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Alkali‐activated functionalized carbon nanotubes (AFCNTs) and 2D nanostructured MoS2 are investigated as a novel hybrid material for energy‐storage applications. The nanoflower‐like 2D MoS2 is grown on the surface of AFCNT using the controlled one‐step hydrothermal technique. The activation of functionalized carbon nanotubes results in greater performance due to the improved surface area. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of the AFCNTs is found to be 594.7 m2 g−1 which is almost 30 times of the as‐prepared carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The improved surface area with attached hydroxyl and carboxylic functional groups helps in the attachment of MoS2 nanoflowers onto the AFCNT, thus reducing the interfacial resistance and providing an easy path for electron transfer. The electrochemical analysis shows a high specific capacitance of 516 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 with a corresponding energy density of 71.76 Wh kg−1, which is an encouraging reported value from AFCNT and MoS2 hybrid material. To the best of our knowledge, herein, the first report on AFCNTs and 2D MoS2 nanostructured hybrid electrode material for supercapacitor applications is provided, and promising results in terms of specific capacitance, energy density, and power density by boosting the properties of individual material are explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demonetization has brought a typhoon in Indian economy and the general public faced problems in doing their daily financial transactions. Demonetization had put a lot of burden on banking sector to exchange the old 500 and 1000 currencies notes. Demonetization had made the customers to adopt mobile banking services who were not using it. It had also spread awareness for cashless transactions. This study has highlighted the role of demonetization on the users and non-users of mobile banking. The primary data was used for recording the responses for users and non-users of mobile banking. The total 392 responses were taken for this study, 195 from non-users and 197 from users of mobile banking. The Mann- Whitney was applied to find the role of demonetization on users and non-users of mobile banking. It was found that the role of demonetization on the users and nonusers were different in some cases whereas it was found to be same in other cases. The respondents were from Bengaluru city only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The durable sector which was once focusing on the urban markets has made a paradigm shift to the rural and semi urban markets. With the increase in disposable income, better literacy level and infrastructure facilities in semi urban and rural areas, there is a change in customers' needs and preferences. This study aims explore the reasons for the preference of a particular brand of refrigerator among the consumers of semi urban and rural areas. Variables like product, price and reference group has been analyzed using spearman rank correlation. A sample of 400 respondents was taken from semi urban and rural areas of Baddi. Himachal Pradesh. The research findings indicate that Price, reference group, product popularity, and product reliability have been the major factors that affect brand preference for refrigerator in semi urban areas whereas factors such as quality. Brand name, product durability, and product color variety affect brand preference in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functionalized carbon nanotube (FCNT) and Manganese Oxide (MnO2) nanoflower hybrid material was synthesized using hydrothermal technique as a promising electrode material for supercapacitor applications. The morphological investigation revealed the formation of 'nanoflower' like structure of MnO2 connected with FCNT, thus paving an easy path for the conduction of electrons during the electrochemical mechanism. A significant improvement in capacitance properties was observed in the hybrid material, in which carbon nanotube acts as a conducting cylindrical path, while the major role of MnO2 was to store the charge, acting as an electrolyte reservoir leading to an overall improved electrochemical performance. The full cell electrochemical analysis of FCNT-MnO2 hybrid using 3 M potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte indicated a specific capacitance of 359.53 F g−1, specific energy of 49.93 Wh kg−1 and maximum specific power of 898.84 W kg−1 at 5 mV s−1. The results show promise for the future of supercapacitor development based on hybrid electrode materials, where high specific energy can be achieved along with high specific power and long cycle life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]