Visible light-driven photo remediation of hazardous cationic dye via Ce-doped WO_(3) nanostructures

Ce-doped WO_(3) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by the sol-gel method and characterized through advanced characterization techniques.The high resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM)results show a reduction in the agglomeration of nanoparticles upon doping.The energy dispersive X-ray(EDX)analysis validates the existence of the Ce element in all the doped samples.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)and Raman spectra justify the presence of structural defects(oxygen vacancies)and successful formation of the monoclinic WO_(3) phase,respectively.The Kubelka-Munk function indicates a decrease in band gap with doping,while photoluminescence(PL)spectra show intense visible and UV emissions,Significantly,all doped samples exhibit higher photocatalytic performance than pure WO_(3) nanoparticles,with the 6 wt%Ce-doped sample displaying the highest degradation rate.Doping with Ce can help to increase the surface area of WO_(3),thereby improving its photoactivity,Moreover,a correlation between PL and photocatalysis is established in the light of oxygen vacancies suggesting a direct dependence of high photocatalytic activity on strong PL signals of WO_(3) nanostructures.Trapping experiments further reveal that the degradation process is primarily driven by active species,providing insight into a plausible photocatalytic mechanism.

Graphene nickel-copper nanocomposite (Gr@NiCu NCs) as a binder free electrode for high energy density supercapacitor and antimicrobial application

Herein,we reported a facile,cost efficient,synthesis of Gr@NiCu NCs nanocomposite and explored their application in supercapacitor and antibacterial applications.The Graphene sheets in the NiCu based electrode showed a high specific surface area and supports conductive networks decorated with oxygen groups,which synergistically improve charge storage capability.Furthermore,Gr@NiCu NCs contain hydrophilic oxygen groups of chemically reduced graphene oxide,which allows easy access of the electrolyte to the electrode’s pores.An electrochemical study demonstrated the highest specific capacitance of 977 Fg^(-1) at 10 Ag^(-1) and remarkable cyclic retentiveness~90%even after 1000 cycles.A noteworthy energy density of the Gr@NiCu NCs achieves approximately 542 KWh kg^(-1) and a power density of 21 kW kg^(-1) acquired through the CD description utilizing a current density of 10 Ag^(-1).The antimicrobial activity of synthesized Gr@NiCu NCs was performed against S.Aureus,E.coli,and MRSA ATCC BAA 1708,P.Aeroginosa(ATCC 27853),S.Mutans(MTCC SM 497)strains compared with ampicillin antibiotic drug.This potent antibacterial activity is attributable to the synergistic apoptosis from Cu2þand bacter.