Efficient electrode materials are crucial to meet the growing modern-day energy storage needs.

Developing efficient energy storage solutions with ABO3-type perovskite oxide materials has long been a significant challenge due to their moderate conductivity, which severely limits fast electron and ion transport, and this needs improvement. In this context, an electrode series with different weight percentages (0, 3, 6, and 9%) of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was incorporated with LaCoO3 and designated as PLCO, LCO-I, LCO-II, and LCO-III using sol-gel autocombustion and solvothermal synthesis techniques. FESEM and HRTEM analyses show that incorporating CNTs forms a strongly coupled LCO-CNT interface in certain regions, increasing electrochemically active sites and enhancing ion transport. The best electrode material (LCO-III) among all others exhibited the highest capacity of 1530 C/g, along with energy and power densities of approximately 102.01 Wh/kg and 1200 W/kg at 5 A/g, as observed in galvanostatic charge-discharge testing, using a 3-electrode configuration. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed a low charge-transfer resistance of 5.28 Omega and a high ionic conductivity of 0.68 S cm-1, with a transference number (t +) of 0.40. An asymmetrically developed hybrid configuration of LCO-III delivered the highest energy and power densities of approximately 156.28 Wh/kg and 18000 W/kg, respectively, and exhibited a durability of 98.02% after 10,000 GCD cycles. These notable electrochemical features of the LCO-III-based perovskite electrode material highlight its potential for future supercapacitor applications.

Enhancing the ion transport properties in redox-active channels of transition metal oxides is challenging due to their moderate ionic and electronic conductivities, which need to be improved to meet the requirements of energy storage. To address such issues, an optimal molar ratio (0.08) of Ni was doped into Co3O4 with the highest weight percentage (8%) of rGO content to develop Co3.92Ni0.08O4@rGO (Co3O4-IV), by employing a combination of hydrothermal/solvothermal methods. This approach showed promising electrochemical performance. Various characterization techniques were used to analyze phase development. X-ray diffraction (XRD) survey verified the cubic phase, and uniform dispersion was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A comprehensive electrochemical investigation of the as-fabricated electrode series demonstrated the Co3O4-IV to be the most effective electrode, using a three-electrode setup. The highest specific capacity, energy, and power density have been reported as 1431.30 C/g, 79.51 Wh/kg, and 8000 W/kg for Co3O4-IV, based on galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) analysis. Additionally, the practical life application was assessed by constructing an asymmetric device and achieved an excellent energy density of 78.94 Wh/kg at 750 W/kg, with notable capacity retention of 90.10% after 10 000 cycles. Ion transport properties such as ionic conductivity (0.062 S/cm), transference number (0.19), rate constant (4.72 & times; 10(-8) cm/s), and a reasonable diffusion rate (2.69 & times; 10(-13) m(2)/s) support increased energy-storage capability. From a practical life application perspective, the assembled coin cell demonstrated the ability to light up the LED for 0.48 s. Therefore, the device with enhanced ion transport features should be considered for advanced energy-storage applications.

Systematically engineered hybrid electrode materials with controlled morphology exhibit enhanced electrochemical activities, advancing sustainable energy storage solutions. In this study, we present an optimized approach using functional hybrid composites by integrating a transition metal oxide (Cr2O3) with varying (5, 10, and 15%) concentrations of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to form Cr2O3/CNT composites using an eco-friendly hydrothermal method. Galvanostatic charge/discharge curves exhibited prolonged discharge durations with increasing CNTs content. Notably, the composite with 15 % CNTs exhibited a superior specific capacity of 1440.37 C/g at 3.13 A/g due to enhanced electroactive sites in the plate-like structure. The optimized sample improved energy storage performance, achieving a high energy density (100.02 Wh/kg), an outstanding power density (784.31 W/kg), and maintaining extraordinary capacity retention of 98% even after 7000 cycles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy discloses an outstanding ionic conductivity of 7.25 & times; 10-2 S/cm and a rapid relaxation time of 8.33 & times; 10-2 s. Galvanostatic intermittent titration technique also indicates a favorable ion diffusion coefficient (4.68 & times; 10-11 cm2/s). A 2-electrode asymmetric supercapacitor setup also achieves a higher energy density (11.57 Wh/kg) and power density (588.23 W/kg), underscoring its practical applicability. Collectively, this work sheds new light on designing novel CNT-based hybrid electrode materials for aqueous asymmetric supercapacitors, delivering exceptional electrochemical response.

Efficient electrode materials are crucial to meet the growing modern-day energy storage needs. In this context, a series of electrodes composed of Co3O4 with varying levels of Mn doping (4% and 8%) and varying rGO contents (4% and 8%) were prepared using a combination of hydrothermal and solvothermal methods. The samples were labeled as Co3O4 (CoO), Co2.96Mn0.04O4 (MDCoO-I), Co2.92Mn0.08O4 (MDCoO-II), Co2.92Mn0.08O4@4%rGO (MDCoO-III), and Co2.92Mn0.08O4@8%rGO (MDCoO-IV). Various tests confirmed the formation of the desired phase, with X-ray diffraction showing a cubic structure that remained consistent throughout the series. Following this survey, comprehensive electrochemical testing of all samples was conducted in a three-electrode setup to identify the best candidate for practical device applications. For example, MDCoO-IV showed enhanced ion transport properties, including ion conductivity (0.62 S cm-1), transference number (0.45), rate constant (2.21 x 10-7 cm s-1), exchange current density (0.021 A g-1), and a notable value of diffusion coefficient (5.51 x 10-13 m2 s-1), due to efficient coupling of conduction mechanism facilitated by 8% rGO inclusion across the pseudocapacitive enriched surface-active chemistry of Co2.92Mn0.08O4. Owing to the efficient ion-transport characteristics, an asymmetric assembly with full device testing using MDCoO-IV was subsequently established, demonstrating good rate performance with a specific capacitance of about 833.25 F g-1 and an energy density of 57.86 Wh kg-1 at 1250 W kg-1, thereby maintaining 87.27% after 10 000 cycles. The discovery of these features suggests that this material has potential for use in future energy storage devices.

Lead‐free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising alternatives to Pb‐based devices because of their reduced toxicity, low‐cost fabrication, and environmental compatibility. In this work, a fully lead‐free ZnO/BiFeO 3 /Sn‐based perovskite/Spiro‐OMeTAD heterojunction solar cell was numerically investigated using COMSOL Multiphysics. BiFeO 3 (BFO) was employed as the primary ferroelectric absorber, while CsSnI 3 and FASnI 3 were introduced as secondary absorbers to improve photon harvesting and carrier generation. Increasing BFO thickness from 50 to 600 nm enhances the short‐circuit current density ( J sc ) from 11.2 to 27.8 mA/cm 2 and power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 10.5% to 26.3%, mainly due to stronger optical absorption. CsSnI 3 thickness study reveals a trade‐off between current enhancement and voltage loss because of increased recombination. ZnO electron transport layer (ETL) exhibited inverse relation with current density, as J sc decreases from 27.8 to 22.7 mA/cm 2 when ETL thickness increases from 10 to 150 nm. Conversely, thicker Spiro‐OMeTAD improves hole extraction, raising PCE to 27.30%. The optimized BFO/FASnI 3 configuration achieved 29.8% PCE, highlighting the potential of absorber and transport layer engineering for efficient lead‐free PSCs.

Energy-efficient and environmentally benign organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN)-based thin-film composite (TFC) membranes were fabricated on partially hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile (HPAN) membranes via in situ oxidative polymerization of polyaniline (PANI). A three-layered PANI coating was applied using the layer-by-layer (LbyL) deposition technique to optimize efficiency. The separation efficiency of these membranes was evaluated for the recovery of n-hexane from vegetable-oil-based micelles using dead-end stirred cells. The membranes' microstructures, surface morphology, structural properties, thermal stability, tensile strength, and hydrophilicity were characterized using SEM, FTIR, TGA, CA, and UTM. Findings indicate that HPAN membranes with a single PANI coating exhibited less than 1% or negative rejection due to inadequate conversion from ultrafiltration (UF) to nanofiltration (NF). Membranes with a double PANI coating demonstrated NF membrane properties with reduced rejection rates. Triple PANI-coated membranes exhibited superior rejection of flaxseed, corn, soybean, sesame, and sunflower oils. It is concluded that the LbyL method for PANI deposition may be effectively utilized to enhance the performance efficiency of OSN-TFC membranes in the oleochemical industry, thereby minimizing solvent recovery waste.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of aqueous ozone (AO), alone or in combination with plant aqueous extracts (PAE) of Mentha arvensis, Chenopodium album, and Eucalyptus camaldulensis on fungal load and aflatoxins (AFs) at 100 or 200 ng/g in brown rice. Significant reductions in AFs levels (up to 100 %) and fungal counts (up to 0.60 log CFU/g) were observed in treated brown rice, with higher reductions achieved with AO combined with M. arvensis' extract at 10 % during 40 min exposure. Notably, this treatment improved the cooking quality and retained key physicochemical properties of brown rice, including fatty acid value, total phenolic contents, antioxidant activity, and color (L* value). AO in combination with PAE, particularly M. arvensis, is a sustainable approach for AFs removal in brown rice. Further studies are needed to optimize the AFs decontamination process and evaluate long-term effects of combined AO and PAE treatments on brown rice's quality.

Zeolite Y has been considered as one of the most versatile materials that are used in catalysis, adsorption, and separation. However, its inherent microporosity often impedes the diffusion of reactants and products, thus constraining overall performance. This review systematically investigates the major post-synthetic modification strategies intended to mitigate these limitations and to refine the structural and physicochemical properties of zeolite Y. Particular focus is placed on the mechanisms and structural consequences of dealumination, desilication, ion exchange, and surface functionalization, each of which uniquely influences acidity, porosity, and framework stability. The synergistic combination of dealumination and desilication is especially highlighted for its capacity to generate hierarchical structures containing mesoporosity with optimal acidity robustness. Recent developments that integrate the use of microwave and ultrasound-enhanced methods are considered sustainable and energy-efficient solutions that offer accurate control over the framework transformation and shorten processing times. These post-synthetic advancements have led to hierarchical, multifunctional zeolite Y materials that show high levels of catalytic activity, enhanced adsorption capacity, and improved selectivity over a wide range of industrially related reactions. This review concludes how such modification techniques expand the functional range of zeolite Y, thereby enabling its use in new areas of application, including CO2 capture, biofuels production, and environmentally friendly catalytic processes. Future perspectives emphasize ongoing refinement of structure-function relationships, scalability of processes, and integration of modification methodologies to reinforce zeolite Y’s pivotal role in sustainable chemical manufacturing.

The bimetallization of nanoparticles (NPs) synergistically provides the combined properties of the individual NPs. Bimetallic silver zinc oxide (Ag-ZnO) alloy NPs were synthesized using L. camara flower extract and analyzed before (Ag-ZnO(N)) and after calcination (Ag-ZnO(C)). The NPs were characterized by XRD, FTIR, and SEM. Their biological activities, including antioxidant responses, antibacterial properties, enzyme inhibition, and peroxidase activity, were subsequently evaluated. XRD analysis revealed that the Ag-ZnO NPs had 7.64 nm crystallite size, whereas the calcination size was 21.18 nm. FTIR characterization showed the presence of less organic content on the surface of the calcined Ag-ZnO NPs. SEM revealed that the calcined Ag-ZnO NPs were hexagonal, homogenous, and dispersed compared with the non-calcined Ag-ZnO NPs. Ag-ZnO (N) NPs demonstrated better antioxidative properties (free radical scavenging, total antioxidative capacity, and total reducing power potential) than Ag-ZnO(C). However, Ag-ZnO(C) NPs displayed excellent antibacterial activity with a 15 mm zone of inhibition (ZOI) against Enterobacter aerogenes. Ag-ZnO(N) NPs exhibited a ZOI of 12 mm against Micrococcus luteus and Salmonella typhi. Ag-ZnO (N) efficiently inhibited urease and lipase by 66.9 % and 76.3 %, respectively, and Ag-ZnO (C) showed a maximal urease inhibition of 67.6 %. Moreover, Ag-ZnO (N) NPs showed higher amylase inhibition and peroxidase-like activity than Ag-ZnO (C) NPs did. These differences in the physical and biochemical properties of Ag-ZnO (N) and Ag-ZnO (C) NPs indicate their potential application in biomedical platforms. This study demonstrated that calcination influences the size, organic component, homogeneity in morphology, and biological properties, including antioxidant potential, antibacterial activity, enzyme inhibition, and catalytic abilities of the NPs.

Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is a nonionic, thermo-responsive polymer with temperature-dependent phase behavior. This behavior can be modified by grafting molecular units and polymer brushes onto the cellulose backbone. However, the thermo-response of such modified celluloses under biological and environmental conditions, such as pH, has been scarcely reported. This study details the synthesis and characterization of dualtemperature- and pH-responsive poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-graft-hydroxypropyl cellulose (PVP-g-HPC) by organocatalyzed visible-light-driven atom transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP). Employing a "grafting-from" approach, we synthesized a series of PVP-g-HPCs with controlled molecular weight and narrow dispersity. By precisely adjusting the molar ratios of HPC and N-vinyl pyrrolidone, we investigated the changes in the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) under various pH conditions. Our results revealed that the thermoresponsive PVP side chains exhibited a reverse dependence on pH. Additionally, the LCST window of HPC thermo-responsive derivatives was expanded to 37 degrees C within the physiological pH range.

Growing global energy demands have stimulated extensive efforts toward sustainable energy solutions.

The rising need for sustainable energy has prompted researchers to design efficient electrode materials with exceptional electrochemical capabilities. In this perspective, we report the synthesis of Ni9S8 (NS), Co0.9Ni8.1S8 (Co-NS) and its composites (Co-NS/CNTs, and Co-NS/MXene), offering potential breakthroughs in supercapacitor technology. Microscopic analysis revealed an intricate network of stem-like structures that enhances the availability of chemically active sites, as evident by surface analysis. Cyclic voltammograms exhibited distinct redox peaks across different scan rates, indicating hybrid electrochemical behavior as analyzed through Dunn's model. Among all the composites, Co-NS/MXene achieved a superior electrochemical performance, attaining a notable specific capacity (QSC) of 1904C/g at 5.88 A/g, along with an energy density (Ed) of 119.04 Wh/kg at the power density (Pd) of 1323.52 W/kg. Additionally, after 3000 consecutive charge/discharge cycles, Co-NS/MXene retained 98 % of its original capacity. Furthermore, the electrode exhibited the highest ionic conductivity of 0.46 S/cm, and a high diffusion coefficient of 6.65 x 10-9 cm2/s. An asymmetric supercapacitor device demonstrated a remarkable QSC of 228.70C/g at 3.52 A/g, yielding an Ed of 31.76 Wh/kg at 1764.70 W/ kg of Pd. Collectively, these performance parameters position Co-NS/MXene as a leading contender as an electrode material, for next-generation energy harvesting systems.

Optimizing process parameters is essential for developing high efficacy carbonaceous adsorbents. This study investigated carbon dioxide (CO2) capture using activated carbon (AC) synthesized from date-palm leaflets. Key process parameters-pyrolysis temperature, residence time, and KOH-to-carbon (KOH/C) impregnation ratio-were systematically varied to synthesize highly nanoporous AC for enhanced CO2 uptake. Instead of relying on an intuitive selection of process variables, the optimization process was implemented using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) protocol, which provided a structured and effective strategy for process optimization. Over twenty different AC samples were synthesized and evaluated for their CO2 adsorption capacities. The optimal conditions, identified as 700 °C, 1.5 h, and a 3:1 (KOH/C) impregnation ratio, yielded AC with exceptional CO2 uptake capacities of 6.71 mmol/g at 0 °C and 4.214 mmol/g at 25 °C, outperforming most previously reported biomass-derived ACs. This superior performance is attributed to the well-developed nanoporous structure and high nitrogen content of the optimized sample, as confirmed by N2 adsorption isotherms, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The optimized AC demonstrated excellent stability over multiple adsorption-desorption cycles. Additionally, a high isosteric enthalpy of adsorption (35 kJ/mol at 0.2 mmol/g) further confirmed preferential CO2 adsorption at energetically favorable nanopore sites. This study underscores the potential of date-palm leaflets as a sustainable and abundant precursor for synthesizing high-efficacy AC for carbon capture.

This research aimed to isolate aflatoxigenic Aspergillus spp. and quantify the levels of aflatoxins (AF) in Pakistani rice (N = 180) and conduct a case study to assess the AF decontamination effect of accelerated aging (AA) using microwave and improved storage practices of brown rice. AF-producing A. flavus and A. parasiticus strains were recovered from 120 samples analyzed (66.7 %) at median counts of 2.88 and 2.33 Log colony forming units/g, respectively. AF levels in Pakistani rice (paddy, brown, and white rice) exceeded the EU maximum permissible limit (MPL) of 5 μg/kg for AFB1 and 10 μg/kg for total AFs in 29.8 % and 15.6 % of samples, respectively. Brown rice showed the highest AF contamination (85 %), followed by paddy rice (83.3 %) and white rice (76.7 %), with median levels of 7.65, 5.70 and 4.38 μg/kg, respectively. Compared with traditional storage of brown rice aged naturally, AF levels in kernels submitted to AA along with improved storage had a 46 % reduction during 180-day storage. Compared with naturally aged samples, AA brown rice had lower values of fatty acid, and higher levels of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity at day 180 of storage. Data presented indicated that AA using microwave and proper storage practices are valuable strategies to mitigate AF contamination in brown rice, with additional beneficial effects on the product's quality during storage.

In response to the growing global energy crisis and environmental degradation, the development of clean, sustainable energy technologies is imperative. Solar energy, with its vast availability and minimal ecological footprint, is a leading candidate. Among the emerging photovoltaic technologies, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are gaining attention for their tuneable optoelectronic properties and low-cost processing. This study employs a 2D model simulation on COMSOL Multiphysics to investigate two lead-free PSC designs, focusing on structural optimization. Notable results for the ZnSe/BiFeO3/spiro-OMeTAD cell include a maximum short-circuit current density (J sc) of 9.83 mA cm-2 and a peak efficiency of 10.72% at 75 nm electron transport layer thickness, open-circuit voltage (V oc) of 2.2 V at 125 nm hole transport layer thickness, and fill factor (FF) of 73.77% at 100 nm BFO thickness. For the ZnSe/CsSnI3/spiro cell, a maximum efficiency of 17.56%, FF of 79.91%, V oc of 1.01 V, and J sc of 28.32 mA cm-2 were achieved. The study specifically explored the direct relation between the FF and hole transport layer thickness in a perovskite-based green photovoltaic device. These findings highlight the promising potential of lead-free perovskites for efficient, stable, and environmentally benign solar cells. This work supports the advancement of inorganic PSCs, contributing to the global shift toward renewable energy.

A novel bimetallic nickel-copper doped zinc ferrite based catalyst has been synthesized using the hydrothermal method. The nano-sized bimetallic (Ni-Cu) zinc ferrites were embedded with graphene oxide (GO). The characterization of nano-sized bimetallic (Ni-Cu) zinc ferrites with graphene oxide (GO) involves a comprehensive set of analytical techniques to determine their elemental composition, structural properties, and morphological features. The prepared materials were also subjected to structural and morphological evaluation through FTIR, Raman, XRD, TGA, UV–vis spectroscopy, and SEM with EDX. The experiment for the photodegradation of the selected model pollutant dye, methylene blue was conducted using the prepared materials. This means that the present photocatalyst has a high efficiency of degrading the pollutant to a tune of 99 % within 3 h. When the amount of GO in the prepared nanocomposite was 40 %, there was the perfect result in terms of no degradation of MB. It reduced and deteriorated the degree of band gap energy of the MB dye. The photocatalyst activity was proven to be repeatable; the sample's use was again possible. A decrease in the band gap energy implies that the improved photocatalyst material becomes more efficient at absorbing light energy. This enhanced light absorption promotes the generation of electron-hole pairs, which are essential for catalytic reactions. Therefore, the reduction in band gap energy likely contributes to the catalyst's heightened ability to initiate the degradation of the MB dye, ultimately leading to more effective pollutant removal. In the future, the synthesized sample can be reused without significant loss in its catalytic efficiency, underscoring the stability and durability of the material. The current study has paramount importance for real-world applications; reliable performance over multiple cycles ensures that the catalyst remains effective in addressing pollution challenges over prolonged periods.

This study highlights the transformation of lignin, an agricultural byproduct, into a multifunctional material with significant environmental applications. A chromium-doped zinc oxide/lignin nanocomposite (L@CrZnO) was synthesized and characterized to evaluate its dual functionality in organic pollutant removal and antibacterial activity. Methylene blue (MB) was used as a model contaminant to assess photocatalytic performance under varying conditions of dosage (0.005-0.025 g/mL), reaction time (30-75 min), and temperature (25-40 degrees C). Optimization using the Box-Behnken design revealed a 94 % confidence level between predicted and experimental outcomes. Additionally, L@CrZnO exhibited superior antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones of 5.5 +/- 0.3 cm for Staphylococcus aureus and 5.8 +/- 0.1 cm for Escherichia coli. These results demonstrate the material's potential as a versatile tool for water purification and pathogen control. This work underscores the value of lignin in developing sustainable, high-performance materials for environmental remediation.