Facile synthesis of mesoporous nano Ni/NiO and its synergistic role as super adsorbent and photocatalyst under sunlight irradiation

Abstract

Tailoring a material that has a synergistic role as an adsorbent and a photocatalyst for environmental application is an attractive field for research. This article presents a study of facile synthesis of NiO and Ni/NiO with a synergistic role as super adsorbents in the lake of light and photocatalysts under light irradiation. Nano flower-like mesoporous NiO and Ni/NiO were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. XRD, SEM, EDAX, XPS, BET, and DR/UV–Vis spectroscopy techniques were employed for samples’ analysis. The point of zero surface charge of prepared samples was detected by the batch equilibrium method. The adsorption efficiency was investigated in the absence of light using aniline blue as a pollutant model dye. The synergistic effect as an adsorbent and a photocatalyst was investigated under UV and sunlight irradiation. Different parameters affecting the adsorption in the dark have been optimized. The results showed that in the absence of light, the prepared samples are super adsorbents with a maximum adsorption capacity ranging from 210 to 230 mg g−1 and a removal % ranging from 95 to 100% within 2 h. Under UV or sunlight irradiation, the adsorbent/photocatalyst attained a dye removal % of 99.8% within 30 min. The adsorption data matched the pseudo-second-order model, and the equilibrium adsorption data showed compatibility with Langmuir model. The findings of experiments revealed that the adsorption is spontaneous, exothermic, and results in less entropy. Under sunlight irradiation, the dye removal efficiency increased by 19% in the case of Ni/NiO hybrid; it showed a removal efficiency of 99.5% within 30 min under sunlight irradiation versus 80% after 120 min in the dark.

Integrated Ozonation Ni-NiO/Carbon/g-C3N4 Nanocomposite-Mediated Catalytic Decomposition of Organic Contaminants in Wastewater under Visible Light

“…Generally, metallic Ni in the NiO lattice structure and XPS scan the surface of the materials, which typically do not appear in the XPS spectrum. Similar results were also reported in previously reported articles [ 41 , 42 ]. The recorded chemical elements of C1s, O1s, N1s, and Ni2p 3/2 in the composite catalyst with their peaks, spectra, and binding energy confirm the successful formation of the NiO/C/g-C 3 N 4 hybrid catalyst.…”

Plasmon–Exciton Coupling-Assisted Efficient Overall Water Splitting in Alkaline Medium Using a Plexcitonic NiO/Ni Foam Catalyst

“…Apart from this, the nature of the XPS technique, which surveys the sample surface while metallic Ni atoms exist inside the composite lattice, is also attributed to this behavior. Mohamed et al recently reported similar XPS results along with other previous literature reports. , …”

“…Apart from this, the nature of the XPS technique, which surveys the sample surface while metallic Ni atoms exist inside the composite lattice, is also attributed to this behavior. Mohamed et al 55 recently reported similar XPS results along with other previous literature reports. 56,57 The signals at 229.2 and 232.8 eV are attributed to Mo 3d 5/2 and Mo 3d 3/2 , respectively, confirming the prominent presence of Mo 4+ as MoS 2 in the hybrid catalyst.…”

Modification of MgH2 hydrogen storage performance by nickel-based composite catalyst Ni/NiO

“…The synthesis process of the Ni/NiO catalyst is based on the relevant literature that has been reported [ 22 ]. First, NH 4 OH was added dropwise to a 10% mass fraction of NiCl 2 ·6H 2 O solution, stirred constantly until the pH of the solution reached 11, and the mixture was aged for 24 h. Then, the light green sediment produced by the mixture was washed with deionized water and anhydrous ethanol, respectively, and filtered, and the sediment was dried at 70 °C.…”