This study examines functionally graded ferrite–graphene–PVDF nanocomposites as a materials platform for broadband microwave absorption and electromagnetic interference shielding in 5G electronic systems. Nickel–zinc ferrite (Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4) nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide nanosheets were incorporated into a PVDF matrix and arranged as a five-layer laminate with a controlled through-thickness composition gradient. The layered design was intended to combine magnetic loading, conductive filler connectivity, interfacial polarization, and local dielectric response while reducing the impedance-matching and filler agglomeration limitations commonly observed in homogeneous composites. Structural, morphological, and electromagnetic characterizations indicate that the graded laminate improves filler distribution, supports ferrite–graphene interfacial polarization, preserves interlayer integrity, and produces a gradual impedance transition. At an optimized thickness of 3.2 mm, the laminate achieved a minimum reflection loss of −62.4 dB at 18.3 GHz and an effective absorption bandwidth of 24.6 GHz. Its total EMI shielding effectiveness remains above 42 dB in the sub-6 GHz region and exceeds 54 dB across the measured X-, Ku-, K-, and Ka-band ranges, with absorption contributing more than 85
In this study, salicylic acid-modified Er-TiO2 (Er-Ti-SA) complexes were synthesized via a sol–gel method. Through this synthesis method, SA ligand binds to the Er-TiO2 surface via its hydroxyl (–OH) and carboxyl (–COOH) groups, forming a salicylate–TiO2 surface complex that facilitates a ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) process. The LMCT process extends light absorption into the visible region, thereby enhancing the utilization of sunlight for photocatalytic reactions. The Er-Ti-SA absorption edge shifts to longer wavelengths with increasing Er3+ concentration, indicating that Er3⁺ ions participate in the LMCT process. The synergistic effect between the LMCT process and the luminescent properties of Er3⁺ ions is studied in detail using X-ray Photoelectron, Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopies. Photocatalysis and scavenger experiments, under visible light irradiation indicate that the degradation pathway of Rhodamine B (RhB) strongly depends on the electronic properties of the catalyst. In the Er–Ti-SA complexes, superoxide radicals (O2•−) serve as the primary active species inducing the N-deethylation pathway, whereas hydroxyl radicals (•OH) predominantly mediate the cleavage of Rhodamine B in the case of Er–TiO2 photocatalysts. The de-ethylation intermediate products are confirmed by LC–MS measurements.
Growing environmental concerns and the rapid depletion of fossil fuel resources have intensified the demand for efficient and sustainable energy-storage technologies in recent years. In the present study, zinc cobaltite (ZnCo2O4 referred as ZCO-wt) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized through a hydrothermal method employing different solvents to investigate their suitability as electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors. For confirmation, structural and elemental analyses, including XRD, XPS, FE-SEM, TEM, HR-TEM, EDAX and BET, were carried out. Among the prepared samples, the ZnCo2O4 synthesized in water exhibited the most favorable electrochemical performance. Cyclic voltammetry analysis revealed an utmost specific capacitance of 425.35 F g−1 at a scan rate of 50 mV s−1, while GCD measurements confirmed a SC of 405.16 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1. Furthermore, the water-synthesized ZnCo2O4 electrode demonstrated Robust cycling performance, The retention rate after 5000 cycles was 90.15
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nanocomposites loaded with 0.2NiFe2O4/0.8NiCo2O4 (NiFeCoO4 ) ferrite, carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), and varying silicon carbide (SiC) contents were synthesized via solution casting to create multifunctional materials for optoelectronics and radiation shielding. Structural, optical, and photon attenuation properties were assessed using XRD, SEM, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and EpiXS simulations. XRD confirmed crystalline filler integration, with crystallinity peaking at 15.0
The field of nanomaterials has been extensively identified as one of the most promising and rapidly emerging research areas. The tunable structural and optical properties of nanoparticles, along with their elemental composition, are considered highly important for their wide applications in sensing devices. This study focuses on the characterisation of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles, which are important semiconductor materials in nanotechnology. The structural properties were analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), which revealed broad diffraction peaks confirming the nanocrystalline nature of the material. The average crystallite size was calculated to be approximately 29.1 nm. Optical properties were investigated using UV–Visible spectroscopy, which indicated an optical band gap of 2.29 eV. The application part of CdS is used for the detection of LPG at room temperature at 0–5000 ppm. These results demonstrate that CdS nanoparticles possess suitable structural and optical characteristics for potential applications in optoelectronic devices.
Cd2+/In3+ co-substituted nickel ferrites, Ni1-xCdxFe2-yInyO4 (x = y = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8), were successfully synthesized by the sol–gel auto-combustion method to systematically investigate the influence of simultaneous Cd2+ and In3+ incorporation on the structural, optical, and magnetic properties of NiFe2O4 spinel ferrites. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses (TGA–DTA) revealed the thermal decomposition behaviour of the precursor and indicated that decomposition was essentially completed prior to calcination, supporting the selection of appropriate calcination conditions for the formation of thermally stable ferrite phases. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of a crystalline cubic spinel structure (space group Fd3̅m) without detectable secondary phases within the detection limit of X-ray diffraction. The lattice parameter increased from 8.3479 to 8.3814 Å, while the crystallite size decreased from 108 to 42 nm with increasing Cd2+/In3+ concentration. FESEM analysis revealed a progressive reduction in average grain size from 246.68 to 59.30 nm, and EDS confirmed the presence of the expected constituent elements. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy further supported the formation of the spinel ferrite phase and were consistent with minor local structural modifications associated with Cd2+/In3+ substitution. Optical studies based on UV–Vis spectroscopy revealed a gradual decrease in the optical band gap from 3.50 to 2.46 eV, suggesting that Cd2+/In3+ incorporation modifies the electronic structure of the ferrite system, possibly through lattice distortion and defect-related electronic states. Room-temperature magnetic measurements confirmed the soft magnetic behaviour of all compositions, characterized by relatively low coercivity, while the saturation magnetization generally decreased from 49.48 to 41.09 emu g⁻1 with increasing substitution level. The observed composition-dependent structural, optical, and magnetic variations provide insight into the structure–property relationships of Cd2+/In3+ co-substituted NiFe2O4 spinel ferrites, suggesting that controlled co-substitution is a useful strategy for tailoring the structural, optical, and soft magnetic properties of nickel ferrites for potential magnetic and electronic applications.
Bis(imidazole−1-yl)methane monohydrate (IM) sustainable single crystals were grown by controlled slow evaporation and systematically evaluated to establish structure–property relationships relevant to multifunctional photonic and dielectric technologies. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirmed a monoclinic, non-centrosymmetric I2 structure (a = 15.7821 Å, b = 4.3233 Å, c = 12.4647 Å, β = 106.311°, V = 816.46 Å3), while HRXRD revealed excellent crystallographic perfection with a rocking curve width of 32.49 arcsec. The crystal exhibits a 271 nm optical edge, 76
Barium titanate (BaTiO3), Ba0.95K0.05TiO3, and Ba0.95K0.05Ti0.95Nb0.05O3 were synthesized via sol–gel method to investigate the effect of A-site K+ and B-site Nb5+ doping on structural, spectroscopic, and optical properties. X-ray diffraction confirmed a tetragonal perovskite structure for all samples, with no secondary phases. Crystallite sizes increased from 23.1 nm (pure) to 36.8 nm (K-doped) and 34.41 nm (co-doped), while lattice strain decreased from 5.41 × 10−3 to 3.41 × 10−3 upon K doping. The Goldschmidt tolerance factor (1.061−1.062) confirmed structural stability. FTIR spectroscopy verified characteristic Ti-O and Ba-O vibrational bonds. UV–Visible spectroscopy revealed systematic bandgap widening from 3.03 eV (pure) to 3.06 eV (K-doped) and 3.09 eV (co-doped), attributed to lattice distortions. XPS confirmed the expected oxidation states of Ba2+, Ti4+, K+, and Nb5+, with oxygen vacancies supporting charge compensation. These results demonstrate that controlled doping enables systematic tuning of structural parameters and optical bandgap, positioning these materials as promising candidates for optoelectronic and ferroelectric device applications.
Aqueous Zn–I2 batteries are promising for energy storage due to their safety, low cost, and high theoretical energy density. However, their practical performance is limited by poor iodine conversion and sluggish kinetics, arising from inadequate conductivity and polyiodide shuttling. A gel-based I2 cathode has been proven efficient due to its uniform distribution and suppressed iodine sublimation. Herein, we introduce an electrodeposited reduced graphene oxide (rGO) layer as an active substrate on the conductive current collector. Unlike conventional slurry-based incorporation of rGO, efficient electrodeposition forms a continuous and conformal conductive network with intimate contact with the current collector, providing efficient electron transport and accessible active interfaces for the gel-based I2 cathode. The continuous rGO network facilitates rapid electron transport and intimate interfacial contact, promoting efficient charge transfer and improved utilization of iodine redox species. Consequently, the Zn–I2 battery sustains a robust cycle life of 1000 cycles, delivering 207 mAh g⁻1 specific capacity and a high energy density of 269 Wh kg⁻1 at 0.6 A g⁻1. The excellent performance of the Zn–I2 battery underscores the effectiveness of combining gel encapsulation with an electrodeposited rGO scaffold, offering a simple and low-cost strategy for improved cathode design and charge transfer.
Achieving high energy density without compromising charge transport kinetics and cycling durability remains a persistent limitation in pseudocapacitive systems. Here, we present a nanofibrous molybdenum oxide iodide–poly(2-amino-1-mercaptobenzene) (MoO2I2–P2AMB) hybrid engineered through an iodine-assisted oxidative polymerization followed by controlled coordination with molybdate species. This synthetic pathway enables the formation of a continuous network of crystalline nanofibres ( 40 nm in diameter) assembled into interconnected domains ( 120 nm), providing a structurally integrated and electronically coupled framework. The hybrid architecture promotes rapid ion diffusion and efficient electron transport, arising from the synergistic coupling between the conjugated polymer matrix and the plasmonic response associated with oxygen-deficient MoO2I2. Notably, this plasmonic contribution persists under dark conditions, facilitating enhanced charge transfer without external illumination. Electrochemical evaluation reveals dominant pseudocapacitive behavior, delivering specific capacitances of 278 F g–1 at 0.5 A g–1 and 270 F g–1 at 1.0 A g–1, accompanied by prolonged discharge times (223 s at 0.5 A g–1). The electrode achieves an energy density of 9.7 Wh kg⁻1 at a power density of 600 W kg⁻1, indicating a well-balanced energy–power profile. Furthermore, the system retains 97
Cubic-phase lithium lanthanum titanate (Li0.33La0.56TiO3, LLTO) solid-state electrolyte exhibits a grain ionic conductivity of approximately 1.0 mS·cm⁻1 at room temperature. However, its high grain boundary resistance limits practical application. To further enhance the ionic conductivity, we employed an A/B-site co-doping strategy. Specifically, we introduced Sr2+ with a larger ionic radius into the A-site to widen the Li⁺ ion migration channels and Sb3+ into the B-site to promote cubic phase formation and stability. Co-doping with these two ions synergistically improves the electrolyte performance. The optimal sample, prepared with 0.02 mol of both Sr2+ and Sb3+ sintered at 1210 °C for 6 h, exhibits a total ionic conductivity of 7.77 × 10–2 mS·cm⁻1 and a grain density of 5.076 g.cm−3. Compared with the undoped LLTO electrolyte, the total ionic conductivity increases by approximately 20
The widespread contamination of water resources by persistent pharmaceutical residues, such as tetracycline, presents a critical environmental challenge that requires sustainable remediation technologies. Herein, we report the rational design and hydrothermal synthesis of a novel ternary graphene oxide/silver vanadate/bismuth oxyiodide (GO/AgVO3/BiOI) nanocomposite engineered for visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline. Comprehensive structural and spectroscopic analyses (XRD, FTIR, XPS, SEM–EDS, BET, UV-DRS, and PL) confirmed the successful formation of an interfacial heterojunction between GO, AgVO3, and BiOI. The optimized composite exhibited a high surface area (52.43 m2/g) and a narrowed bandgap (1.66 eV), promoting efficient light absorption and charge carrier separation. Under visible-light irradiation, the GO/AgVO3/BiOI catalyst achieved a remarkable 95.6
The Co and Ti atoms have been co-doped in α-Fe2O3 system to prepare the compositions of Fe2-xCox/2Tix/2O3, x = 0.2–0.6. The material has been prepared by mechanical alloying and post-heat treatment at 1000 °C in air and vacuum to stabilize rhombohedral phase. The electrical conductivity followed small polaron hopping at higher temperatures and Mott variable range hopping at low temperatures. The canted antiferromagnetic (weak ferromagnetic) state above the Morin transition (260 K) and a collinear antiferromagnetic state at lower temperatures in α-Fe2O3 have been modified into a weak ferromagnetic state down to 5 K for the co-doped samples. The Co/Ti co-doping and material processing in vacuum heat treatment enhanced the magnetization up to 20 emu/g and coercivity up to 8.2 kOe. The samples exhibited a large negative Hall voltage (up to − 2.8 V) and indicated n-type semiconductor behaviour. A strong nonlinear coupling between charge transport and spin order has exhibited magnetoresistance up to 26
All-inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) have attracted considerable attention for solid-state lighting, displays, and optoelectronic devices on account of their high photoluminescence quantum yield, narrow emission linewidth, and tunable bandgap. Nonetheless, the poor stability of CsPbBr3 PQDs under humid and high-temperature conditions gives rise to pronounced degradation of their optical properties, thereby limiting their long-term applications. In this work, K+-doped CsPbBr3 PQDs embedded in zinc borosilicate (ZBS) glass were fabricated through a two-step high-temperature solid-state route to improve their environmental and thermal stability. K+ incorporation markedly elevated the photoluminescence performance of the CsPbBr3 PQDs. Furthermore, the ZBS glass matrix, owing to its exceptional mechanical robustness, provided effective protection against thermal degradation and moisture attack, thereby substantially heightening the stability of the embedded CsPbBr3 PQDs. Remarkably, the PQDs retained an average particle size of 2.3 nm even after calcination at 600 ℃. In particular, the K0.2Cs0.8PbBr3 sample exhibited a 17 times reinforcement in PL intensity in contrast to the undoped sample, while maintaining a stable emission peak at 521 nm. Meanwhile, the bandgap increased from 2.35 to 2.37 eV, while the carrier lifetime was prolonged from 17.5 to 17.7 ns. On top of that, the sample retained approximately 98
Commercial polypropylene (PP) separators offer low cost and established manufacturability, but their limited electrolyte affinity and thermal dimensional stability can restrict their performance in sodium-ion batteries. In this study, a commercial Celgard 2400 separator was modified through a multistep route comprising polydopamine (PDA) deposition, L-lysine-assisted SiO2 colloid treatment, and a final 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole-assisted interfacial treatment. A binder-assisted PP-SiO2 separator was used as a physical-coating control. SEM, EDS, and ATR-FTIR supported the formation of a relatively dispersed SiO2-containing surface layer with retained visible microporous features and a modified interfacial chemical environment. PP-PDA-SiO2 exhibited a total thickness of 26.90 ± 0.36 μm and apparent area shrinkage ratios of 18.42 ± 1.44
The chemical bath deposition method (CBD) was used to deposit ZnS thin films in an acidic medium using ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid disodium salt and hexamethylenetetramine as complexing agents, which can serve as a less-toxic alternative to CdS buffer layers in thin-film solar cells (TFSCs). The effect of bath temperature (60–90 ºC, at a constant deposition time of 90 min) and deposition time (60–150 min, at a fixed temperature of 60 ºC) on the structural, morphological, compositional, elemental, and optical properties of the films was examined. A hexagonal ZnS structure with preferred orientation along (002) reflection was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. With increasing deposition temperature and time, the crystallite size and interplanar spacing decreased, signifying increased tensile stress and a transformation of the films from well crystalline to amorphous. For the film deposited at 60 ºC/90 min, the surface morphology appeared compact and uniform, whereas for the films deposited at higher temperatures and longer durations, it became non-uniform, displaying cracks and clusters. The films deposited under different conditions revealed a nearly stoichiometric Zn:S ratio. The Zn2+ and S2− oxidation states were verified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The thickness was found to increase with an increase in deposition temperature (90–135 nm) and deposition time (65–140 nm). The optical bandgap decreased from 3.60 to 3.51 eV with variation in temperature, and from 3.63 to 3.50 eV with time because of an increase in film thickness. The film synthesized at 60 ºC/90 min showed the best combination of properties, such as a thickness of 90 nm, a crystallite size of 32 nm along (002) reflection, uniform and compact morphology, nearly stoichiometric composition of the constituent elements, 80
Co-Zn bimetallic metal–organic frameworks (Co,Zn–MOFs) are attractive electrode materials for supercapacitors due to their pseudocapacitive behaviour, high surface area, and accessible porosity. However, their practical performance is hindered by low electrical conductivity and limited structural stability. Ti3C2Tx MXene provides a valuable strategy to overcome these limitations due to its high conductivity and complementary pseudocapacitive characteristics, which enhance charge storage capability and cycling stability. Additionally, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) provide superior electrical conductivity further enhancing charge transport within the electrode. Therefore, Co–Zn bimetallic ZIF-decorated MXene/graphene nanoplatelet hybrids (Ti3C2Tx/Co–Zn ZIF/GNPs) were synthesized to enhance electrochemical performance. The resulting electrode delivered a high specific capacitance of 1150 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 in a three-electrode configuration. An asymmetric supercapacitor assembled using Ti3C2Tx/Co–Zn ZIF/GNPs achieved an energy density of 55 Wh kg−1 and a power density of 500 W kg⁻1. These findings highlight Ti3C2Tx/Co–Zn ZIF/GNPs as a promising electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors and practical energy-storage applications.
Layered triple hydroxides (LTHs) are emerging materials attracting interest for their exceptional electrocatalytic activity. Particularly in the sensor field, they are explored much less than supercapacitors and water-splitting applications. In addition, dopamine (DP, a major neurotransmitter) plays a major role in promoting body functions, and alterations in its level can cause severe damage, from depression to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, making its detection essential. Hence, in this work, we developed a novel nickel–iron–aluminum ternary layered triple hydroxide (NiFeAl-LTH)-modified electrode for the sensitive electrochemical detection of DP in human samples. The developed NiFeAl-LTH was synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method. XRD, XPS, and FT-IR confirmed the formation of the composite, while TEM characterized the surface morphology. Electrochemical studies indicated excellent redox behavior and DP sensing, owing to its large surface area and rapid electron-transfer kinetics. The NiFeAl-LTH detected DP with a wide dynamic range of 200 nM–1.7 mM and a detection limit of 61.2 nM. Other studies on stability, reproducibility, and selectivity also demonstrated its efficiency, as evidenced by the results. Real-sample analysis in human blood and serum also demonstrated its superior sensing performance, with high recovery values. Considering all these factors, as-prepared NiFeAl-LTH could be highly suitable for future device fabrication for DP detection, with immediate applications in the medical sector.
Utilizing the melt quenching method, a series of Pr3+ ions-activated calcium-incorporated barium borate glasses modified with various fluorides (MgF2, LiF, SrF2, KF, CdF2, and ZnF2) were synthesized. The optical performance of these glasses was examined through spectroscopic characterization, including photoluminescence and decay analysis. Employing the absorption spectra, the oscillator strengths and intensity parameters were estimated by the Judd–Ofelt approach. It was observed that the trend of Ω6> Ω2 >Ω4, the lesser Ω2, and the negative values of ‘δ’ signify the dominance of ionic nature among the Pr−O bonds. The radiative properties were appraised for the prominent transitions 3P0→ 3H4, 1D2 →3H4, and 3P0 →3F2 using luminescence spectra. The higher magnitude of _p^E , A, and the vital lasing parameters for the 3P0 → 3F2 transition indicate the potential of the BBCLiP glass for optical amplifiers. To determine the emission color, the CIE diagram was employed, and the red-light emission is confirmed at λexc= 450 nm. The higher CP value (74–81
