Unveiling efficient S-scheme charge carrier transfer in hierarchical BiOBr/TiO heterojunction photocatalysts.

The construction of a potential heterojunction catalyst with proper interface alignment has become a hot topic in the scientific community to effectively utilize solar energy. In this work, a one-dimensional TiO nanofiber/BiOBr S-scheme heterojunction was synthesized, and charge carrier dynamics within the interface channel were explored. In addition, we incorporated mixed phase TiO with point defects and oxygen vacancies, which greatly promoted the initial band edge shift from the UV region.

MXene-Derived TiO/Starbon Nanocomposite as a Remarkable Electrode Material for Coin-Cell Symmetric Supercapacitor.

In this study, the synthesis of a MXene (TiCT)-derived TiO/starbon (M-TiO/Starbon-800 °C) nanocomposite using a facile calcination method is explored. High-temperature exposure transforms layered TiCT into rod-like TiO and starbon into amorphous carbon. The resulting M-TiO/Starbon-800 °C nanocomposite exhibits a significantly larger surface area and pore volume compared to its individual components, leading to superior electrochemical performance.

self-assembly of molybdenum carbide and iron carbide heterostructures on N-doped carbon for an efficient oxygen reduction reaction.

Identifying highly stable, cost-effective, platinum-free, and efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) remains a formidable challenge. The ORR is important for advancing fuel cell and zinc-air battery (ZAB) technologies towards cost-efficiency and environmental sustainability. This work presents the utilization of economically viable materials through a straightforward synthesis process, exhibiting the development of efficient MoC/FeC-NC catalysts ingeniously derived from phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) and iron phthalocyanine (FePc).

Unprecedented Multifunctionality in Novel Monophase Micro/Nanostructured Ti-Zn Alloy.

It is always challenging to integrate multiple functions into one material system. However, those materials/devices will address society's critical global challenges and technological demands if achieved with innovative design strategies and engineering. Here, one such material with a broader spectrum of desired properties appropriate for seven applications is identified and explored, and a glucose-sensing-triggered energy-storage mechanism is demonstrated.

Carbon Nanotube/Boron Nitride Nanocomposite as a Significant Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction and Oxygen Evolution Reactions.

It is an immense challenge to develop bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER) in low temperature fuel cells and rechargeable metal-air batteries. Herein, a simple and cost-effective approach is developed to prepare novel materials based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and a hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanocomposite (CNT/BN) through a one-step hydrothermal method. The structural analysis and morphology study confirms the formation of a homogeneous composite and merging of few exfoliated graphene layers of CNTs on the graphitic planes of h-BN, respectively.

Confinement of DNA in water-in-oil microemulsions.

The study of systems that allow DNA condensation in confined environments is an important task in producing cell-mimicking microreactors capable of biochemical activities. The water droplets formed in water-in-oil emulsions are potentially good candidates for such microcompartments. The anionic surfactant AOT was used here to stabilize the droplets.

Transmetalation reaction between hydrophobic silver nanoparticles and aqueous chloroaurate ions at the air-water interface.

The transmetalation reaction between a sacrificial nanoparticle and more noble metal ions in solution has emerged as a novel method for creating unique hollow and bimetallic nanostructures. In this report, we investigate the possibility of carrying out the transmetalation reaction between hydrophobic silver nanoparticles assembled and constrained at the air-water interface and subphase gold ions. We observe that facile reduction of the subphase gold ions by the sacrificial silver nanoparticles occurs resulting in the formation of elongated gold nanostructures that appear to cross-link the sacrificial silver particles.

Phase transfer of oleic acid capped Ni(core)Ag(shell) nanoparticles assisted by the flexibility of oleic acid on the surface of silver.

The phase transfer protocols in vogue for the oleic acid capped silver nanoparticles, viz., salt-induced precipitation and redispersion or phosphoric acid-induced method, are examined and compared thoroughly. A comprehensive evaluation with respect to the mechanistic aspects involved is made and the merits and demerits of the different procedures are delineated.

Synthesis of aqueous Au core-Ag shell nanoparticles using tyrosine as a pH-dependent reducing agent and assembling phase-transferred silver nanoparticles at the air-water interface.

We demonstrate that the amino acid tyrosine is an excellent reducing agent under alkaline conditions and may be used to reduce Ag+ ions to synthesize stable silver nanoparticles in water. The tyrosine-reduced silver nanoparticles may be separated out as a powder that is readily redispersible in water. The silver ion reduction at high pH occurs due to ionization of the phenolic group in tyrosine that is then capable of reducing Ag+ ions and is in turn converted to a semi-quinone structure.

Formation of platinum nanoparticles at air-water interfaces by the spontaneous reduction of subphase chloroplatinate anions by hexadecylaniline Langmuir monolayers.

The one-step electrostatic complexation, reduction of aqueous chloroplatinate ions, and capping of the platinum nanoparticles thus formed by hexadecylaniline Langmuir monolayers is described. The capping of the platinum nanoparticles formed spontaneously at the air-water interface by hexadecylaniline enables their facile transfer as multilayers onto suitable solid substrates by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. The real-time reduction of the aqueous chloroplatinate ions at the air-water interface was followed by measurement of the pressure-area isotherms, while the multilayer Langmuir-Blodgett films were characterized by quartz crystal microgravimetry, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy.

Langmuir-Blodgett films of laurylamine-modified hydrophobic gold nanoparticles organized at the air-water interface.

The organization of hydrophobized colloidal gold nanoparticles at air-water interface and the formation thereafter of lamellar, multilayer films of the gold nanoparticles by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique is described in this paper. The hydrophobization of the colloidal particles was accomplished by the direct chemisorption of laurylamine molecules on aqueous colloidal gold nanoparticles during a phase-transfer process. While monolayers of the laurylamine-capped gold nanoparticles at the air-water interface were not amenable to layer-by-layer transfer onto solid supports, it was observed that addition of the water-insoluble amphiphile octadecanol to the gold nanoparticle solution improved the stability of the monolayer at the interface as well as the multilayer assembly protocol.