RESUMO
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.
RESUMO
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.