Analysis of Ag-DP25/PET plasmonic nano-composites as a visible-light photocatalyst for wastewater treatment: Experimental/theoretical studies, and the DFT-MB degradation mechanism.

The development of polymeric-composites Agx%DP25-PET (x = 0,1,2,3) may significantly boost the potential application of Agx%DP25 (x = 0,1,2,3) photocatalytic powders. Producing large-scale nano-composites with hybrid-surfaces, that are also flexible materials and easy to employ in a variety of environments. A set of photocatalytic nan-composites embedded with the polymeric binder poly (acrylonitrile-co-butadiene)-dicarboxy terminated (C7H9N) were performed and evaluated for wastewater treatment applications. The results reveal that the flexible polymeric composites (Agx%DP25-PET, x = 0,1,2,3) have photocatalytic activity in aqua media to degrade methylene blue (MB) under visible-light. The addition of C7H9N to immobilize photocatalytic powders on the PET surface reduces photo-generated electron-hole recombination. The materials were characterized by HR-TEM, SEM/EDX, XRD, FT-IR, UV-Vis DRS and PL. The Agx%DP25-PET (x = 0,1,2,3) photocatalytic reactions exhibited productive discoloration/degradation rates, in both aerobic (AE) and anaerobic (AN) environments. The superior photodegradation of Ag2%DP25-PET was attributed to a combination of two effects: LSPR (localized surface plasmon resonance) and Ag-TiO2/environment affinities. The findings of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and Fukui Function (FF) based on density functional theory (DFT) provide significant insight into the photocatalytic requirements for MB discoloration/degradation. The experimental/theoretical analysis aimed to offer an in-depth understanding of medium/surface interactions on decorated TiO2 materials, as well as how these interactions affect overall degradation behavior.

Free radical production induced by visible light in live fruit flies.

Visible light triggers free radical production in alive and intact Drosophila melanogaster. We exposed fruit flies to red (613-631 nm), green (515-535 nm), and blue (455-475 nm) light while we monitored changes in unpaired electron content with an electron spin resonance spectrometer (ESR/EPR). The immediate response to light is a rapid increase in spin content lasting approximately 10 s followed by a slower, linear increase for approximately 170 s. When the light is turned off, the spin population promptly decays with a similar time course, though never fully returning to baseline. The magnitude and time course of the spin production depends on the wavelength of the light. Initially, we surmised that eumelanin might be responsible for the spin change because of its documented ability for visible light absorption and its highly stable free radical content. To explore this, we utilized different fruit fly strains with varying eumelanin content and clarified the relation of melanin types with the spin response. Our findings revealed that flies with darker cuticle have at least three-fold more unpaired electrons than flies with yellow cuticle. However, to our surprise, the increase in unpaired electron population by light was not drastically different amongst the genotypes. This suggests that light-induced free radical production may not exclusively rely on the presence of black melanin, but may instead be dependent on light effects on quinone-based cuticular polymers.

Visible-Light Cross-Linkable Multifunctional Hydrogels Loaded with Exosomes Facilitate Full-Thickness Skin Defect Wound Healing through Participating in the Entire Healing Process.

The management of severe full-thickness skin defect wounds remains a challenge due to their irregular shape, uncontrollable bleeding, high risk of infection, and prolonged healing period. Herein, an all-in-one OD/GM/QCS@Exo hydrogel was prepared with catechol-modified oxidized hyaluronic acid (OD), methylacrylylated gelatin (GM), and quaternized chitosan (QCS) and loaded with adipose mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (Exos). Cross-linking of the hydrogel was achieved using visible light instead of ultraviolet light irradiation, providing injectability and good biocompatibility. Notably, the incorporation of catechol groups and multicross-linked networks in the hydrogels conferred strong adhesion properties and mechanical strength against external forces such as tensile and compressive stress. Furthermore, our hydrogel exhibited antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties along with wound-healing promotion effects. Our results demonstrated that the hydrogel-mediated release of Exos significantly promotes cellular proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, thereby accelerating skin structure reconstruction and functional recovery during the wound-healing process. Overall, the all-in-one OD/GM/QCS@Exo hydrogel provided a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of full-thickness skin defect wounds through actively participating in the entire process of wound healing.

Influence of ultraviolet A1 exposures on mood states: a randomized controlled study.

We investigated the effects of daily ultraviolet A1 (UV-A1, 340-400 nm) exposures on mood states (#R19055, approval on 21 October 2020). Based on our earlier findings of the influence of diurnal preference on mood, we investigated further whether diurnal preference plays a role in the influence of UV-A1 on mood states. Forty-one healthy participants aged 19-55 years were randomized to receive either UV-A1 (n = 21) or control (n = 20) exposures (violet light, 390-440 nm). The irradiations were administered on three consecutive mornings on the skin of the buttocks and middle back. Diurnal preference was assessed with the modified 6-item Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (mMEQ). Changes in mood were assessed with Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) score of the 40-item Profile of Mood States (POMS) before the first irradiation, immediately after each irradiation and one week after the last irradiation. Mood improved among those subjected to UV-A1 exposures compared with the controls (p = 0.031). Individuals with more pronounced morningness had mood improvement (p = 0.011), whereas those with more pronounced eveningness did not (p = 0.41). At follow-up of one week after the last irradiation the mood improvement had disappeared.

Dual Role of a Novel heteroleptic Cu(I) Complex in Visible-Light-Driven CO2 Reduction.

A novel mononuclear Cu(I) complex was synthesized via coordination with a benzoquinoxalin-2'-one-1,2,3-triazole chelating diimine and the bis[(2-diphenylphosphino)phenyl] ether (DPEPhos), to target a new and efficient photosensitizer for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. The Cu(I) complex absorbs in the blue-green region of the visible spectrum, with a broad band having a maximum at 475 nm (ε = 4500 M-1cm-1), which is assigned to the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition from the Cu(I) to the benzoquinoxalin-2'-one moiety of the diimine. Surprisingly, photo-driven experiments for the CO2 reduction showed that this complex can undergo a photoinduced electron transfer with a sacrificial electron donor and accumulate electrons on the diimine backbone. Photo-driven experiments in a CO2 atmosphere revealed that this complex can not only act as a photosensitizer, when combined with an Fe(III)-porphyrin, but can also selectively produce CO from CO2. Thus, owing to its charge-accumulation properties, the non-innocent benzoquinoxalin-2-one based ligand enabled the development of the first copper(I)-based photocatalyst for CO2 reduction.

Phytosynthesis and characterization of tin-oxide nanoparticles (SnO2-NPs) from Croton macrostachyus leaf extract and its application under visible light photocatalytic activities.

Nanotechnology is rapidly becoming more and more important in today's technological world as the need for industry increases with human well-being. In this study, we synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) using an environmentally friendly method or green method from Croton macrostachyus leaf extract, leading to the transformation of UV absorbance to visible absorbance by reducing the band gap energy. The products underwent UV, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, XPS, BET, and DLS for characterization. Characterization via UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the shift in absorbance towards the visible spectrum, indicating the potential for enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. The energy band gap for as-synthesized nanoparticles was 3.03 eV, 2.71 eV, 2.61 eV, and 2.41 eV for the 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 sample ratios, respectively. The average crystal size of 32.18 nm and very fine flakes with tiny agglomerate structures of nanoparticles was obtained. The photocatalytic activity of the green-synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles was explored under visible light irradiation for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and methylene blue (MB), which were widespread fabric pollutants. It was finally confirmed that the prepared NPs were actively used for photocatalytic degradation. Our results suggest the promising application of these green-synthesized SnO2 NPs as efficient photocatalysts for environmental remediation with low energy consumption compared to other light-driven processes. The radical scavenging experiment proved that hydroxyl radicals (_OH) are the predominant species in the reaction kinetics of both pollutant dyes under visible light degradation.

Sustainable Synthesis through Catalyst-Free Photoinduced Cascaded Bond Formation.

The beginning of photochemical reactions revolutionized synthetic chemistry through sustainable practices. This review explores cutting-edge developments in leveraging light-induced processes for generating cascaded C-C and C-hetero bonds without catalysts. Significantly, catalyst-free photoinduced methodologies have garnered considerable attention, especially in the creation of varied heterocyclic frameworks for drug design and the synthesis of natural products. The article delves into underlying mechanisms, addresses limitations, and evaluates various methodologies, emphasizing the potential of photocatalyst and transition metal-free photochemical reactions to enhance sustainability. Divided into two sections, it covers recent strides in C-C and C-heteroatom and multiple C-heteroatom bond formation reactions.

Solvated Electrons Generated on the Surface of Na-SPHI for Boosting Visible Light Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution with Ultra-High AQE.

Enhancing the utilization of visible-light-active semiconductors with an excellent apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) remains a significant and challenging goal in the realm of photocatalytic water splitting. In this study, a fully condensed sulfur-doped poly(heptazine imide) metalized with Na (Na-SPHI) is synthesized by an ionothermal method by using eutectic NaCl/LiCl mixture as the ionic solvent. Comprehensive characterizations of the obtained Na-SPHI reveal several advantageous features, including heightened light absorption, facilitated exciton dissociation, and expedited charge transfer. More importantly, solvated electron, powerful reducing agents, can be generated on the surface of Na-SPHI upon irradiation with visible light. Benefiting from above advantage, the Na-SPHI exhibits an excellent H2 evolution rate of 571.8 µmol·h-1 under visible light illumination and a super-high AQE of 61.7% at 420 nm. This research emphasizes the significance of the solvated electron on the surface of photocatalyst in overcoming the challenges associated with visible light-driven photocatalysis, showcasing its potential application in photocatalytic water splitting.

A Visible-Light Regulated ATP Transport in Retinal-modified Pillar[6]arene Layer-by-Layer Self-assembled Sub-nanochannel.

Natural light-responsive rhodopsins play a critical role in visual conversion, signal transduction, energy transmission, etc., which has aroused extensive interest in the past decade. Inspired by these gorgeous works of living beings, scientists have constructed various biomimetic light-responsive nanochannels to mimic the behaviors of rhodopsins. However, it is still challenging to build stimuli-responsive sub-nanochannels only regulated by visible light as the rhodopsins are always at the sub-nanometer level and regulated by visible light. Pillar[6]arenes have an open cavity of 6.7 Å, which can selectively recognize small organic molecules. They can be connected to ions of ammonium or carboxylate groups on the rims. Therefore, we designed and synthesized the amino and carboxyl-derived side chains of pillar[6]arenes with opposite charges. The sub-nanochannels were constructed through the electrostatic interaction of layer-by-layer self-assembled amino and carboxyl-derived pillar[6]arenes. Then, the natural chromophore of the retinal with visible light-responsive performance was modified on the upper edge of the sub-nanochannel to realize the visible light switched on and off. Finally, we successfully constructed a visible light-responsive sub-nanochannel, providing a novel method for regulating the selective transport of energy-donating molecules of ATP.

Driving toward Connectivity: Vehicular Visible Light Communications Receiver with Adaptive Field of View for Enhanced Noise Resilience and Mobility.

Wireless communication represents the basis for the next generation of vehicle safety systems, whereas visible light communication (VLC) is one of the most suitable technologies for this purpose. In this context, this work introduces a novel VLC receiver architecture that integrates a field-of-view (FoV) adaptation mechanism in accordance with the optical noise generated by the sun. In order to demonstrate the benefits of this concept, a VLC prototype was experimentally tested in an infrastructure-to-vehicle (I2V) VLC configuration, which uses an LED traffic light as the transmitter. At the receiver side, an automatic FoV adaptation mechanism was designed based on a mechanical iris placed in front of a photodetector. Adjustments were made based on the values recorded by a multi-angle light sensor, built with an array of IR photodiodes covering an elevation from 0° to 30° and an azimuth from -30° to 30°. Depending on the incidence of solar light, the mechanical iris can adjust the FoV from ±1° to ±22°, taking into account both the light irradiance and the sun's position relative to the VLC receiver. For experimental testing, two identical VLC receivers were used: one with an automatic FoV adjustment, and the other with a ±22° fixed FoV. The test results performed at a distance of 50 m, in the presence of solar irradiance reaching up to 67,000 µW/cm2, showed that the receiver with a fixed FoV saturated and lost the communication link most of the time, whereas the receiver with an adjustable FoV maintained an active link throughout the entire period, with a bit error rate (BER) of less than 10-7.

Engineering a staggered type-II Bi2WO6/WO3 heterojunction with improved photocatalytic activity in wastewater treatment.

In recent years, the removal organic pollutants from wastewater by advanced oxidation processes, especially photocatalysis, has become a meaningful approach due to its eco-friendliness and low cost. Herein, staggered type-II Bi2WO6/WO3 heterojunction photocatalysts were prepared by a facile hydrothermal route and investigated by modern physicochemical methods (X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption-desorption, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy). The optimized BWOW-5 photocatalyst exhibited a H2O2-assisted photocatalytic methylene blue removal efficiency of 94.1% (k = 0.01414 min-1) within 180 min under optimal reaction conditions, which is much higher than that of unmodified Bi2WO6 and WO3 due to efficient separation of the photogenerated charge carriers. The trapping experiments demonstrate that photogenerated hydroxyl radicals and holes plays a key role in the photodegradation reaction. Moreover, the optimized BWOW-5 heterojunction photocatalyst exhibited excellent activity in the H2O2-assisted degradation of other pollutants, namely phenol, isoniazid, levofloxacin, and dibenzothiophene with the removal rate of 63.1, 73.6, 95.0, and 72.4%, respectively. This investigation offers a design strategy for Bi2WO6-based multifunctional photocatalytic composites with improved activity for organic pollutant degradation.

Visible-light harvesting SrTiO3 solid solutions for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water.

The fabrication of solid solutions represents a compelling approach to modulating the physicochemical properties of materials. In this study, we achieved the successful synthesis of solid solutions comprising SrTiO3 and SrTaO2N (denoted as (SrTiO3)1-x-(SrTaO2N)x, 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) using the magnesium powder-assisted nitridation method. The absorption edge of (SrTiO3)1-x-(SrTaO2N)x is tunable from 500 to 600 nm. The conduction band minimum (CBM) of (SrTiO3)1-x-(SrTaO2N)x comprises the Ti 3d orbitals and the Ta 5d orbitals, while the valence band maximum (VBM) consists of the O 2p and N 2p orbitals. The microstructure of the (SrTiO3)1-x­(SrTaO2N)x consists of small nanoparticles, exhibiting a larger specific surface area than the parent compounds of SrTiO3 and SrTaO2N. In the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with sacrificial reagents, the activity of solid solutions is notably superior to that of nitrogen-doped SrTiO3 and SrTaO2N. This superiority is mainly attributed to its broad light absorption range and high charge separation efficiency, which indicates its potential as a promising photocatalytic material. Moreover, the magnesium powder-assisted nitridation method exhibits obvious advantages for the synthesis of oxynitrides and bears instructional significance for the synthesis of other nitrogen-containing compounds and even sulfur-containing compounds.

Multiple effects of relative humidity on heterogeneous ozonolysis of cooking organic aerosol proxies from heated peanut oil emissions.

The exposure to cooking organic aerosols (COA) is closely related to people's daily lives. Despite extensive investigations into COA's model compounds like oleic acid, the intricacies of heterogeneous ozonolysis of real COA and the effects of ambient conditions like humidity remain elusive. In this work, the ozonolysis of COA proxies from heated peanut oil emissions was investigated using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFTS) spectroscopy, and proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS). We found that humidity hinders the reaction between ozone and CC double bonds due to the competitive adsorption of water and ozone on COA. Although visible light has little influence on the ozonolysis of COA in the absence of humidity, the ozonolytic CO production is significantly promoted by visible light in the presence of humidity. It may be attributed to the formation of water-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS, mainly HO•) from the photosensitization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in COA. We also found that humidity can enhance the depolymerization of carboxylic acid dimers and hydrolysis of intrinsic acetals in the COA. Moreover, humidity promotes the release of VOCs during both the dark and light ozonolysis of COA. This work reveals the important roles of humidity-responsive and photo-responsive components in COA during its ozonolysis, and the change in VOC release may guide the control of human VOC exposure in indoor air.

A novel BiOBr/rGO photocatalysts for degradation of organic and antibiotic pollutants under visible light irradiation: Tetracycline degradation pathways, kinetics, and mechanism insight.

In this study, the BiOBr/rGO nanocomposite photocatalysts are fabricated by a facile solvothermal method. The BiOBr growth on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheet could improve BiOBr's photocatalytic activity by increasing its adsorption ability, surface area, and charge carriers' separation efficiency. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, Raman, FESEM, EDS, XPS, and UV-visible DRS. The BiOBr/rGO (BRG) nanocomposites showed improved photocatalytic activity for the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye and Tetracycline (TC) under visible light irradiation. Rhodamine B and tetracycline degradation efficiency were about 96% and 73% within 120 min under visible light irradiation. The PL analysis indicates that BiOBr/rGO nanocomposite exhibited maximum separation efficiency of photoinduced charge carriers. The trapping test confirmed that O2- and h+ are significant active photodegradation species. The GC-MS spectra detected the two plausible transformation routes of tetracycline degradation. The current work presented a low-cost and facile approach for fabricating Bi-based composites.

Rational design of CdS-enwrapped polypyrrole nanoparticles for wastewater treatment: removal of hazardous pollutants in aqueous solutions.

The modern world requires a chemical industry that can run at low production costs while producing high-quality products with minimal environmental impact. The development of environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and efficient wastewater treatment materials remains a major problem for the sustainable approach. We prepared nanoscale cadmium sulfide (CdS)-enwrapped polypyrrole (PPy) polymer composites for degradation of organic pollutants. The prepared CdS@PPy nanocomposites were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible (UV) absorption spectroscopy, indicating proper intercalation between CdS and PPy. Consequently, the catalytic efficiency of the synthesized hybrid nanocomposites was analyzed through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (Rh B) under visible light irradiation. The measured degradation efficiency of the dye solutions under the photolysis process is about 18% and 23% for MB and Rh B dye, respectively. Furthermore, the recycle test result concludes that the CdS@PPy composite exhibits 91% and 89% of MB and Rh B dye degradation efficiency even at the 4th cycle, respectively. The positive synergistic impact of CdS and PPy may be the result of effective photocatalytic degradation of MB and RhB.

The Fabrication and Property Characterization of a Ho2YSbO7/Bi2MoO6 Heterojunction Photocatalyst and the Application of the Photodegradation of Diuron under Visible Light Irradiation.

A novel photocatalytic nanomaterial, Ho2YSbO7, was successfully synthesized for the first time using the solvothermal synthesis technique. In addition, a Ho2YSbO7/Bi2MoO6 heterojunction photocatalyst (HBHP) was prepared via the hydrothermal fabrication technique. Extensive characterizations of the synthesized samples were conducted using various instruments, such as an X-ray diffractometer, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, a Raman spectrometer, a UV-visible spectrophotometer, an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, and a transmission electron microscope, as well as X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, a photocurrent test, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance. The photocatalytic activity of the HBHP was evaluated for the degradation of diuron (DRN) and the mineralization of total organic carbon (TOC) under visible light exposure for 152 min. Remarkable removal efficiencies were achieved, with 99.78% for DRN and 97.19% for TOC. Comparative analysis demonstrated that the HBHP exhibited markedly higher removal efficiencies for DRN compared to Ho2YSbO7, Bi2MoO6, or N-doped TiO2 photocatalyst, with removal efficiencies 1.13 times, 1.21 times, or 2.95 times higher, respectively. Similarly, the HBHP demonstrated significantly higher removal efficiencies for TOC compared to Ho2YSbO7, Bi2MoO6, or N-doped TiO2 photocatalyst, with removal efficiencies 1.17 times, 1.25 times, or 3.39 times higher, respectively. Furthermore, the HBHP demonstrated excellent stability and reusability. The mechanisms which could enhance the photocatalytic activity remarkably and the involvement of the major active species were comprehensively discussed, with superoxide radicals identified as the primary active species, followed by hydroxyl radicals and holes. The results of this study contribute to the advancement of efficient heterostructural materials and offer valuable insights into the development of sustainable remediation strategies for addressing DRN contamination.

NiAlFe LTH /MoS2 p-n junction heterostructure composite as an effective visible-light-driven photocatalyst for enhanced degradation of organic dye under high alkaline conditions.

Designing of an effectual heterostructure photocatalyst for catalytic organic pollutant exclusion has been the subject of rigorous research intended to resolve the related environmental aggravation. Fabricating p-n junctions is an effective strategy to promote electron-hole separation of semiconductor photocatalysts as well as enhance the organic toxin degradation performance. In this study, a series of n-type NiAlFe-layered triple hydroxide (LTH) loaded with various ratios of p-type MoS2 was synthesized for forming a heterostructure LTH/MoS2 (LMs) by an in situ hydrothermal strategy. The photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM&EDX, TEM, FT-IR, XPS, as well as UV-vis DRS. The photoactivity of photocatalysts was tested by the degradation of Indigo Carmine (IC) dye. The optimized catalyst (LM1) degrades 100% of indigo dye in high alkaline pH under UV light for 100 min. Besides, the degradation rate of LM1 is 15 times higher than that of pristine NiAlFe-LTH. The enhanced photoactivity is attributed to the synergistic effect between NiAlFe-LTH and MoS2 as well as the p-n junction formation.

Micro-Spherical BiOI Photocatalysts for Efficient Degradation of Residual Xanthate and Gaseous Nitric Oxide.

BiOI microspheres were synthesized using the solvothermal method for the degradation of residual xanthate and gaseous nitric oxide (NO) under visible light irradiation. The as-prepared BiOI nanomaterials were then characterized using various technologies, including XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, UV-Vis DRS, and XPS. The photodegradation results show that the removal efficiency of isobutyl sodium xanthate can reach 98.08% at an initial xanthate concentration of 120 mg/L; that of NO is as high as 96.36% at an inlet NO concentration of 11 ppm. Moreover, the effects of operational parameters such as catalyst dosage, initial xanthate concentration, and pH value of wastewater on the removal of xanthate were investigated. The results of scavenging tests and full-spectrum scanning indicate that ·O2- radicals are the main active species in xanthate degradation, and peroxide xanthate is an intermediate. The reusability of BiOI was explored through cyclic experiments. Furthermore, the reaction path and the mechanism of NO removal using BiOI were analyzed, and the main active species was also ·O2-. It is concluded that BiOI photocatalysts have high potential for wastewater treatment and waste gas clean-up in the mineral industry.

Biocompatible PANI-Encapsulated Chemically Modified Nano-TiO2 Particles for Visible-Light Photocatalytic Applications.

Polyaniline (PANI) constitutes a very propitious conductive polymer utilized in several biomedical, as well as environmental applications, including tissue engineering, catalysis, and photocatalysis, due to its unique properties. In this study, nano-PANI/N-TiO2 and nano-PANI/Ag-TiO2 photocatalytic composites were fabricated via aniline's oxidative polymerization, while the Ag-and N-chemically modified TiO2 nanopowders were synthesized through the sol-gel approach. All produced materials were fully characterized. Through micro-Raman and FT-IR analysis, the co-existence of PANI and chemically modified TiO2 particles was confirmed, while via XRD analysis the composites' average crystallite size was determined as ≈20 nm. The semi-crystal structure of polyaniline exhibits higher photocatalytic efficiency compared to that of other less crystalline forms. The spherical-shaped developed materials are innovative, stable (zeta potential in the range from -26 to -37 mV), and cost-effective, characterized by enhanced photocatalytic efficiency under visible light (energy band gaps ≈ 2 eV), and synthesized with relatively simple methods, with the possibility of recycling and reusing them in potential future applications in industry, in wastewater treatment as well as in biomedicine. Thus, the PANI-encapsulated Ag and N chemically modified TiO2 nanocomposites exhibit high degradation efficiency towards Rhodamine B dye upon visible-light irradiation, presenting simultaneously high biocompatibility in different normal cell lines.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Flower-like MnMoO4 Nanostructures and Their Photocatalytic Performance.

This article describes an affordable method for the synthesis of MnMoO4 nanoflowers through the microwave synthesis approach. By manipulating the reaction parameters like solvent, pH, microwave power, and irradiation duration along this pathway, various nanostructures can be acquired. The synthesized nanoflowers were analyzed by using a powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS) to determine their crystalline nature, morphological and functional group, and optical properties, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was performed for the examination of elemental composition and chemical states by qualitative and quantitative analysis. The results of the investigations demonstrated that the MnMoO4 nanostructures with good crystallinity and distinct shape were formed successfully. The synthesized MnMoO4 nanoflowers were tested for their efficiency as a photocatalyst in the degradation studies of methylene blue (MB) as model organic contaminants in an aqueous medium under visible light, which showed their photocatalytic activity with a degradation of 85%. Through the band position calculations using the electronegative value of MnMoO4, the photocatalytic mechanism of the nanostructures was proposed. The results indicated that the effective charge separation, and transfer mechanisms, in addition to the flower-like shape, were responsible for the photocatalytic performance. The stability of the recovered photocatalyst was examined through its recyclability in the degradation of MB. Leveraging MnMoO4's photocatalytic properties, future studies may focus on scaling up these processes for practical and large-scale environmental remediation.