Enhanced photocatalytic activity of methylene blue using heterojunction Ag@TiO_(2)nanocomposite:Mechanistic and optimization study

The objective in this study is to investigate the adsorption-degradation of the methylene blue(MB)dye using a fabricated heterojunction Ag@TiO_(2)nanocomposite.The batch factors used in photo catalytic reactions were pH,UV-irradiation time,temperature,catalytic dosage,and concentration of MB.The results showed that 0.2×10^(3) g·ml^(-1))of the catalytic dose caused the Ag@TiO_(2)adsorption to degrade by 96.67%with darks and UV exposure.Using the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model to determine the kinetic,the Ag@TiO_(2)displays a greater kinetic rate than TiO_(2)and silver nanoparticle(AgNPs).The photocatalytic degradation of MB,which is an endothermic reaction involving all catalysts,is shown by the thermodynamic parameter to have the positive value of enthalpy(ΔH°).The enthalpies observed were Ag@TiO_(2)(126.80 kJ·mol^(-1))<AgNPs(354.47 kJ·mol^(-1))<TiO_(2)(430.04 kJ·mol^(-1)).Ascorbic acid(·OH scavenger),2-propanol(·O_(2)scavenger),and ammonium oxalate(AO)(hole h+scavenger)were employed to conduct the scavenger effects.The Ag@TiO_(2)demonstrated a reduction in MB degradation when combined with 2-propanol,and this clearly demonstrated that,in contrast to hydroxyl radicals(·OH)and holeh scavengers,superoxide radical anion(O_(2)scavenger)plays a significant role in MB degradation.Utilizing density functional theory(DFT)to elucidate the mechanism and B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p)level optimization,the degradation-adsorption process was explained.When the N-N,C-N or C-C bonds were severed,the Fukui faction was demonstrated for nucleophilic,electrophilic,and radical attack.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticle with Colocasia esculenta(L.) stem and its larvicidal activity against Culex quinquefasciatus and Chironomus sp

Objective:To synthesize silver nanoparticles with Colocasia esculenta as a reducing agent and to evaluate their effect against Culex quinquefasciatus and Chironomus sp.Methods:The aqueous extract of Colocasia esculenta stem was used for nanosynthesis.The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry,Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy,scanning electron microscope,transmission electron microscopy,energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction and Zeta potential studies.The toxicity of Colocasia esculenta stem extract and the synthesized silver nanoparticles was evaluated against the larval stages of target human filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus and non-target Chironomus sp.Results:Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed almost spherical shape of the synthesized silver nanoparticles with size ranging from 13-50 nm.After 24 hours of exposure,the LC50 and LC90 of the plant extract against 4th instars larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus were 745.56 mg/L and 1258.28 mg/L,respectively,which were higher than those of synthesized silver nanoparticles(5.17 mg/L and 17.32 mg/L after 24 h;1.58 mg/L and 13.01 mg/L after 48 h).In addition,the LC50 and LC90 of silver nanoparticles against Chironomus sp.were 9.71 mg/L and 23.15 mg/L after 24 h as well as 2.38 mg/L and 19.49 mg/L after 48 h,respectively.Conclusions:The aqueous stem extract of Colocasia esculenta is a good agent for synthesis of silver nanoparticles,which are almost spherical with size less than 30 nm.The synthesized nanoparticles show good larvicidal activity without any harmful effect on non-target species.