Doctoral Thesis / Dissertation from the year 2011 in the subject Chemistry - Materials Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology (-), language: English, abstract: Considerable effort has been made to design, fabricate, and manipulate nanostructured materials by innovative approaches. The precise control of nanoscale structures will pave the way not only for elucidating unique size/shape dependent physicochemical properties but also for realizing new applications in science and technology. Nanotechnology offers unprecedented opportunities for improving our daily lives and the environment in which we live. This thesis mainly describes recent progress in the design, fabrication, and modification of nanostructured semiconductor materials for environmental applications. The scope of this thesis covers TiO2, Bi2O3 and BiOCl materials, focusing particularly on TiO2-based nanostructures (e.g., pure, doped, coupled, mesoporous, hierarchically porous, and ordered mesoporous TiO2). Mesoporous titania is of particular interest since this class of materials possesses well-defined porosity and large specific surface areas. For photocatalytic degradation of organics, these desirable properties are anticipated to improve the efficiency. So in the first part of work, I have synthesized the mesoporous titania by using poly ethylene glycol as a template in dilute acetic acid aqueous solution by hydrothermal process and investigated the effect of PEG molecular weights and thermal treatment on the resultant structure and photocatalytic activity. When the molecular weights of PEG vary from 600 to 20,000, the particle sizes of mesoporous-TiO2 structure decrease from 15.1 to 13.3 nm and mean pore sizes increase from 6.9-10.6 nm. The activities of these mesoporous-TiO2 photocatalysts prepared by using PEG are evaluated and compared with Degussa P-25 using chloro-phenol as a testing compound. [...]

Photoactive nanomaterials have been receiving increasing attention due to their potential application in the light-driven degradation of water and gas-phase pollutants. However, to exploit the great potential of photoactive materials and access their properties requires fine-tuning of their size/shape-dependent chemical–physical properties, and on the ability to integrate them in photoreactors or to deposit them onto large surfaces. Therefore, the synthetic approach as well as post-synthesis manipulation could strongly affect the final photocatalytic properties of the nanomaterial. The aim of the present Special Issue is to report on the most recent progress towards the application of photoactive nanomaterials and nanomaterial-based coatings in pollutant degradation, paying particular attention to cases close to real application: scalable synthetic approaches to nanocatalysts, preparation of nanocatalyst-based coatings, degradation of real pollutants and bacterial inactivation, and application in building materials.

Nanoparticles are usually designed for specific applications and selection of the most convenient capping can be a complex task, but is crucial for successful design. In this volume, the authors discuss the selection of functional cappings to coat nanoparticles in a range of different applications. The opening chapter provides an understanding of basic aspects of surface chemistry at the nanoscale. Each following chapter covers a particular kind of capping, beginning with a basic introduction and describing characteristics such as structure, functionality, solubility, (photo)physics, and toxicity. Special emphasis is placed on how important these specific features are in the preparation of smart nanomaterials. In-depth explanations and examples are then presented, highlighting the latest results and cutting-edge research carried out with the selected capping according to the kind of nanoparticle employed (such as rare-earth doped, semiconducting, and metallic). An additional chapter focusses on computational techniques for modelling nanosurfaces. Photoactive Inorganic Nanoparticles: Surface Composition and its Role in Nanosystem Functionality will be a valuable working resource for graduate students, researchers, and industry R&D professionals working in the field of applied nanomaterials. - Aids selection of the best functional cappings for particular applications - Covers a broad range of application areas, including medical, biological and materials science - Provides material on computational techniques for modeling nanosurfaces

Nanostructured materials for visible light driven photo-processes such as photodegradation of organic pollutants and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation for hydrogen production are very attractive because of the positive impact on the environment. Metal oxides-based nanostructures are widely used in these photoprocesses due to their unique properties. But single nanostructured metal oxide material might suffer from low efficiency and instability in aqueous solutions under visible light. These facts make it important to have an efficient and reliable nanocomposite for the photo-processes. The combination of different nanomaterials to form a composite configuration can produce a material with new properties. The new properties which are due to the synergetic effect, are a combination of the properties of all the counterparts of the nanocomposite. Zinc oxides (ZnO) have unique optical and electrical properties which grant it to be used in optoelectronics, sensors, solar cells, nanogenerators, and photocatalysis activities. Although ZnO absorbs visible light from the sun due to the deep level band, it mainly absorbs ultraviolet wavelengths which constitute a small portion of the whole solar spectrum range. Also, ZnO has a problem with the high recombination rate of the photogenerated electrons. These problems might reduce its applicability to the photo-process. Therefore, our aim is to develop and investigate different nanocomposites materials based on the ZnO nanostructures for the enhancement of photocatalysis processes using the visible solar light as a green source of energy. Two photo-processes were applied to examine the developed nanocomposites through photocatalysis: (1) the photodegradation of organic dyes, (2) PEC water splitting. In the first photo-process, we used the ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), Magnesium (Mg)-doped ZnO NPs, and plasmonic ZnO/graphene-based nanocomposite for the decomposition of some organic dyes that have been used in industries. For the second photo-process, ZnO photoelectrode composite with different silver-based semiconductors to enhance the performance of the ZnO photoelectrode was used for PEC reaction analysis to perform water splitting. The characterization and photocatalysis experiment results showed remarkable enhancement in the photocatalysis efficiency of the synthesized nanocomposites. The observed improved properties of the ZnO are due to the synergetic effects are caused by the addition of the other nanomaterials. Hence, the present thesis attends to the synthesis and characterization of some nanostructured materials composite with ZnO that are promising candidates for visible light-driven photo-processes.

The energy transition is one of the key approaches in the effort to halt climate changes, and it has become even more essential in the light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Fostering the energy efficiency and the energy independence of the building sector is a focal aim to move towards a decarbonized society. In this context, building physics and building energy systems are fundamental disciplines based on applied physics applications in civil, architectural, and environmental engineering, including technical themes related to the planning of energy and the environment, diagnostic methods, and mitigating techniques. This Special Issue contains information on experimental studies in the following research topics: renewable energy sources, building energy analysis, rational use of energy, heat transmission, heating and cooling systems, thermofluid dynamics, smart energy systems, and energy service management in buildings.

Photoactive nanomaterials have been receiving increasing attention due to their potential application in the light-driven degradation of water and gas-phase pollutants. However, to exploit the great potential of photoactive materials and access their properties requires fine-tuning of their size/shape-dependent chemical-physical properties, and on the ability to integrate them in photoreactors or to deposit them onto large surfaces. Therefore, the synthetic approach as well as post-synthesis manipulation could strongly affect the final photocatalytic properties of the nanomaterial. The aim of the present Special Issue is to report on the most recent progress towards the application of photoactive nanomaterials and nanomaterial-based coatings in pollutant degradation, paying particular attention to cases close to real application: scalable synthetic approaches to nanocatalysts, preparation of nanocatalyst-based coatings, degradation of real pollutants and bacterial inactivation, and application in building materials.

Gold and Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications provides detailed information on the preparation and utilization of Au- and Ag-based nanoparticles in a range of novel areas. Gold and silver nanoparticles offer a range of interesting properties, including unique size-dependent optoelectronic properties, chemical stability and biocompatibility, ease of synthesis and surface modification, excellent resistance to corrosion, and catalytic properties, hence paving the way to a wide range of cutting-edge applications with continual advances and innovations. Sections introduce gold and silver nanoparticles, fundamental theory, synthesis, and characterization techniques before focusing on requirements and preparation methods. Specific applications areas, such as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), sensing and biosensing, imaging, drug and gene delivery, disease diagnosis, catalysis, and optoelectronic device fabrication are covered. Finally, synthesis and applications of platinum- and palladium-based nanoparticles are discussed. This is a valuable resource for researchers and advanced students across nanoscience and nanotechnology, chemistry, and materials science, as well as scientists, engineers, and R&D professionals with an interest in noble metal nanomaterials for a range of industrial applications. - Explains theory, synthesis, characterization, and properties of Au- and Ag- based nanoparticles - Explores a range of novel applications across biomedicine, optoelectronics, and other areas - Analyzes the latest developments in the field and considers noble metal nanoparticles beyond gold and silver

In this book, the synthesis and applications of recent nanomaterials are discussed and reviewed in detail. The scope of the book covers from nanocrystals and their self-assembly, synthesis and applications of optically active porphyrin particles, and synthesis and applications of carbon nanodots. Depending on the categories of the materials, detailed driving forces to self-assembly of the cluster or arrays are discussed. Finally, major applications of each category nanomaterial are discussed.Nanomaterials discussed in this book are important building blocks for nanoelectronic and nanophotonic device fabrications. Methods to synthesize and functionalize them are crucial to enable their applications in these areas. This book provides readers with detailed description and discussions on synthesis and functionalization of recent optically active nanomaterials. This book is an important tool for researchers in the nanomaterial field. It will be also a great reference for college students to master overall knowledge in the field.

The use of nanotechnologies continues to grow, as nanomaterials have proven their versatility and use in many different fields and industries within the scientific profession. Using nanotechnology, materials can be made lighter, more durable, more reactive, and more efficient leading nanoscale materials to enhance many everyday products and processes. With many different sizes, shapes, and internal structures, the applications are endless. These uses range from pharmaceutics to materials such as cement or cloth, electronics, environmental sustainability, and more. Therefore, there has been a recent surge of research focused on the synthesis and characterizations of these nanomaterials to better understand how they can be used, their applications, and the many different types. The Research Anthology on Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications of Nanomaterials seeks to address not only how nanomaterials are created, used, or characterized, but also to apply this knowledge to the multidimensional industries, fields, and applications of nanomaterials and nanoscience. This includes topics such as both natural and manmade nanomaterials; the size, shape, reactivity, and other essential characteristics of nanomaterials; challenges and potential effects of using nanomaterials; and the advantages of nanomaterials with multidisciplinary uses. This book is ideally designed for researchers, engineers, practitioners, industrialists, educators, strategists, policymakers, scientists, and students working in fields that include materials engineering, engineering science, nanotechnology, biotechnology, microbiology, drug design and delivery, medicine, and more.