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Since carbon dots (CDs) exhibit excellent biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, near-infrared (NIR) absorbance, and superior photostability, many types of CDs are considered as powerful candidates for photothermal therapy (PTT) applications. However, the development of a desirable CD is still difficult due to insufficient photothermal conversion, thus resulting in the use of high laser power densities at a high dose of CDs for the PTT effect. Herein, bioinspired sulfur-doped CDs (S-CDs) with strong NIR absorbance were prepared from Camellia japonica flowers via a facile hydrothermal method for enhancing the photothermal conversion efficiency. The as-prepared S-CDs exhibited various advantages including cost-effective preparation, good water-solubility, high biocompatibility, intense NIR absorption, and excellent photothermal effect with robust photostability. Most importantly, the optimal low dose of S-CDs (45 μg mL−1) successfully led to efficient PTT performance with a high photothermal conversion efficiency (55.4%) under moderate laser power (808 nm, 1.1 W cm−2) for safe and effective cancer therapy.

Since carbon dots (CDs) exhibit excellent biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, near-infrared (NIR) absorbance, and superior photostability, many types of CDs are considered as powerful candidates for photothermal therapy (PTT) applications. However, the development of a desirable CD is still difficult due to insufficient photothermal conversion, thus resulting in the use of high laser power densities at a high dose of CDs for the PTT effect. Herein, bioinspired sulfur-doped CDs (S-CDs) with strong NIR absorbance were prepared from

The vacuum deposition method requires high energy and temperature. Hydrophobic reduced graphene oxide (rGO) can be obtained by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition under atmospheric pressure, which shows the hydrophobic surface property. Further, to compare the effect of hydrophobic and the hydrophilic nature of catalysts in the photoelectrochemical cell (PEC), the prepared rGO was additionally treated with plasma that attaches oxygen functional groups effectively to obtain hydrophilic graphene oxide (GO). The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalytic activity of the hydrophobic rGO and hydrophilic GO deposited on the p-type Si wafer was analyzed. Herein, we have proposed a facile way to directly deposit the surface property engineered GO.

Because of a high global energy demand and challenging sustainability requirements, hydrogen has been promoted as a clean and green energy carrier allowing the potential replacement of nonrenewable fossil fuels. Hydrogen is a renewable energy carrier that does not contribute to CO2 emissions, and it holds the highest gravimetric energy density. It can be produced by the electrochemical splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen molecules. Herein, we investigate the bifunctional activity of bimetallic oxide, sulfide, and selenide nanostructures in water electrolysis. Spinel-type, phase-pure NiCo2O4, NiCo2S4, and NiCo2Se4 with comparable morphological properties were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The electrocatalytic characterization of NiCo2Se4 was found to demonstrate higher oxygen and hydrogen evolution reaction activities (245 mV and 122 mV @ 10 mA cm−2, respectively) compared to those of NiCo2O4 and NiCo2S4. Furthermore, a lab-scale water-splitting system was fabricated to examine the bifunctional properties of bimetallic nanostructures. A NiCo2Se4-based water-splitting system was found to require a cell voltage of 1.58 V, which is lower than that required by NiCo2S4 (1.64 V)- and NiCo2O4 (1.75 V)-based systems. In summary, this study explores bimetallic NiCo2Se4 as an efficient electroactive material that can be employed in various electrochemical energy systems.

Energy storage systems play a vital role in rationalizing the imminent energy crisis and ecological discomfort. The modern tactic of resolving the lack of energy density dispute with flexible hybrid supercapacitors that could generate high power and energy density under different conditions in energy systems. Here, we introduce a simple solvothermal approach at low temperatures to prepare iron oxide and nickel phosphide nanoparticles. The formation of single-phase pure Fe3O4 and Ni2P with high crystallinity was identified through XRD analysis. The morphology of both the Fe3O4 and Ni2P was confirmed as uniformly distributed nanoparticles with an improved active surface area. The electrochemical activity of the prepared Fe3O4 and Ni2P electrodes revealed improved storage capacity (106 & 354 C g−1) and high retention capability (90%) at higher current densities with resilient cyclic stability (8000 cycles). Finally, a flexible asymmetric supercapacitor was fabricated and demonstrated superiorly high cyclic stability (20,000 cycles) with an improved energy density (31 Wh kg−1) and power density (6400 W kg−1). Therefore, the designed metallic Fe3O4 || Ni2P asymmetric system is anticipated to be a promising strategy toward the advancement of future energy systems.

The unique physical and chemical properties of spinels have made them highly suitable electrocatalysts in oxygen evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction (OER & ORR). Zinc–air batteries (ZABs), which are safer and more cost-effective power sources than commercial lithium-ion batteries, hinge on ORR and OER. The slow kinetics of the air electrode reduce its high theoretical energy density and specific capacity, which limits its practical applications. Thus, tuning the performance of the electrocatalyst and cathode architecture is vital for improving the performance of ZABs, which calls for exploring spinel, a material that delivers improved performance. However, the structure–activity relationship of spinel is still unclear because there is a lack of extensive information about it. This study was performed to address the promising potential of spinel as the bifunctional electrocatalyst in ZABs based on an in-depth understanding of spinel structure and active sites at the atomic level.

This study focuses on the preparation of CdSe/ZnO composite by combining three techniques, namely, electrodeposition, galvanic displacement, and photocathodic deposition. Thus ZnO nanowire array was first electrodeposited on Sn-doped indium oxide (ITO) or polycrystalline Au electrode; then, the metallic zinc codeposited with ZnO was galvanically replaced with Se from a Se4+ containing aqueous solution, which resulted in a Se/ZnO composite nanowire array. Finally, the Se component in Se/ZnO was photoelectrochemically reduced to Se2– by irradiation. The Se species reacted with Cd2+ in the electrolyte phase to produce CdSe/ZnO composite in situ. The deposition details were elucidated in situ by a combination of stripping voltammetry and electrochemical quartz crystal microgravimetry. The composite sample was subsequently characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray analyses, and photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements. The PEC experiments revealed that the ...

during stripping analysis of Te(IV) or Se(IV). Therefore in this study, the conventional HgFE was also deployed to investigate whether alloy formation is a general phenomenon (like in the BiFE instance above) or not. Finally, comparative aspects of Te determination at BiFE and HgFE will be briefly discussed.

The mechanistic aspects of a two-step method for the electrodeposition of a BiVO4 semiconductor (previously developed in the Rajeshwar/Tacconi laboratory) were elaborated by the combined application of voltammetry and EQCM. The electrosynthesized films were also characterized ex situ using SEM, EDX, XRD, and XPS. Stripping of pre-electrodeposited bismuth films, followed by reaction either with VO43− (formed by hydrolysis from the initially added VO3− species) or with hydroxide ions, produced BiVO4 or Bi2O3 thin films in situ on the Pt electrode. The deposition potential, pH of the electrolyte, and choice of vanadium precursor were shown to be crucial variables in the composition of the electrodeposited film. When a more positive potential than 0.5 V (vs Ag/AgCl reference) was applied to the Bi-modified electrode in VO3−-containing electrolyte, the content of Bi2O3 in the film increased instead of BiVO4. Stripping efficiency of the predeposited bismuth layer was increased at acidic electrolytes and resulte...