Journal of Cluster Science最新文献

{"title":"Synergistic Adsorption-Photocatalysis Under Sunlight Irradiation of NiO/Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanocomposite for the Removal of Ciprofloxacin from Wastewater","authors":"Sahar K. Mohamed,&nbsp;Amira M. Elhgrasi,&nbsp;Omnia I. Ali","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02788-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02788-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A study on the simple synthesis of materials having a synergistic role as photocatalysts when exposed to sunlight irradiation and super-adsorbents in the dark is provided in the present article. NiO@<i>g-</i>C₃N₄ nanocomposite was prepared by mixing and ultrasonicating graphitic carbon nitride (<i>g-</i>C₃N₄) with NiO nanoparticles at a ratio of 1:1. XRD, XPS, BET, DR/UV-Vis spectroscopy, SEM, EDX, and zeta potential analysis were used for the samples’ analysis. XRD pattern of NiO@<i>g</i>-C₃N₄ conforms to the NiO pattern, with diminished peak strength at the main peak of <i>g</i>-C₃N₄, suggesting partial exfoliation of the lamellar <i>g</i>-C₃N₄ layers during the ultrasonication with NiO. In NiO@<i>g</i>-C₃N₄, the <i>g</i>-C₃N₄ sheets were irregularly covered with NiO nanoplatelets as confirmed by SEM images. Employing ciprofloxacin (CIP) as a pollutant model drug, the adsorption efficiency and various parameters influencing the adsorption process without light irradiation were investigated. The synergistic role of the NiO@<i>g-</i>C₃N₄ nanocomposite was studied, where it showed a CIP removal of 80% when exposed to sunlight irradiation versus 10% by adsorption in the dark after 60 min. The rate constant values indicated that NiO@<i>g-</i>C₃N₄ nanocomposite showed a faster photocatalytic degradation rate than bare NiO or bare <i>g-</i>C₃N₄. The band gap measurements and the band alignment of NiO and <i>g-</i>C₃N₄ suggest <i>S</i>-scheme heterojunction’s mechanism, which suppresses the e⁻-h⁺ recombination and increases the photocatalytic efficiency. NiO@<i>g-</i>C₃N₄ nanocomposite could be successfully recycled, where it showed removal of more than 50% of CIP after 4 photocatalysis runs. Moreover, the NiO@<i>g-</i>C₃N₄ was employed for CIP degradation in real water samples.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10876-025-02788-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143707052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Waste to Versatile: Effective Utilization of Waste Aluminium foils for the Synthesis of Cu2O Nanoparticles for Catalytic and Electrochemical Applications","authors":"Elizabath Johnson,&nbsp;Shine R. Chandran,&nbsp;Fathima Nihas,&nbsp;Foumitha Latheef,&nbsp;Raji R. Krishnan,&nbsp;K. H. Prema","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02787-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02787-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Research interest in recent years have centred on advancements of functional nano-systems prepared from waste materials. The primary focus of this work is to develop a nanocatalyst and energy storage material from discarded aluminium foils, thus minimizing the negative impact of used aluminum foil on the soil. In this study, copper (I) oxide nanostructures were synthesized using waste aluminium foils by simple displacement method. The prepared material was applied to catalyse the reduction of 4-nitrophenol in the presence of NaBH₄, showing excellent activity towards the reduction within 14 min and conversion efficiency of 97% with appreciable reusability. The kinetic studies reveal the pseudo first order nature of the reaction with a rate constant of 0.7783 min⁻¹. Additionally, the inverse relation of rate constants with various concentration of 4-nitrophenol suggests the reduction process follows Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism. Moreover, the electrochemical performance of the electrode prepared using Cu₂O in 1 M KOH shows significant results, with a specific capacitance of 108 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ and cycling stability of 78% after 5000 continuous charge-discharge cycles. The Nyquist plot data of the synthesized material shows a lower resistance value of 2 Ω, indicating an enhanced electrochemical activity of the nanomaterial. This work proposes a sustainable and eco-friendly approach for utilizing waste materials to prepare multifunctional materials, which have extended applications in the fields of energy and the environment.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10876-025-02787-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143707053","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"New Insights in the Fabrication of Cobalt Chromite (CoCr2O4) Nanoparticles and Their Multifunctional Applications- A Review","authors":"Mamta Patil,&nbsp;Kajalben Patel,&nbsp;Yogita Abhale,&nbsp;Alejandro Pérez Larios,&nbsp;Deepak Kumar,&nbsp;Ankush Chauhan,&nbsp;Abdolrazagh Marzban,&nbsp;Majid S. Jabir,&nbsp;Suresh Ghotekar","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02790-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02790-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cobalt chromite nanoparticles (CoCr₂O₄ NPs) have emerged as an engrossing material class because of their wide range of uses spanning catalysis, magnetic recording, biomedical engineering, and environmental remediation. This review has addressed all the available literature and described the synthetic strategies, characteristics, and applications of imminent CoCr₂O₄ NPs. Various synthesis techniques, including sol-gel, hydrothermal, co-precipitation, sonochemical methods, and many more, are discussed, along with their influence on nanoparticle size, shape, and phase purity. Cobalt chromite finds diverse applications, serving as an industrial inorganic pigment, a substrate for film growth in dye processes, a solar absorber, a material exhibiting multiferroic properties, an electrode in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), dye degradation, a gas sensor, catalyst support, and a catalyst for various reactions such as the catalytic combustion of dichloromethane, the complete oxidation of trichloroethylene (used to eliminate chlorinated organic pollutants), ortho-selective alkylation of phenol with methanol, complete oxidation of methane, and diesel soot removal, and the oxidation of 2-propanol. We are confident that this review will be a valuable resource for researchers interested in the production and diverse uses of CoCr₂O₄ nanoparticles.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143707054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Potential Application in the Detection of Latent Fingerprints","authors":"Betty Flores,&nbsp;Maribel Guzman,&nbsp;Rolf Grieseler,&nbsp;Aransselly Quiroz,&nbsp;Loic Malet,&nbsp;Stephane Godet","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02770-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02770-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Zinc oxide in nanometric dimensions, thanks to its optical properties, is an oxide of great interest for its potential use as a revealing agent for latent fingerprints. In this article we present the synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles obtained by two methods and it uses in revealing of latent fingerprints on non-porous surfaces. The nanoparticles synthetized present an atomic Zn:O ratio of 0.99 and 1.15 when precipitation and combustion in solution method were used, respectively. Both samples show a hexagonal arrangement (wurtzite) according to the X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra. Raman results show a shift at 439 cm⁻¹ corresponding to the E₂ (high) mode of the ZnO crystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure. Transmission electron microscopy images show that nanoparticles with smaller average diameters are obtained by chemical precipitation (17.2 ± 10.8 nm) than combustion in solution (73.4 ± 6.0 nm). Samples presented a narrow band gap of 3.69 and 3.59 eV, values higher than that reported for the bulk material (3.37 eV). The photoluminescence spectrum showed a characteristic ultraviolet emission peak around 387 nm and green emissions peaks from ZnO when excitation wavelength of 325 and 488 nm were experiment, respectively. Finally, ZnO nanoparticles were used to reveal latent fingerprints on non-porous surfaces using a 325 nm laser. Fingerprint development is better on black glass surface when using precipitated ZnO. However, Fingerprints are better observed in aluminum foil when ZnO obtained by combustion in solution is applied. The results show that it is possible to use ZnO nanoparticles obtained by both methods as latent fingerprint revealing agents.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10876-025-02770-w.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143645645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Design and Development of Biotinylated SNEDDS for Improved Efficacy of Curcumin against Hepatocellular Carcinoma","authors":"Tasmina Kanwal,&nbsp;Salim Saifullah,&nbsp;Talat Roome,&nbsp;Amtul Sami,&nbsp;Shazmeen Aslam,&nbsp;Shahida Muhammad Habib,&nbsp;Khadija Rehman,&nbsp;Anam Razzak,&nbsp;Faisal Shahab,&nbsp;Muhammad Raza Shah","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02782-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02782-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Curcumin (CUR) exhibits significant efficacy against various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its limited oral bioavailability greatly restricts clinical applications. Lipid-based nanocarriers offer a promising strategy to enhance both the anticancer potential and oral bioavailability of lipophilic drugs. In this study, we have formulated a biotinylated CUR SNEDDS to target it more efficiently to tumor cells that overexpress biotin receptors, such as those found in HCC. This targeted delivery system aims to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of CUR while minimizing systemic toxicity, offering a more effective treatment strategy for HCC. For this purpose, the components of the formulation were determined based on their solubility as well as their capacity to emulsify. A ternary phase diagram was constructed for the components selected for the formulation to optimize the concentrations of the constituents. The developed SNEDDS were evaluated for thermodynamic stability, physicochemical properties, drug-excipient interactions, in vitro dissolution, and hepatoprotective activities. Histopathological analysis and gene expression data showed that the biotinylated CUR-SNEDDS exhibited therapeutic potential in an in vivo HCC model, reducing inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer nodules. The enhanced hepatoprotective activity of biotinylated SNEDDS can be attributed to the nanosized formulation, which solubilizes CUR, prolongs its half-life, and facilitates preferential accumulation at the biotin receptor, which is overexpressed in HCC. These findings highlight the potential of biotinylated SNEDDS as an effective therapeutic strategy for enhancing the efficacy and targeting of CUR in HCC treatment.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143612190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seed-Mediated Continuous Growth of CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles in Triethylene Glycol Media: Role of Temperature and Injection Speed","authors":"Timur Nizamov,&nbsp;Li Yanchen,&nbsp;Igor Bordyuzhin,&nbsp;Vladislav Mikheev,&nbsp;Maxim Abakumov,&nbsp;Igor Shchetinin,&nbsp;Alexander Savchenko","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02783-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02783-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates the seed-mediated growth of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles by continuously injecting Co(acac)₂ and Fe(acac)₃ precursors into triethylene glycol under thermal decomposition conditions. We focused on the effects of precursor injection speed and synthesis temperature. The optimal injection rate was ~ 40 mL/h, with higher rates causing excessive secondary nucleation, while lower rates led to nanoparticle aggregation due to faster ligand stripping than monomer adsorption. A novel growth mechanism was proposed, involving secondary nucleation and clusterization, where new seeds adsorb onto growing nanoparticles, aided by the absence of strong stabilizers. Growth kinetics were analyzed using the Arrhenius equation, yielding an activation energy of 40.8 kJ/mol. Temperature also played a critical role in crystallite growth and nucleation. As temperature increased, crystallite size grew from 3.4 ± 0.2 nm at 185 °C to 10.1 ± 0.5 nm at 265 °C, with minimal change in nanoparticle size measured by TEM. Magnetic measurements showed an increase in saturation magnetization, when the reaction temperature was increased. Same impact of temperature on coercive force was also observed. This increase was attributed to crystallite sizes exceeding the 7 nm threshold for CoFe₂O₄ and low lattice strain. According to hyperthermia measurements the heating ability improved with larger crystallite size and higher M_s, but excessive H_c​ for samples at 265 ^oC reduced efficiency. The findings enable precise control over nanoparticle growth and nucleation, allowing tailored synthesis of single- or polycrystalline CoFe₂O₄ with controlled magnetic properties. These advancements hold promise for a wide range of biomedical applications, including magnetic hyperthermia.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143612191","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Halide Ion-Templated Atomic Precision Synthesis and Structural Modulation of Silver Sulfide Nanoclusters","authors":"Juefei Dai,&nbsp;Chuanhua Shi,&nbsp;Zhixun Zhang,&nbsp;Yan Nong,&nbsp;Chenchen Feng,&nbsp;Xianyong Yu,&nbsp;Chao Yang,&nbsp;Xueji Zhang,&nbsp;Huayan Yang","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02789-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02789-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In the realm of nanomaterials science, the precise and controllable synthesis of nanoclusters remains a formidable challenge. This study focuses on the synthesis of silver sulfide nanoclusters via the halide ion template method, with an in - depth exploration of the underlying synthesis mechanism. By meticulously regulating halogen ion concentration, reaction solvent, and other reaction parameters, a diverse array of nanoclusters with distinct structures has been successfully fabricated and characterized at the atomic - precision level using X-ray single crystal diffraction. The results clearly demonstrate that halogen ion concentration exerts a profound influence on the structural characteristics of the clusters. Different halogen ions can trigger the formation of disparate nucleation sites and structures, and the choice of solvent also plays a crucial role in determining the structural properties of the clusters.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div><div><p>This study focuses on the synthesis of silver sulfide nanoclusters via the halide ion template method, with an in - depth exploration of the underlying synthesis mechanism. By meticulously regulating halogen ion concentration, reaction solvent, and other reaction parameters, a diverse array of nanoclusters with distinct structures has been successfully fabricated and characterized at the atomic - precision level using X-ray single crystal diffraction</p></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143570938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of Lignin-Chitosan-Iron Nanocomposite for Effective Removal of Aflatoxin B1 in Food and Feed Systems","authors":"Madeeha Jabeen,&nbsp;Suraiya Jabeen,&nbsp;Farman Ahmed,&nbsp;Muhammad Asif Asghar","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02784-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02784-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The consumption of <i>contaminated food</i> can lead to several diseases <i>in</i> humans and animals. Aflatoxins are one of the most emerging contaminants in food commodities. In this study, the surface of lignin nanoparticles was functionalized with chitosan (CS) and iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) using a novel, simple, cost-effective, and ecological method. The synthesized nanomaterials were tested to remove the aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) contamination. Lignin and CS were extracted from coconut coir and shrimp shell waste, respectively. Whereas, Fe-NPs were produced using black tea leaf extract. The structural elucidation of each nanomaterial was explained using UV-Vis spectroscopy, EDX, SEM, XRD, FTIR, and BET analysis. These observations revealed that the produced nanomaterials were spherical with diameters ranging from 60 to 200 nm. The percent removal of AFB₁ was found in the following order: L-CS-Fe &gt; L-CS &gt; LNP &gt; L-Fe &gt; CS. The removal efficacy of L-CS-Fe was &gt; 95% using 1 mg/mL of adsorbent, AFB₁ 100 ng/mL, pH 5, at 37^oC in 75 min. Langmuir isotherm model was well aligned with a maximum adsorption capacity of 160.7 mg/g and monolayer coverage. The adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic followed by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The L-CS-Fe remained reusable and retained its efficacy even after five measured cycles. In conclusion, L-CS-Fe exhibited excellent performance for AFB₁ removal due to its high adsorption and regeneration capability. In addition, it can be applied as a useful and safe adsorbent in naturally contaminated food/feedstuffs.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143553667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Study on the Structures and Properties of Molecular Clusters Sc6Sn (n = 1–12) and Their Anions with DFT Theory","authors":"Xinchun Wu,&nbsp;Zhaofeng Yang,&nbsp;Jucai Yang,&nbsp;Yaqing Chen","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02779-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02779-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Transition metal doped sulfur clusters have long been attracting great attention due to their unique structures and interesting physicochemical properties. In this work, the ground state configurations of molecular clusters Sc₆S_<i>n</i> (<i>n</i> = 1–12) and their anions are screened out by using the global search artificial bee colony (ABC) ABCluster combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The structural evolution pattern for neutral clusters can be described as follows: when <i>n</i> ≤ 8, the octahedral geometry of Sc₆ remains unchanged. As the number of S atoms increases, the S atoms attach onto different faces of the Sc₆ octahedron with a preference for attaching onto meta-faces, followed by para-faces, and finally the ortho-faces. When <i>n</i> ≥ 9, the Sc₆ octahedron transforms into a nearly planar six-membered ring. For anions, the structures differ significantly from their neutral counterparts when <i>n</i> ≥ 10. Their relative stabilities, HOMO-LUMO gaps, and electron affinities have been reported. Simulated photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), Infrared, and Raman spectra have been provided for their structural identification.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143554137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing Photocatalytic Efficiency for MB Dye Degradation Through Sol-Gel Synthesized ZrO2/Anatase-TiO2 Nanocomposites","authors":"Farshad Soleimani,&nbsp;Mohammad Bagher Rahmani","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02780-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02780-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Industrial development has led to water and environmental pollution, and semiconductor photocatalysis is being explored as a solution. However, current photocatalysts can be expensive, complex, and hazardous to synthesize. This research is driven by the development of a simple and economical approach of sol-gel for the synthesis of zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂)/ titanium dioxide (TiO₂) composites, aimed at enhancing their photocatalytic performance. The synthesized samples were characterized thoroughly. Electron microscope images displayed a porous worm-like morphology for the synthesized composites. The structural analysis confirmed that the composite samples contained ZrO₂/TiO₂ with TiO₂ had grown solely in the anatase phase. The mechanisms of electron-hole recombination and separation of charge carriers were discussed using photoluminescence (PL). The catalytic properties of the prepared samples were studied by methylene blue (MB) under ultraviolet light at a wavelength of 360 nm. By adding 25 mg of TiO₂ in 50 mg ZrO₂ (sample ZT3), the degradation rate of MB dye reached 63% in 80 min. This result demonstrated a notable improvement in the degradation rate, featuring a 50% improvement over the performance of intrinsic TiO₂. The obtained results have significant implications for the development of efficient and sustainable photocatalysts for environmental protection.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143553662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}