Search

In this study, a bimetallic palladium–copper aerogel was synthesized and used for modification of a graphite paste electrode (Pd-Cu/GPE), allowing the sensitive determination of bisphenol A (BPA). Different techniques, such as SEM, TEM, XPS, and AFM, were used for characterization of the Pd-Cu aerogel. To elucidate the properties of the Pd-Cu/GPE, the electrochemistry methods such as differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used. DPV measurements were conducted in phosphate electrolyte and buffer solution (0.2 M PBS, pH 5) at a potential range from 0.4 to 0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The DPVs peaks currents increased linearly with BPA concentrations in the 0.04–85 and 85–305 µM ranges, with a limit of detection of 20 nM. The modified electrode was successfully used in real samples to determine BPA, and the results were compared to the standard HPLC method. The results showed that the Pd-Cu/GPE had good selectivity, stability, and sensitivity for BPA determination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly (4-vinyl pyridine) cross-linked by 2%DVB quartenized by I−, Br−, N3− and SCN−; named [P4-VP]MI, [P4-VP]BBr, [P4-VP]MN3, [P4-VP]MSCN are synthesized and their effect as a new eco-friendly polymeric inhibitor on the corrosion process of St-37 in 1 M H2SO4 at ambient temperature was investigated. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques are used to confirm formation and the structure of the inhibitors. Then, their ability as corrosion inhibitors are examined by theoretical computation as well as the experimental tests involving potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), weight-loss measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). According to the obtained results, all inhibitors can effectively protect carbon steel from corrosion and the inhibition efficiency increases as the concentration of inhibitor and reaching 91.08% at 0.04 g L−1 [P4-VP]MI in 1 M H2SO4 and the corrosion current density reduces from 398.11 × 10−6 A·cm−2 in the blank condition to 35.48 × 10−6 A·cm−2. The geometrical and electronic properties of poly(4-vinylpyridine) cross-linked with 2% divinyl benzene and its derivatives as well as their corrosion inhibition process on Fe (1 1 0) surface are investigated using density-functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in water solution. The results of comparing the inhibitory efficiency of polymers show that the order of inhibition is as follows: [P4-VP]MI > [P4-VP]BBr > [P4-VP]MN3 > P4-VP > [P4-VP]MSCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The binding of the lanthanum(III) complex containing 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), [La(phen) 3 Cl 3 ·OH 2 ], to DNA is investigated by absorption and emission methods. This complex shows absorption decreasing in a charge transfer band, and fluorescence decrement when it binds to DNA. Electronic absorption spectroscopy (UV–Vis), fluorescence spectra, iodide quenching experiments, salt effect and viscosity measurements, ethidium bromide (EB) competition test, circular dichroism (CD) spectra as well as variable temperature experiments indicate that the La(III) complex binds to fish salmon (FS) DNA, presumably via groove binding mode. The binding constants (K b ) of the La(III) complex with DNA is (2.55 ± 0.02) × 10 6 M −1 . Furthermore, the binding site size, n, the Stern–Volmer constant K SV and thermodynamic parameters; enthalpy change (ΔH 0 ) and entropy change (ΔS 0 ) and Gibb's free energy (ΔG 0 ), are calculated according to relevant fluorescent data and the Van't Hoff equation. The La(III) complex has been screened for its antibacterial activities by the disc diffusion method. Also, in order to supplement the experimental findings, DFT computation and NBO analysis are carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is an attractive method to produce renewable fuel and chemical feedstock using clean energy sources. Formate production represents one of the most economical target products from CO2RR but is primarily produced using post‐transition metal catalysts that require comparatively high overpotentials. Here a composition of bimetallic Cu–Pd is formulated on 2D Ti3C2Tx (MXene) nanosheets that are lyophilized into a highly porous 3D aerogel, resulting in formate production much more efficient than post‐transition metals. Using a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), formate selectivities >90% are achieved with a current density of 150 mA cm−2 resulting in the highest ever reported overall energy efficiency of 47% (cell potentials of −2.8 V), over 5 h of operation. A comparable Cu‐Pd aerogel achieves near‐unity CO production without the MXene templating. This simple strategy represents an important step toward the experimental demonstration of 3D‐MXenes‐based electrocatalysts for CO2RR application and opens a new platform for the fabrication of macroscale aerogel MXene‐based electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern inorganic aerogels have drawn great attention in material science and renewable energy fields due to their exceptional physicochemical behavior, tremendous surface area, and large porosity. Despite many attempts, only a few strategies to produce metallic aerogels have been reported. Herein, a novel, surfactant-free, fast, and facile method is proposed to generate palladium aerogels. For the first time, carbon monoxide is used in the presence of HCl by a sol-gel procedure to create palladium aerogels assembled by nanochains. Moreover, palladium aerogels are constructed at low (0.05 M, Pd-AL), medium (0.5 M, Pd-AM), and high (1.0 M, Pd-AH) sol concentrations to assess their role in controlling morphology and electrocatalytic efficiency. The Pd-AL, Pd-AM, and Pd-AL display the porous three-dimensional networks with ultralow densities of 0.016, 0.019, and 0.024 g cm−3, respectively. Based on the comparative analysis, Pd-AL is the optimized form produced through the self-assembly process, with the highest electrocatalytic activity and durability. Pd-AL, Pd-AM, and Pd-AH showcased mass activities of 2.3, 1.7, and 1.3 A mg−1 Pd , respectively. In addition, durability testing revealed that the specific activities of Pd-AL, Pd-AM, and Pd-AH toward formic acid oxidation after the 500th cycle retained 87%, 78%, and 65% of the initial mass activities, respectively. Undoubtedly, these self-supported 3D aerogels can be considered as superior candidates for diverse renewable energy applications. [Display omitted] • A facile, fast, novel, and surfactant-free procedure was utilized to create the Pd aerogels. • The morphology of Pd aerogels is severely affected by sol concentration. • Three-dimensional aerogels were used as advanced electrocatalysts in renewable energy. • The electrocatalytic activity of Pd aerogels was optimized at the lowest sol concentration. • All aerogels show a 3D monolithic architecture with ultra-low density and high porosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • New approach to engineering surface-bound catalysts via diazonium chemistry. • eCO 2 RR using a surface-anchored Ag-Pd aerogel on carbon cloth. • Cost-effective, simple, stable, efficient method for electrode surface modification. • First report of eCO 2 RR utilizing electro-grafted surface of CC with catalyst. Electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (eCO 2 RR) is a promising route for removal of CO 2 from the atmosphere and transforming it into value-added products. The development of new and efficient catalysts plays a vital role in this regard. Here a combination of carbon grafting and bimetallic metal aerogel is presented as a catalyst for eCO 2 RR. The grafted surface plays an essential function in assembling the catalyst on the carbon cloth (CC) surface as a supported catalyst. Herein, we describe the use of para -aminothiophenol (p-TP) as a grafting agent combined with diazonium chemistry to fix a metallic aerogel catalyst on CC as support. The silver, palladium and bi-metallic silver-palladium aerogels (Ag- p-TP , Pd- p-TP , and AgPd- p-TP) anchored onto the surface of CC yielding the corresponding surface-bound materials were used for testing the electrochemical reduction of CO 2. The mono-metallic Ag carbon cloth (Ag- p-TP /CC) exhibited the ability in reducing CO 2 to CO with moderate Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 74 % in 0.1 M, NaHCO 3 electrolyte at p H = 7.5. The bimetallic AgPd- p-TP -CC further enhanced the Faradaic efficiency for CO formation to 88.7 %, with an unexpectedly low onset potential of −0.09 V vs. RHE. Surprisingly, formate was identified to be the liquid product when Pd- p-TP -CC and AgPd- p-TP -CC were used, with maximal FE formate of 19.0 % and 25.7 % at −1.0 V vs. RHE, respectively. In contrast, CC lacking the chemical grafting that allows immobilization of the metal aerogel (Ag-Pd/CC) exhibits lower FEco% for eCO 2 RR, highlighting the importance of this chemical modification of the carbon cloth surface. Diazonium chemistry coupled with metal aerogels is a new approach to generating surface-bound catalysts for the effective reduction of CO 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect of weakly coordinating anions, , as axial ligands on the formation and coordination chemistry of verdoheme analogues have been examined. Two new five-coordinate and stable iron(II) verdoheme analogues, [OEOPFeIIX], where OEOP is the monoanion of octaethyloxoporphyrin and X=AsF6 and SbF6, have been isolated. The compounds have been characterized by different spectroscopic methods as well as elemental analysis. 1H NMR spectroscopy and magnetic moment measurements show that the [OEOPFeIIX] are paramagnetic and iron is five-coordinate. Exposure of dichloromethane solutions of [OEOPFeIIX] (X=AsF6 (2), SbF6 (3)) to dioxygen result in their transformation into the μ-oxo bridged compounds, [(OEOPFe)2O](X)2 (X=AsF6 (4), SbF6 (5)). The structures of 4 and 5 have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, both are structurally similar with a P21/c space group in the monoclinic crystal system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, ceramic membranes with different compositions have been fabricated and used as a separator in two-chambers microbial fuel cells (MFCs). MFCs performance has been affected by properties of the clayware separator such as porosity, proton exchange, and electrical conductivity as well as the structure of the membrane. To study the effect of SiO 2 on the composition of ceramic membrane soil, adding different amounts of SiO 2 to two soil samples of Kalporgan and leached Kalporgan's soil for fabricated ceramic membrane was investigated. The sintering phenomenon in the leaching process was reduced significantly and the membrane acted as an ideal substrate. The addition of SiO 2 to the leached soil caused the melting point decreases and the sintering process increases slightly, thus have not a positive effect on the MFCs performance. However, when 30% SiO 2 has been added to non-leached soil without proper support, its porous structure had a dominant effect on reducing the melting point, results in better performance of MFCs, decreasing the internal resistance from 977.36 to 115.96 Ω, growing up the current density from 102.00 to 769.23 mA/m2, increasing the power density by approximately 15-fold and gaining colombic efficiency from 27 to 79%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superparamagnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles play a significant role in enhancing the performance and efficiency of polymer-based solar cells using nanocomposites. For the first time in this study, a novel superparamagnetic core-shell nanocomposite of poly(m -aminobenzenesulfonic acid) (PABS) and Fe 3 O 4 was synthesized by in-situ polymerization of m -ABS as a monomer in the presence of FeCl 3 ·6H 2 O as oxidant under solid-state conditions. The poly(m -aminobenzenesulfonic acid) (PABS)-Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite (NCPABS-Fe 3 O 4) was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that revealed a core-shell morphology. Under simulated solar irradiation, the photovoltaic cell characteristics were measured. Based on our results, the polymer-hybrid solar cell was fabricated using FTO/TiO 2 /NCPABS-Fe 3 O 4 /Al and demonstrated a power conversion efficiency (PCE or η) 4.24% that was approximately 660% higher than those obtained from FTO/TiO 2 /(PABS)/Al. We have also proposed a new mechanism for the 660% enhanced efficiency. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest enhancement reported in the literature. Our results showed that the polymer-hybrid solar cell was completely efficient with a high η in comparison with similar ones reported in literature, and also had less fabrication costs using green synthesis conditions with a simple structure and displayed resistance to oxidation with high stability. Image 1 • Synthesis of a novel superparamagnetic core-shell nanocomposite of PABS and Fe 3 O 4. • The fabrication of polymer-hybrid solar cell using this nanocomposite for the first time. • A high PCE (or η) 4.24% that was about 660% higher than those obtained without Fe 3 O 4. • This is the highest enhancement reported in the literature, to the best of our knowledge. • Both synthesis and fabrication were inexpensive using green conditions with high stability to oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the polymeric fuel cell, improving the efficiency of the electrodes is one of the challenges to commercialize this technology. The utilization of spongy support is an efficient and novel approach for uniform dispersion of nano-metallic electrocatalyst and increasing the active surface area. In this work, the non-stoichiometric spongy zinc ferrite (NSZF) has been synthesized by the solution combustion technique. The scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and N 2 ad-/de-sorption test have proven the production of pure cubic spinel ZnFe 1.6 O 4 phase with a spongy morphology and average grains size 11.9 nm. Nano-assembled palladium (NAPd) has been anchored on NSZF as a ceramic support via wet processing, and used in the anodic oxidation of single-carbon organic compounds, such as methanol, formaldehyde, and formic acid. The stability and CO-tolerance ability of NAPd-NSZF have been represented by comparing with NAPd as non-supported palladium. The NSZF as a transition metal oxide has effective property in the dispersion of NAPd in its porous structure. The NSZF promotes NAPd ability for the elimination of carbonaceous intermediates blocking of the catalyst active site through the surface oxygens, and creation of the cycling redox between the high and low valences of iron. The chronoamperometry study has been displayed the higher catalytic activity of NAPd-NSZF in comparison with NAPd for the electrooxidation of single-carbon organic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solution combustion synthesis was used for preparation of porous CeO 2 with two different fuels; glucose and citric acid, for combustion. The samples of porous CeO 2 are labeled as PCO Glu and PCO Cit. The surface area of PCO Cit and PCO Glu were estimated as 44.50 ± 0.12, and 47.72 ± 0.16 m2 g−1, respectively. The cavities acidity, OH groups on surface, and its bond strength to the active cerium sites are compared by measuring the p H of zero charges; that it was 11.95 ± 0.02, and 11.90 ± 0.03 for PCO Cit and PCO Glu , respectively. The nanosized palladium (NPd) was loaded on PCO Glu and PCO Cit via wetness incorporation. As-prepared nano-microstructure electrocatalysts are utilized in the electrooxidation of C1 compounds, including methanol, formaldehyde, and formic acid. The NPd-PCO Glu presents higher electrocatalytic activity, stability and CO-tolerance ability for the electrooxidation of C1 compounds as compared to the NPd-PCO Cit and NPd as non-supported palladium; So that, the performance of the modified electrodes increase in the order of NPd < NPd-PCO Cit < NPd-PCO Glu. The PCO with porous structural network affected on the electrochemical surface area, dispersion, and durability of NPd. It is effective the capability of removing the poisoning species of the electrooxidation of C1 compounds on NPd through the lattice oxygen, and the activation of an oxidation−reduction cycle between the high and low chemical valences of cerium, leading to improve the electrocatalytic efficiency of NPd. Lastly, the conversion of methanol to formaldehyde, and then to formic acid during electrooxidation is confirmed by using cyclic voltammetry. • Fabrication and characterization of porous CeO 2. • Incorporation of porous CeO 2 as novel support for nanosized palladium. • Study of electrooxidation efficiency of C1 compounds. • Evaluation of the electrooxidation mechanism of C1 compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The synthesis of a new derivative of polyaniline containing azo group; poly(p-aminoazobenzene) (PPAAB). • The first report of preparation of nanosheets from PPAAB. • The monitoring the process of trans↔cis photoisomerization of the azobenzene segments by UV–vis spectroscopy. • The first report of the polymer solar cell (PSC) fabrication of PPAAB as FTO/TiO2/PPAAB/Al with a high the PCE (η). • Both preparation of polymer and fabrication of PSC are inexpensive, simple, and under a green condition. In recent years, the isomerization of the N N double bonds in two forms, namely the cis (Z) and trans (E) isomers, of aromatic azobenzenes have attracted great interest. It occurs readily both photochemically and thermally. Thus, aromatic azobenzenes are excellent candidates as molecular switches to build dynamic molecular devices. In this paper, synthesis of poly(p -aminoazobenzene) (PPAAB) 1 1 Poly(p -aminoazobenzene) nanosheets as a new derivative of polyaniline containing azo groups by polymerization of diazoaminobenzene as the monomer was conducted in a new, simple and green condition with %72 yield. This is the first report of in-situ polymerization of p -aminoazobenzene (PAAB) with nanosheet morphology via one-pot route and without application of any template. The PPAAB was characterized and its properties were investigated. The photoisomerization process of the polymer was observed by UV–vis spectroscopy under irradiation at 380 nm for 2 h. This polymer demonstrated good thermal stability and the conductivity about 3.4 × 10−4 S cm-1. The XRD analysis showed that the polymer has a semi-crystalline structure. SEM and TEM images also indicated the same results and demonstrated two-dimensional nanosheet morphology with sheet size ranging from 150 nm to several micrometers and thickness about 90 nm. Furthermore, the polymer solar cell (PSC) of PPAAB as FTO/TiO 2 /PPAAB/Al was fabricated and the power conversion efficiency (η) was obtained about 1.5%. The result showed that the PSC is completely efficient with a high η in comparison with similar cells in literature with less fabrication costing, simple structure, and under a green condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Porous CeO 2 powder with different mean pore size and volume fraction was produced. • The structure, microstructure, and BET surface area of the powders were explored. • The formation mechanism of the porous powder was explained. The aim of this study was synthesis of Mg-doped porous cerium oxide powder by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction of Mg- x CeO 2 -O 2 system. Results indicated that doping Mg in the CeO 2 crystal structure increased its lattice parameter slightly, and shifted the Ce-O band in the FTIR spectra from 490 to 574 cm−1. Moreover, the EDS results revealed the distribution of Mg in the CeO 2 microstructure. There were a high volume fraction of interconnected macro-pores in the microstructure of cerium oxide after the synthesis process. Increase in the x -value from 0.05 to 0.25 mol decreased the mean size and volume fraction of pores from 2.4 to 1 µm and 50 to 30 vol%, respectively. In addition, the BET surface area of porous CeO 2 varied between 0.3 and 1.57 m2/g. Finally, it was inferred that the SHS technique can be introduced as a rapid and novel method for synthesis of Mg-doped porous CeO 2 powders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two galvanic reduction steps and one galvanic displacement reaction are developed as a new and simple method for modification of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The GCE was modified by a three-dimensional Pd-Cd nanostructure that decorated on reduced graphene oxide. For the preparation of the modified electrode, firstly deposited graphene oxide layer and cadmium (II) chloride on the GCE are reduced to graphene (rGO) and metallic cadmium, respectively by new strategy using Zn/HCl system. Then, three-dimensional palladium nanonetwork is created on the electrode by the galvanic displacement reaction. As-prepared catalyst has been characterized by the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), the energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDX), and the electrochemical measurements. The obtained peak current density of ethanol oxidation on the Pd-Cd/rGO is 179 mAcm −2 , which is 4.47 times higher than that commercial Pd/C catalyst (40 mAcm −2 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A new dimeric Lanthanum(III) complex with 1,10-phenanthroline is synthesized, and its X-ray crystal structure was analyzed. • Binding interactions of FS DNA and BSA are survived. • Antimicrobial studies of various bacteria are carried out. • In vitro cytotoxicity of La 2 (III) complex was performed in A-549 cell lines by the MTT method. UV–Vis and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography are used to characterize a novel dimeric Lanthanum(III) complex with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), [LaCl 2 (Phen) 2 -µ-Cl 2 - LaCl 2 (Phen) 2 ]. It is also being examined for its antibacterial, anticancer, and DNA (Fish Salmon DNA) and protein (Bovine Serum Albumin) binding properties. The title compound's crystals are triclinic, P 1 ¯ ; with a (Å) = 9.914(3), b (Å) = 10.927(3), c (Å) = 12.047(3), V (Å3) = 1151.7(5), α (°) = 84.797(5), β (°) = 77.224(4), γ (°) = 64.814(5), Z = 1 and D calc = 1.747 (g/cm3). It has a centrosymmetric binuclear [LaCl 2 (Phen) 2 (µ-Cl)] 2 unit (the two bridging chlorine atoms lie on an inversion center). The molecular modeling method was used to study the binding qualities both empirically and conceptually. Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy methods were used to determine thermodynamic parameters, the binding constant (K b), and the possible binding process. With a binding constant (K b) of 1.78 × 105, the volume of binding to FS DNA supports groove binding, which is consistent with docking estimates. With a static technique, the as-synthesized complex efficiently suppressed BSA emission and was bound by K b = 1.17 × 105 at 298 K, demonstrating its high tendency for BSA contact via van der Waals force and hydrogen bond. Antimicrobial testing on a variety of bacteria revealed that it has good antibacterial action. The MTT method was used to test the in vitro cytotoxicity of the La 2 (III) complex in A-549 cell lines, which exhibited considerable activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a novel method is introduced for the production of uniformly ultra-small palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) using lanthanum oxide nanoparticles (La 2 O 3 NPs) as an adsorbing support and a promoter. Here, the Zn/HCl system is also adopted as a reducing agent. The high distribution and small-size PdNPs, decorated on clean surface of La 2 O 3 NPs, are successfully fabricated. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transition electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) are used to investigate the structure, morphology and chemical composition of the samples. Electrochemical measurements show the new catalyst with outstanding performance in terms of mass current density and stability in comparison to the commercially available Pd/C catalyst for ethanol oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A heteroleptic europium coordination compound formulated as [Eu(phen) 2 (OH 2 ) 2 (Cl) 2 ](Cl)(H 2 O) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffractometer. Crystal structure analysis reveals the complex is crystallized in orthorhombic system with Pca2 1 space group. Electronic absorption and various emission methods for investigation of the binding system of europium(III) complex to Fish Salmon deoxyribonucleic acid (FS-DNA) and Bovamin Serum Albumin (BSA) have been explored. Furthermore, the binding constants, binding sites and the corresponding thermodynamic parameters of the interaction system based on the van't Hoff equation for FS-DNA and BSA were calculated. The thermodynamic parameters reflect the exothermic nature of emission process (ΔH°<0 and ΔS°<0). The experimental results seem to indicate that the [Eu(phen) 2 (OH 2 ) 2 (Cl) 2 ](Cl)(H 2 O) bound to FS-DNA by non-intercalative mode which the groove binding is preferable mode. Also, the complex exhibits a brilliant antimicrobial activity in vitro against standard bacterial strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge of breaking the C–C bond in ethylene glycol oxidation requires an efficient electrocatalyst. A porous oxide as the promoter boosts the dispersion of noble metal onto the electrocatalyst surface. Porous Li 2 TiO 3 (LT) was synthesized, characterized, and applied as a promoter for palladium nanoparticles. The nano-Pd as a stable and efficient catalyst was stabilized on spinel LT promoter via two different reduction approaches including chemical (NaBH 4) and electrochemical (Zn sheet/HCl) systems. Different techniques such X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, Barrett-Joyner-Halenda test, scanning electron microscopy, and transition electron microscopy were characterization of LT and LT/Pd. The size of the mesopores is between 2 and 19 nm. In comparison with non-promoted Pd, Pd/LT electrocatalyst was shown an excellent efficiency in parameters like electrochemical active surface area and anti-CO poisoning behaviour. The LT increases the removal of intermediates created in the oxidation of ethylene glycol that can poison the surface of Pd catalyst. This is due to the presence of the lattice oxygens in LT structure and Ti switching between its high and low valances. The morphology of as-synthesized electrocatalysts that was probed by FESEM micrographs demonstrates the embedment of nano-Pd onto the surface and into LT cavities. The results showed that the nano-Pd manufactured with the chemical reduction has a smaller size with high dispersion than the electrochemical reduction system. In this study, for the first time, the adsorption isotherms of fuel on the catalyst's surface were determined through the calculations of adsorption and desorption of hydrogen in the different concentrations of ethylene glycol. [Display omitted] • Fabrication and characterization of porous Li 2 TiO 3 • Incorporation of Pd on Li 2 TiO 3 via chemical and electrochemical reductions • Effect comparison of Pd reduction method on its electrocatalytic activity • Study of Pd activity with and without oxide support for ethylene glycol oxidation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Synthesis of Gr|Fe 3 O 4 @PANI nanocomposite via simple, low cost, one step, green, and in-situ polymerization method. • An unusual indirect transition and increase of triplet state of excitons arising from a spin-orbit coupling created by Fe 3 O 4. • The fabrication of single-layer polymer solar cells using Gr|Fe 3 O 4 @PANI as active layer. • The donor and acceptor mechanisms for the electron transfer in polymer solar cell are proposed. In this work, for the first time, Gr (graphene)|Fe 3 O 4 @PANI nanocomposite was synthesized from graphite, aniline-HCl and FeCl 3.6H 2 O via a simple in-situ and green route as the active layer for photovoltaic application. The proposed nanocomposite was characterized by FT-IR, SEM, TEM, UV-vis spectroscopy, XRD technique, and then the thermal, magnetic, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties investigated. The energy gap was calculated, and it is noticed that the optical band gap of nanocomposite fallows an indirect transition, arising from a strong spin-orbit coupling created by Fe 3 O 4 in the Gr|Fe 3 O 4 @PANI nanocomposite. Next, polymer solar cell (PSC) based on this nanocomposite was fabricated with a simple device structure of FTO │ TiO 2│ Gr|Fe 3 O 4 @PANI │ Al. The photovoltaic properties of the cells have been evaluated under AM 1.5G illumination at 60 mW/cm2 with a solar simulator. A power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.81% was observed with a short circuit current (J sc) of 4.14 mA/cm2, an open-circuit voltage (V oc) of 0.71 V, which indicates this kind of conjugated polymer should be a promising material in the application of polymer solar cells. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nanocomposite of titanium dioxide nanorods and multi-walled carbon nanotubes was synthesized. • Nanocomposite was immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode. • Simultaneous electrochemical detection of six biomolecules was achieved. • Real sample applications were performed using human urine and chocolate powder. In this proof-of-concept study, a novel nanocomposite of titanium dioxide nanorods with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (TiO 2 NRs-MWCNTs) was synthesized using a solvo-thermal method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The nanocomposite of TiO 2 NRs-MWCNTs was utilized to modify the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) using 1.5% (v/v) Nafion™ solution for a proof-of-concept study to detect uric acid (UA), xanthine (XA), theophylline (TP) and theobromine (TB) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA) and dopamine (DA). Simultaneous detection of these six biomolecules was performed using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in a wide potential window from -0.3 V to -1.6 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) at pH 4.0. The TiO 2 NRs-MWCNTs/GCE showed strong, stable and six simultaneous well-separated anodic peaks at 0.13, 0.35, 0.50, 0.85, 1.10 and 1.28 V for AA, DA, UA, XA, TP and TB, respectively. The calibration curves showed linearity to 191.0, 147.0, 537.0, 586.0, 893.0, 1653.0 µM with detection limits of 0.51, 0.06, 0.05, 0.09, 0.56 and 0.75 µM for AA, DA, UA, XA, TP and TB, respectively. The electrochemical performance of the TiO 2 NRs-MWCNTs/GCE displayed good reproducibility for simultaneous determination of six analytes. Finally, our preliminary results suggested that the TiO 2 NRs-MWCNTs/GCE can provide a promising platform for rapid quantitative detection of AA, DA, UA, XA, TP and TB in quality control studies of real samples such as pharmaceuticals and food products. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel conductive and flexible multi-walled polymeric nanotubes (MWPNTs) of poly(diazoaminobenzene) (PDAAB) were synthesized using diazoaminobenzene monomer for the first time in this report. The synthesis followed a one-pot, cost-effective, green and template-free procedure, in which aniline was used as initiator with 87% yield at room temperature. PDAAB was characterized with spectroscopic and microscopic methods such as Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), UV–vis, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) as well as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and conductivity measurements. In addition, MWPNTs were used in the design of a novel single-layer polymer solar cell. PDAAB was sandwiched between TiO 2 nanoparticle-modified fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) electrode and an aluminum electrode (FTO-TiO 2 │PDAAB│Al), as anode and cathode, respectively. Finally, various physical characteristics of the single-layer polymer solar cell were determined under simulated solar irradiation. Our proof-of-concept study demonstrated that MWPNTs provided a promising platform to develop polymer-based solar energy conversion and storage systems. Unlabelled Image • Synthesis of a novel multi-walled polymeric nanotube (MWPNT) of poly(diazoaminobenzene) (PDAAB) was described. • Synthesis involved a one-pot, acid and template-free green method at room temperature. • PDAAB was observed to have azo groups appended along its entire backbone. • The fabrication of single-layer polymer solar cells using PDAAB was reported. • Solar cells were compared using PDAAB before and after wash with ethanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• One-pot synthesis to fabricate Pd-Ag nanoparticles. • Environmentally friendly method to prepare Pd-Ag nanoparticles. • The uniform dispersity of ultrasmall Pd-Ag nanoparticles on graphene nanosheets. • The Pd-Ag/G displays extraordinary electrocatalytic activity and durability toward ethanol oxidation. An environmentally friendly one-pot synthesis approach for the decoration of Pd-Ag nanoparticles with the ultrasmall size on graphene (Pd-Ag/G) by the assistance of ultrasound is proposed in this paper. This method offers exceptional advantages over other approaches such as environmentally friendly synthesis, being low temperature, reductant, surfactant free, simple, fast and one-pot synthesis. In this work, silver formate is added to the graphene suspension at 25 °C. Then, PdCl 2 is added to the suspension under stirring to fabricate Pd-Ag/G. The uniform dispersity of nanoparticles with an average size of about 2–3 nm is well confirmed by transmission electron microscopy micrographs. The resultant catalyst is applied as anode electrocatalyst towards electrooxidation reaction of ethanol. The Pd-Ag/G catalyst displays exceptional catalytic activity and durability towards electro-oxidation of ethanol. According to the obtained results, it be concluded that the combination of Ag and Pd, ultrasmall and uniform distribution of Pd-Ag nanoparticles led to the improvement of electrocatalytic activity of the Pd-Ag/G catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and fast galvanic reduction method is applied to the preparation of Pd-Cu/rGO modified electrode. The preparation method includes reduction of deposited graphene oxide (GO) on the Glassy Carbon Electrode (GCE), and reduction of deposited CuCl 2 -PdCl 2 on reduced graphene oxide. Both reduction steps are performed using 2% aqueous Zn/HCl solution. During the second step, palladium-copper bimetallic nanonetwork was created on reduced graphene oxide (rGO). To investigate the morphology, crystalline phases and chemical composition of the as-prepared catalyst, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) were applied, respectively. Catalytic activity and stability of Pd-Cu/rGO were studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The Pd-Cu nanocatalyst supported on reduced graphene oxide illustrates greatly increased electrocatalytic activities for formic acid oxidation (FOR) in an acid electrolyte. The current density (265 mA cm−2) and mass activity (3704 mA mg−1 Pd) of Pd-Cu/rGO catalyst were higher by 4.7 and 2.07 times than that of Pd/C for the formic acid oxidation. Moreover, Pd-Cu/rGO catalyst represented improved stability during FOR than Pd/C. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearable sweat sensors are reshaping healthcare monitoring, providing real-time data on hydration and electrolyte levels with user-friendly, noninvasive devices. This paper introduces a highly portable two-channel microfluidic device for simultaneous sweat sampling and the real-time detection of volatile organic compound (VOC) biomarkers. This innovative wearable microfluidic system is tailored for monitoring diabetes through the continuous and noninvasive tracking of acetone and ammonia VOCs, and it seamlessly integrates with smartphones for easy data management. The core of this system lies in the utilization of carbon polymer dots (CPDs) and carbon dots (CDs) derived from monomers such as catechol, resorcinol, o -phenylenediamine, urea, and citric acid. These dots are seamlessly integrated into hydrogels made from gelatin and poly(vinyl alcohol), resulting in an advanced solid-state fluorometric sensor coating on a cellulose paper substrate. These sensors exhibit exceptional performance, offering linear detection ranges of 0.05-0.15 ppm for acetone and 0.25-0.37 ppm for ammonia, with notably low detection limits of 0.01 and 0.08 ppm, respectively. Rigorous optimization of operational parameters, encompassing the temperature, sample volume, and assay time, has been undertaken to maximize device performance. Furthermore, these sensors demonstrate impressive selectivity, effectively discerning between biologically similar substances and other potential compounds commonly present in sweat. As this field matures, the prospect of cost-effective, continuous, personalized health monitoring through wearable VOC sensors holds significant potential for overcoming barriers to comprehensive medical care in underserved regions. This highlights the transformative capacity of wearable VOC sweat sensing in ensuring equitable access to advanced healthcare diagnostics, particularly in remote or geographically isolated areas.

Peptide self-assembly has been highly studied to understand the pathways in forming higher order structures along with the development and application of resulting hydrogel materials. Driven by noncovalent interactions, peptide hydrogels are stimuli-responsive to any addition to its gelling conditions. Here, a Phe-His based peptide, C 14 -FH(Trt)-OH, was synthesized and characterized with 1 H NMR, FT-IR, MS, UV-vis spectroscopies and elemental analysis. Based on SEM imaging, the dipeptide conjugate was capable of forming a nanofibrous, interconnected network encapsulating buffer to produce a supramolecular hydrogel. Through the addition of Zn 2+ and Cu 2+ , there is a clear change in the self-assembled nanostructures characterized through SEM. With this effect on self-assembly follows a change in the viscoelastic properties of the material, as determined through rheological frequency sweeps, with 2 and 3 orders of magnitude decreases in the elastic modulus G ' in the presence of Zn 2+ and Cu 2+ respectively. This highlights the tunability of soft material properties with peptide design and self-assembly, through metal ions and N δ -directed coordination.

The widespread occurrence of endocrine disruptor compounds in wastewater has garnered significant attention owing to their toxicity, even at low concentrations, and their persistence in the water body. Among various analytical techniques, electrochemical sensors become popular for the environmental monitoring of water pollutants due to their low cost, rapid detection, high sensitivity, and selectivity. In this study, the mesoporous Ni (MNi) material was synthesized with an innovative method using Pluronic™ F-127 as a soft template and applied as a modifier for the simultaneous electrochemical sensing of hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CC), bisphenol A (BPA), and bisphenol S (BPS). MNi with high porosity efficiently enhanced the redox-active surface area and conductivity of the glassy carbon electrode contributing to a significantly improved sensitivity in the detection of target chemicals. The pore size and surface area of MNi were estimated based on atomic force microscopy and Brunauer Emmett and Teller techniques to be ∼14.2 nm and 31.1 m 2  g -1 , respectively. The limit of detection for HQ, CC, BPA, and BPS was determined to be 5.3, 5.7, 5.6, and 61.5 nM, respectively. The electrochemical sensor presented in this study holds promise as a platform for developing portable and miniaturized tools offering the rapid and sensitive detection of these hazardous phenolic compounds in environmental water samples., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In this proof-of-concept study, an ultralight graphene oxide aerogel (GOx-Aero) decorated with bimetallic palladium-iron nanoparticles (Pd-Fe) was synthesized and immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for electrochemical sensor applications. The main objective of this work was to develop a sensitive electrochemical sensor capable of simultaneously detecting eight biomolecules, including ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA), 8-hydroxyguanine (8HG), guanine (G), adenine (A), thymine (T), and cytosine (C). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that an electrochemical sensor has been able to detect eight biomolecules simultaneously. The bimetallic GOx aerogel significantly enhanced the performance of the sensor by increasing the electroactive area, conductivity, and anodic peak current response. The sensor demonstrated sharp, well-defined, and continuous oxidation peaks for all eight analytes of interest and wide linear ranges of 5.0-1750, 0.25-100.0, 0.5-500.0, 0.5-375.0, 0.5-500.0, 0.5-500.0, 5.0-1500.0, and 5.0-1500.0 μM for AA, DA, UA, 8HG, G, A, T, and C, respectively. The prepared sensor also exhibited excellent stability, reproducibility, and sensitivity with a very low limit of detection (LOD) of 553.7, 1.8, 69.6, 43.2, 42.9, 72.3, 57.2, and 318.4 nM for AA, DA, UA, 8HG, G, A, T, and C, respectively. The Pd-Fe-GOx-Aero-GCE was also tested in various real samples such as artificial saliva, artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), salmon sperm DNA, and genomic DNA from calf thymus, where it demonstrated good recovery values. Additionally, the novel developed sensor was used to monitor the interaction between the anticancer drug, cisplatin, which has well-described binding affinity with the G and A bases in DNA. Overall, Pd-Fe-GOx-Aero-GCE displayed an extremely promising platform not only for the simultaneous detection of eight biomolecules in complex biological matrices but also for DNA-drug interaction studies toward the development of electrochemical high-throughput drug screening assays, which is of great importance in the field.

An enzymatic biosensor has been developed for the determination of selenate (SeO 4 2- ), in which selenate reductase (SeR) is chemically attached to a gold disk electrode by lipoic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester as linker, allowing the catalytic reduction of the SeO 4 2- to SeO 3 2- . Modification of the gold electrode was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS), and electrochemistry. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurements were performed in different buffers for selenate determination. Under optimum conditions, the calibration curve was linear over the range 7.0-3900.0 μg L -1 with limits of detection and quantification of 4.97 and 15.56 μg L -1 , respectively. The possible interference of the relevant oxyanions SO 4 2- , NO 3 - , NO 2 - , PO 4 3- and AsO 4 3- in the determination of SeO 4 2- was studied. Finally, the proposed biosensor was used to determine SeO 4 2- with recovery between 95.2 and 102.4 % in different real water samples., (© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with the aggregation and misfolding of a-synuclein (a-syn) protein in dopaminergic neurons. The misfolding process is heavily linked to copper dysregulation in PD. Experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that the co-presence of Cu(II) and α-syn facilitates the aggregation of α-syn, affecting the pathological development of PD. Recent literature has shown that pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) contains strong neuroprotective activity by reducing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by α-syn. Despite these known facts, minimal studies have been done on the antioxidant effect of PQQ against ROS formation in the presence of Cu(II) and α-syn-119. Thus, it is of great significance to study the interaction between all three components, PQQ, Cu(II), and α-syn-119. In this proof-of-concept study, a variety of chemical techniques were employed to examine the antioxidant effect of PQQ on ROS that α-syn-119 produced in the presence of Cu(II). Our results showed that PQQ effectively prevented ROS formation in SH-SY5Y human differentiated neuronal cells. Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence assay, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied, where PQQ was able to actively prevent fibrillation of α-syn-119 in the presence of Cu(II). This finding was further confirmed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), where the binding of PQQ to the α-syn-119 suppressed the aggregation process on the electrode surface. With these encouraging results, we envisage that PQQ and its derivatives can be a promising candidate for further studies as a multitarget therapeutic agent toward PD therapy.

Herein, a novel hybrid bilayer membrane is introduced as a platform to study the aggregation of amyloid-β 1-42 (Aβ 1-42 ) peptide on surfaces. The first layer was covalently attached to a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) via diazonium electrodeposition, which provided a highly stable template for the hybrid bilayer formation. To prepare the long-chain hybrid bilayer membrane (lcHBLM)-modified electrodes, GCE surfaces were modified with 4-dodecylbenzenediazonium (DDAN) followed by the modification with dihexadecyl phosphate (DHP) as the second layer. For the preparation of short-chain hybrid bilayer membrane (scHBLM)-modified electrodes, GCE surfaces were modified with 4-ethyldiazonium (EDAN) as the first layer and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (BEHP) was utilized as the second layer. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) were used to characterize the bilayer formation. Both positively charged [Ru(NH 3 ) 6 ] 3+ and negatively charged ([Fe(CN) 6 ] 3-/4- ) redox probes were used for electrochemical characterization of the modified surfaces using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). EIS results showed a decrease in charge transfer resistance (R ct ) upon incubation of Aβ 1-42 on the hybrid bilayer-modified surfaces. This framework provides a promising electrochemical platform for designing hybrid bilayers with various physicochemical properties to study the interaction of membrane-bound receptors and biomolecules on surfaces.

Simultaneous speciation of benzenediol isomers (BDIs), 1,2-benzenediol (catechol, CC), 1,3-benzenediol (resorcinol, RS), and 1,4-benzenediol (hydroquinone, HQ), was investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) using a graphite paste electrode (GPE) modified with Prussian blue-polyaniline nanocomposite. The modified GPE showed good stability, sensitivity, and selectivity properties for all the three BDIs. Prussian blue-doped nanosized polyaniline (PBNS-PANI) was synthesized first by using mechanochemical reactions between aniline and ferric chloride hexahydrate as the oxidants and then followed by the addition of potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) in a solid-state and template-free technique. The material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The DPV measurements are performed in phosphate electrolyte solution with pH 4.0 at a potential range of - 0.1 to 1.0 V. The proposed modified electrode displayed a strong, stable, and continuous three well-separated oxidation peaks towards electrooxidation at potentials 0.20, 0.31, and 0.76 V for HQ, CC, and RS, respectively. The calibration curves were linear from 1 to 350.5 μM for both HQ and CC, while for RS, it was from 2 to 350.5 μM. The limit of detection was determined to be 0.18, 0.01, and 0.02 μM for HQ, CC, and RS, respectively. The analytical performance of the PBNS-PANI/GPE has been evaluated for simultaneous determination of HQ, CC, and RS in creek water, commercial hair dye, and skin whitening cream samples with satisfactory recoveries between 90 and 106%. Overall, we demonstrated that the presence of NS-PANI and PB resulted in a large redox-active surface area that enabled a promising analytical platform for simultaneous detection of BDIs. Graphical abstract.

The biosynthesis of the dinuclear metal cluster at the active sites of the [NiFe]-hydrogenase enzymes is a multi-step process executed by a suite of accessory proteins. Nickel insertion during maturation of Escherichia coli [NiFe]-hydrogenase 3 is achieved by the metallochaperones HypA, SlyD and the GTPase HypB, but how these proteins cooperate to ensure nickel delivery is not known. In this study, the complexes formed between the individual purified proteins were examined by using several methods. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) indicated that SlyD and HypB interact primarily in a 1:1 complex. The affinity of HypB-SlyD was measured by using surface plasmon resonance, which revealed a K D of 24 ± 10 nM in the absence of nucleotide and an interaction several fold tighter in the presence of GDP. A ternary complex between all three proteins was not detected, and instead SlyD blocked the interaction of HypA with HypB in competitive binding experiments. Furthermore, cross-linking experiments suggest a weak interaction between HypA and SlyD, which is not detectable by SEC. Electrochemical analysis confirmed each of the pairwise interactions and that the relative affinities of these complexes are on the order of HypB-SlyD > HypB-HypA > HypA-SlyD. These results indicate a hierarchy of interactions, as opposed to a single multiprotein complex, and provide insight into the nickel delivery process during hydrogenase enzyme maturation.

In this study, immobilized nanoraspberry-like copper on the reduced graphene oxide (NRCu-rGO) was synthesized and used for modification of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for selective and sensitive simultaneous determination of benzenediols isomers; hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CC), resorcinol (RS) as well as nitrite (NO 2 - ). A detailed investigation such as field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and X-ray diffraction as well as electrochemistry methods such as cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, differential pulse voltammetry (DPVs) and chronoamperometry are performed in order to elucidate the preparation process and properties of the NRCu-rGO/GCE. DPVs peak currents increased linearly with the analytes concentrations within the ranges of 0.13-131.5 μM for HQ, CC, RS and 0.3-131.5 μM for NO 2 - with a detection limits 49, 52, 60 and 100 nM for HQ, CC, RS and NO 2 - , respectively. The proposed modified electrode was successfully used for simultaneous determination of HQ, CC, RS and NO 2 - in real samples., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this paper, a fast and effective method for the palladium (Pd) wire nanostructures synthesis with the great surface area through galvanic replacement reaction utilizing copper nanowires (CuNWS) as a template by the assistance of ultrasound under room temperature condition is proposed. A multifunctional catalyst with the mentioned nanostructure, Pd@CuNWs, and multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and chitosan (CH) as a binder was fabricated. To investigate the morphology and bulk composition of the prepared catalyst, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), and Inductively Coupled Plasma atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) were utilized. Various electrochemical techniques including chronoamperometry and cyclic voltammetry were employed for the electrocatalytic activity of ethanol electrooxidation and durability in basic solution. Electrochemical catalytic activity and durability evaluation results proved that the as-synthesized Pd@CuNWs/MWCNTs-CH has a super electrocatalytic activity compared to Pd/MWCNTs and Pd/C electrocatalysts for ethanol electrooxidation. Pd@CuNWs/MWCNTs-CH catalyst demonstrated substantially enhanced performance and long-term stability for ethanol electrooxidation in the basic solution in comparison to Pd/MWCNTs and commercial Pd/C demonstrated the potential in utilizing Pd@CuNWs/MWCNTs-CH as an efficient catalyst for ethanol oxidation. Additionally, thermodynamic and kinetic evaluations revealed that the Pd@CuNWs/MWCNTs-CH catalyst has lower activation energy compared to Pd/MWCNTs and Pd/C which leads to a lower energy barrier and an excellent charge transfer rate towards ethanol oxidation. Noticeably, the Pd@CuNWs/MWCNTs-CH presented excellent catalytic activities with high peak current density which was 9.5 times more than Pd/C, and more negative onset potential in comparison to Pd/C is acquired for ethanol electrooxidation denoting synergistic effect between CuNWs/MWCNs-CH and Pd. The Pd@CuNWs/MWCNTs-CH can be considered as a valid candidate among available electrocatalysts in direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs)., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The present study reports a novel red phosphorus (RP)/Co 3 O 4 -CuO hybrid as a high-performance anode material for lithium ion battery that was successfully synthesized by simple sol gel method and followed by facile ball milling of red phosphorus. Herein, we outstandingly improved practical application of RP anode (with its natural insulation property and rapid capacity decay in during the lithiation process) in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) by confining nanosized amorphous RP into the Co 3 O 4 -CuO nanoparticle while RP can improve the electrochemical capacity returning and increased capacity of composite in high current density. This bonding can help maintain electrical contact, prevent to escape RP from the electrode and confirm the solid electrolyte interphase upon the large volume change of RP during cycling. As a result, by judicious usage of components in the RP/Co 3 O 4 -CuO hybrid nanostructured anode was achieved an initial Coulombic efficiency of 99.8% at a current density of 50 mA g -1 and an enhanced cycling stability (683.63 and 470.11 mAh g -1 after 60 cycles at a density of 0.1 and 1 A g 1- ) with interesting cycling capacity at high current density of 3 Ag 1- (333.81 mAh g -1 ). Moreover, the composite electrode can still deliver a specific capacity of about 97.4% of initial capacity after cycling at high rates and returning to the initial current density of 0.1 A g 1- ., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest.