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Materials such as ternary MIMIIIE2 (where MI = Ag, Cu; MIII = In, Fe; E = S, Se) chalcopyrite-type nanocrystals have garnered interest recently because of their size- and composition-tunable electronic and optical properties. However, controlling the composition of multinary compounds is challenging due to the difference in reactivity of the involved components. Metal–organic precursors usually provide better control over stoichiometry due to preformed bonds. Herein, we have synthesized suitable sulfur-based (dihexyldithiocarbamato) and selenium-based (tetradiphenylimidodiselnodiphosphanate) metal-organic precursors of iron for the preparation of phase pure ternary CuFeS2 and CuFeSe2 nanocrystals, via hot injection route using oleylamine as solvent, decomposition initiator and capping agent. The nanomaterials were characterized by powder-X-ray diffraction (p-XRD), high resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), TEM, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) analysis. The effect of temperature on synthesized nanoparticles was also investigated, showing that the size and morphology change from particles to sheet-like structures. The band gap of synthesized nanomaterials also showed variation along with the temperature change. The study shows a facile route for composition and morphologically controlled ternary chalcopyrite nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose is the natural biopolymer normally used as supporting agent with enhanced applicability and properties. In present study, cellulose isolated from citrus waste is used for silver nanoparticles (Ag‐NPs) impregnation by a simple and reproducible method. The Ag‐NPs fabricated cellulose (Ag‐Cel) was characterised by powder X‐rays diffraction, Fortier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The thermal stability was studied by thermo‐gravimetric analysis. The antibacterial activity performed by disc diffusion assay reveals good zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by Ag‐Cel as compared Ag‐NPs. The discs also displayed more than 90% reduction of S. aureus culture in broth within 150 min. The Ag‐Cel discs also demonstrated minor 2,2‐diphenyl 1‐picryl‐hydrazyl radical scavenging activity and total reducing power ability while moderate total antioxidant potential was observed. Ag‐Cel effectively degrades methylene‐blue dye up to 63.16% under sunlight irradiation in limited exposure time of 60 min. The Ag‐NPs impregnated cellulose can be effectively used in wound dressing to prevent bacterial attack and scavenger of free radicals at wound site, and also as filters for bioremediation and wastewater purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the preparation of a lead free inorganic perovskite by a facile wet-chemical method using HCl as a solvent at room temperature. The cesium perovskite CsCuCl3 material was characterized by powdered X-ray diffraction (p-XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Ultraviolet/Visible (UV-Vis) and steady state photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy were also carried out on the material. CsCuCl3 showed promising optical properties with a band gap of 2.6 eV. The material was tested as a fluorescent sensor for the detection of metal ions and as a selective fluorescent chemodosimeter for Pb2+ ions. The substitution of Cu2+ ions by Pb2+ in CsCuCl3 proves the success of the chemodosimetry approach for the detection of Pb2+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus fruit processing industries produce a vast quantity of waste materials as peel and pulp that are not handled properly. In present study, waste generated from citrus has been used for extraction of cellulose and nanocellulose. The aggregated cellulose, derived after alkaline treatment, was acid hydrolysed; resulted in reduction of the size of cellulose fibre. The cellulose showed amorphous structure revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Scanning electron microscopy analysis explained densely packed structure of nanocellulose. High magnification revealed break points in cellulose fibre due to acidic treatment; looked like carbon nanotubes. The simple solubility test demonstrated that different solvents had different effects on the dissolution of nanocellulose. The study reveals that citrus peel is also a good candidate of cellulose that can be utilised for different applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several neurological illnesses, such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and depression, involve abnormalities in the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA). Therefore, for the early diagnosis of diseases linked with aberrant phases, very sensitive detection technologies are needed. Here, a report is given on a new platform for the accurate electrochemical detection of DA using a cobalt oxide (Co 3 O 4) and silica (SiO 2) nanofiber-modified gold (Au) electrode. SiO 2 and 10% Co 3 O 4 –90% SiO 2 (Co 3 O 4 /SiO 2) nanofibers were created by electrospinning. The structural and morphological characteristics of SiO 2 and Co 3 O 4 /SiO 2 were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), the electrochemical response of DA was analyzed in relevant biological electrolytes like phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.2. Co 3 O 4 /SiO 2 being investigated as a highly effective electrode material for electrochemical detection of DA revealed that these electrode materials can achieve low overpotentials for DA oxidation. DA displayed the detection and sensitivity limits of 6.7 fM and 22.30 fM, respectively, throughout a linear response of 1 pM–1 mM, while Au modified with Co 3 O 4 /SiO 2 nanofibers showed the most promising performance with good stability throughout a variety of scan rates (5–100 mV/s). The developed sensor's analytical performance has shown that it is capable of quantifying DA in aqueous media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a copper oxide/reduced graphene oxide (CuO/rGO) nanocomposite was synthesized using the insitu co-precipitation method. The as-prepared nanomaterials were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy. Further, cyclic voltammetry, Galvano static charge-discharge curves, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to measure efficiency to store charge, cycle stability, and ion transport of nanocomposite. The CuO/rGO nanocomposite (1:2) shows a retention of 86.7 % of its initial capacitance up to 10000 cycles at 10 Ag-1. The specific capacitances of CuO/rGO (1:1) and CuO/rGO (1:2) nanocomposites were determined to be 100 Fg-1 and 259 Fg-1, respectively, at 8 Ag-1. The as-prepared CuO/rGO nanocomposite has proven to have the ability to function as an anode material and secondary power backup electrode. This study provides a new avenue to design CuO/rGO-based novel electrode materials for future electrochemical storage devices. [Display omitted] • CuO/reduced graphene oxide (CuO/rGO) nanocomposite was synthesized using the insitu co-precipitation method. • The CV results showed that the CuO/rGO nanocomposite has excellent pseudocapacitor behavior. • High specific capacitances of CuO/rGO (1:1) and CuO/rGO (1:2) nanocomposites were determined to be 297 F g−1 and 362 F g−1, respectively. • CuO/rGO (1:2) composite shows high capacitance with stability up to 86.7 % after 10,000 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the synthesis and characterization (multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, carbon–hydrogen–nitrogen–sulfur analyzer, atomic absorption spectrometry and thermogravimetric analysis) of a single source organometallic precursor namely 1-acetyl-3-(4-ferrocenylphenyl)selenourea for the fabrication of iron selenide (FeSe) films on glass substrates using aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD). The changes in the morphologies of the films have been monitored by the use of two different surfactants i.e. triton X-100 and tetraoctylphosphonium bromide during AACVD. The role of surfactant has been evaluated by examining the interaction of the surfactants with the precursor by using UV–vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The fabricated FeSe films have been characterized with powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]