Synthesis of In2O3/GNPs nanocomposites with integrated approaches to tune overall performance of electrochemical devices

The electroactive material with a porous structure, good electrical conductivity, hybrid composition, and a higher surface is considered more suitable for applications as an electrode in the energy storage device. Herein, we report the preparation of In₂O₃ nanoparticles via a simple chemical route and their nanocomposites with 10% (IOG-10), 30% (IOG-30), 50% (IOG-50), 70% (IOG-70), and 100% G-100 graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) via ultra-sonication. The presence of GNPs in the nanocomposite samples was verified by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Raman, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results. The prepared samples were loaded onto the porous 3D nickel foam (NF) substrate to manufacture the working electrode for electrochemical testing. The cyclic voltammetry (CV), as well as galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), results proposed the IOG-30@NF as a suitable electrode for electrochemical applications. More precisely, the IOG-30@NF electrode shows a specific capacitance of 1768 Fg^-1 at 1 Ag^-1, which is considerably higher than that of either G-100@NF or In₂O₃@NF electrodes. Besides, the IOG-30@NF electrode shows good cyclic stability of 92.2% after 4000 GCD tests completed at 12 Ag^-1. When increasing the current density value from 1 to 4, the IOG-30@NF electrode maintains a specific capability of 81%, ensuring its exceptional rate capability. The higher specific capacity, higher rate-performance, and better cyclic activity of the IOG-30@NF electrode can be ascribed to its hybrid-composition, nanoarchitecture In₂O₃, 3D but porous nickel foam substrate, appropriate graphene content, and interaction between In₂O₃ nanoparticles and GNPs nanosheets.     

Localization of sensor nodes in wireless sensor networks using bat optimization algorithm with enhanced exploration and exploitation characteristics

The Journal of Supercomputing - Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) contain sensor nodes in enormous amount to accumulate the information about the nearby surroundings, and this information is...     

Toward 19F magnetic resonance thermometry: spin–lattice and spin–spin-relaxation times and temperature dependence of fluorinated drugs at 9.4 T

Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine - This study examines the influence of the environmental factor temperature on the 19F NMR characteristics of fluorinated compounds in...     

Fabrication of binary metal doped CuO nanocatalyst and their application for the industrial effluents treatment

Herein, we fabricated the binary transition metal (Ce & Zn) doped CuO nanocatalyst via a single step facile co-precipitation technique by using liquid ammonia as a pH regulator and precipitating agent. The structural, morphological, and compositional studies of the fabricated samples were completed via X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and EDX techniques, respectively. The impact of binary metal-doped CuO nanocatalyst on the optical band-gap was examined via the UV-Visible spectroscopic technique. The photocatalytic aptitude of the fabricated pristine and binary metal-doped CuO nanocatalyst was examined against the 5-ppm aqueous solution of MB dye. The obtained results revealed that the doped sample removes 81.64% MB dye, via adsorption (32.65%) and degradation (48.99%) processes, while in comparison the pristine CuO sample removes just 38.77%. The superior adsorption and degradation aptitude of the binary metal-doped sample can be ascribed to its higher surface area and tuned band-gap, respectively. Moreover, the kinetic study of the degradation process also displayed that the doped sample degrades the MB dye with a higher value of the rate constant (0.0137 min^?1) than that of pristine CuO photocatalyst (0.0049 min^?1). The tuned band-gap and nanoarchitecture morphology of the doped CuO not only facilitate the excitation process but also assist in the transportation of the photo-induced species towards the surface of the photocatalyst. The observed superior photocatalytic activity of the binary metal-doped CuO photocatalyst showed its exceptional aptitude for the treatment of toxic industrial effluents.     

Recent advances in synthesis,characterization, and applications of nanoparticles for contaminated water treatment- A review

The major issue of consumable water shortage in different parts of the world has piqued the interest of researchers around the globe towards finding out novel, efficient and cost-effective means and techniques for treatment of contaminated water. Towards such efforts, researchers are experimenting with various types of nanoparticles for observing their abilities to treat polluted and/or wastewater. Numerous types of nanoparticles such as carbon-based nanoparticles, semiconductor nanoparticles, ceramic nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, metal nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, etc. are widely tested to confirm their applicability as potential candidates for contaminated as well as wastewater treatment. Different types of nanoparticles offer specific advantages depending on their composition, physical, chemical, electrical, magnetic and structural characteristics. Nanoparticles such as nanoferrites are reported to be easily separated, regenerated and reused up to several runs without incurring any loss in their properties which tend to significantly reduce operations costs. The present study provides a detailed review of the various synthesis and characterization techniques for the production of the nanoparticles. The present study also reviews the current progress, made particularly during the last two decades, in the application of nanoparticles for successful removal of organic, metallic as well as pathogenic pollutants from the water. This review aims to highlight the unlimited potential of nanoparticles and their derivatives in the domain of contaminated and wastewater treatment.     

Structural and rheological properties of medium-chain triacylglyceride oleogels

This research studied the effect of gelator molecules on structural properties of oleogels containing medium-chain triacylglycerides (MCTs). To this aim, a large selection of gelators (rapeseed wax RAW, rice wax RW, sunflower wax SW, beeswax BW, monoglycerides MG, and γ-oryzanol and β-sitosterol mixture γ+β) at increasing concentrations (5–15% w/w) was considered. Results showed that RAW was not able to structure MCT at any concentration. However, addition of 5% (w/w) of MG, SW and BW resulted to a self-standing gel. Regarding γ+β and RW, gel structures were generated at 10% (w/w). By increasing the concentration, a reinforcement of the network strength was highlighted by the progressive increase of the rheological parameters. The strongest oleogel obtained by γ+β at 10% (w/w) and further BW and RW at 15% (w/w) concentration. These findings could provide interesting information in the choice of the best performing MCT structuring agent for intended food applications.     

Micrograded ceramic-metal composites

The article shows new designed cermets and processes concerning primary to applications as thermal insulation materials with low emissivity. A new projected microstructure was obtained where dense regions (micropellets) rest inside the main porous pellet. The feature resembles a frozen hypercube, therefore such architecture is called hyper-pellet/ cermet. The processing method to obtain the hyper-cermet is based on sequential tape castings and sintering techniques. Ni-zirconia lamellae were prepared by a special mechanochemical process followed by sintering, which remain inside the main pellets as a dense region. The whole pellet is turned to be porous by employing pore-forming additives. All the constituents and porosity shapes are aligned along the disc/ flake planes. Thermal conductivity is estimated for the materials up to 800 °C by a flash diffusivimeter. Ceramographic analyses show graded density regions with directional constituents and pores. Applications of such materials are foreseen as temperature insulation materials and thermal radiation shields.