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The burgeoning electronics industry has sparked a corresponding surge in electromagnetic pollution, necessitating robust shielding methods with a focus on absorption. Polymer-based composites, especially those incorporating polyaniline (PANI), are pivotal in this endeavor due to their electrical conductivity and cost-effectiveness. This review provides a comprehensive examination of current state-of-the-art research in the field of electromagnetic shielding materials, exploring their applications, benefits, and limitations. Graphene's exceptional mechanical, electrical, and optical properties, when combined with PANI matrices, elevate electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE). Its unique characteristics enhance electron transport, boosting overall electrical conductivity and reflectivity. Simultaneously, carbon nanotubes show promise for polymer composites, leveraging their superior strength, stiffness, aspect ratio, and electrical conductivity. The inclusion of Fe3O4 magnetic material significantly impacts composite permeability due to its large saturation magnetization. MXene, a two-dimensional transition metal carbonitride, emerges as a promising option for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. With electrical conductivity and specific surface area comparable to graphene, MXene is gaining attention in EMI shielding research. The review explores diverse strategies utilizing various fillers to enhance PANI-based nanocomposites for EMI shielding, presenting a comprehensive overview of advanced shielding materials in various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating need for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), driven by their expanding range of applications in our daily lives, has led to a surge in interest in metal selenides as potential anode materials. Among them, Bi2Se3 stands out as a promising anode material for LIBs due to its unique layered structure. Herein, we explored hexagonally structured layered Bi2Se3 platelets synthesized using the solvothermal method. The electrochemical performance of these platelets in LIBs was thoroughly examined, revealing an impressive initial discharge specific capacity of 556 mA h g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 and a coulombic efficiency of 66.5%. Improved cycling stability, rate performance, and discharge voltage profile at various current densities were observed. The plateaus observed during the charge/discharge profile were clearly illustrated by the CV results. The reaction kinetics indicated that both ion diffusion and pseudo-capacitance behavior are crucial for the observed high electrochemical performance. Moreover, the hexagonal Bi2Se3 platelets exhibited a high ion-diffusion coefficient of 1.8 × 10−13 cm2 s−1 and a charge transfer impedance of 23 Ω post-cycling. Furthermore, the crystal structure, lattice vibrational bonding, and surface morphology of Bi2Se3 were explored using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. FTIR spectroscopy was utilized for identifying the functional groups, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to identify the elemental composition and oxidation states of Bi2Se3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing environmental challenges caused by pharmaceutical waste, especially antibiotics and contaminants, necessitate sustainable solutions. Cellulose-based membranes are considered advanced tools and show great potential as effective materials for the removal of drugs and organic contaminants. This review introduces an environmentally friendly composite membrane for the elimination of antibiotics and dye contaminants from water and food, without the use of toxic additives. The potential of cellulose-based membranes in reducing the impact on water quality and promoting environmental sustainability is emphasized. Additionally, the benefits of using biobased cellulose membranes in membrane biological reactors for the removal of antibiotics from pharmaceutical waste and milk are explored, presenting an innovative approach to achieving a circular economy. This review provides recent and comprehensive insights into membrane bioreactor technology, making it a valuable resource for researchers seeking efficient methods to break down antibiotics in industrial wastewater, particularly in the pharmaceutical and dairy industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabricating large-area two-dimensional (2D) metal dichalcogenide layers with stoichiometry and uniformity has been a research focus over the past few years. Most of the time, the types of growth methods determine of quality of the 2D layers, and in turn, they affect their electronic properties and applications. Here, we report a nonconventional facile way of synthesizing nearly single crystalline 2H hexagonal SnS2 and orthorhombic SnS layers via proximity evaporation, where the distance between the Sn precursor film and the target substrate is ~1 mm. This short distance provides self-limiting 2D layers with good uniformity and stoichiometry. The phase transition study was carried out by varying the growth temperature (300–650°C). Pure phases of SnS2 and SnS were formed at the optimum temperatures. Large hexagonal SnS2 sheets with a 1:2 stoichiometric ratio were observed. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Raman spectra further revealed the 2H phase of SnS2 sheets. Photoresponse studies of both pure phases of SnS and SnS2 showed significant photoresponse with improved photocurrent. Our synthesis method can be extended to grow large-area uniform sheets of other 2D materials having lower heat of formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the great advances in microsurgery, some neural injuries cannot be treated surgically. Stem cell therapy is a potential approach for treating neuroinjuries and neurodegenerative disease. Researchers have developed various bioactive scaffolds for tissue engineering, exhibiting enhanced cell viability, attachment, migration, neurite elongation, and neuronal differentiation, with the aim of developing functional tissue grafts that can be incorporated in vivo. Facilitating the appropriate interactions between the cells and extracellular matrix is crucial in scaffold design. Modification of scaffolds with biofunctional motifs such as growth factors, drugs, or peptides can improve this interaction. In this review, we focus on the laminin‐derived Ile‐Lys‐Val‐Ala‐Val peptide as a biofunctional epitope for neuronal tissue engineering. Inclusion of this bioactive peptide within a scaffold is known to enhance cell adhesion as well as neuronal differentiation in both 2‐dimensional and 3‐dimensional environments. The in vivo application of this peptide is also briefly described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Easy-to-fabricate, flexible optoelectronic devices based on conducting organic polymers are in high demand due to their cost-effectiveness and low weight. The hole and electron transport layers (HTL/ELT) are central to the working of these devices. Conductive polymers are now extensively used (HTL/ETL) in solar cells, as hole injection layers in OLEDs, and as electrodes or active channel layers in organic thin film transistors. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is the mainstay of these devices. The energy levels of the tailored PEDOT:PSS determine the work function, the efficiency of charge separation, and the device’s performance. Transparent electrodes are another requirement for the efficient functioning of devices, with indium tin oxide (ITO) being a common choice. To overcome problems associated with ITO, researchers are focusing on conducting polymer materials such as PEDOT:PSS as transparent electrode materials. Flexibility, water processability, high electrical conductivity, good optical transparency, biocompatibility, and good thermoelectric properties make functionalized PEDOT:PSS a versatile conductive polymer. Priced for its versatility and good performance, it is used in cutting-edge applications including LEDs, solar cells, and sensors. Cost-effective production and easy production scalability make it a default material for optoelectronic applications despite some challenges. This review highlights recent research with special emphasis on tuning the work function of PEDOT:PSS to enhance the performance of optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating need for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), driven by their expanding range of applications in our daily lives, has led to a surge in interest in metal selenides as potential anode materials. Among them, Bi 2 Se 3 stands out as a promising anode material for LIBs due to its unique layered structure. Herein, we explored hexagonally structured layered Bi 2 Se 3 platelets synthesized using the solvothermal method. The electrochemical performance of these platelets in LIBs was thoroughly examined, revealing an impressive initial discharge specific capacity of 556 mA h g -1 at a current density of 100 mA g -1 and a coulombic efficiency of 66.5%. Improved cycling stability, rate performance, and discharge voltage profile at various current densities were observed. The plateaus observed during the charge/discharge profile were clearly illustrated by the CV results. The reaction kinetics indicated that both ion diffusion and pseudo-capacitance behavior are crucial for the observed high electrochemical performance. Moreover, the hexagonal Bi 2 Se 3 platelets exhibited a high ion-diffusion coefficient of 1.8 × 10 -13 cm 2 s -1 and a charge transfer impedance of 23 Ω post-cycling. Furthermore, the crystal structure, lattice vibrational bonding, and surface morphology of Bi 2 Se 3 were explored using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. FTIR spectroscopy was utilized for identifying the functional groups, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to identify the elemental composition and oxidation states of Bi 2 Se 3 .

van der Waals (vdW) materials have shown unique electrical and optical properties depending on the thickness due to strong interlayer interaction and symmetry breaking at the monolayer level. In contrast, the study of electrical and tribological properties and their thickness-insensitivity of van der Waals oxides are lacking due to difficulties in the fabrication of high quality two-dimensional oxides and the investigation of nanoscale properties. Here we investigated various tribological and electrical properties, such as, friction, adhesion, work function, tunnel current, and dielectric constant, of the single-crystal α-MoO 3 nanosheets epitaxially grown on graphite by using atomic force microscopy. The friction of atomically smooth MoO 3 is rapidly saturated within a few layers. The thickness insensitivity of friction is due to very weak mechanical interlayer interaction. Similarly, work function (4.73 eV for 2 layers (hereafter denoted as L)) and dielectric constant (6 for 2L and 10.5-11 for >3L) of MoO 3 in MoO 3 showed thickness insensitivity due to weak interlayer coupling. Tunnel current measurements by conductive atomic force microscopy showed that even 2L MoO 3 of 1.4 nm is resistant to tunneling with a high dielectric strength of 14 MV/cm. The thickness-indifferent electrical properties of high dielectric constant and tunnel resistance by weak interlayer coupling and high crystallinity show a promise in the use of MoO 3 nanosheets for nanodevice applications.