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In this study, a hybrid organic‐inorganic field‐effect transistor (FET) is proposed with n‐type zinc‐tin oxide (ZTO) and p‐type dinaphtho[2,3‐b:2′,3′‐f] thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (DNTT), presenting two applications: (1) random number generator (RNG) and (2) spiking neuron. Interface challenges lead to operational instabilities such as bias stress and hysteresis due to trap site formation from oxide surface hydroxyl groups. However, these trap sites are utilized to produce unstable noise for RNG. Also, the impact of an internal interlayer is explored to mitigate instability in the negative transconductance (NTC) effect. This interlayer enhances material compatibility, improving turn‐on voltage, on‐off current ratio, and reducing hysteresis in the FET. These improvements highlight and maximize the robustness of NTC characteristics. Utilizing this behavior, a spiking neuron is demonstrated that emulates neuronal spiking and generates neuronal spike signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm) and C. michiganensis subsp. capsici (Cmc) are phytopathogenic bacteria that cause bacterial canker disease in tomatoes and peppers, respectively. Bacterial canker disease poses serious challenges to solanaceous crops, causing significant yield losses and economic costs. Effective management necessitates the development of sustainable control strategies employing nanobiotechnology. In this study, the antibacterial effects of four Aspergillus sojae -mediated nanoformulations, including cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co 3 O 4 NPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CoFe 2 O 4 NPs), and CoFe 2 O 4 /functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (fMWCNT) bionanocomposite, were evaluated against Cmm and Cmc. The diameters of the zone of inhibition of A. sojae -mediated Co 3 O 4 NPs, ZnO NPs, CoFe 2 O 4 NPs, and CoFe 2 O 4 /fMWCNT bionanocomposite against Cmm and Cmc were 23.60 mm, 22.09 mm, 27.65 mm, 22.51 mm, and 19.33 mm, 17.66 mm, 21.64 mm, 18.77 mm, respectively. The broth microdilution assay was conducted to determine the minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations. The MICs of Co 3 O 4 NPs, ZnO NPs, CoFe 2 O 4 NPs, and CoFe 2 O 4 /fMWCNT bionanocomposite against Cmm were 2.50 mg/mL, 1.25 mg/mL, 2.50 mg/mL, and 2.50 mg/mL, respectively. While, their respective MBCs against Cmm were 5.00 mg/mL, 2.50 mg/mL, 5.00 mg/mL, and 5.00 mg/mL. The respective MICs of Co 3 O 4 NPs, ZnO NPs, CoFe 2 O 4 NPs, and CoFe 2 O 4 /fMWCNT bionanocomposite against Cmc were 2.50 mg/mL, 1.25 mg/mL, 5.00 mg/mL, and 5.00 mg/mL. While, their respective MBCs against Cmc were 5.00 mg/mL, 2.50 mg/mL, 10.00 mg/mL, and 10.00 mg/mL. The morphological and ultrastructural changes of Cmm and Cmc cells were observed using field-emission scanning and transmission electron microscopy before and after treatment with sub-minimal inhibitory concentrations of the nanoformulations. Nanoformulation-treated bacterial cells became deformed and disrupted, displaying pits, deep cavities, and groove-like structures. The cell membrane detached from the bacterial cell wall, electron-dense particles accumulated in the cytoplasm, cellular components disintegrated, and the cells were lysed. Direct physical interactions between the prepared nanoformulations with Cmm and Cmc cells might be the major mechanism for their antibacterial potency. Further research is required for the in vivo application of the mycosynthesized nanoformulations as countermeasures to combat bacterial phytopathogens. [Display omitted] • A. sojae -mediated nanoformulations exhibited significant antibacterial potential against phytopathogens. • Assessment of morphological and ultrastructural changes using FESEM and TEM. • Elucidation of plausible antibacterial mechanism of A. sojae -mediated nanoformulations. • Mycosynthesis of nanoformulations is a green approach for plant disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface hydroxyls (OH) are crucial for heterogeneous catalysis in water. However, they are commonly characterized at solid–gas interfaces (e.g., FTIR, XPS, TGA), which may not represent the surface in aqueous environments. Here, the surface OH of five catalytically relevant oxides (Al2O3, ZrO2, TiO2, Fe2O3, Co3O4) are quantified by substituting them with F− ions at pH 3–10, where the surface fluoride (F) density is evaluated by XPS using the geometry factor for spherical particles. These results show that the surface F density peaks at around pH 4 across all oxides, but decreases at more basic pH due to increased OH− competition. Generally, oxides more abundant in surface OH can also accommodate more surface F, establishing F− ions as effective probes. While terminal F are likely the preferential substitution product, bridging F also appear to form at lower pH levels. Furthermore, fluoride substitution is applied to a series of Co3O4 gradually enriched with defects using pulsed laser defect engineering in liquid (PUDEL). This approach reveals a linear correlation between laser processing and surface OH density, which aligns with a previously observed improvement in OER activity, and is supported by additional DFT calculations here. This work will stimulate further studies adopting fluoride substitution to better understand the relationship between surface chemistry and catalytic processes in aqueous environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas sensors based on ZnO nanocomposites have been widely investigated for the detection of various gases. However, few studies have reported electrospun ZnO for NOx gases, especially NO (nitrogen monoxide), due to its high tendency for oxidation upon contact with air. The development of gas sensors that operate at temperatures below 300°C is challenging for metal oxide gas sensors, as decreasing the temperature can lead to lack of sensitivity and very long recovery times. In this study, the operating temperature was improved to 200°C while achieving a high response to a low concentration of 0.5 ppm gas, with recovery times of 572s and 105s for NO and NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), respectively. Detecting NO and NO2 at low ppm and ppb levels is a major demand and challenge for the development of metal oxide-based gas sensors, especially for health monitoring portable sensors. This study focuses on the design and performance of a NOx gas sensor based on ZnO nanofibrous material with precise structural optimization. The study optimizes the precursor for electrospinning without using any additives. The sensing materials proportion were optimized by changing the ratio of ZnAc:PVA in the precursor of electrospinning solution. Choosing ZnAc:PVA = 1.5 as the optimum precursor for synthesizing ZnO nanofibers resulted in the highest response of 27 and 16 (Ohm/Ohm) for 0.5 ppm NO and NO2, respectively, at 200°C and relative humidity of 50%. Additionally, reproducible sensors were developed, which is crucial for mass production. This remarkable sensitivity in low concentration indicates that the design of material structure and the control of zinc acetate amount in the electrospun solution has great practical applications to detect both gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reverse water–gas shift chemical looping (RWGS-CL) process that utilizes redox reactions of metal oxides is promising for converting CO2 to CO at low temperatures. Metal oxides with perovskite structures, particularly, perovskite LaCoO3 are promising frameworks for designing RWGS-CL materials as they can often release oxygen atoms topotactically to form oxygen vacancies. In this study, solid solutions of perovskite LaCo1−xAlxO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), which exhibited high CO production capability and thermal stability under the RWGS-CL process, were developed. Al-substituted LaCo0.5Al0.5O3 (x = 0.5) exhibited a 4.1 times higher CO production rate (2.97 × 10−4 CO mol g−1 min−1) than that of LaCoO3 (x = 0; 0.73 × 10−4 CO mol g−1 min−1). Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy studies suggested that an increase in CO2 adsorption sites produced by the coexistence of Al and Co was responsible for the enhancement of CO production rate. Furthermore, LaCo0.5Al0.5O3 maintained its perovskite structure during the RWGS-CL process at 500 °C without significant decomposition, whereas LaCoO3 decomposed into La2O3 and Co0. In situ X-ray diffraction study revealed that the high thermal stability was attributed to the suppression of phase transition into a brownmillerite structure with ordered oxygen vacancies. These findings provide a critical design approach for the industrial application of perovskite oxides in the RWGS-CL processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous hexagonal nanoplatelets of mixed metal oxide (MMO) derived from the calcination of MgAl layered double hydroxide exhibits a CO2 sorption capacity of 1.99 mmol g−1 at 30 °C, with a retention of 87% sorption capacity over 10 carbonation–decarbonation cycles and a CO2 sorption capacity of 1 mmol g−1 at 200 °C with a 40% increase in capacity over 10 cycles. The high sorption capacity is attributed to the porous nanoplatelet structure of the MMO with a BET surface area of 115 m2 g−1, which enables increased CO2 diffusion. Upon partially replacing magnesium with calcium (33, 50 and 66 mol%), the CO2 sorption capacity of the MMO increases with an increase in temperature. MMO derived from LDH, in which 66% of magnesium is replaced by calcium (MgCaAl-66), delivers CO2 sorption capacities of 1.38, 1.31, 2.50, 4.85 and 7.75 mmol g−1 at 200, 300, 350, 400 and 600 °C, respectively, which is significant for application in the sorption-enhanced water gas shift (SEWGS) process. MgCaAl-66 MMO exhibits a sorption capacity of 1 mmol g−1, which is stable over 10 cycles at 200 °C, and a sorption capacity of 3.68 mmol g−1 at 400 °C with 85% capture efficiency retention over 10 cycles. While the incorporation of Ca2+ serves multiple purposes such as increasing basic defect sorption sites and improving stability to repress the sintering-induced limitation of MMO over sorption cycles, the porous nanoplatelets act as individual sorbent units resisting volume changes through carbonation–decarbonation cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the nature of heterogeneous catalytic processes and improve their efficiency, it is necessary to conduct both experimental and theoretical studies. At the same time, there is no unified approach to obtaining the necessary data using quantum chemistry methods. In this work, problems of the existing calculational approaches are analyzed. The obtained information is used to develop the original three‐layer embedded cluster model approach, which is shown to be the most effective. The general algorithm for obtaining such models for various oxides is formulated. The sufficient accuracy of the proposed models in predicting geometric and energy characteristics, vibrational frequencies, activation barriers, and thermodynamic characteristics is verified. The specifics of calculating the thermodynamic characteristics of heterogeneous processes using the proposed cluster models is studied in detail. The developed approach is an effective tool for studying the mechanism of heterogeneous catalytic processes both by itself and in combination with experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conjunction of 'n' and 'p'-type materials have gained considerable attention for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as potential substitutions to noble metal based nanomaterials. Current work has been designed to synthesize mixed-phase nanocomposite (NC) based on copper (CuO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires (NWs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). A facile chemical reduction method was used for the preparation of NWs, rGO were prepared using modified Hummer's method and lastly CuO/ZnO NWs were grafted on rGO to fabricate NC (CuO/ZnO@rGO) by wet-chemical approach. Characterization techniques were employed to confirm the formation as well as different morphological features of NC. Noticeable D and G bands in Raman spectrum confirmed the formation of NC and EDAX confirmed the presence of C, O, Zn and Cu. XRD analysis has confirmed hexagonal wurtzite structure of NC with a crystallite size of 10.1392 nm. Synthesized material was then investigated for OER and HER in an alkaline medium. As electrocatalyst, NC exhibited overpotential (OP) of 1.678 V to accomplish 10 mA/cm−2 current density (J) in OER and −358 mV (10 mA/cm−2) for HER respectively. Tafel curves of CuO/ZnO@rGO in OER (42 mV dec−1) and HER (270 mV dec−1) were found similar enough to others studies. Proliferated electrochemical activities are responsible for such a lower OP and Tafel slope values that may be due to electronic couplings of copper and zinc, or the homogenous distribution of both the metal oxides which gives polydispersity in their structure as confirmed by SEM images. Promising results of the current study indicated high-performance of synthesized electrocatalyst. Further studies can be designed to evaluate the efficiency of different combinations of noble/non-noble metals or metal oxides with rGO as potential candidate for electrochemical reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-organic framework (MOF) derived metal oxide nanostructures hold immense promise as electrodes for energy storage/conversion applications, notably in supercapacitors and urea oxidation. This study explores into optimizing such nanostructures, specifically focusing on a Zr/Ni ratio of 1:1, which has exhibited favorable electrochemical and catalytic performance. Employing thorough characterization methods, including PXRD analysis, we verified the successful synthesis of a ZrO 2 /NiO binary phase (i.e. Zr/Ni) nanostructure via the MOF-derived approach, showcasing its versatility as a catalyst across diverse energy conversion domains. The Zr/Ni nanostructure electrode displayed noteworthy characteristics, boasting a capacity of 432 C/g alongside exceptional cycling stability of 99%, reflecting battery-like electrochemical behavior. Furthermore, in an asymmetric device setup (Zr/Ni//AC), it achieved a notable potential of up to 1.4 V with an impressive power density of 1044.56 W/kg. Additionally, the Zr/Ni nanostructure demonstrated efficient electrocatalytic activity in urea oxidation, evidenced by a maximum current density of 60 mA/cm2. This underscores its viability as a preferred catalyst in energy conversion applications, signaling opportunities for further exploration and advancement in this dynamic field. [Display omitted] • Successful formation of a binary phase of Zr/Ni nanostructure achieved by single step route. • Zr/Ni nanostructure demonstrated a specific capacity of 432C/g. • Zr/Ni//AC device showed ED of 4.08 Wk/g@ 420 W/kg. • Zr/Ni nanostructure exhibits a low onset voltage (1.34 V) in urea oxidation. • Zr/Ni nanostructure shows the highest current density of 60 mA/cm2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation reveals the successful incorporation of strontium‐doped thorium oxide (SrThO3) NPs into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer nanocomposites. The fabrication process of these PVA nanocomposites entails utilizing varying amounts (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 wt%) of SrThO3 nanofillers through a straightforward solution casting technique. The microstructure and overall structure of the resulting polymer nanocomposites were analyzed using powdered x‐ray diffraction for crystalline structure and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for molecular composition. The introduced SrThO3 nanofiller demonstrates a strong affinity for the hydroxyl groups present in the PVA polymer, a phenomenon validated through FTIR spectroscopy. In order to comprehend the impact of doping, the surface morphology of the PVA polymer nanocomposites underwent examination via scanning electron microscopy. The absorption and transmission of light were quantitatively assessed using UV–visible spectroscopy. The excitation and emission behaviors of electrons in both the PVA and SrThO3‐doped PVA nanocomposites were scrutinized through photoluminescence spectroscopy. Furthermore, the extent of UV light absorption was investigated by studying the degradation of methylene blue dye, a substance known for its sensitivity to UV light. Results indicate that the intentional incorporation of SrThO3 NPs significantly enhances UV stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) and Bi2O3–supported Kaolin were synthesized using household microwave–assisted methods (350 W, 5 min), with catalyst characteristics analyzed. XRD patterns confirmed the monoclinic structure of Bi2O3. Incorporating 20%w/w Kaolin increased the specific surface area of Bi2O3 from 6.2879 to 16.1345 m2/g, observed in FESEM images showing a hierarchical flower-like morphology resembling French fries alongside Kaolin plates. XRF analysis identified elements in Kaolin contributing to self–doping in band structure of Bi2O3, reducing its band gap and PL intensity. Kaolin/Bi2O3 composites demonstrated enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC) under visible light, attributed to Bi2O3-generated radicals and increased surface area. The composite photocatalyst can be recycled up to three times. This research not only enhances the photocatalytic activity of Bi2O3 but also increases the value of a local waste material, Kaolin clay. Such enhancements could potentially extend to other metal oxides and abundant waste materials within the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life-shortening, genetic disease that affects approximately 145,000 people worldwide. CF causes a dehydrated mucus layer in the lungs, leading to damaging infection and inflammation that eventually result in death. Nanoparticles (NPs), drug delivery vehicles intended for inhalation, have become a recent source of interest for treating CF and CF-related conditions, and many formulations have been created thus far. This paper is intended to provide an overview of CF and the effect it has on the lungs, the barriers in using NP drug delivery vehicles for treatment, and three common material class choices for these NP formulations: metals, polymers, and lipids. The materials to be discussed include gold, silver, and iron oxide metallic NPs; polyethylene glycol, chitosan, poly lactic-co-glycolic acid, and alginate polymeric NPs; and lipid-based NPs. The novelty of this review comes from a less specific focus on nanoparticle examples, with the focus instead being on the general theory behind material function, why or how a material might be used, and how it may be preferable to other materials used in treating CF. Finally, this paper ends with a short discussion of the two FDA-approved NPs for treatment of CF-related conditions and a recommendation for the future usage of NPs in people with Cystic Fibrosis (pwCF). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the synthesis of a multicomponent metal oxide electrocatalyst that increases the activity of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). We synthesized transition metal oxides (MnOx, FeOx, CoOx, and NiOx) with MoO3 heterostructures through a solid-state reaction approach at low cost. In comparison to the other compositions, CoOx garnered higher attention and demonstrated superior performance on account of its large surface area and varied crystal facets. The MnOx-MoO3, FeOx-MoO3, CoOx-MoO3, and NiOx-MoO3 compositions attained an overpotential of 390 mV, 350 mV, 310 mV, and 340 mV, respectively, at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline solution. The performance of OER was enhanced in CoOx-MoO3 at 10 mA cm−2, while FeOx-MoO3 exhibited a lower current density at 100 mA cm−2 than other metal oxides. The CoOx-MoO3 material exhibited a favorable crystal interface transition due to the presence of MoO3 oxide. For the first time, we report on the MoO3-to-(MnOx, FeOx, CoOx, and NiOx) interface crystal transition and the active surface area for OER catalytic activity in water-splitting processes. This investigation intends to develop an electrocatalyst that is capable of producing hydrogen with the use of heterostructure metal oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a special issue of the journal Catalysts titled "Advances in Catalytic Oxidation of Methane and Carbon Monoxide (2nd Edition)." It consists of seven articles that discuss the catalytic removal of carbon monoxide and methane, which are harmful pollutants produced by human activities. The articles cover topics such as CO oxidation, CH4 combustion, and the partial oxidation of CH4 to oxygenates. The authors explore various catalysts and their effectiveness in removing these pollutants. The document provides valuable insights into the oxidation of CO and the complete or partial oxidation of methane using different catalysts. [Extracted from the article]

Biopolymer blend based nanocomposites have been interestingly investigated by researchers to achieve advanced composite functional materials that are environmentally amicable. Among the varieties of biopolymers, widespread attention has been given to polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) owing to their interesting properties like water solubility, biodegradability, biocompatibility and non-toxicity. PVA and PVP form a completely miscible blend at all compositions as both the polymers are rich in a variety of functional groups that permit effective intermolecular interactions between the polymers as well as with filler. PVA/PVP blend exhibits excellent dopant sensitive properties also. Metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs) have made a prominent place in the area of scientific and technological research due to their unique chemical and physical properties. Doping with MONPs enhances the properties of the PVA/PVP blend matrix and the resulting PVA/PVP/MONP polymer nanocomposites are suitable for multifunctional purposes. This review mainly focused on the influence of various MONPs such as ZnO, CuO, Al2O3, ZrO2, MnO, SnO, MgO, TiO2, etc. in the structural, morphological, thermal, optical and electrical properties of PVA/PVP blend as well as its applications in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants play an important role in nanoparticle preparation because they are easily accessible, environmentally friendly, and inexpensive. In this study, we used an ethanolic extract of Mangifera indica seed as a reducing and stabilising agent to create zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs). The ZnO NPs were examined using characterization techniques such as UV-Vis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The interaction of phytochemical constituents from plant extracts providing the biological reduction of zinc metal ions to ZnO had been identified by the UV-visible absorption studies. According to the FT-IR results, metal oxides exhibited interatomic vibration-driven absorption in the fingerprint area below 1000 cm–1. Particles appeared to be crystalline and also a rice-grain shape of ZnO NPs was confirmed by XRD, SEM, and TEM, respectively. In addition, the cytotoxic effect of ZnO NPs was checked using the SKMEL-28 cell line, showing an IC50 value of 32.686 μg/mL in the SKMEL-28 cell line, and 49.011 μg/mL in the typical L6 cell line. Furthermore, the synthesized NPs were subjected to (AO/EB) double staining approach to examine the apoptotic activity. The acridine orange/ethidium bromide method made strong evidence for demonstrating chromatin condensation and membrane blebbing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) nanobiosensors integrate molecular (bio)recognition elements with semiconductor/plasmonic photoactive nanomaterials to produce measurable signals after light-induced reactions. Recent advancements in PEC nanobiosensors, using light-matter interactions, have significantly improved sensitivity, specificity, and signal-to-noise ratio in detecting (bio)analytes. Tunable nanomaterials activated by a wide spectral radiation window coupled to electrochemical transduction platforms have further improved detection by stabilizing and amplifying electrical signals. This work reviews PEC biosensors based on nanomaterials like metal oxides, carbon nitrides, quantum dots, and transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs), showing their superior optoelectronic properties and analytical performance for the detection of clinically relevant biomarkers. Furthermore, it highlights the innovative role of red light and NIR-activated PEC nanobiosensors in enhancing charge transfer processes, protecting them from biomolecule photodamage in vitro and in vivo applications. Overall, advances in PEC detection systems have the potential to revolutionize rapid and accurate measurements in clinical diagnostic applications. Their integration into miniaturized devices also supports the development of portable, easy-to-use diagnostic tools, facilitating point-of-care (POC) testing solutions and real-time monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface engineering techniques can be used to develop high-performance gas sensing materials and advance the development of sensors. In this study, we improved the gas sensing performance of two-dimensional (2D) WO3 nanoplates by combining surface Zn modification and the in situ formation of ZnWO4/WO3 heterojunctions. Introducing Zn atoms by surface modification can reconstruct the atomic surface of 2D WO3 nanoplates, creating additional active sites. This allowed for the preparation of various types of ZnWO4/WO3 heterojunctions on the surface of the WO3 nanoplates, which improved the selectivity and sensitivity to the target gas triethylamine. The sensor exhibited good gas sensing performance for triethylamine even at low operating temperatures and strongly resisted humidity changes. The ZnWO4/WO3 material we prepared demonstrated a nearly threefold improvement in the triethylamine (TEA) response, with a gas sensing responsivity of 40.75 for 10 ppm of TEA at 250 °C. The sensor based on ZnWO4/WO3 has a limit of detection (LOD) for TEA of 200 ppb in practical measurements (its theoretical LOD is even as low as 31 ppb). The method of growing ZnWO4 on the surface of WO3 nanoplates using surface modification techniques to form surface heterojunctions differs from ordinary composites. The results suggest that the in situ construction of surface heterojunctions using surface engineering strategies, such as in situ modifying, is a practical approach to enhance the gas sensing properties and resistance to the humidity changes of metal oxide materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Wider variety of artefacts needs to be conserved. • NPs based coating have the potency to replace the traditional coating materials. • The NPs improved the photo-catalysis, hydrophobicity and antibacterial properties. The progression in the use of nanostructured metal oxide or metal oxide based polymeric nanocomposite for the conservation and refurbishment of cultural heritage are presented in this review. Starting from the definition of nanoparticles, their major synthesis techniques, the paper briefly describes the utilization of various metal oxide nanoparticles and metal oxide based polymeric nanocomposite coatings and their surface protection functions including self-cleaning, increased photocatalytic activity, biocidal effects, UV blocking properties and compatibility with the different types of substrates including wood, stones, bricks and paper focussing on their potential usage and their application in the arena of remediation of cultural heritage. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper oxide (CuO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized by Pterocarpus santalinus leaf extract following the green method as a reducing and capping agent. Analytical methods like scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-visible spectroscopy were followed for characterization of synthesized nanoparticles. Outcomes demonstrated that crystalline CuO and ZnO nanoparticles with distinct morphologies have successfully formed. The ability of metal oxide nanomaterials against the growth of Aspergillus niger fungus was tested by agar diffusion method on PDA plates. Pure culture of the isolated fungus from onions was used in this experiment. Fungal inoculum was prepared and spread on PDA plates and tested for growth inhibition with varying concentrations of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles using Disk Diffusion Method. A successful growth inhibition was identified in plates treated with CuO and ZnO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of synthetic graphite was fabricated through metal oxide catalytic graphitization using purified anthracite (TYC). The effects of graphitization temperature, catalyst type and its addition methods on structure and properties of graphite products were investigated through the methods of XRD, Raman spectra, SEM, TEM, FTIR and resistivity tester. Increasing graphitization temperature favors the enhancement of order and size of graphite microcrystals, graphitization degree, and conductivity of graphitized products. TiO2 exhibited the best catalytic effects in catalytic graphitization. Compared to directly graphitized TYC at 2800°C (TYC-28), the graphite catalyzed by TiO2 added physically (TYC-28-TiO2) and added chemically (TYC-28-C-TiO2) demonstrated a 13.0 and 16.7% increase in graphitization degree, respectively. Meanwhile, chemical addition method (0.61 × 10−4 Ω·m) outperformed physical addition method (1.21 × 10−4 Ω·m) in improving the electrical conductivity of graphitized products. Moreover, at 2400°C, TYC catalyzed by TiO2 added physically and added chemically presented a graphitization degree of 73.7 and 77.6%, respectively, both exceeding that of TYC-28 (70.7%). Therefore, metallic oxides can enhance the graphitization degree while lowering the required graphitization temperature. This method holds promise for cost-effective and energy-efficient production of high-conductivity graphitized anthracite for batteries, supercapacitors, conductive coatings, and conductive adhesives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel ferrites have served as electrode materials in energy storage applications such as batteries and supercapacitors in comparison to other metal oxides, they have a higher theoretical capacitance range. Pristine metal oxides are poor candidates as electrode components in electrochemical applications because of their tendency to aggregate and their less specific surface areas. Herein, we reported wet impregnation method to incorporate Nickel Ferrite (NiFe2O4) to multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for improved electrochemical performance of nickel ferrites (NiFe2O4). The synthesized materials attained good crystallinity confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). NiFe2O4 nanoparticle adhesions on multiwalled carbon nanotubes have been confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). UV-DRS was used to measure the bandgap for optical studies. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Galvanostatic Charge/Discharge (GCD), and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) investigations for supercapacitor applications revealed that synthesized materials demonstrated good electrochemical potential, but MWCNTs supported NiFe2O4 composite attained exceptionally high specific capacitance (CV: 830 F g−1 at 5 mV s−1, GCD:343 F g−1 at current density of 0.1 A g−1) with capacitance retention of 98% at the current density of 0.8 A g−1 after 3500 stability cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the past three decades, research interest in electrospinning (ES) has grown exponentially. Twenty years ago, the initial reports on the utilization of this rather simple ultrafine fiber-forming method in combination with a widely established materials chemistry tool known as sol–gel (SG) and without the aid of electrospun organic fibers as templates (or fiber-forming sacrificial polymers) were published in the open literature. In parallel, several groups right around the same time also proposed the use of long-chain organic polymers in SG formulations to facilitate their spinnability into ultrafine fibers. Since then, the number of research articles exploring SG-ES to produce inorganic fibers with submicron diameters has also grown steadily, resulting in several identifiable R&D sub-fields. Relatively recent advances in ES scalability have now made it even more attractive for exploring potential commercial applications. This review is an attempt to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of SG-ES work done in the areas of metal oxide catalysis, photocatalysis, and adsorption. It does not focus on devices having a catalytic function, such as fuel cells and sensors, but on materials whose end goal is to be used as catalysts or sorbents. A number of potentially valuable opportunities and recommendations are also offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humidity sensors have gained tremendous attention due to their practical applications in the pharmaceutical industry, food processing, biomedical applications, microelectronics, and meteorology. Herein, a polymer-based multifunctional humidity sensor (PANI-Bi-ZnO) has been fabricated. This study describes a polymer-based capacitive-type humidity sensor that has excellent repeatability, negligible hysteresis (0.5% RH at 60% RH), quick response (8 s) and relaxation times (20 s), high stability (30 days), high sensitivity, and good linearity in a wide humidity detection range of 10–90% RH and has become increasingly significant for applications involving industrial control and environmental monitoring. Moreover, the fabricated sensor possesses a highly reliable/stable output performance that remains constant after multiple test cycles. The current work also provides a cost-effective method to fabricate high-performance humidity sensors. The designed humidity sensor would be an excellent choice for measuring a variety of applications in the field of humidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal oxides (HMOs) can enhance the physical, optical, and radiation shielding properties of glass. Through the comprehensive consideration of the absorption edge, the fast neutron removal cross-section, and transmittance of heavy metal oxides, the rapid determination of the shielding material system is achieved. Herein, B 2 O 3 –TeO 2 –BaO-MO (M = Bi, W, Cd, Mo) glasses are synthesized by the melt quenching method, and the effects of various heavy metal oxides on the glass performance are investigated. The physical and optical property results show that the addition of Bi 2 O 3 provides glass with greater stiffness, a more densified glass network, and a relatively wide indirect optical bandgap compared to other oxides. Subsequently, the photon attenuation behavior of the B 2 O 3 –TeO 2 –BaO-MO glasses was evaluated using the MCNPX, Phy-X and XCOM. Compared to the shielding materials in service, all the four metal oxide glasses exhibit excellent shielding capabilities against X-rays, gamma rays, and fast neutron. Particularly, due to the higher density and effective atomic number of Bi 2 O 3 , its modified glass will have more extra-nuclear electrons per unit volume, which increases the probability of collision with incident photons, and thus exhibits superior radiation shielding properties than other glasses. The Bi 2 O 3 -modified glass exhibits an average specific lead equivalent of 0.441 mmPb/mm in the medical X-ray energy range (0.03–0.08 MeV), and only requires a thickness of 0.8 cm to achieve complete protection against this incident photon, which far exceeded the specific lead equivalent requirement of 0.22 mmPb/mm for "protection devices against diagnostic medical X-radiation". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ternary nanocomposites of reduced graphene oxide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes/cobalt oxide nanoparticles (rGO/MWCNT/Co3O4) were synthesized employing a facile hydrolysis method with subsequent heat treatment. The good electrical conductivity and remarkable carrier mobility of rGO and MWCNTs make them a suitable matrix for hybrid supercapacitors, and their composites with metal oxides exhibit enhanced electrochemical properties due to the advantages of the synergistic contribution and the integration of different dimensionalities. The binary counterparts of Co3O4 with GO or MWCNTs were also produced using the same technique to gain additional insight into the characteristics of the individual components. The structural and morphological properties of the composites were analyzed using various analytical techniques. The electrochemical behaviors of the prepared composites were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 1 M H2SO4. A platinum electrode modified with the rGO/MWCNT/Co3O4 composite displayed a remarkable specific capacitance of 922 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 composite with a negligible capacitance drop after 2000 cycles. The symmetric supercapacitor fabricated using the rGO/MWCNT/Co3O4 composite showed an energy density of 32.2 Wh Kg−1 at 1 A g−1, and the corresponding power density was 2000 W Kg−1. The supercapacitor fabricated using the composite displayed 83% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles at 3 A g−1 composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting from poly(4-vinylpyridine) ((P4VP)n), poly(2-vinylpyridine) ((P2VP)n), and [N=P(O2CH2CF3)]m-b-P2VP20 block copolymers, a series of metal-containing homopolymers, (P4VP)n⊕MXm, (P2VP)n⊕MXm, and [N=P(O2CH2CF3)]m-b-P2VP20]⊕MXm MXm = PtCl2, ZnCl2, and Eu(NO3)3, have been successfully prepared by using a direct and simple solution methodology. Solid-state pyrolysis of the prepared metal-containing polymeric precursors led to the formation of a variety of different metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles (Pt, ZnO, Eu2O3, and EuPO4) depending on the composition and nature of the polymeric template precursor. Thus, whereas Eu2O3 nanostructures were obtained from europium-containing homopolymers ((P4VP)n⊕MXm and (P2VP)n⊕MXm), EuPO4 nanostructures were achieved using phosphorus-containing block copolymer precursors, [N=P(O2CH2CF3)]m-b-P2VP20]⊕MXm with MXm = Eu(NO3)3. Importantly, and although both Eu2O3 and EuPO4 nanostructures exhibited a strong luminescence emission, these were strongly influenced by the nature and composition of the macromolecular metal-containing polymer template. Thus, for P2VP europium-containing homopolymers ((P4VP)n⊕MXm and (P2VP)n⊕MXm), the highest emission intensity corresponded to the lowest-molecular-weight homopolymer template, [P4VP(Eu(NO3)3]6000, whereas the opposite behavior was observed when block copolymer precursors, [N=P(O2CH2CF3)]m-b-P2VP20]⊕MXm MXm= Eu(NO3)3, were used (highest emission intensity corresponded to [N=P(O2CH2CF3)]100-b-[P2VP(Eu(NO3)3)x]20). The intensity ratio of the emission transitions: 5D0 → 7F2/5D0 → 7F1, suggested a different symmetry around the Eu3+ ions depending on the nature of the polymeric precursor, which also influenced the sizes of the prepared Pt°, ZnO, Eu2O3, and EuPO4 nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen vacancy engineering in metal oxides is a propitious route to modulate their resistive switching properties for memory and neuromorphic applications. This review provides an account of the research works on tailoring RS behavior in oxide thin-film-based memristor devices by oxygen vacancy engineering. We discuss the recent research progress on controlling oxygen vacancy concentration in metal oxide thin films and its impact on their resistive switching properties for application in electronic memory and neuromorphic computing devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered oxide materials are widely used in the field of energy storage and conversion due to their high specific energy, high efficiency, long cycle life, and high safety. Herein, We summarize the latest research progress in the field of layered metal oxide cathode materials from three aspects: challenges faced, failure mechanisms, and modification methods. We also compare the characteristics of lithium‐based layered oxides and sodium‐based layered oxides, and predict future development directions. The layered oxide cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries and lithium‐ion batteries exhibit overall structural and operational similarities. There are also some differences, such as lattice parameters and application extent. Sodium‐ion battery cathode materials need to explore new materials and address structural instability issues, while lithium‐ion batteries require finding alternative materials and improving production efficiency. Future challenges for both types of materials include enhancing capacity and cycle performance, elucidating deep mechanisms, reducing costs, and improving resource sustainability. Future development should focus on balancing cycle stability and charge cut‐off voltage to meet the growing demand for battery applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tin dioxide (SnO2) is a low-cost and high-capacity anode material for lithium-ion batteries, but the fast capacity fading significantly limits its practical applications. Current research efforts have focused on preparing sophisticated composite structures or optimizing functional binders, both of which increase material manufacturing costs. Herein, we utilize pristine and commercially available SnO2 nanopowders and enhance their cycling performance by simply narrowing the potential range and optimizing electrolytes. Specifically, a narrower potential range (0–1 V) mitigates the capacity fading associated with the conversion reaction, whereas an ether-based electrolyte further suppresses the volume expansion related to the alloy reaction. Consequently, this SnO2 anode delivers a promising battery performance, with a high capacity of ~650 mAhg−1 and stable cycling for 100 cycles. Our work provides an alternative approach to developing high-capacity and long-cycling metal oxide anode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calculation of the activation energy helps to understand and to identify the underlying phenomenon of oxidation. We propose a new method without any a priori hypothesis on the oxidation law, to retrieve the activation energy of partially and totally oxidized samples subject to successive annealing. The method handles the uncertainties on the measurement of metal and oxide thicknesses, at the beginning and at the end of the annealing process. The possible change in oxidation law during annealing is included in the model. By using an adapted Particle Swarm Optimization method to solve the inverse problem, we also calculate the time of final oxidation during the last annealing. We apply the method to successive annealings of three samples with initial nanometric layers of copper, at ambient pressure, in the open air. One, two and three successive laws are recovered from experimental data. We found activation energy values about 105–108 kJ mol − 1 at the beginning of the oxidation, 76–87 kJ mol − 1 at the second step, and finally 47–59 kJ mol − 1 in a third step. We also show that the time evolution of copper and oxide thicknesses can also be retrieved with their uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance and room-temperature gas sensors are ideal for industrial production and environmental detection. Enhancing gas-detection capability by the use of highly conductive MXene in conjunction with metal oxide materials is a potential approach. In this work, we have prepared a gas-sensing composite device based on SnO2/V2CTx nanocomposites, which can be used to detect the concentration of SO2 gas at room temperature (~ 20 ℃). This paper modified two-dimensional (2D) V2CTx MXene with SnO2 nanoparticles by electrostatic binding method to synthesize SnO2/V2CTx composite nanomaterials. The experimental results show that at room temperature, the addition of SnO2 nanoparticles can markedly improve the gas-sensing response (from 66 to 83%) characteristics of pure V2CTx to SO2. The gas sensitivity of SnO2/V2CTx MXene nanocomposites can reach 83%, and its response/recovery time is 98 s/81 s under 10 ppm SO2. The gas-sensing composite devices made of SnO2/V2CTx composite nanomaterials also show good selectivity and application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a technological approach for obtaining sintered components with tailored electromagnetic features from electromagnetically active powders through the selective recycling of electronic waste, in particular scrap electronic components. Printed circuit board (PCB) scraps were submitted to a succession of grinding processes, followed by progressive magnetic and electrostatic separation, resulting two final fractions: metallic particles and non-metallic particles including different metallic oxides. Three types of powders were analyzed, i.e., powder after fine grinding, after magnetic separation and after electrostatic separation, which were further processed within a spark plasma sintering furnace in order to obtain solid disk samples. All samples contained several classes of oxides, and also residual metals, leading to specific thermal decomposition processes at different temperatures, depending on the nature of the oxides present in the studied materials. The chemical analysis of powders, via spectrometry with X-ray fluorescence—XRF, emphasized the presence of a mixture of metal oxides and traces of metals (mainly Ag), with concentrations diminishing along with the purification process. The most important analysis was related to dielectric parameters, and it was concluded that the powders obtained by the proposed technology could efficiently substitute scarce raw materials actually used as additives in composites, coatings and paints, mainly due to their high permittivity (above 6 in all frequency domains) and, respectively, dielectric loss factor (above 0.2 in all cases, in all frequency domains). We estimate that the technology described in this paper is a sustainable one according to the concept of circular economy, as it could reduce, by a minimum of 15%, the embodied GHG emissions generated from information and communications technology (ICT) devices by advanced recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrobenzene (NB) is one of the nitro-aromatic compounds that is extensively used in various chemical industries. Despite its potential applications, NB is considered to be a toxic compound that has significant hazardous effects on human health and the environment. Thus, it can be said that the NB level should be monitored to avoid its negative impacts on human health. In this vein, the electrochemical method has emerged as one of the most efficient sensing techniques for the determination of NB. The sensing performance of the electrochemical techniques depends on the electro-catalytic properties and conductivity of the electrode materials. In the past few years, various electrode materials, such as conductive metal ions, semiconducting metal oxides, metal–organic frameworks, and two-dimensional (2D) materials, have been used as the electrode material for the construction of the NB sensor. Thus, it is worth summarizing previous studies on the design and synthesis of electrode materials for the construction of the NB sensor. In this mini-review article, we summarize the previous reports on the synthesis of various advanced electrode materials, such as platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs), silver (Ag) NPs, carbon dots (CDs), graphene, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), zinc stannate (ZnSnO3), cerium oxide (CeO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), and so on. Furthermore, the impacts of different electrode materials are systematically discussed for the sensing of NB. The advantages of, limitations of, and future perspectives on the construction of NB sensors are discussed. The aim of the present mini-review article is to enhance the knowledge and overall literature, working towards the construction of NB sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzing transition metal XPS peaks is widely used to determine surface composition and chemistry. However, these peaks have a complex structure, which is still the subject of investigation. Fe 2p analysis is a case in point where the multiplet structure and many-electron-effects lead to peak shapes that cannot be analyzed using standard approaches. Examination of the literature reveals that one of the most widely used approaches to data reduction when processing Fe 2p3/2 spectra involves using symmetric two- or three-component peak fitting with each peak effectively acting to capture a single chemical species (chemistry fit) in the complex spectra. Herein, this approach is compared to an envelope fit approach using Biesinger multiplet components of known iron oxides to determine how effective these methods are in reproducing iron oxide composition. Mixed oxide and metal XPS Fe 2p spectra were synthesized using reference spectra collected experimentally. For the first time, the accuracy and differences between the two approaches are reported. It is demonstrated that no meaningful conclusions can be drawn using single symmetric peaks to analyze complex Fe 2p3/2 spectra, implying that a large portion of the literature is flawed. The envelope fit approach, however, is shown to provide useful information regarding oxide ratios in mixed iron oxide materials, though limitations do exist. A methodology for evaluating the quality of XPS analysis of Fe 2p3/2 spectra is proposed for benchmarking new submissions so that reviewers, authors, and editors can assess these submissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of synthetic plastics has resulted in environmental and human health concerns. Consequently, there is a growing focus on developing eco-friendly alternatives like polylactic acid (PLA). Nonetheless, its drawbacks include slow crystallization, vulnerability to UV radiation, and absence of antibacterial properties. One potential strategy involves integrating nano-cellulose (NC) and metal oxide nanoparticles into PLA to enhance its antibacterial features and mechanical robustness. The NC was extracted from the leaves of Borassus flabellifer and further treated with lactic acid to obtain surface-modified NC (SMNC). Besides, the Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were green-synthesized using the B. flabellifer leaves extract and further characterized through various analytical techniques such as SEM, XRD, and FTIR. The optimized bio-composite ratio was 89.5 mg of PLA, 3.5% (w% of PLA) of SMNC, and 7% (wt% of PLA) of ZnO NPs based on the appearance, water contact angle (WCA), and antimicrobial activities of the bio-composite film. The PLA-SMNC-ZnO NPs film was further characterized and compared with PLA and PLA-SMNC films for its structural, mechanical, and thermal properties. The PLA-SMNC- ZnO NPs film exhibited an improved tensile strength of 13.9 MPa and Young's modulus of 0.00689 GPa than PLA and PLA-SMNC. Also, the thermal stability of PLA-SMNC-ZnO NPs film was 320 °C from TGA. Additionally, PLA-SMNC- ZnO NPs film exhibited reduced water absorption and improved resistance to UV radiation. In conclusion, these findings validate the potential of the ZnO NPs derived from B. flabellifer's leaves in improving the versatility of PLA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green synthesis is an easy, safe, and environmentally beneficial nanoparticle creation method. It is a great challenge to simultaneously improve the capping and stabilizing agent carrier separation efficiency of photocatalysts. Herein, Zn-doped Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles with high exposure of 360 nm using a UV/visible spectrophotometer were prepared via a one-step hydrothermal decomposition method. A detailed analysis reveals that the electronic structures were modulated by Zn doping; thus, the responsive wavelength was extended to 600 nm, which effectively improved the visible light absorption of TiO2. We have optimized the different parameters like concentration, time, and temperature. The peak for TiO2 is located at 600 cm-1 in FTIR. A scanning electron microscope revealed that TiO2 has a definite shape and morphology. The synthesized Zn-doped TiO2NPs were applied against various pathogens to study their anti-bacterial potentials. The anti-bacterial activity of Zn-doped TiO2 has shown robust against two gram-ve bacteria (Salmonella and Escherichia coli) and two gram + ve bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus). Synthesized Zn-doped TiO2 has demonstrated strong antifungal efficacy against a variety of fungi. Moreover, doping TiO2 nanoparticles with metal oxide greatly improves their characteristics; as a result, doped metal oxide nanoparticles perform better than doped and un-doped metal oxide nanoparticles. Compared to pure TiO2, Zn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles exhibit considerable applications including antimicrobial treatment and water purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electromechanical metal oxides, such as piezoceramics, are often incompatible with soft polymers due to their crystallinity requirements, leading to high processing temperatures. This study explores the potential of ceria-based thin films as electromechanical actuators for flexible electronics. Oxygen-deficient fluorites, like cerium oxide, are centrosymmetric nonpiezoelectric crystalline metal oxides that demonstrate giant electrostriction. These films, deposited at low temperatures, integrate seamlessly with various soft substrates like polyimide and PET. Ceria thin films exhibit remarkable electrostriction (M33 > 10-16 m² V-2) and inverse pseudo-piezo coefficients (e33 > 500 pmV-1), enabling large displacements in soft electromechanical systems. Our study explores resonant and off-resonant configurations in the low-frequency regime (<1 kHz), demonstrating versatility for three-dimensional and transparent electronics. This work advances the understanding of oxygen-defective metal oxide electromechanical properties and paves the way for developing versatile and efficient electromechanical systems for applications in biomedical devices, optical devices, and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many physical situations in which many-body assemblies exist at temperature T, a characteristic quantum-mechanical time scale of approximately h/kBT can be identified in both theory and experiment, leading to speculation that it may be the shortest meaningful time in such circumstances. This behavior can be investigated by probing the scattering rate of electrons in a broad class of materials often referred to as "strongly correlated metals". It is clear that in some cases only electron-electron scattering can be its cause, while in others it arises from high-temperature scattering of electrons from quantized lattice vibrations, i.e., phonons. In metallic oxides, which are among the most studied materials, analysis of electrical transport does not satisfactorily identify the relevant scattering mechanism at "high" temperatures near room temperature. We therefore employ a contactless optical method to measure thermal diffusivity in two Ru-based layered perovskites, Sr3Ru2O7 and Sr2RuO4, and use the measurements to extract the dimensionless Lorenz ratio. By comparing our results to the literature data on both conventional and unconventional metals, we show how the analysis of high-temperature thermal transport can both give important insight into dominant scattering mechanisms and be offered as a stringent test of theories attempting to explain anomalous scattering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of triple metal oxide nanocomposites has revolutionized materials science due to their unique properties resulting from the interaction of multiple oxide components. This study aimed to synthesize mixed metal oxide nanocomposites using a co‐precipitation method with copper sulfate, silver nitrate, and potassium permanganate as precursor salts and sodium hydroxide as the precipitating agent. The resulting Ag−Cu−MnO triple metal composite was extensively characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS), and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR). The composite exhibited effective bactericidal efficacy against various bacterial strains, including Enterobacter bugandensis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, the composite demonstrated notable photocatalytic activity, degrading 87.26 % of 50 ppm Eosin Yellow within 140 minutes under sunlight irradiation, as monitored by a UV‐vis spectrophotometer. This study highlights the dual functionality of the synthesized composite as both a photocatalyst and an antibacterial agent. These findings underscore its potential for diverse applications in environmental remediation and healthcare, marking a significant advancement in materials science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) films modified with ethylenediamine (en) and doped by nanoparticles (TiO2, ZnO, NiO, and MgO). A mixture of 0.5 g PVC/en dissolved in THF and 0.01 wt % of nanoparticles were used in doping PVC to produce the nanocomposite films. All modified PVC films were characterized by different analysis techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer (NMR), diffusive reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The DRS was used to analyse the scattered IR energy of the samples at wavelengths between (250–1350 nm). The optical properties and oscillator strength were also studied, the transmittance and reflectance values declined for the PVC films, and the absorption coefficient was observed between (79–89 %). The direct energy gap decreased from 4.6 to 1.9, and the indirect energy gap reduced from 4.3 to 1.9. The XRD exhibited a semi‐crystalline structure and the SEM test exhibited a porous structure of all samples. The Urbach energy was increased from 0.8772 eV to 14.712 eV, single oscillator energy (Eo ${{E}_{o}}$) was also increased from 6.38 eV to 13.69 eV and the dispersion energy (Ed) ${{(E}_{d})}$ increased from 23.40 eV to 70.63 eV. Moreover, the surface roughness parameters Ra and Rq of the PVC films in modified and doping were increased from 3.86 nm to 8.14 nm, and 5.08 nm to 10.10 nm respectively. So, PVC results show increased optical properties after modification with en and doping by NPs are used in the light conversion and aerospace industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, a suitable and efficient CoFe2O4@ZnO@Bentonite nano-catalyst was designed and synthesized by using zinc oxide (ZnO) and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles and bentonite by microwave irradiation. Characteristics of the synthesized nanocomposite were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Bruner-Emmett-Teller (BET) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques. The produced catalyst was effectively employed as a supported solid acid catalyst in mildly agitated three-component reactions involving aromatic aldehydes, 4-hydroxycoumarin, and 1,3-dimethyl-barbituric acid in a single pot to produce benzylbarbiturocoumarins. Starting materials were condensed via three C-C bond formation by CoFe2O4@ ZnO@Bentonite as an efficient, recyclable, and environmentally safe nanocatalyst to obtain target products. The advantages of this method include using a natural substrate, small amounts of catalyst, aqueous media, performing reactions at ambient temperature, simple separation and purification of products, and good yields with short reaction times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the characterization of (GaSc)2-xFexO3. The composition range where the multinary metal oxide is stable, as well as nonlinear trends in the lattice parameters are described. Select compositions of GaSc1-yFeyO3 are included to compare trends. Fe shows an enhanced solubility when replacing Sc rather than Ga. Field- and temperature-dependent magnetic data are included, and linear trends in the magnetic frustration are discussed alongside a brief comparison to the magnetic properties of GaSc1-yFeyO3. The field-dependent properties, as well as anomalies in the hysteresis loops and relaxation of the remnant magnetization are discussed, as well as indications that long-range order may be present in dilute Fe samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HHO gas is an alternate source of fuel that can be used in automobiles as a clean fuel with reduced carbon emissions, replacing the conventional hydrocarbon fuels being used today. Many different methods are involved in the production of this gas. Among these methods, alkaline water electrolysis is one of the easiest and most reliable methods for production. Though there are many limitations in the storage of Hydrogen, the HHO gas has been produced on-site using alkaline water electrolysis. This article mainly focuses on the production of HHO gas for different operating parameters and conditions, such as change of electrolyte, electrode material coating, effect of temperature and the surface area of the electrode. The electrolytes used in the electrolyser are sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH). The electrode material is titanium coated with two different materials namely Mixed Metal Oxide (MMO) and Platinum (Pt) respectively. A maximum yield of 0.9 LPM of HHO gas has been generated when supplying 40 amps of current to the electrolyser unit coated with MMO and KOH as electrolyte. Use of KOH electrolyte results in higher production rate when compared to NaOH. MMO coated titanium electrode produces more HHO gas when compared to platinum coated electrode. • Enhanced HHO gas generation of 0.9 LPM. • Increase in HHO production of 4.4 %. • Design and analysis of platinum and mixed metal oxide coated titanium-based electrolyser. • Effect temperature and current on HHO gas production. • Effect of different Electrolytes on HHO production rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the resource utilization of CO 2 and the value-added catalytic conversion of ethane, different reducibility oxide carriers were used to study. Through catalytic reaction experiments, catalyst characterization and kinetic analysis, the interaction between reducible carriers and active metals and their regulation on the catalytic reaction performance of ethane with CO 2 were revealed. Fe 1.5 Ni 0.5 /CeO 2 has the highest ethylene selectivity of 87% near 650 °C, and is a good catalyst for the CO 2 -assisted ethane oxidative dehydrogenation to ethylene reaction. The strong interaction between the reducible CeO 2 and ZrO 2 carriers and active metals makes the Fe–O–Ce and Fe–O–Zr covalent bonds on the Fe 1.5 Ni 0.5 /CeO 2 and Fe 1.5 Ni 0.5 /ZrO 2 catalysts stronger than Fe–O–Ti and Fe–O–Al covalent bonds on Fe 1.5 Ni 0.5 /TiO 2 and Fe 1.5 Ni 0.5 /γ-Al 2 O 3 catalysts. The lattice oxygen on the reducible catalyst is more readily involved in the reaction. The strong interaction between the active metal and the carrier results in the reduction of the FeO x species and the formation of new active sites, resulting in a high reactivity of the catalyst. The mutually promoted redox cycle between the active species Fe3+/2+-Ni2+/0 and the reducible carrier variable metal Ce4+/3+ species improves the catalytic performance for the reaction of ethane awith CO 2. • Resource utilization of CO 2 and value-added conversion of C 2 H 6 are achieved. • Reducible Fe 1.5 Ni 0.5 /CeO 2 catalyst has the highest ethylene selectivity of 87%. • Lattice oxygen on reducible carrier is more readily involved in the reaction. • Redox cycle between Fe3+/2+-Ni2+/0 and Ce4+/3+ improves catalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates polyaniline (PANI) for its sensing characteristics for detecting acetaldehyde. Pristine PANI is further modified in two ways to improve its sensing capabilities: 1) addition of a side chain (i.e., two methyl groups) to form poly (2,5‐dimethylaniline), 2) addition of small amounts of metal oxide dopant (In2O3 in this case) to PANI. All the materials are evaluated for their sensing characteristics with respect to both sensitivity and selectivity. The sensitivity of PANI toward acetaldehyde is found to improve with both types of modification (i.e., poly (2,5‐dimethylaniline) and PANI doped with different wt.% of In2O3). However, upon evaluating selectivity toward acetaldehyde using binary and ternary gas mixtures, pristine PANI exhibited higher selectivity compared to its modified counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Area‐selective deposition (ASD) is a forefront nanopatterning technique gaining substantial attention in the semiconductor industry. While current research primarily addresses single‐material ASD, exploring multi‐material ASD is essential for mitigating complexity in advanced nanopatterning. This study describes molybdenum hexafluoride (MoF6)‐mediated fluorination/passivation of the hydroxylated SiO2 (SiO2‒OH) at 250 °C as a new method to pacify nucleation during subsequent ZnO and TiO2 atomic layer deposition (ALD). In contrast, Al2O3 ALD is not passivated on the fluorinated SiO2 (SiO2‒F). The study further shows that Mo ALD using MoF6 and silane (1 wt% SiH4 in Ar) selectively proceeds on hydrogen‐terminated Si (Si‒H), whereas SiO2‒OH becomes fluorine‐passivated without observable Mo deposition. This enables subsequent ZnO and TiO2 ASD on Mo versus SiO2‒F, as confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Proposed growth and inhibition mechanisms highlight the importance of the metal oxide precursor in achieving selectivity. Taken together, self‐aligned Mo/ZnO and Mo/TiO2 nanoribbons are demonstrated on coplanar nanoscale Si‒H/SiO2‒OH patterns by sequentially integrating two individual ASD processes: 1) Mo ASD on Si‒H versus SiO2‒OH; and 2) ZnO or TiO2 ASD on Mo versus SiO2‒F. This work highlights the potential for this approach in new ASD systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supramolecular chemistry–mediated synthesis has thus far been employed for the design of ordered mesoporous structures surrounded by various metal oxides that are helpful as nanometer-scaled unique reaction containers with high specific surface area, large pore volume and uniform mesopores useful for the storage and mass transport of large-sized molecules. The evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) process is very powerful for fabricating mesoporous metal oxide films with the rapid evaporation of solvents. Although a similar EISA process is also applied to synthesize mesoporous metal oxide powders using the room-temperature drying process with slow evaporation of solvents, the control of the evaporation rate should be quantified for the complete reproduction of high-quality metal oxide powders. In this feature article, I introduce our recent challenge in synthesizing highly porous metal oxides in powder form with the smart optimization of synthetic conditions by combining several EISA processes to eliminate the mismatch of the rate of solvent evaporation, inducing the self-assembly of amphiphilic organic molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many relevant high-temperature chemical processes require the use of oxide-supported metallic nanocatalysts. The harsh conditions under which these processes operate can trigger catalyst degradation via nanoparticle sintering, carbon depositions or poisoning, among others. This primarily affects metallic nanoparticles created via deposition methods with low metal–support interaction. In this respect, nanoparticle exsolution has emerged as a promising method for fabricating oxide-supported nanocatalysts with high interaction between the metal and the oxide support. This is due to the mechanism involved in nanoparticle exsolution, which is based on the migration of metal cations in the oxide support to its surface, where they nucleate and grow as metallic nanoparticles partially embedded in the oxide. This anchorage confers high robustness against sintering or coking-related problems. For these reasons, exsolution has attracted great interest in the last few years. Multiple works have been devoted to proving the high catalytic stability of exsolved metallic nanoparticles in several applications for high-temperature energy storage and conversion. Additionally, considerable attention has been directed towards understanding the underlying mechanism of metallic nanoparticle exsolution. However, this growing field has not been limited to these types of studies and recent discoveries at the forefront of materials design have opened new research avenues. In this work, we define six new trends in nanoparticle exsolution, taking a tour through the most important advances that have been recently reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal conversion‐based anodes have recently re‐emerged as promising high‐performance energy storage materials by realizing their interfacial extra capacity. However, challenges persist in utilizing and maintaining its high activity particularly under rapidly repeated cycles, due to inherent capacity irreversibility, low conductivity, and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Here, a novel charge confinement strategy employing a highly polarized, conductive interfacial layer of fluorinated carbon incorporated into galvanic replacement‐derived manganese ferrites is proposed to significantly boost interfacial space charge storage. A substantially high reversible capacity of 1376 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 is attained by developing the Li‐rich phase through spin‐polarized surface capacitance, coupled with highly polarized interfacial sites offered by the high electronegativity of fluorination. Furthermore, incorporating in situ formed LiF‐rich SEI from electrochemically active C─F bond can promote ionic/electronic transport, robustness, and volume change tolerance. Consequently, an exceptional rate performance of 513 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1 is achieved with outstanding cyclability, delivering over 1100 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1 after 300 cycles and further validating its practical application in stable full batteries. These insights demonstrate that rational surface modification to improve interfacial charge storage with stable modulated‐SEI can innovatively advance for high‐energy‐density conversion‐based anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]