Visible light active Cu-doped iron oxide for photocatalytic treatment of methylene blue

In recent work, pure α-Fe₂O₃ (F-1) and series of 5% Cu doped Fe₂O₃ (CF-5) , 10% Cu doped Fe₂O₃ (CF-10) and 15% Cu doped Fe₂O₃ (CF-15) nanoparticles by facile chemical coprecipitation method were synthesized to study the effect of concentration of doping for photocatalytic activity. As prepared F-1, CF-5, CF-10, CF-15 nanoparticles were subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) techniques to analyse the structural and functional groups features. These characterization techniques confirmed the successful doping of Cu ²⁺ ions in α-Fe₂O₃. The crystallite size of synthesized samples was calculated by Scherrer formula. Gradually decline in crystallite size from 18 to 15 nm was observed for undoped to doped samples. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis expressed that doping of Cu reduced the aggregation of particles and enhanced the surface area of nanoparticles. UV–Visible spectroscopic analysis of synthesized samples was used to calculate the bandgap energy of F-1, CF-5, CF-10, CF-15 nanoparticles i.e., 2.0, 1.7, 1.5, 1.4eV respectively. Narrowing bandgap energy of doped hematite supported to perform excellent photocatalytic activity. Maximum degradation of methylene blue was recorded via CF-10 within 140 min. Higher degradation rate of methylene blue by optimal concentration of CF-10 is due to effective electron trapping ability of photocatalyst.     

Advances in solid-state fiber batteries for wearable bioelectronics

Powering wearable bioelectronics with decent skin conformability and wearing comfort is highly desired. Fiber batteries could provide an attractive alternative to traditional rigid ones and present a compelling solution to this problem. In this review, we will discuss the various classes of fiber batteries, including lithium batteries, zinc batteries, and other types of fiber batteries. We will then report the latest research progress on each battery category through its working mechanism, materials usage, structure design, and wearable applications. Finally, we provide insights into current challenges and future applications of fiber batteries, aiming to promote the development of low-cost and high-performance fiber battery technologies for wearable bioelectronics.     

Millimeter-Wave Wideband Channel Estimation Using Analog True-Time-Delay Array Under Hardware Impairments

Journal of Signal Processing Systems - Millimeter-wave (mmW) systems require fast and accurate channel estimation to establish a high-rate directional link between the base station and user...     

Fabrication of reduced Graphene Oxide supported Gd3+ doped V2O5 nanorod arrays for superior photocatalytic and antibacterial activities

In the current report, pure V₂O₅, a series of Gd doped V₂O₅ (1 wt%, 3 wt%, 5 wt% and 10 wt%) and graphene integrated Gd–V₂O₅ photocatalysts have been prepared using a facile wet chemical approach. The effect of Gd⁺³ ions substitution and RGO support on V₂O₅ was studied by the different analytical techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed the orthorhombic crystal structure of synthesized samples with crystallize size in range of 22–35 nm. Morphological analysis showed nanorods and nanorod arrays like appearance of V₂O₅, Gd–V₂O₅ and GdV-₂O₅/RGO, respectively. Gd–V₂O₅ and Gd–V₂O₅/RGO exhibited enhanced optical response in the visible region along with decrease in the band gap values for Gd doped V₂O₅ samples. BET surface area of Gd–V₂O₅ and Gd- V₂O₅/RGO was calculated as 12.39 g/m² and 15.35 g/m² that was found to be higher than pristine V₂O₅. To study the photocatalytic activity of synthesized photocatalysts, methylene blue (MB) was chosen as model pollutant. Among the Gd doped V₂O₅ samples, highest photocatalytic activity (45.62%) was achieved by optimal concentration of 5 wt% Gd–V₂O₅ that is accredited to effective separation of electron-hole pairs. While Gd–V₂O₅/RGO showed 2.1 times higher dye removal (97.12%) than unsupported Gd–V₂O₅, under the visible light irradiation. The significantly high photocatalytic activity of Gd–V₂O₅/RGO is due to the synergistic effect aroused by combined action of Gd⁺³ ions doping and advantageous properties of highly conductive and large surfaced graphene. Recycling experiments for V₂O₅ derivatives showed good stability and recyclability of photocatalysts. Additionally, Gd–V₂O₅/RGO was found to be more potential anti-bacterial agent than V₂O₅ and Gd–V₂O₅.     

Ag-doped nickel ferrites and their composite with rGO: Synthesis,characterization, and solar light induced degradation of coloured and colourless effluents

Nickel ferrites (NF), silver doped nickel ferrites (AgNF), and a composite of silver doped nickel ferrites with reduced graphene oxide (AgNF@rGO) were prepared through the co-precipitation method. The X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out to confirm the structure of prepared materials, and the crystallite size of prepared ferrites was less than 10 nm. FT-IR spectroscopy was performed for the confirmation of functional groups present in the synthesized materials. The surface morphology of prepared samples was investigated via scanning electron microscopy. Optical analysis was carried out with the help of UV–Visible spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis was performed to check the thermal stability. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under solar light irradiation was studied. The AgNF@rGO composite showed 76% degradation of coloured compound (methylene blue) and 50% degradation of colourless compound (benzimidazole). The enhanced photocatalytic degradation efficacy of AgNF@rGO was ascribed to the reduced graphene oxide sheets, which provided a large surface area and the ability to trap electrons from the conduction band. As a result, the decreased recombination rate of electrons and holes enhanced the degradation ability of the composite based photocatalyst. A scavenging experiment was also performed to determine the most photoactive species taking part in the degradation process. In comparison among all prepared samples, AgNF@rGO showed the maximum photocatalytic activity. It was because of the large surface area of the AgNF@rGO. It was investigated that AgNF@rGO is the most effective catalyst for the degradation of coloured and colourless organic pollutants.     

Complementary doping of van der Waals materials through controlled intercalation for monolithically integrated electronics

Nano Research - Doping control has been a key challenge for electronic applications of van der Waals materials. Here, we demonstrate complementary doping of black phosphorus using controlled ionic...     

City profile: Wenzhou - A model city of transitional China

As the birthplace of China's private economy, Wenzhou is known as one of the three model cities of post-reform China, along with Suzhou and Dongguan. Wenzhou has experienced rapid development and is often taken as a paradigmatic case for the privatization and entrepreneurialization of urban China against the context of market-oriented reform and open-door experiments. Wenzhou has undergone a major social, economic, and spatial restructuring over the past four decades. In the last several years, however, Wenzhou has faced a number of challenges associated with slowing economic growth, difficulty in industrial upgrading, and decreasing attractiveness to highly-qualified employees and high-tech enterprises. This paper profiles the historical development of Wenzhou, particularly with regard to the aspects of economic and spatial restructuring, to interrogate the modality of its recent development and to seek answers to current dilemma. From a historical and cultural perspective, we argue that the key drivers underlying Wenzhou's development have been the bottom-up local initiatives and family-run enterprises, rather than top-down state promotion. In this vein, this study offers further understandings of urbanization against various contexts, in particular the state-oriented urbanization in China.     

Perfluorocarbons in Chemical Biology

Perfluorocarbons, saturated carbon chains in which all the hydrogen atoms are replaced with fluorine, form a separate phase from both organic and aqueous solutions. Though perfluorinated compounds are not found in living systems, they can be used to modify biomolecules to confer orthogonal behavior within natural systems, such as improved stability, engineered assembly, and cell-permeability. Perfluorinated groups also provide handles for purification, mass spectrometry, and ¹⁹F NMR studies in complex environments. Herein, we describe how the unique properties of perfluorocarbons have been employed to understand and manipulate biological systems.     

Immobilized phosphotungstic acid for the construction of proton exchange nanocomposite membranes with excellent stability and fuel cell performance

Phosphotungstic acid (HPW) has a good potential as nanofillers in nanocomposite proton exchange membrane with the prerequisite of solving the leakage issue. It is immobilized onto mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (mg-C₃N₄) nanosheets surface, and then incorporated into sulfonated poly (aryl ether sulfone) (SPAES) membrane. Structures of the HPW/mg-C₃N₄ nanocomposites and corresponding SPAES/HPW/mg-C₃N₄ membranes are characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Fundamental properties and fuel cell performance of the fabricated nanocomposite membranes, and the leakage of HPW are investigated. Along with the highly suppressed HPW leakage, the SPAES/HPW/mg-C₃N₄ membranes show improved dimensional stability, water affinity and physicochemical stability, as well as better proton conductivity and fuel cell performance. At 80 °C and 60–100% RH, the SPAES/HPW/mg–C₃N₄–1.5 membrane exhibits 2–3.6 times peak power densities (354.9–584.2 mW/cm²) of the pristine SPAES membrane, and proton conductivity of 203 mS/cm, dimensional change less than 7.5% and weight loss of 1.4% in Fenton oxidation test at 80 °C.