Comparative Study on the Regeneration of Fe3O4@Graphene Oxide Composites

Enhancing Power Conversion Efficiency of Organic Solar Cells with Magnetoplasmonic Fe3O4@Au@m-ABS Nanoparticles

Organic-inorganic nanocomposites have the potential to be used in photovoltaic materials due to their eco-friendliness, suitable band gaps, and high stability. In this work, we integrated gold and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles with poly-m-amino benzene sulfonic (m-ABS) to synthesize Fe3O4@Au@poly-(m-aminobenzenesulfonic acid) (Fe3O4@Au@m-ABS) magneto-plasmonic nanoparticles (MPNPs) to enhance the performance of the organic photovoltaic (OPV). These MPNPs exhibit broad UV-Vis absorption and a low band gap of 2.878 eV, enhancing their suitability for photovoltaic applications. The MPNPs were introduced into the ZnO electron transporting layer (ETL) and active layer to investigate the influence of MPNPs on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the OPVs. When 0.1 vol% MPNPs were incorporated in the ETL, the OPVs achieved a PCE of 14.24% and a fill factor (FF) of 69.10%. On the other hand, when 0.1 vol% MPNPs were incorporated in the active layer, the OPVs showed a PCE of 14.11% and an FF of 68.83%. However, the OPVs without MPNPs only possessed a PCE of 13.15% and an FF of 63.69%. The incorporation of MPNPs increased the PCE by 8.3% in the OPV device. These findings suggest that Fe3O4@Au@m-ABS MPNPs are promising nanocomposite materials for enhancing the performance of OPVs.

Adsorption of chloroquine, propranolol, and metformin in aqueous solutions using magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposite

The work proposes the application of a nanocomposite formed by graphene oxide and magnetite to remove chloroquine, propranolol, and metformin from water. Tests related to adsorption kinetics, equilibrium isotherms and adsorbent reuse were studied, and optimization parameters related to the initial pH of the solution and the adsorbent dosage were defined. For all pharmaceuticals, adsorption tests indicated that removal efficiency was independent of initial pH at adsorbent dosages of 0.4 g L-1 for chloroquine, 1.2 g L-1 for propranolol, and 1.6 g L-1 for metformin. Adsorption equilibrium was reached within the first few minutes, and the pseudo-second-order model represented the experimental data well. While the equilibrium data fit the Sips isotherm model at 298 K, the predicted maximum adsorption capacities for chloroquine, propranolol, and metformin were 44.01, 16.82, and 12.23 mg g-1, respectively. The magnetic nanocomposite can be reused for three consecutive cycles of adsorption-desorption for all pharmaceuticals, being a promising alternative for the removal of different classes of pharmaceuticals in water.

Evolution of graphene oxide (GO)-based nanohybrid materials with diverse compositions: an overview

The discovery of the 2D nanostructure of graphene was in fact the beginning of a new generation of materials. Graphene itself, its oxidized form graphene oxide (GO), the reduced form of GO (RGO) and their numerous composites are associates of this generation. Out of this spectrum of materials, the development of GO and related hybrid materials has been reviewed in the present article. GO can be functionalized with metals (Ag and Mg) and metal oxides (CuO, MgO, Fe2O3, Ag2O, etc.) nanoparticles (NPs), organic ligands (chitosan and EDTA) and can also be dispersed in different polymeric matrices (PVA, PMMA, PPy, and PAn). All these combinations give rise to nanohybrid materials with improved functionality. An updated report on the chronological development of such nanohybrid materials of diverse nature has been delivered in the present context. Modifications in synthesis methodologies as well as performances and applications of individual materials are addressed accordingly. The functional properties of GO were synergistically modified by photoactive semiconductor NPs; as a result, the GO-MO hybrids acquired excellent photocatalytic ability and were able to degrade a large variety of organic dyes (MB, RhB, MO, MR, etc.) and pathogens. The large surface area of GO was successfully complemented by the NPs so that high and selective adsorption capacity towards metal ions and organic molecules as well as improved charge separation properties could be achieved. As a result, GO-MO hybrids have been considered effective materials in water purification, energy storage and antibacterial applications. GO-MO hybrids with magnetic particles have exhibited selective destruction of cancerous cells and controlled drug release properties, extremely important in the pharmaceutical field. Chitosan and EDTA-modified GO could form 3D network-like structures with strong efficiency in removing heavy metal ions and organic pollutants. GO as a filler enhanced the strength, flexibility and functional properties of common polymers, such as PVA and PVC, to a large extent while, GO-CP composites with polyaniline and polypyrrole are considered suitable for the fabrication of biosensors, supercapacitors, and MEMS as well as efficient photothermal therapy agents. In summary, GO-based hybrids with inorganic and organic counterparts have been designed, the unique properties of which are exploited in versatile fields of applications.

Methyl Orange Adsorption onto Magnetic Fe₃O₄/Carbon (AC, GO, PGO) Nanocomposites

In this study, carbonaceous nanomaterials (Activated Carbon (AC), Graphene Oxide (GO) and Porous Graphene Oxide (PGO)) were synthesized and attached to Fe₃O₄ magnetic powder for the effective removal of synthetic Methyl Orange (MO). AC and GO were successfully conjugated with Fe₃O₄ whilst PGO was not due to its surface functional groups. The morphology and chemical structure of the Fe₃O₄/Carbon nanocomposites were characterized by the N₂ adsorption, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Batch adsorption experiments were performed and showed significant removal efficiency of 90% at the first ten minutes for Fe₃O₄/AC nanocomposite. Analysis of adsorption equilibrium revealed that AC/Fe₃O₄ is well fitted with Langmuir model, a homogeneous adsorption having an adsorption capacity of 270 mg/g. The GO/Fe₃O₄ can fit with both Langmuir and Freundlich models indicating multilayer adsorption on the surface of the adsorbent with an adsorption capacity of 81.9 mg/g. In the case of adsorption kinetics, both adsorbents follow the pseudo second order kinetics model showing high F?² values. Both adsorbents demonstrated advantageous superparamagnetic properties for their easy recovery from aqueous solutions and prospective applications to toxic removal in water and wastewater.

Preparation and Characterization of Sodium Alginate-Based Oxidized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Hydrogel Nanocomposite and its Adsorption Behaviour for Methylene Blue Dye

Herein, a sodium alginate/poly (acrylic acid)/oxidized-multi-walled carbon nanotubes hydrogel nanocomposite (SA/p(AAc)/o-MWCNTs HNC) was synthesized by in situ free-radical polymerization method. The synthesized SA/p(AAc)/o-MWCNTs HNC was used to remove methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. The synthesized HNC was confirmed by employing various characterization techniques. The SA/p(AAc)/o-MWCNTs HNC exhibited a maximum swelling capacity of 2265.4% at pH 8.0. The influence of vital parameters in the sorption process including the initial pH, adsorption dose, contact time and concentration were systematically examined on a batch mode. Subsequently, adsorption kinetics as well as isotherm models were applied to assess the nature and mechanism of the adsorption process. Adsorption kinetics were best described by pseudo-second-order model, while the Langmuir isotherm model governed the adsorption isotherm. The SA/p(AAc)/o-MWCNTs HNC exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 1596.0 mg/g at 25°C. This adsorbent showed excellent MB uptake and good regeneration ability.

Tunable Magnetic Hyperthermia Properties of Pristine and Mildly Reduced Graphene Oxide/Magnetite Nanocomposite Dispersions

We present a study on the magnetic hyperthermia properties of graphene oxide/magnetite (GO/MNP) nanocomposites to investigate their heat production behavior upon the modification of the oxidation degree of the carbonaceous host. Avoiding the harsh chemical conditions of the regular in situ co-precipitation-based routes, the oppositely charged MNPs and GO nanosheets were combined by the heterocoagulation process at pH ~ 5.5, which is a mild way to synthesize composite nanostructures at room temperature. Nanocomposites prepared at 1/5 and 1/10 GO/MNP mass ratios were reduced by NaBH₄ and L-ascorbic acid (LAA) under acidic (pH ~ 3.5) and alkaline conditions (pH ~ 9.3). We demonstrate that the pH has a crucial effect on the LAA-assisted conversion of graphene oxide to reduced GO (rGO): alkaline reduction at higher GO loadings leads to doubled heat production of the composite. Spectrophotometry proved that neither the moderately acidic nor alkaline conditions promote the iron dissolution of the magnetic core. Although the treatment with NaBH₄ also increased the hyperthermic efficiency of aqueous GO/MNP nanocomposite suspensions, it caused a drastic decline in their colloidal stability. However, considering the enhanced heat production and the slightly improved stability of the rGO/MNP samples, the reduction with LAA under alkaline condition is a more feasible way to improve the hyperthermic efficiency of magnetically modified graphene oxides.