Mukul Pradhan

Evolution of Hierarchical Hexagonal Stacked Plates of CuS from Liquid-Liquid Interface and its Photocatalytic Application for Oxidative Degradation of Different Dyes under Indoor Lighting

Blue solution of copper(II) acetylacetonate complex, [Cu(acac)(2)] in dichloromethane (DCM) and an aqueous alkaline solution of thioacetamide (TAA) constitute a biphasic system. The system in a screw cap test tube under a modified hydrothermal (MHT) reaction condition produces a greenish black solid at the liquid-liquid interface. It has been characterized that the solid mass is an assembly of hexagonal copper sulfide (CuS) nanoplates representing a hierarchical structure. The as-synthesized CuS nanoplates are well characterized by several physical techniques. An ethanolic dispersion of CuS presents a high band gap energy (2.2 eV) which assists visible light photocatalytic mineralization of different dye molecules. Thus a cleanup measure of dye contaminated water body even under indoor light comes true.

Silver Nanoparticle Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) Nanosheet: A Platform for SERS Based Low-Level Detection of Uranyl Ion

Herein, a simple wet-chemical pathway has been demonstrated for the synthesis of silver nanoparticle conjugated reduced graphene oxide nanosheets where dimethylformamide (DMF) is judiciously employed as an efficient reducing agent. Altogether, DMF reduces both silver nitrate (AgNO3) and graphene oxide (GO) in the reaction mixture. Additionally, the presence of polyvinylpyrolidone (PVP) assists the nanophasic growth and homogeneous distribution of the plasmonic nanoparticle Ag(0). Reduction of graphene oxide and the presence of aggregated Ag NPs on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets are confirmed from various spectroscopic techniques. Finally, the composite material has been exploited as an intriguing platform for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) based selective detection of uranyl (UO2(2+)) ion. The limit of detection has been achieved to be as low as 10 nM. Here the normal Raman spectral (NRS) band of uranyl acetate (UAc) at 838 cm(-1) shifts to 714 and 730 cm(-1) as SERS bands for pH 5.0 and 12.0, respectively. This distinguished Raman shift of the symmetric stretching mode for UO2(2+) ion is indicative of pronounced charge transfer (CT) effect. This CT effect even supports the higher sensitivity of the protocol toward UO2(2+) over other tested oxo-ions. It is anticipated that rGO nanosheets furnish a convenient compartment to favor the interaction between Ag NPs and UO2(2+) ion through proximity induced adsorption even at low concentration.

Large-Scale Solid-State Synthesis of Sn–SnO2 Nanoparticles from Layered SnO by Sunlight: a Material for Dye Degradation in Water by Photocatalytic Reaction

Phase pure spherical Sn-SnO2 nanoparticles (∼ 50 nm) in gram level have been synthesized from well-defined SnO microplates (∼ 2.0 μm) using focused solar irradiation. The first step of the reaction involves simple stirring of a strong NaOH solution with fine SnCl2·2H2O powder. Precipitated blue black microplates of SnO are finally transformed into high band gap Sn-SnO2 nanoparticles with sunlight. During the solid-state photodecomposition of microplates, spherical SnO2 nanoparticles along with tiny Sn(0) particles are evolved simultaneously. Tiny Sn(0) particles, improved surface area, stability toward adverse environmental conditions, and inherited negative surface charge electrostatically stabilize the Sn-SnO2 particle rendering it excellent water dispersible. The presence of Sn(0) nanoparticles in spherical SnO2 nanoparticles improves the charge (electrons and holes) separation efficiency. Then, the as-prepared particles selectively invite cationic dye molecules to the particle surface due to negative surface charge and degrade the dyes at a faster rate under UV light.

Fabrication of Large‐Scale Hierarchical ZnO Hollow Spheroids for Hydrophobicity and Photocatalysis

We report here the preparation of a crystalline, pure hexagonal phase of ZnO as hollow 500-800 nm spheroids in the presence of organic bases, such as pyridine, using zinc acetate as the precursor salt. The spheroids exhibit unique 3D hierarchical architectures, like cocoons, and demonstrate improved superhydrophobic (water contact angle, 150 degrees) character due to the inherited air-trapped capillarity within the cocoon structure. The simple synthetic strategy used in this process is modified hydrothermolysis (MHT), which represents a general approach and may contribute to the formation mechanism of the hollow nanostructures with highly improved porosity. Depending on the concentration of the precursor salt, it has been possible to cover glass plates or the inner wall of a reaction vessel with ZnO nanocrystals. A low salt concentration (<0.01 M) allows the easy preparation of a superhydrophobic glass surface, whereas a high salt concentration (>0.01 M) results in the precipitation of cocoons at the bottom of the reaction vessel as a solid mass together with a deposited thin film of ZnO nanocrystals covering the inner wall of the glass vessel. The thickness of the film successively grows through repetitive hydrothermolysis processes for which a low salt concentration (<0.01 M) was employed. Because of the hollow cocoon-like morphology, the surface area of the film is greatly increased, which makes it accessible for functionalization by incoming substrates from both sides (internally and externally) and helps to drive a competent photocatalytic dye degradation pathway. The heterocyclic base pyridine exclusively develops cocoons. Thus, the mechanism of self-aggregation of ZnO nanocrystals under MHT reaction conditions has been studied and the characterization of the compounds has been supported with physical measurements.

An Aminolytic Approach toward Hierarchical β-Ni(OH)2 Nanoporous Architectures: A Bimodal Forum for Photocatalytic and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Activity

A surfactantless, trouble-free, and gentle wet chemistry approach has been used to interpret the precisely controlled growth of β-Ni(OH)(2) with the assistance of ammonia and nickel acetate from seedless mild hydrothermal conditions. A thorough investigation of the reaction kinetics and product morphology with varied concentration of NH(3) and different reaction times suggests that a putative mechanism of dissolution, recrystallization, and oriented attachment supports the intelligent self-assembly of nanobuilding blocks. Associated characterizations (FTIR, PXRD, FESEM, EDAX, HRTEM, and Raman) have identified it to be pure β-Ni(OH)(2) without any signature of contamination. The assembled units result in porous frameworks (nanoflowers and nanocolumns) and are indeed full of communally intersecting nanopetals/nanoplates with both lengths and widths on the order of micrometer to nanometer length scale. The as-synthesized material could also be used as a precursor for nanometric black NiO under calcination. The hydroxide has been found to be a potent and environmentally benign material because it warrants its photocatalytic activity through dye mineralization. Finally, Ni(OH)(2) has been photochemically derivatized with dosages of silver nanoparticles bringing a competent composite authority Ag@Ni(OH)(2), to give a full-proof enhanced field effect of prolific SERS activity. In a nutshell, these results are encouraging and fetch new promise for the fabrication of a low-cost and high-yielding greener synthetic protocol for a functional material with promising practicability.

Ligand-stabilized metal nanoparticles in organic solvent

This critical review reports the fundamental behavior of metal nanoparticles in different organic solvents, i.e., metal organosol. An overview on metal organosol and then their smart synthetic approaches, characterization, and potential applications in the fields of catalysis and spectroscopy with special emphasis on SERS are embodied. Aspects of organosol fabrication, stabilization, morphology control, growth mechanisms, and physical properties as mono- and bimetallic nanoparticles are discussed. The article inspires the repetitive usage of metal nanoparticles as stable deliverable organic and molecular compounds.

Resin-Immobilized CuO and Cu Nanocomposites for Alcohol Oxidation

Resin immobilized stable, spherical CuO nanoparticles prepared in the presence of cyclodextrin (CD) act as catalysts for liquid phase alcohol oxidation in air. The catalytic activity of the CuO nanocomposites and its green chemistry approach make it superior to the related resin-bound Cu(0) nanocomposite. The effect of alcohol chain length and electron-donating or -withdrawing groups influence product yield. The nanocomposites exhibit good reusability, simple workup procedure, and a straightforward approach to aldehyde formation.

Tin oxide with a p–n heterojunction ensures both UV and visible light photocatalytic activity

Tuning of the tin oxide (SnO/SnO2) heterojunction (TOHJ) has been made possible by heating the as-prepared p-type SnO semiconductor in air in a controlled fashion. Thus a better photocatalytic activity for dye degradation under UV, visible as well as solar light irradiation was achieved. Multiple reflection of light and the TOHJ of SnO plates facilitate the photocatalysis reactions.

Selective and Sensitive Recognition of Cu2+ in an Aqueous Medium: A Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)-Based Analysis with a Low-Cost Raman Reporter

In the present study, surface-enhanced Raman spectra of a bifunctional Raman reporter, 2-mercaptobenzimidazole, has been found to be responsive exclusively towards Cu(2+) ions while the reporter remains anchored on the Au nanoparticle surface. Thus a specific Cu(2+)-ion-detection protocol emerges. The simplicity, sensitivity, and reproducibility of the method allow routine and quantitative detection of Cu(2+) ions. An interference study involving a wide number of other metal ions shows the procedure to be uniquely selective and analytically rigorous. A theoretical study was carried out to corroborate the experimental results. Finally, the method is promising for real-time assessment of Cu(2+) ions in aqueous samples and also has the ability to discriminate Cu(I) and Cu(II) ions in solution.

Synthesis of gold nanochains via photoactivation technique and their catalytic applications.

The article reports a simple photoactivation technique for the synthesis of chain like assembly of spherical Au nanocrystals using a nontoxic biochemical, β-cyclodextrin under ~365 nm UV-light irradiation. Under UV irradiation, β-cyclodextrin acts as a reducing as well as capping agent and eventually becomes a stabilizing linker for Au nanoparticles. The UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic techniques are employed to systematically characterize the Au nanochains. Additionally, it is shown that the Au nanocrystals act as an effective catalyst for the reduction in nitrobenzene to aniline and methylene blue to leuco methylene blue in presence of suitable reducing agent. The catalytic reduction reactions and kinetic parameters are evaluated from UV-visible spectroscopy.