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The aim of this study is to address the growing concern about microplastics in the ocean and their potential harm to human health through ingestion. The MPs issue is largely a result of the increasing demand for electronic devices and their components. To tackle this challenge, the research aimed to develop a green polymer electrolyte that used glycerol as a plasticizing agent to improve ionic conductivity. The polymer host included chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol and was composed of sodium acetate. To evaluate the performance of the polymer electrolyte, various analytical techniques were used, including impedance and electrochemical studies. The ionic conductivity of 7.56 × 10−5 S·cm−1 was recorded. The dielectric property study confirmed the ionic conduction process in the system and revealed the existence of non-Debye type relaxation, as indicated by asymmetric peaks of tanδ spectra. The alternating conductivity exhibits three distinguished regions. The polymer electrolyte was discovered to be electrochemically stable up to 2.33 V and capable of storing energy as a non-Faradaic electrochemical double-layer capacitor (EDLC). The cyclic voltammetry pattern is a leaf like shape. The EDLC was able to be charged and discharged up to 1 V, and it showed cyclability and could be used in low-voltage applications.

An initial investigation was followed by a semi‐industrial analysis aimed at evaluating the ability of our new adsorbent system in various sectors to eliminate specific environmental hazards. A novel nanocomposite was fabricated through the impregnation of pulverized marine plant organic products into an aluminum silicate (AS) framework, resulting in the formation of an AS mixed organic structure framework (ASMOSF). Different characterization techniques including scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray fluorescence (XRF), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were applied. The adsorption capacity of our innovative ASMOSF nanocomposite is notably greater than that of AS and mixed organic structure (MOS) nanocomposites, particularly when exposed to Congo red (CR) concentrations below 20 ppm. Using batch experiments, the kinetics and isotherms of CR dye adsorption, in addition to the effects of a multitude of experimental parameters, were investigated. The CR removal percentage is significantly influenced by the operating temperature, the quantity of adsorbent utilized, and the pH level. In an aqueous solution with a neutral pH, the optimum temperature for CR adsorption onto ASMOSF is 40°C. Depending on the concentration of CR, AS and MOS employ two distinct kinetic adsorption models; however, for CR adsorption on ASMOSF, the first‐order diffusion model is efficacious. Lastly, field testing demonstrated that the ASMOSF nanocatalyst effectively eliminated mixed colors from industrial wastewater with a removal rate of 95%. This finding provides a foundation for the development of novel eco‐friendly nanoadsorbents that can facilitate the reutilization of industrial wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attention to a stable and ionic conductive electrolyte is driven by the limitations of liquid electrolytes, particularly evaporation and leakage, which restrain their widespread use for electrochemical device applications. Solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) is considered to be a potential alternative since it possesses high safety compared to its counterparts. However, it still suffers from low device efficiency due to an incomplete understanding of the mechanism of ion transport parameters. Here, we present a simple in situ solution casting method for the production of polymer-based electrolytes using abundantly available methylcellulose (MC) doped at different weight percentages of potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) salt. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods were used to characterize the prepared samples. Based on EIS simulation and FTIR deconvolution associated with the SCN anion peak, various ion transport parameters were determined. The host MC medium and KSCN salt have a strong interaction, which was evident from both peak shifting and intensity alteration of FTIR spectra. From the EIS modeling, desired electric circuits correlated with ion movement and chain polarization were drawn. The highest ionic conductivity of 1.54 × 10−7 S cm−1 is determined from the fitted EIS curve for the film doped with 30 wt.% of KSCN salt. From the FTIR deconvoluted peak, free ions, ions in contact with one another, and ion aggregates were separated. The extracted ion transport parameters from the EIS method and FTIR spectra of the SCN anion band confirm that both increased carrier concentration and their mobility were crucial in improving the overall conductivity of the electrolyte. The dielectric investigations were further used to understand the conductivity of the films. High dielectric constants were observed at low frequencies for all MC:KSCN systems. The dispersion with a high dielectric constant in the low-frequency band is ascribed to the dielectric polarization. The wide shift of M″ peak towards the high frequency was evidenced by the MC-based electrolyte impregnated with 30 wt.% of KSCN salt, revealing the improved ionic movement assisted with chain segmental motion. The AC conductivity pattern was influenced by salt concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile methodology system for synthesizing solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) based on methylcellulose, dextran, lithium perchlorate (as ionic sources), and glycerol (such as a plasticizer) (MC:Dex:LiClO4:Glycerol) has been implemented. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and two imperative electrochemical techniques, including linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), were performed on the films to analyze their structural and electrical properties. The FTIR spectra verify the interactions between the electrolyte components. Following this, a further calculation was performed to determine free ions (FI) and contact ion pairs (CIP) from the deconvolution of the peak associated with the anion. It is verified that the electrolyte containing the highest amount of glycerol plasticizer (MDLG3) has shown a maximum conductivity of 1.45 × 10−3 S cm−1. Moreover, for other transport parameters, the mobility (μ), number density (n), and diffusion coefficient (D) of ions were enhanced effectively. The transference number measurement (TNM) of electrons (tel) was 0.024 and 0.976 corresponding to ions (tion). One of the prepared samples (MDLG3) had 3.0 V as the voltage stability of the electrolyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CoO/Co3O4 nanoparticles (CoO/Co3O4 NPs) were synthesized with egg white. The effectiveness of CoO/Co3O4 NPs to inhibit the corrosion of carbon steel has verified in acidic medium (1 M HCl). It has been found that Langmuir adsorption isotherm is the dominant adsorption process of CoO/Co3O4 NPs on the surface of low-carbon steel. The thermodynamic parameters also demonstrated that the adsorption process of CoO/Co3O4 NPs was a physicochemical, spontaneous, and exothermic process. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique and potentiodynamic polarization were applied. The results obtained in this study showed that CoO/Co3O4 NPs acted as a mixed inhibitor for the anodic reaction and the cathodic reaction, and the efficiency to inhibit the corrosion was 93% at 80 ppm of the inhibitor. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray electron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the effectiveness that was obtained using the inhibitor to protect the surface of low carbon steel. Thus, low-carbon steel can be protected against corrosion in acidic medium using CoO/Co3O4 NPs as inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the green method was used to synthesize Sn2+-metal complex by polyphenols (PPHs) of black tea (BT). The formation of Sn2+-PPHs metal complex was confirmed through UV-Vis and FTIR methods. The FTIR method shows that BT contains NH and OH functional groups, conjugated double bonds, and PPHs which are important to create the Sn2+-metal complexes. The synthesized Sn2+-PPHs metal complex was used successfully to decrease the optical energy band gap of PVA polymer. XRD method showed that the amorphous phase increased with increasing the metal complexes. The FTIR and XRD analysis show the complex formation between Sn2+-PPHs metal complex and PVA polymer. The enhancement in the optical properties of PVA was evidenced via UV-visible spectroscopy method. When Sn2+-PPHs metal complex was loaded to PVA, the refractive index and dielectric constant were improved. In addition, the absorption edge was also decreased to lower photon. The optical energy band gap decreases from 6.4 to 1.8 eV for PVAloaded with 30% (v/v) Sn2+-PPHs metal complex. The variations of dielectric constant versus wavelength of photon are examined to measure localized charge density (N/m*) and high frequency dielectric constant. By increasing Sn2+-PPHs metal complex, the N/m* are improved from 3.65 × 1055 to 13.38 × 1055 m−3 Kg−1. The oscillator dispersion energy (Ed) and average oscillator energy (Eo) are measured. The electronic transition natures in composite films are determined based on the Tauc's method, whereas close examinations of the dielectric loss parameter are also held to measure the energy band gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of copper-based systems containing two different nanocomposites (Cu2O/CuO and Cu2O/Cu) was synthesized by the egg white assisted auto-combustion route. This method was distinguished by the simplicity of its steps, low cost, one-pot synthesis process at low temperature and, short time. The characterization of the as prepared nanocomposites was carried out by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron micrograph (TEM), Energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) techniques. Surface and magnetic properties of the obtained systems were determined by using N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms at 77 K and the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) technique. XRD results confirmed the formation of Cu2O/CuO and Cu2O/Cu nanocomposites with different ratios of well crystalline CuO, Cu2O, and Cu phases. FTIR results of the combusted product displays the presence of both CuO and Cu2O, respectively. SEM/EDS and TEM results confirm the formation of a porous nanocomposite containing Cu, O, and C elements. The change in concentration of the oxygen vacancies at the surface or interface of both Cu2O/CuO and Cu2O/Cu nanoparticles resulted in different changes in their magnetization. Based on this study, it is possible to obtain nanocomposite-based copper with multiple valances by a simple and inexpensive route which can be suitable for the fabrication of different transition metal composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study involves environmentally friendly synthesis of copper nanoparticles in aqueous medium without inert gas protection, using ranolazine as a capping material. UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrometry showed that ranolazine-derived copper nanoparticles (Rano-Cu NPs) demonstrate a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) band at 573 nm with brick-red color under optimized parameters, including pH, reaction time, and concentrations of copper salt, hydrazine hydrate, and ranolazine. The coating of ranolazine on the surface of Cu NPs was studied via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that Rano-Cu NPs consist of spherical particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) verified that Rano-Cu NPs are crystalline in nature. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the average size of Rano-Cu NPs was 40 ± 2 nm in the range of 22–95 nm. Rano-Cu NPs proved to be highly sensitive as a selective colorimetric sensor for As3+ via color change from brick red to dark green, in the linear range of 3.0 × 10−7 to 8.3 × 10−6 M, with an R² value of 0.9979. The developed sensor is simple, cost effective, highly sensitive, and extremely selective for As3+ detection, showing a low detection limit (LDL) of 1.6 × 10−8 M. The developed sensor was effectively tested for detection of As3+ in some water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, nanosized Cu and Ni Schiff-base complexes, namely ahpvCu, ahpnbCu, and ahpvNi, incorporating imine ligands derived from the condensation of 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine, with either 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde (ahpv) or 4-nitrobenzaldehyde (ahpnb), were synthesized using sonochemical approach. The structure and properties of the new ligands and their complexes with Ni(II) and Cu(II) were determined via infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electronic spectra (UV-Vis), elemental analysis (CHN), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), molar conductivity (Λm), and magnetic moment (μeff). The combined results revealed the formation of 1:1 (metal: ligand) complexes for ahpvCu and ahpvNi and 1:2 for ahpnbCu. Additionally, CuO and NiO nanoparticles were prepared by calcination of the respective nanosized Cu/Ni complexes at 500 °C, and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Significantly, the as-prepared nanosized Schiff-base Cu/Ni complexes and their oxides showed remarkable catalytic activity towards the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BzOH) in aqueous H2O2/ dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution. Thus, catalytic oxidation of BzOH to benzaldehyde (BzH) using both ahpvCu complex and CuO nanoparticles in H2O2/DMSO media at 70 °C for 2 h yielded 94% and 98% BzH, respectively, with 100% selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonfullerene-based organic solar cells can be utilized as favorable photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices due to their enhanced life span and efficiency. In this research, seven new molecules were designed to improve the working efficiency of organic solar cells by utilizing a terminal acceptor modification approach. The perceived A 2 -D-A 1 -D-A 2 configuration-based molecules possess a lower band gap ranging from 1.95 to 2.21 eV compared to the pre-existing reference molecule ( RW ), which has a band gap of 2.23 eV. The modified molecules also exhibit higher λ max values ranging from 672 to 768 nm in the gaseous and 715-839 nm in solvent phases, respectively, as compared to the ( RW ) molecule, which has λ max values at 673 and 719 nm in gas and chloroform medium, respectively. The ground state geometries, molecular planarity parameter, and span of deviation from the plane were analyzed to study the planarity of all of the molecules. The natural transition orbitals, the density of state, molecular electrostatic potential, noncovalent interactions, frontier molecular orbitals, and transition density matrix analysis of all studied molecules were executed to validate the optoelectronic properties of these molecules. Improved charge mobilities and dipole moments were observed, as newly designed molecules possessed lower internal reorganization energies. The open circuit voltage ( V oc ) of W4, W5, W6, and W7 among newly designed molecules was improved as compared to the reference molecule. These results elaborate on the superiority of these novel-designed molecules over the pre-existing ( RW ) molecule as potential blocks for better organic solar cell applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

In the present article, a simple technique is provided for the fabrication of a polymer electrolyte system composed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and doped with varying content of ammonium iodide (NH 4 I) salt using solution-casting methodology. The influences of NH 4 I on the structural, electrochemical, and electrical properties of PVC have been investigated using X-ray diffraction, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and dielectric properties. The X-ray study reveals the amorphous nature of the polymer-salt complex. The EIS measurement revealed an ionic conductivity of 5.57 × 10 -10 S/cm for the electrolyte containing 10 wt.% of salt. Our hypothesis is provided, which demonstrated the likelihood of designing highly resistive solid electrolytes using the concept of a polymer electrolyte. Here, the results showed that the resistivity of the studied samples is not dramatically decreased with increasing NH 4 I. Bode plots distinguish the decrease in resistance or impedance with increasing salt contents. Dielectric measurements revealed a decrease in the dielectric constant with the increase of NH 4 I content in the PVC polymer. The relaxation time and dielectric properties of the electrolytes confirmed their non-Debye type behavior. This pattern has been validated by the existence of an incomplete semicircle in the Argand plot. Insulation materials with low ε r have found widespread applications in electronic devices due to the reduction in delay, power dissipation, and crosstalk. In addition, an investigation of real and imaginary parts of electric modulus leads to the minimized electrode polarization being reached.