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Meat quality is damaged by traditional technologies. Researchers devised a revolutionary technique called plasma technology to meet the requirement for an effective cold processing method. Cold plasma (CP) used for meats and its products decontamination and storability extension has shown to be highly successful. The influence of CP on meat quality is important to its acceptability as an alternative meat processing technology. CP treatments have had effects on the color, pH, lipid oxidation, and microbial quality of different meat products. CP treatment offers crucial benefits over traditional processing methods because of its design adaptability, non-thermal behavior, relatively inexpensive, and environmental friendliness. CP processing is currently in its infancy and requires further investigation in meat and meat products to achieve its best extent. This paper discusses the fundamentals of CP technology, its effects on the quality of meats such as color, pH value, lipid oxidation, and microbial quality, and future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-pressure processing as a unique technique of meat preservation is being widely used to preserve the meat and meat products by which a commercially feasible product's production is possible to meet the consumer's demand with no chemical preservatives and other harmful substances. Pressure treatment could have effects on colour, texture, protein denaturation, and meat microbial stability at ambient or low temperatures; it can help in minimizing the thermal exposure of the meat product to prevent the quality degradation, reduce microbial contamination and improve tenderness. This paper briefly reviews the attention of the high-pressure processing influence on meat product quality, namely texture, tenderness, colour, and microbial. The principles, HPP equipment, challenges, and future trends in high-pressure processing are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, graphene nanosheets (GNs) are prepared from graphite rods obtained from waste dry-cell batteries using the electrochemical exfoliation (ECE) method. Then GNs used as a matrix to modify tin oxide (SnO 2) and Bismuth (Bi) nanoparticles to prepare a binary phase SnO 2 @G and ternary-phase Bi@SnO 2 @G nanocomposite materials by wet-chemical method and used as a photocatalysts for degradation of organic dye pollutants. XRD diffraction pattern clearly confirmed the presence of tetragonal crystal system of SnO 2 which was maintaining its structure in SnO 2 @G and G/Bi/SnO 2. The stretching and bending vibrations of the functional groups were analyzed using FTIR analysis. FESEM images demonstrated the surface morphology and the texture of the as synthesized sample. Raman Spectroscopic investigation was carried out to confirm the in-plane blending of SnO 2 and graphene inside the composite matrix. The as-prepared ternary-phase Bi@SnO 2 @G-based photocatalyst showed high degradation efficiency of 99.6% and 94.5% for direct blue (DB) and methyl blue (MB) dyes, respectively, under visible light irradiation by (i) minimizing the hole and electron recombination, (ii) providing a high surface area, and (iii) reducing the band gap energy. This study provides an effective, low-cost, and smart approach for producing GNs on a wide scale from battery waste along with nanohybrid composites with high photocatalytic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the authors report a facile low-temperature wet-chemical route to prepare morphology-tailored hierarchical structures (HS) of copper oxide. The preparation of copper oxide collides was carried out using varying concentrations of copper acetate and a reducing agent at a constant temperature of 50°C. The prepared HS of CuO were characterised by powdered X-rays diffraction that indicates phase pure having monoclinic structures. The morphology was further confirmed by field-emission scanning electron microscope. It reveals a difference in shape and size of copper oxide HS by changing the concentration of reactants. In order to evaluate the effect of H2O2 on CuO NPs, the prepared CuO are modified by treatment with H2O2. In general trend, CuOH2O2 collide showed enhanced protein kinase inhibition, antibacterial (maximum zone 16.34 mm against Staphylococcus aureus) and antifungal activities in comparison to unmodified CuO collides. These results reveal that CuO HS exhibit antimicrobial properties and can be used as a potential candidate in pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the authors report a facile low‐temperature wet‐chemical route to prepare morphology‐tailored hierarchical structures (HS) of copper oxide. The preparation of copper oxide collides was carried out using varying concentrations of copper acetate and a reducing agent at a constant temperature of 50°C. The prepared HS of CuO were characterised by powdered X‐rays diffraction that indicates phase pure having monoclinic structures. The morphology was further confirmed by field‐emission scanning electron microscope. It reveals a difference in shape and size of copper oxide HS by changing the concentration of reactants. In order to evaluate the effect of H2 O2 on CuO NPs, the prepared CuO are modified by treatment with H2 O2. In general trend, CuOH2 O2 collide showed enhanced protein kinase inhibition, antibacterial (maximum zone 16.34 mm against Staphylococcus aureus) and antifungal activities in comparison to unmodified CuO collides. These results reveal that CuO HS exhibit antimicrobial properties and can be used as a potential candidate in pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, tris-heteroleptic Ru(ii) sensitizers denoted as SD-15 and SD-16 with a 4,4′,5,5′-tetramethyl-1H,1′H-2,2′-bis-imidazole moiety as the ancillary ligand were designed, synthesized and characterized using FTIR-ATR, 1H-NMR and UV-vis spectrophotometry. Structural modulations resulted in a red shift in the low-energy metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption peak. The novel bis-imidazole based Ru(ii) sensitizer was adsorbed on a TiO2 surface via–COOH anchoring groups. The band gap, and the ground and excited state oxidation potentials were measured. The photovoltaic performance of the as-fabricated solar cells was measured and showed that the presence of bis-imidazole provided more negative free energy for dye regeneration (−ΔGregeneration) and less driving force for electron injection (−ΔGinjection) into the conduction band edge of TiO2. Therefore, the use of SD-15 and SD-16 resulted in lower JSC values of 10.20 and 3.52 mA cm−2, respectively, than N719. The open-circuit photovoltage (VOC) of SD-15 and SD-16 was 0.58 and 0.52 V, respectively, less than N719 under the same experimental conditions due to the decreased eTiO2 lifetime of 0.71 ms compared to 8.8 ms of N719 for the injected electrons that was calculated using impedance measurements. Our efforts in this research program led to the development of more stable Ru(ii) complexes compared to N719 NCS-based complexes; however, the conversion efficiency was lower. Hence, the fine-tuning of bi-imidazole is needed to identify more efficient NCS-free Ru(ii) sensitizers for higher efficiency DSSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase pure SnS nanosheets were synthesized by a hot injection method from a new single molecular precursor (SMP), dibutyl-bis(piperidinedithiocarbamato)tin(iv) in oleylamine at 230 °C. The tin complex was characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetry and microelemental analysis. The complex is thermally stable up to 260 °C, after which it decomposes in a single step with a major mass loss between 260 °C and 300 °C. The thermolysis of the as-prepared precursor was carried out in oleylamine between 190 and 230 °C. The formation and shape evolution of SnS was investigated using high resolution electron microscopy. The mechanism of the time dependent growth of SnS from spherical particles into nanosheets is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colloidal PbS nanocrystals (NCs) were prepared by an environmental friendly route. The as-prepared colloidal PbS nanocrystals were characterized by powdered X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The ground state excitonic transition energies determined from the position of the first excitonic absorption peaks (2.5 nm±0.2 (J1), 2.8 nm±0.15 (J2) and 3.1 nm±0.3 (J3) were 1.71, 1.35 and 1.15 eV respectively). These PbS nanocrystals were then used to sensitize a nanostructured ZnO–SnO 2 electrode by using In 2 S 3 as a buffer layer. The results showed that sensitization procedure of PbS NCs with electrode played a significant role in the charge separation and transport. The cell fabricated by PbS NCs in which linker molecules were exchanged on the surface of electrode showed considerably higher incident to photon conversion efficiency (IPCE) compared to pre-ligand modified PbS NCs. The findings presented here can potentially be applied for the design of low-cost ETA devices for commercial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultra-small PbSe nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesized via a 'one-pot' approach in olive oil as the reaction medium and capping agent. The optical spectra showed discernible blue shifts in the absorption band edges (570-780 nm) due to strong quantum confinement effects and photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed significant strong emission peaks in the range of 780-850 nm. The broad peaks in the powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD) pattern indicate the ultra-small size of the as-prepared NCs. These NCs were used to construct an extremely thin absorber (ETA) solar device after surface modification. The preliminary results indicate their potential as light harvesting entities in nanostructure based solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Unique PbSe nanostructures “nanoworms” have been synthesised from small PbSe nanocrystals at room temperature without the use of surfactant or template. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

New substituted and unsubstituted phenol based mesogene series having an azo central linkage was synthesized by fixing phenol as rigid core unit with aromatic amine. The terminal –OH group was esterified successively by long alkyl chain acid chloride of variable length (n=2, 6, 11, 15, 17). All 25 synthesized compounds exhibit mesomorphism. The effect of side chain length and substituents on the stability of liquid crystals was studied. The study reveals that nitro substituent destabilizes nematic and smectic phases more than floro substituent. Furthermore, the transition temperature decreases as the length of side chain increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanodiamonds (NDs) have garnered attention in the field of nanomedicine due to their unique properties. This review offers a comprehensive overview of NDs synthesis methods, properties, and their uses in biomedical applications. Various synthesis techniques, such as detonation, high‐pressure, high‐temperature, and chemical vapor deposition, offer distinct advantages in tailoring NDs′ size, shape, and surface properties. Surface modification methods further enhance NDs′ biocompatibility and enable the attachment of bioactive molecules, expanding their applicability in biological systems. NDs serve as promising nanocarriers for drug delivery, showcasing biocompatibility and the ability to encapsulate therapeutic agents for targeted delivery. Additionally, NDs demonstrate potential in cancer treatment through hyperthermic therapy and vaccine enhancement for improved immune responses. Functionalization of NDs facilitates their utilization in biosensors for sensitive biomolecule detection, aiding in precise diagnostics and rapid detection of infectious diseases. This review underscores the multifaceted role of NDs in advancing biomedical applications. By synthesizing NDs through various methods and modifying their surfaces, researchers can tailor their properties for specific biomedical needs. The ability of NDs to serve as efficient drug delivery vehicles holds promise for targeted therapy, while their applications in hyperthermic therapy and vaccine enhancement offer innovative approaches to cancer treatment and immunization. Furthermore, the integration of NDs into biosensors enhances diagnostic capabilities, enabling rapid and sensitive detection of biomolecules and infectious diseases. Overall, the diverse functionalities of NDs underscore their potential as valuable tools in nanomedicine, paving the way for advancements in healthcare and biotechnology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we report the design and successful synthesis of two new heteroleptic polypyridyl Ru(II) complexes (SD-5 and SD-6), by incorporating hetero-aromatic electron-donating N-alkyl-2-phenylindole moieties into the ancillary ligand. These novel ruthenium complexes were used as photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells. The primary objective was to investigate the electron-donating effect of the indole segments on the photo-related properties and the influence of the length of terminal alkyl chains tethered to N-indole on the charge recombination resistance. The chemical structures of both targeted compounds were confirmed via FT-IR, 1H-NMR and mass spectrometry. Under the same device fabrication conditions, the photovoltaic performance of SD-6 outperformed that of SD-5 and N719 with an overall efficiency of 8.14% (JSC = 19.21 mA cm−2, VOC = 0.675 V and FF = 62.7%), compared to 7.74% of N719 and 4.99% of SD-5. The enhanced photovoltaic power of SD-6 can be attributed to the presence of long alkyl antennas (–C18H37) in SD-6; it reduced the intermolecular aggregation of dyes and suppressed charge recombination, thus resulting in enhanced JSC and VOC values, respectively, compared to its analog SD-5. Furthermore, the presence of indole moieties with long alkyl chains in the ancillary ligand enhanced the photovoltaic performance compared to N719 with bi-anchoring ligands. The photovoltaic and EIS measurements were consistent with the equilibrium molecular geometry calculated using density functional theory (DFT). The structure–property relationships have been discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PbSe nanowires (NWs) have been synthesized by using a single-source precursor route. Carefully controlling the conditions of individual reactions leads to PbSe NWs with well-defined diameters (8-25 nm) and lengths (100 nm-1 μm). The as-grown PbSe NWs are highly crystalline, defect free, and readily dispersible in organic solvents. The NWs have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low temperature growth of crystalline PbS films has been achieved on plastic substrates by CVD using a xanthate. The possible mechanism involved in this low temperature deposition has been probed by density functional theory calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe for the first time the use of a single source precursor to deposit thin films and nanocrystals of palladium selenide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• It is the first time to systematically study the acceptor-based ancillary ligand for Ru(II) sensitizers. • Ru(II) sensitizers, SD7-SD10 , were synthesized using fluoro-substituted electron acceptor ancillary ligands. • The highest J SC (19.57 mA∙cm−2) and photovoltaic performance were observed for device employing sensitizer SD-7. • SD-8 (8.17%) outperformed the benchmark N719 (7.70%) in the overall solar to electric conversion efficiency. Herein, we report four novel heteroleptic ruthenium (II) complexes, namely SD-7 to SD-10, containing fluoro- and trifluoro- methyl antennas as substituents on the ancillary ligands for dye-sensitized solar cells, and were compared to the benchmark dye N719. Photosensitizers (dyes) SD-7 to SD-10 were synthesized according to a typical one-pot three-step procedure with the corresponding ancillary ligands (LS-7 to LS-10). All the dyes were characterized by ATR-FTIR, 1H NMR and mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the photophysical, electrochemical and photovoltaic performances were compared with N719. The band gaps, ground and excited state oxidation potentials were measured. The photovoltaic performance of the dyes showed that SD-7 with five fluorine atoms and SD-8 with CF 3 at the – ortho position of the phenyl moiety outperformed the benchmark dye N719 with the efficiencies of 8.03% and 8.17%, respectively, with current density of 19.57 and 19.46 mA∙cm−2, respectively, and open-circuit voltages of 0.65 V and 0.69 V, respectively, under optimized conditions. The fabricated solar devices at lab-scale showed a systematic trend of decreasing J SC when the fluoro-substituted dyes were sensitized on TiO 2 : SD-7 (with five –F) > SD-8 (with one CF 3 at ortho position) > SD-9 (with one CF 3 at para position) > SD-10 (with two CF 3 , one at ortho and one at para position). This can be attributed to the greater number of fluorine atoms directly attached to sp2 hybridized carbon atoms, which greatly enhanced the dipole moment and intimate electronic coupling of SD-7 with TiO 2 nanoparticles leading to better photocurrent density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction for ‘Facile synthesis of phosphine free ultra-small PbSe nanocrystals and their light harvesting studies in ETA solar cells’ by Javeed Akhtar, et al., Dalton Trans., 2014, 43, 16424–16430. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Two novel heteroleptic brominated-TPA-stilbazole based Ru (II)-sensitizers denoted as SD-11 and SD-11 mono were designed, synthesized and characterized for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) in comparison to benchmarked dye N719. The molecular structures of SD-11 and SD-11 mono were confirmed using FTIR, 1 H-NMR and mass spectrometry. The aim was to systematically study the effect of mono (SD-11 mono) versus bis-brominated-TPA moiety (SD-11) on molar absorptivity, ground and excited state oxidation potentials, light harvesting efficiency (LHE), incident-photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE), short-circuit photocurrent density ( J sc), and total solar-to-electric conversion efficiency ( η ) for DSCs. Optical results revealed that SD-11 and SD-11 mono have higher molar extinction coefficients, narrower HOMO−LUMO gaps compared to N719. Hence, it was found that SD-11 exhibited remarkably greater J sc than SD-11 mono and interestingly showed comparable extinction coefficients. However, in optimized conditions, SD-11 showed a higher J sc of 22.1 mA cm −2 , V oc of 0.68 V with (% η) of 8.7 compared to J sc of 14.4 mA cm −2 , V oc of 0.63 V and with (% η) of 5.8 for SD-11 mono whereas N719 attained a J sc of 15.9 mA cm −2 , V oc of 0.74 V with (% η) of 7.6 under the same experimental device conditions. It was concluded that SD-11 outperformed SD-11 mono in photovoltaic performance when anchored on TiO 2 , owing to better light-harvesting ability. These results clearly demonstrated that the enhancement of the photovoltaic performance in SD-11 can be attributed to the presence of more number of –Br group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

A bifunctional mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) with composition (49SiO 2 ·20CaO·20Na 2 O·7K 2 O·4P 2 O 5 mol%) was synthesized by a facile sol-gel method, using polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) as a soft template. The structure, morphology (spherical with approximate size 1 μm) and composition of MBG were determined by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), respectively. The surface area (189.53 m 2 g − 1 with the pore size of 21 nm) of MBG was measured by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) analysis. The formation of hydroxyapatite (HAp) layer on the glass surface upon immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) was monitored through X-ray diffraction (XRD) which indicates enhanced bioactivity as compared to previous studies. The animals study, protein adsorption ability, and cytotoxicity investigations show no tissue damage, good biomedical properties and no encumbrance with cell cycle (even at a concentration of 80 μg/mL). Moreover, the cell proliferation analysis reveals the non-toxic property of MBG at a concentration of 20 μg/mL. Notably, a cumulative drug (ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic) release of 75% was observed for first 48 h and the further release of 90% was observed over a period of two weeks. The synthesized MBG also shows osteoblast activity and bone mineralization as revealed by alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and osteocalcin formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Bis( O -alkylxanthato)copper(II) (alkyl = Et ( 1 ), Hex ( 2 ) and Oct ( 3 )) complexes were synthesized and used as single source precursors for the synthesis of copper sulfide nanoparticles by thermolyses in oleylamine, solid state deposition and doctor’s blade method at different temperatures and reaction times. The p-XRD pattern of the copper sulfide nanoparticles obtained from complex ( 1 ) by colloidal thermolysis in oleylamine show pure Digenite phase (Cu 9 S 5 ) under all reaction conditions. TEM images show significant changes in size and shape of crystallites by variation of the growth temperature or time. Thermolysis of complex ( 2 ) in oleylamine gave pure phase Digenite (Cu 9 S 5 ) at higher temperature (250 °C) with disks and rectangular cuboidal morphologies whereas at lower temperature (200 °C) traces of Covellite (CuS) were also observed. The p-XRD analysis of the nanoparticles produced from the thermolysis of complex ( 3 ) in oleylamine show Digenite (Cu 9 S 5 ) as the predominant phase with some impurity of Djurleite (Cu 31 S 16 ) phase. The melt method produced Digenite and Covellite phases from complex ( 1 ) and pure Digenite phase from complex ( 2 ). Complex ( 3 ) gave the Digenite and Chalcocite phases. Nanoparticles from all three complexes by the melt method show spherical and cuboid morphology. p-XRD of thin films by the doctor blade method show Digenite as the major phase and Djurleite as the minor phase. These results showed that the phase of copper sulfide were directly dependent on the type of precursor (alkyl chain length), growth temperature and the method used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is an emerging way for the production of H2, which has the ability to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels for the power generation and provide an ecologically safe storage of solar energy. Fabrication of photoelectrode is one of the major challenges to make PEC water splitting more effective and efficiently sustainable. In this article, we have focussed on the studies of antimony (Sb)-incorporated ZnO photoelectrodes and their evident effects in boosting the PEC water splitting activities using different concentrations of Sb incorporated on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) via aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition method (AACVD). The as-deposited photoelectrodes were characterized by using different techniques and were applied for the water splitting. The incorporated thin films exhibited better light absorbance in the visible range, probably because of the generation of extra energy levels through metal incorporation. An enhanced PEC water splitting performance was observed by Sb-incorporated ZnO photoelectrodes as compared to pure ZnO. More specifically, 15% Sb-incorporated ZnO attained a photocurrent density of 0.99 mA cm−2 at 0.85 V vs. Ag/AgCl and maximum photo-stability that is quite greater as compared to pure ZnO (0.19 mA cm−2). This improvement was stated by the reduced bandgap and multifaceted morphological aspects of Sb-incorporated ZnO. In the production of simple and low-cost synthetic methods and effective electrode materials for PEC water splitting applications, these results are proved to be very helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSC) have shown a rapid increase in efficiency than other photovoltaic technology. Despite its success in terms of efficiency, this technology is inundated with numerous challenges hindering the progress towards commercial viability. The crucial one is the anomalous hysteresis observed in the photocurrent density‐voltage (J−V) response in PSC. The hysteresis phenomenon in the solar cell presents a challenge for determining the accurate power conversion efficiency of the device. A detailed investigation of the fundamental origin of hysteresis behavior in the device and its associated mechanisms is highly crucial. Though numerous theories have been proposed to explain the causes of hysteresis, its origin includes slow transient capacitive current, trapping, and de‐trapping process, ion migrations, and ferroelectric polarization. The remaining issues and future research required toward the understanding of hysteresis in PSC device is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The graphene-based nanocomposites i.e. Nb 2 O 5 /GNs and Ag/GNs were prepared by Single-step hydrothermal methods. • The specific capacitance (Csp) of Nb 2 O 5 /GNs and Ag/GNs were calculated 603 Fg−1 and 810 Fg−1 at a different current density with the cyclic stability retention of 93.06 % and 97.02 % respectively. • Current–voltage (I–V) measurements of as-fabricated composite showed an improved conductivity due to synergetic effect. In this study, Nb 2 O 5 /GNs and Ag/GNs-based nanocomposites were synthesized via a facile single-step hydrothermal approach. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and UV–vis spectroscopy, the morphology, functional groups, structure, and optical and electrical properties of the as-prepared materials were examined. XPS studies show the predominant signal at 284.8 eV is attributed to the sp2 carbon atoms (C 1) that comprise graphitic areas, indicating that the majority of the C atoms are arranged in a honeycomb lattice. FTIR spectrum confirms bonding, such as C O, C H 2 , C O, C C, O H, Ag O, and Nb O Nb in the nanocomposite. Further, the specific capacitance (Csp) of the Nb 2 O 5 /GNs and Ag/GNs was calculated 603 Fg−1 and 810 Fg−1 at different current densities, The Nb 2 O 5 /GNs exhibit 109 Wh/kg and 2180 W/kg energy and power density, respectively. However, the Ag/GNs electrode exhibited an energy density of 145.8 Wh/kg and a power density of 3645 W/kg, with cyclic stability retentions of 93.06 % and 97.02 %, respectively. The capacitance retention finished at 1000 cycles. Moreover, the achieved resistance from the I– V characteristics curve shows enhanced electrical conductivity of synthesized nanocomposites. These results suggested that the materials can have bright future in next-generation energy storage devices. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) dominate the class of wet processed semiconductors due to high photoluminescence quantum yield, tunable emission over a wide wavelength range, high carrier mobilities, and high absorption coefficient. Owing to these remarkable properties, MHPs cover next‐generation applications such as solar cells, light emitting diodes, lasers, photocatalysts, etc. Beside these fascinating applications, MHPs attract increased attention as fluorescent sensors for various chemical analytes and environmental changes such as temperature, etc. Likewise, high‐energy radiation detection is also displayed by the MHPs, like in scintillators. Here, the latest advances in MHPs fluorescent sensors and high‐energy X‐ray, gamma‐ray, and beta detectors are reviewed. The basics including match‐mismatch of MHPs for fluorescent sensing and radiation detection applications are discussed. Moreover, the mechanistic understanding of fluorescent sensing and radiation detection by MHPs is also elaborated. The authors conclude with outlooks on future opportunities for MHP fluorescent sensors and high‐energy radiation detectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sol-gel silica was doped withN,N-(dipropylcarbamothioyl) thiophene-2-carboxamide to investigate the sorption of cadmium (Cd) ions from aqueous media. In doped sol-gel silica, the large reagent molecules entrap into pores, whereas, small metal ions diffuse into pores where they make complex with doped reagent. This complexation can be accomplished by either ion exchange or chelation. Doped sol-gel sorbent was applied for removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solution in our study. Adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherm, equilibration time, effect of initial concentration of adsorbate, and pH effect on the metal removal were studied to optimize the conditions. The prepared adsorbent shows rapid equilibrium and high stability toward high temperature and applied medium. In addition, desorption of metal ions was carried out by 1 M HCl and, thereafter, sol-gel silica adsorbent was regenerated and reused periodically. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We report a transient absorption and luminescence study addressing the charge separation, recombination, and regeneration reactions at nanostructured metal oxide/PbS quantum dot/organic hole conductor heterojunctions. We show that yields of charge separation are significantly higher at PbS/SnO2 interfaces relative to PbS/TiO2 interfaces, and conclude that this behavior is a result of the ca. 300-500 meV lower conduction band edge in SnO2 as compared to TiO2. We also report a correlation between the PbS particle size and the yield of charge separation at PbS/SnO2 interfaces, with a smaller PbS particle radius resulting a higher yield of charge separation. Finally we investigated the regeneration of the photooxidized PbS by an organic hole transporting material, namely, spiro-OMeTAD. The overall spiro-OMeTAD+ yield is found to be 27% at a SnO2/PbS (∼3 nm diameter)/spiro-OMeTAD heterojunction. The addition of a lithium salt was found to raise the overall spiro-OMeTAD yield from its initial value of 27% (where no Li+ is present) to 50%. We believe this to be a result of an increase in the primary charge injection yield to near unity as the SnO2 conduction band is lowered (with increasing [Li+]), increasing the driving force for electron injection. The present findings are discussed with relevance to the design of PbS-sensitized metal oxide layers for DSSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous efforts have been made to investigate, synthesize, and employ renewable energy as a replacement for fossil fuels, which have caused severe environmental degradation. Hydrogen and oxygen can be produced from water molecules using photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, which has attracted a lot of interest because of its potential to help solve the energy crisis and reduce environmental impacts. In this work, fabrication of Bi doped ZnO photoanodes and subsequently their efficiency is being reported. The results show that incorporation of Bi was found to generate additional energy levels, which improved visible light absorption. Bi-incorporated ZnO photoelectrodes showed improved water-splitting performance in PEC tests when compared to those using pure ZnO. The 15% Bi-incorporated ZnO achieved a photocurrent density of 2.70 mA/cm2 at 0.85 V versus RHE, which was quite greater as compared to pure (0.11 mA/cm2), which was supported by the condensed band gap and complex morphology of Bi-incorporated ZnO. In addition, when compared to pure ZnO photoelectrodes, Bi-incorporated ZnO photoelectrodes exhibited maximum stability, which is indicative of superior PEC performance. • Bi doped wurtzite photoanodes fabrication and efficiency reported. • Bi incorporation generates additional energy levels, improving visible light absorption. • Improved water-splitting performance in PEC tests with Bi-incorporated ZnO compared to pure ZnO. • 15% Bi-incorporated ZnO achieved greater photocurrent density than pure ZnO. • Bi-incorporated ZnO photoanodes exhibited maximum stability and superior PEC performance compared to pure ZnO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structure-property relationships of four novel bipyridyl Ru(II) complexes, denoted as SD-22, SD-24, SD-26 and SD-28, are reported herein. The molecular structures of all four photosensitizers were confirmed using FT-IR, 1H NMR and mass spectrometry. Photovoltaic characteristics of the photosensitizers were evaluated under 1.5 a.m. standard illumination condition, in presence of deoxycholic acid as co-adsorbent, and subsequently compared to the performance of the benchmark, Z907. SD-22 showed an IPCE of 52% and 50% at 440 nm and 550 nm, respectively, a short-circuit photocurrent density (J SC) of 17.37 mA cm−2, open-circuit photovoltage (V OC) of 0.63 V and fill factor (FF) of 0.66, producing an overall conversion efficiency (η) of 7.31%, which outperformed Z907 (7.02%) under the same experimental device conditions. The η of the other photosensitizers is in the following order: SD-22 > SD-28 > SD-26 > SD-24. Photosensitizer SD-22 has N, N′ -dialkyl group attached to a benzene ring while SD-24 has N,N′-dialkyl without a benzene ring. The extended conjugation in SD-22 translated into higher overall solar-to-electric conversion efficiency. Substitution of dialkylamino-based ancillary ligands of Ru(II) dyes SD-26 and SD-28 with –OCH 3 and –OC 6 H 13 also demonstrated that the photovoltaic performance of polypyridyl ruthenium photosensitizers is a function of the donating power of ancillary ligands as well as the steric effect of alkoxy auxochromes at – ortho position. • Structure-property relationship of four bipyridyl Ru(II) complexes with N , N′ -diethyl group in ancillary ligand was studied. • Highlights the effect of extended conjugation on the photocurrent and photovoltage in DSSC. • SD-22 outperformed the rest of the dyes in photovoltaic performance due to better light-harvesting ability. • Enhancement of the photovoltaic performance in SD-22 is ascribed to the presence of aromatic ring and smaller alkyl chains. • Molecular modulations of electron donating N , N′ -diethyl based Ru(II) dyes was presented to further analyze the properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report the synthesis of Cr incorporated ZnO sheets arrays microstructures and construction of photoelectrode through a direct aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) method. The as-prepared Cr incorporated ZnO microstructures were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, powdered X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV-Vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy. The Cr incorporation in ZnO red shifted the optical band gap of as-prepared photoanodes. The 15% Cr incorporation in ZnO has shown enhanced PEC performance. The AACVD method provides an efficient in situ incorporation approach for the manipulation of morphological aspects, phase purity, and band structure of photoelectrodes for an enhanced PEC performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resolution of resources and environmental crises requires an efficient separation technologies, consequently, scientists and engineers are working vigorously for ideal separation materials. Laminar graphene oxide (GO) is a two‐dimensional (2D) material offers considerable interest in this field due to its single atomic layer thickness, good stability, chemical inertness, and variety of functional groups. Recently, GO have emerged as a novel membrane material for molecular and ionic separation of gases, solvent, water, and desalination applications. This tutorial review aims to discuss the various approaches used to control the stacking of GO‐based membrane with emphasis of advantages and drawbacks associated with each approach. Further, attention will also be given to describe the recent progress in GO based membranes for ionic and molecular separations. Meanwhile, challenges and opportunities will also be discussed in detail. We hope this review expected to provide a compact source of information that will be of great interest to chemists, material scientists, physicists, and engineers working or planning to work in GO based membranes for separation applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of low-cost, durable and efficient photocatalyst for overall photoelectrochemical water splitting is in demand to overcome the renewable energy crises. Herein, we demonstrate the efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting by cobalt (Co) incorporated zinc oxide (Zn 1-x Co x O) thin films deposited via aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) technique. The as-deposited Co incorporated ZnO thin films were characterised by powdered X-ray diffraction (pXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and ultra violet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). These films with different concentration of cobalt were investigated for water splitting applications and the best results were achieved for the films with 15% Co incorporation. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we present an effective and facile approach for deposition of zinc oxide, and nickel incorporated zinc oxide thin films to fabricate photoanode of photoelectrochemical cell. Incorporation of Ni2+ in the host ZnO matrix results in the dramatic shape evolution of the resulting films from simple bullet like structures to complex punch like microstructures with increased estimated electrochemically active surface area. In addition to the role of Ni2+ in structure determination, it significantly enhanced the photoelectrochemical performance by improving the charge transport properties and conductivity of the parent host matrix. This work demonstrates a move towards tailoring functional properties of the films via controlled incorporation of different ionic species. This simple incorporation scheme can further be applied to attain a variety of compositionally tunable unique structures for desired applications by judiciously adjusting precursor choices and manipulating relative concentrations of the incorporated precursors during growth. Unlabelled Image • Highly conformal uniform thin film deposition on glass/FTO substrates demonstrated by AACVD • ZnO thin films doped with Ni2+ in 2%, 5%, 10% and 15% by AACVD successfully deposited • Photoanodes were then fabricated and PEC activity was performed. • Photoanode (15% nickel incorporated @ZnO) showed highest PEC activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed metal halide perovskites are gaining paramount interest due to efficient band gap tenability and improved optical properties compared to their single metal halide perovskites. It is thus valuable to investigate compositional changes in lead halide perovskites to explore energy changes. Herein, we report the synthesis of a lead to lead free hybrid perovskite solid solution (CH3NH3Pb1−xCuxBr3) as nanoparticles and films. The increasing concentration of Cu2+ ions in the site of the Pb2+ ion in the perovskite shifted the diffraction peaks to a larger angle. Uniform spherically shaped nanoparticles were synthesized by a wet chemical method, the higher Cu2+ concentration leads to agglomeration, producing sheet like morphologies. However, the deposition of thin films of CH3NH3Pb1−xCuxBr3 perovskite solid solution shows that well defined morphologies begin to appear with increasing concentrations of Cu2+ in the perovskite structure. The as-prepared bulk lead free CH3NH3CuBr3 perovskite shows a band gap of 1.65 eV. A blue shift in photoluminescence (PL) was observed with copper enriched hybrid perovskites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution reports the deposition of new zinc based lead free all inorganic 3D CsZnCl2I perovskite thin films using aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) at 100 °C. Room tempertaure optical measurements performed on the as-deposited thin films showed two absorption peaks. Upon 325 nm excitation, the CsZnCl2I perovskite thin film showed broad band white light emission having two peaks, which cover the entire visible range of the spectrum. This is the first example of white light emission from 3D all-inorganic lead free mixed halide CsZnCl2I perovskites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report synthesis of novel organotin(IV) carboxylates i.e; [(C6H5)3Sn(C10H14NO3)] B1 and [(C4H9)3Sn(C10H14NO3)] B2 by reacting triphenyltin hydroxide and bis(tributyltin) oxide with as‐prepared ligand 3‐cyclohexylcarbamoyl‐acrylic acid A under inert atmosphere. The as‐synthesized complexes were characterized by elemental analysis (CHNS), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR) and mass spectrometry (EI‐MS). The structures of both as‐prepared tin complexes B1 and B2 were determined by single crystal X‐ray crystallography. Thermogravimetric analysis has shown single step decomposition of both these complexes. The as‐prepared complexes were used as single source precursor for the deposition of tin oxide thin films at 350 °C and 400 °C by aerosol assisted chemical deposition (AACVD) on bare and at 400 °C on carbon nanodots pre‐coated glass substrate. The as‐deposited thin films were characterized by powdered X‐rays diffraction (pXRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM) and energy dispersive X‐rays spectroscopy (EDX). Furthermore, antimicrobial, anti‐oxidant and cytotoxicity studies of both complexes showed moderate to good biological activities. Thus, as‐prepared novel complexes have potential applications in materials as‐well as in medicinal chemistry. We report the synthesis of organotin(IV) carboxylates i.e; [(C6H5)3Sn(C10H14NO3)] B1 and [(C4H9)3Sn(C10H14NO3)] B2 by reacting triphenyltin hydroxide and bis(tributyltin) oxide with as‐prepared ligand 3‐cyclohexylcarbamoyl‐acrylic acid under inert atmosphere, respectively.The complexes were used successfully as single source precursor (SSP) to deposit tin oxide thin films. The bioactivity of these complexes was also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic lead halide perovskite solar cells with mixed halides have achieved reasonable power conversion efficiency with the advantage of enhanced stability. In this work, we report the fabrication of an all-inorganic cesium lead bromoiodide based planar perovskite solar cell with a ZnO electron transport layer. The method described herein includes the use of one step spin coating solution processing using a solvent mixture (DMF + DMSO) to avoid the solubility issues of CsPbBr2I perovskite in DMF. The substrate temperature during spin coating was found to be a critical parameter to generate the required crystalline morphology of the perovskite thin films. Post-annealing of the as-deposited perovskite film at 275 °C led to the formation of the cubic phase of CsPbBr2I with an optical band gap of 2.06 eV. Interestingly, cubic shaped CsPbBr2I morphology was obtained via single-step spin-coating processing that otherwise required two-step solution deposition of the hybrid perovskite. The best performing devices achieved 4.8% power conversion efficiency with minimal hysteresis and enhanced thermal and photo-stability. Owing to enhanced thermal and photo-stability, inorganic perovskites appear as viable alternatives to hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites for solar cell applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new complex, tris (selenobenzoato)antimony(III) has been synthesized by a facile route and the structure determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The complex was used as a single source precursor to synthesize Sb 2 Se 3 nanorods by the hot injection method whereas Sb 2 Se 3 thin films were deposited on glass substrates by the Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition (AACVD) technique. The as synthesized nanorods and thin films were then characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, Raman and UV/Vis spectroscopy. AACVD of the complex produced highly crystalline and pure Sb 2 Se 3 thin films between 400 and 500 °C. The shape of Sb 2 Se 3 crystallites are generally in the form of wires or thin plates, sometimes forming leaf-like structures uniformly spread on the entire substrate. The size and shape of these crystallites with their stoichiometry was found to be dependent on the deposition temperature. Sb 2 Se 3 nanorods were tested for photo-electrochemical (PEC) water reduction catalysis. When simulated solar light was illuminated at the Sb 2 Se 3 /FTO surface, cathodic photocurrents were generated for H 2 generation. At open circuit potential (OCP) photo-cathodic current generated with the Sb 2 Se 3 /FTO electrode was in the range of −44.8 to −52.1 μA·cm −2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-purity anatase nanocrystals were prepared by using a low-temperature surfactant-assisted solution-phase method. Titanium tetra-isopropoxide (TTIP) was used as a precursor, polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a surfactant, and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and water as solvent. An isopropanolic solution of TTIP and PEG was mixed with an aqueous acidic solution at about 60 °C to yield a whitish sol that, after being baked at 60 °C for 6 hours, was transformed into phase-pure anatase crystals with dimensions of about 8 nm. By varying the mass of the PEG surfactant from 0.5 to 2 g, the particle dimensions could be controlled to be between 8 and 11 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis in combination with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), XRD, and Raman, Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and infrared spectroscopies showed the nanocrystals with dimensions of 8–11 nm to be composed of an anatase lattice with hydroxyl bound to the surface. These nanocrystals showed much improved efficiency for photodegradation of methylene blue as compared with the commercial Degussa P25, due to the extraordinarily increased surface area. These findings may inspire the engineering of highly active subnanometer-sized nanocrystals for energy- and environment-related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new organo-tin complex has been synthesized and used as a single source precursor for the synthesis of SnSe nanosheets by the hot injection method and thin films by the aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) method. The films were deposited on glass substrates at three different temperatures. The textural quality and preferential growth were found to be significantly altered by changes in the deposition temperature. Oleylamine capped nanosheets and the as-deposited thin films by AACVD were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD) and microscopic techniques. The thin films were also studied by Raman spectroscopy. The stoichiometry is marginally affected by temperature, and all films were slightly selenium deficient. The synthesized material was also evaluated for the photoelectrochemical (PEC) splitting of water. The PEC study revealed the bifunctional nature of the material, which can be applied for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), by switching the applied potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First row transition metal complexes (Ni, Co, Cu, Zn) with N,N-disubstituted-N′-acylthiourea ligands have been synthesized and characterized. Bis(N,N-diisopropyl-N′-cinnamoylthiourea)nickel was found to have the lowest onset temperature for thermal decomposition. Thin film deposition of Ni, Co, and Zn sulfides by aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition from their respective N,N-diisopropyl-N′-cinnamoylthiourea complexes at 350 °C has been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Inorganic halide perovskite (CsPbX3) nanostructures have gained considerable interest in recent years owing to their enhanced stability and optoelectronic applications. Recent developments in the synthesis of nanostructures are reviewed. The impact of the precursor and ligand nature, temperature and growth time on the morphology and shape tuning of CsPbX3 nanostructures is described in relation to their optical properties. The presynthetic and postsynthetic anion exchange strategies to retain pre‐existing crystal phase and shape are discussed in this minireview. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid perovskite have shown a potential as structurally and chemically tunable materials with interesting optical properties. Herein, We describe the synthesis and characterization of two new perovskites, hydroxyl ammonium lead iodo chloride, OHNH3PbI2Cl (1) and hydroxyl ammonium lead chloride, OHNH3PbCl3 (2) by wet-chemical route. The as-prepared (1) and (2) have shown promising optical properties with suitable band gaps 3.7eV and 3.9eV respectvely. Time resolved Photoluminescence (PL) results showed that hybride pervoskite (2) had a long lived PL whereas (1) exhibited a short PL life-time. Thermo-gravimetrical analysis (TGA) in nitrogen gas environment revealed that (1) and (2) are stable and do not show any sign of decomposition up to ~200oC. Photocatalytical performance of as-prepared materials (1) and (2) under sunlight were mointerted using textile dye direct yellow. The compound (1) degraded dye in 20min while (2) in 55min with superior recyclablity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]