Synthesis of bismuth-tin core-shell particles and their use in photocatalytic and x-ray shielding applications

Date

2023-8-22

Author

Dinçer, Orçun

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Liquid metal core-shell structures have been attracting growing interest in developing advanced materials with multifunctional properties to address various technological challenges due to their unique combination of properties derived from the distinct composition of their core and shell. Owing to being in liquid state at room temperature, Gallium (Ga) based liquid metal systems have been extensively investigated. For materials characterized by higher melting points, diverse strategies have been devised to elevate the level of undercooling, facilitating the production of undercooled particles. One such intriguing system is the bismuth-tin (BiSn) alloy, which forms a eutectic structure with a melting point of 139 °C. However, compared to the Ga-based liquid metal alloys, there is a limited number of study focused BiSn liquid metal alloys. In this thesis, influence of alloy composition and process parameters of the droplet emulsion technique on the synthesis of undercooled BiSn core-shell particles were studied. The core-shell structure of the particles was utilized in three different studies. In the first study, zeta potential values of particles with respect to the particle type and the content of liquid media were measured and the results gave an insight about the dispersibility of particles in liquid media as well as its surface chemistry. In the second study, core-shell structure of BiSn liquid metal particles were used to bring the good dispersion characteristics of oxide shell and the flexibility of liquid metal core. Together with the X-Ray shielding capability of the BiSn alloy, BiSn liquid metal particles were integrated into thermoplastic polyurethane matrix to form flexible, lightweight X-Ray shielding composite films. It was also found that these composites exhibited antimicrobial properties. Lastly, the potential of BiSn core-shell particles to be used in photocatalytic organic dye degradation was investigated. The band gap values were found to be altered according to the particle type and the applied heat treatment. Even though particles generally exhibited low band gap values (< 3.6 eV), their dye degradation capability was not remarkable.

Subject Keywords

Core-shell particles, Liquid metals, BiSn, Zeta potential, Radiation shielding, Photocatalyst

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/105304

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis