PVA-coated SnS nanoparticles have attracted significant attention as promising materials for high-performance photodetectors because they combine the excellent light-absorbing and charge-generating capabilities of SnS with the high stability, flexibility, and processability of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). In this study, PVA-coated SnS nanoparticles were synthesized using one-step pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) technique using a tin target in a thiourea–PVA solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated the formation of crystalline orthorhombic SnS. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed the formation of nearly spherical SnS nanoparticles associated with a PVA-containing matrix. The optical energy gap of the synthesized PVA- coated SnS nanoparticles was estimated to be 1.86 eV. The chemical bonds between Sn and S at peaks at 501 and 622 cm⁻¹ were identified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the characteristic Sn-S bond-stretching mode. The current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of the PVA-coated SnS/n-Si heterojunction were investigated under dark conditions. The device exhibited good rectifying behavior with an ideality factor of approximately 2.3. The fabricated photodetector exhibited a maximum responsivity of 0.994 ± 0.0138 A W⁻¹, a specific detectivity of (0.921± 0.0128) ×1010 Jones, and an external quantum efficiency of (274± 4.25)
In this study, a TiO2/CuO nanocomposite was developed for the visible-light photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) and evaluated for antibacterial activity. CuO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via a hydrothermal method, while TiO2 NPs were prepared using a sol-gel approach. The as-prepared samples were characterized using advanced analytical techniques. The optical bandgap energies were found to be 3.12, 1.62, and 1.91 eV for TiO2, CuO, and the TiO2/CuO nanocomposite, respectively. The TiO2/CuO nanocomposite (0.5 g/L) achieved 77.8
Flexible conductive polymeric foams are finding its application as pressure sensors in wearable electronics. Nevertheless, achieving an optimal balance among mechanical flexibility, dependable conductivity, and enduring sensing stability is a significant problem. In this article we synthesised polyurethane (PU) foam infused with MXene to assess its impact on characteristics and performance across multiple dimensions. FTIR, XRD, SEM, mechanical and electrical tests confirms successful integration of MXene into the polymer matrix, establishing a resilient network of conductive routes. 2.5 wt
The severe degradation of fibre reinforcements in harsh alkaline and humid environments heavily constrains the sustainable strengthening of masonry using textile-reinforced mortar (TRM). This study establishes a comprehensive performance and durability map for natural (flax) and mineral (basalt) fibres protected by innovative graphene-nanoplatelet/waterborne-polyurethane nanocomposite coatings. To ensure maximum statistical reliability, an extensive experimental campaign comprising over 360 individual tensile tests was executed, evaluating residual tensile strength, strain at rupture, and elastic modulus after chemical aging up to 3000 h. The resulting dataset was rigorously validated using two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD tests. Results show that while the uncoated basalt grid lost all tensile capacity after 3000 h in alkaline exposure, the nanocomposite coatings successfully retained approximately half of the fiber’s strength, shifting the material behavior from catastrophic failure to a still-serviceable reinforcement. For flax, the barrier effect conveyed by nanocomposite coatings systematically slowed the progressive embrittlement typically observed in alkaline media. Specifically, physically coalesced nanocomposite-based coating systems maximised strength retention, whereas chemically crosslinked nanocomposites optimised deformability. This exhaustive dataset provides critical engineering baselines on the durability of natural and mineral fibres in alkaline media for structural applications. In this work, only bare fibres were tested at a single temperature, and no microstructural characterisation was performed; the degradation mechanisms and the transferability of these results remain to be verified in future works.
Hydrogen, a cornerstone of clean energy transition, presents significant safety challenges due to its flammability, low ignition energy, and undetectable leakage. Hydrogen detection suffers from humidity interference, poor selectivity, sensor poisoning, and degradation under dynamic environmental conditions. This review addresses the timely need for systematic integration of advanced hydrogen-sensing materials with emerging smart sensing technologies, an area that remains insufficiently unified in current literature. Specifically, diverse hydrogen-sensor categories, including solid-state electrolyte, fiber-optic, resistive, and catalytic-combustion systems, are critically reviewed alongside recent breakthroughs in material engineering, such as palladium alloys, graphene-polymer hybrids, and metal-organic frameworks, with emphasis on enhancing hydrogen-detection accuracy, durability, and miniaturization. In this context, we incorporate emerging paradigms, including IoT-enabled smart sensors, AI-driven diagnostics, and multifunctional sensing systems, to address the current need to bridge fundamental materials science with real-world safety applications. We meticulously compare their detection mechanisms, sensitivity, selectivity, response dynamics, and operational stability, highlighting both their technical potential and practical limitations. Challenges such as material degradation, cross-sensitivity, and scalable fabrication are discussed, alongside strategies to overcome these barriers. Integrating fundamental research and industrial needs, this work provides a roadmap for next-generation hydrogen sensors, emphasizing their critical role in enabling a safe, efficient, and sustainable hydrogen economy.
