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Excitation functions for the formation of the radionuclides 51Cr, 52Mn and 54Mn via deuteron-induced activation of natural iron were measured up to deuteron energies of 35 MeV. The available experimental databases of the reaction products 51Cr, 52Mn and 54Mn were extended and compared with the nuclear model calculations using the TALYS code. The model calculations reproduce our measured data after a careful choice of the input model parameters. Some information obtained on competition between the emission of multinucleons and a bound α-particle.

Flexible, transparent, and biodegradable films that can shield dangerous UV and high-energy blue light (HEBL) are high in demand to satisfy the ever-increasing expectations for environmental sustainability. To achieve this goal, biopolymer alginate is an excellent choice that has an outstanding film-forming ability. However, alginate has the limitation of poor UV and HEBL blocking ability. Thus, in this study, UV and HEBL blocker graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was incorporated in alginate films to enhance the compatibility, applicability, and durability. The ATR-FTIR, TGA, DTG, and FE-SEM results indicated that the composite film formation was due to hydrogen bonding, and the composite films revealed synergistic properties of alginate and g-C3N4. Though the incorporation of g-C3N4in films enhanced the mechanical and thermal stabilities of the films, the films were still flexible. The UV–visible transmittance characterization confirmed that the prepared films could block both UV and HEBL radiation while maintaining transparency in visible regions. In experiments involving only 2 wt % g-C3N4, nearly 90% of UV (200–400 nm) and 95% of HEBL (400–450 nm) irradiation were blocked. Additionally, the inclusion of g-C3N4also facilitated the biodegradation process of composite films. Moreover, after 6 months, the composite films exhibited excellent UV and HEBL shielding with excellent mechanical durability.

In pursuit of alternative energy, many technologies have been explored over the decades by research communities. Among these, the utilization of solar radiation by solar cells has been extensively studied, especially in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Among different DSSC electrolytes, polymer-based quasi-solid electrolytes have gained much attention, as they overcome shortcomings including limited ion movement and solvent evaporation of solid and liquid electrolytes, respectively. Moreover, in a polymer-based quasi-solid electrolyte, the porosity and amorphous nature of the electrolyte, which govern the ionic movement, are easily controllable. Electrospinning, an emerging method for fabricating controllable porous and amorphous polymer membranes, has been extensively used for the design of polymer-based quasi-solid electrolytes in recent decades. Low cost, ease of use, versatility, and great control over the morphology and physicochemical properties of the final product make electrospinning a potentially economically feasible technique for QDSSC electrolyte fabrication. In this comprehensive review, an overview of the recent inputs in the development of electrospun fiber-based quasi-electrolytes has been compiled. The performance of the electrospun fiber-based electrolytes has been critically reviewed based on numerous operational parameters as well as the physicochemical properties of the polymers. Key technical challenges and future research avenues for electrospinning-based QDSSCs are also discussed.

Continual escalation of our world population demands a vast and safe energy supply, the majority of which has been produced by fossil fuel sources. However, because of the huge energy demand, exponential depletion of these nonrenewable energy sources is inescapable and forthcoming in the coming century. Hence, utilization of renewable energy such as solar energy has gained attention because of its direct conversion of light energy into electrical power without any harmful environmental impacts. Solar energy has been harvested by different types of solar cells varying from inorganic to organic to the combination of both. Among them, the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with a biopolymer-based electrolyte has gained enormous consideration from researchers because of its sustainability, abundance of available raw material, low production cost, and easy production in addition to the low volatilization of electrolytes compared to liquid state electrolytes. This review aims to give an overview of the recent inputs in the development of biopolymer-based DSSCs. The performance of the biopolymers as electrolytes in DSSCs will be critically reviewed based on the physicochemical properties of the biopolymers. Key technical challenges and future research areas for the advancement of biopolymer-based DSSCs are also discussed.

In this article, we have described the adsorption behavior of a biocomposite adsorbent prepared from crystalline cellulose of jute and kaolinite clay (locally available as Bijoypur clay). Despite lacking structural advantages such as smectite type montmorillonite clay used in other composites, this cellulose-clay composite showed good adsorption capacity. Cellulose was extracted from jute fiber and clay was modified with a surfactant named dodecylamine to prepare the biocomposite adsorbent. Effect of pH and contact time was investigated to figure out chromium adsorption capacity of the adsorbent. Maximum adsorption capacity was obtained at pH 4. The concentration of chromium in the test solution was determined by UV-spectrophotometer. The morphology of the composite was investigated using scanning electron microscope. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis of composite were carried out to investigate thermal behavior of the composite. The composite was characterized before and after adsorption experiment using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction to validate the interaction of adsorbate chromium with adsorbent. Adsorption data of chromium by the adsorbent was analyzed according to Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Temkin adsorption models. Maximum adsorption capacity calculated from Langmuir isotherm model was 11.76 mg g–1which was closer to results obtained experimentally. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion kinetic models were proposed to understand the mechanism controlling the adsorption process. Moreover, this biocomposite was easily regenerated in sodium hydroxide solution and a maximum chromium desorption of 81.9% was achieved, which enabled the scope of reusability. Finally, a mechanism was proposed with illustration to show the adsorption potential of the composite.

Climate change adaptation has become a more serious issue to vulnerable countries like Bangladesh. The study areas, as one of the important food baskets of the country, has been experiencing wide-ranging extreme event (flood, riverbank erosion, cold wave, less and erratic rainfall, and prolonged droughts). Here severe affected sectors are agriculture; fisheries; livestock; housing; and drinking water, sanitation and public health. Through participatory Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA), the adaptation strategies were prioritized based on the overall preferences of multiple stakeholder opinions at different level (community/village, upazila/sub-district, and district/regional level). Therefore, using MCA methods of the study areas helped their ideas from different level actors/stakeholders to improve the adaptation strategy, practices and drivers leading to vulnerability. The study found that most priority of adaptation measures of different sector i. e Agriculture; Fisheries; Livestock; Housing; and Drinking Water, Sanitation and Health sector; are Maize, and Sathi Fosol (mixed and relay culture); Livelihood Diversification; Adhi system (shared rearing of livestock); Rising plinth level, and Solar energy, and Ensure safe drinking water, and Enhance health facility and community clinic activities, respectively. The various mechanisms for coping and adaptation practices of different communities were identified in this study. The study suggests further support from the government. Study recommends a combination of the local and scientific knowledge, allocation of resources to the poor, technological transfer and innovative adaptation approaches for Bangladesh.

Despite substantial volumes of research on the impacts of climate change on rice productivity little attention has been paid in evaluating how these impacts differ between traditional varieties (TVs) and high yielding varieties (HYVs). In this study, Aman and Boro rice yields are examined, as respective examples. Cross-sectional time series data over 41 years for four climatic regions of Bangladesh has been used to explore this issue. Each region was examined individually and then across region comparisons were made to try to understand the impacts of major climate variables: average temperature, temperature range, and seasonal rainfall. Using both linear regression and panel data regression models, the major findings are that HYVs for both Aman and Boro rice varieties have less capacity to cope with changing climate conditions in contrast to TVs. Therefore, government should help to promote research and development aimed at developing more climate tolerant varieties, particularly temperature tolerant HYVs which have the potential to solidify the country’s food security situation at least in terms of food availability.