Search

This work describes the fabrication and characterization of a new high surface area nanocomposite electrode containing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and titanium nitride (TiN) for electrochemical applications. This approach involves electrochemically depositing rGO on a high surface area TiN nanorod array electrode to form a new nanocomposite electrode. The TiN nanorod array was first formed by the glancing angle deposition technique in a DC (Direct Current) sputtering system. GO flakes of ~1.5 μm in diameter, as confirmed by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), were electrodeposited on the nanostructured TiN electrode via the application of a fixed potential for one hour. The surface morphology of the as-prepared rGO/TiN electrode was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the presence of rGO on TiN was confirmed by Raman Microscopy. The CV shows an increase in the capacitive current at rGO/TiN as compared to TiN. The rGO decorated TiN electrode was then used for analyzing the electrocatalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid and dopamine, and the reduction of nitrate by CV and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), respectively. CV or LSV show that the electrochemical kinetics of these three analytes are significantly faster on rGO/TiN than TiN itself. Overall, the rGO/TiN electrode showed better electrochemical behavior for biomolecules like ascorbic acid and dopamine as well as another target analyte, nitrate ions, compared to TiN by itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although concrete framed structures are widely used with masonry infills, the contribution of masonry infills in structural design is limited to their dead loads only. Therefore, the full-fledged stiffness characteristics of masonry infill are not often considered. However, recent earthquakes showed the impact of masonry infill on the lateral behavior of surrounding RC frames. Moreover, sometimes existing masonry infills are strengthened using Ferrocement (FC), Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM), Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), etc., which might also have a similar impact on surrounding RC frames. The impact includes enhanced shear demand, damage, etc. However, the effect of the enhanced shear demand on RC columns is a relatively less investigated issue. In this context, an experimental program was designed to compare the effect of non-strengthened and FC strengthened masonry infill on the behavior of the surrounding RC frame in terms of lateral strength, hinge formation, shear demand enhancement, and damage to columns. The test specimens, including a bare RC frame, a masonry infilled RC frame, and a FC strengthened masonry infilled RC frame, were subjected to a quasi-static cyclic lateral loads. The experimental result showed that the masonry infill and FC strengthened masonry infill increased lateral strength, on average, by 81% and 244%, respectively, when compared to that of the bare RC frame. Meanwhile, FC strengthening of masonry infill improved the lateral strength, on average, by 90% when compared with the masonry infilled RC frame’s lateral strength. In this study, low-strength masonry infill caused the formation of a short column on the tension column of the RC frame. The application of ferrocement to low-strength masonry altered the position of the plastic hinge formed on the tension column of the RC frame when compared to that of the masonry infilled RC frame. Therefore, ferrocement strengthening of masonry eliminated the short column phenomenon in this particular study. Nevertheless, the shear demand (in terms of strain on the column tie) enhancement of the tension column was not substantial due to the ferrocement strengthening of the masonry infill when compared to that of the masonry infilled RC frame. Moreover, the damage concentration on RC columns (i.e., residual crack width) after insertion of masonry infill and ferrocement strengthened masonry infill changed to a smaller extent when compared to the bare RC frame damages, where the residual crack widths were within 1.0 ~ 2.0 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on paralyzed and death time, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were preliminarily investigated for possible biological effectiveness of anthelmintic activity on Pheretima Posthuma. After synthesizing ZnO NPs by low-temperature precipitation method with slight modification, size, morphology, and shape evaluation of these nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and annealing temperature in the range 400-700C. In this anthelmintic assay, the paralyzed time (PT) was gradually shorter with the increase of the sample concentration, for instance, when high concentration (40mg/ml) sample was applied on adult worms the paralyzed time was 35.6 minutes only. The death time (DT) was 450 and 80 minutes when the sample concentration was 20 and 40 mg/ml respectively. These results were compared with albendazole as a reference showed PT and DT 378.6 and 402.3 minutes respectively, and showed maximum dose-dependent anthelmintic activity. Finally, at higher concentration paralytic effect (PE) was showed much earlier and subsequently, it is important to note that the time taken for death observation was shorter.

Silica‐derived nanostructured catalysts (SDNCs) are a class of materials synthesized using nanocasting and templating techniques, which involve the sacrificial removal of a silica template to generate highly porous nanostructured materials. The surface of these nanostructures is functionalized with a variety of electrocatalytically active metal and non‐metal atoms. SDNCs have attracted considerable attention due to their unique physicochemical properties, tunable electronic configuration, and microstructure. These properties make them highly efficient catalysts and promising electrode materials for next generation electrocatalysis, energy conversion, and energy storage technologies. The continued development of SDNCs is likely to lead to new and improved electrocatalysts and electrode materials. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in the development of SDNCs for electrocatalysis and energy storage applications. It analyzes 337,061 research articles published in the Web of Science (WoS) database up to December 2022 using the keywords "silica", "electrocatalysts", "ORR", "OER", "HER", "HOR", "CO2RR", "batteries", and "supercapacitors". The review discusses the application of SDNCs for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR), supercapacitors, lithium‐ion batteries, and thermal energy storage applications. It concludes by discussing the advantages and limitations of SDNCs for energy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]