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The need for revamping spent graphite (SG) from battery waste of commercial lithium-ion batteries and employing it as a source for the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) is focused. Thus, this work emphasizes the study of GO sheets, synthesized via modified Hummer's method from spent graphite (SG-GO) as cathodes for an aqueous zinc ion battery (AZIB) system, for the first time in literature. For comparison, graphene oxide is also synthesized using commercial graphite powder, its structural and morphological properties are analyzed with SG-GO. The coin cell AZIB device is fabricated for both the GOs and the electrochemical performances revealed that SG-GO portrayed an enhanced charge capacity of 270 mAh g -1 at 0.1 A g -1 in 3 m ZnSO 4 in comparison to GO which delivered ≈198 mAh g -1 at the same current density of 0.1 A g -1 . The long-run cycling analysis of SG-GO elucidated the capacity retention of 77.3% at 1 A g -1 even after 1000 cycles. Moreover, the performance of SG-GO is inspected in different electrolyte systems and the suitable electrolyte underwent concentration variation studies to figure out the capability of the system in storing Zn 2+ ions which is found to be more in 3 M ZnSO 4 electrolyte., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Inorganic cesium lead halide perovskites have evoked wide popularity because of their excellent optoelectronic properties, high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (PLQY), and narrowband emission. Here, cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr 3 ) quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized via the ligand-assisted re-precipitation method. Post-synthesis treatment of CsPbBr 3 QDs using antimony tribromide improved the PL stability and optoelectronic properties of the QDs. In addition, the PLQY of the post-treated sample was enhanced to 91% via post-treatment, and the luminescence observed was maintained for 8 days. The post-synthesis treatment ensured defect passivation and improved the stability of CsPbBr 3 perovskite QDs. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of more ordered, uniform-sized CsPbBr 3 QDs after post-synthesis treatment, and the uniformity of the sample improved as the day passed. The formation of a mixed crystal phase was observed from X-ray diffraction in both as-synthesized, as well as post-treated QDs samples with the possibility of a polycrystalline nature in the post-treated CsPbBr 3 QDs as per the selected area electron diffraction pattern. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra confirmed the presence of antimony and the possibility of defect passivation in the post-treated samples. These QDs can act as potential candidates in various optoelectronic applications such as photodetectors and light-emitting diodes due to their high PLQY and longer lifetime., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The contemporary work focuses on embossing the emissive nature of lead halide perovskite materials, specifically Cs 4 PbBr 6 microcrystal powder prepared via single step bulk recrystallization method followed by the solvent evaporation route from gram to kilogram scale. The X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the formation of phase pure Cs 4 PbBr 6 with a goodness of fit value of 1.51 calculated from Rietveld refinement and the fluorophore powder manifesting an intrinsic band gap of 3.76 eV. The experimental yield of 99.4% indicates the absence of any unreacted precursors. The fabricated flexible, free-standing Cs 4 PbBr 6 @PMMA film encompassed better moisture stability without undergoing phase transitions for 400 days. The temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra denote that 51% of the intensity was retained when cooled back to room temperature after heating it till 180 °C. Moisture studies at two extreme humidity conditions also reveal the appreciable stability of the fluorophore film against moisture. The stability studies with respect to UV irradiation substantiate that the film retained its stability even after exposing it continuously to UV radiation for seven days. The outstanding optical properties of these microcrystals, owing to the higher exciton binding energy, make them a promising candidate as excellent fluorophores for color conversion, backlight, and light-emitting applications. The Cs 4 PbBr 6 @PMMA film was employed as the top cover of a commercial blue LED, producing a robust green emission which revealed its possible application as a phosphor material., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following competing financial interest(s): The authors want to declare that one patent was applied from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham based on that work., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Naturally stimulated dynamic ordering-disordering of biomolecules via noncovalent interactions is a commonly occurring phenomenon in biological systems. Herein, we report the effect of induced polarization on the charge carrier dynamics of carbon-quantum-dot-based nano ionic materials (CQD-NIMs) under simulated solar radiation. The solventless liquid-like CQD-NIMs is composed of polystyrenesulfonate (PSS)-passivated CQD as the core-corona system with a polyetheramine (Jeffamine) forming the canopy. The material was observed to behave as a dielectric when placed between two electrodes. Dynamic ordering-disordering of the corona around the CQD surface under induced polarization allowed excess current flow through the solventless material when exposed to simulated solar radiation. Such reversible molecular-assembly-induced photoconducting behavior of the CQDs was characterized with impedance spectroscopy and steady state fluorescence spectroscopy. The concept depicted in the present manuscript may be further developed to design smart light-sensitive molecular switching devices.

Nanoclay minerals play a promising role as additives in the liquid electrolyte to form a gel electrolyte for quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells, because of the high chemical stability, unique swelling capability, ion exchange capacity, and rheological properties of nanoclays. Here, we report the improved performance of a quasi-solid-state gel electrolyte that is made from a liquid electrolyte and synthetic nitrate-hydrotalcite nanoclay. Charge transport mechanisms in the gel electrolyte and nanoclay interactions with TiO(2)/electrolyte interface are discussed in detail. The electrochemical analysis reveals that the charge transport is solely based on physical diffusion at the ratio of [PMII]:[I(2)] = 10:1 (where PMII is 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide). The calculated physical diffusion coefficient shows that the diffusion of redox ions is not affected much by the viscosity of nanoclay gel. The addition of nitrate-hydrotalcite clay in the electrolyte has the effect of buffering the protonation process at the TiO(2)/electrolyte interface, resulting in an upward shift in the conduction band and a boost in open-circuit voltage (V(OC)). Higher V(OC) values with undiminished photocurrent is achieved with nitrate-hydrotalcite nanoclay gel electrolyte for organic as well as for inorganic dye (D35 and N719) systems. The efficiency for hydrotalcite clay gel electrolyte solar cells is increased by 10%, compared to that of the liquid electrolyte. The power conversion efficiency can reach 10.1% under 0.25 sun and 9.6% under full sun. This study demonstrates that nitrate-hydrotalcite nanoclay in the electrolyte not only solidifies the liquid electrolyte to prevent solvent leakage, but also facilitates the improvement in cell efficiency.

A pH and mechano-responsive coordination polymeric gel was developed without the use of long chain hydrophobic groups. The hydrogel was synthesised by reacting the aqueous solution of Mg2+ with the basic aqueous solution of N-(7-hydroxyl-4-methyl-8-coumarinyl)-alanine. The gelation is attributed to the self-aggregation of 1D coordination polymers to form 3D nanostructures through non-covalent interactions to entrap water molecules. The freeze-dried hydrogel exhibits a fibrillar network structure with a uniform ribbon shape. UV/vis absorption studies illustrate that the hydrogel displays a typical pi-pi* transition. The fluorescence intensity of the hydrogel is enhanced drastically with a longer lifetime upon gel formation. Mechanical analysis including dynamic oscillation on shear, steady shear and creep (retardation-relaxation) testing have been performed to elucidate the supramolecular nature of the 3D assembly. Together with the viscoelastic properties and biocompatibility, the Mg2+ hydrogel may find utility as a novel soft material in biomedical applications.

Recrystallization of elemental selenium (Se) from aqueous solution in presence of sodium sulphite (Na2SO3) and sodium sulphide (Na2S) acting as complexing agents has resulted in the formation of nano and microstructures of Se having five different morphological modifications. (1) An aqueous solution of sodium selenosulphate (Na2SO3Se) obtained by dissolving Se in Na2SO3 under refluxing condition yields hemispherical microcrystals. (2) The filtrate of the above reaction mixture on aging produces hexagonal prismatic microrods of Se. Addition of Na2SO3Se solution to formalin (HCHO) at room temperature and refluxing conditions generates (3) Se nanorods, and (4) spherical microcrystals, respectively. (5) Recrystallization of Se from aqueous solution of Na2S develops flower shaped microcrystals.

We have observed electrical bistability and large conductance switching in functionalized carbon nanotube (CNT)-conjugated polymer composites at room temperature. The concentration of the CNTs in the polymer matrix controlled the degree of bistability. Conduction mechanism applicable in each of the conducting states has been identified. The switching had an associated memory phenomenon and was reversible in nature. In the bistable devices, the active layer retained its high-conducting state until a reverse voltage erased it. We could "write" or "erase" a state and "read" it for many cycles for random-access memory applications.