This study investigates the corrosion resistance of copper-coated reinforcing steel bars embedded in concrete and exposed to a simulated marine environment for (28, 56, and 90 days) at temperatures of (298, 308, and 318 Kelvin). A novel thermal spray technique was integrated into the hot rolling process to deposit copper powder onto heated steel bars. The coated bars were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), revealing a dense, uniform microstructure with reduced surface roughness (63.99 nm) and increased particle density (〖30.2 ×10〗^6 particles/mm²) compared to the uncoated steel bar. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated a substantial decrease in corrosion current density (I_corr) for the coated specimens (〖1.11×10〗^(-7) A/cm² at 298 Kelvin), along with the highest protection efficiency (92.29 %). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) further confirmed the enhanced performance of the coated bars, with a superior total impedance resistance of 30,192 Ω.cm² and Warburg resistance of 18,320 Ω.cm^2, compared to uncoated ones (17,561 Ω.cm² and 9,363 Ω.cm^2), respectively. These results highlight the potential of copper coatings as a viable solution for extending the service life of reinforced concrete structures in aggressive environments.
A cost-effective DC glow discharge plasma system was used to deposit a 75 nm titanium dioxide (TiO2) antireflective coating on 5 cm2 crystalline silicon solar cells (initial efficiency 10.13%). The plasma-deposited TiO2 film was nanocrystalline: X-ray diffraction revealed mixed anatase/rutile phases with an average crystallite size of ≈17.6 nm and an optical band gap Eg ≈ 3.5 eV. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed a granular surface with average roughness Ra ≈50.7 nm (Rq ≈ 67.7 nm) and grain size ≈ 13.1 nm. Optical reflectance measurements indicated a significant reduction in surface reflectance across the visible spectrum after coating, consistent with enhanced light trapping. Photovoltaic current-voltage (I-V) characterization under standard illumination showed a marked increase in performance: the TiO2-coated cells exhibited improved short-circuit current density and an enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 11.56% (up from 10.13%), corresponding to 14.1% relative increase. Notably, the fill factor also improved (from 0.614 to 0.639), reflecting reduced resistive losses in the device. The efficiency gain is attributed to the high refractive index and engineered thickness of the TiO2 layer, which improve light coupling into the silicon absorber and reduce front-surface reflection. These results demonstrate that a thin (75 nm) plasma-deposited TiO2 antireflection coating can substantially lower front-surface reflectivity and boost the efficiency of silicon solar cells, offering a straightforward route to higher-performance devices.
The microstructural and dielectric properties of Yttria-partially stabilized zirconia (Y-PSZ) were studied before and after sintering with BaTiO3 and WO3 doping. After sintering, FE-SEM analysis revealed increased grain coalescence and growth, with BaTiO3 causing 300 nm grain expansion and WO3 promoting uniform grain distribution without significant grain size increase (~200 nm). These microstructural changes dramatically altered dielectric behavior. All sintered samples had higher dielectric constants than pre-sintered ones between 100–1000 kHz due to reduced porosity and enhanced homogeneity. Dielectric constant was highest in BaTiO3-doped Y-PSZ at lower frequencies, while WO-doped showed superior frequency stability and lower dielectric loss across the spectrum. In doped crystals, sintering increased crystallinity, lowered defects, and lowered polarization losses. Dielectric loss (tan δ) varied with frequency, with BaTiO3 showing higher losses at low frequencies and showing more stability at higher frequencies, while WO3 showed a moderate, consistent loss. Sintering enhances AC conductivity, especially in BaTiO3-doped materials, via enhancing charge mobility through structural alignment and crystallinity. Due to fault-localized field concentrations, higher voltage increase rates (VIR), lower Weibull modulus and electrical breakdown strength. BaTiO3 and WO3 doping improved grain bonding, void filling, dielectric strength, and energy storage. Tradeoffs between dielectric constant and breakdown strength. High dielectric constants decreased breakdown strength and vice versa. WO-doped Y-PSZ exhibited the highest energy density (22.86 kJ/m3), followed by BaTiO3 (15.22 kJ/m3) and unaltered sintered (14.24 kJ/m3). These investigations demonstrate that alterations to microstructure and the incorporation of impurities improve the energy storage capacity and high-frequency performance of dielectric materials.
This work presents a solution to repair the deteriorating High-Pressure Turbine Blades (HPTB) instead of costly replacement by implementing a two-coating layer system for protection and repair. The first layer is a Bonding Coating (BC) that is made from a nickel-based alloy (NiCrBSi); the second layer is a Top Coating (TC), which is composed of a nickel-based composite material that contains tungsten carbide (WC) particles. Both layers were applied to a nickel-based substrate using a flame thermal spraying (FTHS) technique, with the spray parameters chosen based on the Taguchi method. The results were analyzed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The findings indicated that a coating layer with a thickness of 200–300 μm was successfully deposited using the FTHS method. The optimal spraying parameters determined by the Taguchi method were: a spraying distance (SOD) of 150 mm, a feed rate (FR) of 30 g/min, and a transverse velocity (TV) of 300 mm/min. Among these factors, SOD was identified as having the greatest influence on the spraying process, followed by FR, and then TV. A crack area on HPTB was successfully repaired using an improved FTHS process, resulting in a homogeneous, dense, and crack-free structure.
The green-synthesized silver-titanium dioxide (Ag/TiO2) nanocomposite was successfully produced in this study by the synergistic effects of the Cassia siamea leaf extract. In the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, the absorbance improved when the nanoparticle was incorporated into TiO2. The energy gap of the composite reduced as the absorbance increased. Numerous functional groups in the formation of NP were detected by FTIR, and their possible role in NP formation was suggested. The synthesized nanoparticles and nanocomposites were found to be crystalline with X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) studies. The average crystallite size of the nanoparticle was 3.95 nm compared to nanocomposite of 4.53 nm. The shape of the surface of the synthesized nanocomposite appeared smoother and spherical in the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image. The Energy Dispersive Spectra (EDS) of the TiO2 nanocomposite confirmed the existence of Ag and other elements. The formation of nanoparticles and nanocomposites having an average size of 4.85 nm and 6.92 nm was also verified on the basis of the analysis of the particles’ TEM micrographs. The incorporation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) increased the conductivity by 60.24% and resulted in promising electrical properties that suggest their potential application in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC).
This study seeks to identify an environmentally sustainable method for utilizing the synergetic effects of window glass (WG), ceramic powder (CP), and ultrafine cerium oxide (UFC) in developing concrete containing 25% coarse ceramic aggregate. Four different mixtures were formulated. The first represents control, consisting of 100% ordinary Portland cement (OPC), two other mixtures were composed of 10% WG, 10% CP and 80% OPC, and the fourth mixture consisted of four compositions of 79.5% OPC, 10% WG, 10% CP, and 0.5% UFC. The effect of these additives on recycled ceramic concrete (RA) properties, including workability and setting time, compressive strength, total water absorption, permeable pore ratio, electrical resistivity, and corrosion resistance, was studied. The results showed that when 10% WG and 0.5% UFC were combined, the components' synergistic effect was more noticeable. It had a compressive strength of 44.53, 48.83, and 56.17MPa after 28, 90, and 180 days, which is higher than the ternary mixtures of Portland cement, ultrafine cerium oxide, and ceramic powder, as well as the quaternary mixtures of Portland cement, WG powder, CP, and UFC. Moreover, it recorded a lower corrosion rate than the reference mix (RA-C), ternary mix (RA-CP10UFC0.5), and quaternary mixes (RA-CP10WG10UFC0.5) mixes. Meanwhile, the quaternary mix (RA-CP10WG10UFC0.5) showed 40% and 45% lower porosity and water absorption than the control mixture and 54% higher electrical resistivity values compared to the control mixture and ternary mixtures (RA-WG10UFC0.5 and RA-CP10UFC0.5) at 180 days.
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has attracted significant interest for water treatment applications due to its non-toxic nature and high photocatalytic activity. In this study, TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using two different methods to evaluate their photocatalytic performance in degrading organic contaminants from wastewater. Sample S1 was prepared via the sol–gel method, while sample S2 was synthesized using a hydrothermal approach. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that both samples crystallized in the tetragonal anatase phase, with average crystallite sizes of 12 nm for S1 and 29 nm for S2. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) revealed spherical particles with uniform morphology for both samples. Optical absorbance measurements conducted using UV–vis spectrophotometry yielded estimated band gap energies of 3.2 eV for S1 and 3.0 eV for S2. Both samples demonstrated notable photocatalytic activity; however, S2 exhibited superior degradation efficiency against organic pollutants, indicating that the hydrothermally synthesized TiO2 possesses enhanced photocatalytic properties. These results underscore the potential of TiO2 particularly that synthesized via hydrothermal methods, as an effective photocatalyst for wastewater treatment applications.
Zinc oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have a promising potential in antibacterial and anticancer treatments because of their ease of production, low toxicity, and versatility in application. This review encompasses recently developed synthesis, characterizing and biomedical applications of ZnO-NPs. Green synthesis methodologies, sol-gel, and precipitation influence the biological effectiveness of ZnO-NPs, these methods particularly affect key characteristics such as particle size, shape and surface charge. These properties play crucial roles in antibacterial effectiveness, which facilitates their ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and bacterial cell membrane disruption, leading to bacterial cell death. The efficiency of ZnO-NP in cancer treatment is also reviewed because the nanoparticles selectively affect cancer cells, which generate apoptosis and cease cell proliferation. Additional novel applications of ZnO-NPs further highlight their benefits because they improve the precise delivery of the drug and enhance its bioavailability. Additionally, ZnO-NPs had future uses in photodynamic therapy as their light-triggered ROS generation results in localized and selective bactericidal and anticancer effects without affecting normal cells. This review provides a comparative evaluation of recent findings on the antibacterial and anticancer properties of ZnO-NPs, as well as exploring the possible directions for futural research; in addition, it emphasizes improving the functional characteristics of ZnO-NPs for enhancing the therapeutic impact and reducing the unfavorable influences that may expand the list of possible clinical uses of ZnO-NPs.
In this work, Al2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized using the DC reactive sputtering technique. A highly pure aluminum target was sputtered within a gas mixture containing oxygen. The structural characteristics of the synthesized nanoparticles were introduced by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). An inter-electrode distance of 4 cm can describe the operation parameters, Ar: O2 gas mixing ratio of 50:50, applied voltage of 1500 V and discharge current of 25 mA. The prepared samples showed a polycrystalline structure with an amorphous nature due to the formation of nanoparticles, which were approximately spherical with a minimum size of 21 nm and an average grain size of 40.7 nm. Some agglomerations were observed in the prepared samples. The elemental composition analysis revealed that the prepared material contains aluminum and oxygen with no traces of other elements. The stoichiometry and homogeneity of the prepared material were also shown. All functional groups corresponding to the vibrational modes of the Al2O3 molecule were confirmed. The energy band gap of the prepared nanomaterial was determined based on its absorption spectrum and measured to be 4.46 eV; this demonstrates a promising approach for producing highly pure metal oxide nanomaterial by the DC reactive sputtering technique.
Perovskite solar cells have rapidly advanced due to their exceptional optoelectronic properties, but achieving uniform crystallization and stability remains challenging. This review examines solvent-assisted annealing, including solvent-vapor and anti-solvent treatments as a strategy to modulate perovskite crystallization for enhanced device performance. Solvent vapors (e.g. DMF, DMSO, alcohol mixtures) introduced during thermal annealing sustain a supersaturated environment that extends nucleation and enables Ostwald ripening, yielding markedly larger grain sizes and improved crystallinity. Studies show that solvent annealing can increase MAPbI3 carrier diffusion lengths beyond 1 μm and maintain >14.5% efficiency even for films up to 1 μm thick. Advanced schemes, such as combined DMSO-water vapor annealing, have produced nearly single-crystal grains and devices with 19.5% power conversion efficiency (PCE), by reducing defect-mediated recombination. These microstructural gains translate into higher PCE and stability: solvent-annealed films exhibit fewer trap sites and inhibited moisture degradation. Finally, we address scalability: ambient solvent-antisolvent treatments have yielded >5 μm grains with 100% film coverage in large-area Perovskite solar cells. Overall, solvent annealing emerges as a powerful tool for tailoring perovskite films. This review synthesizes the mechanisms and performance benefits of solvent annealing and evaluates its prospects for scalable, industrialized PSC fabrication. By identifying key challenges and emerging solutions, it aims to guide future research efforts toward more efficient and manufacturable perovskite solar technologies.
The current work focuses on assessing flexural properties, and water uptake of polymeric composites prepared using various reinforcements. These additives consist of kaolinite nano clays and rock wool (RW). In addition to a polymer blend that consists of epoxy and polyester resins as the matrix. The castings were made using a hand lay-up approach. Nanoclay (NC) was added in weight fractions of 5% and 7%, together with RW added in a volume fraction of 10% as reinforcement. The impact test was employed to decide the optimum mixing ratio of the polymer blend that used as a matrix. From the results the blend consisting of 80 wt.% epoxy and 20 wt.% polyester has the highest impact strength value. Thermal analysis was done using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as a characterization method to assess the miscibility of the polymer blend. The polyester/epoxy blend showed the maximum flexural strength, which determined as (57.4) MPa. While the hybrid reinforcement using NC (5 wt.%) and RW (10%) lowered the flexural strength to 16.53 MPa. From the water absorption test results showed that, in addition to the standard concentration, the type of material also affects water, in addition to the ratios of its components. Finally, DSC results revealed the presence of two different glass transition temperatures, which indicates that the epoxy/polyester blend is immiscible and there are two distinct phases in this matrix.
This study investigates the effects of pulsed Nd:YAG laser annealing at a wavelength of 532 nm on the photoconductivity properties of cadmium sulfide (CdS) thin films prepared by thermal evaporation. In addition, measurements at room temperature showed an ohmic behavior in the voltage-current characteristics of the CdS thin films. It was observed that after laser irradiation, the photosensitivity of the film increased due to the improved crystallinity and decreased defect density of the thin films, as shown by the increase in the ratio of light to dark current (Iph/Id) from 0.35 to 0.42. The photocurrent also follows the relationship (Iph∝FγI), with γ-values of 1.037 and 1.047 after annealing due to monomolecular recombination, reduced grain boundaries and enhanced recrystallization. The spectral response peaked at 585 nm, which corresponds to the optical band gap of the CdS thin film. The transient photoconductivity, which describes the time-dependent change in the electrical conductivity of the material when exposed to light, was measured and showed significantly increased decay rates. The differential lifetime (τd) decreased from (90.8 sec) to (39.2 sec) after Nd:YAG laser annealing, which can be attributed to a lower density of defect states and an improvement in film quality. The results highlight the ability of Nd:YAG laser annealing to maximize the photonic and electronic properties of CdS thin films through structural and carrier recombination dynamics, increasing their use in optoelectronic devices.
New approaches have been developed to combat bacterial infections because of the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Gold colloidal nanoparticles and their applications as antibacterial agents have shown promising strategies due to these properties. The properties of nanoparticles, including size, shape, and surface charge, play an essential role in determining antibacterial activity. Pulsed laser ablation in a liquid medium was utilized to produce gold nanoparticles, an environmentally friendly method. Gold NPs were produced in ultrapure water. Experimental research was done to determine the impact of the number of laser pulses on the nanoparticles' size, shape, and concentration. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peaks for gold nanoparticles were detected by UV–visible spectroscopy at approximately 525 nm in the visible region. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the appearance of spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 20 to 80 nm. For gold nanoparticles, increasing laser pulses from 100 to 250 pulses while maintaining the fixed energy of the laser at 600 mJ reduced the average nanoparticle size. S. mutans were isolated to study and evaluate the antibacterial effects of AuNP substances using the suitable diffusion method. The antibacterial examination revealed valuable results for gold nanoparticles, which showed a more significant effect on bacteria at high concentrations. The best results were found for the sample prepared at the highest concentration at 250 pulses. Toxicity assessments of the materials revealed low toxicity levels of this material, confirming their safety for human use.
In this study, Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were synthesized by a hydrothermal method using chitosan extract and ferric chloride (FeCl₃) as precursor at 150 °C. The hydrothermal approach provides precise control over the size and morphology of the nanoparticles by promoting the decomposition and crystallization of the precursors near their evaporation temperatures. The aim of this study was to quantify the antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles to regulate the production of Fe₂O₃ NPs. The optical and structural properties of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated and tested using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL). The crystal size and hexagonal structure of Fe₂O₃ NPs in the range of 10 to 25 nm were determined by XRD. In addition, FESEM images were used for measurement. The morphology and particle size of the Fe₂O₃ NPs, which is between 15.63 and 56.84 nm due to the aggregation of the nanoparticles. The UV-visible spectra were used to calculate the direct and indirect optical band gap versus hν of the Fe₂O₃ NPs prepared by the hydrothermal method from chitosan extract NPs. These are 3.8 eV and 3.6 eV, respectively. The band edge emission of Fe₂O₃ NPs was about 2.57 eV as measured by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Inhibition zones of 40 mm in size were observed for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
In this work, several types of plasmonic sensors were prepared by different methods (ion reduction method and wet-chemical KOH route) to detect the ultralow anti-CIPRO concentration using AgNPs/PSi SERS-active substrate with AgNPs concentration. The process was optimized to be very effective in detecting CIPRO and to have a high amplification factor (EF). For the deposition of AgNPs with a concentration of 5×10-3 M and the maximum density of hotspot areas, a nanocrystalline silicon sample prepared by the KOH method and an ion reduction technique before etching was used. We tested an AgNPs/PSi SERS substrate, which showed better performance in detecting the CIPRO antibiotic over a range of doses (10-7-10-13 M). XRD, EDX, FESEM and SERS were used to analyze the PSi samples and the AgNP/PSi chemical sensors. The results of the AgNPs/PSi SERS substrates from both methods showed that the ion reduction process was more effective in detecting the CIPRO antibiotics at their lowest concentrations. It was found that the highest EF at salt concentrations of 5×10-3M was 6.3×1012 for the pre-etching method, compared with 7.78×1010 for the KOH method under the same conditions. The results showed that the proposed AgNPs/PSi SERS substrate is an effective method to find CIPRO even at low concentrations, and that CIPRO was localized approximately near the surface. This approach is considered a revolutionary work that has the potential to modify the plasmonic properties of metallic NPs for SERS applications.
In the context of game theory, cooperative game has been applied in several fields and can be successfully used to evaluate the players (people or companies) involved. In cooperative game theory, the core is a concept that represents the set of feasible allocations (or distributions of total payoff) among players that cannot be improved upon by any coalition of players. This paper aims to apply a mathematical model to modeling cooperation among power stations and fuel supply producers using a core value-based optimization algorithm. We use the cooperative game to show the potential cost in cooperation through an optimization algorithm to find the most feasible solution using the Python program as a working procedure. Then, we apply the working method to the case of fuel supply and electricity generation in Wasit Thermal Power Plant in cooperation. The outcomes of the proposed methodology will greatly help professionals to formulate and improve well-structured strategies for future electrical energy systems in the Wasit Thermal Power Plant.
Recent developments in nano additives and injection strategies of fuel are effective techniques used in diesel engines to decrease exhaust pollutants and boost engine performance. The injection effect strategy of fuel with titanium dioxide (TiO2) application on exhaust emissions and particulate matter (PM) characteristics in common-rail direct ignition (CRDI) diesel engines for biodiesel blends was experimentally examined. Experimental test results indicated that usage of TiO2 into the B100, B20 and B30 enhanced the decline in CO, THC and NOX than to the diesel without additives. PM number and concentration decreased by 13.54%, 22.73% and 32.68% from the combustion of B100+TiO2, B20+TiO2 and B30+TiO2, respectively, compared to the nano additives absence into the fuel. Furthermore, the rate of soot oxidation, mass and weight significantly increased higher from the biodiesel blends than the diesel. It indicated that the internal structure form of soot particles produced from B100+TiO2, B20+TiO2 and B30+TiO2 are oxidised earlier at lower temperatures in comparison with diesel. Regarding the TEM images, it is indicated that soot particles emitted from oxygenated fuels are easier to oxidise at low temperatures and quick time compared with diesel. The fuel injection strategy and both oxygen-bond from nano additives and fuel properties are beneficial for improving the soot oxidation and at the same time decreasing emitted PM.
A spectroscopic technique such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is used to analyze various materials, including solids, liquids and gases. The advantages of this technique include rapid analysis, no prior sample preparation, low cost and the ability to generate qualitative and quantitative analytical data for any sample. There are numerous applications for LIBS in various fields, including environmental monitoring, quality in industry, the food sector and archeology, medicine (pharmaceuticals), biology (bones, nails, hair, blood and skin) and cosmetics, which is one of the main concerns of the World Health Organization due to its significant impact on health. In this review, the LIBS technique is explained in terms of the experimental setup (laser, detector, spectrometer, optical fibers and lenses), using single and double beams to measure sample elements with high accuracy. It was shown that the sensitivity of LIBS depends on calibration-free analysis and pulse-coupled analysis. The data show that the double laser beams provide high accuracy when analyzing complex data.
A photocatalytic tapered bubble column reactor was utilized to extract benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) organic pollutants from petroleum effluent. The reactor had an internal diameter that increased from 0.07 meters at the bottom to 0.17 meters at the top, a tapered angle of 1.6 degrees, a length of 1.8 meters, and a capacity of approximately 20 liters. Additionally, the reactor was equipped with a Fe-doped TiO2 catalyst. Different air flow rates (0-3 L/min), contact periods (0-120 min), and liquid flow rates (160-600 L/hr) were used in the photocatalyst with four submerged LED lamps (wavelength of 200–550 nm). Each of the LED lamps had a power output of 50W. The results show that increasing the liquid flow rate increases the rate removal of COD, and the maximum decrease in chemical oxygen demand (COD) was 92% when gas flow rate= 3L/min, liquid flow rate = 200L/min, light intensity = 200Watt after two hours of irradiation. The kinetic study reveals that the degradation process is fitted with a pseudo first-order model with (R2=0.9304, s.d. 0.00204).
The increasing number of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics poses a major challenge to public health. Therefore, research into new treatment methods is essential to overcome these challenges. Phage treatment is a promising technique to increase the efficacy of antimicrobials against resistant microbes. This review documents the ability of bacteriophages to interact with conventional antibiotics due to their specificity and adaptability to target and control bacterial populations, especially when used in combination with antibiotics. Combination therapy can deliver the lowest effective concentration of antibiotics while reducing toxicity. Research has confirmed that the synergy of phages and antibiotics can disrupt biofilms and delay the development of resistance, which could prolong the efficacy of existing antibiotics. In addition, this study highlights challenges such as stability, delivery and clearance and underlines the importance of developing optimized phage-antibiotic combinations. It also discusses new technologies such as phagemids and CRISPR-mediated phage, including the modification of phage genetic material to improve their ability to target specific bacterial infections. The phages are modified to recognize bacterial surface markers or contain sequences that improve their effectiveness against resistant strains. The modifications offer new methods to improve this integrated therapy. Understanding the optimal conditions for the interaction between phages and antibiotics is crucial for the transition of research from the preclinical to the clinical phase. The synergy of phages and antibiotics is a promising strategy to fight infections that are resistant to antibiotics. Therefore, further research is needed to use them in the clinic.
