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The increasing focus on bionanocomposites as environmentally friendly solutions for sustainable applications forms the crux of this study. This study explores the influence of incorporating 2% graphene oxide (GO) on the mechanical and thermal characteristics of blends containing glycerol plasticized thermoplastic starch (TPS) and polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene‐ran‐butylene)‐block‐polystyrene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA), based matrix films through a solution casting method. Starch is successfully obtained from three varied sources: corn, cassava, and potato, with confirmation via fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The authors formulate and examine varying proportions of TPS/SEBS‐g‐MA (ranging from 10 to 50 wt.%), focusing on their biodegradability, and find that a 10 wt.% SEBS‐g‐MA concentration yields optimal degradation rates, thus this is kept constant. The bionanocomposite films are probed using techniques such as FTIR, XRD, mechanical strength testing, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), water absorption, and biodegradability studies. These results indicate that GO incorporation results in a robust hydrogen bonding network within the cassava starch‐based bionanocomposite films, enhancing their mechanical strength while decreasing their moisture absorption. Upgraded thermal properties of these films are also evident from the results. Consequently, these materials show promising utility, particularly in the realm of food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of environmental remedies using ecofriendly and green technologies is attracting increasing research attention. Herein, the green synthesis of molybdenum oxide (MoO3) nanoparticles (NPs) using extract of selected Asteraceous flora species is reported for the first time along with the investigation of the degradation ability for organic pollutants and pollen morphological characteristics of wetland species of the family Asteraceae. An X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation and crystalline structure of the MoO3 NPs. Fourier transform infrared spectra of Lactuca Serriola extract indicated the presence of capping agents, reducing agents, and phytochemicals. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed the almost spherical shape of the MoO3 NPs. A qualitative and quantitative palynological investigation of 21 species belonging to 12 genera of the Asteraceae from different wetlands of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is also reported. The MoO3 NPs degraded 99% of crystal violet dye within 30 minutes with a degradation rate of 0.022 min−1. The cost-efficient and green synthesis method for MoO3 NPs with high catalytic activity provides a new platform for the development of photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the widespread increase in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains and extent of the water contamination by organic pollutants, a considerable effort is required for the development of effective and safe materials to treat infections and remove water pollutants. Herein, we have developed doped and co-doped cadmium oxide CdM 1 M 2 O (M 1 = Mn, M 2 = Al, Sr, Ba) nanostructures with antibacterial activity against three bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus vulgaris) and photocatalytic activity against methylene blue dye under direct sunlight irradiation. A very inexpensive and simple wet chemical approach was employed to fabricate the doped and co-doped nanostructures. The results of the antibacterial tests on Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Proteus vulgaris bacteria indicated that all the prepared nanostructures possessed superb antibacterial properties. The Cd 1-(x+y) Mn x Al y O nanostructures exhibited excellent degradation efficiency with typical organic dye (methylene blue) within 1 h of direct sunlight irradiation. The efficient synergistic antibacterial and photocatalytic activities coupled with their recyclability demonstrated the potential of Cd 1 -(x+y) Mn x Al y O nanostructures for practical use in polluted water remediation and environmental protection applications. The simple method used for synthesizing the nanostructures to enhance their antibacterial and photocatalytic activities can potentially be extended to fabricate other photocatalysts and antibacterial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we fabricated the binary transition metal (Ce & Zn) doped CuO nanocatalyst via a single step facile co-precipitation technique by using liquid ammonia as a pH regulator and precipitating agent. The structural, morphological, and compositional studies of the fabricated samples were completed via X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and EDX techniques, respectively. The impact of binary metal-doped CuO nanocatalyst on the optical band-gap was examined via the UV-Visible spectroscopic technique. The photocatalytic aptitude of the fabricated pristine and binary metal-doped CuO nanocatalyst was examined against the 5-ppm aqueous solution of MB dye. The obtained results revealed that the doped sample removes 81.64% MB dye, via adsorption (32.65%) and degradation (48.99%) processes, while in comparison the pristine CuO sample removes just 38.77%. The superior adsorption and degradation aptitude of the binary metal-doped sample can be ascribed to its higher surface area and tuned band-gap, respectively. Moreover, the kinetic study of the degradation process also displayed that the doped sample degrades the MB dye with a higher value of the rate constant (0.0137 min−1) than that of pristine CuO photocatalyst (0.0049 min−1). The tuned band-gap and nanoarchitecture morphology of the doped CuO not only facilitate the excitation process but also assist in the transportation of the photo-induced species towards the surface of the photocatalyst. The observed superior photocatalytic activity of the binary metal-doped CuO photocatalyst showed its exceptional aptitude for the treatment of toxic industrial effluents. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we have fabricated the spinel binary-metal oxide (FeCo 2 O 4) via a solvent-free and cost-effective approach. The nanocomposites of the as-fabricated binary-metal spinel oxide have been prepared with three different conductive-matrices, namely r-GO, CNTs, and PANI, via ultra-sonication approach. The spinel phase and surface functionalities of the fabricated FeCo 2 O 4 sample have been confirmed via XRD and FT-IR analyses, respectively. The morphological-structure and elemental composition of the fabricated samples have been probed via FESEM and EDX results. The role of added conductive-matrices in the improvement of the electrical conductivities of the fabricated nanocomposites has been investigated via I–V experiments. The electrochemical experiments, conducted in half-cell configuration, showed that FeCo 2 O 4 /PANI nanocomposite exhibited the highest specific capacitance (658.9 Fg-1) than that of the remaining two nanocomposites. Furthermore, FeCo 2 O 4 /PANI nanocomposite exhibited excellent cyclic stability as it lost just 8.3% of its initial specific capacitance even after 3000 cyclic tests. The superior capacitive-activity of the FeCo 2 O 4 /PANI nanocomposite is accredited to its high conductivity, large surface area, and synergy effects between the pseudocapacitance derived from the PANI and FeCo 2 O 4 nanostructure. The electrochemical and electrical measurements suggested that FeCo 2 O 4 /PANI nanostructure is an emerging contender for energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The narrow optical band gap, higher electrical conductivity, and wider-absorption range are three key features that a good photocatalyst must possess. Herein, we have fabricated Cu-doped MnO 2 (Mn 1-x Cu x O 2) nanostructure by facile wet chemical approach and formed its nanocomposite with r-GO (Mn 1-x Cu x O 2 /r-GO) via ultra-sonication approach. The successful replacement of host metal ions (Mn4+) with the dopant metal ions (Cu2+) was supported with the PXRD, FT-IR, and EDX characterizations. The effect of Cu-doping on the band gap and r-GO matrix on the conductivity of the fabricated nanocomposite was also evaluated via Tauc plots and I–V tests, respectively. The photocatalytic efficiency of the fabricated photocatalysts was tested and compared against the methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic experiments revealed that Mn 1-x Cu x O 2 /r-GO photocatalyst exhibited superior photocatalytic aptitude than that of pristine MnO 2 and Mn 1-x Cu x O 2 photocatalysts. More precisely, the Mn 1-x Cu x O 2 photocatalysts degraded 86.89% MB dye at the rate of 0.021 min−1 after a 90-min exposure to the visible light. Observed superior catalytic activity of the nanocomposite can be attributed to the synergistic effects between the Cu doped MnO 2 and r-GO nanosheets that resulted in its narrow band-gap (2.19 eV) and excellent conductivity (2.217 × 10−2 Scm−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis of heterojunctions to improve the efficiency of photocatalyst and charge-transfer properties has been a major concern recently. A novel photocatalyst copper ferrite-bismuth oxide (CuFe 2 O 4 /Bi 2 O 3) nanocomposite was synthesized with unique magnetic properties. In this nanocomposite catalyst, the nano-petals of bismuth oxide (Bi 2 O 3) were entangled with CuFe2O4 particles via the ultra-sonication method. The structure of as-synthesized samples was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), whereas the morphology and optical band gap was determined using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and UV–Vis spectrophotometry. Comparative photocatalytic activity of copper ferrite and the nanocomposite was examined for the degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) dye. The superior performance of photocatalyst is attributed to the visible light sanitizer; CuFe 2 O 4 could assist Bi 2 O 3 to absorb more photons of incident light which promotes the production of photoexcited electron-hole pairs. Additionally, the catalyst could be recycled and separated from the dye without any loss of photocatalytic efficiency owing to good chemical stability as well as magnetic separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DyCr x Fe (1-x) O 3 (0 ≤ x ≥ 0.4) nanoparticles were prepared using facile chemical route. Structural and morphological evaluation was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy. Formation of orthorhombic DyFeO 3 nanoparticles was confirmed by XRD with crystallite size of 9–10 nm. FESEM images revealed nearly spherical morphology of the fabricated nanoparticles. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) technique was employed to confirm the presence of Dy, Cr, Fe and O elements in DyCr x Fe (1-x) O 3 nanoparticles. FTIR studies illustrated the presence of characteristics stretching and bending vibrations. UV–visible spectroscopy was used to analyze the photocatalytic performance of the DyFeO 3 and Cr-substituted DyFeO 3 nanoparticles and optical band gap measurements. Photocatalytic activities of the prepared substituted and un-substituted DyFeO 3 nanoparticles were conducted using three different dyes. These dyes were (i) methyl orange, (ii) rhodamine B and (iii) methylene blue. Lower band gap and higher photocatalytic performance was observed for Cr-substituted DyFeO 3 nanoparticles with methylene blue dye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabrication of a MoO 3 /CoFe 2 O 4 nanocomposite targeted for the enhanced photodegradation in the visible region was carried out by using molybdenum oxide nano-rods and cobalt ferrite nano-particles obtained by a chemical co-precipitation template free route. For structural determination, X-ray diffraction (XRD) was carried out and the crystallite size was found to be < 15 nm. For morphological analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy was used which confirmed the formation of MoO 3 nano-rods and CoFe 2 O 4 nano-particles in the synthesized nanocomposite. The thickness of the nano-rods of molybdenum oxide was estimated to be 73.6 nm, while the average size of the nano-particles of cobalt ferrite was calculated to be 24.9 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results conferred to the XRD diffractograms. Reduction in the band gap of the MoO 3 /CoFe 2 O 4 nanocomposite leads to brilliant photocatalytic degradation. Almost 91% degradation of of the methylene blue, 54% degradation of rhodamine B and 65% degradation of crystal violet was observed by the as synthesized nanocomposite. This magnificent increment was due to enhancement in the easy transmission of electrons from the valence band to the conduction band and limiting the probability of recombination rate of photoexcited species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal oxide nanoparticles (CuO, ZnO & Fe 2 O 3) and mixed metal oxides CuO. ZnO.Fe 2 O 3 were fabricated by facile co-precipitation approach for photocatalytic treatment of organic dyes. The structural features, phase purity, crystallite size and morphology of individual and mixed metal oxides were analysed by X-rays diffraction patterns (XRD) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis. Electrical behaviour of CuO, ZnO, Fe 2 O 3 and mixed metal oxides CuO. ZnO.Fe 2 O 3 was explored by current-voltage (I-V) measurements. Functional groups present in the synthesized metal oxides were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) which ensures the existence of M-O functional groups in the samples. The optical bandgap analysis was carried out by UV–visible spectroscopic technique which revealed that the blend of three different transition metal oxides reduced the bandgap energy of mixed metal oxides. The reason behind this reduced bandgap energy is formation of new electronic state which arises due to the metal-oxygen interactions. Moreover, the nanocomposites of CuO.ZnO.Fe 2 O 3 with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared to study the effect of the carbonaceous materials on the rate of photodegradation. These carbonaceous nanomaterials have plethora properties which can bring advancement in sector of photocatalytic treatment of wastewater. The photocatalytic experiments were performed using methylene blue (MB) as standard dye for comparative study of metal oxides and their composites with rGO and CNTs. The percentage degradation of methylene blue (MB) by nanocomposite CuO.ZnO.Fe 2 O 3 /rGO is 87% which is prominent among all samples. This result ascribed the photocatalytic aspects of reduced graphene oxide along with mixed metal oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel NiSe 2 @MXene/rGO aerogel (NSMGA) was fabricated with different mass loading of Ti 3 C 2 MXene. • NSMGA applied as multifunctional electrode material for supercapacitor study and overall water splitting. • The optimal electrode (NSMGA-40) exhibited excellent electrochemical performance. • NSMGA-40 showed remarkable stability during electrochemical applications. In this research, we have designed novel three-dimensional (3D) Ti 3 C 2 MXene/rGO composite aerogels (MGA) integrated with octahedron-like NiSe 2 (NS), with different mass loadings of MXene (20 wt% and 40 wt%). Resultant aerogels developed into a cellular lattice like network that significantly improved the contact area among active material and electrolyte. 3D spongy scaffold of MGA boosted the mass diffusion rate, and good electrical conductivity of MXene and rGO provided fast transport of charges during the electrochemical tests, which endowed superior supercapacitor and water splitting performances. Electrode with optimized MXene/rGO ratio i.e., NSMGA-40, exhibited a remarkable specific capacity of 289.7 mAh g−1 at current density of 1 A g−1 and excellent durability of 92.5% over 5000 charge/discharge cycles at 12 A g−1 in a three electrode system for supercapacitor. Meanwhile, as a bifunctional electrocatalyst, NSMGA-40 required a low overpotential of 97 mV and 262 mV to reach 10 mA cm−2 for HER and OER activity, respectively, in alkaline media. The values of Tafel slopes were as small as 89 mV dec−1 (HER) and 75 mV dec−1 (OER), signifying accelerated electron-transfer kinetics. Furthermore, in both cases, NSMGA-40 electrocatalyst withstood a long-term stability test of 10 h. Hence, the obtained results can be manifested for the structural and componential engineering that maximizes the synergetic effects from Ti 3 C 2 MXene, rGO, and NS. Indeed, our fabricated aerogels offer a valuable reference for the fabrication of 3D multicomponent electrode materials for energy storage and conversion applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The facile microwave approach has been adopted to successfully synthesize silver-doped CuO (ACO) and bare CuO (BCO) photocatalysts. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), optical absorption, current-voltage (I–V), and photoluminescence (PL) studies have been executed to evaluate the effects of silver doping on texture, microscopic characteristics, crystal structure, bandgap, electrical conductivity, and charge carrier separation. Nanostructured (nanorods) and narrow bandgap ACO photocatalyst was produced owing to the synergistic impact of surfactant-assisted synthesis and silver doping-induced bandgap regulation. The ACO photocatalyst was a better choice for antibacterial application than its counterpart (BCO photocatalyst) due to the induced characteristics that increased its specific surface area and light-harvesting capabilities. Photoinduced charge carriers (holes and free electrons) in the ACO photocatalyst are shown to separate at maximal extent according to the PL and I–V analyses, indicating their facile transport from the production site to the site of action. The synergistic effects owing to the tailored features enable the ACO photocatalyst to kill the Campylobacter bacteria and mineralize Acridine orange dye at a fast rate. The antimicrobial activity of the doped catalyst has a linear relationship with the applied catalyst dosage as the zone of inhibition (ZOI) increases from 14.2 mm to 22.7 mm when the ACO photocatalyst dosage was raised from 4 μg to 12 μg. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this report, L-Cysteine functionalized Ag@MnO 2 nanocomposite was prepared for selective, rapid, and instantaneous electrochemical sensing of heavy metal ions (HMIs). Hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize L-Cysteine functionalized Ag@MnO 2 nanocomposites. The composition and morphology of L-Cys/Ag@MnO 2 were characterized by advanced techniques such as XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis and FESEM analysis. XRD spectra confirmed the synthesis of tetragonal L-Cys/Ag@MnO 2 , while FESEM confirmed the formation of coral like nanostructures. Coral like L-Cys/Ag@MnO 2 with sufficient open pores provided high surface area and large number of active sites for sensing of HMIs. The electrochemical parameters were optimized i.e., pH effect, deposition potential, deposition time, and impact of interfering species to enhance HMIs detection. Under optimized conditions, the designed sensor exhibited high sensitivity towards the solution of both Cd+2 and Pb+2 ions over a wide range from 0.1 μM to 0.005 μM of Cd+2 and Pb+2, respectively with LOD = 0.052 nM for Pb+2 and 0.065 nM for Cd+2. The developed sensor's practical applicability was also tested in tap water. Due to the high conductivity, synergistic effect, and high electron transfer kinetics of the prepared material, as designed sensor can be utilized for sensing other toxic metal ions in real samples. • Ag@MnO 2 nanocomposite was prepared by facile hydrothermal method. • Nanocomposite was successfully characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM and EDX analysis. • The proposed method exhibited high sensitivity and sub micro-molar detection limits. • The suggested method showed good recoveries in real water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The dopant (Cu) concentration affected significantly the electrochemical properties of MnO 2 nanowires. • Cu 0.15 MnO 2 @NF electrode exhibited specific capacitance of 750 Fg−1 @ 1 Ag−1. • Cyclic stability measurements showed a capacitance retention of 95.04% after 6000 cycles. With the advent of wearable/portable electronics and hybrid electric vehicles, supercapacitors have gained much interest owing to their high-power density. This work deals with ultralong MnO 2 nanowires reinforced with different Cu contents as a new electrode material for supercapacitors fabrication. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed the MnO 2 phase transformation from α- MnO 2 to β- MnO 2 induced by Cu doping. β-MnO 2 due to its highest structural stability is expected to show the excellent cyclic stability of the electrode material. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) confirmed the ultralong nanowires morphology. Ultralong nanowires with extremely interconnected network enable efficient electron transport between them, further enhancing the electrical conductivity of the material. Redox peaks present in the CV profile revealed that the preferred charge storage follows faradic mechanism, which was further confirmed by rate law. Nanosized morphology and spongy structure of the current collector exposed the maximal electrode area in conjunction with shielding from electrode pulverization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Hydrothermal synthesis of Ag-MnO 2 NWs and their MXene reinforced composite. • The effects of nanotechnology, doping, and making composites on the way electrode materials behave electrochemically are explained. • Multiple techniques are used to achieve significant increases in specific conductivity and surface area. • The electrochemical properties of the Ag-MnO 2 /MXene@NF electrode are superior to those of the MnO 2 @NF and Ag-MnO 2 @NF electrodes. • The Ag-MnO2/MXene@NF electrode had a high specific capacitance of 1188 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and a capacitance retention of 96.4 % after 6000 cycles. A novel Ag-MnO 2 /MXene on nickel foam (Ag-MnO 2 /MXene@NF) electrode has been developed by incorporating hydrothermal and post-sonication processes. Ag-doping, MXene reinforcement, nanotechnology approaches, and highly porous current collector (Nickel foam) play a decisive role in boosting the overall activity of the Ag-MnO 2 /MXene@NF. The Ag-doping tunes the band structure of MnO 2 and intrinsically improves its specific conductivity. At the same time, the sandwiching of Ag-MnO 2 NWs between the MXene sheet's voids and their dispersion over the MXene sheet's surface led to the formation of a hetero-structured composite with superb conductivity, a high surface area, lower crystallinity, and structural openings. The nanostructured nature of MnO 2 (NWs) and their addition to MXene, a conductive and porous matrix, resulted in better capacitance retention and faster ion diffusion. The nano-sized and spongy structure of the Ag-MnO 2 /MXene@NF not only exposes the bulk of the electrode for charge storage but also buffers the electrode from pulverization as a result of tedious cyclic tests and facilitates the electrolyte ions' mobility. These induced features enabled the Ag-MnO 2 /MXene@NF to show a higher capacitance of 1188 F g−1 @ 1Ag−1, impressive rate capability (85.8 % @9 A g−1), and superb cyclic activity of 96.4 % after 6000 tests. The combination of various techniques boosts the overall electrochemical performance of our developed Ag-MnO 2 /MXene electrode, making it an acceptable option for use in advanced energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we have prepared a new formulation from flexible polyurethane/calcined waste eggshell (FPU/CWES) composites as a novel piezoelectric foam material for transducer applications. The CWES was loaded into the FPU matrix with different ratios (1–5%) by weight. The FPU/CWES composites were characterized using FESEM, EDX, and FTIR techniques. Furthermore, gel fraction and apparent density tests were estimated for the obtained composites. The results disclosed that FPU/CWES 3% composite achieved maximum values of 88.5% and 36.62 kg/m3 for gel fraction and density, respectively, compared to control FPU foam. TGA analysis displayed that adding (1–3 wt%) CWES increased thermal stability compared to control FPU foam. The FPU/CWES composites' mechanical characteristics showed that the compressive and tensile strengths of the FPU/CWES 3% were increased to 17.85% and 15.78%, respectively, compared to the control FPU foam. At the same time, the elongation at break decreased with an increase in the CWES content. The piezoelectric coefficient (d33) for FPU/CWES 3% composites showed superior enhancement compared to other traditional piezoelectric materials and thus can be considered a promising piezoelectric element for medical ultrasonic transducer fabrication and ultrasonic non-destructive testing to detect defects in different solid materials. Furthermore, FPU/CWES composites displayed advantages over other piezoelectric materials, such as ceramics or polymers, including increased sensitivity, enhanced performance at low frequencies, and greater adaptability to irregular and curved surfaces. Additionally, their lightweight nature and low cost make them an attractive option for developing innovative and valuable piezoelectric devices. Therefore, utilizing FPU/CWES composites as a piezoelectric material holds tremendous potential for advancements in various fields, including wearable electronics and biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, NiAl 2 O 4 , and silver doped NiAl 2 O 4 were synthesized via a sol-gel approach and their composite with g-C 3 N 4 was successfully prepared via an ultrasonication approach. The characterization of as fabricated materials was carried out via various conventional techniques. Furthermore, the electrochemical behavior of the as-fabricated electrode materials was investigated via various electrochemical techniques. The results of electrochemical measurements were analyzed for all three prepared electrodes and Ag-NiAl 2 O 4 @g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite was found to be a more active electrode material than other prepared electrodes. Ag-NiAl 2 O 4 @g-C 3 N 4 showed specific capacitance of 768 Fg−1, 94.01% capacitance retention after 6000 CV cycles, 519 s discharge time, 0.51 Ω charge transfer resistance, 27 WhKg−1, and 187.28 WKg−1 energy and power densities respectively. Ag-NiAl 2 O 4 @g-C 3 N 4 can be considered a potential and propitious electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors. [Display omitted] • Ultrasonication approach was followed to synthesize Ag-NiAl 2 O4@g-C 3 N 4. • Crystallite size was found< 8 nm. • CV, GCD, and EIS were performed to check the capacitive behavior of as prepared electrodes. • Ag-NiAl 2 O4 @g-C 3 N 4 showed 768 Fg−1 specific capacitance. • 94.27% capacitance retention showed by the fabricated nanocomposite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most promising strategy for environmental preservation and wastewater treatment is to create semiconductor-based photocatalysts. Semiconducting photocatalysts have gained considerable attention for water treatment applications due to their excellent and notable efficiency. The present work is based on the fabrication of bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl), and silver-decorated bismuth oxychloride (Ag@BiOCl) by the facile co-precipitation method. The composite of silver-decorated bismuth oxychloride with graphitic carbon nitride sheets (Ag@BiOCl/g-C 3 N 4) was synthesized using an ultra-sonication approach. The as-fabricated samples were then characterized using different techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and UV–Visible spectroscopy. XRD confirmed the formation of as prepared samples while FESEM confirmed their flower-like morphology. FTIR and EDX were used respectively to confirm the functional groups and elemental composition of prepared photocatalysts. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and the Mott-Schottky experiment were performed to analyze the charge separation efficiency and recombination rate of photoreactive species. The optical band gap (E g) was measured using a UV–Visible spectrophotometer. The E g value of BiOCl and Ag@BiOCl are 3.38 eV and 2.93 eV respectively. Also, the fabricated photocatalysts were used for the photo-degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB), Crystal violet (CV), and phenol. The degradation efficiency of Ag@BiOCl/g-CN is high as compared to pristine BiOCl and Ag@BiOCl. The % degradation of RhB, CV, and phenol by Ag@BiOCl/g-CN are 92 %, 95.29 %, and 40.24 % respectively. The samples were also used as antimicrobial agents against K.Pneumoniae and S.aureus. Ag@BiOCl/g-CN composite demonstrated outstanding antibacterial efficacy against both positive and negative strains. Photocatalytic degradation mechanism of Rhodamine B by Ag@BiOCl/g-CN composite. [Display omitted] • BiOCl microflowers and Ag@BiOCl were successfully synthesized. • The fabricated samples were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and EDX. • Ag@BiOCl/g-CN is a competent photocatalyst for photocatalytic degradation of RhB, CV, and phenol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current report is based on the synthesis of Gd+3 doped V 2 O 5 nanostructures (GVO) along with fabrication of GVO/MXene binary nanocomposite. As synthesized GVO and GVO/MXene were characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction), FESEM (Field emission scanning electron microscopy), EDX (Energy dispersive X-ray), BET (Brunauer Emmett Teller technique) and UV–Visible spectroscopy. Diffraction and elemental analysis confirmed the substitution of Gd+3 ions in VO layers. Orthorhombic phase of VO was observed in both GVO and GVO/MXene samples with crystallite size range of 17.02–17.51 nm. FESEM analysis indicated asymmetrical VO particles and sheets distributed on MXene layers, giving out a sponge like appearance. Surface area of GVO and GVO/MXene was enhanced to 20.46 and 23.69 nm, respectively. Effect of Gd+3 contents was significant on optical properties, which reduced the band gap energy of VO to 2.33 eV. The photocatalytic performance of prepared samples was analysed by the degradation of Methylene blue (MB) under direct sunlight. Gd+3 ion doping was found useful to enhance degradation of MB up to ∼71%. Among all samples, GVO/MXene showed maximum degradation (∼92%) within 120 min. Meanwhile, GVO/MXene showed good recyclability for successive five cycles. In addition, GVO and GVO/MXene were effective antibacterial agents against Gram positive (S. aureus) and Gram negative (P. vulgaris) strains of bacteria. The results suggested that the GVO and GVO/MXene could serve as potential candidates for large scale treatment of organic pollutants and pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, efficient and selective sensor was successfully developed for the rapid, simultaneous detection and quantification of nitrophenol isomers i.e. o-nitrophenol and p-nitrophenol using L -cysteine functionalized Nd 2 O 3 /rGO nanocomposite. Structural and morphological properties of L -cysteine functionalized Nd 2 O 3 /rGO was studied by various advanced characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), UV–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis.), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray studies (EDX). The electrochemical features of the novel sensor were studied via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Whilst, square wave voltammetric mode was used to quantify environmentally harmful nitro phenolic contaminants i.e. o-NP and p-NP under optimized conditions. The developed sensor induced remarkable electrocatalytic activity and conductivity to the reduction of nitrophenol isomers with wide linear response range from 0.05 to 50 µM along with low detection limit of 0.01 µM and 0.02 µM for o-NP and p-NP respectively. Furthermore, the fabricated electrochemical sensor showed good selectivity over some likely interferents. The practical applicability of developed electrode material was also tested in tap water and satisfactory results were obtained. These results suggested that the developed protocol can also be used for ultrasensitive electrochemical determination of other toxic environmental pollutants in water samples. An efficient transducer for the trace level detection of nitrophenol isomers was developed using L -Cys/Nd2O3/rGO as a recognition layer. The developed sensor showed good stability and nice reproducibility for nitrophenol isomers detection in real water samples. [Display omitted] • L -Cysteine functionalized Nd 2 O 3 /rGO nanocomposite was synthesized. • Surface morphology of designed sensor was evaluated by SEM and EDX analysis. • Simultaneous detection of nitrophenol isomers was achieved by the senor with high selectivity. • The RSD% values of repeatability, reproducibility and stability was less than 2.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electroactive material with a porous structure, good electrical conductivity, hybrid composition, and a higher surface is considered more suitable for applications as an electrode in the energy storage device. Herein, we report the preparation of In 2 O 3 nanoparticles via a simple chemical route and their nanocomposites with 10% (IOG-10), 30% (IOG-30), 50% (IOG-50), 70% (IOG-70), and 100% G-100 graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) via ultra-sonication. The presence of GNPs in the nanocomposite samples was verified by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Raman, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results. The prepared samples were loaded onto the porous 3D nickel foam (NF) substrate to manufacture the working electrode for electrochemical testing. The cyclic voltammetry (CV), as well as galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), results proposed the IOG-30@NF as a suitable electrode for electrochemical applications. More precisely, the IOG-30@NF electrode shows a specific capacitance of 1768 Fg-1 at 1 Ag-1, which is considerably higher than that of either G-100@NF or In 2 O 3 @NF electrodes. Besides, the IOG-30@NF electrode shows good cyclic stability of 92.2% after 4000 GCD tests completed at 12 Ag-1. When increasing the current density value from 1 to 4, the IOG-30@NF electrode maintains a specific capability of 81%, ensuring its exceptional rate capability. The higher specific capacity, higher rate-performance, and better cyclic activity of the IOG-30@NF electrode can be ascribed to its hybrid-composition, nanoarchitecture In 2 O 3 , 3D but porous nickel foam substrate, appropriate graphene content, and interaction between In 2 O 3 nanoparticles and GNPs nanosheets. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An efficient sorbent was derived from the rice husk biomass. • Rice husk was functionalized to develop a porous architecture. • Sorbent shows excellent activity for Cd NPs removal. • Kinetics and thermodynamics of the sorption process was examined. This study describes a novel semi-synthetic sorbent for the sorption of cadmium nanoparticles (Cd-NPs) made from rice husks functionalized with nitric acid (NT-RH). Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis verified the NT-RH synthesis and Cd sorption at the NT-RH (Cd@NT-RH). The surface functionalities of NT-RH that contributed most to the sorption of Cd-NPs were discovered using FTIR analysis. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination shows that the acid-functionalized rice husk-based sorbent has a porous structure resembling a network with macro-sized voids. These voids practically vanish in the Cd@NT-RH, indicating their effective contribution to the sorbent's overall sorption activity. The elemental analysis further supports the PXRD and FTIR results and confirms the formation of NT-RH and its sorption potential for Cd-NPs. Furthermore, the effect of varied working temperatures, sorbent dosages, sorbent-sorbate contact period, and pH values on NT-RH sorption performance was investigated. Since the NT-RH's point of zero charge was determined to be 6.6, the sorbent's Cd-NPs elimination capacity was found to be highest at pH = 7, where a minimal quantity of competing (H+) and precipitating (OH–) ions is present. Cd sorption on NT-RH was better described by the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-2nd order kinetics model. Thermodynamic analysis of Cd sorption at NT-RH demonstrates that the sorption process is exothermic and occurs spontaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new AgO.CuO.WO 3 /rGO nanocomposite was designed for the investigation of the degradation ability of the hybrid material under visible light irradiation. The AgO, CuO, WO 3 NPs, and AgO.CuO.WO 3 hetero-metallic oxides were fabricated via the chemical co-precipitation method. The crystallite sizes and phase analyses were investigated by recording X-ray diffraction patterns. The crystallite sizes of three metal oxides in the AgO.CuO.WO 3 hetero metal oxide were 16.7, 15.9, and 16.9 nm, respectively. The FESEM images at various magnifications were probed to study the morphology of synthesized materials. The micrographs of hetero-metallic oxides AgO.CuO.WO 3 exposed that three metal oxides merged like small particles and gives a large bulbous appearance. EDX analyses confirmed the formation of required materials with high purity. FTIR data was in agreement with the literature which facilitated to ensure the purity of synthesized samples. The optical bandgap energy was calculated via the Tauc plot indicating that the blend of three metal oxides generated a new energy level in the electronic structure is suitable for photocatalysis in the presence of visible light. The bandgap energy of hetero metallic oxides was 1.25 eV which is less than individual metal oxides signifying the tuning of the bandgap. The incorporation of rGO in AgO.CuO.WO 3 hetero-metallic oxides gives a new photocatalyst for optimum photodegradation of methylene blue in minimum time. The percentage degradation via AgO.CuO.WO 3 was 87.20% in 70 min while the percentage degradation via AgO.CuO.WO 3 /rGO recorded by photocatalytic experiment was 95% in 40 min. The photocatalysis data revealed that AgO.CuO.WO 3 hetero-metallic oxides-rGO nanocomposite ensured a strong potential to uptake organic dyes from water by promoting redox reactions during photocatalysis in the minimum time limit. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NiO nanostructure was synthesized using a simple co-precipitation method and was embedded on reduced graphene oxide surface via ultrasonication. Structural investigations were made through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and functional groups were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD analysis revealed the grain size reduction with doping. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of metal-oxygen bond in pristine and doped NiO nanostructure as well as the presence of carbon containing groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the particle size decreased when NiO nanostructure was doped with copper. BET surface area was found to increase almost up to 43 m2/g for Cu doped NiO nanostructure/rGO composite. Current-voltage measurements were performed using two probe method. UV–Visible spectroscopic profiles showed the blue and red shift for Cu doped NiO nanostructure and Cu doped NiO Nanostructure/rGO composite respectively. Rate constant for Cu doped NiO nanostructure/rGO composite found to increase 4.4 times than pristine NiO nanostructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ZnO, WO 3 , binary composite WO 3 -ZnO and ternary WO 3 -ZnO@rGO nanocomposites were prepared. • The minimum bandgap was 2.62 eV for WO 3. • Maximum photocatalytic activity (i.e. > 90 %) was observed by rGO based composite. Novel graphene supported ternary nanocomposites (WO 3 -ZnO@rGO) were prepared via simple ultrasound assisted fabrication of WO 3 -ZnO binary nanostructures over 2D rGO nanosheets. Structural, morphological and elemental characterization of as-synthesized samples were carried out through X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Optical band gap analysis under UV–vis spectroscopy (UV–vis) revealed a decrement in the band gap energy value of WO 3 -ZnO@rGO ternary nanocomposites. Current-voltage (I–V) measurements evidenced the ohmic response of rGO supported WO 3 -ZnO nanocomposites as compared to bare samples. To evaluate the photocatalytic efficiency of WO 3 -ZnO@rGO nanocomposites in comparison to bare nanostructures, wastewater organic pollutant methylene blue (MB) dye was chosen as benchmark reaction. Results suggested that impregnation of WO 3 -ZnO over rGO sheets significantly improved the photocatalytic efficiency of WO 3 -ZnO@rGO with 94 % dye removal within 90 min under visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency is ascribed to synergistic effects originating at WO 3 -ZnO@rGO interfaces subsidizing high quantum yield and effective separation and transfer of photo induced electron-hole pairs. Moreover, WO 3 -ZnO@rGO also retained its remarkable dye degradation efficiency even after four recycling tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we have reported an effective, rapid as well as economical Er3+ substituted Ni 0.4 Co 0.6 Fe 2 O 4 ferrite nanoparticles synthesized via surfactant-assisted co-precipitation route. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dielectric properties, current-voltage (I–V) measurements, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). XRD and FTIR confirmed the face-centered (FCC) spinel structure of all compositions of the synthesized spinel ferrite nanoparticles. The deviations in the lattice constant granted with the variation in size of the guest (Er3+) and host (Fe3+) cations. These ferrites were also subjected for electrical, magnetic and dielectric investigations. I–V measurements showed that resistivity values decreased from 6.20 × 107 Ω cm to 0.03 × 107 Ω cm with the increased Er3+ contents. Saturation magnetization increased from 35.99 to 39.95 emu/g. This high value of saturation magnetization suggested the possible utilization of such ferrites for practical applications such as microwave and recording devices fabrication. Interestingly, the magnetic and dielectric properties of nickel-cobalt ferrite nanoparticles showed ample improvement upon Er3+ substitution. The results clearly indicate the potential of Er+3 substituted spinel ferrite particles in various advanced technological devices fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient electrochemical sensor of high sensitivity, selectivity, fast detection ability and good reproducibility was successfully developed for the simultaneous sensing of metal ions (Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+) using rGO/Ala/PANI nanocomposite via SWASV technique. • rGO-Alanine-PANI based sensor has been developed. • XRD, FTIR and SEM confirmed the aforementioned sensor composition and morphology. • Extremely low concentration such as 0.03 μg/L of metal ions could be detected. An efficient electrochemical sensor based on reduced graphene oxide decorated with alanine and polyaniline was developed for the real-time analysis of heavy metal ions (Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+). The morphological and structural analysis of as-synthesized nanocomposite was conducted via X-ray diff ;raction approach (XRD), UV/Visible analysis, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical characteristics of the electrode modifiers were examined through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) using standard potassium ferrocyanide as a redox probe. Various sensitivity influencing factors such as chemical and electrochemical parameters including pH effect, deposition potential, deposition time and effect of supporting medium were also determined to enhance the effectiveness of the designed sensor. The interference ability of the designed sensor was also studied in the presence of various inorganic and organic species. Proposed methodology endorsed the sensitive and robust analysis of the toxic metal ions with a remarkable low detection limit of 0.03 nM, 0.045 nM and 0.063 nM for Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ ions, in the linear range of 100 nM–0.08 nM respectively. The proposed method exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity towards Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ ions detection which can be attributed to the strong binding affinity of rGO/Ala/PANI nanocomposite with these target metal ions. These results suggested that this methodology can be applied for sensitive detection of other organic and inorganic pollutants in water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A multi metal based powder photocatalyst with high activity was prepared. • Crystalline structure was confirmed by XRD of prepared nanocrystallites. • I–V data confirmed the formation of heterojunction in the CdO-MgO-Fe 2 O 3. Multi metal based photocatalyst (CdO-MgO-Fe 2 O 3) was synthesized via wet chemical approach i.e. co-precipitation method. The single transition metal oxides like CdO, MgO and Fe 2 O 3 were also prepared for comparative studies. Structural elucidation of all prepared powder catalysts (CdO, MgO, Fe 2 O 3 and CdO-MgO-Fe 2 O 3) was conducted by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD showed the presence of the MgO (cubic) – Fe 2 O 3 (rhombohedral)– CdO (cubic) phase with an average crystallite size of MgO (9 nm), Fe 2 O 3 (12 nm), CdO (23 nm). FTIR proved the existence of Mg–O, Fe 2 -O 3 and Cd-O by distinctive vibrational bands at 772 cm−1, 581 cm−1 and 480 cm−1 respectively. UV–vis spectral studies showed that the bandgap for CdO-MgO-Fe 2 O 3 nanocomposite was 1.76 eV which made it an efficient photocatalyst for use both in the UV and visible regions. Two probe I–V measurements confirmed the pure semiconducting behavior and possible formation of heterojunction in the CdO-MgO-Fe 2 O 3 nanocomposite. The photocatalytic performance of the CdO-MgO-Fe 2 O 3 nanocomposite with equal metal ion concentration of Mg, Fe and Cd at different pH values was explored by visible light illumination on methylene blue (MB) dye as a standard organic pollutant. The CdO-MgO-Fe 2 O 3 nanocomposite with metal ion ratio 1:1:1 in an alkaline medium showed the maximum photocatalytic performance. The rate constant (k MB) value for the degradation of MB was ∼ 0.0820 min−1. The photocatalytic activity has been improved due to the effective decrease in the recombination rate of charge carriers. The possible mechanism for improvement of the photocatalytic performance using visible light illumination has also been suggested and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MnO 2 is found in different crystal phases and morphologies depending upon the linkage of basic octahedral units [MnO 6 ]. Here in this article, the MnO 2 nanoparticles with pure α-phase, mixed α + β-phase and β-phase were prepared via wet redox method. Structural analysis of all prepared MnO 2 based nanoparticles was done using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic studies. XRD analysis revealed the phase transformation from α to β phase of MnO 2 as a function of dopant. XRD data was also used to determine other structural parameters, crystallite size etc. The crystallite size was found <20 nm. UV–visible spectroscopy revealed that Al doped MnO 2 showed better absorption than all other compositions towards visible region. The optical bandgap was calculated using Tauc plot from UV/Visible spectra of aqueous dispersions of MnO 2 nanoparticles. The range of optical bandgap was found 2.06–2.52 eV. Effect of doing and co-doping on structural, optical and electrical parameters of MnO 2 has been investigated and discussed. The DC electrical properties were studied using two probe technique and a significant effect of dopants has been observed on the electrical properties. The potential application (photocatalytic) studies of the undoped MnO 2 and Al-doped MnO 2 were also investigated. Methylene blue was used as typical organic compound. The Al-doped MnO 2 nanoparticles exhibited the better photocatalytic efficiency as compared to pure MnO 2 nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• NiFe 2 O 4 was successfully synthesized via co-precipitation route. • Various physio-chemical techniques were employed to characterize the prepared samples. • The prepared photocatalysts were used for the degradation of pendimethalin under sunlight. • rGO based nanocomposite showed maximum degradation efficiency. • Gd doping and insertion of rGO sheets help to enhance the photo-degradation ability of nickel ferrite. NiFe 2 O 4 (F-1) and rare earth metal (Gd) doped NiFe 2 O 4 (F-2) were prepared via a co-precipitation approach. Gd-NiFe 2 O 4 @rGO (F-3) was prepared via an ultrasonication route for the degradation of pendimethalin under sunlight. The structural confirmation of as-fabricated samples was done via XRD. The Tauc plot of F-1 showed a bandgap energy of 2.79 eV and F-2 exhibited a bandgap energy of 2.63 eV. The optical band gap was lowered due to the presence of rare-earth metal ions. NiFe 2 O 4 and Gd-NiFe 2 O 4 showed 48.88 %, and 61.11 % degradation of pendimethalin. Gd-NiFe 2 O 4 @rGO nanocomposite showed the highest degradation efficiency. It exhibited 84.44 % degradation of pendimethalin in 140 min at the rate of 0.01 min−1. The reason for the greater activity is due to the insertion of rare earth (Gd) ions and rGO sheets in the nickel ferrite. The doping with rare earth metal ions lowers the recombination of electrons and holes which was further supported by the addition of carbonaceous material. The surface area of the nickel ferrite was improved by rGO sheets and in turn more active sites were formed on the surface of the catalyst which fastens the rate of reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-toxicity, high photo stability, biocompatibility and long lasting narrow emissions are some prime factors for an efficient biological marker. Unfortunately, commercial dyes and Cd-based fluorescent probes do not have such characteristics. Therefore, an efficient fluorescent probe is extremely desirable. Herein, functionalized ZnO quantum dots (QDs) and their nanohybrids with polyethylene glycol (PEG) were prepared by a room temperature solution growth tactic using 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane (3-ICPTES) as a coupling agent. Isocyanato functional groups were hosted on the surface of as prepared ZnO QDs by introducing optimized stoichiometric amounts of 3-ICPTES. The ZnO QDs were further bonded covalently to PEG via urethane linkages by the reaction of isocyanato functionalized ZnO QDs and hydroxyl groups from PEG molecules. The fluorescence was tuned from cyan to yellowish color after the functionalization of ZnO QDs with 3-ICPTES. Moreover, PEGylated nanohybrids showed greater water dispensability with photoluminescence preserved for at least six months. The present synthesis and coupling strategy for QDs may open up new ways to achieve biocompatible nanohybrids with higher stability and efficient luminescence for bio-imaging and biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium aluminate (MgAl 2 O 4 , MAO) and silver doped magnesium aluminate (Ag–MgAl 2 O 4 , Ag-MAO) nanomaterials were fabricated using the co-precipitation technique. For the photo-catalytically degrading organic effluents such as crystal violet (CV) and phenol, the reduced graphene oxide composite (Ag–MgAl 2 O 4 @rGO, Ag-MAO@rGO) was prepared using the ultrasonication method. The formation of doped and bare MgAl 2 O 4 was verified by XRD. Functional groups in synthesized photocatalysts were identified using the FTIR method. SEM analysis was used to look at the morphology. A UV–Visible spectrophotometer was used to perform the optical analysis. The bandgap energies for MAO and Ag-MAO were 2.55 eV and 2.40 eV respectively. Under the sunlight, the photocatalytic effectiveness of the prepared samples was examined. Ag-MAO@rGO displayed 81.89% degradation of CV and 40.51% degradation of phenol in the presence of sunlight. The principal photoactive species in case of the photocatalytic experiment are hydroxyl radicals. ● Novel Ag- MgAl2O4, Ag- MgAl2O4@rGO nanoparticles were synthesized employing coprecipitation method. ● The Ag- MgAl2O4 and Ag- MgAl2O4@rGO nanocomposites prepared possesses higher values in Mott Schottky experiments than the bare sample. ● Ag- MgAl2O4@rGO particles showed a synergistic impact of photocatalytic activity for the cleaning of organic contaminants by degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rGO-supported C@Nd 2 O 3 photocatalyst was designed and fabricated via a facile chemical approach, and ultrasound radiations, aiming to enhance the photocatalytic performance of a novel composite. Crystal structure, surface morphology, and chemical composition of as-synthesized samples were carried out through analytical techniques like UV, XRD, FT-IR, and FESEM. Physical investigation confirms the synthesis of nano-sized material formation. Methylene blue (MB) dye, an organic waste contaminant, in water under UV/simulated solar illumination was used as the benchmark reaction to assess the photocatalytic performance of C@Nd 2 O 3 /rGO. The synergism of ternary composite C@Nd 2 O 3 /rGO exhibited greater photocatalytic activity than C@Nd 2 O 3. The photocatalytic efficiency of C@Nd 2 O 3 /rGO was found to be greatly increased by the impregnation of C@Nd 2 O 3 over rGO sheets, as evidenced by the elimination of 90.93% of the dye under 60 min exposure to UV light. Eventually, the mechanism and pathway for methylene blue dye degradation by UV photocatalysis over C@Nd 2 O 3 /rGO composite was also proposed. Major oxidative species involved in the photocatalytic degradation of MB dye include superoxide radicals (O 2 −•), hydroxyl radicals (HO•), and holes (h+). The increased photocatalytic activity may be attributed to the creation of heterojunction, high charge separation and low recombination rate of photoinduced e− - h+ couples. It was established from obtained results that hydroxyl radicals generated in C@Nd 2 O 3 /rGO composite play a major role during photocatalysis. In photochemical applications, the synthesized photocatalyst is anticipated to be a promising material system. • rGO supported C@Nd 2 O 3 photocatalyst was designed and prepared via facile route. • Prepared catalyst was characterized by XRD, FTIR and SEM. • Impregnation of C@Nd 2 O 3 over rGO sheets showed of >90% dye degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, ZnO and NiFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles are synthesized via co-precipitation method. ZnO/NiFe 2 O 4 and composite with reduced graphene oxide (ZnO/NiFe 2 O 4 @rGO) is synthesized via ultra-sonication method. Reduced graphene oxide is used because of its excellent behaviour in photocatalysis such as high stability, huge surface area and rapid transfer of electrons. The physicochemical properties of synthesized nanoparticles are studied using X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), Field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopic method (FT-IR) and UV–Visible spectroscopic analysis. Electrochemical measurements are also done to investigate electrical properties of synthesized samples. Photo-degradation efficiency of fabricated photocatalysts was studied using crystal violet as coloured and phenol as colourless dye. When similar conditions are applied, these synthesized nanoparticles degrade 80.5% crystal violet and 42% phenol in 140 min in sunlight. Combination of ZnO and NiFe 2 O 4 boost separation of charges and also diminishes the chances of recombination of charge carrier species, which as a result enhance photocatalytic activity. Photocatalytic activity of ZnO/NiFe 2 O 4 @rGO is greater than bare ZnO and NiFe 2 O 4. Due to magnetic nature of nickel ferrite, sample is not agglomerated and it can be recycled easily. It is observed that ZnO/NiFe 2 O 4 @rGO is used as a potential photocatalyst in treatment of polluted water. • ZnO/NiFe 2 O 4 heterojunction and composite with rGO were synthesized by facile routes. • ZnO/NiFe 2 O 4 @rGO have degraded 80.5% crystal violet and 42% phenol, respectively. • Hetreojunction and its composite with rGO were characterised by XRD, FTIR, FESEM etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of organic contamination in water, unfavorable microbial growth on food products and antibiotic resistance against human pathogenic microbes has piqued interest around the world. The goal of this research is to see how effective green 2D Simonkolleite/Zinc based nanostructures (SM-Zn NS) against various human pathogenic (bacterial and fungal strains) and their photo degradation activity. Fine 2D Nanosheets of SM-Zn NS were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). X-ray diffraction validated the crystalline structure of SM-Zn NS. The disc diffusion method was used to demonstrate the bactericidal effect of SM-Zn NS. On various bacterial strains, including Microcuccus luteus (Ml), Basilus subtilis (Bs), Staph aureus (Ba), Basilus pumilus (Bp), E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa), Staph epidermidis, and Bordetetella bronchiseptica (Bb) , at different concentrations of SM-Zn NS (10 μg/mL, 20 μg/mL) and standard drug (Ciprofloxacin 1 mg/mlL). The antifungal activity of SM-Zn NS was demonstrated using the disc diffusion method. Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, and Candida albican were tested using a single concentration of SM-Zn NS 20 μg/mL and the standard drug (Terbisil) 1 mg/ml. The results showed that green SM-Zn NS have significant and higher bactericidal as well as fungicidal effects against various human pathogens. Excess Cl− concentration responsible for formation of new defect energy level due to oxygen vacancies and the formation of the heterojunction between valance band and conduction band increased the photocatalytic properties of SM-Zn NS by reducing band gap which resulted in higher photocatalytic degradation efficiency. According to the findings, green SM-Zn NS can be used effectively in environmental remediation applications, as well as can effectively address the future medical concerns. [Display omitted] • Fine 2D Nanosheets of Simonkolleite/Zinc (SM-Zn NS) based nanostructure was fabricated using one-step green method. • Green SM-Zn NS has significant and higher bactericidal as well as fungicidal effects against various human pathogens. • Excess Cl− concentration was responsible for the formation of new defect energy level (heterojunction) due to oxygen vacancies. • Superior degradation and fast reaction kinetics demonstrated that SM-Zn NS has potential for environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, a new and simple method is described that does not use an autoclave to synthesize copper indium gallium diselenide (CuIn0.5Ga0.5Se2) particles from the constituent elements. The process also does not require a post-synthesis selenization step. A solvo-thermal route is followed in which the constituent element powders are dissolved and made to react in a solvent such as ethylenediamine (ED), or triethylenetetramine (TETA). Crystal structure, morphology, composition, and particle size distribution of prepared particles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and dynamic light scattering (DLS), respectively. The band gap energies of the prepared particles were determined using an UV–VIS–NIR spectrophotometer. The results indicate that the solvent temperature and the synthesis time significantly affect the formation of single-phase CuIn0.5Ga0.5Se2 and the crystallinity of the particles. Further, the measured band gap energy for the prepared particles is close to that of the bulk material. For example, the single-phase plate-like CuIn0.5Ga0.5Se2 particles with an average particle size of 413.9nm which can be successfully synthesized at a temperature of 250°C in 15h, have a band gap energy of 1.15eV. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ce-doped spinel nickel ferrite nanoparticles decorated onto the reduced graphene oxide sheets exhibited the excellent visible light driven photocatalytic activity. • NiCe y Fe 2-y O 4 /rGO nanocomposite exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity and stability. • The degradation of organic pollutants by catalyst was confirmed by multiple techniques. • The large surface area and magnetic nature of the catalyst suggested the commercial applications of prepared photocatalyst. In the current investigation, graphene (rGO)-supported cerium substituted nickel ferrite (NiCe y Fe 2-y O 4 y = 0.05) photocatalyst was prepared via two-step wet chemical approach. The resulting NiCe y Fe 2-y O 4 /rGO nanocomposite exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance and stability. Moreover, the photocatalytic activity of NiCe y Fe 2-y O 4 /rGO nanocomposite was also investigated comparatively with NiCe y Fe 2-y O 4 nanoparticles. As compared to the NiCe y Fe 2-y O 4 nanoparticles, NiCe y Fe 2-y O 4 /rGO nanocomposite showed superior photocatalytic efficiency and recycling stability for MB degradation, which is two times that of bare NiCe y Fe 2-y O 4 nanoparticles. After visible light irradiation for 70 min, 94.67 % of MB dye was removed by NiCe y Fe 2-y O 4 /rGO nanocomposite whereas only 50 % of MB dye was removed by NiCe y Fe 2-y O 4 nanoparticles. The increase in photocatalytic performance is mainly ascribed to formation of NiCe y Fe 2-y O 4 /rGO heterojunction which not only assist in separation of photo-induced charge carriers, but also sustain a strong redox ability. Moreover, the photo-corrosion of NiCe 0.05 Fe 1.95 O 4 nanoparticles is inhibited through transfer of photo-induced electrons of NiCe 0.05 Fe 1.95 O 4 nanoparticles to rGO. A possible photo-degradation mechanism based on reactive species trapping experiments has been proposed. The effect of various factors like pH, temperature and catalyst dosage has also been explored. Facile synthesis method, excellent photocatalytic performance for organic pollutants and superior reusability suggest that NiCe y Fe 2-y O 4 /rGO photocatalyst possesses high potential for large-scale pollutant treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, NiSe 2 nanocubes, ZnO rods, and their composites were prepared by simple chemical methods to investigate their photocatalytic response and antibacterial activity. The optimal concentration of NiSe 2 nanocubes was explored for enhanced photocatalytic performance by varying its percentage in the NiSe 2 -ZnO composites. The findings suggested that the optical response of ZnO was significantly improved and shifted towards visible region by incorporating NiSe 2 as a co-catalyst. The photocatalytic properties of NiSe 2 , ZnO, and NiSe 2 -ZnO composites were assessed under visible light by using methylene blue (MB) as a model pollutant. The results showed that the optimized composite containing 75% NiSe 2 with ZnO exhibited outstanding photocatalytic efficiency of 97%. The degradation of MB dye by NiSe 2 , ZnO, and their composites followed the pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics (Langmuir-Hinshelwood model). Furthermore, the prepared NiSe 2 -ZnO composite displayed exceptional reusability and stability over a number of cycles, demonstrating its practical applicability. This research presents unique findings, showcasing the comparative antibacterial performance of NiSe 2 , ZnO, and NiSe 2 -ZnO nanocomposites against Bacillus cereus ( B. cereus ). Of all the prepared photocatalysts, the 75% NiSe 2 -ZnO nanocomposite revealed the best performance, exhibiting an inhibition zone of 28 mm., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

In the current study, CuO, ZnCo 2 O 4 , CuO/ZnCo 2 O 4 , and CuO/ZnCo 2 O 4 /CNTs photocatalysts were prepared to remove crystal violet (CV) and colorless pollutants (diclofenac sodium and phenol) from wastewater. Herein, sol-gel and co-precipitation methods were used to synthesize CuO and ZnCo 2 O 4 , respectively. The sonication method was used to synthesize CuO/ZnCo 2 O 4 and a CNTs-based composite (CuO/ZnCo 2 O 4 /CNTs). From the UV-Vis spectra of CuO, ZnCo 2 O 4 , CuO/ZnCo 2 O 4 , and CuO/ZnCo 2 O 4 /CNTs, the optical band gap value was calculated to be 2.11, 2.18, 1.71 and 1.63 eV respectively. The photocatalytic results revealed that CuO/ZnCo 2 O 4 /CNTs exhibited higher degradation of 87.7% against CV dye, 82% against diclofenac sodium, and 72% against phenol as compared to other prepared photocatalysts. The OH˙ radical is identified as the active species in the photocatalytic process over CuO/ZnCo 2 O 4 /CNTs. The impact of several parameters, such as pH, concentration, and catalyst dosage, has also been investigated. The better activity of the CNTs-based composite was due to the synergic effect of both CuO/ZnCo 2 O 4 nanocomposite and carbon nanotubes. Therefore, the synthesized CuO/ZnCo 2 O 4 /CNTs photocatalyst has the potential to degrade organic wastewater effluents effectively., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

This study explores the use of sugarcane bagasse (SCB), a byproduct of sugarcane processing, as a bio-filler in the production of flexible polyurethane foam (FPU), focusing on its benefits for both the environment and the economy. By varying the inclusion of SCB waste from 1 to 6 wt%, the research aims to enhance the FPU's mechanical and acoustic characteristics. Techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were utilized to analyze the chemical structure and surface characteristics of both SCB and the FPU/SCB composites. Additionally, tests on gel fraction, density, and mechanical properties were conducted. The results indicate that adding 4 wt% SCB to FPU considerably improved the foam's properties. This modification resulted in a 148.63% increase in apparent density, a 228.47% rise in compressive strength, and a 116.24% boost in tensile strength. Furthermore, sound absorption across various frequency ranges was enhanced compared to the control foam. Additionally, the findings show that SCB effectively shifts sound absorption characteristics to lower frequencies. Specifically, at a low frequency of 500 Hz, the sound absorption coefficient increased to 0.4 with a foam thickness of 20 mm. This demonstrates that SCB can significantly improve FPU's performance, making it an attractive option for applications requiring noise mitigation, such as in the automotive and construction industries, thereby offering a sustainable solution to waste management and materials innovation., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Designing innovative microstructures and implementing efficient multicomponent strategies are still challenging to achieve high-performance and chemo-mechanically stable electrode materials. Herein, a hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) graphene oxide (GO) assisted Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene aerogel foam (MXene-GAF) impregnated with battery-type bimetallic nickel vanadium selenide (NiVSe) has been prepared through a hydrothermal method followed by freeze-drying (denoted as NiVSe-MXene-GAF). 3D-oriented cellular pore networks benefit the energy storage process through the effective lodging of NiVSe particles, improving the access of the electrolyte to the active sites, and alleviating volume changes during redox reactions. The 3D MXene-GAF conductive matrix and heterostructured interface of MXene-rGO and NiVSe facilitated the rapid transport of electrical charges and ions during the charge-discharge process. As a result of the synergism of these effects, NiVSe-MXene-GAF exhibited remarkable electrochemical performance with a specific capacity of 305.8 mA h g -1 at 1 A g -1 and 99.2% initial coulombic efficiency. The NiVSe-MXene-GAF electrode delivered a specific capacity of 235.1 mA h g -1 even at a high current density of 12 A g -1 with a 76.8% rate performance. The impedance measurements indicated a low bulk solution resistance ( R s = 0.71 Ω) for NiVSe-MXene-GAF. Furthermore, the structural robustness of NiVSe-MXene-GAF guaranteed long-term stability with a 91.7% capacity retention for successive 7000 cycles. Thus, developing NiVSe-MXene-GAF provides a progressive strategy for fabricating high-performance 3D heterostructured electrode materials for energy storage applications.

This study explores the iodine and nickel-doped cobalt hydroxide (I & Ni-co-doped-Co(OH) 2 ) as a potential material for energy storage and conversion applications owing to its excellent electrochemical characteristics. According to our analysis, it was revealed that this material exhibits pseudocapacitive-like behavior, as evident from distinct redox peaks observed in cyclic voltammetry, which confirms its ability to store charges. The diffusion coefficient analysis reveals that this material possesses conductivity and rapid diffusion kinetics, making it particularly advantageous compared to materials synthesized in previous studies. Charge-discharge measurements were performed to analyze the charge storage capacity and stability of this material after 3000 consecutive cycles, showing its excellent stability with minimum loss of capacitance. Furthermore, its anodic and cathodic linear sweep voltammetry curves were measured to evaluate its oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reaction performance. The results showed that the material exhibited an excellent water splitting performance, which suggests its potential practical application for hydrogen production. This increased activity was attributed to the doping of α-Co(OH) 2 , which improved its structural stability, electrical conductivity, and charge transfer efficiency. Thus, I & Ni-co-doped-Co(OH) 2 possesses enhanced properties that make it an excellent material for both energy storage and hydrogen generation applications., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Exploring new strategies to design non-precious and efficient electrocatalysts can provide a solution for sluggish electrocatalytic kinetics and sustainable hydrogen energy. Transition metal selenides are potential contenders for bifunctional electrocatalysis owing to their unique layered structure, low band gap, and high intrinsic activities. However, insufficient access to active sites, lethargic water dissociation, and structural degradation of active materials during electrochemical reactions limit their activities, especially in alkaline media. In this article, we report a useful strategy to assemble vanadium diselenide (VSe 2 ) into a 3D MXene/rGO-based sponge-like architecture (VSe 2 @G/MXe) using hydrothermal and freeze-drying approaches. The 3D hierarchical meso/macro-pore rich sponge-like morphology not only prevents aggregation of VSe 2 nanosheets but also offers a kinetics-favorable framework and high robustness to the electrocatalyst. Synergistic coupling of VSe 2 and a MXene/rGO matrix yields a heterostructure with a large specific surface area, high conductivity, and multi-dimensional anisotropic pore channels for uninterrupted mass transport and gas diffusion. Consequently, VSe 2 @G/MXe presented superior electrochemical activity for both the HER and OER compared to its counterparts (VSe 2 and VSe 2 @G), in alkaline media. The overpotentials required to reach a cathodic and anodic current density of 10 mA cm -2 were 153 mV (Tafel slope = 84 mV dec -1 ) and 241 mV (Tafel slope = 87 mV dec -1 ), respectively. The R ct values at the open circuit voltage were as low as 9.1 Ω and 1.41 Ω for the HER and OER activity, respectively. Importantly, VSe 2 @G/MXe withstands a steady current output for a long 24 h operating time. Hence, this work presents a rational design for 3D microstructures with optimum characteristics for efficient bifunctional alkaline water-splitting.

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were surface functionalized using four distinct chemical moieties (amidoxime, hydrazone, ethylenediamine (EDA), and diethylenetriamine (DETA)), producing modified HNTs (H1-H4) capable of binding with Cr(vi) ions. Advanced techniques like FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX provided evidence of the successful functionalization of these HNTs. Notably, the functionalization occurred on the surface of HNTs, rather than within the interlayer or lumen. These decorated HNTs were effective in capturing Cr(vi) ions at optimized sorption parameters, with adsorption rates ranging between 58-94%, as confirmed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The mechanism of adsorption was further scrutinized through the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. Langmuir isotherms revealed the nearest fit to the data suggesting the monolayer adsorption of Cr(vi) ions onto the nanotubes, indicating a favorable adsorption process. It was hypothesized that Cr(vi) ions are primarily attracted to the amine groups on the modified nanotubes. Quantum chemical calculations further revealed that HNTs functionalized with hydrazone structures (H2) demonstrated a higher affinity (interaction energy -26.33 kcal mol -1 ) for the Cr(vi) ions. This can be explained by the formation of stronger hydrogen bonds with the NH moieties of the hydrazone moiety, than those established by the OH of oxime (H1) and longer amine chains (H3 and H4), respectively. Overall, the findings suggest that these decorated HNTs could serve as an effective and cost-efficient solution for treating water pollution., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

In this work, we studied the effect of iron (Fe) and vanadium (V) co-doping (Fe/V), and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) on the performance of tungsten oxide (WO 3 ) based electrodes for supercapacitor applications. The lone pair of electrons on nitrogen can improve the surface polarity of the g-C 3 N 4 electrode material, which may results in multiple binding sites on the surface of electrode for interaction with electrolyte ions. As electrolyte ions interact with g-C 3 N 4 , they quickly become entangled with FeV-WO 3 nanostructures, and the contact between the electrolyte and the working electrode is strengthened. Herein, FeV-WO 3 @g-C 3 N 4 is fabricated by a wet chemical approach along with pure WO 3 and FeV-WO 3 . All of the prepared samples i.e. , WO 3 , FeV-WO 3 , and FeV-WO 3 @g-C 3 N 4 were characterized by XRD, FTIR, EDS, FESEM, XPS, Raman, and BET techniques. Electrochemical performance is evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanic charge/discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It is concluded from electrochemical studies that FeV-WO 3 @g-C 3 N 4 exhibits the highest electrochemical performance with specific capacitance of 1033.68 F g -1 at scan rate 5 mV s -1 in the potential window range from -0.8 to 0.25 V, that is greater than that for WO 3 (422.76 F g -1 ) and FeV-WO 3 (669.76 F g -1 ). FeV-WO 3 @g-C 3 N 4 has the highest discharge time (867 s) that shows it has greater storage capacity, and its coulombic efficiency is 96.7%, which is greater than that for WO 3 (80.1%) and FeV-WO 3 (92.1%), respectively. Furthermore, excellent stability up to 2000 cycles is observed in FeV-WO 3 @g-C 3 N 4 . It is revealed from EIS measurements that equivalent series resistance and charge transfer values calculated for FeV-WO 3 @g-C 3 N 4 are 1.82 Ω and 0.65 Ω, respectively., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

A case-control study was conducted to determine the quality of life, frequency of anxiety symptoms, depression and stress among pregnant women with previous adverse antenatal record. Forty-five patients who presented at the Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital Rahim Yar Khan with adverse pregnancy outcome in the previous pregnancy and 45 patients who had normal live birth in the last pregnancy were evaluated to assess the impact of previous experience with anxiety, depression, stress and quality of life (QOL) during the subsequent pregnancy. The study was conducted between October 2018 and April 2019. Depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS) 21 was used to determine the anxiety, depression and stress. To determine the quality of life, Quality of life scale (QOL) consisting of 16 questions was used. It was revealed that the study group patients had higher illiteracy rate 6 (13.3%) as compared to the control group 0 (0.00%). Rate of previous planned pregnancy was lower in the study group 6 (13.3%) as against 15 (33.3%) among controls. Anxiety, depression and stress score was also significantly higher among the study group as compared to the control group. The study showed that women who had previous adverse antenatal record have poor quality of life, and higher degree of anxiety, depression and stress in subsequent pregnancy as compared to those who had normal live birth in the previous pregnancy. Previous pregnancy outcome should be considered along with other psychological variables to develop the conceptual model of anxiety and depression during pregnancy.