Synthesis of bentonite/Ag nanocomposite by laser ablation in air and its application in remediation.

In this research, a simple, green, and efficient approach is described to produce novel bentonite/Ag nanocomposite wherein the preparation of Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) deployed the laser ablation method in air; Ag NPs are deposited on the bentonite via the magnetic stirring method. The structural and morphological characterization of the as-prepared bentonite/Ag nanocomposite (denoted as B/Ag30, 30 min being the laser ablation time) is accomplished using different methods. Additionally, the catalytic assessment of the ensued composite exhibited excellent catalytic reduction/degradation activity for common aqueous pollutants namely methyl orange (MO), congo red (CR) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) utilizing NaBH4 as reductant. Furthermore, the recycling tests displayed the high stability/reusability of B/Ag30 nanocomposite for at least 4 runs with retention of catalytic prowess.

Preparation of Polycarbonate-ZnO Nanocomposite Films: Surface Investigation after UV Irradiation.

Polycarbonate (PC)-ZnO films with different percentages of ZnO were prepared by a solution stirring technique and subjected to ultraviolet (UV; λ = 254 nm) irradiation. Structural parameters of the samples and the effects of UV irradiation on the surface properties of the PC and PC-ZnO nanocomposites were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), water contact angle (WCA) measurements, and a Vickers microhardness (HV) tester. The XRD patterns of the nanocomposite films were found to show an increase in crystallinity with the increasing ZnO nanoparticles percentage. The WCA was found to be reduced from 90° to 17° after 15 h of UV irradiation, which could be ascribed to the oxidation of the surface of the samples during the irradiation and exposure of the ZnO nanoparticles, a result that is also supported by the obtained XPS data. The microhardness value of the PC-ZnO films including 30 wt.% ZnO enhanced considerably after UV radiation, which can also be attributed to the exposition of the ZnO nanoparticles after photodegradation of the PC superficial layer of the nanocomposite films.

Biopolymer-derived (nano)catalysts for hydrogen evolution via hydrolysis of hydrides and electrochemical and photocatalytic techniques: A review.

Over the course of a few decades, the concern of environmental damages of fossil fuels, an increase in CO2 emission and a decrease of hydrogen have been growing more and more. Accordingly, hydrogen production is a crucial issue nowadays. Different polymers are applied to attain the purpose. Among all polymers, biodegradables polymers are the best choices to develop the main aim. Polysaccharides and proteins are biodegradable polymers with unique places and advantages with regards to their ecofriendly properties. There are different techniques to apply and achieve the foremost purpose. It is worthwhile to mention that green and facile methods are always attracting attention in different aspects and fields. The three non-polluting and economical techniques, that is, electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), photocatalytic technique, and hydrolysis of hydrides, are reviewed in this paper. This review helps researchers, who are environment supporters, to evaluate and choose the most ecological biopolymers and processes in their work.

Large Optical Nonlinearity of the Activated Carbon Nanoparticles Prepared by Laser Ablation.

Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) with high porosity and great optical features can be used as a luminescent material. One year later, the same group investigated the NLO properties CNPs and boron-doped CNPs by 532 nm and 1064 nm laser excitations to uncover the underlying physical mechanisms in their NLO response. Hence, a facile approach, laser ablation technique, was employed for carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) synthesis from suspended activated carbon (AC). Morphological properties of the prepared CNPs were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). UV-Vis and fluorescence (FL) spectra were used to optical properties investigation of CNPs. The size distribution of nanoparticles was evaluated using dynamic light scattering (DLS). The nonlinear optical (NLO) coefficients of the synthesized CNPs were determined by the Z-scan method. As a result, strong reverse saturable absorption and self-defocusing effects were observed at the excitation wavelength of 442 nm laser irradiation. These effects were ascribed to the presence of delocalized π-electrons in AC CNPs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the NLO properties of the AC CNPs.