Synthesis and Characterization of U3O8 and Ag2o/SiO2 Nanocomposites and Sol-Gel

Aniska Tana Marie Ramsay, Tennessee State University

Abstract

Clean drinking water quality declined during the rise of industry and urbanization. While these industries transformed our economy, they polluted our rivers, streams, and lakes. Numerous studies have revealed placing certain periodic table elements into the nanometer range can improve water filtration and purification. The sol-gel methodology allowed the sol-gel polymerization of Tetraethylorthosilicate to produce Si-OH groups called silanols. The silica formed linear crosslinked molecules at low pH levels, and the molecular chains will entangle and condensed silica species link to form a 3-dimensional network. Results indicated the material is proven to be pure; without additional catalysts such as Hydrochloric acid and acetic acid, crystalline alpha-phase was created. Moreover, this confirms the ambient conditions synthesized material will effectively break down organic molecules in an aqueous solution. Constructed composites were used as filter materials, demonstrating a decrease in colony-forming units per milliliter on the bacterial species E. coli.

Subject Area

Nanoscience|Microbiology|Environmental science

Recommended Citation

Aniska Tana Marie Ramsay, "Synthesis and Characterization of U3O8 and Ag2o/SiO2 Nanocomposites and Sol-Gel" (2023). ETD Collection for Tennessee State University. Paper AAI30419581.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI30419581

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