Fabrication of metal based nanostructures as potential scaffolds in water remediation

Abstract

With the strong global movement towards sustainability, significant efforts are being directed to create environmentally benign materials and synthetic procedures. Molybdenum (Mo) is one such metal which is sustainable and economical with diverse applicability. Oxides of Mo shows excellent photochromic, electrochromic, thermochromic and catalytic properties. Consequently, this thesis work envisages the design of MoO3 based photocatalyst system for water remediation. newlineThe focus is diverted towards greener routed for nanostructure fabrication such as probe sonication and microwave. Firstly, ultrasonic energy was utilized in the fabrication of MoO3 nanoparticles for peroxidase mimic nanozyme activity in presence of mercury ions. Similarly, the effect of amalgamation of probe sonicated Terbium into the MoO3 framework and its effect on physicochemical parameters were studied, along with the photocatalytic removal of nitrophenol. Next, microwave energy was employed to form Cetyl Pyridinium Chloride capped MoO3 nanoparticles. The system was exploited for the photocatalytic degradation of Eriochrome Black-T dye. Further, a facile composite was formed with the incorporation of MoO3 in Starbon-300. The system was studied for photocatalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol along with free radical quenching activity. Similarly, MoO3 incorporated in Starbon-500 was studied for the catalytic conversion of fructose into Hydroxymethyl Furfuryl. Physicochemical properties of the nanosystems were analysed by in-depth characterisation using various sophisticated techniques. The cytotoxicity of nanosystems was performed on HeLa cell line under in-vitro conditions along with their phytotoxicity evaluation. The findings in this research work have laid a foundation for exploring the use of Mo based nanosystems for diverse applications in water remediation. newline newline