Richard Dvorsky
Abstract
A new preparation method of lamellar core-shell ZnO-(Si)-ZnO nanostructures with high specific surface area and high photocatalytic efficiency is presented in this article. This novel method is based on the application of controlled vacuum sublimation of the frozen liquid dispersion of silicon nanoparticles ...
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A new preparation method of lamellar core-shell ZnO-(Si)-ZnO nanostructures with high specific surface area and high photocatalytic efficiency is presented in this article. This novel method is based on the application of controlled vacuum sublimation of the frozen liquid dispersion of silicon nanoparticles which were prepared by using the "top-down" process in cavitation Water Jet Mill disintegrator. The particle size of thus disintegrated silicon nanoparticles was measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Final product ZnO-(Si)-ZnO was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and amount of ZnO and Si was measured by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDAX). Specific surface area was obtained from Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis (BET). The photocatalytic activity of ZnO-(Si)-ZnO nanostructure was verified by the decomposition of methylene blue (MB) solution. The Final nanomaterial shows a relatively high specific surface area of 134 m2/g and significantly higher photocatalytic activity compared to standard TiO2 (Degussa P25). Such procedure based on the controlled vacuum sublimation of frozen liquid of suitable metal salts could be a promising method for obtaining photocatalytic nanomaterials with higher specific surface area.
Vandana Singha; Sadanand Pandeya;Rashmi Sanghib; Somit Kumar Singha
Abstract
In continuation to our recent study on the synthesis and characterization of starch-silica nanocomposite, in the present study the nanocomposite has been evaluated for the removal of Cd(II) from the aqueous solution. The conditions for the sorption have been optimized and kinetic and thermodynamic studies ...
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In continuation to our recent study on the synthesis and characterization of starch-silica nanocomposite, in the present study the nanocomposite has been evaluated for the removal of Cd(II) from the aqueous solution. The conditions for the sorption have been optimized and kinetic and thermodynamic studies were performed to understand the adsorption behaviour of the composite. Though the cadmium sorption by the nanocomposite takes place in wide pH range, pH 7.5 was found most favorable and at this pH the adsorption equlibrium data were modeled using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms at 10°C, 20°C, 30°C and 40°C. At all the temperatures, the data fitted more satisfactorily to Langmuir isotherm indicating unilayer adsorption. Based on Langmuir model, Qmax was calculated to be 769.23 mg/g. The adsorption showed pseudo second order kinetics with a rate constant of 5.65 × 10 -5 g mg -1 min -1 (at 100 mg/L initial Cd(II) concentration) indicating chemisorption. The thermodynamic study revealed the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the adsorption. Effect of electrolyte on the adsorption was also studied. The nanocomposite was sucessfully recycled for six consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles with only a marginal loss in its efficiency indicating its high reusability. The composite was found to be a highly stable photoluminescent Cd(II) adsorbent which may be suitable for sensor applications in detecting the metal ions both in vivo and vitro as the material is natural polymer based.
