Nanosheet-Assembled ZnO Microflower Photocatalysts

Large scale ZnO microflowers assembled by numerous nanosheets are synthesized through a facile and effective hydrothermal route. The structure and morphology of the resultant products are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Photocatalytic properties of the as-synthesized products are also investigated. The results demonstrate that eosin red aqueous solution can be degraded over 97% after 110 min under UV light irradiation. In addition, methyl orange (MO) and Congo red (CR) aqueous solution degradation experiments also are conducted in the same condition, respectively. It showed that nanosheet-assembled ZnO microflowers represent high photocatalytic activities with a degradation efficiency of 91% for CR with 90 min of irradiation and 90% for MO with 60 min of irradiation. The reported ZnO products may be promising candidates as the photocatalysts in waste water treatment

Mental health status and associated contributing factors among the Hakka elderly in Fujian, China

PurposeLittle is known about the mental health of the Hakka elderly. This study explores the status of, and factors associated with mental health among Hakka elderly populations from Fujian, China.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional, community-based survey study containing a total of 1,262 valid samples. The Chinese version Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) was used to assess the mental health status of the Hakka elderly. We used t-tests to compare the differences for 10 dimensions of SCL-90-R scores between the Chinese national norm and the Hakka elderly. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed by using linear regression analysis to identify the main socio-demographic factors that were most predictive of the total score of SCL-90-R in the Hakka elderly.ResultsThe scores of somatization (1.78 ± 0.55 vs. 1.40 ± 0.46, P < 0.001) and phobic anxiety (1.21 ± 0.36 vs. 1.17 ± 0.31, P < 0.001) for the Hakka elderly in Fujian appeared to be significantly higher than the Chinese norm. The higher total scores of SCL-90-R were found among females (β = 0.030, P = 0.044), widowed persons (β = 0.053, P = 0.021), those with parent(s) alive (β = 0.047, P = 0.019), and those with poorer self-rated health status (β = 0.110, P < 0.001). The lower total scores of SCL-90-R were found among those who were currently living in town, those with lower education level, those with higher average annual household incomes, and those who were living with spouse or children.ConclusionThe worse mental health conditions of the Hakka elderly in somatization and phobic anxiety were detected. The overall mental health status was shown to be worse among females, widowed persons, those who were living in village, those with lower education, and those with father or/and mother alive

ZnO Film Photocatalysts

We have synthesized high-quality, nanoscale ultrathin ZnO films at relatively low temperature using a facile and effective hydrothermal approach. ZnO films were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectra (PL), and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The products demonstrated 95% photodegradation efficiency with Congo red (CR) after 40 min irradiation. The photocatalytic degradation experiments of methyl orange (MO) and eosin red also were carried out. The results indicate that the as-obtained ZnO films might be promising candidates as the excellent photocatalysts for elimination of waste water

Hydrothermally Grown ZnO Micro/Nanotube Arrays and Their Properties

We reported the optical and wettability properties of aligned zinc oxide micro/nanotube arrays, which were synthesized on zinc foil via a simple hydrothermal method. As-synthesized ZnO micro/nanotubes have uniform growth directions along the [0001] orientations with diameters in the range of 100–700 nm. These micro/nanotubes showed a strong emission peak at 387 nm and two weak emission peaks at 422 and 485 nm, respectively, and have the hydrophobic properties with a contact angle of 121°. Single ZnO micro/nanotube-based field-effect transistor was also fabricated, which shows typical n-type semiconducting behavior

Template-Free Synthesis of Porous Cu 2

Porous cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanospheres composed of small nanoparticles with diameters at 10~20 nm were successfully synthesized without surfactant at room temperature within 5 min. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), N2 adsorption-desorption, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum. The adsorption ability of the as-prepared products towards methyl orange (MO) as the pollutant was investigated and FT-IR spectrum was employed to identify the adsorbed species. In addition, the reusability of the as-prepared products was studied as well

Investigation of Adsorption Behavior of Cu2O Submicro-Octahedra towards Congo Red

Perfect cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanocrystals with octahedron shape were successfully synthesized by a facile route without chemical additive in a short time. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The adsorption ability of the products towards congo red (CR) as the pollutant was investigated and FTIR spectroscopy was employed to identify the adsorbed species. The adsorption behavior was analyzed based on the microstructure of Cu2O submicro-octahedra

Facile Synthesis of Template-Induced SnO2 Nanotubes

Large scale SnO2 nanotubes are successfully obtained by a facile hydrothermal method at a mild temperature. The morphologies and the microstructures of the as-synthesized SnO2 products are characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The average diameter of the nanotubes is about 100 nm. The phase and composition of the as-obtained products are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). A series of comparison experiments were conducted by varying the experimental parameters, such as temperature, time, and the amount of the alkali, to study the formation mechanism of SnO2 nanotubes

Synthesis of Vertically Aligned Dense ZnO Nanowires

We reported the synthesis of vertically aligned dense ZnO nanowires using Zn powder as the source material by a hydrothermal method and a postannealing process at 200°C. The as-synthesized ZnO nanowires are 100–200 nm in diameter and several micrometers in length and each nanowire has a tapered tip. The morphologies of the products remain after post-annealing treatment. Structural analysis indicates the ZnO nanowire is single crystalline and grows along the [0001] direction. The possible growth mechanism for ZnO nanowire bundles is proposed