Among different depollution methods, photocatalysis activated by solar light is promising for terrestrial outdoor applications. However, its use in underground structures and/or microgravity environments (e.g., extraterrestrial structures) is forbidden. In these cases, there are issues related to the energy emitted from the indoor lighting system because it is not high enough to promote the photocatalytic mechanism. Moreover, microgravity does not allow the recovery of the photocatalytic slurry from the depolluted solution. In this work, the synthesis of a filmable nanocomposite based on semiconductor nanoparticles supported by photosensitized copolyacrylates was performed through a bulk in situ radical copolymerization involving a photosensitizer macromonomer. The macromonomer and the nanocomposites were characterized through UV-Vis, fluorescence and NMR spectroscopies, gel permeation chromatography and thermogravimetric analysis. The photocatalytic activity of the sensitized nanocomposites was studied through photodegradation tests of common dyes and recalcitrant xenobiotic pollutants, employing UV-Vis and visible range (λ > 390 nm) light radiations. The sensitized nanocomposite photocatalytic performances increased about two times that of the unsensitized nanocomposite and that of visible range light radiation alone (>390 nm). The experimental data have shown that these new systems, applied as thin films, have the potential for use in indoor deep underground and extraterrestrial structures.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8948973PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nano12060996DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

extraterrestrial structures
8
visible range
8
photosensitized thermoplastic
4
thermoplastic nano-photocatalysts
4
nano-photocatalysts active
4
active visible
4
light
4
visible light
4
light range
4
range potential
4

Similar Publications

An Automated Workflow to Discover the Structure-Stability Relations for Radiation Hard Molecular Semiconductors.

J Am Chem Soc

January 2025

Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Martensstraße 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.

Emerging photovoltaics for outer space applications are one of the many examples where radiation hard molecular semiconductors are essential. However, due to a lack of general design principles, their resilience against extra-terrestrial high-energy radiation can currently not be predicted. In this work, the discovery of radiation hard materials is accelerated by combining the strengths of high-throughput, lab automation and machine learning.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Extensive carbonate precipitation has occurred on Mars. To gain insight into the carbonation mechanisms and formation processes under ancient Martian aqueous conditions, we examine the precipitation of carbonates resulting from atmospheric carbon fixation, focusing on interactions between various brines and silicate and perchlorate solutions in alkaline environments. The micro-scale morphology and composition of the resulting precipitates are analysed using ESEM micrographs, EDX chemical compositional analysis, X-ray diffraction, and micro-Raman spectroscopy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

On-The-Flight trapping, LIBS analysis and discrimination of single meteorite particles generated by laser ablation.

Anal Chim Acta

December 2024

UMALASERLAB, Departamento de Química Analítica, Universidad de Málaga, C/Jiménez Fraud 4, Malaga, 29010, Spain. Electronic address:

Background: Thousands of micrometeorites fall to the Earth on a daily basis. Most of these meteorites have a rocky composition, but others are mainly composed of iron and nickel. Due to their small size, often ca.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Sea foam contains hemoglycin from cosmic dust.

RSC Adv

November 2024

PLEX Corporation 275 Martine Str, Suite 100 Fall River MA 02723 USA.

In-falling cosmic dust has left evidence of meteoritic polymer amide in stromatolites, both fossil and modern. In search of evidence for continued present day in-fall, sea foam was collected from two beaches in Rhode Island and subjected to Folch extraction to concentrate amphiphilic components in a chloroform water-methanol interphase layer. Hemoglycin polymer amide molecules previously characterized by MALDI mass spectrometry in meteorites and stromatolites were identified in sea foam either directly, or their fragmentation patterns.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Hydrogen production capabilities of lichens micro-ecosystem under extreme salinity, crystalline salt exposure, and simulated Mars-like conditions.

J Biotechnol

December 2024

Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Gallos University Campus, GR-74100 Rethymnon, Crete, Greece. Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • The research showcases how the lichen Pleurosticta acetabulum can thrive in extreme salt conditions while still producing hydrogen, highlighting its extremophilic nature.
  • The lichen's unique symbiotic system, which includes fungal and algal partners, allows it to go dormant and recover after dehydration, restoring its metabolic functions efficiently.
  • Experiments demonstrate that even under harsh conditions simulating Mars, this lichen can maintain photosynthetic activity and hydrogen production, suggesting potential for astrobiological applications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!