Template Route to Chemically Engineering Cavities at Nanoscale: A Case Study of Zn(OH)(2) Template

Electrodeposition of Ag/ZIF-8-Modified Membrane for Water Remediation

Metal-organic framework (MOF)-based membranes have been widely used in gas and liquid separation due to their porous structures and tunable compositions. Depending on the guest components, heterostructured MOFs can exhibit multiple functions. In the present work, we report a facile and rapid preparation of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) and silver nanoparticle incorporated ZIF-8 (Ag/ZIF-8)-based membranes on stainless-steel mesh (SSM) through a "green" electrodeposition method. The SSM was first coated with a Zn-plated layer which contains mainly zinc hydroxide nitrate (Zn₅(OH)₈(NO₃)₂·2H₂O) with a "leaf-like" morphology, providing anchoring points for the deposition of ZIF-8 and Ag/ZIF-8. It takes only 10 min to prepare a uniform coating of Zn₅(OH)₈(NO₃)₂·2H₂O in aqueous conditions without the use of a strong base; this is by far the most efficient way of making zinc hydroxide nitrate nanocrystals. Following a similar electrodeposition approach, ZIF-8 and Ag/ZIF-8-coated SSM can be prepared within 20 min by applying a small current. The encapsulation of Ag does not alter the chemical composition nor the crystal structure of ZIF-8. The resulting ZIF-8 and Ag/ZIF-8-coated SSM have been tested for their effectiveness for rhodamine B dye removal in a fast vacuum filtration setting. Additionally, growth of E. coli was significantly inhibited after overnight incubation with Ag/ZIF-8-coated SSM. Overall, we demonstrate a fast synthesis procedure to make ZIF-8 and Ag/ZIF-8-coated SSM membranes for organic dye removal with excellent antimicrobial activity.

Comprehensive study upon physicochemical properties of bio-ZnO NCs

In this study, for the first time, the comparison of commercially available chemical ZnO NCs and bio-ZnO NCs produced extracellularly by two different probiotic isolates (Latilactobacillus curvatus MEVP1 [OM736187] and Limosilactobacillus fermentum MEVP2 [OM736188]) were performed. All types of ZnO formulations were characterized by comprehensive interdisciplinary approach including various instrumental techniques in order to obtain nanocomposites with suitable properties for further applications, i.e. biomedical. Based on the X- ray diffraction analysis results, all tested nanoparticles exhibited the wurtzite structure with an average crystalline size distribution of 21.1 nm (CHEM_ZnO NCs), 13.2 nm (1C_ZnO NCs) and 12.9 nm (4a_ZnO NCs). The microscopy approach with use of broad range of detectors (SE, BF, HAADF) revealed the core-shell structure of bio-ZnO NCs, compared to the chemical one. The nanoparticles core of 1C and 4a_ZnO NCs are coated by the specific organic deposit coming from the metabolites produced by two probiotic strains, L. fermentum and L. curvatus. Vibrational infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) and mass spectrometry (LDI-TOF-MS) have been used to monitor the ZnO NCs surface chemistry and allowed for better description of bio-NCs organic coating composition (amino acids residues). The characterized ZnO formulations were then assessed for their photocatalytic properties against methylene blue (MB). Both types of bio-ZnO NCs exhibited good photocatalytic activity, however, the effect of CHEM_ZnO NCs was more potent than bio-ZnO NCs. Finally, the colloidal stability of the tested nanoparticles were investigated based on the zeta potential (ZP) and hydrodynamic diameter measurements in dependence of the nanocomposites concentration and investigation time. During the biosynthesis of nano-ZnO, the increment of pH from 5.7 to around 8 were observed which suggested possible contribution of zinc aquacomplexes and carboxyl-rich compounds resulted in conversion of zinc tetrahydroxy ion complex to ZnO NCs. Overall results in present study suggest that used accessible source such us probiotic strains, L. fermentum and L. curvatus, for extracellular bio-ZnO NCs synthesis are of high interest. What is important, no significant differences between organic deposit (e.g. metabolites) produced by tested strains were noticed-both of them allowed to form the nanoparticles with natural origin coating. In comparison to chemical ZnO NCs, those synthetized via microbiological route are promising material with further biological potential once have shown high stability during 7 days.

Gallic Acid Based Black Tea Extract as a Stabilizing Agent in ZnO Particles Green Synthesis

In this work, zinc oxide particles (ZnO NPs) green synthesis with the application of black tea extract (BT) is presented. A thorough investigation of the properties of the extract and the obtained materials was conducted by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and quadrupole mass spectroscopy (QMS). The obtained results indicated that the amount of used BT strongly influenced the morphology, chemical, and crystalline structure of the obtained particles. The investigation demonstrated that the substance present in black tea (BT) extract, which was adsorbed on the ZnO surface, was in fact gallic acid. It was found that gallic acid controls the crystallization process of ZnO by temporarily blocking the zinc cations. Additionally, these organic molecules interact with the hydroxide group of the precipitant. This blocks the dehydration process stabilizing the zinc hydroxide forms and hinders its transformation into zinc oxide. Performed measurements indicated that obtained ZnO particles have great antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which are significantly correlated with ZnO-gallic acid interactions.

Synthesis and characterization of Cu-Zn/TiO2 for the photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to methane

Different Cu-Zn/TiO₂ catalysts were synthesized by using the wet impregnation method. The prepared catalysts were used for the conversion of CO₂ into methane by photocatalysis. Various characterization techniques were used to observe the surface morphology, crystalline phase, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, presence of impregnated Cu and Zn, and functional group. Scanning electron microscope analysis showed spherical morphology, and slight agglomeration of catalyst particles was observed. BET analysis revealed that the surface area of the catalyst was decreased from 10 to 8.5 m²/g after impregnation of Cu and Zn over TiO₂ support. Synergetic effect of Cu and Zn over TiO₂ support (Cu_2.6/TiO₂, Zn_0.5/TiO₂ and Cu_2.6-Zn_0.5/TiO₂) and the effects of Cu loading (0, 1.8, 2.1, 2.6 and 2.9 wt%) were also investigated at different feed molar ratios of H₂/CO₂ (2:1 and 4:1). The Cu_2.6-Zn_0.5/TiO₂ catalyst showed a maximum conversion of 14.3% at a feed molar ratio of 4. The addition of Zn over the catalyst surface increased the conversion of CO₂ from 10% to 14.3% which might be due to synergy of Cu and Zn over TiO₂ support.

Preparation and characterization of block copolymers containing cinnamate groups with end-capped ZnO

Abstract ZnO-poly(2-cinnamoyloxyethyl methacrylate) and ZnO-poly(2-cinnamoyloxyethyl methacrylate)-b-poly[(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] have been prepared by atom transfer polymerization initiated through a 2-bromoisobutyryl or bromoethyl group linked onto the ZnO nanoparticle surface (ZnO-BIBB, ZnO-BEI). The structure and morphology of the hybrids were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, fluorescence and UV spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron (TEM) and atomic force microscopy. The existence of nanoparticles with diameters varying between 40 and 100 nm was evident in the TEM images of the pure ZnO, ZnO-PCEMA-Br-2 and the diblock copolymer. Under an excitation of 340 nm, these materials exhibit a broad emission band at around 390 nm, which was associated with the presence of ZnO in the organic matrix. Graphical abstract

Solution reaction design: electroaccepting and electrodonating powers of ions in solution

By considering a first-order variation in electroaccepting and electrodonating powers, ω±, induced by a change from gas to aqueous solution phase, the solvent effect on ω± for charged ions is examined. The expression of electroaccepting and electrodonating powers in the solution phase, ω±s, is obtained through establishing the quantitative relationship between the change of the ω± due to the solvation and the hydration free energy. It is shown that cations are poorer electron acceptors and anions are poorer electron donors in solution compared to those in gas phase. We have proven that the scaled aqueous electroaccepting power, ω+s, of cations can act as a good descriptor of the reduction reaction, which is expected to be applied in the design of solution reactions.

Single-crystalline nanoporous Nb2O5 nanotubes

Single-crystalline nanoporous Nb2O5 nanotubes were fabricated by a two-step solution route, the growth of uniform single-crystalline Nb2O5 nanorods and the following ion-assisted selective dissolution along the [001] direction. Nb2O5 tubular structure was created by preferentially etching (001) crystallographic planes, which has a nearly homogeneous diameter and length. Dense nanopores with the diameters of several nanometers were created on the shell of Nb2O5 tubular structures, which can also retain the crystallographic orientation of Nb2O5 precursor nanorods. The present chemical etching strategy is versatile and can be extended to different-sized nanorod precursors. Furthermore, these as-obtained nanorod precursors and nanotube products can also be used as template for the fabrication of 1 D nanostructured niobates, such as LiNbO3, NaNbO3, and KNbO3.

Hollow Nanostructured Anode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries

Hollow nanostructured anode materials lie at the heart of research relating to Li-ion batteries, which require high capacity, high rate capability, and high safety. The higher capacity and higher rate capability for hollow nanostructured anode materials than that for the bulk counterparts can be attributed to their higher surface area, shorter path length for Li(+) transport, and more freedom for volume change, which can reduce the overpotential and allow better reaction kinetics at the electrode surface. In this article, we review recent research activities on hollow nanostructured anode materials for Li-ion batteries, including carbon materials, metals, metal oxides, and their hybrid materials. The major goal of this review is to highlight some recent progresses in using these hollow nanomaterials as anode materials to develop Li-ion batteries with high capacity, high rate capability, and excellent cycling stability.