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Disposable sensors are inexpensive, user-friendly sensing tools designed for rapid single-point measurements of a target. Disposable sensors have become more and more essential as diagnostic tools due to the growing demand for quick, easy-to-access, and reliable information related to the target. Dopamine (DA), a prevalent catecholamine neurotransmitter in the human brain, is associated with central nervous system activities and directly promotes neuronal communication. For the sensitive and selective estimation of DA, an enzyme-free amperometric sensor based on polyaniline-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PANI-MWCNTs) drop-coated disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) was fabricated. This PANI-MWCNTs-2/SPCE sensor boasts exceptional accuracy and sensitivity when working directly with ex vivo mouse brain homogenates. The sensor exhibited a detection limit of 0.05 μM (S/N = 3), and a wide linear range from 1.0 to 200 μM. The sensor's high selectivity to DA amidst other endogenous interferents was recognized. Since the constructed sensor is enzyme-free yet biocompatible, it exhibited high stability in DA detection using ex vivo mouse brain homogenates extracted from both Parkinson's disease and control mice models. This research thus presents new insights into understanding DA release dynamics at the tissue level in both of these models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaskets and seals are essential components in the operation of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and are required for keeping hydrogen and air/oxygen within their individual compartments. The durability of these gaskets and seals is necessary, as it influences not only the lifespan but also the electrochemical efficiency of the PEM fuel cell. In this study, the cause of silicon leaching from silicone gaskets under simulated fuel cell conditions was investigated. Additionally, to reduce silicon leaching, the silica surface was treated with methyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, and (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)trimethoxysilane. Changes in the silica surface chemistry were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy analysis revealed that surface-treated silica was highly effective in reducing silicon leaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing energy demands of the global community can be met with solar energy. Solution-processed organic solar cells have seen great progress in power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). Semitransparent organic solar cells (ST-OSCs) have made enormous progress in recent years and have been considered one of the most promising solar cell technologies for applications in building-integrated windows, agricultural greenhouses, and wearable energy resources. Therefore, through the synergistic efforts of transparent electrodes, engineering in near-infrared photoabsorbent materials, and device engineering, high-performance ST-OSCs have developed, and PCE and average visible transmittance reach over 10% and 40%, respectively. In this review, we present the recent progress in photoabsorbent material engineering and strategies for enhancing the performance of ST-OSCs to help researchers gain a better understanding of structure–property–performance relationships. To conclude, new design concepts in material engineering and outlook are proposed to facilitate the further development of high-performance ST-OSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-induced UV photoresponse of zinc oxide (ZnO) derived from zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) to assess the influence of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on the photoresponse behavior of metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived ZnO. The initial synthesis involved a thermal treatment in air to convert ZIF-8 into ZnO. We noted enhanced optical absorption both in the UV and visible spectra with the deposition of Ag NPs onto the ZIF-8-derived ZnO. Additionally, the presence of Ag NPs in the ZnO resulted in a substantial increase in current, even without any light exposure. This increase is attributed to the transfer of electrons from the Ag NPs to the ZnO. Photocurrent measurements under UV illumination revealed that the photocurrent with Ag NPs was significantly higher-by two orders of magnitude-compared with that without Ag NPs. This demonstrates that SPR-induced absorption markedly boosted the photocurrent, although the current rise and decay time constants remained comparable to those observed with ZnO alone. Although Ag NPs contribute electrons to ZnO, creating a "pre-doping" effect that heightens baseline conductivity (even in the absence of light), this does not necessarily alter the recombination dynamics of the photogenerated carriers, as indicated by the similar rise and decay time constants. The electron transfer from Ag to ZnO increases the density of charge carriers but does not significantly influence their recombination.