@article{UgwujaAdelowoOgunlajaetal.2019,
  author    = {Ugwuja, Chidinma G. and Adelowo, Olawale O. and Ogunlaja, Aemere and Omorogie, Martins O. and Olukanni, Olumide D. and Ikhimiukor, Odion O. and Iermak, Ievgeniia and Kolawole, Gabriel A. and G{\"u}nter, Christina and Taubert, Andreas and Bodede, Olusola and Moodley, Roshila and Inada, Natalia M. and Camargo, Andrea S.S. de and Unuabonah, Emmanuel Iyayi},
  title     = {Visible-Light-Mediated Photodynamic Water Disinfection @ Bimetallic-Doped Hybrid Clay Nanocomposites},
  series = {ACS applied materials \& interfaces},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {ACS applied materials \& interfaces},
  number    = {28},
  publisher = {American Chemical Society},
  address   = {Washington, DC},
  issn      = {1944-8244},
  doi       = {10.1021/acsami.9b01212},
  pages     = {25483 -- 25494},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {This study reports a new class of photocatalytic hybrid clay nanocomposites prepared from low-cost sources (kaolinite clay and Carica papaya seeds) doped with Zn and Cu salts via a solvothermal process. X-ray diffraction analysis suggests that Cu-doping and Cu/Zn-doping introduce new phases into the crystalline structure of Kaolinite clay, which is linked to the reduced band gap of kaolinite from typically between 4.9 and 8.2 eV to 2.69 eV for Cu-doped and 1.5 eV for Cu/Zn hybrid clay nanocomposites (Nisar, J.; Arhammar, C.; Jamstorp, E.; Ahuja, R. Phys. Rev. B 2011, 84, 075120). In the presence of solar light irradiation, Cu- and Cu/Zn-doped nanocomposites facilitate the electron hole pair separation. This promotes the generation of singlet oxygen which in turn improves the water disinfection efficiencies of these novel nanocomposite materials. The nanocomposite materials were further characterized using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, fluorimetry, therrnogravimetric analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. The breakthrough times of the nanocomposites for a fixed bed mode of disinfection of water contaminated with 2.32 x 10(7) cfu/mL E. coli ATCC 25922 under solar light irradiation are 25 h for Zn-doped, 30 h for Cu-doped, and 35 h for Cu/Zn-doped nanocomposites. In the presence of multidrug and multimetal resistant strains of E. coli, the breakthrough time decreases significantly. Zn-only doped nanocomposites are not photocatalytically active. In the absence of light, the nanocomposites are still effective in decontaminating water, although less efficient than under solar light irradiation. Electrostatic interaction, metal toxicity, and release of singlet oxygen (only in the Cu-doped and Cu/Zn-doped nanocomposites) are the three disinfection mechanisms by which these nanocomposites disinfect water. A regrowth study indicates the absence of any living E. coli cells in treated water even after 4 days. These data and the long hydraulic times (under gravity) exhibited by these nanocomposites during photodisinfection of water indicate an unusually high potential of these nanocomposites as efficient, affordable, and sustainable point-of-use systems for the disinfection of water in developing countries.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{UnuabonahNoeskeWeberetal.2019,
  author    = {Unuabonah, Emmanuel and N{\"o}ske, Robert and Weber, Jens and G{\"u}nter, Christina and Taubert, Andreas},
  title     = {New micro/mesoporous nanocomposite material from low-cost sources for the efficient removal of aromatic and pathogenic pollutants from water},
  series = {Beilstein journal of nanotechnology},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Beilstein journal of nanotechnology},
  publisher = {Beilstein-Institut zur F{\"o}rderung der Chemischen Wissenschaften},
  address   = {Frankfurt, Main},
  issn      = {2190-4286},
  doi       = {10.3762/bjnano.10.11},
  pages     = {119 -- 131},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {A new micro/mesoporous hybrid clay nanocomposite prepared from kaolinite clay, Carica papaya seeds, and ZnCl2 via calcination in an inert atmosphere is presented. Regardless of the synthesis temperature, the specific surface area of the nanocomposite material is between approximate to 150 and 300 m(2)/g. The material contains both micro- and mesopores in roughly equal amounts. X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy suggest the formation of several new bonds in the materials upon reaction of the precursors, thus confirming the formation of a new hybrid material. Thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis and elemental analysis confirm the presence of carbonaceous matter. The new composite is stable up to 900 degrees C and is an efficient adsorbent for the removal of a water micropollutant, 4-nitrophenol, and a pathogen, E. coli, from an aqueous medium, suggesting applications in water remediation are feasible.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{UnuabonahNoeskeWeberetal.2019,
  author    = {Unuabonah, Emmanuel I. and N{\"o}ske, Robert and Weber, Jens and G{\"u}nter, Christina and Taubert, Andreas},
  title     = {New micro/mesoporous nanocomposite material from low-cost sources for the efficient removal of aromatic and pathogenic pollutants from water},
  series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {720},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-42621},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-426214},
  pages     = {119 -- 131},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {A new micro/mesoporous hybrid clay nanocomposite prepared from kaolinite clay, Carica papaya seeds, and ZnCl2 via calcination in an inert atmosphere is presented. Regardless of the synthesis temperature, the specific surface area of the nanocomposite material is between ≈150 and 300 m2/g. The material contains both micro- and mesopores in roughly equal amounts. X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy suggest the formation of several new bonds in the materials upon reaction of the precursors, thus confirming the formation of a new hybrid material. Thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis and elemental analysis confirm the presence of carbonaceous matter. The new composite is stable up to 900 °C and is an efficient adsorbent for the removal of a water micropollutant, 4-nitrophenol, and a pathogen, E. coli, from an aqueous medium, suggesting applications in water remediation are feasible.},
  language  = {en}
}