Janardhan Reddy Koduru

Graphene-ZnO nanocomposite for highly efficient photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye under solar light irradiation

A facile synthesis of graphene oxide-zinc oxide nanocomposite (GO-ZnO) was performed by using wet chemical method of graphene oxide and zinc acetate precursors. The nanocomposite was characterized and intercalated with Raman spectroscopy, FE-SEM, TEM, SAED and EDAX. The crystalline nature was studied from P-XRD, and surface area of the sample was analyzed by BET. The chemical composition was explained in the light of XPS phenomenon. The photo electron-excitation (PL) studies were conducted for understanding the photocatalytic mechanism, and photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange was studied by using UV-VIS spectrophotometer. We investigated the photocatalytic activity involving GO-ZnO nanocomposite besides checking the re-stability of the composite. Significant high-performance photocatalytic activity of GO-ZnO nanocomposite was exhibited on methyl orange degradation under solar light.

Preparation and characterization of porous reduced graphene oxide based inverse spinel nickel ferrite nanocomposite for adsorption removal of radionuclides

For the removal of uranium(VI) (U(VI)) and thorium(IV) (Th(IV)), graphene oxide based inverse spinel nickel ferrite (GONF) nanocomposite and reduced graphene oxide based inverse spinel nickel ferrite (rGONF) nanocomposite were prepared by co-precipitation of GO with nickel and iron salts in one pot. The spectral characterization analyses revealed that GONF and rGONF have a porous surface morphology with an average particle size of 41.41nm and 32.16nm, respectively. The magnetic property measurement system (MPMS) studies confirmed the formation of ferromagnetic GONF and superparamagnetic rGONF. The adsorption kinetics studies found that the pseudo-second-order kinetics was well tune to the U(VI) and Th(IV) adsorption. The results of adsorption isotherms showed that the adsorption of U(VI) and Th(IV) were due to the monolayer on homogeneous surface of the GONF and rGONF. The adsorptions of both U(VI) and Th(IV) were increased with increasing system temperature from 293 to 333±2K. The thermodynamic studies reveal that the U(VI) and Th(IV) adsorption onto GONF and rGONF was endothermic. GONF and rGONF, which could be separated by external magnetic field, were recycled and re-used for up to five cycles without any significant loss of adsorption capacity.

Preparation of graphene-TiO2 nanocomposite and photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine-B under solar light irradiation

ABSTRACT GR–TiO2 nanocomposite was prepared by simple chemical method using graphene oxide and titanium isopropoxide (Ti [OCH (CH3)2]4) precursors. The crystalline nature of the composite was characterised by powder X-ray diffraction and the intercalation was explained by Raman spectroscopy. The morphology of the composite was analysed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The elemental and quantitative measurement of the composite was determined by electron dispersive spectroscopy. The shape and size of the particle was measured by transmission electron spectroscopy and high resolution spectroscopy. The surface area and elemental composition of the composite was studied by using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Photo-generated electrons were studied by photoluminescence spectra. The photocatalytic activity of nanocomposite was investigated by the degradation of Rhodamine-B (Rh-B) in an aqueous solution under solar light irradiation. The GR–TiO2 demonstrates photocatalytic activity in the degradation with a removal rate of 98% under solar light irradiation as compared with pure TiO2 (42%), graphite oxide (19%), and mechanical mixture GR + TiO2 (60%) due to the increased light absorption intensity and reduction of electron–hole pair recombination with the intercalation of graphene and TiO2. The results indicated that the GR–TiO2 could be used as a catalyst to degrade Rh-B from coloured wastewater.

Mechanism and comparison of needle-type non-thermal direct and indirect atmospheric pressure plasma jets on the degradation of dyes

Purified water supply for human use, agriculture and industry is the major global priority nowadays. The advanced oxidation process based on atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma (NTP) has been used for purification of wastewater, although the underlying mechanisms of degradation of organic pollutants are still unknown. In this study we employ two needle-type atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma jets, i.e., indirect (ID-APPJ) and direct (D-APPJ) jets operating at Ar feed gas, for the treatment of methylene blue, methyl orange and congo red dyes, for two different times (i.e., 20 min and 30 min). Specifically, we study the decolorization/degradation of all three dyes using the above mentioned plasma sources, by means of UV-Vis spectroscopy, HPLC and a density meter. We also employ mass spectroscopy to verify whether only decolorization or also degradation takes place after treatment of the dyes by the NTP jets. Additionally, we analyze the interaction of OH radicals with all three dyes using reactive molecular dynamics simulations, based on the density functional-tight binding method. This investigation represents the first report on the degradation of these three different dyes by two types of NTP setups, analyzed by various methods, and based on both experimental and computational studies.

Porous graphene oxide based inverse spinel nickel ferrite nanocomposites for the enhanced adsorption removal of arsenic

Porous graphene oxide based magnetic inverse spinel nickel ferrite nanocomposites, namely graphene oxide based inverse spinel nickel ferrite (GONF) and reduced graphene oxide based inverse spinel nickel ferrite (rGONF), with particle sizes of around 30 to 40 nm were prepared by the co-precipitation of graphene oxide (GO) with nickel and iron salts in one pot. GONF and rGONF, having ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic properties respectively, were separated easily within 10 seconds, using a small external magnetic field. These nanocomposites were used for the adsorption removal of As(III) and As(V). Compared to bare nickel ferrite, other nanocomposites and GO, the nanocomposites show a high adsorption capacity for As(III) and As(V), with considerable enhancement. The enhanced high adsorption capacity is due to the increased number of pores and adsorption sites with increasing surface area in the GONF and rGONF composites, through reducing the aggregation of bare ferrites. The adsorption results found that more than 99.9% arsenic removal was achieved with the present nanocomposites. Since the nanocomposites show good stability without loss of their adsorption capacity for up to 5 cycles, they can be used for the practical removal of arsenic from water.

Iron Oxide Impregnated Morus alba L. Fruit Peel for Biosorption of Co(II): Biosorption Properties and Mechanism

Biosorption is an ecofriendly wastewater treatment technique with high efficiency and low operating cost involving simple process for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. In the present investigation, Morus alba L. fruit peel powder (MAFP) and iron oxide impregnated Morus alba L. fruit peel powder (IO-MAFP) were prepared and used for treating Co(II) contaminated aqueous solutions. Further the materials were characterized by using FTIR and SEM-EDX analysis. From FT-IR analysis it was found that hydroxyl, methoxy, and carbonyl groups are responsible for Co(II) biosorption. The kinetic data obtained for both biosorbents was well fitted with pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium data was in tune with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The thermodynamic studies were also carried and it was observed that sorption process was endothermic at 298–328 K. These studies demonstrated that both biosorbents were promising, efficient, economic, and biodegradable sorbents.

Phytochemical-assisted synthetic approaches for silver nanoparticles antimicrobial applications: A review

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have recently emerged as promising materials in the biomedical sciences because of their antimicrobial activities towards a wide variety of microorganisms. Nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems with antimicrobial activity are critical as they may lead to novel treatments for cutaneous pathogens. In this review, we explore the recent progress on phytochemical-mediated synthesis of Ag NPs for antimicrobial treatment and associated infectious diseases. We discuss the biological activity of Ag NPs including mechanisms, antimicrobial activity, and antifungal/antiviral effects towards various microorganisms. The advent of Ag NP-based nanocarriers and nano-vehicles is also described for treatment of different diseases, along with the mechanisms of microbial inhibition. Overall, this review will provide a rational vision of the main achievements of Ag NPs as nanocarriers for inhibition of various microbial agents (bacteria, fungus, and virus).

Potential degradation of hazardous dye Congo red by nano-metallic particles synthesized from the automobile shredder residue

This study was carried out on the degradation of Congo red (CR) in an aqueous solution by nano-metallic particles (NMPs). The NMPs were synthesized from the leachate of automobile shredder residue. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to analyze the morphology of particles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was also done to demonstrate the possibility and changes of various functional groups before and after the reaction of NMPs. The effect of the dosages of NMPs, pH values of solution, concentrations of CR and H2O2 on CR degradation was studied. The results of the present study confirm that the CR degradation rate was improved by increasing the dosages of NMPs and H2O2 up to certain limit and then reduced gradually. However, degradation rate was reduced by raising the pH values and concentration of CR. The pseudo-second-order kinetics was found to be suitable for the degradation of CR by NMPs under Fenton-like process.

Utilization of nano/micro-size iron recovered from the fine fraction of automobile shredder residue for phenol degradation in water

The study investigates the magnetic separation of Fe from automobile shredder residue (ASR) (<0.25 mm) and its application for phenol degradation in water. The magnetically separated Fe was subjected to an ultrasonically assisted acid treatment, and the degradation of phenol in an aqueous solution using nano/micro-size Fe (n/m Fe) was investigated in an effort to evaluate the possibility of utilizing n/m Fe to remove phenol from wastewater. The prepared n/m Fe was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The effects of the dosages of n/mFe, pH, concentration of phenol and amount of H2O2 on phenol removal were evaluated. The results confirm that the phenol degradation rate was improved with an increase in the dosages of n/mFe and H2O2; however, the rate is reduced when the phenol concentration is higher. The degradation of phenol by n/mFe followed the pseudo-first-order kinetics. The value of the reaction rate constant (k) was increased as the amounts of n/m Fe and H2O2 increased. Conversely, the value of k was reduced when the concentration of phenol was increased. The probable mechanism behind the degradation of phenol by n/m Fe is the oxidation of phenol through hydroxyl radicals which are produced during the reaction between H2O2 and n/m Fe.Graphical abstract

Effective adsorptive removal of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine by pseudographitic carbon: kinetics, equilibrium and thermodynamics

Environmental context Explosive organic compounds such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) are major constituents of ammunition materials. These compounds are of environmental concern because they can have a significant impact on ecosystems and humans. Through investigations of adsorption kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics, we demonstrate the suitability of pseudographitic carbon for removing TNT and RDX from groundwater, and additionally confirm the viability of the use of pseudographitic carbon through comparison with other adsorbents. Abstract 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) – common explosives in military munitions – can easily enter groundwater supplies and have an adverse impact on human health. There is great concern about the need to remove these explosives from groundwater, and this study presents pseudographitic carbon (PGC) prepared from edible sugar as a material to remove explosives from contaminated groundwater via adsorption. The purity and physicochemical characteristics of the PGC were characterised using advanced spectroscopic techniques. The adsorption mechanism and its efficiency were investigated in terms of the non-linear adsorption kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics using TNT and RDX adsorption data. The results of the non-linear modelling indicate that TNT and RDX adsorption was determined by rate-limiting monolayer exothermic adsorption on the homogeneous PGC surface. Ionic strength was studied with various ions, and the results indicate that the adsorption of TNT and RDX was significantly influenced by divalent cations and the carbonate anion. The results of desorption and re-use tests indicate that acetone and acetonitrile are the best desorbing agents. The PGC can be recycled and re-used for up to 3 cycles, with insignificant loss in adsorption efficiency. Finally, the PGC was applied to real spiked groundwater to evaluate its applicability in the field in removing TNT and RDX. The overall results indicate that PGC is a cost-effective and efficient adsorbent that effectively removes the organic explosives from groundwater, thereby reducing risk to humans and the aqueous environment.