Synthesis Of TiO2 Nanoparticles Research Articles

Augmented photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac by a novel TiO2-Chitosan-Bocalanine-Ni hybrid material under illumination of various light sources

TiO2-CBA-Ni composite (hydrothermally synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles loaded chitosan-bocalanine nickel complex) was successfully produced using solid and solution approaches, and the finished product was characterized using a variety of instrumentation techniques including UV–Visible, FT-IR, XRD, and SEM. Further, the efficient photocatalytic activity and recombination rates of the prepared TiO2-CBA-Ni composite were evaluated through photoluminescence (PL) spectra compared with pure TiO2. The photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac sodium (DCF) molecules was accomplished utilizing a TiO2-CBA-Ni composite with a pH range of 4.0 to 10.0 and varied light sources. Lower pH levels (pH = 4.0) reveal improved DCF degradation efficiency as compared to higher values (pH = 7.0 and 10.0) under any light source. More importantly, the TiO2-CBA-Ni composite degraded at a greater rate of 94.3 % in an identical reaction time (250 min) than other sources when exposed to visible light and at a lower pH (4.0). This effort has generated interest about the biopolymer grafted ligand metal complex functionalization over the photocatalyst and the effectiveness of the amalgamation, paving the way for a new path to eradicate the toxicity of pharmaceutical items from the ecosystem.

Anticancer Activity and Green Synthesized TiO2 Nanoparticles From Calotropis Gigantea Leaves Extract

Abstract: Aim & Objective: Research the Anticancer Abilities of TiO2 Nanoparticles Obtain using Calotropis Gigantea by liver cells (HepG2). Materials & Methods: Various plant materials for the synthesis of nanoparticles are considered in green technology. In this present study, reports the synthesis of Tio2 nanoparticles that were synthesized from Calotropis gigantea leaf, and the formation of Tio2 nanoparticles was observed with different time intervals. The characterization was recorded from scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transfer infrared spectra, DLS, UV-Vis spectrum. The supporting green synthesis and characterization of Tio2 nanoparticles. Result: The result is recorded from MTT assay and ETBR/AO Staining.

Compatibility Testing of Synthesized TiO2 Nanoparticles on The Fast-Growing Wood Physical Properties

Compatibility Testing of Synthesized TiO2 Nanoparticles on The Fast-Growing Wood Physical Properties

Biofabrication, spectroscopic, and photocatalytic studies of titania nanoparticles mediated by Proteus mirabilis strain NG-ABK-32 for smart applications

ABSTRACT Green fabrication of nanoparticles (NPs) is simple, pocket-friendly, easy, sustainable, and devoid of eco-toxicity issues. Thirty-five bacterial strains were isolated from ‘tie and dye’ effluent-contaminated soil and effluent samples and were identified using traditional methods. Following a dye decolourization assay, Proteus mirabilis strain (NG-ABK-32) emerged as the isolate with the highest potential to decolourize vat violet RR dye. Titania nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) fabricated using NG-ABK-32 strain were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. UV-Vis result displayed an absorption peak at 320 nm. The TEM image revealed monodispersed, spherical NPs possessing an average particle size of 3.18 nm. The crystallographic plane of rutile TiO2 NPs and high purity were confirmed by the XRD pattern. The average crystallite size was 52.53 nm. The synthesis of TiO2 NPs was further established from FT-IR by the presence of Ti-O, Ti-OH, and O-Ti-O functional groups. The synergistic treatment caused a significant reduction of total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and color (Pt.Co) of the effluent by 96.86%, 78.78%, 67.84%, 56.65%, 67.84%, and 72.09% respectively. Thus, this study confirmed the better efficiency of combining biological (NG-ABK-32) pre-treatment with photocatalytic degradation post-treatment using the synthesized TiO2 NPs in the treatment of ‘tie and dye’ effluent compared to the application of the TiO2 NPs as a single treatment method.

Graphene oxide doping in tropical almond (terminalia catappa L.) fruits extract mediated green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles for improved DSSC power conversion efficiency

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) device depends on its semiconductor characteristics. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are a semiconductor material commonly used in the DSSC device whose characteristics depend on the synthesis process. There are many routes to synthesize TiO2, however, they typically involve hazardous approaches, which may cause risk to the environment. Green synthesis is an environmentally friendly alternative method using ecological solvents that eliminates toxic waste and reduces energy consumption. In this work, tropical almond (Terminalia catappa L.) was used as a natural capping agent in the green synthesis to control the growth of TiO2. In addition, graphene oxide (GO) was used as a dopant to increase the performance of DSSC device. The results are convincing, in which the addition of 0.0017 % GO doping in tropical almond extract mediated green synthesis of TiO2 improved the PCE from 0.85 % to 1.72 %. These results suggest that GO-modified TiO2 nanoparticles green synthesized using tropical almond extract have great potential in the fabrication of DSSC devices with good PCE, low cost, and low environmental impact.

TiO2 Nanocomposite Coatings and Inactivation of Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella Pneumoniae Biofilm-Opportunities and Challenges.

The worldwide increase of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria is a global threat. The emergence and global spread of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase- (KPC-) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae represent a particular concern. This pathogen has increased resistance and abilities to persist in human reservoirs, in hospital environments, on medical devices, and to generate biofilms. Mortality related to this microorganism is high among immunosuppressed oncological patients and those with multiple hospitalizations and an extended stay in intensive care. There is a severe threat posed by the ability of biofilms to grow and resist antibiotics. Various nanotechnology-based strategies have been studied and developed to prevent and combat serious health problems caused by biofilm infections. The aim of this review was to evaluate the implications of nanotechnology in eradicating biofilms with KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, one of the bacteria most frequently associated with nosocomial infections in intensive care units, including in our department, and to highlight studies presenting the potential applicability of TiO2 nanocomposite materials in hospital practice. We also described the frequency of the presence of bacterial biofilms on medical surfaces, devices, and equipment. TiO2 nanocomposite coatings are one of the best long-term options for antimicrobial efficacy due to their biocompatibility, stability, corrosion resistance, and low cost; they find their applicability in hospital practice due to their critical antimicrobial role for surfaces and orthopedic and dental implants. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has recently classified titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) as possibly carcinogenic. Currently, there is an interest in the ecological, non-toxic synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles via biological methods. Biogenic, non-toxic nanoparticles have remarkable properties due to their biocompatibility, stability, and size. Few studies have mentioned the use of nanoparticle-coated surfaces as antibiofilm agents. A literature review was performed to identify publications related to KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilms and antimicrobial TiO2 photocatalytic nanocomposite coatings. There are few reviews on the antibacterial and antibiofilm applications of TiO2 photocatalytic nanocomposite coatings. TiO2 nanoparticles demonstrated marked antibiofilm activity, but being nano in size, these nanoparticles can penetrate cell membranes and may initiate cellular toxicity and genotoxicity. Biogenic TiO2 nanoparticles obtained via green, ecological technology have less applicability but are actively investigated.

An “On‐Site Transformation” Strategy for Electrochemical Formation of TiO2 Nanoparticles/Ti3C2Tx MXene/Reduced Graphene Oxide Heterojunction Electrode Controllably toward Ultrasensitive Detection of Uric Acid

Ascribing to the abundance of Ti element, exceptional electrical conductivity, and electrocatalytic performance, titanium carbide MXene (Ti3C2Tx, MX) is considered as an ideal conductive matrix and employed for in situ preparation of promising TiO2 NPs@MX/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) heterojunction electrodes for uric acid (UA) detection. However, the incapability of achieving the controllable growth and synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) on MX nanosheets is a bottleneck in fabricating optimal and controllable TiO2 NPs@MX hybrid. Herein, an “on‐site transformation strategy” is developed to synthetize TiO2 NPs@MX/rGO heterojunction platform controllably by in situ electrochemical oxidizing MX nanosheets at various treatment times. The proposed approach allows for the greater operability to controllably grow and synthetize TiO2 NPs on the surface of MX nanosheets. The heterojunction electrodes present a linear voltammetric response toward UA in the concentration range of 0.003–0.3 and 0.3–300 μm and a low detection limit of 0.78 nm (S/N = 3). Additionally, a handheld electrochemical system with a smartphone readout is developed for point‐of‐care health monitoring, enabling fast, precise, and specific recognition of UA in real urine samples. The study provides a facile and controllable approach to fabricate TiO2 NPs@MX/rGO heterojunction platform for future use in other biomolecules' detection.

Agro-waste mediate to synthesize the solar light active titanium dioxide nanoparticles with enhanced efficacy of pollutant removal

In this research work, Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were prepared from green waste by Wet Chemical method. Titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) precursor is converted to TiO2 nanoparticles by using the Musa-paradisiaca L. (Banana crop) pseudo stem extract as a capping agent. The non-dopant, anatase phase crystalline TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by using analytical techniques like TEM, HR-TEM, SAED, BET, FTIR, SEM, EDX, XRD, XPS, DRS, UV-Visible spectrophotometer and Zeta Potential. The green synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles with band gap energy 2.95 eV were used as a photocatalyst for the degradation of Indigo Carmine (IC) dye under solar radiation with an intensity of 1200*100 lux. Optimization process was carried out for three factors such as catalyst dosage, pH and concentration of the dye solution at constant time. TiO2 nanoparticles photocatalyst showed 99% degradation efficiency in 30 minutes (min) for the IC dye under optimum condition. This experimental work was confirmed by comparing with the theoretical results obtained from Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The RSM of the quadratic model produces a theoretical layout for the optimization process and provides the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) data which evaluate the importance of each experimental factor. The RSM results are well matched with the R2 value obtained from the experimental method. The biogenic TiO2 nanoparticles had greater efficacy in the degradation of IC dye for five cycles of reaction.

A Study of Green Synthesis of Nano-TiO2 Catalyst by Gossypium Leaf Extract and Its Nanocatalysis in the Synthesis of Biofuel from Gossypium Seed Oil

Synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles by aqueous leaf extract of Gossypium (Gossypiumarboretum) leaves on meta titanic acid [TiO(OH)2]. Rutile tetragonal TiO2 nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM studies and their particle size was calculated, which was below 100 nm. The Obtained TiO2NPs were used as catalysts in the transesterification of Gossypium seed oil, which enhanced the rate of reaction. Thus, it is a very attractive catalyst for biodiesel production from Gossypium seed oil. The effect of the amount of nano-TiO2 catalyst and microwave heating was studied. In this study, the preparation of both catalyst and biodiesel from the parts of the same Gossypium plant and the feasibility of carrying out the microwave-assisted transesterification (green process) of Gossypium seed oil by using biogenic nanoTiO2 catalyst was explored. They improve the efficiency of transesterification. The used catalyst can be recycled by simple filtration and reused without reduction in its activity. It is a green method (affords nontoxic and noncorrosive medium), clean reaction, simple experimental, isolation procedures, gives high yield and the properties of synthesized biodiesel are in good agreement with that of diesel oil. So, it may be used alone or by blending with diesel.

Prevention of particle agglomeration in sol–gel synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles via addition of surfactant

Prevention of particle agglomeration in sol–gel synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles via addition of surfactant

A template-assisted method for synthesizing TiO2 nanoparticles and Ni/TiO2 nanocomposites for urea electrooxidation

The exploration of electrocatalytic urea-assisted wastewater treatment as a method for sustainable energy generation presents a compelling approach within the domain of green chemistry. In this context, titanium dioxide (TiO2) and nickel-doped TiO2 (Ni@TiO2) nanocomposites were developed through an innovative organic template-assisted synthesis strategy. These were denoted as m-TiO2-org and Ni@m-TiO2-org, respectively, to create cost-effective and high-performance electrodes for urea electrooxidation in urea-based fuel cells. The structural and chemical properties of the fabricated m-TiO2-org and Ni@m-TiO2-org materials were meticulously analyzed using a suite of physicochemical characterization techniques, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). These investigations revealed that both m-TiO2-org and Ni@m-TiO2-org materials predominantly consisted of irregular monolithic microparticles formed through the aggregation of spherical nanoparticles, with diameters ranging from 8.16 nm to 13.1 nm. Subsequent evaluations of these TiO2-based materials as electrocatalysts for urea electrooxidation demonstrated their efficacy, as evidenced by voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. Notably, the Ni@m-TiO2-org variant exhibited enhanced electrochemical performance, attributed to the presence of Ni2+ sites. These sites facilitated electrochemical activation and the formation of active NiOOH sites, leading to a significant increase in the current density (0.78 mA/cm2 at 1.523 V vs. the Reversible Hydrogen Electrode (RHE)), as a fiftyfold enhancement compared to m-TiO2-org@Glassy Carbon Electrode (GCE) under similar conditions (3 M KOH containing 3 M urea), with a Tafel slope of 33 mV/decade. This research not only elucidates the potential of TiO2-based nanocomposites in the electrooxidation of urea but also heralds the development of innovative electrode materials for commercial electrochemical cells, marking a significant advancement in the field of electrocatalysis and sustainable energy technology.

Synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using different routes with enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial properties

TiO2 photocatalyst was synthesised via a low-temperature sol-gel process using organic solvents (TO) and aqueous extract of mangrove leaves (TM) as media. The photocatalytic activities of the obtained TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were evaluated by degrading reactive red 195 (RR195) dye under UV irradiation. An increase in the dosage of both TO and TM photocatalysts, coupled with a decrease in the initial concentration of RR195 dye, enhanced the dye degradation rate. Reactive species scavenger analysis revealed that •O2− radicals and electrons were the primary species involved in the photocatalytic degradation of RR195 dye. The antibacterial properties of both TO and TM NPs were also tested against S. aureus, E. faecalis and V. damsela bacteria using the disc diffusion method. The green method utilising TM demonstrated resistance to all three bacteria types, while TO exhibited greater resistance, specifically against V. damsela. Notably, TM NPs exhibiting inhibition comparable to Ciprofloxacin when used as a positive control.

Tailoring visible-light active TiO2/cellulose nanocomposites with controlled crystalline structure for enhanced photocatalytic performance.

This work involves a green and simple synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles on cellulose under mild conditions without the need for calcination via hydrolysis of titanium oxysulfate (TiOSO4). The synthesis conditions, such as sulfuric acid concentration (0-10%wt), temperature (70-90℃), and time (4-8h), focused on precisely controlling the structure of TiO2 to enhance its photocatalytic effectiveness under visible light. At a lower 2.5wt% sulfuric acid concentration, pure anatase was formed on the cellulose, while an increase in the range of 5.0-7.5wt% sulfuric acid concentration yielded a rutile phase, resulting in a mixed phase of anatase and rutile on the cellulose. The pure rutile phase was found at a low temperature (70℃), while increased temperature led to the formation of the anatase phase. These results confirmed that the formation of crystalline TiO2 phase on the cellulose depended on sulfuric acid concentration and temperature for hydrolysis. Additionally, the photocatalytic properties of the obtained materials were evaluated by degradationvisible of Rhodamine B (RhB) under UV and visible light. The findings revealed that the mixed phase (anatase/rutile) of TiO2 on the cellulose demonstrated a superior photocatalytic efficiency (99.2%) compared to pure anatase (85.75%) and rutile (75.08%) when exposed to visible light.

Optimization of the Photodegradation of Metoclopramide Drug using Super Nanoparticles in Aqueous Solutions

In the present research carry out to remove pharmaceutical pollutants as a model metoclopramide (MCP) drug from an aqueous medium utilizing a photocatalytic degradation method with super nanoparticles called TiO2 nanoparticles (NP). synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles by utilizing the hydrothermal processes. The physical characterizations of materials by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results showed that the efficiency of the TiO2 nanoparticle increased by 88.88%. It also showed that the photocatalytic degradation rate increased with decreasing concentration of MCP drug increasing the intensity of the light led to an increase in the rate of photocatalytic degradation. Study effect of several factors, concentration on the drug, mass of nanoparticle, light intensity that the best conditions for the photocatalytic degradation of 0.3 g of the nanocomposite, MCP drug concentration of 50 m/L, pH solution 8, and light intensity 1.7 mW/Cm2, Thus, the photocatalytic degradation increased with decreasing the concentration of MCP drug. The obtained TiO2 nanoparticle exhibits best photocatalytic degradation than the commercial photo-catalysts TiO2 NPs. Finally, it is essential to evaluate the recycled photocatalytic degradation efficiency, which is one of the utmost significant factors towards photodegradation.

Anhydrous sol-gel synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles: Evaluating their impact on protein interactions in biological systems

This study focused on the synthesis of anhydrous sol-gel synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using a hydrothermal route. The chemical properties of the synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles were confirmed through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and UV–Vis spectroscopy, highlighting their optical features. Additionally, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDX) analysis revealed the high purity of the nanomaterial, while the Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) displayed spherical particles ranging in size from ≥ 80 nm. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Raman and HRTEM analyses indicated that the nanomaterial exhibits an anatase and rutile structure. When, Hen Egg-White Lysozyme (HEWL) incubated with TiO2 led to notable changes: reduced fluorescence indicating protein unfolding, increased light scattering showing protein aggregation, the presence of amyloid fibrils and hydrophobic regions, and reduced enzyme activity. FTIR spectroscopy revealed amyloid structure formation, while Dynamic Light Scattering confirmed the presence of larger protein oligomers. These findings highlight TiO2's adverse impact on HEWL structure and function, emphasizing the need for further research on nanoparticle toxicity in biological systems, particularly in biomedical applications.

Natural Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane) juice assisted TiO2 nanoparticle synthesis for high performance dye-sensitized solar cell

Green chemistry technologies are perceived to be more straightforward, sustainable and cost-effective and therefore explored extensively in recent years. A range of natural reducing and capping agents, viz. proteins, enzymes, and phytochemicals have been used to synthesize TiO2 nanoparticles. The capping agents are vital in stabilizing nanoparticles, avoiding their over-growth and aggregation during synthesis. In this work, green synthesis of TiO2 has been carried out through the sol-gel method using Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane) juice as a capping agent. The optical properties, morphology, size, and porosity of the synthesized TiO2 were characterized by UV, FT-IR, XRD, TEM, and BET respectively. The XRD pattern and TEM confirmed the anatase phase and particle size, while BET revealed surface area and pore sizes. Under irradiance of 100 mWcm−2 light intensity, the photoelectric conversion efficiency using capped TiO2 sensitized with N719 dye was observed to 3.65 %, much enhanced compared to the efficiency 0.69 % observed with the un-capped TiO2. The present study successfully demonstrated that sugarcane phytochemicals have the potential to improve dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) efficiency via inducing capping during nucleation in TiO2 synthesis.

Metal Oxide-Based Semiconductor as Photoanode for Photovoltaic Cells

The contributing factors to the overall improvement in photovoltaic efficiency are visible light absorption, enhanced dye absorption, rapid electron transport and minimal carrier recombination. To improve the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) capacity to harvest light focus is mostly placed on the synthesis of photoanode material. Photo anodes made of several metal oxide semiconductors, such as TiO2, ZnO, SnO2, Nb2O5, etc., have been used in DSSCs. The most suitable material for DSSC use is anatase TiO2 with a band gap of 3.2 eV that is chemically stable, non-toxic, and easily accessible. The synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles and their morphological variation are described in detail in the paper. The nanoparticles exhibit a tetragonal crystalline structure with lattice parameters a= 3.74 Å and b= 9.39 Å. The effect of sintering temperature on phase transition and on electrical properties affecting particle size and surface area is investigated and optimized. Characterization techniques including X-ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are employed to analyze the TiO2 nanoparticles. These techniques provide insights into the morphology and size of the coated TiO2 nanoparticles. The paper reports the effect of sintering temperature on the efficiency of the fabricated DSSCs. Additionally; it reviews recent advancements in TiO2-based nanomaterials, particularly through doping, to further enhance the efficiency of DSSCs. Overall, the study highlights the importance of optimizing the synthesis and properties of TiO2 nanoparticles for improved performance of DSSCs, and it discusses potential strategies for enhancing the efficiency of DSSCs through modifications in TiO2-based nanomaterials.

Large eddy simulation-bivariate sectional model for non-spherical TiO2 nanoparticle synthesis in flame

Numerical simulation of nanoparticle synthesis in flame necessitates a high level of fidelity for turbulent flame, as well as delivers more detail insight into the evolution of structure and size distribution of particles undergoing various dynamic events. In the present work, a new simulation approach coupling large-eddy simulation (LES) and bivariate sectional model is proposed to explore the synthesis of nanoparticles in turbulent flame. More specifically, the nonlinear LES-partially stirred reactor model (NLES-PaSR) is utilized to simulate the turbulent flame, wherein the gradient-type structural subgrid-scale (SGS) model for turbulent flow and partially stirred reactor (PaSR) model for turbulent combustion are considered. In addition, the volume-based bivariate sectional model is thoroughly coupled with the LES model for the first time to describe the spatiotemporally resolved formation and growth of nanoparticles using particle number concentration and surface area concentration as two sets of variables. Compared directly with the LES-monodisperse (LES-Mono) and LES-univariate sectional (LES-UniSe) models, the LES-bivariate sectional (LES-BiSe) model has significant advantages in its ability to analyze and predict the size, morphology, as well as polydispersed particle size distribution (PSD) evolution of nanoparticles at a moderate computational cost simultaneously. In the LES framework, the proposed model successfully simulates the spatiotemporally resolved formation and growth of non-spherical TiO2 nanoparticle in turbulent diffusion burner. The predicted results derived from the LES-BiSe model are in good agreement with the experimental measurements. Also, the aggregate and primary particle size distribution shows highly temporal fluctuation, which mainly results from the continuous variations of particle path induced by the unsteady turbulent combustion. Furthermore, the present work demonstrates the profound dependence of particle morphological on both spatiotemporal evolution and their intrinsic size distribution. In particular, the large aggregates in the higher sections are commonly found as irregular structure with fractal-like dimensions.

Screen-printed counter-electrodes based on biochar derived from wood-corn silage and titanium isopropoxide binder as a more efficient and renewable alternative to Pt-CE for dye-sensitized solar cells

Current research of counter-electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) focuses mainly on searching for low-cost and mass-production suitable materials as an alternative to standardly used platinum. One of the most studied groups is carbon allotropes, while carbon-enriched materials such as biochar prepared from renewable sources (biomass) show tremendous potential. Structural properties of biochar, electrical conductivity and large specific area predict the possibility of its use as a catalytic material of CE. To ensure printability and efficient contact between the printed catalytic layer and substrate of CE, non-conductive polymer binders, reducing electrical and electrochemical properties of CEs, are standardly used. This work introduces the preparation of screen-printed CEs based on titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) binder and biochar microparticles obtained by pyrolysis of wood and corn silage, which were investigated as an alternative to platinum CE. TTIP was examined as a substitute for the polymer binder ethylcellulose (EC) and as the precursor for TiO2 nanoparticle synthesis in biochar/TTIP hybrid CEs. Formation of polymer matrix from TTIP ensured the required rheological properties of biochar/TTIP inks and improved interparticle contact and mechanical stability of screen-printed catalytic layers of CEs. Raman spectroscopy indicated the presence of TiO2 anatase nanoparticles with a size of 5 nm after CEs sintering at 500 °C under an argon atmosphere. The sintering process raised catalytic activity and decreased sheet resistance of CEs in the presence of I3−/I− electrolyte, resulting in enhanced photovoltaic parameters of DSSCs. Screen-printed composite CEs consisting of 30 wt% biochar and 20 wt% TTIP reached the best catalytic activity and higher conversion efficiency of DSSCs (6.43 %) than DSSCs with Pt CEs (6.19 %). Based on the results, combining biochar and TTIP offers new possibilities for developing more ecological and low-cost mass-producible materials for CEs.

Toward sustainable nanomaterials: An innovative ecological approach for biogenic synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles with potential photocatalytic activity

Biogenic synthesis of nanomaterials represents a promising alternative to traditional chemical synthesis due to its environmentally friendly nature, cost-effectiveness, low toxicity, and high biocompatibility. The primary objective of this study was to develop a novel biogenic synthesis method for titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles using an aqueous extract of Annona muricata L. as a stabilizing and organic reducing agent. Furthermore, our aim included a comprehensive exploration of the structural, morphological, and optical properties of these nanostructures. The methodology employed in this project was grounded in the biogenic synthesis of TiO2, utilizing the aforementioned extract as a key component. We conducted a comprehensive characterization approach to unravel the formation mechanism and validate the morphology and crystalline structure of the nanomaterial. We successfully synthesized nanoparticles with spherical morphology and an average diameter of 13.41 nm, characterized by their remarkable uniformity and high-quality crystalline structure. Additionally, we assessed the applicability of these nanoparticles in photocatalysis processes aimed at the degradation of organic dyes. Our findings indicated efficient initial activity in the kinetics of methylene blue dye degradation, with a reduction of 59.25 % within the first 30 min of exposure.