Synergistic Functionality of Dopants and Defects in Co-Phthalocyanine/B-CN Z-Scheme Photocatalysts for Promoting Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Reactions

The realization of solar-light-driven CO₂ reduction reactions (CO₂ RR) is essential for the commercial development of renewable energy modules and the reduction of global CO₂ emissions. Combining experimental measurements and theoretical calculations, to introduce boron dopants and nitrogen defects in graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), sodium borohydride is simply calcined with the mixture of g-C₃N₄ (CN), followed by the introduction of ultrathin Co phthalocyanine through phosphate groups. By strengthening H-bonding interactions, the resultant CoPc/P-BNDCN nanocomposite showed excellent photocatalytic CO₂ reduction activity, releasing 197.76 and 130.32 µmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ CO and CH₄, respectively, and conveying an unprecedented 10-26-time improvement under visible-light irradiation. The substantial tuning is performed towards the conduction and valance band locations by B-dopants and N-defects to modulate the band structure for significantly accelerated CO₂ RR. Through the use of ultrathin metal phthalocyanine assemblies that have a lot of single-atom sites, this work demonstrates a sustainable approach for achieving effective photocatalytic CO₂ activation. More importantly, the excellent photoactivity is attributed to the fast charge separation via Z-scheme transfer mechanism formed by the universally facile strategy of dimension-matched ultrathin (≈4 nm) metal phthalocyanine-assisted nanocomposites.     

In situ coupling of MnS-MoS2 bimetallic sulfide on nickel foam by [MnMo9O32]6− platform for advanced hydrogen evolution

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - Electrocatalytic water splitting is one of the green and sustainable hydrogen energy methods. However, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) suffers...     

A conceptual framework for blockchain smart contract adoption to manage real estate deals in smart cities

Neural Computing and Applications - Blockchains-based smart contracts are disrupting the smart real estate sector of the smart cities. The current study explores the literature focused on...     

SRResNet Performance Enhancement Using Patch Inputs and Partial Convolution-Based Padding

Due to highly underdetermined nature of Single Image Super-Resolution (SISR) problem, deep learning neural networks are required to be more deeper to solve the problem effectively. One of deep neural networks successful in the Super-Resolution (SR) problem is ResNet which can render the capability of deeper networks with the help of skip connections. However, zero padding (ZP) scheme in the network restricts benefits of skip connections in SRResNet and its performance as the ratio of the number of pure input data to that of zero padded data increases. In this paper. we consider the ResNet with Partial Convolution based Padding (PCP) instead of ZP to solve SR problem. Since training of deep neural networks using patch images is advantageous in many aspects such as the number of training image data and network complexities, patch image based SR performance is compared with single full image based one. The experimental results show that patch based SRResNet SR results are better than single full image based ones and the performance of deep SRResNet with PCP is better than the one with ZP.     

Orthogonal variable spreading factor encoded unmanned aerial vehicle-assisted nonorthogonal multiple access system with hybrid physical layer security

Physical layer security (PLS) can improve the security of both terrestrial and nonterrestrial wireless communication networks. This study proposes a simplified framework for nonterrestrial cyclic prefixed orthogonal variable spreading factor (OVSF)-encoded multiple-input and multiple-output nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) systems to ensure complete network security. Various useful methods are implemented, where both improved sine map and multiple parameter-weighted-type fractional Fourier transform encryption schemes are combined to investigate the effects of hybrid PLS. In addition, OVSF coding with power domain NOMA for multi-user interference reduction and peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) reduction is introduced. The performance of $\frac{1}{2}$-rated convolutional, turbo, and repeat and accumulate channel coding with regularized zero-forcing signal detection for forward error correction and improved bit error rate (BER) are also investigated. Simulation results ratify the pertinence of the proposed system in terms of PLS and BER performance improvement with reasonable PAPR.     

Effects of Silicon and Organic Manure on Growth,Fruit Yield,and Quality of Grape Tomato Under Water-Deficit Stress

Silicon - Mitigation of deleterious effects of drought stress on the growth and productivity of agronomic and horticultural crops warrants urgent and sustainable actions. Soil application of...     

Interactive Effects of Ascophyllum nodosum Seaweed Extract and Silicon on Growth,Fruit Yield and Quality,and Water Productivity of Tomato under Water Stress

Silicon - Agricultural crops including tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are severely affected by drought, which is a critical abiotic stress. Biostimulants, such as Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed...     

Study of Factors Affecting the Color Fastness of High Depth fiber Dyed in Silicon Non-aqueous Medium Dyeing System

Silicon - Multiple washing and soaping are very important to remove floating color on the surface of indigo denim fabric in the traditional water bath. In indigo/silicon non-aqueous dyeing system,...     

Reduction Kinetics of Cold-Bonded Briquette Prepared from Return Fines of Sinter with Carbon Monoxide and Coke

The reduction kinetics of cold-bonded briquette prepared from return fines of sinter is studied. The results reveal that cold-bonded briquettes with coke (CBBC) have a higher reduction velocity index (RVI) value than cold-bonded briquettes without coke (CBB). Interfacial chemical reaction controls the early stages of the CBB reduction process at 900 and 950 °C, followed by both interfacial chemical reaction and internal diffusion. At 1000, 1050, and 1100 °C, the early and final stages of the CBB reduction process are controlled by interfacial chemical reaction and internal diffusion, respectively, while both interfacial chemical reaction and internal diffusion control middle stage. The apparent activation energies of the different stages are 46.20, 56.74, 38.24, and 40.74 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The gasification of carbon reaction controls the reduction process of CBBC, and the apparent activation energy is 32.42 kJ mol⁻¹. According to the Friedman method, the apparent activation energy of CBB and CBBC is reasonable. Coke promotes the phase transformation in CBBC. Scanning electron microscopy results show that the CBBC sample is more fully reduced than the CBB sample and that it has smoother corners and edges of the iron-bearing phase or the metallic iron phase than the CBB sample.     

Cactus-Shaped Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna for Sub 10 GHz Wireless Applications

This paper presents, a novel cactus shaped frequency reconfigurable antenna for sub 10 GHz wireless applications. PIN diode is utilized as an electrical switch to achieve reconfigurability, enabling operation in four different frequency ranges. In the switch ON state mode, the antenna supports 2177–3431 and 6301–8467 MHz ranges. Alternatively, the antenna resonates within 2329–3431 and 4951–6718 MHz while in the OFF state mode. Radiation efficiency values, ranging from 68% to 84%, and gain values, ranging from 1.6 to 4 dB, in the operating frequency bands. the proposed antenna satisfy the practical requirements and expectations. The overall planner dimensions of the proposed antenna model is 40 × 21 mm². Moreover, the measurement results from the prototype support the simulation results. Based on the frequency ranges supported by the antenna, it can be used for multiple wireless standards and services, including Worldwide interoperability and Microwave Access (WiMAX), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, Long Term Evolution (LTE) and satellite communications. This increases its applicability for use in mobile terminals.