Synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles supported on SiO2 by sensitized liquid phase photodeposition for applications in catalytic ozonation

Ingeniously designed Silica nanostructures as an exceptional support: Opportunities, potential challenges and future prospects for viable degradation of pesticides

Despite significant advancements in modern agricultural practices, efficient handling of pesticides is a must as they are continuously defiling our terrestrial as well as aquatic life. During the last couple of decades, substantial efforts by various research groups have been devoted to find innovative solutions to remove pesticides from our environment in a greener way. In this regard, functionalized silica nanoparticles (NPs) have gained considerable attention of scientific community due to their notable properties such as amenable design, large surface area as well as fine-tunable and uniform pore structures which make them an ideal material for pesticides removal. The present review aims to proffer current scientific progress attained by silica-based nanostructures as an excellent material for effective removal of noxious agrochemicals. Further, a brief discussion on the synthetic strategies as well as intrinsic benefits associated with different morphologies of silica have also been highlighted in this article. It also summarizes the recent reports on silica assisted degradation of pesticides via enzymatic, chemical as well as advanced oxidation protocols. Additionally, it presents a critical analysis of different support materials for decontamination of our ecosystem. The review concludes with potential challenges, their possible solutions along with key knowledge gaps and future research directions for successful deployment of silica supported materials in degradation of pesticides at commercial scale.

Advanced treatment of biologically pretreated coal chemical industry wastewater using the catalytic ozonation process combined with a gas-liquid-solid internal circulating fluidized bed reactor

This paper investigated the performance of the combined system of catalytic ozonation and the gas-liquid-solid internal circulating fluidized bed reactor for the advanced treatment of biologically pretreated coal chemical industry wastewater (CCIW). The results indicated that with ozonation alone for 60min, the removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) could reach 34%. The introduction of activated carbon, pumice, γ-Al₂O₃ carriers improved the removal performance of COD, and the removal efficiency was increased by 8.6%, 4.2%, 2%, respectively. Supported with Mn, the catalytic performance of activated carbon and γ-Al₂O₃ were improved significantly with COD removal efficiencies of 46.5% and 41.3%, respectively; however, the promotion effect of pumice supported with Mn was insignificant. Activated carbon supported with Mn had the best catalytic performance. The catalytic ozonation combined system of MnO_X/activated carbon could keep ozone concentration at a lower level in the liquid phase, and promote the transfer of ozone from the gas phase to the liquid phase to improve ozonation efficiency.

Silica-supported NiO nanocomposites prepared via a sol–gel technique and their excellent catalytic performance for one-pot multicomponent synthesis of benzodiazepine derivatives under microwave irradiation

Heterogeneous and versatile NiO–SiO₂ NCs were synthesized by a sol–gel technique and used as a catalyst for the one-pot multicomponent synthesis of benzodiazepines.

Catalytic ozonation of petroleum refinery wastewater utilizing Mn-Fe-Cu/Al2O 3 catalyst

There is of great interest to develop an economic and high-efficient catalytic ozonation system (COS) for the treatment of biologically refractory wastewaters. Applications of COS require options of commercially feasible catalysts. Experiments in the present study were designed to prepare and investigate a novel manganese-iron-copper oxide-supported alumina-assisted COS (Mn-Fe-Cu/Al2O3-COS) for the pretreatment of petroleum refinery wastewater. The highly dispersed composite metal oxides on the catalyst surface greatly promoted the performance of catalytic ozonation. Hydroxyl radical mediated oxidation is a dominant reaction in Mn-Fe-Cu/Al2O3-COS. Mn-Fe-Cu/Al2O3-COS enhanced COD removal by 32.7% compared with a single ozonation system and by 8-16% compared with Mn-Fe/Al2O3-COS, Mn-Cu/Al2O3-COS, and Fe-Cu/Al2O3-COS. The O/C and H/C ratios of oxygen-containing polar compounds significantly increased after catalytic ozonation, and the biodegradability of petroleum refinery wastewater was significantly improved. This study illustrates potential applications of Mn-Fe-Cu/Al2O3-COS for pretreatment of biologically refractory wastewaters.

Synthesis of Ag–Ni core–shell nanowires and their application in anisotropic transparent conductive films

Transparent conductive films with high anisotropic conductivity ratio (>10⁵) were prepared from Ag–Ni core–shell nanowires by applying a magnetic field.