Naif Mohammed Al-Hada

A facile thermal-treatment route to synthesize ZnO nanosheets and effect of calcination temperature

A facile thermal-treatment route was successfully used to synthesize ZnO nanosheets. Morphological, structural, and optical properties of obtained nanoparticles at different calcination temperatures were studied using various techniques. The FTIR, XRD, EDX, SEM and TEM images confirmed the formation of ZnO nanosheets through calcination in the temperature between 500 to 650°C. The SEM images showed a morphological structure of ZnO nanosheets, which inclined to crumble at higher calcination temperatures. The XRD and FTIR spectra revealed that the samples were amorphous at 30°C but transformed into a crystalline structure during calcination process. The average particle size and degree of crystallinity increased with increasing calcination temperature. The estimated average particle sizes from TEM images were about 23 and 38 nm for the lowest and highest calcination temperature i.e. 500 and 650°C, respectively. The optical properties were determined by UV–Vis reflection spectrophotometer and showed a decrease in the band gap with increasing calcination temperature.

Structural, optical, and magnetic characterization of spinel zinc chromite nanocrystallines synthesised by thermal treatment method

The present study reports the structural and magnetic characterization of spinel zinc chromite (ZnCr2O4) nanocrystallines synthesized by thermal treatment method. The samples were calcined at different temperatures in the range of 773 to 973K. Polyvinylpyrrolidone was used to control the agglomeration of the nanoparticles. The average particle size of the synthesized nanocrystals was determined by powder X-ray diffraction which shows that the crystallite size increases from 19 nm at 773K to 24 nmat 973 K and the result was in good agreement with the transmission electronmicroscopy images. The elemental composition of the samples was determined by energy dispersed X-ray spectroscopy which confirmed the presence of Zn, Cr, and O in the final products. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy also confirmed the presence of metal oxide bands for all the samples calcined at different temperature. The band gap energy was calculated from UV-vis reflectance spectra using the Kubelka-Munk function and the band gap energy of the samples was found to decrease from 4.03 eV at 773 K to 3.89 eV at 973 K. The magnetic properties were also demonstrated by electron spin resonance spectroscopy, the presence of unpaired electrons was confirmed, and the resonant magnetic field and the g-factor of the calcined samples were also studied.

The Impact of Polyvinylpyrrolidone on Properties of Cadmium Oxide Semiconductor Nanoparticles Manufactured by Heat Treatment Technique

Cadmium oxide semiconductor nanoparticles were produced using a water based mixture, incorporating cadmium nitrates, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and calcination temperature. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) evaluation was conducted to determine the degree of crystallization of the semiconductor nanoparticles. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted to identify the morphological features of the nanoparticles. The typical particle sizes and particle dispersal were analyzed via the use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The findings provided further support for the XRD outcomes. To determine the composition phase, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was conducted, as it indicated the existence of not only metal oxide ionic band in the selection of samples, but also the efficient removal of organic compounds following calcinations. The optical characteristics were demonstrated, so as to analyze the energy band gap via the use of a UV–Vis spectrophotometer. A reduced particle size resulted in diminution of the intensity of photoluminescence, was demonstrated by PL spectra. Plus, the magnetic characteristics were examined using an electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, which affirmed the existence of unpaired electrons.

The Influence of Calcination Temperature on the Formation of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles by Thermal-Treatment

Zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by the thermal-treatment method. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone was used as capping agent and Zinc nitrate was used as a precursor. The samples were calcined at 500 and 550°C for removal of the organic compounds. The structural characteristics of the calcined samples were examined by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the average particle size increases with increase in calcination temperature. The optical properties were characterized at room temperature using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer in the wavelength range between 200–800 nm and the band gap energy was calculated from reflectance spectra using kubalka munk function and the results indicated that the band gap energy decreased from 3.23 eV at 500 oC to 3.21 eV at 600 °C due to an increase of particle size. This simple thermal-treatment method has advantages of the pure nanoparticles formation as no additional chemicals were required, a lack of by-product effluents, and environmentally friendly process.

Optimisation of the Photonic Efficiency of TiO2 Decorated on MWCNTs for Methylene Blue Photodegradation

MWCNTs/TiO2 nanocomposite was prepared by oxidising MWCNT in H2SO4/HNO3 then decorating it with TiO2-p25 nanopowder. The composites were characterised using XRD, TEM, FT-IR PL and UV−vis spectroscopy. The TEM images have shown TiO2 nanoparticles immobilised onto the sidewalls of the MWCNTs. The UV-vis spectrum confirms that the nanocomposites can significantly absorb more light in the visible regions compared with the commercial TiO2 (P25). The catalytic activity of these nanocomposites was determined by photooxidation of MB aqueous solution in the presence of visible light. The MWCNTs/TiO2 (1:3) mass ratio showed maximum degradation efficiency. However, its activity was more favourable in alkaline and a neutral pH than an acidic medium.

Down-top nanofabrication of binary (CdO) x (ZnO) 1-x nanoparticles and their antibacterial activity

In the present study, binary oxide (cadmium oxide [CdO])x (zinc oxide [ZnO])1–x nanoparticles (NPs) at different concentrations of precursor in calcination temperature were prepared using thermal treatment technique. Cadmium and zinc nitrates (source of cadmium and zinc) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (capping agent) have been used to prepare (CdO)x (ZnO)1–x NPs samples. The sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. XRD patterns analysis revealed that NPs were formed after calcination, which showed a cubic and hexagonal crystalline structure of (CdO)x (ZnO)1–x NPs. The phase analysis using EDX spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Cd and Zn as the original compounds of prepared (CdO)x (ZnO)1–x NP samples. The average particle size of the samples increased from 14 to 33 nm as the concentration of precursor increased from x=0.20 to x=0.80, as observed by TEM results. The surface composition and valance state of the prepared product NPs were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Diffuse UV–visible reflectance spectra were used to determine the optical band gap through the Kubelka–Munk equation; the energy band gap was found to decrease for CdO from 2.92 to 2.82 eV and for ZnO from 3.22 to 3.11 eV with increasing x value. Additionally, photoluminescence (PL) spectra revealed that the intensity in PL increased with an increase in particle size. In addition, the antibacterial activity of binary oxide NP was carried out in vitro against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 Gram (−ve), Salmonella choleraesuis ATCC 10708, and Bacillus subtilis UPMC 1175 Gram (+ve). This study indicated that the zone of inhibition of 21 mm has good antibacterial activity toward the Gram-positive B. subtilis UPMC 1175.

Influence of Zn/Fe Molar Ratio on Optical and Magnetic Properties of ZnO and ZnFe2O4 Nanocrystal as Calcined Products of Layered Double Hydroxides

The coprecipitation method has been used to synthesize layered double hydroxide (Zn-Fe-LDH) nanostructure at different Zn2+/Fe3+ molar ratios. The structural properties of samples were studied using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). LDH samples were calcined at 600°C to produce mixed oxides (ZnO and ZnFe2O4). The crystallite size of mixed oxide was found in the nanometer scale (18.1 nm for ZnFe2O4 and 43.3 nm for ZnO). The photocatalytic activity of the calcination products was investigated using ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-VIS-NIR) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The magnetic properties of calcined LDHs were investigated using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The calcined samples showed a paramagnetic behavior for all Zn2+/Fe3+ molar ratios. The effect of molar ratio on magnetic susceptibility of the calcined samples was also studied.

Thermal Calcination-Based Production of SnO2 Nanopowder: An Analysis of SnO2 Nanoparticle Characteristics and Antibacterial Activities

SnO2 nanoparticle production using thermal treatment with tin(II) chloride dihydrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone capping agent precursor materials for calcination was investigated. Samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), diffuse UV-vis reflectance spectra, photoluminescence (PL) spectra and the electron spin resonance (ESR). XRD analysis found tetragonal crystalline structures in the SnO2 nanoparticles generated through calcination. EDX and FT-IR spectroscopy phase analysis verified the derivation of the Sn and O in the SnO2 nanoparticle samples from the precursor materials. An average nanoparticle size of 4–15.5 nm was achieved by increasing calcination temperature from 500 °C to 800 °C, as confirmed through TEM. The valence state and surface composition of the resulting nanoparticle were analyzed using XPS. Diffuse UV-vis reflectance spectra were used to evaluate the optical energy gap using the Kubelka-Munk equation. Greater calcination temperature resulted in the energy band gap falling from 3.90 eV to 3.64 eV. PL spectra indicated a positive relationship between particle size and photoluminescence. Magnetic features were investigated through ESR, which revealed the presence of unpaired electrons. The magnetic field resonance decreases along with an increase of the g-factor value as the calcination temperature increased from 500 °C to 800 °C. Finally, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 Gram (–ve) and Bacillus subtilis UPMC 1175 Gram (+ve) were used for in vitro evaluation of the tin oxide nanoparticle’s antibacterial activity. This work indicated that the zone of inhibition of 22 mm has good antibacterial activity toward the Gram-positive B. subtilis UPMC 1175.

Effects of Calcination Temperature on Microstructure and Superconducting Properties of Y123 Ceramic Prepared Using Thermal Treatment Method

Thermal treatment method was employed to produce YBa2Cu3Ox superconductor ceramic. The effects of calcination temperature at 850 °C, set A, and 910 °C, set B, for 24 h followed by sintering at 930, 950 and 980 °C, were investigate using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and four point probe measurement. The orthorhombic structure appears after calcination at 850 and 910 °C beside small amount of impurity phase such as Y2BaCuO5 (Y211). The samples exhibited metallic behaviour and the critical temperature, TC(R=0), increases with increasing sintering temperature. The TC(R=0) of samples calcined at 910 °C is higher than that of sample calcined at 850 °C. The highest TC(R=0), 87 K, was found for sample sintered at 980 °C of set B. An increase in grain size and homogeneity was observed as the sintering temperature increases. The set B sample sintered at 980 °C showed compact grains, which could result in the highest Tc (R=0).

Synthesis, Structural and Optical Properties of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Prepared by Thermal Treatment Method

A sample thermal treatment technique was utilised to synthesis cerium dioxide (CeO2) nanoparticles, using cerium (111) nitrate as a precursor, Polyvinylpyrrolidone as a capping agent, and deionized water as a solvent. The product underwent calcination treatment of 500, 550, 600, and 650 1C to crystallize the nanoparticles and to remove organic compounds. It was verified by XRD that by varying the calcination temperature, the cubic fluorite structure of CeO2 nanoparticles with pure products was achieved. Furthermore, the crystal sizes of the CeO2 nanoparticles were assessed to be 4 nm for the lowest calcination temperature and 23 nm for the highest calcination temperature. The FESEM micrographs of the CeO2 nanoparticles revealed a structure of CeO2 nanospherical that exhibited a tendency to amalgamate at higher calcination temperatures. The optical characteristics that were evaluated with the help of a UV-Vis spectrophotometer indicated a decrease in the band gap energy with an increase in calcination temperature as a result of the increase in the crystal sizes.