Abstract: A method of detecting an imidacloprid compound including: contacting an electrochemical sensor with a solution; applying a potential across the electrochemical sensor in the solution. The method further includes measuring the current output of the electrochemical sensor; and determining if the imidacloprid compound is present in the solution based on the current output. The electrochemical sensor includes at least one layer of a nanocomposite at least partially coating a substrate surface. The nanocomposite includes silver nanoparticles, mesoporous carbon, and hematite ore.

Abstract: A nanocomposite photocatalyst is provided. The nanocomposite photocatalyst contains carbon nitride particles, a polymer composite comprising a conducting polymer and a carbon nanomaterial, the polymer composite being disposed on the carbon nitride particles, and noble metal nanoparticles disposed on both the polymer composite and the carbon nitride particles. Also provided is a method of forming the nanocomposite photocatalyst and a method of photodegrading an organic pollutant in water using the nanocomposite photocatalyst and visible light irradiation.

Abstract: A nanocomposite photocatalyst is provided. The nanocomposite photocatalyst contains carbon nitride particles, a polymer composite comprising a conducting polymer and a carbon nanomaterial, the polymer composite being disposed on the carbon nitride particles, and noble metal nanoparticles disposed on both the polymer composite and the carbon nitride particles. Also provided is a method of forming the nanocomposite photocatalyst and a method of photodegrading an organic pollutant in water using the nanocomposite photocatalyst and visible light irradiation.

Abstract: A method for making a low-alkali fly ash cement includes forming a mixture of class C fly ash and an aqueous solution and forming low-alkali fly ash cement from the mixture. The aqueous solution has an alkali at a molar concentration between about 0.002 M and about 2 M. A low-alkali fly ash cement includes class C fly ash and an alkali activating agent. The low-alkali fly ash cement contains between about 3×10?4 wt % alkali activating agent and about 2 wt % alkali activating agent. A method for making fly ash cement includes forming a mixture of class C fly ash and water, wet pressing the mixture and forming fly ash cement from the mixture by curing the mixture at a temperature between about 60° C. and about 90° C.

Abstract: A method for making a low-alkali fly ash cement includes forming a mixture of class C fly ash and an aqueous solution and forming low-alkali fly ash cement from the mixture. The aqueous solution has an alkali at a molar concentration between about 0.002 M and about 2 M. A low-alkali fly ash cement includes class C fly ash and an alkali activating agent. The low-alkali fly ash cement contains between about 3×10?4 wt % alkali activating agent and about 2 wt % alkali activating agent. A method for making fly ash cement includes forming a mixture of class C fly ash and water, wet pressing the mixture and forming fly ash cement from the mixture by curing the mixture at a temperature between about 60° C. and about 90° C.