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Body-centered cubic bismuth (bcc-Bi) has long been considered an ideal pressure standard/calibrant; thus, the accurate knowledge of both its equation of state (EOS) and melting curve is of primary importance for future high pressure and high temperature experiments. However, its melting curve has never been measured experimentally beyond 5 GPa, and several theoretical calculations do not agree with each other and, in fact, differ by as much as a factor of 2 with regard to the bcc-Bi melting point at 50 GPa. Here, we present the calculation of the melting curve of bcc-Bi to 400 GPa via quantum molecular dynamics simulations using the Z method implemented with VASP. We also present the ab initio EOS of bcc-Bi as well as its principal Hugoniot, which both appear to be in excellent agreement with the available experimental data. At 100 GPa, the temperature extent (from zero to melt) of bcc-Bi is comparable to that of gold. At pressures of $\stackrel {\gt }{ \sim }500$ GPa, the melting curve of bcc-Bi is (quasi-)parallel to, being ${\sim } 1000$ K below that of rhenium, the highest melter above ${\sim } 30$ GPa among the elements of the third row of the periodic table, which makes bcc-Bi the second highest melter behind Re. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we show how diffraction-based chemically sensitive dark-field transmission electron microscopy (DFTEM) reveals the presence of Bi hetero-antisites (BiGa) at the interface of Ga(As,Bi)/(Al,Ga)As quantum well (QW) structures grown by molecular beam epitaxy on GaAs(001). The presence of BiGa is demonstrated by the striking appearance of "dark-lines" at the interfaces under two-beam DFTEM imaging conditions using the (002) diffraction spot. Additional analytical scanning (S)TEM procedures reveal Ga depletion and Bi accumulation at the exact position of the dark-lines, consistent with BiGa at this location. The precise location of the dark-lines agrees with the position of growth interruptions made to adjust substrate temperature and the As/Ga flux ratio and, most importantly, the realization of a Bi pre-treatment before QW growth. We believe the Bi pre-treatment may have favored formation of BiGa hetero-antisites. We validate the use of g002 DFTEM for further investigations of the intricate bismuth incorporation into the lattice and its dependence on the growth conditions. Finally, g002 DFTEM imaging is positioned as a very powerful technique for the detection of point defects in general in materials with the zinc-blende crystal structure, beyond dilute bismide alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BiFeO3–BaTiO3 (BF–BT) ceramics with high Curie temperature and excellent piezoelectric coefficient are expected to be applied in high-temperature piezoelectric sensors and actuators. However, its resistivity decreases rapidly with temperature and impedes its further applications. Moreover, normal methods such as doping modification cannot address this issue. In the present work, bismuth layered Bi4Ti2.93(Zn1/3Nb2/3)0.07O12 (BIT) and perovskite 0.36BiScO3-0.64PbTiO3 (BSPT) ceramics were selected as insulating layers and were, respectively, sintered with 0.7BF–0.3BT ceramics to form laminated ceramics. The heterojunction structures effectively prevent carrier migration, and both resistivities of BIT and BSPT laminated ceramics were increased from 106 to 108−9 Ω cm at 300 °C. In addition, piezoelectric properties of the BSPT-type laminated ceramics are much higher than that of BF–BT ceramics, in which the bipolar strain was increased from 0.04% to 0.1% (4 kV/mm), and d33 was increased from 140 to 237 pC/N. Therefore, designing the insulating layer may be an effective method to realize the high-temperature application for BF–BT ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel/bismuth (Ni/Bi) bilayers have recently attracted attention due to the occurrence of time-reversal symmetry breaking in the superconducting state. Here, we report on the structural, magnetic, and electric characterization of thin film Ni/Bi bilayers with several Bi thicknesses. We observed the formation of a complex layered structure depending on the Bi thickness caused by the inter-diffusion of Bi and Ni which leads to the stabilization of NiBi 3 at the Bi/Ni interface. The superconducting transition temperature and the transition width are highly dependent on the Bi thickness and the layer structure. Magnetoelectric transport measurements in perpendicular and parallel magnetic fields were used to investigate the temperature-dependent upper critical field within the framework of the anisotropic Ginzburg–Landau theory and the Werthamer–Helfand–Hohenberg model. For thicker samples, we observed a conventional behavior, similar to that shown by NiBi 3 bulk samples, including a small Maki parameter (α M = 0), no spin–orbit scattering (λ S O = 0) and nearly isotropic coherence length (γ = ξ ⊥ (0) / ξ ∥ (0) ≈ 1). The values obtained for these properties are close to those characterizing NiBi 3 single crystals. On the other hand, in very thin samples, the Maki parameter increases to about α M = 2.8. In addition, the coherence length becomes anisotropic (γ = 0.32) and spin–orbit scattering (λ S O = 1.2) must be taken into account. Our results unequivocally show that the properties characterizing the superconducting state in the Ni/Bi are strongly dependent on the sample thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of graphene led to a burst in search for 2D materials originating from layered atomic crystals coupled by van der Waals force. While bulk bismuth crystals share this layered crystal structure, unlike other group V members of the periodic table, its interlayer bonds are stronger such that traditional mechanical cleavage and exfoliation techniques have shown to be inefficient. In this work, we present a novel mechanical cleavage method for exfoliating bismuth by utilizing the stress concentration effect induced by micro-trench SiO 2 structures. As a result, the exfoliated bismuth flakes can achieve thicknesses down to the sub-10 nm range, which are analyzed by atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic water splitting for green hydrogen production is hindered by the sluggish kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Loading a co-catalyst is essential for accelerating the kinetics, but the detailed reaction mechanism and role of the co-catalyst are still obscure. Here, we focus on cobalt oxide (CoOx) loaded on bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) to investigate the impact of CoOx on the OER mechanism. We employ photoelectrochemical impedance spectroscopy and simultaneous measurements of photoinduced absorption and photocurrent. The reduction of V5+ in BiVO4 promotes the formation of a surface state on CoOx that plays a crucial role in the OER. The third-order reaction rate with respect to photohole charge density indicates that reaction intermediate species accumulate in the surface state through a three-electron oxidation process prior to the rate-determining step. Increasing the excitation light intensity onto the CoOx-loaded anode improves the photoconversion efficiency significantly, suggesting that the OER reaction at dual sites in an amorphous CoOx(OH)y layer dominates over single sites. Therefore, CoOx is directly involved in the OER by providing effective reaction sites, stabilizing reaction intermediates, and improving the charge transfer rate. These insights help advance our understanding of co-catalyst-assisted OER to achieve efficient water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of electron and hole traps in semiconductors via atomistic defects is the fundamental microscopic mechanism for tuning the electronic and photonic properties of these materials. Here we find in experiments that bismuth atoms doped into anatase TiO2 as substituents can appear as paired diatomic defects. Through first-principles density functional theory calculations, we reveal that the observed bismuth pair is separated by a medium distance of 6.37 Å through a delicate balance of Pauli repulsion and effective attractive interaction. We further clarify that the effective attractive interaction is related to the exchange coupling between the two bismuth defect states, which also leads to the formation of a spin singlet electronic state of the two unpaired electrons. Our study brings up a new type of defect state in TiO2, and motivates further experimental and theoretical studies of multi-electronic states in materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) were determined in raw milk from Nigerian cattles (cow, goat and sheep), to assess the environmental pollution, impact on milk quality and health risk. Nine composite samples were collected from five states in Northwest Nigeria, being the major cattle breeders. The samples were wet digested and PTEs determined using ICP-OES. 45 PTEs were ascertained of which Nitrogen (43754 mg/L) and Strontium, Sr (0.007 mg/L) recorded the highest and least mean concentration respectively. The mean concentration of other PTEs were: Selenium (0.253 ± 0.077), Cadmium (0.040 ± 0.0411), Mercury (0.048 ± 0.037), Silver (0.088 ± 0.013), Arsenic (0.044 ± 0.006), Boron (0.056 ± 0.005), Aluminium (0.014 ± 0.002), Tin (0.109 ± 0.019), Lead (0.018 ± 0.006), Gold (0.088 ± 0.048), Manganese (214.8 ± 18.754), Iron (473.9 ± 55.901), Zinc (247.9 ± 15.874), Copper (84.5 ± 12.905), Nickel (0.0031 ± 0.001), Molybdenum (0.459 ± 0.160), Cobalt (0.055 ± 0.020), Chromium (0.028 ± 0.008), Vanadium (0.185 ± 0.051), Calcium (24988 ± 16302), Magnesium (5733 ± 1460.8), Potassium (6555 ± 1199.6), Sodium (17.59 ± 2.914), Phosphorus (497.2 ± 90.38), Bismuth (0.055 ± 0.032), Cerium (0.048 ± 0.043), Argon (0.083 ± 0.011), Silicon (0.265 ± 0.110), Sulphur (0.087 ± 0.009), Titanium (0.073 ± 0.030) and Bromine (0.021 ± 0.005). Others are Platinum (0.021 ± 0.008), Antimony (0.088 ± 0.007), Iodine (0.16 ± 0.022), Caesium (0.374 ± 0.037), Barium (0.025 ± 0.009), Lanthanum (0.115 ± 0.182), Samarium (0.150 ± 0.095), Palladium (1.47 ± 0.991), Curium (0.042 ± 0.009), Fermium (0.036 ± 0.0098), Americium (0.826 ± 0.618) and Rubidium (0.048 ± 0.044). The Pearson's correlation and paired sample t-test showed that most of the PTEs have similar origin at 0.05% significant level, and all the cattle had the same level of exposure to the PTEs respectively in the area. Raw milk is about 80% water and so, the determined PTEs concentrations are considered very high in the analyzed samples. The presence of Pb in the milk is a concern since Pb is a toxin at any concentration. The high content of PTEs in milk is attributed to the indiscriminate and artisanal mining activities in the region, and the fact that the animals are free rangers. The health risk factors were below unity (HR < 1) and so were not potential hazards. However, the environmental contaminations by these PTEs are very substantial and if this type of milk is taken raw or used for the production of dairy products like cheese and butter, then there may be a serious health condition on the consumer since they are not biodegradable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To design novel materials suitable for high-temperature electromechanical applications, a bismuth-based ternary solid solution system, (1- x - y)BiScO 3 - y Pb(Sc 1/2 Nb 1/2)O 3 - x PbTiO 3 , with compositions situated around the morphotropic phase boundary, were designed and synthesized in the form of ceramic. The crystal structure, microstructure, dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties, and the local polar domain structure of the ceramics were investigated in detail. The examined ceramics exhibit large grain sizes ranging from 20 μm to 45 μm, along with noteworthy characteristics, including a relatively large strain of 0.21 %, a high large-signal piezoelectric coefficient (d 33 * = 368 pm/V), a low dielectric loss (tanδ = 1.7 %), and a high Curie temperature (T C ∼ 423 °C). These enhanced properties signify the suitability of the designed ternary ceramics for future high-temperature electromechanical applications. This work demonstrates an effective approach for designing ferro-/piezoelectric materials characterized by substantial strain and low dielectric loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth sulfide, Bi2S3, was prepared by a one-pot reaction using various choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as the reaction field. Rod-like particles obtained with acetamide–thioacetamide-based DESs were found to exhibit specifically dominant detection properties for H2S gas, and the gas detection mechanism was discussed by adsorption reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparing bismuth compounds-based heterojunctions with superior redox capability has emerged as a promising strategy for environmental remediation. Herein, p-BiOI/n-Bi 2 WO 6 heterojunctions were successfully obtained via a novel, facile, and green solvothermal method. The heterojunctions were synthesized using different mass ratios (1:2, 1:1, and 2:1) of BiOI (BI) and Bi 2 WO 6 (BW), with 1:1 as the best ratio, which was decorated with silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) applying green methodologies. The as-prepared BI/BW heterojunctions were characterized by several techniques, and their adsorption capacity and photodegradation activity toward tetracycline (TC) under 19 W visible LEDs illumination were investigated. The capacity of pure BI, BW and BI/BW heterojunctions for adsorbing TC ranged from 14 to 68 mg/g; among the heterojunctions, Ag/1BI/1BW showed the highest TC adsorption capacity, 35 mg/g. Moreover, the photocatalytic tests revealed that the Ag/1BI/1BW exhibited the highest catalytic performance, achieving a TC percentage degradation of 81 % within 120 min. The low nominal power consumption of the LED-based photoreactor (0.0475 kWh) was significantly lower than that reported in the literature for using Xe or Hg lamps. In addition, catalyst dosage, initial TC concentration, and solution pH were investigated, demonstrating that they play important role in TC photodegradation. Scavenger assays determined that the degradation of TC using Ag/1BI/1BW proceeds mainly via superoxide radicals and holes, which agrees with the carrier transfer mechanism postulated for this heterojunction. TOC analysis revealed that the efficiency of Ag/1BI/1BW was 63 %, and reuse tests confirmed its high performance even after three cycles. This research provides new insights into the design of high-performance heterojunctions for water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unique radiation response of the anion-excess sublattice of bixbyite Gd 2 Ce 2 O 7 , which remains crystalline without amorphization, has sparked significant interest in exploring other systems with anion-excess bixbyite structures. This study delves into the effects of introducing transition metal ions (Cr, Mn, and Fe), luminescent activators (Eu, Tb), and trivalent bismuth with stereochemically active lone pair on the structure, optical, and luminescent properties of anion-excess bixbyite structured (In 0.60 Zr 0.40) 2 O 3+δ by synthesizing the samples using a solution combustion route. Introducing up to 20 mol % of transition metal ions (in place of indium) did not alter the superstructure of (In 0.60 Zr 0.40) 2 O 3+δ except for chromium. (In 0.60 Zr 0.40) 2 O 3+δ could take up only 5 mol % of Eu, Tb, and Bi, retaining the superstructure. Fe and Mn in the doped samples existed in the +3- state. The optical bandgap narrowing occurred in the transition metal ion-doped sample and widened in the Eu and Tb-doped samples. Co-doping Bi with Eu and Tb resulted in significant optical bandgap reduction. Typical red and green emissions have been observed in the case of Eu- and Tb-doped samples both at 293 and 77 K. Low-temperature measurements at 77 K in the case of Eu3+- doped sample indicated its occupancy at 8 b and 24 d sites of the bixbyite structure serving as valuable site probes. The CIE coordinates at 293 K (0.3352, 0.3374) for the (Eu, Tb, Bi)-doped sample near the illuminant E point showed its suitability in W-LEDs, Enhancement in energy transfer from Tb3+ to Eu3+ with lowering temperature and change in color coordinates from (0.3360, 0.3374) to (0.3352,0.3374) at 77 K and 293 K, respectively was observed for the (Eu, Tb, Bi)-doped sample, illustrating color tunability with temperature. Aging experiments concluded the metastability of rare-earth and bismuth-doped samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Methods Results Conclusions Tegoprazan, a potassium‐competitive acid blocker, can be used as a substitute for proton pump inhibitors in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy; some studies have reported improved efficacy. In Korea, where clarithromycin resistance rates are high, we aimed to compare the efficacies of tegoprazan‐based concomitant and bismuth quadruple therapies.We retrospectively analyzed data from patients with H. pylori infection who received either 10‐day tegoprazan‐based concomitant therapy or 14‐day tegoprazan‐based bismuth quadruple therapy as first‐line treatment. The primary outcome was H. pylori eradication rate, with secondary outcomes including adverse events and insufficient medication rates.Among the 1082 patients included in the study, 620 and 462 were treated with tegoprazan‐based concomitant and bismuth quadruple therapies, respectively. Intention‐to‐treat analysis demonstrated no difference in eradication rates between the tegoprazan‐based concomitant and bismuth quadruple therapy groups (74.7% [95% confidence interval—CI, 71.1–78.0%] vs 74.7% [95% CI, 70.6–78.5%], P = 0.999). Per‐protocol analysis also showed similar eradication rates between the two groups (88.0% [95% CI, 85.0–90.6%] vs 89.7% [95% CI, 86.3–92.5%], P = 0.424). The overall adverse event rates (49.6% vs 39.2%, P = 0.001) and insufficient medication rates (4.8% vs 2.4%, P = 0.036) were higher in the bismuth quadruple therapy group than in the concomitant therapy group.The eradication rates of tegoprazan‐based 10‐day concomitant therapy and 14‐day bismuth quadruple therapy were comparable. However, because of its shorter treatment duration, better medical adherence, and lower incidence of adverse events, tegoprazan‐based concomitant therapy may be preferable in regions with high rates of clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we propose a simple and effective fluoride (F−) ions post‐treatment method to improve the solar water splitting performance of monoclinic BiVO4 (abbreviated as BVO). The surface modification of BVO with functional F− ions not only facilitates the transfer and separation efficiency of carriers at the electrode/electrolyte interface but also promotes the adsorption and activation of water, resulting in a photocurrent of 3.2 mA/cm2 at a bias voltage of 1.2 VRHE. Furthermore, the transfer and separation of carriers in the bulk and on the surface are further regulated by the oxygen vacancies induced by F− ions, thereby enhancing the PEC water splitting performance of BVO. Notably, the experimental findings demonstrate that the introduce of F− ions into the KBi electrolyte enhances the photo‐charging process of BVO. Specifically, at a bias voltage of 0.6 VRHE, the BVO‐0.12F sample exhibits a stable photocurrent of 1.2 mA/cm2, which is twice as high as that of the initial BVO sample. Remarkably, our study unveils that the addition of F− ions into the KBi electrolyte solution plays a pivotal role in facilitating the separation of charge carriers and promoting interfacial charge transport. Consequently, this further leads to a substantial enhancement in the solar water splitting performance for BVO‐0.12F photoanode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heteroatom doping of the ZnO electron injection layer (EIL) is widely applied to the fabrication of high‐performance quantum‐dot and perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs), while group‐VA atomic dopant is rarely studied. Here, VA bismuth (Bi) with strong metallicity is screened as a substitution dopant to regulate the colloid size, surface terminal, and defect density of the ZnO precursor. The as‐fabricated Bi‐doped ZnO (ZnBiO) EIL shows enhanced conductivity, passivated trap states, more n‐type nature, and appropriate band alignment with FAPbI3 (FA: formamidinium), contributing to smooth injection paths with minimal transport losses. Promoted by inhibited hydroxyl terminations of ZnBiO, the FAPbI3 crystals grown into flat nanocylinder domains with higher crystallinity and area‐thickness ratio, leading to a champion PeLED efficiency of 22.3%, a high near‐infrared radiance of 684 W sr−1 m−2, and nearly an order of magnitude extended operational stability, which shows great promise of ZnBiO as the optimal EIL for various LED application scenarios beyond classical ZnMgO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large variety of structures of Zintl phases are generally well understood since their anionic substructures follow bonding rules according to the valence concept. But there are also exceptions, which make the semiconductors especially interesting in terms of structure‐property relationships. Although several Na‐Sn‐Pnictides with a variety of structural motives are known, up to this point no ternary compound in the Na‐Sn‐Bi system has been described. In this paper we present the Zintl‐phase Na13Sn25.73Bi1.27 comprising a complex, open‐framework structure of Sn atoms, with one mixed Sn/Bi site, hosting Na atoms. An additional Bi atom is loosely connected with only weak contacts to the framework filling a larger cavity within the network. According to band structure calculations of the two ordered variants with either full occupation of the mixed site with Sn or Bi, resulting in Na13Sn26Bi and Na13Sn24Bi3, respectively, both compounds are semiconductors with band gaps of 0.5 eV. A comparison of the band structures with the structurally related binary compounds Na5Sn13 and Na7Sn12 shows that only the perfectly charge balanced Na7Sn12 is a semiconductor whereas Na5Sn13 is metallic. The rather specific electronic situation in the ternary compound is traced back to the loosely bound Bi atom, which acts as a guest atom according to Bix@Na13Sn26‐yBiy, with x=1 and y=0.27, capable to change its oxidation state and thus to uptake additional electrons allowing the system to be a semiconductor. Therefore, Na13Sn25.73Bi1.27 can be understood as a rare example of an open framework structure of Sn atoms comprising Bi atoms in the cavities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various advanced sources have been developed to cope with the exponential need for world energies, such as hydrogen production, photovoltaic solar cells, lithium batteries and fuel cells, etc. Among these, fuel cells are better owing to their power production, renewability, and green natural technology. In fuel cells, chemical energy is converted into electrical energy with the help of an electrochemical device, having three major components, i.e. electrodes, electrolytes and catalysts. Bismuth-based materials would be a good choice to develop an efficient fuel cell and can be used as electrodes, electrolytes, and catalysts. Bi2SiO5@NG(NG = nitrogen-doped graphene) is a Bi-based nano-composite used as a cathodic catalyst to enhance the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Co−Bi@rGO (rGO = reduced graphene oxide) is used as an anode for an EtOH fuel cell due to its low cost and high efficiency. Bi-based solid oxide electrolytes, e.g. sulfonated poly(ether, ketone) (SPEEK) polymer having 7.5 wt.% of bismuth cobalt zinc oxide (BCZO) with a high-power density of 574 mW cm−2 have been reported in this regard. These factors accentuate the relevance of bismuth-based materials for the production of components for fuel cells that have excellent performance. This review examines the published literature on bismuth-based materials and anticipates the synthesis, and role of material in fuel cells. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives present comprehensive guidelines for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of dibenzobismepinyl (C14H10Bi) substituted transition metal complexes of the type [(C14H10Bi)M(CO)x(L)] (M=Mn, Co, Fe) was prepared in salt elimination reactions from a halobismepine and sodium metallates. Irradiation of these complexes with visible light has been investigated, aiming at the elimination of one carbonyl ligand and the concomitant coordination of the bismepine's olefin moiety to the transition metal center. The resulting complexes of the type [{κ2C,κ1Bi‐(C14H10)Bi}M(CO)x−1(L)] (M=Co, Fe) have been isolated and fully characterized. When two dibenzobismepinyl units are positioned in the coordination sphere of an iron carbonyl complex fragment, reductive elimination/oxidative addition events of the dibismuthane (C14H10Bi)2 have been shown to be relevant. The analytical techniques applied in this work include (heteronuclear) NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, UV/Vis spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and (TD)‐DFT calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbonaceous materials are recognized for their high conductivity and adaptable structures, making them potential candidates for potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs). Yet, their application has been restricted due to challenges like limited potassium storage and slow kinetics. Addressing these issues, this study presents a novel method by anchoring nitrogen‐oxygen‐coordinated bismuth metal atom sites onto honeycomb‐like carbon rods, termed Bi‐N4‐O2@HCR. This aims to enhance PIB performance by exploiting carbonaceous materials' strengths and mitigating their limitations. Through comprehensive experiments and theoretical simulations, it is found that Bi‐N4‐O2 sites enrich potassium storage and facilitate potassium ion migration, thus improving transport efficiency and reaction kinetics. The resulting anode showcased rapid and durable potassium storage, with a remarkable capacity of 190.7 mAh g−1 at 30 A g−1 and maintaining 192.2 mAh g−1 over 4200 cycles at 5 A g−1, outperforming many existing carbon anodes. Additionally, in full cell tests, it exhibited excellent rate performance and ultra‐long cycle life, sustaining up to 8000 cycles with a stable capacity of 88.9 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1. This research underscores the significance of incorporating unique metal sites on carbon substrates to advance battery technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates a photodetector design using the nontoxic, all‐inorganic perovskite material RbGeI3, which is distinguished by its efficient light absorption and excellent photoelectric conversion properties. Incorporating copper bismuth thiocyanate (CBTS) and indium gallium zinc oxide layers, this design enhances charge transport, leading to a photodetector that exhibits exceptional sensitivity across the visible spectrum, along with a peak responsivity of 0.63 A W−1 and a detectivity of 1.37 × 1013 Jones in the near‐infrared (NIR) at 900 nm. The proposed photodetector exhibits wide‐spectrum detection, encompassing both the visible range and the NIR region. These results position RbGeI3 and CBTS as compelling alternatives to traditional photodetector materials such as Si‐Ge, InGaAs, ZnO, and GaN. Validation is achieved through simulations using the SCAPS‐1D simulator, underscoring the potential of perovskite materials for advanced photodetector applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endoscopic trisectoral metal stent (MS) placement for malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO) poses technical challenges, although it may prolong survival and stent patency. Combined stent-by-stent and stent-in-stent (SBSIS) methods can reduce technical difficulty. This study aimed to examine the use of the SBSIS in patients with Bismuth type III or IV MHBO. Methods: This prospective pilot study enrolled 30 eligible patients between January 2020 and October 2022. The study outcomes included technical and clinical success, recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO), and adverse events (AE) besides RBO associated with SBSIS for MHBO. Results: The technical success rate was 93.3% (28/30 patients). Clinical success was achieved in all patients with technical success. The early and late AEs rates were 6.7% (2/30) and 7.1% (2/28), respectively. The incidence of RBO was 35.7% (10/28). RBO was treated with an endoscopic transpapillary approach in eight patients and an endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural approach in two patients. The median time to RBO was 162 days, and the median overall survival was 148 days. Conclusions: This first prospective study investigating the SBSIS method demonstrated good technical feasibility with a low AE rate. Therefore, it can be considered a better option when contemplating trisectoral MS placement for high-grade MHBO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Bismuth-based quadruple therapy (BQT) is a treatment option for clarithromycin-resistant Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of 7-day BQT with that of 14-day BQT as first-line treatment for clarithromycin-resistant HP infection. Methods: A total of 162 treatment-naïve patients with peptic ulcer disease and clarithromycinresistant HP infection confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were enrolled. The enrolled patients were prospectively randomized to receive BQT for either 7 or 14 days of treatment. Eradication of HP infection was assessed using a 13C-urea breath test. Eradication and adverse event rates of the two groups were assessed. Results: The overall eradication rates in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses were 83.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 77.2% to 88.9%; 132/159) and 89.8% (95% CI, 84.9% to 94.7%; 132/147), respectively. The eradication rates in the ITT analysis were 79.0% (64/81) in the 7-day group and 87.2% (68/78) in the 14-day group (p=0.170). The eradication rates in the PP analysis were 86.5% (64/74) in the 7-day group and 93.2% (68/73) in the 14-day group (p=0.182). Clinically significant adverse events occurred in 18.2% of patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the rates of individual or all adverse events between the two groups. Conclusions: Both 7-day and 14-day BQT were effective and safe as first-line therapy for HP infections identified as resistant to clarithromycin by RT-PCR. For clarithromycin-resistant HP infections, 7-day BQT may be sufficient as first-line therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reactivity of Bin-clusters (n = 2 to 30) with O2 is found to display even-odd alternations. The open-shell even-sized Bin-clusters are more reactive than the closed-shell odd-sized clusters, except Bi18-, which exhibits no observable reactivity toward O2. We have investigated the structure and bonding of Bi18- to understand its remarkable resistance to oxidation. We find that the most stable structure of Bi18- consists of two Bi8 cages linked by a Bi2 dimer, where each atom is bonded to three neighboring atoms. Chemical bonding analyses reveal that each Bi uses its three 6p electrons to form three covalent bonds with its neighbors, resulting in a Bi18- cluster without any dangling bonds. We find that the robust Bi18 framework along with the totally delocalized unpaired electron is responsible for the surprising inertness of Bi18- toward O2. The Bi18 framework is similar to that in Hittorf's phosphorus, suggesting the possibility to create bismuth nanoclusters with interesting structures and properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In most older patients with Helicobacter pylori infection, the risks of eradication therapy (ET) are outweighed by the benefits, which include decreases in the incidences of gastric cancer, ulcer-related bleeding, hospitalisation and death. ET involves proton pump inhibitors or potassium-competitive acid blockers, antibiotics and/or bismuth, with quadruple therapy as front-line therapy. Prescribing complexity is increased by age-related comorbidities and polypharmacy, but overall, ET is effective and well tolerated in older people. To ensure successful eradication and prevent the emergence of drug-resistant H. pylori, performing antibiotic-resistance testing, adhering to guideline-recommended treatment durations, switching antibiotics after treatment failure, and performing post-therapy examinations is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Producing superior-quality ductile cast iron demands the use of various intricate inoculants. In addition to iron and silicon, these materials also include alloying elements like calcium, barium, cerium, bismuth and zirconium. These elements are effective in minimizing carbide solidification and enhancing the formation of eutectic cells, thereby resulting in improved cast iron quality. Design/methodology/approach: This article discusses the findings of an investigation on how various inoculants impact critical thermal analysis parameters such as undercooling, recalescence and their correlation with the nucleation of graphite nodules and shrinkage tendency. Findings: For the study, five distinct inoculants with varying active components in their chemical composition were utilized. The particular formulation of the inoculant has a notable impact on the extent of undercooling during the solidifying process of ductile cast iron. Investigation indicates that incorporating inoculant reduces the temperature at which austenite dendrites form and raises the eutectic freezing temperature. Upon analyzing the microstructure, it is found that the inclusion of inoculation led to a rise in the nodule count from 103 to 272 nodules. Originality/value: An increased graphite factor, which denotes the growth of graphite nodules during the subsequent stage of the eutectic reaction, supports the benefits of inoculation. Ce and Bi-inoculation have increased the growth of graphite nodules in the cast area during solidification compared to other inoculant formulations. This enhanced production helps in decreasing the size of macroporosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we describe the synthesis of cerium molybdate (Ce 2 (MoO 4) 3) and different compositions of Bi-doped cerium molybdate (Ce 2-x Bi x (MoO 4) 3) where x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, and 0.09, through simple co-precipitation method. The synthesized materials were optically, structurally, and morphologically characterized by various sophisticated techniques, including UV–visible, FTIR, Raman, PXRD, BET, and SEM-EDX. Upon addition of bismuth, the optical band gaps are reduced from 3.35 eV (Ce 2 (MoO 4) 3) to 2.83 eV Ce 1.93 Bi 0.07 (MoO 4) 3. The charge storage potential and AC conductivity of the synthesized materials were investigated through dielectric studies where the dielectric constant increased by increasing dopant concentration up to 7 %. At 20 Hz, Ce 1.93 Bi 0.07 (MoO 4) 3 showed a significantly greater dielectric constant (3.597 × 106) compared to undoped Ce 2 (MoO 4) 3 (3.262 × 105). Similarly, the AC conductivity of Ce 1.93 Bi 0.07 (MoO 4) 3 increased up to 4.758 S m−1 compared to the undoped Ce 2 (MoO 4) 3 (2.270 S m−1) at 20 MHz. The photocatalytic efficiency was investigated against diclofenac potassium, which also considerably improved by increasing bismuth content. The maximum photodegradation efficiency of 87.9 % was observed for Ce 1.93 Bi 0.07 (MoO 4) 3 in 180 min under UV light irradiation at optimized conditions (pH = 4, catalyst dosage = 20 mg, and initial concentration of drug = 5 mg L−1). The photocatalytic reaction followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with a rate constant of 0.0108 min−1 with stability up to five successive runs of photocatalytic activity indicating its good recyclability. These findings suggest that Bi-doped cerium molybdate could be used as a promising material for photocatalysis and energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]