Block Copolymer-Assisted Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Effective Removal of Congo Red.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were synthesized via a block copolymer-assisted hydrothermal method and the phase purity and the crystal structure were investigated by X-ray diffraction. The Rietveld analysis of X-ray diffractometer spectra shows the hexagonal phase symmetry of α-Fe2O3. Further, the vibrational study suggests Raman active modes: 2A1g + 5Eg associated with α-Fe2O3, which corroborates the Rietveld analysis and orbital analysis of 2PFe. The superparamagnetic behavior is confirmed by magnetic measurements performed by the physical properties measurement system. The systematic study of the Congo red (CR) interaction with IONPs using a UV-visible spectrophotometer and a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system equipped with a triple quadrupole mass analyzer and an electrospray ionization interface shows effective adsorption. In visible light, the Fe2O3 nanoparticles get easily excited and generate electrons and holes. The photogenerated electrons reduce the Fe3+ ions to Fe2+ ions. The Fe2+/H2O2 oxidizes CR by the Fenton mechanism. The strong adsorption ability of prepared nanoparticles towards dyes attributes the potential candidates for wastewater treatment and other catalytic applications.

Exploring Lead Zirconate Titanate, the Potential Advancement as an Anode for Li-Ion Batteries.

Graphite, widely adopted as an anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), faces challenges such as an unsustainable supply chain and sluggish rate capabilities. This emphasizes the urgent need to explore alternative anode materials for LIBs, aiming to resolve these challenges and drive the advancement of more efficient and sustainable battery technologies. The present research investigates the potential of lead zirconate titanate (PZT: PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3) as an anode material for LIBs. Bulk PZT materials were synthesized by using a solid-state reaction, and the electrochemical performance as an anode was examined. A high initial discharge capacity of approximately 686 mAh/g was attained, maintaining a stable capacity of around 161 mAh/g after 200 cycles with diffusion-controlled intercalation as the primary charge storage mechanism in a PZT anode. These findings suggest that PZT exhibits a promising electrochemical performance, positioning it as a potential alternative anode material for LIBs.

Unveiling Potential of Gallium Ferrite (GaFeO3) as an Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) serve as the backbone of modern technologies with ongoing efforts to enhance their performance and sustainability driving the exploration of new electrode materials. This study introduces a new type of alloy-conversion-based gallium ferrite (GFO: GaFeO3) as a potential anode material for Li-ion battery applications. The GFO was synthesized by a one-step mechanochemistry-assisted solid-state method. The powder X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the presence of an orthorhombic phase with the Pc21 n space group. The photoelectron spectroscopy studies reveal the presence of Ga3+ and Fe3+ oxidation states of gallium and iron atoms in the GFO structure. The GFO was evaluated as an anode material for Li-ion battery applications, displaying a high discharge capacity of ∼887 mA h g-1 and retaining a stable capacity of ∼200 mA h g-1 over 450 cycles, with a Coulombic efficiency of 99.6 % at a current density of 100 mA g-1. Cyclic voltammetry studies confirm an alloy-conversion-based reaction mechanism in the GFO anode. Furthermore, density functional theory studies reveal the reaction mechanism during cycling and Li-ion diffusion pathways in the GFO anode. These results strongly suggest that the GFO could be an alternative anode material in LIBs.