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1.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 11522, 2024 05 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38769102

ABSTRACT

Digital PCR (dPCR) is a technique for absolute quantification of nucleic acid molecules. To develop a dPCR technique that enables more accurate nucleic acid detection and quantification, we established a novel dPCR apparatus known as centrifugal force real-time dPCR (crdPCR). This system is efficient than other systems with only 2.14% liquid loss by dispensing samples using centrifugal force. Moreover, we applied a technique for analyzing the real-time graph of the each micro-wells and distinguishing true/false positives using artificial intelligence to mitigate the rain, a persistent issue with dPCR. The limits of detection and quantification were 1.38 and 4.19 copies/µL, respectively, showing a two-fold higher sensitivity than that of other comparable devices. With the integration of this new technology, crdPCR will significantly contribute to research on next-generation PCR targeting absolute micro-analysis.


Subject(s)
DNA , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , DNA/analysis , DNA/genetics , Centrifugation/methods , Limit of Detection
2.
Heliyon ; 10(9): e30273, 2024 May 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38694028

ABSTRACT

The endangered and poorly known Swamp Grass-babbler, Laticilla cinerascens (Passeriformes: Pellorneidae), confronts critical threats and vulnerability due to its specific habitat requirements and restricted populations in the northeastern region of the Indian Subcontinent. This study investigates the distribution of the species, habitat quality, geometry and shape complexity of connectivity among the protected areas (PAs), and responses to climate change in Northeast India under different climate change pathways by utilizing ensemble distribution models, and ecological metrics. From the total distribution extent (1,42,000 km2), approximately 9366 km2 (6.59 %) is identified as the suitable habitat for this threatened species. Historically centered around Dibru Saikhowa National Park (DSNP), the species faced a drastic decline due to anthropogenic activities and alteration in land use and lover cover. The study also reveals a significant decline in suitable habitat for L. cinerascens in future climate scenarios, with alarming reductions under SSP126 (>10 % in the timeframe 2041-2060 and > 30 % from 2061 to 2080), SSP245 (>90 % in both time periods), and SSP585 (>90 % in both timeframes) from the present scenario. At present, DSNP has the most suitable habitat within the distribution range but is projected to decline (>90 %) under more severe climate change scenarios, as observed in other PAs. Landscape fragmentation analysis indicates a shift in habitat geometry, highlighting the intricate impact of climate change. It predicts a substantial 343 % increase (in the SSP126) in small habitat patches in the future. Connectivity analysis among PAs shows a significant shift, with a decline exceeding 20 %. The analysis of shape complexity and connectivity geometry reveals a significant increase of over 220 % in the fragmentation of connectivity among PAs between 2061 and 2080 under the SSP585 climate change scenario compared to the present conditions. The study underscores the urgent need for conservation actions, emphasizing the complex interplay of climate change, habitat suitability, and fragmentation. Prioritizing PAs with suitable habitats and assessing their connectivity is crucial. Adaptive management strategies are essential to address ongoing environmental changes and safeguard biodiversity. Future research in critical areas is needed to establish long-term monitoring programs to lead/extend effective conservation strategies.

3.
Micromachines (Basel) ; 15(4)2024 Mar 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38675264

ABSTRACT

The current commercially used anode material, graphite, has a theoretical capacity of only 372 mAh/g, leading to a relatively low energy density. Lithium (Li) metal is a promising candidate as an anode for enhancing energy density; however, challenges related to safety and performance arise due to Li's dendritic growth, which needs to be addressed. Owing to these critical issues in Li metal batteries, all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSLIBs) have attracted considerable interest due to their superior energy density and enhanced safety features. Among the key components of ASSLIBs, solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) play a vital role in determining their overall performance. Various types of SSEs, including sulfides, oxides, and polymers, have been extensively investigated for Li metal anodes. Sulfide SSEs have demonstrated high ion conductivity; however, dendrite formation and a limited electrochemical window hinder the commercialization of ASSLIBs due to safety concerns. Conversely, oxide SSEs exhibit a wide electrochemical window, but compatibility issues with Li metal lead to interfacial resistance problems. Polymer SSEs have the advantage of flexibility; however their limited ion conductivity poses challenges for commercialization. This review aims to provide an overview of the distinctive characteristics and inherent challenges associated with each SSE type for Li metal anodes while also proposing potential pathways for future enhancements based on prior research findings.

4.
Adv Colloid Interface Sci ; 322: 103048, 2023 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37988855

ABSTRACT

Rapid globalization and industrialization have led to widespread pollution and energy crises, necessitating the development of innovative solutions. Metal-free g-C3N4-based polymeric materials have unique properties but face limitations such as low surface area and inefficient light absorption. Doping, especially sulfur doping, is a prevalent technique to enhance their optical and electronic properties. This comprehensive review focuses on the synthesis techniques employed for sulfur doping of g-C3N4 (S-CN), highlighting the complexities associated with S-doping and the advantages of co-doping. Additionally, the review encompasses the diverse applications of S-CN in catalysis, photocatalysis, sonocatalysis, pollutant remediation, and electrochemical sensing. By incorporating sulfur into the g-C3N4 structure, various desirable properties can be achieved, including improved light absorption efficiency and enhanced charge carrier separation and migration. These advancements have broadened the application potential of S-CN in a range of important fields. S-CN has shown promise as a catalyst, facilitating various chemical reactions, as well as a photocatalyst, harnessing solar energy for environmental remediation and energy conversion processes. Moreover, S-CN exhibits potential in sonocatalysis for ultrasound-mediated reactions, pollutant remediation, and electrochemical sensing applications.

5.
Front Public Health ; 11: 1215914, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37593728

ABSTRACT

Objective: Comparative evidence suggests that the impact of COVID-19 on life expectancy has been relatively milder in South Korea. This study aims to examine whether the pandemic has universal or unequal impacts on life expectancy across 250 districts with varying levels of deprivation. Methods: Using mortality data from 2012 to 2021 obtained from the Microdata Integrated Service of Statistics Korea, we calculated life expectancy at birth and age 65 for both sexes, by deprivation quintiles, before and during the pandemic. We summarized life expectancy gaps using the slope of the inequality index (SII) and further decomposed the gaps by the contribution of age and cause of death using Arriaga's method. Results: Both men and women experienced consistent improvements in life expectancy from 2012 to 2019, but the trend was disrupted during 2020 and 2021, primarily driven by older people. While men in more deprived areas were initially hit harder by the pandemic, the life expectancy gap across deprivation quintiles remained relatively constant and persistent across the study period [SII: -2.48 (CI: -2.70 from -2.27) for 2019 and - 2.84 (CI: -3.06 from -2.63) for 2020]. Middle-aged men from the most deprived areas were the most significant contributors to the life expectancy gap, with liver disease, liver cancer, transport accidents, and intentional injuries being the leading causes, both in the pre and during the pandemic. While these contributors remained largely similar before and during the pandemic, the contribution of transport accidents and liver cancer to the male life expectancy gap slightly decreased during the pandemic, while that of ischemic heart disease and pneumonia slightly increased. A similar increase was also observed for the female life expectancy gap. Conclusion: This study found no clear evidence of an increased life expectancy gap during the pandemic in South Korea, unlike in other countries, although access to emergency healthcare services may have been slightly more disturbed in deprived areas. This achievement can provide lessons for other countries. However, the persistent regional gaps in life expectancy observed over the past decade indicate the need for more targeted public health policies to address this issue.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Emergency Medical Services , Liver Neoplasms , Infant, Newborn , Middle Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Aged , COVID-19/epidemiology , Pandemics , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Life Expectancy
6.
Materials (Basel) ; 16(7)2023 Mar 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37049064

ABSTRACT

We report the synthesis of Fe3O4/graphene (Fe3O4/Gr) nanocomposite for highly selective and highly sensitive peroxide sensor application. The nanocomposites were produced by a modified co-precipitation method. Further, structural, chemical, and morphological characterization of the Fe3O4/Gr was investigated by standard characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The average crystal size of Fe3O4 nanoparticles was calculated as 14.5 nm. Moreover, nanocomposite (Fe3O4/Gr) was employed to fabricate the flexible electrode using polymeric carbon fiber cloth or carbon cloth (pCFC or CC) as support. The electrochemical performance of as-fabricated Fe3O4/Gr/CC was evaluated toward H2O2 with excellent electrocatalytic activity. It was found that Fe3O4/Gr/CC-based electrodes show a good linear range, high sensitivity, and a low detection limit for H2O2 detection. The linear range for the optimized sensor was found to be in the range of 10-110 µM and limit of detection was calculated as 4.79 µM with a sensitivity of 0.037 µA µM-1 cm-2. The cost-effective materials used in this work as compared to noble metals provide satisfactory results. As well as showing high stability, the proposed biosensor is also highly reproducible.

7.
Epidemiol Health ; 44: e2022107, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36397241

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Socioeconomic disparities have been reported as major risk factors contributing to the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the community level. We conducted an epidemiological study on COVID-19 incidence risk using area-based deprivation indices (DIs) reflecting the characteristics of the susceptible population. METHODS: A database of the confirmed COVID-19 cases in 8 metropolitan cities in Korea from January 20, 2020 to December 31, 2021 was combined with area-based DI scores and standardized prevalence rates of diabetes and hypertension from the Korean Community Health Survey. Relative risk (RR) levels were estimated using a generalized linear model with a Poisson distribution by age group. RESULTS: The risk of COVID-19 incidence generally increased with increasing age, especially in patients aged ≥75 years. The RR of COVID-19 incidence per interquartile range increment of the composite deprivation index (composite DI) was 1.54 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34 to 1.70). Notably, in the first wave, the risk of COVID-19 incidence was approximately 3 times higher in the region with the lowest socioeconomic status than in the region with the highest status (RR, 3.08; 95% CI, 2.42 to 3.78 based on the the composite DI and RR, 3.13; 95% CI, 2.53 to 3.83 based on the social deprivation index). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides scientific evidence that socioeconomic deprivation is an important risk factor for the spread of COVID-19. This finding suggests that a mid-term to long-term strategy is needed to protect susceptible populations and reduce the burden of COVID-19 in the community.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , Aged , COVID-19/epidemiology , Cities/epidemiology , Socioeconomic Disparities in Health , Socioeconomic Factors , Republic of Korea/epidemiology
8.
Bioinorg Chem Appl ; 2022: 6482133, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36276988

ABSTRACT

In the present study, a highly selective and sensitive electrochemical sensing platform for the detection of dopamine was developed with CuO nanoparticles embedded in N-doped carbon nanostructure (CuO@NDC). The successfully fabricated nanostructures were characterized by standard instrumentation techniques. The fabricated CuO@NDC nanostructures were used for the development of dopamine electrochemical sensor. The reaction mechanism of a dopamine on the electrode surface is a three-electron three-proton process. The proposed sensor's performance was shown to be superior to several recently reported investigations. Under optimized conditions, the linear equation for detecting dopamine by differential pulse voltammetry is I pa (µA) = 0.07701 c (µM) - 0.1232 (R 2 = 0.996), and the linear range is 5-75 µM. The limit of detection (LOD) and sensitivity were calculated as 0.868 µM and 421.1 µA/µM, respectively. The sensor has simple preparation, low cost, high sensitivity, good stability, and good reproducibility.

9.
Bioresour Technol ; 358: 127391, 2022 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35636675

ABSTRACT

Present study of the biofuel potential of rice straw (RS) waste biomass materials. The average activation energy of rice straw was determined from KAS, FWO and Starink are 84.11, 89.62 and 84.52 kJ/mol, respectively. The characterized rice straw biomass has been tested for biogas potential under co-digestion mode of rice straw and cow dung in ratio 1/2. The maximum 339 ml/g Vs of biogas has been recorded in 35 days with CH4 concentration of 58.3%. The rest being CO2 as well as H2S has been found in trace amounts with observed 85% total solids and 74% volatile solids, present in rice straw.


Subject(s)
Biofuels , Oryza , Anaerobiosis , Biofuels/analysis , Biomass , Digestion , Kinetics , Methane
10.
Chemosphere ; 302: 134815, 2022 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35526688

ABSTRACT

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs), the intensifying nanostructured form of carbon material, have exhibited incredible impetus in several research fields such as bio-imaging, bio-sensing, drug delivery systems, optoelectronics, photovoltaics, and photocatalysis, thanks to their exceptional properties. The CQDs show extensive photonic and electronic properties, as well as their light-collecting, tunable photoluminescence, remarkable up-converted photoluminescence, and photo-induced transfer of electrons were widely studied. These properties have great advantages in a variety of visible-light-induced catalytic applications for the purpose of fully utilizing the energy from the solar spectrum. The major purpose of this review is to validate current improvements in the fabrication of CQDs, characteristics, and visible-light-induced catalytic applications, with a focus on CQDs multiple functions in photo-redox processes. We also examine the problems and future directions of CQD-based nanostructured materials in this growing research field, with an eye toward establishing a decisive role for CQDs in photocatalysis, bio-imaging, and bio-sensing applications that are enormously effective and stable over time. In the end, a look forward to future developments is presented, with a view to overcoming challenges and encouraging further research into this promising field.


Subject(s)
Quantum Dots , Carbon , Catalysis , Drug Delivery Systems , Photons
11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35329162

ABSTRACT

This study aims to investigate the trends of avoidable mortality and regional inequality from 1995 to 2019 and to provide evidence for policy effectiveness to address regional health disparities in Korea. Mortality and population data were obtained from the Statistics Korea database. Age-standardized all-cause, avoidable, preventable, and treatable mortality was calculated for each year by sex and region. Changes in mortality trends between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas were compared with absolute and relative differences. Avoidable mortality decreased by 65.7% (350.5 to 120.2/100,000 persons) in Korea, 64.5% in metropolitan areas, and 65.8% in non-metropolitan areas. The reduction in avoidable mortality was greater in males than in females in both areas. The main causes of death that contribute to the reduction of avoidable mortality are cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and injuries. In preventable mortality, the decrease in non-metropolitan areas (-192.4/100,000 persons) was greater than that in metropolitan areas (-142.7/100,000 persons). However, in treatable mortality, there was no significant difference between the two areas. While inequalities in preventable mortality improved, inequalities in treatable mortality worsened, especially in females. Our findings suggest that regional health disparities can be resolved through a balanced regional development strategy with an ultimate goal of reducing health disparities.


Subject(s)
Health Policy , Neoplasms , Cause of Death , Databases, Factual , Female , Humans , Male , Mortality , Republic of Korea/epidemiology
12.
Nano Lett ; 22(2): 761-767, 2022 Jan 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35029396

ABSTRACT

Electric vehicle manufacturers worldwide are demanding superior lithium-ion batteries, with high energy and power densities, compared to gasoline engines. Although conversion-type metal oxides are promising candidates for high-capacity anodes, low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and poor capacity retention have hindered research on their applications. In this study, the ICE of conversion-type MoO3 is investigated, with a particular focus on the delithiation failure. A computational modeling predicts the concentration gradient of Li+ in MoO3 particles. The highly delithiated outer region of the particle forms a layer with low electronic conductivity, which impedes further delithiation. A comparative study using various sizes of MoO3 particles demonstrated that the electrode failure during delithiation is governed by the concentration gradient and the subsequent formation of a resistive shell. The proposed failure mechanism provides critical guidance for the development of conversion-type anode materials with improved electrochemical reversibility.

13.
Bioresour Technol ; 343: 126154, 2022 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34673196

ABSTRACT

The pollution of the environment caused by dyes and heavy metals emitted by industries has become a worldwide problem. The development of efficient, environmentally acceptable, and cost-effective methods of wastewater treatment containing dyes and heavy metals is critical. Biologically based techniques for treating effluents are fascinating since they provide several benefits over standard treatment methods. This review assesses the most recent developments in the use of biological based techniques to remove dyes and heavy metals from wastewater. The remediation of dyes and heavy metals by diverse microorganisms such as algae, bacteria, fungi and enzymes are depicted in detail. Ongoing biological method's advances, scientific prospects, problems, and the future prognosis are all highlighted. This review is useful for gaining a better integrated view of biological based wastewater treatment and for speeding future research on the function of biological methods in water purification applications.


Subject(s)
Metals, Heavy , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Water Purification , Coloring Agents , Metals, Heavy/analysis , Wastewater , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis
14.
Environ Res ; 205: 112424, 2022 04 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34838758

ABSTRACT

The activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) by nanocatalysts has shown promise as an effective wastewater treatment protocol. Magnetic CoFe2O4/Ag-nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (fMWCNTs), a support material, were synthesized using a one-pot solvothermal method. The surface morphologies and physicochemical properties of the CoFe2O4/Ag-fMWCNT hybrid nanocomposite catalyst were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The activity of the nanocomposite combined with PMS (serving as an activator) toward the degradation of rhodamine B, methylene blue, methyl orange, and methyl red was investigated. The obtained optimal 0.02 g CoFe2O4/Ag-fMWCNTs exhibited the highest PMS activation performance, with a removal percentage of 100% for 20 ppm dye concentration at pH 6.5 within 14 min. In addition, the rhodamine B degradation product was investigated by analyzing the intermediate products by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The homogeneous distribution of CoFe2O4/Ag NPs on fMWCNTs accelerated PMS activation and enhanced the catalytic degradation of dyes. The effects of the reaction parameters on the dye degradation efficiency were investigated by using different nanocatalysts (fMWCNTs, CoFe2O4/fMWCNTs, and CoFe2O4/Ag-fMWCNTs) as well as by varying the pH (3-11), dye concentration (10-50 mg/l), catalyst dose (0.002-0.3 g), and PMS dose (0.02-0.1 g). Quenching experiments revealed that sulfate radicals are primarily responsible for rhodamine B degradation. A plausible mechanism for catalytic PMS activation was also proposed. Complete decolorization occurred within the first few minutes of the reaction. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of the CoFe2O4/Ag-fMWCNT/PMS hybrid nanocomposite remained stable after five successive cycles. This study verifies the applicability of CoFe2O4/Ag-fMWCNTs as an ultrafast catalyst for the complete removal of persistent organic pollutants via PMS activation, revealing their promising application in wastewater treatment.


Subject(s)
Nanocomposites , Nanotubes, Carbon , Cobalt , Coloring Agents , Ferric Compounds , Peroxides
15.
Bioresour Technol ; 342: 126006, 2021 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34583111

ABSTRACT

In biomass to biofuels production technology enzyme plays a key role. Nevertheless, the high production cost of cellulase enzyme is one of the critical issues in the economical production of biofuels. Nowadays, implementation of nanomaterials as catalyst is emerging as an innovative approach for the production of sustainable energy. In this context, synthesis of nickel cobaltite nanoparticles (NiCo2O4 NPs) via in vitro route has been conducted using fungus Emericella variecolor NS3 meanwhile; its impact has been evaluated on improved thermal and pH stability of crude cellulase enzyme obtained from Emericella variecolor NS3. Additionally, bioconversion of alkali treated rice straw using NiCo2O4 NPs stabilized cellulase produced sugar hydrolyzate which is further used for H2 production via hybrid fermentation. Total 51.7 g/L sugar hydrolyzate produced 2978 mL/L cumulative H2 production after 336 h along with maximum rate 34.12 mL/L/h in 24 h using Bacillus subtilis PF_1 and Rhodobacter sp. employed for dark and photo-fermentation, respectively.


Subject(s)
Cellulase , Nanoparticles , Fermentation , Minerals , Nickel
16.
Bioresour Technol ; 338: 125511, 2021 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34274587

ABSTRACT

Hydrogen production through biological route is the cleanest, renewable and potential way to sustainable energy generation. Productions of hydrogen via dark and photo fermentations are considered to be more sustainable and economical approach over numerous existing biological modes. Nevertheless, both the biological modes suffer from certain limitations like low yield and production rate, and because of these practical implementations are still far away. Therefore, the present review provides an assessment and feasibility of integrated biohydrogen production strategy by combining dark and photo-fermentation as an advanced biochemical processing while using lignocellulosics biomass to improve and accelerate the biohydrogen production technology in a sustainable manner. This review also evaluates practical viability of the integrated approach for biohydrogen production along with the analysis of the key factors which significantly influence to elevate this technology on commercial ground with the implementation of various environment friendly and innovative approaches.


Subject(s)
Biofuels , Lignin , Fermentation , Hydrogen/analysis
17.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces ; 13(8): 9814-9819, 2021 Mar 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33587598

ABSTRACT

Extensive studies to develop high-capacity electrodes have been conducted worldwide to meet the urgent demand for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. In this work, we demonstrated a novel strategy to alter the lithiation mechanism of the transition metal oxide to increase the reversible capacity of the electrode material. A representative insertion-type negative electrode material, MoO2, was modified by introducing a heterogeneous element (Co) to synthesize the solid solution of CoO and MoO2 (CoMoO3). CoMoO3 exhibited a notably improved reversible capacity of 860 mA h g-1, attributed to the conversion reaction, in contrast to MoO2 that delivers 310 mA h g-1, as it is limited by the insertion reaction. X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction demonstrated that CoO is converted to Co and Li2O, amorphizing the host structure, whereas the conversion of MoO2 takes place subsequently. Furthermore, the superior initial Coulombic efficiency of CoMoO3 (84.4%) to that of typical conversion materials is attributed to the highly conductive Co and MoO2, which reinforce the electronic conductivity of the active particles. The results obtained from this study provide significant insights to explore high capacity metal oxides for the advanced lithium-ion batteries.

18.
RSC Adv ; 11(53): 33192-33201, 2021 Oct 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35497528

ABSTRACT

Activated carbon xerogel monoliths were prepared from resorcinol and formaldehyde via a catalyst-free and template-free hydrothermal polycondensation reaction, followed by pyrolysis and activation. The ratio of resorcinol (R) to distilled water (W) was varied to afford an interconnected pore structure with controlled pore size, while the pyrolysis temperature was optimized to give high specific surface area. Activation was carried out at 700 °C after soaking the samples in 6 M KOH aqueous solution. The same process, called "heat treatment", was also carried out without soaking in KOH for comparison. The weight loss upon pyrolysis, activation and heat treatment and the weight gain via KOH soaking were measured. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and an N2 sorption instrument were utilized for characterization. Additionally, electrochemical properties were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with a 3-electrode system, while a 2-electrode system was also employed for selected samples. The highest specific capacitance of 323 F g-1 via GCD at 1 A g-1 was obtained at the R/W ratio of 45 and with 500 °C pyrolysis. In addition, this sample also exhibited 89.4% retention at 20 A g-1 in the current density variation and 100% retention in 5000 cycling tests.

19.
NanoImpact ; 23: 100345, 2021 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35559846

ABSTRACT

To enhance the activities of advanced semiconductor photocatalysts, the charge carriers must be separated effectively. One strategy for achieving this is the use of heterogeneous structures, which can be prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and post-synthetic thermal and ultrasonic treatment. Herein, we report a mixed-phase composite of basic bismuth nitrate/pentabismuth heptaoxide nitrate (PC) prepared by hydrothermal synthesis under basic conditions and post-synthetic thermal treatment. In addition, sulfur-doped-graphitic carbon nitride (S-g-C3N4) was prepared and combined with PC in different ratios, denoted as PC-1, PC-2, and PC-3, using sonication-assisted treatment. The characterization of these catalysts confirmed the formation of mixed basic bismuth nitrate/pentabismuth heptaoxide nitrate phases and the composite nanostructure. The developed nanostructure showed interesting morphological features, for example, layered sheets of S-g-C3N4. The prepared PCs were tested for their visible light responsiveness for the photocatalytic degradation of a representative organic dye (Rhodamine B). We found that the modified photocatalysts showed superior activity to that of pristine PC. The optimal photocatalyst (PC-3) was also used to degrade methylene blue and Congo red, achieving 99% degradation. Thus, we present not only an efficient photocatalyst but also insights into the post-synthetic modification of basic bismuth nitrate/pentabismuth heptaoxide nitrate with stable carbon-based nanostructures.


Subject(s)
Bismuth , Nanostructures , Bismuth/chemistry , Decontamination , Graphite , Light , Nitrates , Nitriles , Nitrogen Compounds , Wastewater
20.
RSC Adv ; 11(61): 38515-38522, 2021 Nov 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35493259

ABSTRACT

Activated carbon monoliths of kenaf (ACMKs) were prepared by moulding kenaf fibers into a column-shape monolith and then carrying out pyrolysis at 500, 600, 700 or 800 °C, followed by activation with KOH at 700 °C. Then, the sample was characterized using thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), field-emission transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N2 sorption instruments. The prepared ACMK was subjected to electrochemical property evaluation via cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The GCD study using a three-electrode system showed that the specific capacitance decreased with higher pyrolysis temperature (PYT) with the ACMK pyrolyzed at 500 °C (ACMK-500) exhibiting the highest specific capacitance of 217 F g-1. A two-electrode system provided 95.9% retention upon a 5000 cycle test as well as the specific capacitance of 212 F g-1, being converted to an energy density of 6 W h kg-1 at a power density of 215 W kg-1.

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