Synthesis of NiMn2O4/PANI nanosized composite with increased specific capacitance for energy storage applications.

Polyaniline (PANI) stands out as a highly promising conducting polymer with potential for advanced utilization in high-performance pseudocapacitors. Therefore, there exists a pressing need to bolster the structural durability of PANI, achievable by developing composite materials that can enhance its viability for supercapacitor applications. In this particular study, a pioneering approach was undertaken to produce a novel NiMn2O4/PANI supercapacitor electrode material. A comprehensive array of analytical techniques was employed to ascertain the structural configuration, morphology, oxidation states of elements, composition, and surface characteristics of the electrode material. The electrochemical evaluation of the NiMn2O4/PANI composite shows a specific capacitance (Cs) of 1530 ± 2 F g-1 at 1 A g-1. Significantly, the composite material displays an outstanding 93.61% retention of its capacity after an extensive 10 000 cycles, signifying remarkable cycling stability, while the 2-electrode configuration reveals a Cs value of 764 F g-1 at 5 mV s-1 and 826 F g-1 at 1 A g-1 with a smaller charge transfer resistance (Rct) value of 0.67 Ω. Chronoamperometric tests showed excellent stability of the fabricated material up to 50 h. This significant advancement bears immense promise for its potential implementation in high-efficiency energy storage systems and heralds a new phase in the development of supercapacitor technology with improved stability and performance metrics.

Green synthesis of ZnO nanocubes from Ceropegia omissa H. Huber extract for photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol An under visible light to mitigate water pollution.

Plastic pollution has become a major environmental problem because it does not break down and poses risks to ecosystems and human health. This study focuses on the environmentally friendly synthesis of ZnO nanocubes using an extract from Ceropegia omissa H. Huber plant leaves. The primary goal is to investigate the viability of these nanocubes as visible-light photocatalysts for the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA). The synthesized ZnO nanocubes have a highly crystalline structure and a bandgap of 3.1 eV, making them suitable for effective visible-light photocatalysis. FTIR analysis, which demonstrates that the pertinent functional groups are present, demonstrates the chemical bonding and reducing processes that take place in the plant extract. The XPS method also studies zinc metals, oxygen valencies, and binding energies. Under visible light irradiation, ZnO nanocubes degrade BPA by 86% in 30 min. This plant-extract-based green synthesis method provides a long-term replacement for traditional procedures, and visible light photocatalysis has advantages over ultraviolet light. The study's results show that ZnO nanocubes may be good for the environment and can work well as visible light photocatalysts to break down organic pollutants. This adds to what is known about using nanoparticles to clean up the environment. As a result, this study highlights the potential of using environmentally friendly ZnO nanocubes as a long-lasting and efficient method of reducing organic pollutant contamination in aquatic environments.

Green synthesis, characterization, antibacterial, and antifungal activity of copper oxide nanoparticles derived from Morinda citrifolia leaf extract.

The green methodologies of nanoparticles with plant extracts have received an increase of interest. Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) have been utilized in a many of applications in the last few decades. The current study presents the synthesis of CuO NPs with aqueous extract of Morinda citrifolia as a stabilizing agent. The leaf extract of Morinda citrifolia was mixed with a solution of copper sulphate (CuSO4·5H2O) and sodium hydroxide as a catalyst. UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and EDAX analysis were performed to study the synthesized CuO NPs. Particle size distribution of the synthesized CuO NPs have been measured with dynamic light scattering. The CuO NPs synthesized were highly stable, sphere-like, and have size of particles from 20 to 50 nm. Furthermore, as-formed CuO NPs shown strong antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus), and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). CuO NPs revealed a similar trend was analysed for antifungal activity. The zone of inhibition for the fungi evaluated for Aspergillus flavus (13.0 ± 1.1), Aspergillus niger (14.3 ± 0.7), and Penicillium frequentans (16.8 ± 1.4). According to the results of this investigation, green synthesized CuO NPs with Morinda citrifolia leaf extract may be used in biomedicine as a replacement agent for biological applications.

Realizing the Ultralow Lattice Thermal Conductivity of Cu3SbSe4 Compound via Sulfur Alloying Effect.

Cu3SbSe4 is a potential p-type thermoelectric material, distinguished by its earth-abundant, inexpensive, innocuous, and environmentally friendly components. Nonetheless, the thermoelectric performance is poor and remains subpar. Herein, the electrical and thermal transport properties of Cu3SbSe4 were synergistically optimized by S alloying. Firstly, S alloying widened the band gap, effectively alleviating the bipolar effect. Additionally, the substitution of S in the lattice significantly increased the carrier effective mass, leading to a large Seebeck coefficient of ~730 µVK-1. Moreover, S alloying yielded point defect and Umklapp scattering to significantly depress the lattice thermal conductivity, and thus brought about an ultralow κlat ~0.50 Wm-1K-1 at 673 K in the solid solution. Consequently, multiple effects induced by S alloying enhanced the thermoelectric performance of the Cu3SbSe4-Cu3SbS4 solid solution, resulting in a maximum ZT value of ~0.72 at 673 K for the Cu3SbSe2.8S1.2 sample, which was ~44% higher than that of pristine Cu3SbSe4. This work offers direction on improving the comprehensive TE in solid solutions via elemental alloying.

Multinary nanocomposite of GO@SrO@CoCrO3@FeCr2O4@SnO2@SiO2 for superior electrochemical performance and water purification applications.

Novel multinary nanocomposite using solvothermal method synthesized and studied for their use in supercapacitors and photocatalysis to degrade pollutants using characterization techniques XRD, SEM, EDX, FTIR, Raman, UV-Vis, Zeta potential and photoluminescence spectroscopy whereas electrochemical testing via EIS, CV and GCD analysis. Average crystalline size of 20.81 nm measured from XRD whereas EDX confirms GO suppression within nanocomposite. Mixed matrix like morphology is observable from SEM micrographs. The composite exhibited a band gap of 2.78 eV that could degrade MB dye at 94 % under direct sunlight consistent with first-order kinetics. Multiple distinctive peaks in FTIR spectra indicates various functional groups exsistence in the material alongwith zeta potential value of -17.9 mV. Raman spectra reveals D-band shifting to value 1361 cm-1 while the G-band shifts to 1598 cm-1 relative to GO. Furthermore electrochemical performance evaluated revealing electron transfer rate value 4.88 × 10-9 cms-1 with maximum capacitance about 7182 Fg-1 at a scan rate of 10 mVs-1 respectively. Power density ranges from 3591.18 to 2163 W/kg and energy density from 299 to 120 Wh/Kg as measured from GCD analysis. These findings indicates that novel multinary nanocomposite holds potential as an electrode material in supercapacitors and as a sunlight-driven photocatalyst for the degradation of water-borne organic pollutants.