Boosting oxygen evolution activity of nickel iron hydroxide by iron hydroxide colloidal particles
                        
                    - Award ID(s):
- 1900235
- PAR ID:
- 10311790
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
- Volume:
- 606
- Issue:
- P1
- ISSN:
- 0021-9797
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
- 
            Harmful levels of environmental contaminants, such as arsenic (As), persist readily in the environment, threatening safe drinking water supplies in many parts of the world. In this paper, we present a straightforward and cost-effective filtration technology for the removal of arsenate from potable water. Biocomposite filters comprised of nanocrystalline iron oxides or oxyhydroxides mineralized within lignocellulose scaffolds constitute a promising low cost, low-tech avenue for the removal of these contaminants. Two types of iron oxide mineral phases, 2-line ferrihydrite (Fh) and magnetite (Mt), were synthesized within highly porous balsa wood using an environmentally benign modification process and studied in view of their effective removal of As from contaminated water. The mineral deposition pattern, minerology, as well as crystallinity, were assessed using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, micro-computed X-ray tomography, confocal Raman microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction. Our results indicate a preferential distribution of the Fh mineral phase within the micro-porous cell wall and radial parenchyma cells of rays, while Mt is formed primarily at the cell wall/lumen interface of vessels and fibers. Water samples of known As concentrations were subjected to composite filters in batch incubation and gravity-driven flow-through adsorption tests. Eluents were analyzed using microwave plasma optical emission spectroscopy (MPAES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). By subjecting the filters to a flow of contaminated water, the time for As uptake was reduced to minutes rather than hours, while immobilizing the same amount of As. The retention of As within the composite filter was further confirmed through energy-dispersive X-ray mappings. Apart from addressing dangerously high levels of arsenate in potable water, these versatile iron oxide lignocellulosic filters harbor tremendous potential for addressing current and emerging environmental contaminants that are known to adsorb on iron oxide mineral phases, such as phosphate, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or heavy metals.more » « less
- 
            Nanosheets composed of stacked atomic layers exhibit unique magnetic, electrical, and electrochemical properties. Here, we report the effect of iron substitution on the structure and magnetism of nickel hydroxide, Ni(OH)2, nanosheets. Ni(OH)2 and iron-substituted Ni(OH)2 (5, 10, 20, and 50 atomic % Fe substitution) were synthesized using a rapid microwave-assisted hydrothermal process. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy show the materials are polycrystalline nanosheets that aggregate into micron-sized clusters. From X-ray diffraction characterization, iron substitutes into the α-Ni(OH)2 lattice up to 20 at. % substitution. The nanosheets exhibit different in-plane and through-plane domain sizes, and Fe substitution affects the nanocrystallite shape anisotropy. The magnetic response differs with Fe substitution: 0% and 5% Fe are ferromagnetic, while samples with 10% and 20% Fe are ferrimagnetic. The competing interactions between magnetization sublattices and the magnetic anisotropy due to the crystalline and shape anisotropy of the nanosheets lead to magnetization reversal at low temperatures. The correlation between higher coercivity and larger nanocrystalline size anisotropy with higher Fe % supports that magnetic anisotropy contributes to the observed ferrimagnetism. The interplay of morphology and magnetic response with Fe-substituted Ni(OH)2 nanosheets points to new ways to influence electron interactions in layered materials which has implications for batteries, catalysis, sensors, and electronics.more » « less
 An official website of the United States government
An official website of the United States government 
				
			 
					 
					
 
                                    