Vertical growth of a 3D Ni-Co-LDH/N-doped graphene aerogel: a cost-effective and high-performance sulfur host for Li-S batteries.

Sulfur hosts and conversion catalysts based on NiCo-LDHs exhibit potential for improving the performance of Li-S batteries. Nevertheless, their low electron conductivity and aggregation propensity restrict their applicability. This investigation employs a temporary scaffold of ZIF-67 to produce a nanotube assembly of Ni-Co-LDH encapsulated within an N-doped graphene sponge. The electrochemically developed interface has an extended active surface area, and the clumping of LDH nanosheets is effectively inhibited by the design of the nanotube arrangement. Furthermore, the incorporation of nitrogen within the structure of graphene results in a boost of electrical conductivity and provides an increased quantity of active sites. Interfacial electron transport is facilitated by the interfacial rearrangement of charges resulting from p-n heterojunctions and fosters redox activity. In this study, the researchers have presented the double role played by the nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) nanotubes in improving the polysulphide (LiPS) conversion and decreasing the movement of the sulphur (S) ions by forming surface-bound intermediates. The battery that was fabricated using the above composite cathode mixture showed a higher energy storage ability, i.e., 1190.0 mA h g-1 at J = 0.2. Furthermore, the battery showed a significantly higher capacity to rapidly supply energy and displayed a rate capacity of 670.1 mA h g-1 at J = 5C. Also, the above battery displayed a longer cycle life, with 1000 charge-discharge cycles and the deterioration rate of 0.029% for each cycle.

UV and solar-based photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants from ceramics industrial wastewater by Fe-doped ZnS nanoparticles.

UV and solar-based photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) as an organic contaminant in ceramics industry wastewater by ZnS and Fe-doped ZnS NPs was the focus of this research. Nanoparticles were prepared using a chemical precipitation process. The cubic, closed-packed structure of undoped ZnS and Fe-doped ZnS NPs was formed in spherical clusters, according to XRD and SEM investigations. According to optical studies, the optical band gaps of pure ZnS and Fe-doped ZnS nanoparticles are 3.35 and 2.51 eV, respectively, and Fe doping increased the number of carriers with high mobility, improved carrier separation and injection efficiency, and increased photocatalytic activity under UV or visible light. Doping of Fe increased the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes and facilitated charge transfer, according to electrochemical impedance spectroscopy investigations. Photocatalytic degradation studies revealed that in the present pure ZnS and Fe-doped ZnS nanoparticles, 100% treatment of 120 mL of 15 mg/L phenolic compound was obtained after 55- and 45-min UV-irradiation, respectively, and complete treatment was attained after 45 and 35-min solar light irradiation, respectively. Because of the synergistic effects of effective surface area, more effective photo-generated electron and hole separation efficiency, and enhanced electron transfer, Fe-doped ZnS demonstrated high photocatalytic degradation performance. The study of Fe-doped ZnS's practical photocatalytic treatment capability for removing 120 mL of 10 mg/L 2,4-DCP solution made from genuine ceramic industrial wastewater revealed Fe-doped ZnS's excellent photocatalytic destruction of 2,4-DCP from real industrial wastewater.

The role of bismuth nanoparticles in the inhibition of bacterial infection.

Bismuth (Bi) combinations have been utilized for the treatment of bacterial infections. In addition, these metal compounds are most frequently utilized for treating gastrointestinal diseases. Usually, Bi is found as bismuthinite (Bi sulfide), bismite (Bi oxide), and bismuthite (Bi carbonate). Newly, Bi nanoparticles (BiNP) were produced for CT imaging or photothermal treatment and nanocarriers for medicine transfer. Further benefits, such as increased biocompatibility and specific surface area, are also seen in regular-size BiNPs. Low toxicity and ecologically favorable attributes have generated interest in BiNPs for biomedical approaches. Moreover, BiNPs offer an option for treating multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria because they communicate directly with the bacterial cell wall, induce adaptive and inherent immune reactions, generate reactive oxygen compounds, limit biofilm production, and stimulate intracellular impacts. In addition, BiNPs in amalgamation with X-ray therapy as well as have the capability to treat MDR bacteria. BiNPs as photothermal agents can realize the actual antibacterial through continuous efforts of investigators in the near future. In this article, we summarized the properties of BiNPs, and different preparation methods, also reviewed the latest advances in the BiNPs' performance and their therapeutic effects on various bacterial infections, such as Helicobacter pylori, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli.

Thermodynamics Investigation and Artificial Neural Network Prediction of Energy, Exergy, and Hydrogen Production from a Solar Thermochemical Plant Using a Polymer Membrane Electrolyzer.

Hydrogen production using polymer membrane electrolyzers is an effective and valuable way of generating an environmentally friendly energy source. Hydrogen and oxygen generated by electrolyzers can power drone fuel cells. The thermodynamic analysis of polymer membrane electrolyzers to identify key losses and optimize their performance is fundamental and necessary. In this article, the process of the electrolysis of water by a polymer membrane electrolyzer in combination with a concentrated solar system in order to generate power and hydrogen was studied, and the effect of radiation intensity, current density, and other functional variables on the hydrogen production was investigated. It was shown that with an increasing current density, the voltage generation of the electrolyzer increased, and the energy efficiency and exergy of the electrolyzer decreased. Additionally, as the temperature rose, the pressure dropped, the thickness of the Nafion membrane increased, the voltage decreased, and the electrolyzer performed better. By increasing the intensity of the incoming radiation from 125 W/m2 to 320 W/m2, the hydrogen production increased by 111%, and the energy efficiency and exergy of the electrolyzer both decreased by 14% due to the higher ratio of input electric current to output hydrogen. Finally, machine-learning-based predictions were conducted to forecast the energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, voltage, and hydrogen production rate in different scenarios. The results proved to be very accurate compared to the analytical results. Hyperparameter tuning was utilized to adjust the model parameters, and the models' results showed an MAE lower than 1.98% and an R2 higher than 0.98.

Antimicrobial resistance of bacterial pathogens isolated from the infections of post maxillofacial surgery.

Inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions contributed to a global issue of antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance isolated from maxillofacial infections (MIs). Two hundred and twenty-two patients with different MIs were included in this study. Swab samples were taken from the site of infections. Samples were cultured, and isolated bacteria were identified using various biochemical tests. Antimicrobial resistance patterns of isolates were assessed by the disk diffusion method. The mean age of the patients was 50.8 years. The male-to-female ratio was 127/95 (P<0.05). Smoking and alcohol consumption were found in 60.36% and 37.38% of patients, respectively. Most patients had a ≤1-week infection duration (P<0.05). Abscess lesion was the most predominant infection type (P<0.05). The prevalence of aerobic bacteria among abscess, pus localization, and deep facial infections was 59.33%, 64.28%, and 46.66%, respectively. The prevalence of anaerobic bacteria among abscess, pus localization, and deep facial infections was 40.66%, 23.80%, and 53.33%, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus (10.36%) and Prevotella buccalis (8.55%) had the uppermost distribution amongst all examined samples. Isolated bacteria exhibited the uppermost resistance rate toward penicillin (65.76%), tetracycline (61.26%), gentamicin (58.10%), and ampicillin (57.65%) antimicrobials. The lowest resistance rate was obtained for linezolid (25.67%), ceftriaxone (31.08%), and azithromycin (31.08%) antimicrobials. Linezolid, ceftriaxone, and azithromycin had effective antimicrobial activities toward bacteria isolated from MIs. Therefore, cautious antibiotic prescription might decrease the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in dental and maxillofacial infections.