Fungal growth on construction materials in tropical climates can degrade aesthetics and manifestations on modern and historical sick buildings, affecting the health of their inhabitants. This study synthesized ZnO nanoparticles with enhanced antifungal properties using a precipitation method. Different concentrations (25%, 50%, and 100%) of aqueous extract were used with Zn(NO)·6HO as the precursor to evaluate their spectroscopic, morphological, textural, and antifungal properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis document contains additional information for the production of activated carbons (AC) and carbon foams (CF) from agroindustrial wastes, orange peel (OP) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB). In particular, a set of data is presented for the characterization of carbonaceous structures (AC and CF) and their application in the removal of metallic ions contained in polluted waters. The adsorbent materials were obtained combining chemical and physical activation processes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, simplex centroid mixture design was employed to determine the effect of urea on ZnO-CeO. The heterojunction materials were synthesized using a solid-state combustion method, and the physicochemical properties were evaluated using X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activity was determined by a triclosan degradation reaction under UV irradiation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe high levels of heavy metals contained in residual water and the pollution generated by a large amount of unexploited agro-industrial waste are a serious problem for the environment and mankind. Therefore, in the present work, with the aim of treating and reducing the pollution caused by heavy metal ions (Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu), activated carbons (ACs) were synthesized from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and orange peel (OP) by means of physical - chemical activation method in an acid medium (HPO 85 wt%) followed by an activation at high temperature (500 and 700 °C). Thereafter, these materials were used to produce carbon foams (CF) by the replica method and to evaluate their adsorbent capacity for the removal of heavy metals from synthetic water.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this work, agro-industrial wastes such as sugarcane bagasse and orange peel were used for obtaining activated carbons through phosphoric acid activation in order to propose them as adsorbent materials during the production of carbon foam or filters for wastewater treatment applications. A two-step process was carry out to obtain activated carbons; the first step consisted of a simple physical activation at high temperature 400 °C to reach raw material decomposition; followed by acid activation at temperature of 500 °C. The effect of concentration of acid media (45, 65 and 85 wt.
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