ABSTRACT
We report the fabrication of nitrogen-doped carbon dots-zinc oxide hybrid (NCDs-ZnO) nanostructures utilizing simple chemical procedures. The role of NCDs in ZnO nanostructured matrix has been analyzed through XRD, SEM, FTIR and PL characterization techniques. The introduction of NCDs was found to modify not only their aspect ratio, observed by a reduction in the preferredc-axis growth compared to thea- andb-axis, but also induced an additional emission around 441 nm, which is typical of NCDs. The hybrid nanostructures were utilized as catalyst for methylene blue dye degradation showing a 95% degradation after 2 h of UV irradiation in comparison to the â¼70% degradation obtained by utilizing pristine ZnO, while the dye half-life (t1/2) was reduced by â¼65% by utilizing NCDs-ZnO hybrid nanostructures when compared to the pristine ZnO. The reusability of the fabricated hybrid structures was tested up to eight times with no significant loss in their photocatalytic performance (>90%). The stability of the hybrid structures was verified through Z-potential measurements prior and after reutilization. Excellent reusability and simple processing presented by NCDs-ZnO hybrid nanostructures makes them promising for industrial level photocatalyst for the waste water treatment.
ABSTRACT
A commercial Unidirectional Carbon Fabric piece was used to design an electrode for the cathodic O2 reduction reaction in a divided (by a Nafion(®) 117 membrane) parallel plate reactor. The anode was a commercial stainless steel mesh. Under this approach it is feasible to produce H2O2 at low energy (2.08 kWh kg(-1) H2O2) in low ionic acidic medium. In the catholyte side the H2O2 can be activated with Fe(2+) to develop the Fenton reagent. It was found that Acid Orange 7 (AO7) indirect oxidation (in the concentration range of 0.12-0.24 mM) by Fenton chemistry follows a first order kinetic equation. The energy required for 0.24 mM AO7 degradation is 1.04 kWhm(-3). From each experimental AO7 oxidation the main parameters (a, mM and k, min(-1)) of the first order kinetic equation are obtained. These parameters can be correlated with AO7 concentration in the concentration range studied. Based on this method a semi-empirical chemical model was developed to predict the AO7 abatement, by means of Fenton chemistry. Good AO7 oxidation predictions can be made in the concentration range studied. A detailed discussion of the energy required for oxidizing AO7 and the accuracy of the chemical model to predict its oxidation is included in this paper.
Subject(s)
Azo Compounds/chemistry , Benzenesulfonates/chemistry , Carbon/chemistry , Hydrogen Peroxide/chemistry , Models, Chemical , Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry , Electrochemical Techniques , Electrodes , Iron/chemistry , Kinetics , Oxidation-Reduction , Textiles , Water Purification/methodsABSTRACT
In this work it is demonstrated that Fenton's reagent can be electroproduced with abundant and cheap feedstock: oxygen saturated wastewater and solar energy. Experiments were carried out in a divided electrochemical flow cell using two electrodes: a three dimensional reticulated vitreous carbon cathode and stainless steel anode. Fenton's reagent is produced by oxygen reduction on the cathode in the presence of 1mM Fe(2+). The influence of electrolyte nature and its concentration and potential difference on the current efficiency, as well as the rate of Fenton's reagent electroproduction is discussed and it is concluded that over this extended range of conditions the current efficiency, for Fenton's reagent production, fell within the range 50-70%. It is possible to electroproduce a stoichiometric amount of Fenton reagent for the oxidation of 0.061mM Reactive Black 5 (in tap water+0.05M Na(2)SO(4), approximately pH 2.8). Similar results were obtained for solutions containing 0.1mM Acid Green 25. Some practical applications in the field of water treatment are included. The energy required for drive electrochemical reaction is supplied to the flow cell by means of a commercial solar panel.
