We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Visible-light induced degradation of diphenyl urea and polyethylene using polythiophene decorated CuFe2O4 nanohybrids
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a new material by combining copper-iron oxide nanoparticles with a conductive polymer, then used it to break down polyethylene plastic using visible light and microwave energy. Under microwave conditions, nearly half the polyethylene degraded, offering a potential pathway for using light-driven chemistry to reduce plastic pollution.
The present work reports facile synthesis of CuFe2O4 nanoparticles via co-precipitation method and formulation of its nanohybrids with polythiophene (PTh). The structural and morphological properties were investigated using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectra (SEM-EDS) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The band gap was found to decrease with increase in the loading of PTh and was found to be 2.52 eV for 1-PTh/CuFe2O4, 2.15 eV for 3-PTh/CuFe2O4 and 1.89 eV for 5-PTh/CuFe2O4. The nanohybrids were utilized as photocatalysts for visible light induced degradation of diphenyl urea. Diphenyl urea showed 65% degradation using 150 mg catalyst within 120 min. Polyethylene (PE) was also degraded using these nanohybrids under visible light as well as microwave irradiation to compare its catalytic efficiency under both conditions. Almost 50% of PE was degraded under microwave and 22% under visible light irradiation using 5-PTh/CuFe2O4. The degraded diphenyl urea fragments were analyzed using LCMS and a tentative mechanism of degradation was proposed.
More Papers Like This
Photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics by α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4
AI summary Read the abstract
This study tested a composite photocatalyst (α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4) for degrading polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics using visible light. The catalyst caused surface cracking and oxidation of both plastic types, showing promise as a solar-powered method for breaking down microplastic pollution in water.
Photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene microplastics by copper-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene microplastics using copper-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles as an efficient approach to breaking down aquatic plastic pollution, addressing the limitations of conventional removal methods that only achieve surface-level reduction.
Novel CuMgAlTi-LDH Photocatalyst for Efficient Degradation of Microplastics under Visible Light Irradiation
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists developed a new photocatalyst material that breaks down polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics under visible light. The catalyst achieved significant degradation rates and worked through generating reactive oxygen species that attack plastic surfaces. This technology offers a promising green approach to removing microplastic pollution from water.
Photocatalysis of bifunctional Cr- and Fe-doped CeO2 nanoparticles toward selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and decomposition of high-density polyethylene
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed chromium- and iron-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles that can simultaneously catalyze oxidation of a biomass-derived chemical and break down high-density polyethylene, demonstrating a photocatalytic approach to plastic degradation.
Photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics by α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4
AI summary Read the abstract
An alpha-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 composite photocatalyst was shown to degrade both polyethylene and polystyrene microplastic films under visible light irradiation, with the photocatalyst causing surface cracking and mass loss significantly exceeding non-catalyzed controls.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.