Simple Co-precipitation Method Research Articles

Investigation of the efficacy of Zn/Ce-CuO nanoparticles for enhanced photocatalytic, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities.

The world is dealing with unprecedented environmental challenges, leading to a growing urgency to limit environmental damage. So, this study focuses on the synthesis of pure CuO, Zn, Ce, and Zn/Ce dual-doped CuO nanoparticles (NPs)using extract of Citrus limon leaves as reductant via simple co-precipitation method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization was employed to analyze structural characteristics of synthesized samples which confirm influence of Zn or Ce doping on crystallite size, dislocation density, and strain. The role of functional groups, changes in force constant, and bond length on addition of dopants was indicated by FTIR results. The SEM and TEM results showed variation in morphology from irregular to spherical. The zeta-potential and BET analysis confirmed surface potential as well as surface area characteristics. The change in energy gap values from 1.81 to 1.45eV of Zn/Ce-doped CuO NPscomputed from UV-vis analysis elevated its photocatalytic performance and reduced the chances of recombination of electron-hole pair due to presence of trapping levels between valence and conduction bands. The enhanced photo-degradation of Congo red (CR) and rhodamine B (RhB) with 91 and 94%, respectively, for Zn/Ce-doped CuO NPswas observed. The so-obtained samples have also exhibited good antibacterial and antioxidant activities.

Physicochemical characteristics of DyFeO3 perovskite nanoparticles synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method at room temperature

Physicochemical characteristics of DyFeO3 perovskite nanoparticles synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method at room temperature

A Minimalist Iron Oxide Nanoprobe for the High-Resolution Depiction of Stroke by Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging.

The precise mapping of collateral circulation and ischemic penumbra is crucial for diagnosing and treating acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Unfortunately, there exists a significant shortage of high-sensitivity and high-resolution in vivo imaging techniques to fulfill this requirement. Herein, a contrast enhanced susceptibility-weighted imaging (CE-SWI) using the minimalist dextran-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4@Dextran NPs) are introduced for the highly sensitive and high-resolution AIS depiction under 9.4 T for the first time. The Fe3O4@Dextran NPs are synthesized via a simple one-pot coprecipitation method using commercial reagents under room temperature. It shows merits of small size (hydrodynamic size 25.8nm), good solubility, high transverse relaxivity (r2) of 51.3 mM-1s-1 at 9.4 T, and superior biocompatibility. The Fe3O4@Dextran NPs-enhanced SWI can highlight the cerebral vessels readily with significantly improved contrast and ultrahigh resolution of 0.1mm under 9.4 T MR scanner, enabling the clear spatial identification of collateral circulation in the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model. Furthermore, Fe3O4@Dextran NPs-enhanced SWI facilitates the precise depiction of ischemia core, collaterals, and ischemic penumbra post AIS through matching analysis with other multimodal MR sequences. The proposed Fe3O4@Dextran NPs-enhanced SWI offers a high-sensitivity and high-resolution imaging tool for individualized characterization and personally precise theranostics of stroke patients.

Tuning of structural, magnetic, and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles by Co and Cu doping

Undoped, Cu, and Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method. We studied the structural, chemical, magnetic, and optical properties of synthesized nanoparticles by using X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Vibrating-Sample Magnetometer, and UV–VIS spectroscopy. The X-ray Diffraction analysis discovers the crystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure and confirms the incorporation of Cu2+ and Co2+ in the ZnO lattice. The SEM photographs show that the nanoparticles are agglomerated, and the grain size of pure ZnO is decreased upon doping, showing inhibition of grain growth through doping. From VSM the coercivity and saturation magnetization of Co-doped (0.0189 emu/g and 84.044Oe) is higher as compared to pure and Cu-doped ZnO. The energy gap of doped and un-doped nanoparticles determined from the absorption spectrum indicates that it increases by doping of Copper and cobalt.

Zn doped CeO2 supporting Ni–Pt catalysts toward robust hydrogen generation from hydrous hydrazine

Ni-based bimetallic catalysts with noble metals exhibit high activity and selectivity for hydrogen generation from hydrazine monohydrate. However, their poor service durability remains a critical challenge. This study investigated the use of Zn-doped CeO2 as a support for Ni–Pt catalysts to improve their long-term stability. A series of Ni–Pt/Zn-doped-CeO2 catalysts were prepared via a simple co-precipitation and reduction method. Compared to the pristine Ni50Pt50/CeO2 catalyst, the Zn doping can improve the stability of CeO2 support in the alkaline condition, and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis clearly indicates that Zn doping leads to a negative shift in the binding energy of connected Ni and thus enhances the stability of the electronic structure in the catalysts. The findings in this work suggest that Zn-modified CeO2 supporting Ni–Pt catalyst offer a promising approach to achieving a better balance between activity and durability for hydrogen generation catalysts.

Sb-doped tin oxide nanonets for improved conductivity in transparent conductive coatings

In light of the three primary challenges faced by transparent conductive coatings, namely poor conductivity, elevated the active substance content, and insufficient visible light transmittance, net-like conductive agents due to the unique morphology and structure have been developed to address these concerns simultaneously. A straightforward synthesis of antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) nanonets was accomplished through a simple two-step coprecipitation and hydrothermal methods. Firstly, an antimony-doped stannic hydroxide hydrogel precursor was generated through coprecipitation. Secondly, by adjusting the pH value in the hydrothermal reaction, ATO nanocrystals network were obtained without the need for additional materials. The synthesized ATO, with a net-like morphology, comprises particles of approximately 3–5 nm in diameter. Throughout the reaction, ammonium hydroxide, used as a pH regulator, played a vital role as a reducing agent in forming ATO nanonets without the need for further post-treatment. Moreover, net-like ATO compounded with SiO2 transparent conductive coatings exhibited exceptional transparent conductive properties, with a visible-light transmittance of approximately 84.7 % at the wavelength of 550 nm and a square resistance of 0.5 kΩ/sq upon spin-coating deposition on glass. This remarkable performance can be attributed to the generation of a continuous conductive network. In comparison to granular ATO, the network structure ATO nanocrystal showcases a significant improvement in resistivity, demonstrating its exemplary transparent conductivity. The approach for the preparation of ATO nanonets was simple and easy to scale up to provide an enormous potential and broad prospect for the application of net-like ATO in transparent conductive coating.

Fabrication and characterization of ZnWO4/CoWO4 heterojunction for multispectral photodetection on flexible substrate

Flexible photodetectors hold significant interest across diverse applications, such as imaging, communication, healthcare, and environmental monitoring. This work reports a broad-band photodetector comprising Zinc tungstate (ZW) and Cobalt tungstate (CW) on a flexible paper substrate. CW thin film was fabricated by a facile successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction(SILAR) technique and the ZW nanoparticles, synthesised via simple co-precipitation method, were drop casted on it to form a heterojunction. Structural characterization of the materials was conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), while scanning electron microscopy was employed for detailed morphology analysis. CW is a p type semiconductor with its bandgap of 2.6 eV, exhibits impressive sensitivity across both visible and infrared segments of the electromagnetic spectrum. In contrast, ZW which is n type contributes UV-responsive, attributes effectively broadening the overall spectral sensitivity from Ultraviolet (UV) to Infrared (IR) spectra within a single compact device. The photodetector demonstrates remarkable responsivity of 1.66 mA/W (UV), 24.58 mA/W (Visible), and 0.024 mA/W (IR) under respective light intensities of 0.6 mW/cm², 0.4 mW/cm², and 4.41 mW/cm. The detectivity metrics are equally impressive, measuring at 9.9×1010 Jones (UV), 5.01×1011 Jones (Visible), and 4.48×1010 Jones (IR). The successful combination of Zinc tungstate and Cobalt tungstate on a paper substrate represents an advancement in photodetector technology, offering enhanced sensitivity, extended spectral range, and the potential for seamless integration into wearable electronics and portable devices.

Influence of phase transition with annealing temperature on structural, morphological, and supercapacitive characteristics of molybdenum oxide nanostructures

In this study, molybdenum oxide nanostructures (MoO3 NSs) were effectively synthesized through a simple, low-cost, surfactant-free, low-temperature, and scalable chemical co-precipitation method and investigated their synergistic effect with annealing temperature on energy storage applications for the first time. Herein, we have reported a phase transition of MoO3 NSs from hexagonal to orthorhombic after the annealing temperature varied from 100°C to 500°C at constant time. Additionally, the resultant NSs were thoroughly examined for their physio-chemical characteristics, which revealed the stable phase formation of the MoO3 NSs, respectively. Furthermore, the electroactive MoO3 NSs were pasted on Ni-foam substrate (M@NF), and electrochemical properties were evaluated using a three-electrode setup at room-air temperature in 1 M KOH aqueous electrolyte across the potential range of 0 V to 0.786 V. As a result, the M@NF-5 electrode exhibited an impressive specific capacitance of 976.84 F g−1 at a scan rate of 1 mV s−1, a higher energy density of 73.69 Wh kg−1, and a power density of 655 W kg−1 at 5 mA g−1. The non-linear galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) profile aligns well with the cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis. Both CV and GCD techniques confirm the pseudocapacitive behavior, with 83% capacitive retention observed after 2000 cycles. The fabricated symmetric device (M@NF-5//M@NF-5) exhibits enhanced electrochemical performance with a specific capacitance of 67.35 F g−1 at 5 mA g−1 and with an energy density of 18 Wh kg−1, and a power density of 1750 W kg−1 at a specific current. These findings underscore the potential of chemically deposited α-MoO3 as an auspicious material for use in supercapacitor applications.

Boosting the electrochemical properties of MoO3/MnFe2O4/MXene for high-performance supercapacitor applications

The expanding population and extensive usage of energy-consuming sources are the main factors driving the interest of current researchers toward the development of extremely effective and useful electrode materials for high-power energy storage devices. A novel class of 2D transition metal carbides such as MXene has captured significant attention and has distinguished itself from other electrode materials because of its remarkable electrochemical characteristics. In this work, we have fabricated MoO3 and MnFe2O4 via a simple co-precipitation method. Further, we design multifunctional MoO3/MnFe2O4/MXene composite by the combination of MoO3/MnFe2O4 and MXene through the sonication route. SEM results confirmed the fabrication of nanorods of MoO3 and nanoparticles of MnFe2O4, sandwiched within the MXene sheets. As evident from CV profiles, at 10 mVs−1 MoO3/MnFe2O4@MXene showed a higher specific capacitance of 817 Fg−1 than other electrode materials mainly because of the combined effect of MoO3/MnFe2O4 and the conductive nature of MXene sheets. Furthermore, even after 10,000 cycles, MoO3/MnFe2O4/MXene demonstrated outstanding cyclic stability, maintaining 90.2 % retention of its initial specific capacitance. Furthermore, MoO3/MnFe2O4/MXene showed less solution resistance and charge transfer resistance than all other prepared materials. These findings suggest that the MoO3/MnFe2O4/MXene composite is a competent capacitive material in the supercapacitor research area.

Thermal treatment impact on the evolution of active phases in layered double hydroxide-based ZnCr photocatalysts: Photodegradation and antibacterial performance

Abstract This study investigated the influence of thermal treatment on the photocatalytic performance of ZnCr layered double hydroxide-based mixed metal oxides in the degradation of methylene blue and brilliant cresyl blue organic dyes under simulated solar light irradiation. The photocatalysts were synthesized using a simple coprecipitation method and subjected to thermal treatment at temperatures ranging from 100°C to 900°C. Additionally, the study explored the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using a novel antibacterial experimental setup. It not only involved the introduction of ZnCr samples into BioPeptone/prepared cell suspension to enhance photocatalyst–bacteria cell contact but also included research on antibacterial activity induced by solar irradiation and also in the absence of light, providing crucial insights into photocatalytic antibacterial activity of ZnCr photocatalysts. Despite satisfactory efficiencies observed for all thermally treated ZnCr samples (removal efficiency ranging from 40% to 90%), ZnCr 900 (thermally treated at 900°C) exhibited exceptional performance, achieving nearly 100% removal efficiency and complete growth inhibition for both bacteria. Integrating these findings with structural and textural characterization data, as well as kinetic studies, our comprehensive analysis enhances the understanding of structure-dependent photocatalytic activities. These insights open possibilities for the application of ZnCr photocatalysts in water purification and environmental remediation.

Assessment of the catalytic and biological potential of yttrium and samarium-modified copper ferrite nanomaterials

The present study reports the preparation of crystalline and nanosized copper ferrite (CuFe2O4), Y3+ substituted CuFe2O4 (CuFe1.95Y0.05O4), and Sm3+ substituted CuFe2O4 (CuFe1.95Sm0.05O4) using a simple co-precipitation method. The XRD analysis confirmed the formation of the cubic spinel phase, while XPS studies validated the presence of Cu and Fe in 2+ and 3+ oxidation states respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed the nanoparticles with a diameter in the range of 10–60 nm. The introduction of fractional amounts of Y3+ and Sm3+ ions in the CuFe2O4 lattice enhanced the reduction of 4-nitrophenol, attributed to decreased particle size facilitating the reduction process. In the case of antimicrobial activity, Candida albican was found to be maximally sensitive to CuFe2O4 and CuFe1.95Y0.05O4, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa was inhibited by CuFe1.95Sm0.05O4. Moreover, a maximum of 61.9 ± 1.91 % anti-Pseudomonas biofilm activity and 75.7 ± 1.28 % DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed for CuFe1.95Y0.05O4 at 200 μg/ml concentration. The improvement in biological activities was attributed to the reduced particle size, crystal structure modification, and increased stability of the CuFe2O4 lattice with substitution. The enhancement in catalytic and biological performance highlighted the effectiveness of minimal Y3+ and Sm3+ concentrations in modulating the properties of CuFe2O4 nanomaterials.

Preparation of Novel Layered High Entropy Bismuth-Based Materials and their Photocatalytic Degradation Mechanism.

We prepared BiOCl, BiO(ClBr), BiO(ClBrI), and BiO[ClBrI(CO3)0.5] materials using a simple coprecipitation method. It was found that adjusting the number of anions in the anion layer was conducive to adjusting the band structure of BiOX and could effectively promote the migration and separation of photogenerated carriers, thus improving the photocatalytic activity. We first selected methyl orange (MO) as the study pollutant and compared it with BiOCl, BiO(ClBr), and BiO(ClBrI). The first-order kinetic constants of MO degradation by BiO[ClBrI(CO3)0.5] increased by 90.3, 33.9, and 3.1 times, respectively. The photocatalytic degradation rate of methylene blue by BiO[ClBrI(CO3)0.5] was 89.5%, indicating the excellent photocatalytic performance of BiO[ClBrI(CO3)0.5]. The stability of BiO[ClBrI(CO3)0.5] was demonstrated through cyclic experiments and XRD analysis before and after the reaction. The photocatalytic degradation of MO by BiO[ClBrI(CO3)0.5] showed that h+ and 1O2 were the main active oxidizing species and •O2- was the secondary active substance. Overall, our work provides new ideas for the synthesis and degradation of organic pollutants by using two-dimensional anionic high-entropy materials.

Synthesis of In2Se3 nanoparticles with variable molar ratio and its investigation of structural, optical, and photocatalytic activity for the degradation of hazardous organic dyes

In this article, In2Se3 nanoparticles (NPs) with varying Se/In molar ratios (ranging from 1.3 to 2.1 in increments of 0.2) were synthesized using a simple co-precipitation method. The morphology, crystallization, and chemical stoichiometry of the resulting NPs were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The structure and chemical bonding of the samples were determined through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, confirming the XRD results. Additionally, the optical properties were assessed using UV–Vis spectroscopy, revealing a band gap of approximately 1.6 eV for the In2Se3 NPs, which remained consistent across different Se/In molar ratios. The degradation of methylene blue (MB) and malachite green (MG) demonstrated that the samples with Se/In ratios of 1.3 and 1.9 were efficient photocatalytic materials for removing organic contaminants under visible light. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis highlighted improved textural parameters for the samples with Se/In ratios of 1.3 and 1.9 compared to the others. Mott-Schottky results indicated that the In2Se3 NPs behaved as n-type semiconductors. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed that the sample with a Se/In ratio of 1.9 exhibited lower charge-transfer resistance, which is a key factor in enhancing photocatalytic performance.

Low Temperature Chemical Synthesis and Investigation of Cadmium Substituted of Structural Properties of Cobalt Nano Ferrites

This article presents, the systematic and successful preparation of cadmium substituted cobalt ferrite (Co1-xCdxFe2O4) nanoparticles via simple co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction study confirmed the prepared ferrite nanoparticles were crystallized with a mono phase cubic spinel structure of Fd3m space group. The average crystallite size (Dxrd) was increased with Cd doping content, due to the replacement of Co2+ ions by Cd2+ ions. XRD pattern revealed the high intense peak corresponds to (311) lattice plane and confirmed the formation of cubic structure ferrite nanoparticles. Morphological study was done by using SEM images. The grain size found to be increased with Cd concentration and it reaches the highest of around 0.9μm for Co0.52Cd0.48Fe2O4 composition. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy of prepared samples was recorded in the range of 1000-350 cm-1, confirmed the spinel structure.

Preparation of a novel magnetic composite based on rice straw derived biochar and chromium ferrite for enhanced absorption of organic dye

The modification of biochar (BC) with metal/metal oxides is expected to improve its adsorption capacity to pollutants, especially anions dyes. A green chromium ferrite-biochar composites (CF-BC) was synthesized to enhance the adsorption efficiency of Congo red (CR) via a simple co-precipitation method. The samples were characterized by different characterization techniques: XRD, FT-IR, SEM, XPS, etc, which showed that chromium ferrite was successfully loaded on the surface of biochar. The influencing factors of adsorption and recycling properties were discussed, and the adsorption mechanisms such as kinetics, isotherm, thermodynamics were explored. The results show that CF-BC2 achieves a removal rate of 92.29% for CR and maintains a removal rate of 90% even after three cycles. The addition of ferrite not only promoted the adsorption effect, but also increased the magnetic property, making the adsorbents easy to recycle. The equilibrium and kinetic studies suggested that the adsorption process followed Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second order model, respectively. Furthermore, a study into the adsorption mechanism revealed that CF-BC2 primarily achieves CR adsorption through electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, and pore filling.

Zn-Al layered double hydroxide / polyurethane as a novel nanocomposite for cefixime antibiotic adsorption

Wastewater contaminated with antibiotics requires innovative solutions to remove such pollutants efficiently. In this work, Zn-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) adsorbent supported on polyurethane (PU) (Zn-Al LDH/PU) was synthesized using a simple co-precipitation method. The synthesized material was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), zeta potential, and hydrodynamic size. This adsorbent was investigated for the removal of cefixime (CFX), which is a model third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. The LDH phase showed a typical hexagonal layered morphology with layer sizes larger than 200 nm in diameter. CFX adsorption on PU, Zn-Al LDH and Zn-Al LDH/PU showed a maximum adsorption capacity of 94.43, 57.17, and 115.69 mg/g, respectively. The Redlich-Peterson and Baudu isotherm models were found to be the best fit models for CFX adsorption of Zn-Al LDH and Zn-Al/PU, respectively. The equilibrium time was found to be 175 and 250 min for CFX adsorption of Zn-Al LDH and Zn-Al/PU, respectively. CFX adsorption kinetics on Zn-Al LDH/PU best fitted the pseudo-second order model indicating chemisorption and diffusion limited adsorption process. Numerous types of bonding between functional groups of CFX and both Zn-Al LDH and PU could explain the adsorption mechanism. The selectivity study of CFX adsorption on Zn-Al LDH/PU using Sulfamethoxazole and Ciprofloxacin with different concentrations was investigated and discussed. The recyclability of this Zn-Al LDH/PU was also studied. Also, the effect of temperature was investigated at (23, 35, 45, 55 °C) and the thermodynamic parameters (∆H°, ∆S° and ∆G°) were calculated showing exothermic and spontaneous adsorption process.The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay indicated that the biocompatibility of Zn-Al LDH nanostructures was enhanced following modification with PU, demonstrating regulated and minimal cytotoxic effects towards normal liver cell line (WRL-68). The Zn-Al LDH/PU can be considered as a promising low-cost adsorbent for CFX antibiotic from wastewater streams.

Enhanced near-infrared absorption of Cs0.32WO3 nanoparticles for efficient interfacial solar steam generation

Solar steam generation has gained significant attention as a promising method for clean and sustainable water purification and desalination. The spectral absorption performance of the photothermal conversion material directly affects its thermal conversion efficiency. This research investigates the enhanced near-infrared absorption of Cs0.32WO3 nanoparticles for efficient interfacial solar steam generation. In this study, Cs0.32WO3 nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple co-precipitation and heat treatment method. The synthetic nanoparticles were then incorporated into a porous membrane to create a photothermal conversion material for solar steam generation and their near-infrared absorption properties were characterized. The experimental results demonstrated that the Cs0.32WO3 nanoparticles effectively converted solar energy into heat, resulting in efficient interfacial steam generation. The membrane showed a high evaporation rate of of ∼ 3.15 kg·m−2·h−1 under one sun illumination. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the design and development of efficient solar steam generation systems using near-infrared absorption nanomaterials.

CoNi hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles anchored on carbon nanotubes as superior cathode materials for rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) have attracted growing interest as competitive cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). However, their low conductivity and easy structural collapse often lead to poor reversible capacity and cyclability. Herein, cobalt‑nickel hexacyanoferrate (CoNiHCF), a CoNi-Prussian blue analogue, are designed as AZIBs cathode materials for the first time, in which highly uniform CoNiHCF nanocubes are in-situ decorated on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via a simple co-precipitation method. The resulted CoNiHCF/CNTs composite displays superior zinc ion storage performance, with a great reversible capacity of 124.9 mAh g−1 at the current density of 50 mA g−1, and a high capacity retention of 81.8 % at 3000 mA g−1 for 1000 cycles, which are remarkably superior to those of CoHCF, NiHCF and CoNiHCF. The excellent Zn2+ storage properties of CoNiHCF/CNTs can be ascribed to the bimetallic synergistic effect of Co and Ni as well as the introduction of conductive CNTs skeleton. This study offers a straightforward and efficient method for promoting the application of PBAs-based cathodes in AZIBs.

Cell voltage control on ion selectivity of carbon nanotube-copper hexacyanoferrate with enhanced electrochemical deionization performance

This study utilizes a simple co-precipitation method to synthesize copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (denoted as CuHCF@CNTs) serving as superior electrode materials for the electrochemical deionization (ECDI) application, a versatile method for brackish water deionization, water softening, and heavy metal removal. The enhanced performance of CuHCF, one of the Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) with typical Faradaic cation-capturing capability, is attributed to the increased charge transfer and a large surface area provided by multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for the promoting the utilization of CuHCF units within the composites. The ion selectivity of electrode materials is investigated using both batch and microfluidic reactors, revealing a selectivity sequence of K+ > Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+. Additionally, this study introduces a novel approach for controlling the ion selectivity of CuHCF@CNT from the operating voltage. By varying the cell voltage, the selectivity factor, βK/Mg, can be increased from 1.7 at 1.2 V to 4.5 at 0.6 V. Our research offers a new perspective on the ion-capturing selectivity of ECDI systems using Faradaic materials in deionization and ion-concentrating applications.

Field application of Ca-doped ZnO nanoparticles to maize and wheat plants

Nanoparticles play a vital role in modern agriculture to provide the nutrients required by plants. Herein, we report the preparation of calcium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (CZO NPs) via a simple and cost-effective co-precipitation method, with the aim of realizing increased fertilizer response. The synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed to study their physicochemical properties using various characterization techniques. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed a small shift in peak position towards higher values of 2θ and reduced crystal size after the zinc oxide (ZnO) matrix had been doped with Ca. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy images clearly revealed a grain-like surface morphology. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study produced evidence of Zn2+ substitution by Ca2+ and enhanced Zn–O bond strengths in the CZO samples. Two major crops, maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were selected to study the impact of the CZO NP-based nanofertilizer on plant growth. During the study, the effect of the CZO-based fertilizer on growth parameters such as seed germination, root and shoot length, plant height, root and stem width, number of leaves, and leaf size was studied based on comparisons with control plants. We observed significantly increased plant growth parameters after the application of the CZO NP-based fertilizers.