In this study, we have successfully prepared tetragonal lanthanum vanadate LaVO4 nanoparticles by a facile co-precipitation method at room temperature. The obtained materials were characterized using ...different structural and micro-structural techniques such as the characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectrometry. The obtained structure is crystallized in single tetragonal phase with pin-like nanostructure. A main optical transition with bandgap energy of 3.26 eV is evidenced, and the average lifetime of charges carriers was found to be 1 ns Furthermore, the photoluminescence occurs in the visible light range. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) with initial concentration of 10 mg L−1. The result indicates that LaVO4 particles showed a best photocatalytic activity of 98.2% degradation for methylene blue solution after irradiation of 90 min under visible light. Furthermore, the photocatalytic mechanism and reusability were studied.
This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of the recent trends in bismuth tungstate (Bi
WO
) research, covering its structural, electrical, photoluminescent, and photocatalytic properties. ...The structural characteristics of bismuth tungstate are explored in detail, including its different allotropic crystal structures with respect to its isotypic materials. The electrical properties of bismuth tungstate, such as its conductivity and electron mobility, are also discussed, along with its photoluminescent properties. The photocatalytic activity of bismuth tungstate is a particular focus, with recent advances in doping and co-doping strategies with metals, rare earth and other elements summarized. The limitations and challenges of using bismuth tungstate as a photocatalyst are also examined, such as its low quantum efficiency and susceptibility to photodegradation. Finally, recommendations for future research directions are provided, including the need for further studies on the underlying mechanisms of photocatalytic activity, the development of more efficient and stable bismuth tungstate-based photocatalysts, and the exploration of new applications in fields such as water treatment and energy conversion.
•The two diepoxide-α-himachalenes 6 and 7, exhibit regio- and stereospecificity in their opening epoxidation reaction.•The best interaction was predicted by the Parr functions and the energy study to ...be between the C13 carbon and the hydride.•Via kinetic and thermodynamic control, alcohol 8 is synthesized.•Alcohol (9) and β -himachalene (1) have greater affinities for the coronavirus and HIV-1, respectively.
The ring-opening reaction of the two diepoxides, α-himachalenes 6 and 7, with aluminum lithium hydride (LiAlH4) in ether produced the title compounds C15H24O2 sesquiterpene alcohol. Both experimentally and conceptually, the regio- and stereospecificity of this ring opening reaction were investigated using the Molecular Electron Density Theory (MEDT). The Parr functions and the energy study correctly predicted the best interaction to be between the C13 carbon and the hydride, as evidenced by the attained regio- and stereo-specificity revealed through the experimental research. Moreover, the alcohol 8 is obtained from a kinetic and thermodynamic control while the alcohol 9 is obtained only by a kinetic control, in the maximum conformity with the findings of the experiments. In addition, the performed docking calculations to examine the coronavirus and HIV-1 activities of the products 1–9 revealed that alcohol 9 has a higher affinity against coronavirus while β-himachalene 1 against the HIV-1.
Finding suitable alternatives to the non-renewable energy resources of natural gas, coal and oil along with the employment of renewable fuels for energy production are the major challenges that we ...are facing today. Consequently, the transition to more environmentally sustainable and less polluting alternative resources is a key strategic objective for the energy industry. This is why hydrogen (H2) has attracted worldwide interest as a clean and viable energy source to progressively lessen our reliance on fossil fuels. In this review, we will focus on an in-depth study of photo-electrochemical (PEC) water splitting including the principle, mechanism as well as thermodynamic and kinetic aspects. Other different effects have been discussed such as oxygen vacancy effect, sacrificial agents effect, magnetic field effect and thermal effect.
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•This review focuses on a detailed study of the photo-electrochemical water splitting process.•Effects of sacrificial agents, oxygen vacancies, thermal and magnetic field on (photo)electrolysis have been reviewed.•Materials performances were fairly evaluated.•Limitations and prospects were discussed for better materials construction and usability.
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•Mesoporous HAP@Mt hybrid composite was prepared via a facile route and fully characterized.•Ciprofloxacin antibiotic adsorption behavior onto HAP@Mt surface has been deeply ...assessed.•The binding mechanism involves electrostatic forces, H-bonding, hydrophobic effect and n–π interactions.•Cipro-HAP@Mt interactions were computationally explored using Monte Carlo/SA simulations at different pH conditions.•HAP@Mt was an efficient and reusable binder to clean-up Cipro-contaminated effluents.
The extensive use of persistent antibiotics to prevent human and animal infectious diseases has emerged as a global environmental concern. In this study, we report the effective removal of Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) antibiotic from aqueous solutions using a novel Hydroxyapatite@Montmorillonite (HAP@Mt) hybrid composite, which was synthesized via a facile co-precipitation route. The as-prepared HAP@Mt composite was thoroughly characterized by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA). The adsorption performance of HAP@Mt for Cipro antibiotic was investigated as a function of various physicochemical parameters. The Cipro adsorption process on the HAP@Mt composite was well described by pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm.The maximum uptake capacity reached 91.18 mg g−1. The Cipro binding mechanism was predominantly controlled by the electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding and n-π electron donor/acceptor interactions. HAP@Mt exhibited easy regeneration and excellent reusability for Cipro removal. Monte Carlo/SA simulations were performed to more clearly illuminate the atomic-level interactions between Cipro molecule and HAP@Mt surface under different pH conditions. The simulation data correlate well with actual results. The obtained experimental and computational findings provide new relevant insights on the application of HAP@Mt composite as a potential binder material to remove Cipro antibiotic from wastewater.
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•Mn3(PO4)2·3H2O thin films have been grown using the cathodic electrodeposition method.•The Mott-Schottky investigation has revealed the n-type conduction of Mn3(PO4)2.•The achieved ...results have indicated that the decomposition attained was 95%, while the highest COD value was 79% after 25 min of reaction time.•The prepared thin films exhibit excellent stability for 4 cycles.
Mn3(PO4)2·3H2O thin films have been grown using the cathodic electrodeposition method. The samples were characterized in terms of structural, morphological, optical and photo-electrochemical characteristics using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), mott-Schottky and gap energy determination and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), respectively. The photo-electrocatalytic performance of the resulting electrode has been performed towards the decomposition of rhodamine B (RhB). The achieved results have indicated that the decomposition attained was 95%, while the highest Chemical oxygen demand value was 79% after 25 min of reaction time, the efficiency of the operation was attributed to the creation of OH° and holes oxidizing species. The Mott-Schottky investigation has revealed the n-type conduction of Mn3(PO4)2·3H2O and EIS results are modelled to an equivalent circuit by using the Zview software consisting of a pair of resistors in parallel with a CPE. Moreover, the prepared thin films exhibit excellent stability for 4 cycles, rendering them a viable candidate for the decomposition of organic pollutants in aqueous solutions.
•This review concentrates on a detailed investigation of the photoelectrochemical water splitting process.•Various strategies for improving photo-electrochemical separation activity.•Nanostructured ...oxides photo-electrodes performance.•Limitations and opportunities for improved material construction and applicability.
Due to increasing environmental pollution and rising energy demand, the need for clean energy is increasingly urgent. As an example of sustainable and clean energy, hydrogen (H2) has received a lot of interest in the last few years. Photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC) represents one of the most advanced and promising technologies for generating hydrogen in an easy, inexpensive and durable way. The development and fabrication of metal oxides-based photocathodes and photoanodes have attracted a great interest for photoelectrochemical water splitting owing to their numerous benefits including enhanced light absorption capacity, outstanding photo-electrochemical stability, greater charge separation efficiencies, low cost. Over the last decades there have been considerable processes carried out to develop metal oxides for PEC water splitting. This review summarizes some of the recent progress in the use of metal oxides (Fe2O3, ZnO, CuO, Co3O4) as photoelectrodes for PEC water splitting, as well as strategies to improve their photoelectrocatalytic performances like morphological engineering, heterojunctions and doping techniques.
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To assess body composition in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared to healthy controls, to calculate the prevalence of rheumatoid Cachexia (RC), and to identify the associated factors.
We ...conducted a case-control study on 112 female patients with RA according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for RA; and 224 age-matched healthy women. Body composition (BC) and bone mineral density (BMD) scans were obtained using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). RC was defined by a fat-free mass index (FFMI) below the 10
percentile and a fat mass index (FMI) above the 25
percentile compared with the control group. We conducted a comparison between RA patients and healthy controls then a multiple regression analysis was conducted where the dependant variable is the presence of RC.
RC prevalence was 42.85% while the mean body mass index (BMI) was the same in both groups. RA patients had a higher FM and lower FFM comparing to healthy controls. In our population, 78.60% of patients were on methotrexate and 12.50% on anti TNF therapy. Comparison between patients with and without RC showed that patients with RC have a higher proportion of erosive arthritis and of active disease. Regression logistic analysis showed that RC was significantly associated to erosive arthritis and active disease (OR at 33.31 (8.42-131.70) and 8.98 (1.64-49.20) respectively), independently of age, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, disease duration, steroid cumulative dose and biologic Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs(bDMARDs) use.
Our study showed that almost half of our RA patients have RC, even with a high BMI.
