F. Khan^a, S. Noreen^a, M. S. Youssef^b, A. Jilani^c, H. T. Ali^b, G. Mustafa^d, M. Zahid^a,*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.9, pp. 807-820, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.229.807

Abstract In this study Fe doped SnO₂-SnS₂ (FS) and Fe doped SnO₂-SnS₂-polypyrrole (FS-PPY) were synthesized and studied for the methylene blue (MB) egrdation under UV light. The morphological and structural characterizations were carried out by FTIR, SEM-EDX, XRD and XPS. It has been found that FS-PPy degrade methylene blue upto 98 % under optimized conditions as pH =3, dye concentration = 10 ppm, oxidant dose = 2 mM. The Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics model fitted well. The optimization was studied using response surface methodology. Scavengers study was carried out to find the active species. Reusability of photocatalyst was evaluated More >

S. Younus, N. Amin^*, A. Ali, K. Mahmood

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.10, pp. 905-915, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.2210.905

Abstract Wastewater generated by the textile industry contains high levels of various pollutants. Advanced conventional methods, such as chemical and electrical treatments, are effective in addressing these contaminants. However, the significant operational and capital costs associated with these conventional systems limit their accessibility for industrial stakeholders. In contrast, more economically viable methods tend to be less efficient. This study aims to identify a suitable approach for integrating photocatalytic degradation (PCD) with a low-cost method to enhance the cost-effectiveness of wastewater treatment processes in the textile sector. The study utilized silver copper sulfide (AgCuS) nanocomposites as a… More >

Yihang Tang¹, Jing Li¹, Wentao Xu¹, Yao Xiao¹, Jiayi Deng¹, Ge Rong¹, Jin Zhao², Song Xu¹, Man Zhou^1,*, Zhongyu Li^3,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.10, pp. 1993-2041, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0065 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Natural fibers, as a typical renewable and biodegradable material, have shown great potential for many applications (e.g., catalysis, hydrogel, biomedicine) in recent years. Recently, the growing importance of natural fibers in these photo-driven applications is reflected by the increasing number of publications. The utilization of renewable materials in photo-driven applications not only contributes to mitigating the energy crisis but also facilitates the transition of society toward a low-carbon economy, thus enabling harmonious coexistence between humans and the environment within the context of sustainable development. This paper provides an overview of the recent advances of natural… More > Graphic Abstract

Malak Khannoucha^1,*, Boubekeur Boudine¹, Imene Ameur¹, Aouatef Dali², Ouahiba Halimi¹, Miloud Sebais¹, Tahar Touam³

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.1, pp. 205-220, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.059697 - 27 March 2025

Abstract This work reports a soft chemistry approach for the synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO) incorporated in a polyaniline (PANI) matrix to give PANI/MgO nanocomposite. Using spin coating method, three different percentages of MgO/PVC (1, 2, and 3% in wt.%) were deposited on glass substrates. These films of PANI/MgO nanocomposite were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and UV-visible spectroscopy. The results of the XRD pattern revealed the embedding of MgO nanoparticles in the PANI matrix with cubic phase, with the average size of nanoparticles varying from 35.12 to 59.55 nm. The… More >

M. Xie^a, W. W. Lu^a, W. Yan^a, Y. C. Wei^a, Y. P. Chen^a,b, J. Xu^a,b,*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.21, No.3, pp. 217-227, 2024, DOI:10.15251/CL.2024.213.217

Abstract In this paper, a MoSe₂/TiO₂ composite photocatalyst was constructed by modifying TiO₂ with MoSe₂ as a group catalyst. The results showed that pure TiO₂ and MoSe₂ had no degradation activity for RhB, and the composite catalyst of 0.03 g MoSe₂ had the best photocatalytic degradation activity for RhB. Through SEM, TEM, UV-VIS absorption spectrum, transient photocurrent curve, photoluminescence spectrum, and electrochemical impedance spectrum analysis, it can be seen that the excellent performance of 0.03 g MoSe₂ composite sample is due to its excellent nanostructure, and uniform TiO₂ nanosheets are attached to MoSe₂ flower spheres. The active site of RhB photocatalytic More >

W. W. Lu, J. N. Ding, Z. Y. Wang, Y. C. Wei, Y. P. Chen, J. Xu^*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.21, No.8, pp. 631-640, 2024, DOI:10.15251/CL.2024.218.631

Abstract Photocatalytic synthesis of hydrogen peroxide offers an effective solution to the energy crisis. The design and development of high-activity and low-cost photocatalysts are crucial for H₂O₂ production. In this work, Zn_0.4Cd_0.6S with abundant S vacancies (S_V-ZCS) is developed for H₂O₂ photosynthesis under 405 nm LED illumination without additional cocatalysts. The S vacancies serve as photo-generated electron trap centers, effectively extending the lifetimes of photogenerated carriers and promoting the separation of photoelectric carriers. Additionally, S_V-ZCS is endowed with enhanced light capture capability, enhancing the overall photocatalytic activity for H₂O₂ production. The results were in line with expectations, the S_V-ZCS samples More >

Junxiao Qiu^1,2, Sanmei Liu^3,4,*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.41, No.4, pp. 315-327, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2024.057951 - 16 December 2024

Abstract Integration of solar-driven interfacial evaporation and photocatalysis is one of the most promising technologies for generating fresh water and removing pollutants. In this work, TiO₂/g-C₃N₄ photocatalysis is loaded on a hydrogel containing single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). Due to the excellent water evaporation channel of hydrogel and the excellent photothermal conversion performance of SWCNT, as well as the good visible light absorption ability of TiO₂/g-C₃N₄, TiO₂/g-C₃N₄/SWCNT hydrogel exhibits good hydrothermal evaporation and photocatalytic activity. The optimum water evaporation rate of 1.43 kg m⁻² h⁻¹. In particular, the optimized TiO₂/g-C₃N₄/SWCNT hydrogel can also remove more than 90% methylene blue (MB) More > Graphic Abstract

A. Thamer^a, S. Mohamed^b,*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.20, No.12, pp. 847-856, 2023, DOI:10.15251/CL.2023.2012.847

Abstract Using Sol-gel technology, nanocomposite CdS: ZnO thin films with an equal molar ratio of 0.5 M on a glass substrate for water decontamination purposes. The ZnO doping ratios were (0, 1, 3, 5) vol. The ultrastructural, morphological, and optical properties of the prepared thin films were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and UV-vis spectra. The results indicated that the prepared nanostructured CdS: ZnO thin films contain uniformly spaced crystalline grains of both CdS and ZnO. The ZnO-doped selection ratio and uniform grain distribution produced outstanding photocatalytic and photocatalytic performance. With a More >

Xin Cai^1,2, Fan Li¹, Xingwen Guo^2,*, Ren Li³, Yanan Zhang¹, Qinghui Liu², Minmin Jiang⁴

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 103-130, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.022684 - 10 August 2022

Abstract With the great impetus of energy conservation and emission reduction policies in various countries, the proposal of concepts such as “Sponge City” and “Eco-City”, and the emphasis on restoration and governance of ecological environment day by day, portland cement porous concrete (PCPC), as a novel building material, has attracted more and more attention from scientific researchers and engineers. PCPC possesses the peculiar pore structure, which owns numerous functions like river embankment protection, vegetation greening as well as air-cleaning, and has been of wide application in different engineering fields. This paper reviews the salient properties of More > Graphic Abstract

Kai Su^1,*, Shaoqi Deng¹, Linxiao Li¹, Qirui Qin¹, Jingyu Yang¹, Yan Chen^2,3, Shengli Zhang¹, Junming Chen¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.3, pp. 653-663, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.018556 - 28 September 2021

Abstract Hydrogen production through solar energy is one of the most important pathways to meet the growing demand of renewable energy, and photocatalyst participation in solar hydrolytic hydrogen production has received great attention in recent years in terms of low cost, high efficiency, and flexible design. Particularly, g-C₃N₄ (Graphitic-like carbon nitride material), as a unique material, can catalyze the hydrogen production process by completing the separation and transmission of charge. The easily adjustable pore structure/surface area, dimension, band-gap modulation and defect have shown great potential for hydrogen production from water cracking. In this review, the most recent More > Graphic Abstract