Pure ZnO and Ag–ZnO nanocomposites were fabricated via a sol–gel route, and the obtained photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, XPS, PL and DRS. The results showed that Ag⁰ nanoparticles deposit on the ZnO surface and Ag modification has negligible impact on the crystal structure, surface hydroxyl group content and surface area of ZnO. However, the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes was suppressed effectively by Ag loading. The photocatalytic activity was investigated by evaluating the degradation of MB under xenon lamp irradiation as the UV-visible light source, and the results show that the photocatalytic activity of ZnO significantly improved after Ag modification. Ag–ZnO photocatalysts exhibit higher photocatalytic activity than commercial photocatalyst P25. The degradation degree of MB for 1%Ag–ZnO was 97.1% after 15 min. ˙O₂ ⁻ radicals are the main active species responsible for the photodegradation process, and Ag–ZnO heterojunctions generate more ˙O₂ ⁻ radicals, which is the primary reason for the improved photocatalytic performance.

The pure, tin (Sn)-doped, lanthanum (La)-doped and Sn/La co-doped titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanomaterials were synthesized using sol-gel method followed by calcination at the temperature of 360 °C, 450 °C and 600 °C, respectively. The structures of the nanomaterials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric (TG), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrum (EDS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectrum (XPS), Diffuse Reflectance Spectrum (DRS), Photoluminescence Spectrum (PL), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller Measurements (BET), respectively. The photocatalytic property of the photocatalysts under UV light was evaluated through the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The results show that the anatase-rutile phase transition is promoted by Sn-doping while La-doping retards the phase transition. However, La doping plays a major role in the process of phase transformation. The photocatalytic activity of pure TiO₂ is affected by annealing temperature remarkably and the optimal annealing temperature is 450 °C. The photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ is enhanced significantly by Sn and La doping at three different temperatures. Sn/La-TiO₂ exhibits the highest degradation rates and the fastest reaction rates probably owing to the synergistic effect of Sn⁴⁺ and La³⁺ ions in inhibiting the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The formation of extra surface hydroxyl groups and additional surface area are also beneficial for the photocatalytic activity.

Sn incorporation into TiO₂ lattices promotes anatase/rutile transformation and Sn–TiO₂ exhibits better photocatalytic activity at different temperatures.

The widespread use of petroleum-based products has led to increasing environmental and ecological problems, while the extraction and application of various natural cellulose fibers have received increasing attention. This research focuses on the extraction of cellulose fibers from cow dung using different treatments: hot water, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) boilings, as well as a selection of the best quality cow dung fibers for papermaking with quality control. The study’s objective is to find a sustainable method to extract as much material as possible from renewable biomass feedstock. The results show that the best extraction rate is obtained by KOH boiling with 42% cellulose fibers extracted. Corresponding handmade paper has a burst index of 2.48 KPam²/g, a tear index of 4.83 mNm²/g and a tensile index of 26.72 Nm/g. This project expands the sources of natural cellulose fibers to an eco-friendly and sustainable one and opens up new applications for cow dung.

The reasons for the photocatalytic activity of 1% Ag–TiO ₂ > pure TiO ₂ > 1% Ag/1% FeTiO ₂ > 1% Fe–TiO ₂ are investigated systematically.

Pure and Cu doped anatase/rutile mixed TiO₂ nanomaterials were fabricated through sol-gel method. The obtained photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, PL and DRS, and the influences of Cu doping on the structure and photocatalytic property were studied. The results show that when the molar ratios of Cu/Ti are 1% and 2%, Cu doping promotes anatase → rutile phase transformation. When the molar ratio of Cu/Ti is 4%, the phase transformation is inhibited. Cu element coexists in the form of Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺, and Cu doping facilitates the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. TEM image shows that copper oxides are dispersed on TiO₂ particles surface, which significantly reduces the optical absorption of ultraviolet region. The photocatalytic experiment results show that the photocatalytic activity of Cu–TiO₂ is lower than pure TiO₂, and the higher doping concentration, the lower photocatalytic activity.