Photocatalytic Activity, Microstructures and Luminescent Study of Ti-ZS:M Nano-composites Materials

Green synthesis and characterization of TiO2 nanoparticles from latex of Calatropis procera against dusky cotton bug

The dusky cotton bug is a small insect that poses a significant threat to cotton crops. Due to increasing reports on the development of resistance in this insect against insecticides, efforts to control this pest must involve other environment-friendly strategies. The use of nanoparticles (NPs) has generated an alternative pest control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the insecticidal effect of green synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2) NPs using latex of Calatropis procera against dusky cotton bug 2nd and 4th instar nymph and adult stage. The optical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were confirmed through UV-Vis spectroscopy whereas, surface morphology was checked through Scanning Electron Microscopy. A detailed XRD analysis of the synthesized particles confirmed that the particles belong to the anatase phase, of the tetragonal crystal system. When checked for their insecticidal potential against dusky cotton bugs (2nd and 4th instar nymph and adult stage) through the leaf dip method, the nanoparticles-controlled insect population was up to 95% with highest in 2nd instar nymphs and lowest in adults. However, the insecticidal activity was found directly proportional to the concentration of nanoparticles used.

Physical properties of a Eu3+-doped Zn2SiO4 phosphor ceramic material with enhanced thermal sensitivity at low temperatures

In the present study, a SiO2/Zn2SiO4:Eu glass-ceramic composite was synthesized by a homemade modified sol-gel method. Structural, morphological, and optical properties were investigated. Structural and morphological analysis proves the existence of silica and zinc silicate phases with the latter surrounded and shielded by the silica matrix. Optical-vibrational analysis shows the fingerprint peaks of a Zn2SiO4 material, confirming the good establishment of the phase. Photoluminescence plots reveal the presence of strong Eu3+ ion emission lines that come from radiative recombination from 5D0 to 7F J (J = 0-4) inner states. The curves prove, as well, the appearance of weak wide blue (450 nm) and green (530 nm) bands related, respectively, to oxygen deficiency and zinc vacancy emission centers related to silica/zinc silicate intrinsic defects. The latter are taken as a starting point to investigate the thermometry properties of the sample by combining them with the europium principal emission lines (7F1,2) to get a maximum relative sensitivity of 2.36% K-1 at the [12-140 K] temperature range. The findings are promising and show, for the first time, the thermometry study of Eu-doped zinc silicate at below room temperature range.

Preparation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles from Solanum Tuberosum peel extract and its applications

The present study describes a method for the preparation of green titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles from the peel of Solanum tuberosum, commonly known as potato, and the potato peel being a kitchen waste. The green synthesized TiO2 (G- TiO2) nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, TEM, XRD, and FTIR spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the G- TiO2 nanoparticles was also shown using the dye bromophenol blue. To explore the biocompatibility of the G- TiO2, the cell viability in normal as well as cancer cells was assessed. Further, the in vivo toxicity of the G- TiO2 nanoparticles was assessed using zebrafish embryos. The novelty of the present invention is to utilize kitchen waste for a useful purpose for the synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles which is known to have UV light scavenging properties. Moreover, the potato peel is a natural antioxidant and possesses a skin-lightening effect. A combination of the potato peel extract and titanium dioxide prepared using the extract will have a combinatorial effect for protecting UV light exposure to the skin and lightening the skin colour.

Bio-synthesis of TiO2 using grape leaves extract and its application for photocatalytic degradation of ibuprofen from aqueous solution

ABSTRACTIn this study, titanium oxide nanoparticle was fabricated using the extract of grape leaves (referred asGL-TiO2 NPs), using the green synthesis process, and then explores its ability for photodegradation of ibuprofen (IBU) under UV light in the batch system. UV-Vis, BET, FTIR, XRD, and SEM-EDX tests were made to identify the catalyst's structure and shape. Moreover, the effects of different operating parameters, specifically pH of (3, 5, 7, and 9), IBU concentration (10, 20, 40, and 80) mg/L, GL-TiO2 concentrations (15, 30, and 60) mg/L, H2O2 (100, 300, and 500) mg/L, and contact time were studied. According to the results, the synthetic TiO2 NPs have a spherical shape and 39.608 m2/g of BET surface area. In addition, the findings showed that the removal efficiency reached 92.32% under optimum conditions of 5, 10, 30, 300 mg/L, and 150 min, respectively. In addition, the reaction followed a first-order kinetics model with R2 > 97. According to the finding of this study, GL-TiO2 NPs has an acceptable efficiency in the elimination of IBU, as their relatively simple synthesis, could be a suitable catalyst for the degradation and elimination of pharmaceutical residues.