Simple Soft Chemical Method Research Articles

Antibacterial Activity and Characterization of CaO Nanoparticles Synthesized from Eggshell

Introduction: With an average crystallographic size of 8.67 nm, we studied the antibacterial properties of CaO nanoparticles against microorganisms. The CaO NPs used in this study were synthesized using a simple soft chemical method. Methods: To assess antibacterial activity, three methods were employed: the live count (LC) method, the agar cup method, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) approach. The CaO nanoparticles used in this study were produced using a simple soft chemical method. Results: TEM study revealed that the application of nanoparticles disrupted the cell walls of pathogens. Conclusion: We can conclude from this work that the lethal effect rises with CaO nanoparticle concentration. According to this research, CaO NPs seem like a good option for creating novel antibacterial drugs that are more effective against infections. The dose amount may be used in therapeutic settings. Considering this, the application of CaO nanoparticles as antibacterial agents could result in effective in vivo experiments.

Enhanced photocatalytic dye detoxification by banana peel derived enzyme inherited ZnO/g-C3N4 nanocomposite: Validation by soil health and seed germination analyses

Enhanced photocatalytic dye detoxification by banana peel derived enzyme inherited ZnO/g-C3N4 nanocomposite: Validation by soil health and seed germination analyses

Enhanced supercapacitor performance of Bi2O3 by Mn doping

High-performance electrode material Mn-doped Bi 2 O 3 with a nanorod morphology is synthesized by a simple soft chemical method. Such material keeps the high stability and high ion conduction efficiency of Bi 2 O 3 , while its specific capacity is also enhanced by Mn ions doping treatment. The doping of Mn ions effectively increases the number of oxygen vacancies, modifying the local electron structure, promoting the charge transfer and ion migration of the electrode, leading to high energy density and power density. The mechanism of the electron structure and transfer property affected by Mn doping are also investigated by experimental and theoretical processes. Based on nickel foam substrate, the specific capacitance of the Mn-doped Bi 2 O 3 electrode can reach 1295.6 F g −1 with a current density of 1 A g −1 . It also has a high energy density of 149.25 Wh kg −1 and a high power density of 864 W kg −1 . Furthermore, Mn-doped Bi 2 O 3 also shows good cycle stability of metal oxide, which can maintain 100% coulomb efficiency and 98% cycle retention rate after 5000 cycles. • An effective strategy of doping Mn ions in Bi 2 O 3 is developed. • The doping of Mn ions greatly increases Bi 2 O 3 ’s supercapacitor performance • Existence of Mn 3+ is the main reason for the capacity enhancement.

Effect of Al, Ga, and In Doping on the Optical, Structural, and Electric Properties of ZnO Thin Films

ZnO thin films with oxygen vacancies and doped with Al, Ga, and In (Zn1-xMxO1−y (x = 0.03)) have been successfully deposited on soda-lime glass substrates using a simple soft chemical method. The crystalline structure shows a single hexagonal phase of wurtzite with preferred crystal growth along the 002 plane. The surface morphology, characterized by SEM, revealed that the grain shape varies depending on the dopant agent used. Optical measurements displayed an increase in the bandgap values for doped films from 3.29 for ZnO to 3.35, 3.32, and 3.36 for Al, Ga, and In doped films, respectively, and an average transmittance superior to 90% in some cases (in the range between 400 and 800 nm). The electrical response of the films was evaluated with a four-point probe being 229.69, 385.71, and 146.94 Ω/sq for aluminium, gallium, and indium doped films, respectively.

Vermiwash-derived enzyme-activated ZnO nanomaterial towards two cascading applications: enhanced photocatalysis and effective irrigation

This study focuses on the preparation of enzyme-activated zinc oxide nanomaterial using vermiwash via a simple soft chemical method. This vermiwash––an aqueous extract obtained from vermin reactor––is produced using earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae, cow dung and leaf litter. The prepared nanoproduct was used to decompose toxic dye molecules through photocatalysis. The enzymes present in the vermiwash (like amylase, phosphatase, urease and protease) are found to be inherited by the prepared nanoproduct as well as the photocatalytically treated water. The quantitative study of enzymes shows that the quantity of enzymes present in the nanoproduct as well as in the photocatalytically treated water increases as the proportion of vermiwash used in the starting solution increases. This increase in the quantity of enzymes causes an increase in the photocatalytic efficiency of the nanoproduct. The photocatalytically treated water which consists of enzymes can be used as a potential candidate for effective irrigation. Thus, the vermiwash-activated ZnO nanopowder prepared in this study shows a two linear cascading applications. The results of the studies on enzymes, photocatalysis, XRD, SEM and FTIR are appropriately correlated with one another to address the enhancement in the photocatalytic activity of the prepared nanomaterials and the underlying mechanism.

Intercalation-type MoP and WP nanodots with abundant phase interface embedded in carbon microflower for enhanced Li storage and reaction kinetics

High discharging capacity materials with an intercalation-type mechanism are the promising anodes to replace the conventional graphite. In this work, WP and MoP nanodots encapsulated in flower-like carbon framework are prepared by a simple soft chemical method followed by phosphorization. The intercalation-type lithiation mechanisms of WP and MoP are proved by the ex situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electron conductivity and the electrode pulverization of WP@MoP are improved by carbon microflowers. The abundant phase interface facilitates the transfer and storage of Li+, revealed by the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) and the density functional theory (DFT). These advantages result in its high discharging capacity (636 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1) and ultralong cycling life (81.5% capacity retention after 1700 cycles at 1 A g−1). The outstanding performances of electrode at high mass loading and full cell further reflect its potential value in practice.

Self-growth of graphene nanosheets on a crystalline nanodiamond substrate using NixZnxO catalyst and their efficient photodetection properties

The correlation of structure-properties in material chemistry has stimulated the synthesis of innovative materials with unique nanostructures. At the same time, these new kinds of nanostructures can be fascinating building blocks for future photodetection platforms. Here, we report on the self-growth of fine-edged graphene oxide sheets on crystalline nanodiamond (CND) substrates using NixZnxO as a catalyst and a simple soft chemical method. In this novel strategy, one-dimensional (1D) NixZnxO nanostructures are converted into two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures, with the self-growth of graphene on a CND substrate, as evidenced from Raman, XRD and TEM measurements. It is envisioned that these self-assembled 2D graphene sheets on NixZnxO/CND will promote the performances of broadband spectrum NixZnxO photodetectors. Then, Ag electrodes is used to fabricate the present hybrid nanostructure (graphene/ NixZnxO nanopellets/CND substrate) and utilized for photodetection studies. The as-fabricated hybrid structure exhibited remarkable photo-detection properties compared to those of pristine NixZnxO and ZnO/CND based photodetectors. Specifically, the presented hybrid device shows an enhanced on/off current ratio (~6037), a rapid response/recovery speed (39/32 s), and decent photoresponsivity (3 mA/W), which are superior to those reported to date for crystalline nanodiamond based photodetector studies. In addition, the synergistic effects between graphene and NixZnxO/CND greatly improve the broad range absorption. The enhanced photodetection properties of this hybrid device can be ascribed to the formation of multiple depletion regions and intermediate energy levels. It is hoped that these results will inspire the design and fabrication of innovative nanostructures for high-performance optoelectronic applications.

Synthesis and evaluation of antibacterial properties of magnesium oxide nanoparticles

In this paper we studied the efficiency of magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles with an average size of 27 nm synthesized by a simple soft chemical method, in killing both Gram negative and Gram positive pathogenic bacteria. The antibacterial activity was determined by a minimum inhibitory concentration technique, agar cup method and live count technique. These nanoparticles show the maximum antibacterial activity towards Bacillus sp. in comparison with Escherichia coli. Transmission electron microscopy analyses of the treated-bacterial strains showed a morphological deformation with increased cell wall disruption. From the analysis of the antibacterial activity of MgO nanoparticles it is revealed that $$6\,\upmu \hbox {g ml}^{-1}$$ of dose is sufficient for killing Bacillus sp. whereas it is $$7.5\,\upmu \hbox {g ml}^{-1}$$ for E. coli. These doses may be used in medical application. MgO nanoparticles could be used as antibacterial agents after completion of successful in vivo trials.

Synthesis of crystalline Si-based nanosheets by extraction of Ca from CaSi2 in inositol hexakisphosphate solution

Crystalline Si-based nanosheets were successfully synthesized from CaSi2 by a simple soft chemical synthetic method in solution. By immersing CaSi2 powder or CaSi2/Si substrates in an inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) solution, Ca atoms were extracted from the CaSi2 particles, then Si-based nanosheets were formed. The morphological, structural and optical properties of the Si-based nanosheets were investigated. It is noted that the thin Si-based nanosheets stacked with a void space formed bundle structures, and the nanosheets were easily exfoliated from the bundles to expose the surfaces corresponding to the Si{111} planes. Meanwhile, the surface of the Si nanosheets might be terminated by O, H, or OH bonds. The Si-based nanosheet bundles were then formed and directly rooted to the Si(111) substrates, and had a remarkably highly symmetrical morphology. This study demonstrated a simple method for preparing Si-based nanosheets, and electro- and photo-chemical applications would possibly be expected, such as in lithium ion batteries.

BASF declares force majeure on certain products following Ludwigshafen fire

High discharging capacity materials with an intercalation-type mechanism are the promising anodes to replace the conventional graphite. In this work, WP and MoP nanodots encapsulated in flower-like carbon framework are prepared by a simple soft chemical method followed by phosphorization. The intercalation-type lithiation mechanisms of WP and MoP are proved by the ex situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electron conductivity and the electrode pulverization of [email protected] are improved by carbon microflowers. The abundant phase interface facilitates the transfer and storage of Li+, revealed by the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) and the density functional theory (DFT). These advantages result in its high discharging capacity (636 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1) and ultralong cycling life (81.5% capacity retention after 1700 cycles at 1 A g−1). The outstanding performances of electrode at high mass loading and full cell further reflect its potential value in practice.

Synthesis of CdO nanopowders by a simple soft chemical method and evaluation of their antimicrobial activities

CdO nanopowders were synthesized by a simple soft chemical method using cadmium acetate as the precursor salt. The as-synthesized nanopowders were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX and TEM analysis. Polycrystalline nature with a (1 1 1) preferential orientation is revealed by the XRD analysis, which was confirmed from the SAED pattern. The presence of Cd and O in the nanopowders is confirmed from the EDX spectrum. The presence of peaks at 417, 499, 620 and 669 cm−1 observed in the FTIR spectrum corresponds to the bonding between Cd and O. Antimicrobial activities were performed against three bacteria and fungi strains by the agar well diffusion method, and from the observed zones of inhibition, it is confirmed that the as-synthesized CdO nanopowders act as an effective antimicrobial agent against pathogenic microorganisms.

Synthesis of ZnO:Co/rGO nanocomposites for enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial activities

Cobalt activated ZnO nanocomposites have been successfully grown on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets via a cost-effective and simple soft chemical method to obtain ZnO:Co/rGO nanocomposites for the simultaneous enhancement of photocatalytic and antibacterial activities. The obtained samples were characterized for their structural, optical, surface morphological, photocatalytic and antibacterial properties. XRD profiles confirmed that the synthesized material is nanocrystalline ZnO with hexagonal wurtzite structure. The photocatalytic activities of the synthesized samples were evaluated by observing the degradation of methylene blue (MB), a representative organic dye, under visible light irradiation. The photodegradation of MB was found to follow pseudo-first order kinetics. Compared with bare ZnO, the Co +rGO activated ZnO nanocomposites exhibit significantly enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial activities due to the synergetic effects of various mechanisms related to the Co and rGO incorporation. These mechanisms are elaborated in detail with the help of appropriate schematic diagram along with the support of XRD, photoluminescence, UV–visible absorption, FTIR, FESEM , and TEM results.

Influence of Co + F doping on the physical and antibacterial properties of ZnO nanopowders prepared by a simple soft chemical method

Undoped, Co doped and Co + F doped ZnO nanopowders were synthesized using a simple soft chemical method and certain physical and antibacterial properties of the samples were studied and reported. The XRD patterns reveal that the samples has hexagonal wurtzite structure with preferential orientation along (101) plane. Reduction in grain size caused by Co and Co + F doping is observed from FESEM images. The observed photoluminescence peaks related to the defects confirmed the incorporation of Co, Co + F into the ZnO lattice. Co + F doped ZnO nanopowder exhibits higher antibacterial activity than undoped and Co doped ZnO nanopowders against all the four different bacteria tested in this study viz. B. subtilis, S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa. The enhanced antibacterial activity of doubly doped ZnO nanopowder is mainly due to the generation of hydroxyl radicals (OH−) in the system.

Self doping promoted photocatalytic removal of no under visible light with bi2moo6: Indispensable role of superoxide ions

In this study, we demonstrated that the reactive species generation of Bi2MoO6 under visible light can be regulated by Bi self-doping via a simple soft-chemical method. Density functional theory calculations and systematical characterization results revealed that Bi self-doping could not only promote the separation and transfer of photogenerated electron–hole pairs of Bi2MoO6 but also alter the position of valence and conduction band without changing its preferential crystal orientations, morphology, visible light absorption as well as band gap energy. The photocatalytic removal of NO and products determination revealed that the enhanced generation of superoxide could improve the oxidation of NO to NO2 while OH and photogenerated holes mainly contributed to the further oxidation of NO2 to NO3−. Photostability and NO absorbtion tests demonstrated that NO3− on the surface of catalysts occupied the NO absorption sites and caused the deactivation of catalysts. This study provides new insight into the different effects of photogenerated reactive species on NO removal and sheds light on the design of highly efficient visible light-driven photocatalysts for NO removal.

Fe doping induced enhancement in room temperature ferromagnetism and selective cytotoxicity of CeO2 nanoparticles

In the present study, structural, optical, magnetic properties as well as cytotoxicity of undoped and Fe doped Ceria (CeO2) nanoparticles synthesized by simple soft chemical method have been reported. SEM and XRD results have shown that the synthesized samples are comprised of ultrafine spherical nanoparticles having single phase cubic fluorite structure of CeO2. Raman spectroscopy results have depicted a red shift in F2g mode with Fe doping which reveals enhancement in the oxygen vacancies. The optical band gap calculated from UV–visible absorption spectra has been found to vary unsystematically with Fe doping which is associated with the creation of impurity level and abundance in oxygen vacancies with Fe doping. The oxygen vacancies have introduced the room temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) in undoped and Fe doped CeO2 nanoparticles. The saturation magnetization (Ms) value of pristine CeO2 nanoparticles has been found to be 0.00083 emu/g which is increased up to 0.0126 emu/g for 7% Fe doped nanoparticles. For cytotoxicity tests, the synthesized nanoparticles induced effects on Neuroblastoma cancer cells & HEK-293 healthy cells have been analyzed via CCK-8 analysis. It has been observed that the prepared undoped and Fe doped CeO2 nanoparticles have nontoxic nature towards healthy cells while they are extremely toxic towards cancerous cells. Furthermore, the anticancer activity is found to enhance with Fe doping. The selective toxicity and enhancement in anticancer activity with Fe doping has observed to be strongly correlated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

Tuning the magnetic behavior and improving the antibacterial efficiency of ZnO nanopowders through Zr+Fe doping for biomedical applications

Zr and Zr+Fe co-doped ZnO nanopowders were synthesized using a simple soft chemical method keeping the doping level of Zr as constant (3at%) and varying the doping level of Fe (1,5and 10at%) in the precursor solution. The XRD studies reveal that the synthesized nanopowders exhibit hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO. The crystallite size of ZnO:Zr nanopowders is found to be 63nm and then the size decreases gradually with the increase in the Fe doping level and attains a minimum of 28nm at 10at% of Fe doping level. The Zr doped ZnO nanopowders are found to have ferromagnetic property. The material exhibits paramagnetic nature up to 5at% of Fe doping level. At 10at% of Fe doping level superparamagnetic behavior is observed. The antibacterial efficiency against two different bacterial strains viz Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli is studied. The antibacterial efficiency is found to be the maximum at 10at% of Fe doping level.

Synergetic effects of Al3+ doping and graphene modification on the electrochemical performance of V2O5 cathode materials.

A series of V2O5-based cathode materials that include V2O5 and Al0.14 V2O5 nanoparticles, V2O5/reduced graphene oxide (RGO), and Al0.16 V2O5/RGO nanocomposites are prepared by a simple soft chemical method. XRD and Raman scattering show that the Al ions reside in the interlayer space of the materials. These doping ions strengthen the V−O bonds of the [VO5] unit and enhance the linkage of the [VO5] layers, which thus increases the structural stability of V2O5. SEM and TEM images show that the V2O5 nanoparticles construct a hybrid structure with RGO that enables fast electron transport in the electrode matrix. The electrochemical properties of the materials are studied by charge-discharge cycling, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Of all the materials tested, the one that contained both Al ions and RGO (Al0.16 V2O5/RGO) exhibited the highest discharge capacity, the best rate capability, and excellent capacity retention. The superior electrochemical performance is attributed to the synergetic effects of Al(3+) doping and RGO modification, which not only increase the structural stability of the V2O5 lattice but also improve the electrochemical kinetics of the material.

Effect of synthesis medium on aggregation tendencies of ZnO nanosheets and their superior photocatalytic performance

A simple soft chemical method has been suggested for large-scale production of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanosheets at room temperature using two synthesis mediums: aqueous (H2O) and non-aqueous (C2H5OH). In H2O medium, nanosheets interwoven group wise in flower-like structures revealing the strong inter-hydrogen bonding among initially nucleated ZnO nanocrystals, whereas weak hydrogen bonding in C2H5OH medium leads to the formation of un-aggregated interwoven’ nanosheets. The growth of ZnO flower-like and interwoven nanosheets proceeded via anisotropic oriented attachment of ZnO nanocrystals. Obtained nanosheets were faceted, possessing large surface area, width hundreds of nanometers, and thickness in tens of nanometer, as characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. These nanosheets show high sunlight photocatalytic activity toward the degradation of an organic pollutant ‘methylene blue dye.’ The enhancement in photodegradation efficiencies, interwoven sheets 99.94 %, and flower-like nanosheets 79.76 % for 120 min of irradiation is attributed to the surface oxygen vacancies narrowing the band gap as confirmed by photoluminescence spectra, faceted geometry, and large surface area of ZnO nanosheets.

Enhanced photocatalytic removal of sodium pentachlorophenate with self-doped Bi2WO6 under visible light by generating more superoxide ions.

In this study, we demonstrate that the photocatalytic sodium pentachlorophenate removal efficiency of Bi2WO6 under visible light can be greatly enhanced by bismuth self-doping through a simple soft-chemical method. Density functional theory calculations and systematical characterization results revealed that bismuth self-doping did not change the redox power of photogenerated carriers but promoted the separation and transfer of photogenerated electron-hole pairs of Bi2WO6 to produce more superoxide ions, which were confirmed by photocurrent generation and electron spin resonance spectra as well as superoxide ion measurement results. We employed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and total organic carbon analysis to probe the degradation and the mineralization processes. It was found that more superoxide ions promoted the dechlorination process to favor the subsequent benzene ring cleavage and the final mineralization of sodium pentachlorophenate during bismuth self-doped Bi2WO6 photocatalysis by producing easily decomposable quinone intermediates. This study provides new insight into the effects of photogenerated reactive species on the degradation of sodium pentachlorophenate and also sheds light on the design of highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts for chlorophenol pollutant removal.

Synthesis and characterization of non-transformable tetragonal YSZ nanopowder by means of Pechini method for thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) applications

A simple soft chemical method of synthesizing tetragonal yttria stabilized zirconia nanopowders is described here. Zirconium oxy-chloride octahydrate and yttrium nitrate hexahydrate were taken as a source of zirconium, citric acid was taken as a chelating agent, and ethylene glycol was used as a polysterification agent. The synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, precise cell parameters were calculated in order to exactly determine non-transformable tetragonal crystal structure, which was the best zirconia phase for thermal barrier coatings applications. In this process, tetragonal yttria stabilized zirconia nanopowders could be prepared at a temperature of 1,000 °C and the process was simple and cost-effective.