Bacillus thuringiensis Based Ruthenium/Nickel Co-Doped Zinc as a Green Nanocatalyst: Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity, Mechanism, and Efficient H₂ Production from Sodium Borohydride Methanolysis

Abstract

Today, the development of green nanocatalysts is among the popular topics due to the need for energy production and the cleaning of organic pollutants. In this approach, Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterium, was used as a biosupport of ruthenium/nickel co-doped zinc nanoparticles (btRNZn NPs) to release hydrogen from the methanolysis of sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ). In addition, their photocatalytic activity was reported against Methyl Orange (MO) organic dye. This study focused on the preparation, characterization, and catalytic and photocatalytic activity of the btRNZn biocatalyst for the release of hydrogen from the methanolysis of NaBH 4 and removal of MO dye. According to TEM analysis, the average size of btRNZn NPs was found to be 11.78 nm; in addition, btRNZn NPs showed a photodegradation effect of 68.2% against MO dye at 90 min, and its photocatalytic mechanism was discussed. The effects of the catalyst, substrate, and temperature in the methanolysis reaction of NaBH 4 in the presence of the catalyst were investigated extensively. The reaction kinetics was calculated, and TOF, activation energy, and enthalpy energy were measured as 2497.14 h −1 , 14.89 kJ/mol, and 12.35 kJ/mol, respectively. It was observed that the methanolysis process is a first-order reaction based on the amount of the catalyst and substrate. This study aimed to synthesize a nanobiocatalyst (btRNZn NPs) by a biological method, and it will be used as a great photocatalyst to prevent wastewater pollution; also, it can be an excellent catalyst to produce hydrogen from NaBH 4 methanolysis. The application of btRNZn NPs in solar photocatalysis to prevent wastewater pollution and to research it for energy production through hydrogen creation are both made clear by these studies.

Thermodynamic and Transport Properties of H2/H2O/NaB(OH)4 Mixtures Using the Delft Force Field (DFF/B(OH)4–)

“…Aqueous borate ions are of relevance to a wide array of industrial applications ranging from nuclear electric power to flame retardants. − The potential use of sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ) for H 2 storage in applications such as maritime shipping, due to its high gravimetric capacity of 10.7 wt %, − has increased the interest for aqueous borate ion chemistry. The hydrolysis reaction of NaBH 4 produces H 2 and sodium metaborate (NaBO 2 ) according to , normalNaBH 4 + 2 normalH 2 normalO → normalNaBO 2 + 4 normalH 2 …”

Production of Sustainable Low-Layer Graphene by Green Synthesis at Room Conditions for Platinum-Based Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

“…Therefore, graphene manufacturers should be aware that various parameters need to be examined in order to optimize the synthesis parameters. − Developments in graphene production methods also enable developments in the field of energy. In order to address the pressing environmental concerns and meet the growing energy demands of humanity, it is necessary to explore alternative energy sources that can replace the current reliance on fossil fuels like petroleum and natural gas. , Among these alternatives, direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) offer a promising solution by directly converting chemical energy into electrical energy. , They have gained considerable attention as environmentally friendly power sources for portable electronics and vehicles . In DMFCs, methanol reacts with oxygen from the air, resulting in the production of carbon dioxide and water, which generates electricity. , The electrocatalysts used in DMFCs, specifically platinum-based (Pt-based) catalysts, play a crucial role in facilitating the methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions at the anode and cathode, respectively.…”

“…In order to address the pressing environmental concerns and meet the growing energy demands of humanity, it is necessary to explore alternative energy sources that can replace the current reliance on fossil fuels like petroleum and natural gas. 16,17 Among these alternatives, direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) offer a promising solution by directly converting chemical energy into electrical energy. 18,19 They have gained considerable attention as environmentally friendly power sources for portable electronics and vehicles.…”

Single-Atom Ru Catalyst-Decorated CNF(ZnO) Nanocages for Efficient H2 Evolution and CH3OH Production

“…This decrease may have been caused by electron transfer from the CB of CNF(ZnO) to the Ru, 37 creating an additional nonradiative decay channel that effectively suppressed photogenerated carrier recombination, as indicated in Figure 2i. 39,41 The determination of the specific surface area, average pore diameter (D p ), and pore volume (V p ) of ZIF-8, CNF(ZnO), and CNF(ZnO)/Ru(1.75) was carried out using N 2 adsorption−desorption studies at 77 K (Figure S6). The CNF(ZnO)/Ru(1.75) nanocomposite exhibited an isotherm and hysteresis of a similar nature.…”

“…The formation of the composite catalyst resulted in a decrease in the average electron lifetime from 5.3 and 5.19 to 2.29 ns. This decrease may have been caused by electron transfer from the CB of CNF­(ZnO) to the Ru, creating an additional nonradiative decay channel that effectively suppressed photogenerated carrier recombination, as indicated in Figure i. , …”