Publications

Boosted Electrocatalytic N₂ Reduction to NH₃ by Defect‐Rich MoS₂ Nanoflower

Abstract The industrial artificial fixation of atmospheric N 2 to NH 3 is carried out using the Haber–Bosch process that is not only energy‐intensive but emits large amounts of greenhouse gas. Electrochemical reduction offers an environmentally benign and sustainable alternative for NH 3 synthesis. Although Mo‐dependent nitrogenases and molecular complexes effectively catalyze the N 2 fixation at ambient conditions, the development of a Mo‐based nanocatalyst for highly performance electrochemical N 2 fixation still remains a key challenge. Here, greatly boosted electrocatalytic N 2 reduction to NH 3 with excellent selectivity by defect‐rich MoS 2 nanoflowers is reported. In 0.1 m Na 2 SO 4 , this catalyst attains a high Faradic efficiency of 8.34% and a high NH 3 yield of 29.28 µg h −1 mg −1 cat. at − 0.40 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, much larger than those of defect‐free counterpart (2.18% and 13.41 µg h −1 mg −1 cat. ), with strong electrochemical stability. Density functional theory calculations show that the potential determining step has a lower energy barrier (0.60 eV) for defect‐rich catalyst than that of defect‐free one (0.68 eV).

Fabrication of highly sensitive 4-Nitrophenol sensor and photocatalytic performance of multifunctional Ba0.5Sr0.5CoxHfxFe12-2xO19 Ferrite

Recent Development of Chitosan Nanocomposites for Environmental Applications

Chitosan is a pseudo-neutral cationic polymer which is formed by the de-acetylation of chitin polymer. Various patent on chitosan and chitosan-nanocomposite were taken into account related to wastewater purification. We have found that chitosan and chitosan-nanocomposite are used for the removal of viruses, bacteria, cryptosporidium oocysts and giardia cysts, soluble and insoluble organic pollutants, poly aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals from wastewater. In this study, we also found that chitosan and chitosan-nanocomposite are selected for the removal of transition metals.

Inverse effects of supporting electrolytes on the electrocatalytic nitrate reduction activities in a Pt|Nafion|Pt–Cu-type reactor assembly

A Pt|Nafion|Pt–Cu assembly can exhibit its best reduction reaction efficiency in the absence of any supporting electrolytes. Adsorption of supporting electrolytes decreases efficiency by registering an increase of charge transfer resistance.

Recent advances in bio-based polybenzoxazines as an interesting adhesive coating

Polybenzoxazine (PBz) is an excellent and highly intriguing resin for various sophisticated uses. Benzoxazines have piqued the curiosity of academics worldwide because of their peculiar properties. Nonetheless, most benzoxazine resin manufacturing and processing methods, notably bisphenol A-based benzoxazine, rely on petroleum resources. Because of the environmental consequences, bio-based benzoxazines are being researched as alternatives to petroleum-based benzoxazines. As a result of the environmental implications, bio-based benzoxazines are being developed to replace petroleum-based benzoxazines, and they are gaining traction. Bio-based polybenzoxazine, epoxy, and polysiloxane-based resins have piqued the interest of researchers in coatings, adhesives, and flame-retardant thermosets in recent years due to their anticorrosion, ecologically friendly, affordable, and low water absorption properties. As a result, numerous scientific studies and patents on polybenzoxazine continues to rise in polymer research. Based on its mechanical, thermal, and chemical characteristics, bio-based polybenzoxazine has several applications, including coatings (anticorrosion and antifouling), adhesives (highly crosslinked network, outstanding mechanical and thermal capabilities), and flame retardants (with the high charring capability). This review reports an overview of polybenzoxazine, highlighting the current advances and progress in synthesizing bio-based polybenzoxazine, their properties, and their use in coating applications.

Effect of various environmental factors on the adsorption of U(VI) onto biochar derived from rice straw

Synthesis, linear and nonlinear optical properties of a new dimethine cyanine dye derived from phenothiazine

Dimethine cyanine dye (PTZIS) based on phenothiazine as the core donor and indolium salt as the acceptor has been synthesized and fully characterized. UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence properties of PTZIS were studied in different solvents. Absorption spectra revealed a large bathochromic shift of the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) absorption band of PTZIS compared with those in the non-halogenated solvents. Also, the optical data of PTZIS showed a large Stokes shift compared with those in the non-halogenated solvents, indicating a great influence on the geometry of the emissive excited state. The nonlinear optical properties of PTZIS in ethanol solution at different concentrations and different laser powers have been studied using the Z-scan technique with a continuous wave (cw) argon ion laser at 514.5 nm. The closed aperture Z-scan data was used to estimate the nonlinear refractive index n2, while the open aperture scan provided the nonlinear absorption coefficient β. The values obtained are relatively very high and vary linearly with concentration.

Co-based nanowire films as complementary hydrogen- and oxygen-evolving electrocatalysts in neutral electrolyte

The Co₂N nanowire film on a Ti mesh (Co₂N/TM) and Co-phosphate nanowire film on a Ti mesh (Co–Pi/TM) act as complementary water-splitting electrocatalysts with strong durability in 1.0 M PBS, affording 10 mA cm⁻² at 1.78 V.

Polyethersulfone coated Ag-SiO2 nanoparticles: a multifunctional and ultrafiltration membrane with improved performance

One-step preparation of ZnO nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene oxide composites and their application to photocurrent generation

In this communication, we develop a facile, one-step strategy towards the rapid synthesis of ZnO nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene oxide (rGO–ZnO) composites by directly immersing Zn plate in a GO solution containing ammonia with the aid of ultrasonication at room temperature. The rGO–ZnO composites obtained have applications in photocurrent generation in the visible spectral region of white light using zinc porphyrin (ZnP) as a photosensitizer.

CCDC 2040647: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.

Fabrication of heterogeneous photocatalysts for insight role of carbon nanofibre in hierarchical WO3/ MoSe2 composite for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen generation

A perspective on the fabrication of heterogeneous photocatalysts for enhanced hydrogen production

UV-Visible spectroscopic and DFT studies of the binding of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride antibiotic drug with metal ions at numerous temperatures

Fabrication of hierarchical CoP nanosheet@microwire arrays <i>via</i> space-confined phosphidation toward high-efficiency water oxidation electrocatalysis under alkaline conditions

In spite of recent advances in the synthesis of transition metal phosphide nanostructures, the simple fabrication of hierarchical arrays with more accessible active sites still remains a great challenge. In this Communication, we report a space-confined phosphidation strategy toward developing hierarchical CoP nanosheet@microwire arrays on nickel foam (CoP NS@MW/NF) using a Co(H2PO4)2·2H3PO4 microwire array as the precursor. The thermally stable nature of the anion in the precursor is key to hierarchical nanostructure formation. When used as a 3D electrode for water oxidation electrocatalysis, such CoP NS@MW/NF needs an overpotential as low as 296 mV to drive a geometrical catalytic current density of 100 mA cm-2 in 1.0 M KOH, outperforming all reported Co phosphide catalysts in alkaline media. This catalyst also shows superior long-term electrochemical durability, maintaining its activity for at least 65 h. This study offers us a general method for facile preparation of hierarchical arrays for applications.

ChemInform Abstract: Visible‐Light‐Induced Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Azide‐Alkyne Cycloaddition Initiated by Zinc Oxide Semiconductor Nanoparticles.

Abstract Under visible light irradiation, the nanoparticles cause formation of a Cu(I) catalyst which initiates the cycloaddition process.

CCDC 889914: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.

Anchoring Gold Nanoparticles on Graphene Nanosheets Functionalized with Cationic Polyelectrolyte: A Novel Catalyst for 4-Nitrophenol Reduction

In this paper, a stable aqueous dispersion of graphene nanosheets (GNs) has been prepared by chemical reduction of graphene oxide (GO) with hydrazine hydrate in the presence of poly [(2-ethyldimethylammonioethyl methacrylate ethyl sulfate)-co-(1-vinylpyrrolidone)] (PQ11). Taking advantages of the fact that PQ11 is a positively charged polymer exhibiting reducing ability, we further demonstrated the subsequent decoration of GN with gold nanoparticals (AuNPs) by in-situ chemical reduction of HAuCl4. It was found that such nanocomposites exhibit good catalytic activity toward 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction and the GN supports also enhance the catalytic activity via a synergistic effect.