Altering fiber density of cockscomb-like fibrous silica-titania catalysts for enhanced photodegradation of ibuprofen

Fibrous silica-titania (FST) catalysts were synthesized by microemulsion followed by silica seed-crystal crystallization methods under various molar ratios of toluene to water (T/W). The catalysts were characterized by XRD, UV-DRS, FESEM, TEM, AFM, N₂ adsorption-desorption, FTIR, and ESR. The results revealed that altering the T/W ratio affected the growth of the silica and titania and led to different size, fiber density, silica-titania structure, and number of hydroxyl groups, as well as oxygen vacancies in the FSTs, which altered their behavior toward subsequent application. Photodegradation of ibuprofen (IBP) are in the following order: FST(6:1) (90%) > FST(5:1) (84%) > FST(7:1) (79%) > commercial TiO₂ (67%). A kinetics study using Langmuir-Hinshelwood model illustrated that the photodegradation followed the pseudo-first-order and adsorption was the rate-limiting step. Optimization by response surface methodology (RSM) showed that the pH, initial concentration, and catalyst dosage were the remarkable parameters in photodegradation of IBP. The FST (6:1) maintained its photocatalytic activities for up to five cycles reaction without serious catalyst deactivation, and was also able to degrade other endocrine-disrupting chemicals, indicating its potential use for the treatment of those chemicals in wastewater.

Further Insight into the Definite Morphology and Formation Mechanism of Mesoporous Silica KCC-1

The unique three-dimensional pore structure of KCC-1 has attracted significant attention and has proven to be different compared to other conventional mesoporous silica such as the MCM-41 family, SBA-15, or even MSN nanoparticles. In this research, we carefully examine the morphology of KCC-1 to define more appropriate nomenclature. We also propose a formation mechanism of KCC-1 based on our experimental evidence. Herein, the KCC-1 morphology was interpreted mainly on the basis of compiling all observation and information taken from SEM and TEM images. Further analysis on TEM images was carried out. The gray value intensity profile was derived from TEM images in order to determine the specific pattern of this unique morphology that is found to be clearly different from that of other types of porous spherical-like morphologies. On the basis of these results, the KCC-1 morphology would be more appropriately reclassified as bicontinuous concentric lamellar morphology. Some physical characteristics such as the origin of emulsion, electrical conductivity, and the local structure of water molecules in the KCC-1 emulsion were disclosed to reveal the formation mechanism of KCC-1. The origin of the KCC-1 emulsion was characterized by the observation of the Tyndall effect, conductometry to determine the critical micelle concentration, and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, the morphological evolution study during KCC-1 synthesis completes the portrait of the formation of mesoporous silica KCC-1.

Surface modification of banana stem fibers via radiation induced grafting of poly(methacrylic acid) as an effective cation exchanger for Hg(ii)

A low cost adsorbent, banana stem fibers (BSFs), was used for modification by grafting with methacrylic acid via three free radical generation methods.

Synthesis and characterization of fibrous silica ZSM-5 for cumene hydrocracking

Fibrous silica ZSM-5 (FZSM-5) with a novel dendrimeric morphology was synthesized using a CTAB-based microemulsion system. The dendrimers increased the active site accessibility and enhanced the catalytic activity for large molecule hydrocracking and ethylbenzene dehydrogenation.

Interaction between copper and carbon nanotubes triggers their mutual role in the enhanced photodegradation of p-chloroaniline

Copper (Cu, 1–5 wt%) was loaded onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by a simple electrochemical method.

Synergistic interactions of Cu and N on surface altered amorphous TiO2 nanoparticles for enhanced photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene

Amorphous TiO₂ (AT) nanoparticles were prepared by a simple sol–gel method and subsequent incorporation with 5–20 wt% copper via an electrochemical method in the presence of tetraethylammonium perchlorate gave an active CuO/TiO₂ (CAT) photocatalyst.

Elucidation of acid strength effect on ibuprofen adsorption and release by aluminated mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) with 1–10 wt% loading of aluminum (Al) were prepared and characterized by XRD, N₂ physisorption, ²⁹Si and ²⁷Al NMR, FT-IR and FT-IR preadsorbed pyridine.

CO2 reforming of CH4 over Ni/mesostructured silica nanoparticles (Ni/MSN)

Higher basicity of Ni/MSN suppressed the formation of deactivated carbon and contributed to a good stability in CO₂ reforming of CH₄.

Synthesis of dual type Fe species supported mesostructured silica nanoparticles: synergistical effects in photocatalytic activity

Dual type Fe species (isomorphously substituted Fe species and a colloidal α-FeOOH (IS-FeOOH)) supported on mesostructured silica nanoparticles (IS-FeOOH/MSN) were prepared by a simple electrochemical method followed by impregnation.

Grape-like mesostructured silica nanoparticle-decorated single-walled carbon nanotubes: silica growth and dye adsorptivity

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-mesostructured silica nanoparticle (MSN) adsorbents (S-MSNs) were prepared through a simple one-step method with various loadings of SWCNTs.

New insights into self-modification of mesoporous titania nanoparticles for enhanced photoactivity: effect of microwave power density on formation of oxygen vacancies and Ti3+ defects

Mesoporous titania nanoparticles (MTN) were successfully prepared by a microwave (MW)-assisted method under various power densities.

Acid-vacuo heat treated low cost banana stems fiber for efficient biosorption of Hg(ii)

HCl treatment on Banana Stem Fiber (BSF) increased the cellulose accessibility. Prior to the biosorption process, the biosorbent was activated in vacuo at 373 K. The activation improved the maximum Hg(ii) biosorption capacity from 28 to 372 mg g⁻¹.

Nickel-promoted mesoporous ZSM5 for carbon monoxide methanation

Synergistic effect of Ni and the mZSM5 support led to high methanation activity of Ni/mZSM5. Two possible reaction routes emerged: (1) adsorbed CO may be reacted with H₂ to form CH₄ and H₂O; (2) adsorbed H may be reacted with CO to form CH₄ and CO₂.

Photodecomposition of methylene blue over EGZrO2/HY in aqueous alkaline solution

The photodecomposition of methylene blue (MB) in an aqueous alkaline solution over EGZrO2/HY catalyst was investigated. The prepared catalyst was examined using X–ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The MB was completely decolorized under visible light at pH 11 after 432 h over 1 wt% EGZrO2/HY photocatalyst. Photolysis almost did not occurs even the MB was kept for the same reaction time but when the system was kept under dark condition in the absence of catalyst the MB converted into methylene violet (MV) after 30 h of reaction.

Effect of iridium loading on the formation of protonic acid sites over Ir/Pt-HZSM5

The Ir/Pt-HZSM5 with different iridium loading (0.3-1.0 wt%) was prepared by impregnation of iridium on Pt-HZSM5. The acidic properties of Ir/Pt-HZSM5 were studied by FTIR spectroscopy, while the activity of the catalysts was tested for n-pentane isomerization in a microcatalytic pulse reactor.The IR results of adsorbed 2,6-lutidine showed that all catalysts possessed strong Brönsted and Lewis acid sites in the outgassing at 473 K and below.When Ir/Pt-HZSM5 was heated in hydrogen, protonic acid sites were formed with concomitant decrease of Lewis acid sites. An increase in iridiumloading continuously decreased the Lewis and Brönsted acid sites and inhibited the formation of protonic acid sites induced by hydrogen. The formationof protonic acid sites induced by hydrogen was also confirmed by the formation of electron detected by ESR spectroscopy. Additionally for n-pentaneisomerization, an increase in iridium loading decreased the yield of isopentane due to the inhibition in the formation of protonic acid sites via hydrogenspillover phenomenon.

Utilization of bivalve shell-treated Zea mays L. (maize) husk leaf as a low-cost biosorbent for enhanced adsorption of malachite green

In this work, two low-cost wastes, bivalve shell (BS) and Zea mays L. husk leaf (ZHL), were investigated to adsorb malachite green (MG) from aqueous solutions. The ZHL was treated with calcined BS to give the BS-ZHL, and its ability to adsorb MG was compared with untreated ZHL, calcined BS and Ca(OH)(2)-treated ZHL under several different conditions: pH (2-8), adsorbent dosage (0.25-2.5 g L(-1)), contact time (10-30 min), initial MG concentration (10-200 mg L(-1)) and temperature (303-323 K). The equilibrium studies indicated that the experimental data were in agreement with the Langmuir isotherm model. The use of 2.5 g L(-1) BS-ZHL resulted in the nearly complete removal of 200 mg L(-1) of MG with a maximum adsorption capacity of 81.5 mg g(-1) after 30 min of contact time at pH 6 and 323 K. The results indicated that the BS-ZHL can be used to effectively remove MG from aqueous media.