Shirish H. Sonawane

Ultrasound assisted synthesis of doped TiO2 nano-particles: characterization and comparison of effectiveness for photocatalytic oxidation of dyestuff effluent.

The present work deals with the synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles doped with Fe and Ce using sonochemical approach and its comparison with the conventional doping method. The prepared samples have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-visible spectra (UV-vis). The effectiveness of the synthesized catalyst for the photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet dye has also been investigated considering crystal violet degradation as the model reaction. It has been observed that the catalysts prepared by sonochemical method exhibit higher photocatalytic activity as compared to the catalysts prepared by the conventional methods. Also the Ce-doped TiO(2) exhibits maximum photocatalytic activity followed by Fe-doped TiO(2) and the least activity was observed for only TiO(2). The presence of Fe and Ce in the TiO(2) structure results in a significant absorption shift towards the visible region. Detailed investigations on the degradation indicated that an optimal dosage with 0.8 mol% doping of Ce and 1.2 mol% doping of Fe in TiO(2) results in higher extents of degradation. Kinetic studies also established that the photocatalytic degradation followed the pseudo first-order reaction kinetics. Overall it has been established that ultrasound assisted synthesis of doped photocatalyst significantly enhances the photocatalytic activity.

Removal of Brilliant Green from wastewater using conventional and ultrasonically prepared poly(acrylic acid) hydrogel loaded with kaolin clay: A comparative study

The present work deals with the removal of Brilliant Green dye from wastewater using a poly(acrylic acid) hydrogel composite (PAA-K hydrogel) prepared by incorporation of kaoline clay. The composite has been synthesized using ultrasound assisted polymerization process as well as the conventional process, with an objective of showing the better effectiveness of ultrasound assisted synthesis. It has been observed that the hydrogel prepared by ultrasound assisted polymerization process showed better results. The optimum conditions for the removal of dye are pH of 7, temperature of 35°C, initial dye concentration of 30mg/L and hydrogel loading of 1g. The extent of removal of dye increased with an increase in the contact time and initial dye concentration. A pseudo-second-order kinetic model has been developed to explain the adsorption kinetics of dye on the PAA-K hydrogel. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters indicate that the adsorption process is spontaneous in nature and the PAA-K hydrogel prepared by ultrasound process is a promising adsorbent compared to conventional process. The obtained adsorption data has also been fitted into commonly used adsorption isotherms and it has been found that Freundlich as well as Langmuir adsorption isotherm models fits well to the experimental results.

Analysis of semibatch emulsion polymerization: role of ultrasound and initiator.

In this work semibatch miniemulsion was carried out wherein the effect of free radicals produced by ultrasound and an external addition of initiator was examined. Influence of different variables on polymerization rate and polymer particle size has also been investigated. Over a range of 0-4% (by wt) initiator, the polymerization rate was found to increase over a range of 0.56-1.33 g L(-1) min(-1). Similarly monomer concentration range (7.2-15 wt.%) changed the polymerization rate from 1.33 to 2.61 g L(-1) min(-1). Under optimum parametric conditions polymer particle size 50 nm were obtained with a narrow size distribution. Syndiotactic phase of PMMA was observed by controlling the formulation recipe. Although, number of reports could be found in the literature [9,13,17,18,20,22] related to batch emulsion polymerization, this experimental data could be useful for the production of large scale monodispersed PMMA latex as all of the scale-up and design parameters have been qualitatively addressed.

Ultrasound assisted synthesis of polyacrylic acid–nanoclay nanocomposite and its application in sonosorption studies of malachite green dye

Synthesis of nanoclay nanocomposite has been undertaken by using polyacryalic acid (PAA) in aqueous medium and ultrasound environment and its application in dye removal has been investigated. The synthesized product was characterized by using FTIR and XRD techniques. The sonosorption capacity of the product namely PAA-nanoclay composite was determined by choosing malachite green (MG) dye as a model pollutant. The effects of various parameters such as nanocomposite loading, pH, various process conditions etc. have been studied. On comparing the results obtained with that of nanoclay as an adsorbent, it was found for an initial concentration of 500mg/l, the PAA-nanoclay nanocomposite exhibited higher percentage of pollutant removal (68%) and for nanoclay it was 54%. The adsorption data has been correlated using Langmuir and Freundlich models. The fit of the Freundlich isotherm model was found to be good in the entire range of concentration for the experimental sorption data obtained on the nanoclay nanocomposite. A plausible reaction mechanism for use of PAA-nanoclay nanocomposite as an adsorbent is also proposed.

Production of cerium zinc molybdate nano pigment by innovative ultrasound assisted approach

Ultrasound assisted synthesis of yellow rare earth cerium zinc molybdate anticorrosion nanopigment is presented. This new class of pigment is eco-friendly alternatives to lead, cadmium and chromium pigment as these pigments contains carcinogenic species like Cr(6+) which is responsible for human disease. The synthesis of nanosized cerium zinc molybdate was carried out using cerium nitrate, sodium zinc molybdate as a precursor materials by conventional and ultrasound assisted chemical precipitation method without addition of emulsification agent. XRD, FTIR and elemental analysis confirm the formation of cerium zinc molybdate nanoparticles. The conductivity results indicate that conventional synthesis takes longer time, while in sonochemical technique (US), reaction completes within short period of time. Improved solute transfer rate, rapid nucleation, and formation of large number of nuclei are attributed to presence of cavitation. Saturation of the Ce(3+) ions reaches earlier in case of sonochemical technique which restricts the growth of particles hence smaller size is obtained. The crystallite size of cerium zinc molybdate was found to be 27nm from XRD analysis.

Synergetic effect of combination of AOP's (hydrodynamic cavitation and H2O2) on the degradation of neonicotinoid class of insecticide

In the present work, degradation of imidacloprid (neonicotinoid class of insecticide) in aqueous solution has been systematically investigated using hydrodynamic cavitation and combination of hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) and H2O2. Initially, effect of different operating parameters such as inlet pressure to the cavitating device (5-20 bar) and operating pH (2-7.5) has been investigated. Optimization of process parameters was followed by the study of effect of combination of HC and H2O2 process on the rate of degradation of imidacloprid. Significant enhancement in the rate of degradation of imidacloprid has been observed using HC+H2O2 process which lead to a complete degradation of imidacloprid in 45 min of operation using optimal molar ratio of imidacloprid:H2O2 as 1:40. Substantial synergetic effect has been observed using HC+H2O2 process which confer the synergetic coefficient of 22.79. An attempt has been made to investigate and compare the energy efficiency and extent of mineralization of individual and combined processes applied in the present work. Identification of the byproducts formed during degradation of imidacloprid has also been done using LC-MS analysis. The present work has established a fact that hydrodynamic cavitation in combination with H2O2 can be effectively used for degradation of imidacloprid.

Tuning PID controllers for higher-order oscillatory systems with improved performance

In this paper, model based design of PID controllers is proposed for higher-order oscillatory systems. The proposed method has no limitations regarding systems order, time delays and oscillatory behavior. The reduced model is achieved based on third-order modeling and selection of coefficients through the use of frequency responses. The tuning of the PID parameters are obtained from a reduced third-order model; the procedure seems to be simple and effective, and improved performance of the overall system can be achieved. Three simulation examples and one real-time experiment are included to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed method to systems with oscillatory behavior.

Combined effect of ultrasound and nanoclay on adsorption of phenol

Sorption of phenol onto organophilic bentonite (nanoclay) by ultrasonic irradiation was investigated. Tetrabutyl ammonium chloride (TBAC), N-acetyl-N,N,N trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (HDTMA) were used as intercalating agents. Nanoclay was synthesized using sonication technique. TBAC modified nanoclay shows amorphous exfoliated nature, while CTAB and HDTMA modified nanoclay shows intercalating crystalline nature, which was revealed by XRD gram. Further FTIR reveals the presence of NH(2) and (CH(2))(n) groups onto clay platelet. Due to sonication, adsorption equilibrium was achieved within short period of time (10 min). It was found that intraparticle diffusion resistance has overcome due to sonication. The experimental data obtained obeys both Freundlich isotherm model and Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. HDTMA modified nanoclay shows higher parameter values.

Ultrasound assisted synthesis of PANI/ZnMoO4 nanocomposite for simultaneous improvement in anticorrosion, physico-chemical properties and its application in gas sensing.

Ultrasound assisted in-situ semi-batch emulsion polymerization has been used for the preparation of polyaniline (PANI) and PANI/ZnMoO4 nanocomposite with different loading of ZnMoO4 (ZM) nanoparticles. ZM nanoparticles were functionalized using Myristic acid (MA) for better compatibility with PANI. The cavitational effects induced due to ultrasonic irradiations have been shown significant enhancement in the dispersion of functionalized ZM nanoparticles into the PANI during ultrasound assisted in-situ emulsion polymerization process. TEM images of PANI/ZM nanocomposite particles give the direct evidence of fine dispersion and encapsulation of MA treated ZM nanoparticles in PANI matrix. The presence of ZM nanoparticles in PANI/ZM nanocomposite shows significant improvement in the mechanical (cross-cut adhesion), thermal, anticorrosion and sensing properties of PANI/ZM nanocomposite/alkyd coatings over PANI/alkyd and neat alkyd resin coating. Fine and uniform dispersion of ZM nanoparticles in PANI matrix using this novel synthesis method (PANI (p-type)/ZM (n-type) hetero-junction) improves LPG sensing ability and minimizes response time to sense LPG significantly compared with neat PANI.

A review on graphene–TiO2 and doped graphene–TiO2 nanocomposite photocatalyst for water and wastewater treatment

ABSTRACT TiO2 is a more effective photocatalyst for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. However it shows more reactivity under UV light and around 5% of solar spectrum contains UV radiations. A new approach for the degradation of pollutants present in wastewater is suggested by making use of nanocomposite photocatalysts. The technique has potential for the treatment of wastewater because of the use of doped graphene-based nanocomposite photocatalysts. Graphene is a one-atom-thick planar sheet of sp2-bonded carbon atoms that are densely packed in a honeycomb crystal lattice. Furthermore, graphene has high electron mobility and therefore it will supress the recombination of the electron-hole pair formed which in turn improves the effectiveness of the graphene-TiO2 photocatalyst. In addition, development of doped graphene-TiO2 photocatalyst will be useful as it can be effective for the degradation of pollutants in the visible sunlight. Recently, there has been an increase in interest in the preparation of high performance graphene-based TiO2 photocatalyst with doping of it using metal and non-metal ions. In this review, the preparation method and application of TiO2, graphene-TiO2 and doped raphene-TiO2 photocatalyst are presented.