the OH• and •O2− radicals participation in the quick degradation of both Rh-B and MB dyes.

Preparation of Zirconium-Based MOF-Derived Phosphide on GO/MXene Double Substrates for High-Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitors.

At present, it is very necessary to select and prepare suitable positive and negative electrode materials to fabricate high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have garnered significant attention in the energy storage field due to their high conductivity. As a branch, the zirconium organic framework (UIO-66) is a promising porous material due to its large specific surface area and abundant Zr centers. Graphene oxide (GO) and MXene are very suitable as substrate materials for conducting an MOF due to their abundant active sites and adjustable interlayer distance. The GO/MXene@NiZrP prepared through an in situ composite of GO and Mxene with the hydrothermal method and calcining method showed excellent electrochemical performance. Compared with the precursor UIO-66, the specific capacitance of the final product GO/MXene@NiZrP increases more than ten times, mainly because of its special layered porous structure, and GO/MXene@NiZrP has a larger specific surface area, pore volume, and surface defects caused by unstable Zr4+ than those of UIO-66. Using GO/MXene@NiZrP as the positive electrode and biochar (BC) as the negative electrode, an asymmetric supercapacitor, BC//GO/MXene@NiZrP, is assembled. After 10,000 cycles at a current density of 10 A g-1, the capacitance retention remains at 83.3%, showing excellent cycle stability.

AuNPs@MoS2 functionalized copper metal organic framework for boosting electrocatalytic glucose oxidation

A novel non-enzyme glucose sensor based on functionalized copper metal–organic framework composite material, AuNPs@MoS2/Cu-MOF, was developed for rapid glucose analysis. Cu-MOF nanomaterial was prepared via a hydrothermal method, followed by the surface loading of core–shell structured AuNPs@MoS2 to synthesize AuNPs@MoS2/Cu-MOF composite material. Consequently, a novel gold nanoparticle @ molybdenum disulfide/copper metal–organic framework (AuNPs@MoS2/Cu-MOF/GCE) non-enzyme glucose sensor was constructed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray powder Diffraction (XRD) was used to verify that the non-enzyme glucose sensor had been constructed effectively. Traditional electrochemical characterization methods were employed to study the electrocatalytic performance of the AuNPs@MoS2/Cu-MOF/GCE sensor and its catalytic oxidation of glucose. The experimental results demonstrated a good linear correlation between the concentration of glucose and the peak current within the range of 0.05–14.85 mM, with a detection limit of 16.7 μM. The AuNPs@MoS2/Cu-MOF/GCE sensor exhibited rapid electrochemical response to glucose (within 0.5 s), along with long-term stability and excellent selectivity. This is because Cu(II) in Cu-MOF can serve as active sites for the electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose, while the core–shell structure of AuNPs@MoS2 with excellent conductivity can lower the energy barrier in the reaction, further accelerating this catalytic reaction. The AuNPs@MoS2/Cu-MOF/GCE sensor is cost-effective, easy to operate, and suitable for accurate rapid quantification of glucose.

A C-modified engineering strategy of porous In2O3 catalysts for point-concentrated solar-driven photothermal CO2 hydrogenation

The solar-driven photothermal CO2 conversion serves as an effective approach for addressing the substantial challenges of energy crises and global environmental issues. In this work, various forms of In2O3 catalysts, including In2O3-c, In2O3-r, In2O3-s, and porous spherical In2O3, along with a C-modified porous spherical In2O3 catalyst (C-In2O3), were successfully synthesized through a hydrothermal method. An in-depth analysis was conducted to evaluate the performance of these catalysts in the point-concentrated solar-driven photothermal CO2 hydrogenation. As a result, the porous C-In2O3 catalyst exhibited a superior CO2 conversion rate of approximately 13.2 % under simulated sunlight irradiation, with a light intensity of 44.6 mW/cm2. Notably, all catalysts demonstrated nearly 100 % selectivity towards CO (CO production rate of around 8.51 mmol gcat−1h−1) during the photothermal catalytic reaction, without any formation of CH4. The outstanding performance of the C-In2O3 catalyst was attributed to the modification of In2O3 band structure by the incorporation of C, which significantly enhanced the intensive solar light absorption of the catalyst. Furthermore, incorporating C into In2O3 substantially augments its basic strength and significantly elevates the quantity of basic sites, thereby endowing it with outstanding CO2 adsorption and conversion capabilities. This work provides a C-modified engineering strategy to design efficient photothermal catalysts for boosting point-concentrated photothermal CO2 hydrogenation.

Anchoring MnWO4 Nanorods on LaTiO2N Nanoplates for Boosted Visible Light-Driven Overall CO2 Reduction.

The photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into hydrocarbon fuel holds immense potential for achieving a carbon closed loop and carbon neutrality. Developing efficient photocatalysts plays a pivotal role in enabling the widespread application of photocatalytic CO2 reduction on a large scale. Herein, a novel S-scheme MnWO4/LaTiO2N heterojunction composite is successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method. This composite catalyst demonstrates excellent photocatalytic activity in the reduction of CO2 to CO and CH4 using water molecules as electron donors under visible light irradiation, and the optimized 30% MnWO4/LaTiO2N composite displays significantly enhanced CO and CH4 yields of 3.94 and 0.81 μmol g-1 h-1, respectively, and the corresponding utilized photoelectron number reaches 14.7 μmol g-1 h-1, which is approximately 7.7 and 12.9 times that of LaTiO2N and MnWO4. The enhancement in photocatalytic activity of the composites can be ascribed to the construction of an S-scheme heterojunction, which exhibits improved charge transfer dynamics, retains the strongest redox capacity, and effectively suppresses back reactions. In situ Fourier-transform infrared imaging provides evidence, to a certain extent, for the existence of a temporal gradient order in the generation of multiple products during the photocatalytic reduction of CO2.

Disintegration of lignocellulosic material through visible light SiO2/g-C3N4 photocatalyst for biogas generation

This study presents the synthesis of g-C3N4 and the fabrication of SiO2/g-C3N4 via the hydrothermal polycondensation method, serving as a highly efficient visible light activated photocatalyst for enhancing anaerobic digestion and biogas production from rice straw through pretreatment at various time intervals. The efficacy of the pretreatment was evaluated using a range of analytical techniques, including XRD, FTIR, FESEM, EDX, and UV–vis analysis. The results showcased a remarkable 81 % reduction in silica content compared to untreated rice straw, along with a significant 121 % increase in biogas production. The study demonstrate that the 7-h treatment duration facilitates the highest silica reduction and biogas yield. These findings underscore the immense potential of SiO2/g-C3N4 as a promising catalyst for rice straw pretreatment, thereby leading to enhanced biogas production during anaerobic digestion.

Heterogeneous Nucleation Regulation Amends Unfavorable Crystallization Orientation and Defect Features of Antimony Selenosulfide Film for High-Efficient Planar Solar Cells.

Antimony selenosulfide (Sb2(S,Se)3) has obtained widespread concern for photovoltaic applications as a light absorber due to superior photoelectric features. Accordingly, various deposition technologies have been developed in recent years, especially hydrothermal deposition method, which has achieved a great success. However, device performances are limited with severe carrier recombination, relating to the quality of absorber and interfaces. Herein, bulk and interface defects are simultaneously suppressed by regulating heterogeneous nucleation kinetics with barium dibromide (BaBr2) introduction. In details, the Br adsorbs and dopes on the polar planes of cadmium sulfide (CdS) buffer layer, promoting the exposure of nonpolar planes of CdS, which facilitates the favorable growth of [hk1]-Sb2(S,Se)3 films possessing superior crystallinity and small interface defects. Additionally, the Se/S ratio is increased due to the replacement of S/Se by Br, causing a downshift of the Fermi levels with a benign band alignment and a shallow-level defect. Moreover, Ba2+ is located at grain boundaries by coordination with S and Se ions, passivating grain boundary defects. Consequently, the efficiency is increased from 7.70% to 10.12%. This work opens an avenue towards regulating the heterogeneous nucleation kinetics of Sb2(S,Se)3 film deposited via hydrothermal deposition approach to optimize its crystalline orientation and defect features.

Synthesis and mechanism of Bi/SnO2 for enhanced photocatalytic activity in the degradation of humic acid under visible light

Humic acid (HA) is a typical refractory organic matter, widely existing in natural water and many types of wastewaters. In this study, Bi/SnO2 composites were synthesized by a simple one-step hydrothermal method for photocatalytic degradation of HA. Due to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of Bi, the light absorption of Bi/SnO2 composites expands from UV to visible light compared to pure SnO2. Under visible light irradiation for 120 min, the UV254 removal reached 93.58 %, color number (CN) removal reached 94.41 %. The degradation rate constant of Bi/SnO2 (0.0178 min−1) is 14.83 times higher than that of SnO2 (0.0012 min−1), indicating the superior photocatalytic degradation efficiency of Bi/SnO2 composites. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) was found that photocatalysis mainly degraded most CHO-containing organic matter and reduced the amount of organic matter (from 7240 to 3886). The molecular number of organic compounds with m/z of 400–500 and 500–600 exhibited a significant decrease, specifically by 1052 and 770, respectively. This observation suggests that the photocatalytic process effectively eliminates low and moderate molecular weight organics. The molecular number, aromaticity and molecular weight of dissolved organic matter (DOM) were reduced mainly by carboxylic acid reaction, dealkylation reaction and oxygen addition reaction.

MoS2/FeS2 heterojunction nanocomposites efficiently activating H2O2 for pollutant control: Insights into the mechanism

In this work, MoS2/FeS2 nanocomposites were synthesized by a green and simple one-step hydrothermal method to improve the poor Fenton-like activity of MoS2. A series of characterization techniques demonstrated that the MoS2 and FeS2 were chemically and firmly bonded through the Mo-S-Fe bonding. Optimization experiments confirmed that MoS2/FeS2-7-12 h provided the best Fenton-active degradation of sulfamethazine (SMZ), with almost all of the SMZ being degraded within 5 min. Mechanistic studies and Density functional theory results indicated that FeS2 coordinated on the MoS2 surface of MoS2/FeS2-7-12 h can enhance the adsorption and activation for H2O2, with an enhanced Bader charge transfer of 0.44 e- and an improved H2O2 adsorption energy of −0.72 eV compared with MoS2 and FeS2. In addition, The formed Mo-S-Fe bonding during the synthesis process can accelerate the redox cycles of Mo(IV)/Mo(V) and Fe(III)/Fe(II), and thus achieving the efficient generation of •OH and •O2−. Cycling tests showed that MoS2/FeS2-7-12 h could still maintain relatively good degradation activity after five cycles, indicating its excellent recyclability. The satisfactory universality, recyclability and performance enabled MoS2/FeS2-7-12 h to serve as a promising candidate for H2O2 activation.

Adjustable double cation vacancies MnSex/FeSex p-n heterojunction catalysts on improving multifunctional photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performance

MnSex is a type of p-type semiconductor that combines with n-type FeSex in a one-step hydrothermal method to form a MnSex/FeSex p-n type heterojunction. The heterostructures showed good photocatalytic performance. The photocatalytic degradation rate constant of MFS3 was 0.01114 min−1, while that of MnSex was 0.00213 min−1. The photocatalytic degradation activity of MFS3 was 423 % higher than that of MnSex. Afterwards, the MnSex/FeSex catalyst was further soaked in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to form metal vacancies through metal complexation. A large number of pores can be seen in the SEM image of MFS3v catalyst, and Mn and Fe bimetallic vacancies can be seen in the TEM results. The signal of the electron paramagnetic spectrum is significantly enhanced, with a significant shift in its g value. The above results confirm the formation of Mn and Fe bimetallic vacancies in the catalyst. The two-hole heterojunction catalyst significantly improves its photochemical activity, and the photocurrent density of MFS3v at 0 V vs. RHE is −2.438 mA/cm2, 18.2 and 2.5 times that of the original MnSex and MnSex/FeSex heterojunction, respectively. Tests have confirmed that this double vacancy can increase the active sites and enhance the photoelectrochemical hydrogen production ability. This study proposes a method that combines heterojunctions and vacancies to achieve multifunctional catalysts.

Synthesis of NiFeCo ternary layered hydroxides and their performances of electrochemical energy storage for solar cells

Ternary layered hydroxide are high-performance electrode materials for supercapacitors. In this study, nickel–iron-cobalt ternary layered hydroxides (NiFeCo-LDHs) with different nickel–iron molar ratios were grown on nickel foam using a one-step hydrothermal method. The effect of nickel–iron molar ratio on the electrochemical performance and morphology of NiFeCo-LDHs was investigated, and the electrode material at a nickel–iron molar ratio of 3:7 had better electrochemical performance up to 7.01F/cm2 (at 1 mA/cm2). The specific capacitance of the assembled hybrid supercapacitor reached 1575.00 mF/cm2 at 3 mA/cm2. In addition, the fabricated all-solid-state hybrid capacitor（742.86 mF/cm2 at 4 mA/cm2) was capable of lighting an LED after charged by a solar cell. The results indicated that the electrochemical performance of NiFeCo-LDHs was affected by the nickel–iron mole ratio and demonstrated the potential application of NiFeCo-LDHs in electrochemical energy storage.

High performance flexible phase change hydrogel applied to thermal management of new cigarette device

To address the thermal management challenges of new heat-not-burn (HNB) cigarette devices, this study aims to enhance overall energy conversion efficiency while maintaining unchanged battery capacity. The goal is to minimize heat dissipation and reduce the temperature of the device's housing that contacts the user. In this research, CaCl2·6H2O (CCH) was selected as the phase change material (PCM), and a polyacrylamide (PAM) phase change hydrogel encapsulating CCH was prepared via in-situ polymerization. Additionally, konjac glucomannan (KGM) was incorporated into the three-dimensional network structure of PAM through hydrogen bonding to promote the formation of a porous gel structure. CNTs-CuO composites, featuring in-situ generated CuO nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes (CNTs), were synthesized using a microwave hydrothermal method and employed to enhance the thermal conductivity of the phase change hydrogel.This study demonstrates that the three-dimensional porous network structure of the hydrogel not only provides effective encapsulation protection for CCH and maintains high latent heat (144.9 J/g), but also imparts excellent flexibility and stability to the composites. The incorporation of CNTs-CuO composites introduces efficient heat transfer channels, significantly increasing the thermal conductivity of the hydrogels by approximately 37 % (0.687 W·m−1·K−1). Moreover, the hydrogel composites exhibit exceptional temperature regulation properties.The innovative design and preparation of these hydrated salt-based flexible hydrogel composites offer a novel approach in the fields of thermal management and energy storage. This material demonstrates practical applications not only in HNB devices but also in various thermal management systems, such as wearable electronics, battery thermal management, and electronic device cooling. Furthermore, its application in energy storage systems, including thermal energy storage units and smart textiles, underscores its broad applicability and significance.

Hydrofluoric Acid-Free Broadband Near-Infrared Phosphors K2LiMF6:Cr3+ with Zero-Thermal Quenching: Structure, Luminescence, and Application.

Near-infrared (NIR) phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (pc-LEDs) are considered promising light sources for night vision, food analysis, biomedicine, and plant growth. Yet, the application potential of this technology is vulnerable to the function degradation of the phosphors used, such as thermal quenching, which needs to be addressed urgently. Herein, the NIR phosphors K2LiMF6:Cr3+ (M = Al, Ga, In) with a cubic double-perovskite structure synthesized by a green hydrofluoric acid-free hydrothermal method exhibit outstanding thermal stability. Under 450 nm excitation, the as-synthesized K2LiMF6:Cr3+ phosphors all exhibited broadband NIR emission covering 650-1000 nm peaking at 755-780 nm. The prepared K2LiAlF6:Cr3+ phosphor shows a unique zero-thermal quenching performance (I423K/I298K = 102%). The comprehensive effects of a wide band gap, large thermal energy barrier, weak electron-phonon coupling effect, and high structural rigidity are responsible for the suppression of thermal quenching in this material. The output power of the NIR pc-LED device reached 285 mW at 100 mA. This series of phosphors has promise in night vision and bioimaging applications.

Hierarchically porous MgO/biochar composites for efficient CO2 capture: Structure, performance and mechanism

For enhancing the CO2 uptake performance of MgO-based materials, hierarchically porous MgO/biochar composites were prepared using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The CO2 adsorption properties was investigated in detail and the adsorption mechanism was revealed by considering structure − function relationships and performing density functional theory calculations. The MgO/biochar-1 had hierarchical pore structure and high specific surface area (1453 m2·g−1) with abundant narrow micropores (<1.0 nm), facilitating the adsorption of CO2. The results demonstrated that MgO/biochar-1 exhibited the highest CO2 capture capacity of 6.65 mol⋅kg−1 (273 K, 1 bar) and excellent selectivity for CO2/N2 (96.70 at CO2/N2 = 15:85, v/v). After 3 cycles, the adsorption capacity of MgO/biochar-1 still remained at 5.70 mol⋅kg−1 (273 K, 1 bar), suggesting the well cycling performance. The results of density functional theory calculation indicated that the oxygen-containing functional groups and MgO particles substantially enhanced the CO2 capture performance due to the enhanced interactions between MgO/biochar and CO2. This study provides novel insights for the construction of efficient and cheap solid adsorbents for CO2 capture.

Highly efficient defluorination of perfluorooctanoic acid by a BiOCl-ND photocatalyst: Enhanced charge transfer and synergistic mechanism

Considerable attention has been given to the control of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) environmental pollution due to its degradation resistance and potential risks. In this study, Bismuth oxychloride based nanodiamond (BiOCl-ND) composite materials were successfully synthesized by using hydrothermal method. The complete decomposition of PFOA and a high defluorination ratio of 74.6% by BiOCl-ND 10:1 was obtained under UV light irradiation within 60 min, and the composite's degradation rate constant was nearly 3.8 times than that of pure BiOCl. It was demonstrated that critical roles played in PFOA degradation were photogenerated holes (h+) and superoxide radicals (·O2−). A synergistic effect between BiOCl and ND and the heterostructure was revealed, the differences of the energy band structure between BiOCl and ND reduced the recombination of photogenerated e−-h+ and enhanced the charge transfer. In this process, a large number of h+ with oxidizing properties and·O2− generated from both BiOCl and ND played a critical role, and oxygen vacancies (OVs) also participated in the reaction as active species and contributed to electron transfer. Additionally, the photocatalytic decomposition intermediates of PFOA and the release of fluorine ions were analyzed to verify the effective defluorination of PFOA, and the results confirmed a gradual decrease in the toxicity of the reaction matrix during PFOA degradation. Hence, these results might provide insights for the development of photocatalysts to improve the photodegradation effect of PFOA in water.

Highly sensitive detection of kojic acid in food samples using fluorescent carbon dots derived from pomegranate peel

Kojic acid (KA) has gained significant attention due to its widespread use in the food and cosmetics industries. However, concerns about its potential carcinogenic effects have heightened the need for sensitive detection methods. This study introduces a fluorescence-based optical sensor for the quantification of KA in food samples, utilizing fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) synthesized from pomegranate peel via a hydrothermal method. The Stern–Volmer plot demonstrated a linear response for KA in the range of 120 to 1200 µM, with a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9999 and. The sensor exhibited a detection limit of 30 ± 0.04 µM and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 90 ± 0.14 µM. Application of the developed method to soy sauce and vinegar samples yielded accurate KA determinations, with recoveries of 103.11 ± 0.96% and 104.45 ± 2.15%, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of the proposed sensor for practical applications in food quality and safety assessment, offering valuable insights into the presence of KA in food products.

Hierarchical Bi2Fe4O9/BiOI S-scheme heterojunctions with exceptional hydraulic shear induced photo-piezoelectric catalytic activity

Hierarchical Bi2Fe4O9/BiOI S-scheme nanoflower heterostructures are prepared by hydrothermal method, which exhibit exceptional photo-piezoelectric catalytic performance. The tight binding between the sheets ensures the efficient electron transport, and provides a large interface area and adequate reaction sites for photo-piezoelectric catalytic reactions. At the same time, because the water flow in the water body produces hydraulic shear force on the material, the material produces piezoelectric effect. Bi2Fe4O9/BiOI exhibit a remarkable degradation efficiency of 99.4% for tetracycline and a hydrogen production rate of 4089.36 µmol h−1 g−1. The observed behavior can be explained by the combined influence of the formation of S-scheme structure and the process of photo-piezoelectric catalysis, confirmed by in-situ XPS, transient/steady-state fluorescence and piezoelectric response force test. The excellent stability of the material suggests its possible use in the sectors of energy and environment. This work introduces novel concepts for the future advancement of photo-piezoelectric synergistic catalysis.

Titania Doped CDs as Effective CT‐DNA Binders: A Novel Fluorescent Probe via Green Synthesis

AbstractCarbon dots (CDs), which belong to the class of zero‐dimensional carbon‐based nanomaterials, have garnered significant interest owing to their wide array of applications spanning from the electronics industry to the healthcare sector. This work employs a facile, inexpensive approach to synthesize green luminescent carbon dots (J‐10) from a potential medicinal plant named Justicia Wynaadensis by the one‐step hydrothermal method. A nanocomposite (JT‐10) of the CDs is prepared by adding TiO2 nanoparticles derived from green synthesis of Lavandula leaves. The J‐10 and JT‐10 are further characterized by X‐ray Diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Raman analysis X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared techniques (FTIR), UV–vis spectroscopy, Photoluminescence (PL), and Fluorescence or PL lifetime analysis. The average size of synthesized CDs is 1.85 nm and exhibits an excitation‐dependent fluorescence nature at 320 nm. PL lifetime analysis of J‐10 and JT‐10 is calculated to be 5.80 and 2.84 ns respectively. Offering these unique optical properties and biocompatibility, the synthesised material is suitable for investigating their binding affinity and interaction mechanisms with DNA. The use of JT‐10 in DNA binding studies contributes to the development of sustainable and efficient nanomaterials for applications in biosensors, drug delivery, and gene therapy.