The NIFS is the only Institute in Sri Lanka which exists for the sole purpose of conducting research in natural and social sciences and philosophy for national development and scientific advancement.The NIFS is engaged in basic, high caliber research focusing on 16 different thematic research areas under 6 research departments. The research carried out at the NIFS is also initiated as a response to burning national problems in Sri Lanka.Besides engaging in basic research, the NIFS popularizes science, especially among school children, trains postgraduate researchers in the country to prevent brain drain and disseminates scientific knowledge to the wider public..
Supercapacitors (SCs) hold significant promise as a key component in energy storage systems due to their unique combination of high-power density, rapid charge/discharge rates and long cycle life. Unlike traditional batteries, SCs can efficiently handle frequent charge/discharge cycles without significant degradation, making them ideal for applications requiring rapid energy delivery. Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) are gaining significant attention as electrode materials for SCs due to their unique properties. The solvents, HNO3 acid and DMF not only facilitate the dispersion of graphene-based materials but also impact the morphology, surface chemistry, and structural properties of the resulting thin films. The present research explores the suitability of GO and RGO-based composite electrodes prepared using 0.1 M HNO3 acid and DMF for SCs. The reported work mainly focused on comparing the performance of RGO-based SCs with that of GO-based (control) using HNO3 and DMF as solvents. The maximum specific capacitance obtained was 146 F g- 1 at 2 mV s- 1 for RGO - DMF-based SC at room temperature. The maximum gravimetric energy density of 21.58 Wh kg- 1 and gravimetric power density of 81.55 kW kg- 1 were exhibited for GO - DMF and RGO - DMF-based SCs, respectively. Electrochemical impedance analysis was used to characterize the device. Investigation of solvent influence on electrode preparation is unique and can provide insights into optimizing the electrode preparation process. The study uncovers that DMF is a better solvent for preparing GO and RGO-based electrodes. In addition, the study reveals that RGO-based SC shows higher performance compared to that of GO-based one.
The effect on the photovoltaic properties of the TiO2-based cadmium sulfide (CdS) quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) was investigated by incorporating carbon quantum dots (CQDs) synthesized via a cold atmospheric plasma method. CQD incorporated photoanodes were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, PL spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and Mott-Schottky techniques. TEM measurements revealed that the CQDs were mostly spherical with an average diameter of similar to 3 nm. The presence of CQDs in the TiO2 photoanode was confirmed by both Raman spectroscopy and FTIR measurements. The findings from the PL and IPCE analyses showed that CQDs functioned as an energy down-converting material, broadening the responsive range of the CdS QDSSC to encompass higher energy photons. QDSSCs fabricated with CQDs-incorporated photoanode, a sulfide redox couple, and a Pt counter electrode exhibited a 31.3 % enhancement in power conversion efficiency, leading to a 1.68 % efficiency compared to the 1.28 % efficiency of the pristine TiO2 photoanode.
This study explores the catalytic degradation of phenol vapor using a copper-loaded zeolite Y (CuY) catalyst synthesized via a hydrothermal (HT) seed-assisted method. Comprehensive characterization confirmed that the HT-Zeolite CuY catalyst exhibits an enhanced morphology and increased availability of active copper cations, which were successfully incorporated into specific aluminum sites within the zeolite supercage. Phenol degradation was investigated under various atmospheric conditions, including inert environments, the presence of oxygen and moisture, and the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Reaction products were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to elucidate degradation pathways. Under inert conditions, partial phenol conversion was observed with 60.17 % phenol removal, suggesting the in-situ generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the catalyst surface, consistent with a Fenton-like mechanism. The main degradation products included ethanol, 2-butanone, 2-pentanone, and p-benzoquinone. The introduction of oxygen accelerated degradation, while moderate humidity improved initial conversion. However, excessive moisture inhibited catalytic activity, likely due to competitive adsorption or pore blockage. In the presence of H2O2, complete phenol degradation was achieved, yielding formic acid, methylal, acetic acid, and methyl acetate as major products. These results demonstrate that the HT-Zeolite CuY catalyst is highly effective for phenol vapor conversion across a range of conditions, highlighting the catalytic role of surface-bound copper in facilitating oxidative degradation. The findings underscore the potential of this material for environmental remediation applications involving volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and support the relevance of Fenton-like mechanisms in dry and humid oxidation systems.
The rise in refined wheat flour consumption within developing nations has raised concerns about its potential adverse effects on the health and nutritional status of their populations. As a result, there has been growing interest in exploring alternative starch sources as nutritive substitutes for refined wheat flour. This article provides a comprehensive review on the potentials of underutilized and unconventional starch sources, including water lily seed flour (Nymphaea lotus and Nymphaea pubescens), cycad seed flour (Cycas circinalis), palmyra tuber flour (Borassus fabellifer), jaggery palm flour (Caryota urens), coconut flour (Cocos nucifera), jackfruit seed flour (Artocarpus heterophyllus), red raw rice flour (Oryza sativa) and, finger millet flour (Eucenea coracana), as nutritive substitutes to refined wheat flour. In this study, water lily seed flour, cycad seed flour, palmyra tuber flour, coconut flour, jackfruit seed flour, red raw rice flour, and finger millet flour were identified as rich sources of dietary fiber compared to refined wheat flour. Specifically, water lily seed flour and jackfruit seed flour exhibited favorable characteristics as plant-based protein sources due to their balanced amino acid profiles, a quality lacking in refined wheat flour. Moreover, jaggery palm flour was found to be a rich source of essential minerals and resistant starch, surpassing the nutritional composition of refined wheat flour in these aspects. This review highlights the diverse nutritional profiles and functional properties of selected underutilized and unconventional starch sources compared to refined wheat flour. It emphasizes the need for further research and development to introduce healthier and nutritionally enriched alternatives to the consumer optimizing their utilization and processing potential in diverse food applications.
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCS) were fabricated using different photoanode compositions of P25 TiO2 and hierarchically structured TiO2 microspheres and optimized their performance. DSSCs fabricated with 10
