Zinc Oxide-Containing Porous Boron–Carbon–Nitrogen Sheets from Glycine–Nitrate Combustion: Synthesis, Self-Cleaning, and Sunlight-Driven Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract

We developed a single-step thermal method that enables successful inclusion of ZnO components in the porous boron-carbon-nitrogen (BCN) framework to form a new class of functional hybrid. ZnO-containing BCN hybrids were prepared by treating a mixture of B2O3, glycine, and zinc nitrate at 500 °C. Glycine-nitrate decomposition along with B2O3 acts as a source for ZnO-BCN formation. The incorporation of ZnO onto BCN has extended the photoresponse of ZnO in the visible region, which makes ZnO-BCN a preferable photocatalyst relative to ZnO upon sunlight exposure. It is interesting to note that as-prepared 2D ZnO-BCN sheets dispersed in PDMS form a stable coating over aluminum alloys. The surface exhibited a water contact angle (CA) of 157.6° with 66.6 wt % ZnO-BCN in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and a water droplet (7 μL) roll-off angle of <6° and also demonstrates oil fouling resistant superhydrophobicity. In brief, the present study focuses on the gram scale synthesis of a new class of sunlight-driven photocatalyst and also its application toward the development of superhydrophobic and oleophobic coating.

Solution Combustion Synthesis of Nanoscale Materials

“…Recently, a single-step SCS-based method was reported to incorporate ZnO in a porous boron–carbon–nitrogen framework . This hybrid material was prepared by heating B 2 O 3 , glycine, and zinc nitrate mixture at 500 °C.…”

“…Recently, a single-step SCS-based method was reported to incorporate ZnO in a porous boron−carbon−nitrogen framework. 487 This hybrid material was prepared by heating B 2 O 3 , glycine, and zinc nitrate mixture at 500 °C. The incorporation of ZnO onto BCN matrix has extended the photoresponse of ZnO in the visible region.…”

Yellow–green luminescent poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite thick films as effective spectral manipulators

“…The SEM results also support the particle stabilizing nature of PVA, which offers excellent filler‐matrix compatibilities, leading to highly homogeneous composites with synergistic material properties. Furthermore, the increased roughness of PVA/Rb 2 ZnO 2 NC surface (as evidenced from SEM micrographs) may facilitate appreciable air entrapment within the surface voids, thereby leading to a considerable reduction in adhesion force (surface energies) between the liquid (water)/solid (film surface) interface, which may enable considerable enhancement in wetting resistance . The static water contact angle images of NC films support a monotonic increase in contact angles (82°–93°) of PVA NCs with increasing in Rb 2 ZnO 2 content (Figure ).…”

Highly Flexible and Visibly Transparent Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Calcium Zincate Nanocomposite Films for UVA Shielding Applications As Assessed by Novel Ultraviolet Photon Induced Fluorescence Quenching

“…The observed decrease in wettability with filler intercalations may be ascribed to the increased surface roughening (as evidenced from SEM studies (Figure a) of nanocomposite films with an increase in filler content. The induced roughness may facilitate air trapping within the voids on the surface leading to a heterogeneous gas/air–solid surface that in turn reduces the adhesive force between the liquid/water–solid surface leading to enhanced wetting resistance and hence, a hydrophobic nature. − …”