Phthalocyanine-nanoparticle conjugates supported on inorganic nanofibers as photocatalysts for the treatment of biological and organic pollutants as well as for hydrogen generation
- Authors: Mapukata, Sivuyisiwe
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Nanofibers , Nanoparticles , Zinc , Hydrogen , Organic water pollutants , Water Purification , Electrospinning , Photocatalysis , Photodegradation , Anti-infective agents
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192831 , vital:45268 , 10.21504/10962/192831
- Description: This thesis reports on the synthesis, photophysicochemical and photocatalytic properties of various zinc phthalocyanines (Pcs). For enhanced properties and catalyst support, the reported Pcs were conjugated to different nanoparticles (NPs) through chemisorption as well as amide bond formation to yield Pc-NP conjugates. For increased catalyst surface area and catalyst reusability, the Pcs and some of their conjugates were also supported on electrospun inorganic nanofibers i.e. SiO2, hematite (abbreviated Hem and has formula α-Fe2O3), ZnO and TiO2 nanofibers. The effect that the number of charges on a Pc has on its antimicrobial activities was evaluated by comparing the photoactivities of neutral, octacationic and hexadecacationic Pcs against S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans. The extent of enhancement of their antimicrobial activities upon conjugation (through chemisorption) to Ag NPs was also studied in solution and when supported on SiO2 nanofibers. The results showed that the hexadecacationic complex 3 possessed the best antimicrobial activity against all three microorganisms, in solution and when supported on the SiO2 nanofibers. Covalent conjugation of Pcs with carboxylic acid moieties (complexes 4-6) to amine functionalised NPs (Cys-Ag, NH2-Fe3O4 and Cys-Fe3O4@Ag) resulted in enhanced singlet oxygen generation and thus antibacterial efficiencies. Comparison of the photodegradation efficiencies of semiconductor nanofibers (hematite, ZnO and TiO2) when bare and when modified with a Pc (complex 6) were evaluated. Modification of the nanofibers with the Pc resulted in enhanced photoactivities for the nanofibers with the hematite nanofibers being the best. Modification of the hematite nanofibers with two different Pcs i.e. monosubstituted (complex 5) and an asymmetrical tetrasubstituted Pc (complex 6) showed that complex 6 better enhanced the activity of the nanofibers. Evaluation of the hydrogen generation efficiencies of the bare and modified TiO2 nanofibers calcined at different temperatures demonstrated that the anatase nanofibers calcined at 500 oC possessed the best catalytic efficiency. The efficiency of the TiO2 nanofibers was enhanced in the presence of the Co and Pd NPs as well as a Pc (complex 7), with the extent of enhancement being the greatest for the nanofibers modified with the Pd NPs. The reported findings therefore demonstrate the versatility of applications of Pcs for different water purification techniques when supported on different nanomaterials. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mapukata, Sivuyisiwe
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Nanofibers , Nanoparticles , Zinc , Hydrogen , Organic water pollutants , Water Purification , Electrospinning , Photocatalysis , Photodegradation , Anti-infective agents
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192831 , vital:45268 , 10.21504/10962/192831
- Description: This thesis reports on the synthesis, photophysicochemical and photocatalytic properties of various zinc phthalocyanines (Pcs). For enhanced properties and catalyst support, the reported Pcs were conjugated to different nanoparticles (NPs) through chemisorption as well as amide bond formation to yield Pc-NP conjugates. For increased catalyst surface area and catalyst reusability, the Pcs and some of their conjugates were also supported on electrospun inorganic nanofibers i.e. SiO2, hematite (abbreviated Hem and has formula α-Fe2O3), ZnO and TiO2 nanofibers. The effect that the number of charges on a Pc has on its antimicrobial activities was evaluated by comparing the photoactivities of neutral, octacationic and hexadecacationic Pcs against S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans. The extent of enhancement of their antimicrobial activities upon conjugation (through chemisorption) to Ag NPs was also studied in solution and when supported on SiO2 nanofibers. The results showed that the hexadecacationic complex 3 possessed the best antimicrobial activity against all three microorganisms, in solution and when supported on the SiO2 nanofibers. Covalent conjugation of Pcs with carboxylic acid moieties (complexes 4-6) to amine functionalised NPs (Cys-Ag, NH2-Fe3O4 and Cys-Fe3O4@Ag) resulted in enhanced singlet oxygen generation and thus antibacterial efficiencies. Comparison of the photodegradation efficiencies of semiconductor nanofibers (hematite, ZnO and TiO2) when bare and when modified with a Pc (complex 6) were evaluated. Modification of the nanofibers with the Pc resulted in enhanced photoactivities for the nanofibers with the hematite nanofibers being the best. Modification of the hematite nanofibers with two different Pcs i.e. monosubstituted (complex 5) and an asymmetrical tetrasubstituted Pc (complex 6) showed that complex 6 better enhanced the activity of the nanofibers. Evaluation of the hydrogen generation efficiencies of the bare and modified TiO2 nanofibers calcined at different temperatures demonstrated that the anatase nanofibers calcined at 500 oC possessed the best catalytic efficiency. The efficiency of the TiO2 nanofibers was enhanced in the presence of the Co and Pd NPs as well as a Pc (complex 7), with the extent of enhancement being the greatest for the nanofibers modified with the Pd NPs. The reported findings therefore demonstrate the versatility of applications of Pcs for different water purification techniques when supported on different nanomaterials. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2021
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Reduction of tungsten oxides with carbon and hydrogen
- Authors: Venables, Dean Stuart
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Oxidation-reduction reaction , Tungsten , Hydrogen , Carbon
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4342 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005004 , Oxidation-reduction reaction , Tungsten , Hydrogen , Carbon
- Description: The reductions of WO₃ with hydrogen, with CO, and with carbon, as well as the reduction of WO₃/graphite mixtures with hydrogen, were studied using thermogravimetry, evolved gas analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The intermediate phases W₂₀O₅₈, W₁₈O₄₉ and WO₂, were observed in the reductions. The final product of the reductions with hydrogen and carbon was tungsten, and we was formed in the reduction with CO. The reaction paths in the overall processes were determined. The reactant/product gas ratio had a considerable influence on which reactions took place. The morphology of the sample was characterised at different stages of the reduction. The shape of the WO₃ particles was retained during the reduction. Particle growth was observed in the reduction with hydrogen and was attributed to the formation of WO₂(OH)₂(g). The kinetics of the reductions were investigated , and the reaction mechanisms determined. The reduction of WO₃ with CO was studied from 650 to 900°C, and occurred at a phase boundary with an activation energy of 40 kJ mol⁻¹ . The reduction of WO₂, was studied under the same conditions. The reaction also occurred at a phase boundary and had an activation energy of 62 kJ mol⁻¹. The reduction of WO₃ with carbon was studied from 935 to 1100°C and took place via CO and CO₂. Two stages were observed in the reduction . The first stage, which corresponded approximately to the formation of WO₂ had an activation energy of 66 kJ mol⁻¹ and was limited by diffusion through the porous reacting particles. The second stage was first order and had an activation energy of 40 kJ mol⁻¹. The reduction of WO₃ and WO₃ graphite mixtures with hydrogen were studied from 575 to 975 °C. The reactions were controlled by mass-transfer under the conditions investigated. The addition of carbon increased the rate of the reduction process , but did not affect the phases formed in the system. CO₂ was evolved mainly at the start, and CO mainly at the end of the process.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Venables, Dean Stuart
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Oxidation-reduction reaction , Tungsten , Hydrogen , Carbon
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4342 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005004 , Oxidation-reduction reaction , Tungsten , Hydrogen , Carbon
- Description: The reductions of WO₃ with hydrogen, with CO, and with carbon, as well as the reduction of WO₃/graphite mixtures with hydrogen, were studied using thermogravimetry, evolved gas analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The intermediate phases W₂₀O₅₈, W₁₈O₄₉ and WO₂, were observed in the reductions. The final product of the reductions with hydrogen and carbon was tungsten, and we was formed in the reduction with CO. The reaction paths in the overall processes were determined. The reactant/product gas ratio had a considerable influence on which reactions took place. The morphology of the sample was characterised at different stages of the reduction. The shape of the WO₃ particles was retained during the reduction. Particle growth was observed in the reduction with hydrogen and was attributed to the formation of WO₂(OH)₂(g). The kinetics of the reductions were investigated , and the reaction mechanisms determined. The reduction of WO₃ with CO was studied from 650 to 900°C, and occurred at a phase boundary with an activation energy of 40 kJ mol⁻¹ . The reduction of WO₂, was studied under the same conditions. The reaction also occurred at a phase boundary and had an activation energy of 62 kJ mol⁻¹. The reduction of WO₃ with carbon was studied from 935 to 1100°C and took place via CO and CO₂. Two stages were observed in the reduction . The first stage, which corresponded approximately to the formation of WO₂ had an activation energy of 66 kJ mol⁻¹ and was limited by diffusion through the porous reacting particles. The second stage was first order and had an activation energy of 40 kJ mol⁻¹. The reduction of WO₃ and WO₃ graphite mixtures with hydrogen were studied from 575 to 975 °C. The reactions were controlled by mass-transfer under the conditions investigated. The addition of carbon increased the rate of the reduction process , but did not affect the phases formed in the system. CO₂ was evolved mainly at the start, and CO mainly at the end of the process.
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