Green synthesis of SnO2@Cu(O,S) nanocomposite catalysts for reduction of Cr(VI) under dark condition

Title : Green synthesis of SnO2@Cu(O,S) nanocomposite catalysts for reduction of Cr(VI) under dark condition

Abstract:

Applying a green technology approach to the synthesis of single phase, heterostructure, and composite heterogeneous catalyst nanomaterials for a wide range of applications in various research fields such as hydrogen generation, antibacterial activities, solar energy utilization, sensor technology, battery innovation, and advanced oxidation processes not only addresses pressing environmental concerns but also enhances synthesis precision, operational efficiencies, and cost-effectiveness. In this study, a novel method was employed using ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract as a highly effective nucleating agent to facilitate the precipitation of distinct materials including the wider bandgap SnO₂ single-phase, the Cu(O,S) heterostructure, and the SnO₂@Cu(O,S) composite nanomaterials. The formation of relatively large-sized SnO₂ nanomaterials on the surface as well as between the smaller-sized Cu(O,S) nanoparticles played a crucial role in promoting electron delocalization across the boundary layer due to the intrinsic surface charge disparity between these blended nanomaterials. Electron transfer from the n-type SnO₂ to the p-type Cu(O,S) nanoparticles crossing the boundary layer played a key role in the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in the absence of light. Through systematic investigations concerning different weight ratios of SnO₂ and various operational parameters, the Cr(VI) reducing activities of these composite nanomaterials were thoroughly explored and optimized in this comprehensive research work.

Audience Take Away

• Green synthesis of SnO₂@Cu(O,S) composite nanomaterials for faster reduction of Cr(VI) under dark conditions.
• A very facile, environmentally friendly and energy efficient synthesis method, which can also be used to produce other nanomaterials in different research fields.  
• The resulting nanomaterials can be expanded to other fields including battery technology, solar cells, antibacterial activities, and drug deliveries with controlled shapes, and others.

Biography:

Dr Zeleke studied Physical Chemistry at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, and graduated with an MSc in 2013. He then joined the research group of Professor Dong-Hau Kuo at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan in 2016 and received his PhD degree in Materials Science and Engineering in 2019. Currently, he is working as a postdoctoral researcher under the supervision of Professor Witold Kwapinski, University of Limerick, Ireland, and Professor Urška Lavrenčič Štangar, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia on the project funded by the DOROTHY MSCA COFUND programme.