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To explore the natural resources as sustainable precursors offers a family of green materials. The use of bio-waste precursors especially the remaining from food processing is a scalable, highly abundant, and cost-effective strategy. Exploring waste materials is highly important especially for new materials discovery in emerging energy storage technologies such as lithium sulfur batteries (LSBs). Herein, waste milk powder is carbonized and constructed as the sulfur host with the hollow micro-/mesoporous framework, and the resulting carbonized milk powder and sulfur (CMP/S) composites are employed as cathodes for LSBs. It is revealed that the hollow micro-/mesoporous CMP/S framework can not only accommodate the volume expansion but also endow smooth pathways for the fast diffusion of electrons and Li-ions, leading to both high capacity and long cycling stability. The CMP/S composite electrode with 56 wt.% loaded sulfur exhibits a remarkable initial capacity of 1596 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C, corresponding to 95% of the theoretical capacity. Even at a rate of 1 C, it maintains a high capacity of 730 mAh g−1 with a capacity retention of 72.6% after 500 cycles, demonstrating a very low capacity fading of only 0.05% per cycle. Importantly, the Coulombic efficiency is always higher than 96% during all the cycles. The only used source material is expired waste milk powders in our proposal. We believe that this “trash to treasure” approach will open up a new way for the utilization of waste material as environmentally safe and high performance electrodes for advanced LSBs.

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) can work at high temperatures, but they suffer from poor cycle life stability due to the “shuttle effect” of polysulfides. In this study, pollen‐derived porous carbon/cuprous phosphide (PC/Cu3P) hybrids were rationally synthesized using a one‐step carbonization method using pollen as the source material, acting as the sulfur host for LSBs. In the hybrid, polar Cu3P can markedly inhibit the “shuttle effect” by regulating the adsorption ability toward polysulfides, as confirmed by theoretical calculations and experimental tests. As an example, the camellia pollen porous carbon (CPC)/Cu3P/S electrode shows a high capacity of 1205.6 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C, an ultralow capacity decay rate of 0.038% per cycle after 1000 cycles at 1 C, and a rather high initial Coulombic efficiency of 98.5%. The CPC/Cu3P LSBs can work well at high temperatures, having a high capacity of 545.9 mAh g−1 at 1 C even at 150°C. The strategy of the PC/Cu3P hybrid proposed in this study is expected to be an ideal cathode for ultrastable high‐temperature LSBs. We believe that this strategy is universal and worthy of in‐depth development for the next generation energy storage devices.

This research study was carried out to investigate the facts and establish the present state of the link between Industry and university in Pakistan especially focusing on the present scenario and current operating systems, the research study further examined the main elements impacting and manipulating on the association and potential zones of participation and collaboration. An example of 33 (male 23 and female 10) comprised of Deans and Heads of branches of the colleges and agents of Higher Education Commission). The study revealed that universities and industries had associations and connections through contact workplaces established in (HEC) Higher Education Commission. This office has so many functions like research and development (Research and Development) activities, preparing and manage visiting lectureship, training the staff, and also plan joint actions for educational planning, improvement, and as well as both can work to guide each other. Most definitely, the study further revealed that although there is mutual coordination is found at the national level but unfortunately internationally the same coordination is not found in the same spirit in Pakistan amongst commerce and universities. Moreover, this study also revealed that the coordination among these agencies plays so many functions like personal contacts, guidance function, meetings with each other, educational synergistic preparing programs, Research & Development activities, boards of trustees, panels, courses, and meetings. Thus, the linkages were influenced by numerous components which included government strategy, the executives of the college just as the industry. It was additionally discovered that there were certainly a few issues these included, absence of coordination, scarcity of funds to perform research, lack of enthusiasm on the part of employees, absence of research and development exercises, absence of required capability, conflicting venture of businesses. In addition, there was a scarcity of incubation Center, advance parks, and no basic assessment and check and balance framework. These feasible domains of cooperation covered assurance of licensed innovation, awards, gifts, donations, grants, classes/workshops, and vocation directing cooperative research and development projects, and guidance administrations.

Dimensions of human hand have been measured by various authors across study groups. This anthropometric data has frequently been used to solve medicolegal cases. However, these details differ across various population groups and races, hence the present study was specifically undertaken to make an anthropometric record of young male population of North India. Young males between the 18 to 25 years were selected and their hand length, hand breadth and Hand Index were measured. Sliding Vernier’s callipers and Dynamometer were used to measure the dimensions of hand and strength of hand grip, respectively. An anthropometric index (Hand Index) was calculated after measuring hand length and hand breadth. The results of the study indicated that hand grip strength was more in the right hand than the left hand and that all the hand variables were positively correlated to the hand grip strength. Keywords: Hand length, Hand breadth, Hand index, North India, Young adult, Male.

Organometal halide perovskites (OMHPs) have shown promising applications in solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and photodetectors. However, besides the toxic lead, the intensive usage of organic solvents during their fabrication could induce severe environmental pollution. Therefore, green-solvent fabrication of OMHPs is highly desirable but extremely challenging. Herein, we report aqueous phase fabrication and conversion of laurionite-type Pb(OH)Br into CH3NH3PbBr3. The prepared CH3NH3PbBr3 crystals show prominently enhanced environmental and thermal stability compared to those prepared in organic phases. To demonstrate the application of the prepared CH3NH3PbBr3, a resistive switching memory device (ReRAM) is fabricated. The ReRAM devices exhibit good bipolar non-volatile characteristics that can remain unchanged for more than 30 days under ambient conditions. We believe that the aqueous phase-based green fabrication process of OMHPs will not only greatly alleviate the environmental pollution during or after their commercialization process, but will also provide a new concept in stabilizing and improving the performance of OMHP-based devices.

A novel composite based on α-Bi2Mo3O12/Co3O4 nanotube-decorated particles was successfully synthesized using a highly efficient and facile two step system using electrospinning and hydrothermal techniques. The small size Co3O4 nanoparticles were uniformly and hydrothermally developed on the electrospun α-Bi2Mo3O12 nanotubes. The pure α-Bi2Mo3O12 nanofibers and composite based on α-Bi2Mo3O12/Co3O4 were examined using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analyses. From the BET measurements, the composite based on α-Bi2Mo3O12/Co3O4 exhibits a large specific surface area of 54 m2 g−1 with mesopore diameter ranges of 2–10 nm, which is mainly attributed to the remarkable and dominant enhancement in gas sensing as compared to that of the pure α-Bi2Mo3O12 nanofibers (38 m2 g−1) and Co3O4 nanoparticles (32 m2 g−1), respectively. In this work, the novel composite based on α-Bi2Mo3O12/Co3O4 presented a high sensitivity of 30.25 with a quick response/recovery speed towards 100 ppm ethanol at an optimal working temperature of 170 °C, as compared to the pure α-Bi2Mo3O12 nanofibers and Co3O4 nanoparticles, which display a sensitivity of 13.10 and 2.99 at an optimal working temperature of 220 °C and 280 °C. The sensing performance of the composite based on the α-Bi2Mo3O12/Co3O4 sensor exhibits a superior sensing performance towards ethanol, which might be owed to the enormous number of superficial oxygen species, the small size catalytic effect of the Co3O4 nanoparticles and the interfacial effect formed between the n-type α-Bi2Mo3O12 and p-type Co3O4 leading to a high charge carrier concentration. This is a novel investigation of a composite based on an α-Bi2Mo3O12/Co3O4 sensor in the gas sensing era, which might be of vital importance in applications in the advanced gas sensing field.

Tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) are a common type of antibiotic found in swine wastewater. Oxytetracycline (OTC) is a significant type of TC. This study mainly examined the influence of OTC on high-temperature anaerobic digestion by adding OTC to collections of swine wastewater at different times during the digestion process. The results showed that high-temperature anaerobic digestion was suitable for the removal of TCs, with an 87% OTC removal efficiency achieved by day 20. Additionally, OTC added from external sources was found to inhibit the chlortetracycline degradation process and affect the first-order degradation kinetic model of TCs. Complexation reactions were the main ways in which OTC affected the heavy metal content of the water. The exogenous addition of OTC was found to inhibit the activity of some digester microbial strains, reduce the proportion of dominant strains, such as MBA03, and kill certain specific strains. This performance alteration was most obvious when OTC was added in the middle of the reaction.

A strong electrocatalytic activity of the MXenes nanomaterials (NMs) has gained a lot of concentration as cutting edge materials in a variety of electrocatalytic devices in a broad range of industrial uses. In recent years, the production and utilization of the MXenes NMs as an electrocatalysts has progressed, with more than 50 distinct variants found and used. We reviewed and discussed in this article the latest detail progress in the synthesis, selected properties and potential applications of the MXenes as an electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), overall water splitting, oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), nitrogen reduction reaction (N2RR), CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) etc. We will also discuss the numerous approaches for increasing MXenes electrocatalytic activity for target products. At the end, we will also talk about the present obstacles and future suggestions for the MXenes as HER, ORR, OER, NO2RR and CO2RR electrocatalysts.

Amphiphilic block copolymers containing poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (P2VP) as a hydrophilic part and polystyrene (PS) as a hydrophobic segment have a number of applications in modern technology. The pre...

Seeking for superior electrode materials is a significant project in lithium-ion battery research interests. In this paper, pure MnSe was synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method, which exhibits high crystalline and lamellar plate microstructure by systematical characterization analysis. Further, the as-synthesized MnSe was investigated for electrochemical performance as anode material of lithium-ion battery via correlative measurements. In the half-cell tests, the MnSe lithium-ion battery has delivered large specific capacity (302.7 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C), proper voltage platform, excellent rate performance, satisfactory reversibility, and outstanding ionic conductivity. It should be noted that the capacity retention of battery can reach up to 70.8% even after 3000 times cycle at 5.0 C current density, demonstrating remarkable cycle stability. This work not only reveals superior performance of MnSe materials from a different perspective but also provides a potential practical candidate for lithium-ion battery anode.

Tin diselenide (SnSe2 ), as an anode material, has outstanding potential for use in advanced lithium-ion batteries. However, like other tin-based anodes, SnSe2 suffers from poor cycle life and low rate capability due to large volume expansion during the repeated Li+ insertion/de-insertion process. This work reports an effective and easy strategy to combine SnSe2 and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to form a SnSe2 /CNTs hybrid nanostructure. The synthesized SnSe2 has a regular hexagonal shape with a typical 2D nanostructure and the carbon nanotubes combine well with the SnSe2 nanosheets. The hybrid nanostructure can significantly reduce the serious damage to electrodes that occurs during electrochemical cycling processes. Remarkably, the SnSe2 /CNTs electrode exhibits a high reversible specific capacity of 457.6 mA h g-1 at 0.1 C and 210.3 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles. At a cycling rate of 0.5 C, the SnSe2 /CNTs electrode can still achieve a high value of 176.5 mA h g-1 , whereas a value of 45.8 mA h g-1 is achieved for the pure SnSe2 electrode. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the SnSe2 /CNTs electrode demonstrates its great potential for use in lithium-ion batteries. Thus, this work reports a facile approach to the synthesis of SnSe2 /CNTs as a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

Tin oxide (SnO2) is an attractive anode in lithium ion batteries (LIBs), but its applications have been significantly hampered by the huge volume change during the electrochemical cycling. In this work we demonstrate a rational design of crystalline SnO2 @ amorphous TiO2 core-shell nanostructures, where the crystalline SnO2 core was synthesized by a hydrothermal method and the amorphous TiO2 shell was deposited by atomic layer deposition. The SnO2@TiO2 nanostructures deliver excellent performances during the electrochemical process, having a high reversible capacity of 1259 mAh g−1 at cycling rate of 80 mA g−1, which is still up to 703 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles. The acceptable rate capacity is also revealed with 412 mAh g−1 at 400 mA g−1. The coulombic efficiency is stable at around 100% regardless of cycling rates and numbers. The electrochemical performances of the SnO2@TiO2 batteries are better than those of the SnO2 ones without TiO2 coating. In the SnO2@TiO2 nanostructures, the amorphous TiO2 shell layer can experience an isotropic stress, having the ability to evidently reduce the volume change, lattice stress and so the risk of fracture during the cycling process, which is responsible for their outstanding behaviors. The strategy provided in our study is expected to be a precious guideline for designing an ideal electrode for energy storage devices.

A novel systematic heterostructures based on NiO/ZnSnO3 microsphere-decorated fibers were produced with a simple two-step process based on the electrospinning and hydrothermal procedures. A large density of NiO microspheres were homogeneously and epitaxially decorated on ZnSnO3 nanofibers. The crystal, structural and surface compositional properties of sample based on NiO/ZnSnO3 composites were investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, XPS and BET characterization. The complex heterostructure based on NiO/ZnSnO3 microsphere-decorated fibers had shown an extremely huge specific surface area with mesoporous nature, which is essential for superior gas sensors. The as-produced sensors based on NiO/ZnSnO3 composites display superficially improved sensing characteristics, including high sensitivity and selectivity response with fast response and recovery speed towards ethanol gas at low operational temperature as compare to pure ZnSnO3 nanofibers. The sensitivity response of sensor based on NiO/ZnSnO3 microsphere-decorated fibers were 23.95 towards 20 ppm ethanol gas at 160 °C, which was about 2.5 times superior than that of bare ZnSnO3 nanofibers. The upgraded sensitivity performance of composites based on NiO/ZnSnO3 microsphere-decorated fibers might be ascribed to the large specific surface area with mesoporous nature having enormous quantity of oxygen contents, p-n heterojunction effects and synergetic actions between NiO and ZnSnO3 heterostructure.

The introduction of heterostructures is a new approach in gas sensing due to their easy and quick transport of charges. Herein, facile hydrothermal and solid-state techniques are employed to synthesize an α-Fe

The remarkable optoelectronic properties and considerable performance of the organo lead‐halide perovskites (PVKs) in various optoelectronic applications grasp tremendous scientific attention. However, the existence of the toxic lead in these compounds is threatening human health and remains a major concern in the way of their commercialization. To address this issue, numerous nontoxic alternatives have been reported. Among these alternatives, bismuth‐based PVKs have emerged as a promising substitute because of similar optoelectronic properties and extended environmental stability. This work communicates briefly about the possible lead‐alternatives and explores bismuth‐based perovskites comprehensively, in terms of their structures, optoelectronic properties, and applications. A brief description of lead‐toxification is provided and the possible Pb‐alternatives from the periodic table are scrutinized. Then, the classification and crystal structures of various Bi‐based perovskites are elaborated on. Detailed optoelectronic properties of Bi‐based perovskites are also described and their optoelectronic applications are abridged. The overall photovoltaic applications along with device characteristics (i.e., V OC, J SC, fill factor, FF, and power conversion efficiency, PCE), fabrication method, device architecture, and operational stability are also summarized. Finally, a conclusion is drawn where a brief outlook highlights the challenges that hamper the future progress of Bi‐based optoelectronic devices and suggestions for future directions are provided., The toxic‐lead in organometal‐halide perovskites is hindering their applications and readily needs a replacement. This work communicates briefly about the possible nontoxic lead alternatives and explores bismuth‐based perovskites comprehensively, in terms of their structures, optoelectronic properties, and applications. This work is helpful to improve the material and performance of the bismuth‐based perovskites to bring them on par with lead‐based perovskites.

In this work, we report the spontaneous formation of NiO nanoparticles-decorated onto smooth SnO

To overcome the shortage of energy, Pakistan must develop its own indigenous energy resources, such as hydropower, solar and wind energy. Pakistan is in an area of one of the highest solar streams in the world. This great potential can be exploited to produce electricity, which can be presented to cold communities in the hilly areas of the north, south, and western deserts. Consequently, this paper discusses the situation and prospects for the use of photovoltaic energy in Pakistan. In this energy scenario, the PV energy shares are in the range of a fraction of a percentage compared to total conventional energy supplies. Main emphasis in this study has been given on presentation of data about photovoltaic energy (PV) installations in the country, the on-going activities, development projects, PV planning and accomplishments of public sector PV institutions and organizations. Fortunately, Pakistan is among those regions where sunlight warms the surface throughout the year and therefore has a strong force of generating solar energy.

An ideal rechargeable battery will possess the merits of high specific capacity, long cycling stability, short charging time, high initial coulombic efficiency, wide working temperature range, and low cost. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are expected as the next generation of energy storage devices, but achieving the above features is still a major challenge. Herein, we have developed the 3D hierarchical FeSe2/rGO hybrids by a rational hydrothermal method for anodes in SIBs. The FeSe2/rGO hybrid SIBs exhibit high rate capacity (205.0 mAh g−1 at 75 A g−1 vs 458.6 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1), ultra-stable cycling life (417.7 mAh g−1 after 6000 cycles at 5 A g−1 with a rather low decay rate of only 0.0006% per cycle), extremely high initial columbic efficiency (~98.6%), and excellent feasibility in a wide temperature range (–40℃ to 60℃). Besides, the FeSe2/rGO// Na3V2(PO4)3/C full cell delivers an energy density about 145 Wh kg−1 after 200 cycles at 0.15 A g−1 (286 W kg−1). The excellent electrochemical performances of FeSe2/rGO hybrid SIBs as an ideal rechargeable battery for the next-generation energy storage system.

Dapsone is the simplest antibiotic of sulphones that demonstrates its viability against various species of bacteria and protozoa. By restricting dihydrofolic acid synthesis through competition with para-amino benzoate, dapsone inhibits the growth of these microorganisms. Owing to its low aqueous solubility and non-specific distribution in the body, the applicability of dapsone is impeded. A control on pharmacokinetics and targeted delivery of drugs is deeply needed in order to reduce the side effects of the drug and make treatment more progressive. The aim of this study is to increase the bioavailability and efficacy of dapsone through the delivery of MeO-PEO5K-b-PLA micelles. The effect of the length of the hydrophobic block (PLA) on micelles size, critical micelle concentration, entrapment efficiency, and release study is assessed. The PMs were prepared using the solvent evaporation process. The CMC of synthesized block copolymer was measured using a fluorescence-based method. The size and morphology of PMs was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The entrapment efficiency and release kinetic behavior of MeO-PEO5K-b-PLA based PMs were determined by UV–visible spectroscopy and dispersion method, respectively. The size of micelles increased and the rate of drug release decreased as the length of the PLA block increased. With copolymers having greater PLA block length, the maximum encapsulation efficiency of 89.58% for dapsone is attained. A comparison of dapsone's antibacterial activity against S. Aureus is performed and delivered by PMs. In comparison to pure drugs, the MIC for PMs loaded with dapsone has decreased. Morphological analysis based on AFM also verified the decrease in MIC.

Recently, electrochemical capacitors (ECs) have attracted consideration as AC line filter capacitors to replace the current aluminum electrolytic capacitors (AECs), which is an important direction of circuit integration miniaturization. In this work, a simple one-step hydrothermal method without additives was used to prepare vertically oriented NiTe2 nanosheets on nickel foam, which provides large surface area and fast charge transport. The NiTe2 ECs exhibit true pseudocapacitive nature, stable rate capability, efficient charge transport and high cyclic stability. In addition, they also deliver a super high specific area capacitance of 846.47 μF cm−2 at 120 Hz, while retaining small resistor-capacitor (RC) time constant of 1.01 ms and large negative phase angle of 52.7°, indicating its excellent filtering performance. As expected, the NiTe2 ECs perform evidently better filtering effect than commercial AECs when used as filter capacitors in circuits. From a practical point of view, we applied the NiTe2 filter capacitor to regulate the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) output, successfully supplying a light-emitting diode (LED) in a steady state. The NiTe2 filter capacitor proposed in this work can be fully used as a large-capacitance, small-size filter capacitor for portable devices and also applied to actual AC line circuits in the future.

Tin diselenide (SnSe

The variance in the magnetoelectric behavior of BaZrO3 owing to the doping of Fe (III) on the Zr-site has been studied based on density functional calculations. We can predict the structural parameters, electronic structure, and ferromagnetic properties of BaFexZr1−xO3 precisely deprived of considering any strong correlation effect in the calculations. The equilibrium structural parameters are accounted to be in concurrence with the former theoretical and experimental investigations. It is observed that the structural phase remained semiconducting cubic (Pm-3m) up to 12.5% of Fe content and transformed to a conducting tetragonal phase (P4/mmm) beyond that. Spin-polarized density of states and band-structure calculations have probed that pristine BaZrO3 is a wide-bandgap semiconductor and in a nonmagnetic state. The ground-energy-state of Fe3+ doped BaZrO3 compounds varies from half-metal to metal in a ferromagnetic state. In particular, the present calculations have correctly predicted half-metallicity in BaFexZr1−xO3 when doping concentrations were 12.5% and 25%. The half-metallic gap ΔHM, which is the minimum of the lowest energy level of minority spin conduction bands relative to the Fermi level, and the absolute values of the topmost energy level of minority spin valence bands are estimated to be 0.55 eV in BaFe0.25Zr0.75O3 and 0.44 eV in BaFe0.5Zr0.5O3.

Tin selenide (SnSe2) is an ideal anode in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to its high theoretical capacity and high conductivity for both electrons and ions. Herein, we design a unique heterostructure with 2D SnSe2 nanosheets supported on graphene, where the chemical coupling effect is formed between graphene and SnSe2, working as a cushion to buffer the volume change of electrodes. The 2D/2D SnSe2/graphene heterostructure has a reversible capacity of 490.9 mAh g−1 at a current rate of 0.1C, with an ultra-long cycling stability with capacity retention of 59.3% after 1500 cycles at 0.5C, and can well work at temperatures from −30 to 70 °C. Ex situ X-ray diffraction reveals that the long-term capacity is ascribed to reversible reaction of generating LixSn with Sn and Li, and the capacity loss is attributed to the irreversible reaction with the appearance of Li2Se. The remarkable electrochemical performances, such as high specific capacity, acceptable rate feature, ultra-long cycling life, and wide temperature operation, make the SnSe2/grapheme heterostructure very potential for all-climate LIBs.

The introduction of heterostructures is a new approach in gas sensing due to their easy and quick transport of charges. Herein, facile hydrothermal and solid-state techniques are employed to synthesize an α-Fe2O3/Nb2O5 heterostructure. The morphology, microstructure, crystallinity and surface composition of the synthesized heterostructures are investigated by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analyses. The successful fabrication of the heterostructures was achieved via the mutual incorporation of α-Fe2O3 nanorods with Nb2O5 interconnected nanoparticles (INPs). A sensor based on the α-Fe2O3(0.09)/Nb2O5 heterostructure with a high surface area exhibited enhanced gas-sensing features, maintaining high selectivity and sensitivity, and a considerable recovery percentage towards ethanol gas. The sensing response of the α-Fe2O3(0.09)/Nb2O5 heterostructure at lower operating temperature (160 °C) is around nine times higher than a pure Nb2O5 (INP) sensor at 180 °C with the flow of 100 ppm ethanol gas. The sensors also show excellent selectivity, good long-term stability and a rapid response/recovery time (8s/2s, respectively) to ethanol. The superior electronic conductivity and upgraded sensitivity performance of gas sensors based on the α-Fe2O3(0.09)/Nb2O5 heterostructure are attributed due to its unique structural features, high specific surface area and the synergic effect of the n–n heterojunction. The promising results demonstrate the potential application of the α-Fe2O3(0.09)/Nb2O5 heterostructure as a good sensing material for the fabrication of ethanol sensors.

A facile double hydrothermal method for the fabrication of α-Fe2O3/Nb2O5 heterostructure is employed to compare and evaluate the structural properties of the negative electrode for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) features. Basically, in this research work, we accumulate the α-Fe2O3 nanorods (NRs), with high specific capacity and less stability, with the Nb2O5 interconnected nanoparticles (INP), having the less specific capacity and high stability, to see the electrode features of the synthesized composite materials in LIBs. Based on our calculated results, the synthesized α-Fe2O3/Nb2O5 heterostructure has a high specific capacitance and good stability, are established. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) and cycling test are done in the voltage range of 0–3 V. The specific capacity of the α-Fe2O3/Nb2O5 heterostructure is enhanced from 178 mAh g−1 to 1125 mAh g−1 with excellent cyclic stability for 500 cycles. Moreover, the superior electronic conductivity, higher specific capacity, high rate capability, and high reversibility and upgraded performance of the α-Fe2O3/Nb2O5 heterostructure as LIBs electrode are attributed due to unique structural features, high specific surface area and synergic effect of the heterostructure. Up to the best of our knowledge, the synthesized heterostructure yet not been applied in the LIBs. The promising results in application inferred that it can be a significant step to meet the demands of future industrial-level devices.

The innovation of the graphene (G) marks key revolutionary events in the science and technology. The normal materials conversion to the two dimensional materials (2DMs), is known as modern day “alchemy” was extended to the most of groups in periodic table. The monoelemental, atomically thin 2DMs, called “Xenes” (“ene” Latin word, means nanosheets (NSs), here, X = different possible group elements (group-IIIA-IVA)) are newly invented edge of the materials family in which one of the most active area is 2DMs investigation. The 2D-Xenes material offers novel properties for the modern nanodevices applications. Any new form of the 2DMs entry into mainstream Xenes would likely compete with today's electronic technology. The metallic 2D-borophene is experimentally formed; subsequent by the theoretical calculations has high in-plane anisotropy together with numerous enviable features like, the 2D-G and phosphorene (2D-BP). As a synthetic 2DMs, the structural properties of 2D-borophene cannot be deduced from bulk boron (B), means that the fundamental defects of the 2D-borophene persisted unknown. The modern highly sensitive potential synthesis and characterization techniques offer an opportunity for investigating the theoretically predicted 2D-Xenes, with atomic precision under idealized conditions. Experimental based theoretically predicted, synthetic 2D-Xenes of the group-IIIA (Borophene (2D-B)) material has been investigated, just like a metallic material. Thus, it is potentially rendering them as potential candidates for the future electrocatalytic based nanodevices, especially potential applications as a catalyst, electrode material, energy storage materials in batteries/superconductors, and so on. In this topical review, we will briefly present various aspects of the 2D-borophene, group-IIIA 2D-Xenes. Thereafter, we will explain different potential methods to synthesize 2D-borophene Xenes, provide a concise summary of the main achievements about their properties, that have been obtained by theoretical simulations as well as by experimental investigations and finally we will discuss the potential applications of the 2D-borophene Xenes, for fundamentally oriented studies. Although, this material investigations and devices applications are still at an early stage, but theoretical calculations and some experimental measurements, provided that, it is complementary to normally used electrocatalytic nanomaterials as well as 2DMs (i.e., layered bulk-derived), with their novel properties and predicted applications.

In this work, we report the spontaneous formation of NiO nanoparticles-decorated onto smooth SnO2 nanofibers, which is an inexpensive and scalable method for yielding a high composite surface area via a simple two-step synthesis process based on electrospinning and the hydrothermal method. A Nickel Oxide proton-conducting electrolyte is deposited homogeneously over a large surface area in a transparent solution, mixed and decorated onto Tin dioxide nanofibers, as evidenced by cross sectional imaging of the electrospun nanofibers. The composite based on nanoparticle-decorated fibers enlarges the surface area of the exposed electrolyte, which fundamentally improves the overall gas sensing performance. The crystal structure, morphology, and physio-chemical surface state of the NiO/SnO2-based specimen are comprehensively examined using XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, EDX, and photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopy. The composite based on NiO/SnO2 nanoparticle-decorated fibers exhibits an optimistic mesoporous nature with a huge specific area, which is key for superior gas sensors. The result reveals that NiO/SnO2 nanoparticle-decorated fibers with an average size of 180-260 nm in diameter, where the average length of fibers was about 1.5 μm. The composite-based heterojunction of NiO/SnO2 nanoparticle-decorated fibers enhances the adsorption of oxygen molecules, which show fast response, good selectivity and quick recovery speed against ethanol gas at an optimal temperature of about 160 °C. The maximum sensitivity response of the sensor-based composite NiO/SnO2 nanoparticle-decorated fibers was 23.87 in respect of 100 ppm ethanol gas at a low temperature of 160 °C; this is approximately about 7.2 times superior to that of pure SnO2 nanofibers. The superior gas sensing capabilities of a composite based on NiO/SnO2 nanoparticle-decorated fibers may be attributable to the enhanced catalytic effect of the small sized NiO nanoparticles on smooth SnO2 nanofibers, together with the p/n heterojunction effects between NiO and SnO2 heterostructures.

We develop a simple and effective strategy to synthesize Cu-doped SnSe2 nanoflakes composites. The Cu doping plays triple roles in electrode: to buffer the volume change of SnSe2, to improve the conductivity of the electrode system, and to provide a considerable electrochemical catalytic function. From overall performance point of view, the SnSe2/0.4Cu sample exhibits the best lithium-storage performance with both superior cycling stability as well as excellent rate performance. Remarkably, the as-obtained SnSe2/0.4Cu exhibits a high initial reversible capacity of 583 mAh g−1 at a cycling rate of 0.1 C and 254 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles, with a capacity retention rate of 45.6%. However, after 100 cycles at 0.1 C, the capacity retention rates are 11.2%, 14.9%, 17.1%, 23.4% and 12.0% for pure SnSe2, SnSe2/0.1Cu, SnSe2/0.2Cu, SnSe2/0.3Cu and SnSe2/0.5Cu electrode, respectively. Besides, at a higher cycling rate of 0.5 C, the SnSe2/0.4Cu electrode can still achieve a high capacity of 165 mAh g−1, however, the value is just 36 mAh g−1 for pure SnSe2 electrode. Our work sufficiently evidences the great promotion of the capacity and stability of SnSe2 after a moderate amount of Cu doping as an anode material for lithium ion batteries. The very effective and easy method developed in this study could be extended to other materials to improve their electrochemical performance through metal doping.