Xenon Lamp Research Articles

Robust and Superhydrophobic Polydimethylsiloxane/Ni@Ti3C2Tx Nanocomposite Coatings with Assembled Eyelash-Like Microstructure Array: A New Approach for Effective Passive Anti-Icing and Active Photothermal Deicing.

To solve the problem of ice condensation and adhesion, it is urgent to develop new anti-icing and deicing technologies. This study presented the development of a highly efficient photothermal-enhanced superhydrophobic PDMS/Ni@Ti3C2Tx composite film (m-NMPA) fabricated cost-effectively and straightforwardly. This film was fabricated utilizing PDMS as a hydrophobic agent, adhesive, and surface protector, while Ni@Ti3C2Tx as a magnetic photothermal filler innovatively. Through a simple spraying method, the filler is guided by a strong magnetic field to self-assemble into an eyelash-like microstructure array. The unique structure not only imparts superhydrophobic properties to the surface but also constructs an efficient "light-capturing" architecture. Remarkably, the m-NMPA film demonstrates outstanding superhydrophobic passive anti-icing and efficient photothermal active deicing performance without the use of fluorinated chemicals. The micro-/nanostructure of the film forms a gas layer, significantly delaying the freezing time of water. Particularly under extreme cold conditions (-30 °C), the freezing time is extended by a factor of 7.3 compared to the bare substrate. Furthermore, under sunlight exposure, surface droplets do not freeze. The excellent photothermal performance is attributed to the firm anchoring of nickel particles on the MXene surface, facilitating effective "point-to-face" photothermal synergy. The eyelash-like microarray structure enhances light-capturing capability, resulting in a high light absorption rate of 98%. Furthermore, the microstructure aids in maintaining heat at the uppermost layer of the surface, maximizing the utilization of thermal energy for ice melting and frost thawing. Under solar irradiation, the m-NMPA film can rapidly melt approximately a 4 mm thick ice layer within 558 s and expel the melted water promptly, reducing the risk of secondary icing. Additionally, the ice adhesion force on the surface of the m-NMPA film is remarkably low, with an adhesion strength of approximately 4.7 kPa for a 1 × 1 cm2 ice column. After undergoing rigorous durability tests, including xenon lamp weathering test, pressure resistance test, repeated adhesive tape testing, xenon lamp irradiation, water drop impact testing, and repeated brushing with hydrochloric acid and particles, the film's surface structure and superhydrophobic performance have remained exceptional. The photothermal superhydrophobic passive anti-icing and active deicing technology in this work rely on sustainable solar energy for efficient heat generation. It presents broad prospects for practical applications with advantages such as simple processing method, environmental friendliness, outstanding anti-icing effects, and exceptional durability.

Photocatalytic degradation of p-aminobenzoic acid on N-biomass charcoal etched with Fe-Al-bilayer hydroxide: New insights through spectroscopic investigation

We investigated the photocatalytic property of etched iron‑aluminum layered double hydroxide (LDH) composites using urea-modified biochar (N-BC) carrier to degrade para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), a refractory organic pollutant. The prepared FeAl-LDH@FeSx-N-BC composite exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance, attributed to the enhanced photogenerated charge-carrier separation by the etched LDH and the improved comparative surface areas by the doped N-BC. The composite photocatalytically degraded 96 % of PABA. The performance was affected by solute concentration, pH and photocatalyst dose. Adding p-benzoquinone and EDTA-2Na significantly decreased the degradation rate, suggesting that superoxide radicals and holes were co-involved in PABA degradation. The excellent PABA removal efficiency was consistent for three consecutive runs. The samples' reactive oxygen species was confirmed, as electron paramagnetic reverberation explained the photodegradation mechanism. Under xenon lamp irradiation, two PABA photocatalytic degradation pathways were proposed using Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (LCMS) and density functional theory. As expected, FeAl-LDH@FeSx-N-BC showed excellent photocatalytic performance, expanding a new direction and possibility for future photocatalytic treatment of water pollutants.

Photoaged Nanopolystyrene Affects Neurotransmission to Induce Transgenerational Neurotoxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Nanopolystyrene (NPS), a frequently employed nanoplastic, is an emerging environmental contaminant known to cause neurotoxicity in various organisms. However, the potential for transgenerational neurotoxic effects, especially from photoaged NPS (P-NPS), remains underexplored. This study investigated the aging of virgin NPS (V-NPS) under a xenon lamp to simulate natural sunlight exposure, which altered the physicochemical characteristics of the NPS. The parental generation (P0) of Caenorhabditis elegans was exposed to environmental concentrations (0.1-100 μg/L) of V-NPS and P-NPS, with subsequent offspring (F1-F4 generations) cultured under NPS-free conditions. Exposure to 100 μg/L P-NPS resulted in more pronounced deterioration in locomotion behavior in the P0 generation compared to V-NPS; this deterioration persisted into the F1-F2 generations but returned to normal in the F3-F4 generations. Additionally, maternal exposure to P-NPS damaged dopaminergic, glutamatergic, and serotonergic neurons in subsequent generations. Correspondingly, there was a significant decrease in the levels of dopamine, glutamate, and serotonin, associated with reduced expression of neurotransmission-related genes dat-1, eat-4, and tph-1 in the P0 and F1-F2 generations. Further analysis showed that the effects of P-NPS on locomotion behavior were absent in subsequent generations of eat-4(ad572), tph-1(mg280), and dat-1(ok157) mutants, highlighting the pivotal roles of these genes in mediating P-NPS-induced transgenerational neurotoxicity. These findings emphasize the crucial role of neurotransmission in the transgenerational effects of P-NPS on locomotion behavior, providing new insights into the environmental risks associated with exposure to photoaged nanoplastics.

Two-step synthesis of coconut shell biochar-based ternary composite to efficiently remove organic pollutants by photocatalytic degradation

Designing environmentally friendly, low cost and efficient photocatalysts is vitally important for degradation of organic pollutants. Herein, a ternary composite-ZnO/ACSC@TiO2, constituted by activated coconut shell derived biochar (ACSC), TiO2 and ZnO, was successfully synthesized by two-step hydrothermal method. It demonstrated that TiO2 could be uniformly wrapped on ACSC surface during first step to form core-shell structures (ACSC@TiO2). It was beneficial not only to enhance adsorption capacity for organic pollutants and absorption ability for light, but also to form C-doped TiO2 with a relatively narrow bandgap to expand light absorption of TiO2 from UV to visible light. Subsequently, ZnO was introduced through second step to generate type-II heterojunctions with ACSC@TiO2, which further reduced bandgap value of the ternary photocatalyst to promote photogenerated carrier generation and efficiently diminished recombination of e--h+ pairs. As expected, the optimal prepared catalyst with 10 wt% of ZnO (10%ZnO/ACSC@TiO2) exhibited excellent adsorptive and photocatalytic abilities for removal of tetracycline (TC) and Rhodamine B (RhB) with different initial concentrations. Particularly, its total removal efficiency for TC and RhB was 97.6% and 99.4%, respectively under 300 W xenon lamp irradiation (25 mg/L of organic pollutants, 1.0 g/L catalyst and natural pH in 60 min). Investigations on catalytic mechanism and degradation pathways proved that 10%ZnO/ACSC@TiO2 could remove RhB and TC by deep degradation. Its enhanced synergy of adsorption and photocatalysis could efficiently accelerate mineralization rates of RhB and TC. This biomass derived biochar-based ternary composite as photocatalyst with optimized energy band structures and microstructures would have good industrial application potential.

Microflower-like NiFe layered double hydroxide @ g-C3N4 electrocatalysts for enhanced photo-assisted OER and overall water splitting performance

Photo-assisted electrocatalysis has emerged as a cutting-edge area of electrocatalysis in recent times. It relies on the combined influence of electrical and optical energy, offering a novel approach to enhance electrocatalytic efficiency. In this study, we synthesized microflower-like catalysts consisting of NiFe layered double hydroxide and g-C3N4 (known as NiFe-LDH/CN@NF) directly on Ni foam using a one-step hydrothermal technique. Under the irradiation of 300W xenon lamp, the electrocatalytic activities of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and overall water splitting of NiFe-LDH/CN@NF were significantly enhanced. Under photo-assisted circumstances, the OER overpotential (204mV@10mAcm−2) in KOH electrolyte is 23% lower than in dark conditions; the cell voltage of an electrolytic cell using NiFe-LDH/g-C3N4 as the cathode and anode decreased from 1.65V to 1.58V. According to study on mechanisms, the enhancement in OER can be mainly ascribed to the synergistic impact of photo-driven and electro-driven water oxidation processes. These results validate the broad generalizability of photo-assisted electrocatalysis technology and provide valuable insights into the advanced material design for sustainable energy conversion technologies.

Facile fabrication of nanocellulose-supported membrane composited with modified carbon nitride and HKUST-1 for efficient photocatalytic degradation of formaldehyde

As a cellulose-derived material, nanocellulose possesses unique properties that make it an ideal substrate for various functional composite materials. In this study, we developed a novel composite membrane material capable of adsorbing and photo-catalyzing formaldehyde by immobilizing HKUST-1 (copper open framework composed of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) onto NFC (Nano-fibrillated cellulose) membranes and subsequently loading modified carbon nitride. The synthesized CNx@HN composite membrane (consisting of NFC membrane with anchored HKUST-1 and modified g-C3Nx nanosheets) was thoroughly characterized, and its photocatalytic degradation performance towards low concentrations of formaldehyde (3.0 mg/m3) was investigated. The results demonstrated that HKUST-1's porous nature exhibited a concentrated adsorption capacity for formaldehyde, while the modified CNx (Modified g-C3Nx nanosheets) displayed robust photocatalytic degradation of formaldehyde. The synergistic effect of HKUST-1 and modified CNx on the NFC membrane significantly enhanced the efficiency of formaldehyde degradation. Under xenon lamp irradiation, CNx@HN-5 achieved a total removal efficiency of 86.9 % for formaldehyde, with a photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 48.45 %, showcasing its exceptional ability in both adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of formaldehyde. Furthermore, after 10 cycles of recycling, the composite membrane exhibited excellent stability for the photocatalytic degradation process. Therefore, this study presents a green and facile strategy to fabricate nanocellulose-supported composite membranes with great potential for practical applications in formaldehyde degradation.

3D monolithic composites TiO2/HKUST-1/RGO@melamine foam with improved surface mass transfer for efficient photocatalytic degradation of toluene gas

Currently, photocatalytic technology mostly uses powdered TiO2 catalysts, which are not conducive to recycling, limit the contact between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the photocatalyst, and result in lower mass transfer efficiency in gas-solid reactions. Meanwhile, TiO2 catalysts including the electrospun TiO2 nanofibers with hydrophilic surfaces are not favorable for the infiltration and adsorption of non-polar VOCs. To solve these problems, in this work, the monolithic composites TiO2/HKUST-1/RGO@melamine foam (named MRTH) with improved surface mass transfer composed of metal-organic framework (HKUST-1), graphene oxide (GO) and electrospun TiO2 nanofibers was designed. The metal-organic framework HKUST-1 plays a role in promoting the adsorption of toluene, while the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) facilitates the infiltration of non-polar molecules on the surface of the composite and has better electron transport capability. A type II heterojunction between the electrospun TiO2 nanofibers and HKUST-1 formed in the monolithic composites suppresses the recombination of electron-hole pairs and extends their lifespan. Comparing with the bare electrospun TiO2 nanofibers, the MRTH foam composites exhibit a wider light absorption range, hydrophilic and oleophobic properties and a higher separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers. In 90 min of dark adsorption, the removal rate of toluene over MRTH-8 was 52.32 %, while under irradiation by xenon lamp for 150 min, the removal rate over MRTH-8 reached 90.15 %. The amount of monolithic foam composites can also be easily adjusted in the reactor to achieve the best possible removal of the contaminant. The prepared composite materials have been characterized in detail, and the possible mechanisms have also been discussed. The foam composites prepared in this work have high catalytic activity and gas-solid reaction mass transfer efficiency, so they have wide practical application prospects in the field of VOCs abatement.

Construction of TiO2/CuPc Heterojunctions for the Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 with Water.

Utilizing solar energy for photocatalytic CO2 reduction is an attractive research field because of its convenience, safety, and practicality. The selection of an appropriate photocatalyst is the key to achieve efficient CO2 reduction. Herein, we report the synthesis of TiO2/CuPc heterojunctions by compositing CuPc with TiO2 microspheres via a hydroxyl-induced self-assembly process. The experimental investigations demonstrated that the optimal TiO2/0.5CuPc photocatalyst exhibited a significantly enhanced CO2 photoreduction rate up to 32.4 μmol·g-1·h-1 under 300 W xenon lamp irradiation, which was 3.7 times that of the TiO2 microspheres alone. The results of photoelectrochemical experiments indicated that the construction of the heterojunctions by introducing CuPc effectively promoted the separation and transport of photogenerated carriers, thus enhancing the catalytic effect of the photocatalyst.

Synthesis, crystal structures, photochromism and selective luminescence sensing property of Zn/Cd-viologen coordination polymers

Three Zn/Cd-viologen coordination polymers (CPs), namely, {Zn[(bcbpy)0.5(ipa)(H2O)]·H2O}n (1), {Zn[(bcbpy)0.5(ipa)(H2O)0.5]·H2O}n (2), and {Cd[(bcbpy)(SO4)]·2H2O}n (3), have been constructed using aromatic carboxylic acid and viologen-derived ligands, where H2bcbpy·2Cl represents 1,1′-bis((4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4′-bipyridine) dichloride and H2ipa stands for isophthalic acid. All three CPs display photochromic properties, transforming from yellow to dark blue upon irradiation with a xenon lamp. Notably, the photoresponse rates vary among these CPs, with compound 1 showing the fastest photoresponse, followed closely by compounds 2 and 3. Furthermore, CPs 1, 2, and 3 display a unique sensitivity to different concentrations of Cr2O72- anion solutions. When immersed in these solutions, the compounds exhibit varying degrees of fluorescence quenching effects, allowing for the monitoring of even the lowest ion concentrations. Additionally, upon exposure to ammonia vapor, the three compounds undergo a color change from yellow to dark brown, indicating their sensitivity to ammonia vapor.

Significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance of the W-Zr-MOF-NH2@TpTt-COF heterostructure for tetracycline removal by defects engineering

A hollow heterojunction of W-Zr-MOF-NH2@TpTt-COF (WZT) was fabricated by combining etched W-Zr-MOF-NH2 with TpTt-COF. WZT, synthesized through acid etching and hydrothermal methods, showed better tetracycline degradation than pure W-Zr-MOF-NH2 and pure TpTt-COF due to its larger specific surface area and more active sites. The surface of WZT contains abundant oxygen vacancies (OVs) that capture electrons, promoting the separation of photogenerated e--h+ pairs and increasing WZT’s photocatalytic activity. WZT (1:1, mass) showed 87% degradation of tetracycline under 300 W Xenon lamp irradiation. The results of cycling experiments demonstrated the high stability and reusability of WZT (1:1), making it feasible for production. The excellent photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline by WZT (1:1) originates from the formation of heterojunctions and the presence of surface OVs, which reduces the strong photogenerated e--h+ complexation efficiency. Possible photocatalytic degradation mechanisms are proposed while demonstrating the formation of Z-scheme heterojunction in WZT, which aligned with the experimental results of electron spin resonance (ESR). The tetracycline oxidative decomposition process involves the participation of •OH, 1O2, •O2-, e-, and h+ as proven by ESR and radical trapping experiments. This work proposes a research idea to prepare high-performance photocatalysts with MOF@COF type, featuring OVs-rich and Z-scheme heterojunctions.

A novel quaternary ammonium structure of carbon dots modified TiO2 for fast reduction of Cr(VI) over a wide pH range under sunlight

Cr(VI) pollution in water caused by industrialization poses a serious threat to human health and ecosystems, necessitating a rapid reduction of Cr(VI) treatment method. Therefore, We have established a photocatalytic method for the rapid reduction of Cr(VI) by modifying TiO2 with carbon dots (CPC-CDs) that possess a quaternary ammonium structure in the first time. The CPC-CDs widens the band gap of TiO2 and increases the electrostatic interactions between CPC-CDs/TiO2 and Cr(VI), thus improving the reduction efficiency. CPC-CDs/TiO2 (0.1 g, 2 % CPC-CDs) exhibited excellent reduction performance and fully reduced Cr(VI) (50 mg/L) under neutral conditions within 150 min using a xenon lamp to simulate sunlight. Moreover, CPC-CDs/TiO2 achieved more than 95 % reduction efficiency over a wide pH range (pH = 3, 5, 7, and 9) and showed excellent reduction of Cr(VI) at various concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/L). CPC-CDs/TiO2 maintained high Cr(VI) reduction efficiency (93.57 %) after five cycles. Tests under real sunlight revealed that CPC-CDs/TiO2 thoroughly reduced Cr(VI) (10 mg/L) within 30 min, and exhibited excellent structural stability under conditions with interfering ions. Furthermore, CPC-CDs/TiO2 exhibited prominent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. In addition, free-radical trapping experiments verified that the superoxide radicals (•O2-) was the main active species. This study aims to overcome the limitations of photocatalytic reduction under conditions of high concentration Cr(VI), neutral and alkaline environments, and natural sunlight, thereby providing technical support for the rapid reduction of Cr(VI).

Constructing a type-II heterojunction of AgI/CO32−-Bi2O2CO3 for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

The construction of heterojunctions is a well-established approach for enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency of semiconductor materials. To improve the photocatalytic activity of CO32−-Bi2O2CO3, AgI/CO32−-Bi2O2CO3 type-II heterojunction photocatalysts were synthesized using an electrostatic self-assembly method with varying composite ratios. The performance of AgI/CO32−-Bi2O2CO3 catalyst was investigated by photocatalytic degradation of 2-Hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone and levofloxacin under a 300 W xenon lamp (λ ≥ 420 nm). The results demonstrated that the composite photocatalyst (0.5ACBOC), prepared by incorporating 0.5 mL of AgNO3 and KI, exhibited exceptional photocurrent responsiveness and efficient charge carrier separation. 0.5ACBOC displayed the highest degradation efficiency towards 2-Hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (67.5%) and levofloxacin (78.0%). Free radical capture experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis revealed ·O2− as a crucial reactive species in the photodegradation process. Moreover, the photocatalytic degradation of 2-Hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone exhibited consistent removal efficiency even after undergoing four cycles, thereby demonstrating the excellent cycle stability of the composite catalyst. These findings highlight that AgI/CO32−-Bi2O2CO3 can be easily synthesized and holds great potential as a photocatalyst for efficient degradation of organic pollutants.

Improving SSC detection accuracy of cherry tomatoes by feature synergy and complementary spectral bands combination

The visible/near-infrared (VIS/NIR) spectroscopy technique has been extensively employed for the non-destructive detection of soluble solids content (SSC) in fruit. However, some existing algorithms and modeling optimization methods for improving the detection accuracy of SSC may be applicable to specific conditions and not universal. To break through this bottleneck problem, we propose a potentially universal strategy based on feature synergy and spectral bands combination of multiple detection modes. Firstly, compared with the commonly used halogen lamp, the xenon lamp was utilized to cover the ultraviolet (UV) range and match the characteristic information of different sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose). Furthermore, the spectral fusion method was employed to combine the reflectance and transmittance spectra to improve the cherry tomatoes SSC prediction accuracy with comprehensive data in the UV/VIS/NIR region. Finally, the best results were achieved by the partial least square regression (PLSR) model with spectral bands fusion, yielding the results of R2p, RMSEP, and RPD as 0.9653, 0.1998%, and 5.31, respectively. The same conclusion can also be verified when predicting the SSC in strawberries. Overall, this strategy is potentially universal to improve the prediction accuracy of SSC in fruit by matching light source spectra with characteristic absorption, as well as utilizing comprehensive spectral information in the 200–1100 nm range, providing valuable insights for the practical application of nondestructive detection of fruit internal quality.

Research on ultraviolet-visible composite optical target simulation technology

This study proposes an ultraviolet-visible composite optical target simulation technique based on a liquid crystal display (LCD) spatial light modulation device to solve the problem of not being able to satisfy the demand for optical target simulation for both ultraviolet and visible light operating spectral ranges in a single system when composite simulation of multi-source spatial targets is performed. We establish a composite light source model of an ultraviolet light emitting diode (LED) and a xenon lamp to enhance the energy simulation of the ultraviolet portion, and the light is mixed and homogenized by an integrating sphere. We analyze the light transmission principle of LCD display devices and derive the equation for the relationship between its working band and transmittance. We design a transmission-type projection system with a wide spectral range and simulate the transmittance of the whole system, and demonstrate the optical target simulator can realize the simulation requirements of a wide working spectral range, high interstellar angular distance accuracy, and high magnitude accuracy.

Poly 2-chloroaniline/TiO2 quantum dots for solar and photocatalytic processes of Congo Red dye and industrial wastewater

This study investigates the synthesis and characterization of a poly 2-chloroaniline (PCl-AN)/TiO2 quantum dots (TQD) composite for photocatalytic degradation of Congo Red dye and industrial wastewater treatment. PCl-AN was synthesized via chemical oxidative polymerization of 2-chloroaniline (80 mmol) using ammonium persulfate (80 mmol) as an oxidant. TQD was prepared by a hydrothermal method using 18 mL of titanium tetrachloride and 45 mL of methanol at 80 °C for 24 h. The (PCl-AN)/TQD composite with 8 wt% TQD was fabricated by in-situ polymerization. Characterization techniques including XRD, FTIR, UV–vis, TGA, EDX, and TEM were employed. XRD revealed PCl-AN particle size of 29–40 nm and TQD sizes of 3.1–4.8 nm. TEM showed core-shell (PCl-AN)/TQD structures of 26–30 nm. The band gaps were 3.33 eV (PCl-AN), 2.17 eV (TQD), and 2.30 eV ((PCl-AN)/TQD). Photocatalytic tests using a 150 W xenon lamp (100 mW/cm2, 200–1100 nm) showed (PCl-AN)/TQD achieved 93.56 % Congo Red degradation in 120 mins, outperforming PCl-AN (51.69 %) and TQD (80.96 %). After 5 recycles, degradation rates decreased by 34.32 % (PCl-AN), 18.57 % (TQD), and 26.75 % ((PCl-AN)/TQD). For industrial wastewater with initial COD 5230–7150 ppm, (PCl-AN)/TQD reduced COD to 745–1230 ppm, meeting the <1000 ppm limit. The (PCl-AN)/TQD composite demonstrates promising photocatalytic performance for environmental remediation.

Photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) and degradation of RhB by assembled novel In2S3/Zr-biquinoline framework heterojunction photocatalyst via xenon lamp

Photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) and degradation of RhB by assembled novel In2S3/Zr-biquinoline framework heterojunction photocatalyst via xenon lamp

Insight into pyrrolizidine alkaloids degradation and the chemical structures of their degradation products using ultra high performance liquid chromatography and Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), released into the environment by donor plants, are absorbed by crops or transported by animals, posing a global food safety concern. Photolysis is an effective way to eliminate harmful substances in the environment or food. Photolysis happens as PAs move among plants, environment and crops. In this study, we first investigated the photolysis and hydrolysis of 15 PAs and identified their degradation products via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry. PAs were degraded under UV radiation but minimally affected by visible light from a xenon lamp, and solvent pH had little impact on their photolysis. PAs were stable in neutral and acidic solutions but degraded by 50% within 24hours in alkaline conditions. The degradation products of PAs were mainly PAs/PANOs isomers and some minor byproducts. Cytotoxicity and computational analysis revealed isomers had similar toxicity, with minor products being less toxic. This study is a precursor for revealing the potential PAs degradation dynamics in the environment and food products, providing a reference for systematic evaluations of potential health and ecological risks of their degradation products. Environmental ImplicationPyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are considered as emerging organic pollutants, posing risks to environment and food. This study first unveiled photodegradation patterns of PAs. PAs degraded slowly under acidic and neutral conditions but rapidly under alkaline conditions with UV radiation. UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS was employed to dissect photodegradation products. Furthermore, a slight reduction in the toxicity of PAs was observed after prolonged photodegradation. This work contributed to understanding the degradation dynamics of PAs in environment and food, offering insights for future comprehensive assessments of the health and ecological risks associated with PAs.

La-Doped Sm2Zr2O7/PU-Coated Leather Composites with Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Performance.

Flexible La-doped Sm2Zr2O7/polyurethane (PU) coated leather composites were synthesized using a one-step hydrothermal method, with highly efficient photocatalytic degradation properties by coating the La-doped Sm2Zr2O7/PU emulsion onto the leather and drying it. The phase composition and optical properties of the as-prepared photocatalytic material were systematically characterized. The result revealed that La was doped in Sm2Zr2O7 successfully, and the prepared samples still possessed pyrochlore structure. The absorption edge of the prepared samples exhibited a red-shift with the increase in La doping, indicating that La doping could broaden the absorbance range of the La-doped Sm2Zr2O7 materials. The catalytic performance of La-doped Sm2Zr2O7/PU composite emulsion coating on the photocatalytic performance of leather was studied with Congo red solution as the target pollutant. The results showed that the best photocatalytic property was found in the 5% La-doped Sm2Zr2O7 nanomaterial at a concentration of 3 g/L. The resulting 5% La-doped Sm2Zr2O7 nanomaterial exhibited a high specific surface area of 73.5 m2/g. After 40 min of irradiation by a 450 W xenon lamp, the degradation rate of Congo red reached 93%. Moreover, after surface coating, the La-doped Sm2Zr2O7/PU coated leather composites showed obviously improved mechanical properties, as the tensile strength of La-doped Sm2Zr2O7/PU coated leather composites increased from 6.3 to 8.4 MPa. The as-prepared La-doped Sm2Zr2O7/PU coated leather composites with enhanced mechanical properties and highly efficient photocatalytic performance hold promising applications in the treatment of indoor volatile organic compounds.

Large-scale and green preparation of multifunctional ZnO

Highly active and multifunctional zinc oxide (ZnO) was synthesized using the water bath method. The concentrated NaOH solution rapidly converted zinc ions to ZnO. The solvent was then recycled multiple times after separating from the ZnO product, and the crude sodium sulfate by-product was precipitated through crystallization at room temperature. The entire recycling process produces no pollutant emissions and yields an average of 86.13 % zinc, achieving a green and efficient synthesis of ZnO. Xenon (Xe) radiation increases oxygen vacancies in ZnO, enhancing gas sensing. The sample S3 of ZnO sensors was obtained by xenon lamp irradiation for 9 h showing a 2.4 times higher response to 100 ppm NO2 at 90 ℃ (653.12) compared to the sample S0 of ZnO sensors without xenon lamp irradiation. Moreover, ZnO has excellent UV absorption in the wavelength range of 290–380 nm. By impregnating cotton fabrics with ZnO materials, the UV protection factor (UPF) of cotton textiles was increased from 4 to 33.

Practical liquid phase mixing-calcination synthesis of Nb5+ doped SrTiO3 nanoparticles with elevated photocatalysis

The mediocre photocatalytic activity and unpractical preparation methods of SrTiO3 have restricted its practical application as a photocatalyst. Herein, a practical liquid phase mixing-calcination method was designed to synthesize Nb5+ doped SrTiO3 (Nb-SrTiO3) with remarkably elevated photocatalytic activity. Nb-SrTiO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by mixing Sr(NO3)2, NbCl5 and tetrabutyl titanate in deionized water (DW), evaporating the solvent (DW) and calcining the evenly mixed precursors at 700 °C for 4 h. The as-synthesized Nb-SrTiO3 exhibited a photocatalytic activity 4.2 times that of SrTiO3 in the reduction of Cr(VI) under Xenon lamp irradiation. Moreover, Nb-SrTiO3 showed a rather good photocatalytic stability. Nb5+ doping can decrease the particle size and promote the photogenerated carrier separation and transfer of SrTiO3, thereby contributing to heightened photocatalytic activity of Nb-SrTiO3.