Bismuth ferrite based acetone gas sensor: evaluation of graphene oxide loading.

We report a BiFeO/graphene oxide (BFO/GO) perovskite, synthesized using a CTAB-functionalized glycine combustion route, as a potential material for acetone gas sensing applications. The physicochemical properties of the developed perovskite were analysed using XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, HRTEM, EDAX and XPS. The gas sensing performance was analysed for various test gases, including ethanol, acetone, propanol, ammonia, nitric acid, hydrogen sulphide and trimethylamine at a concentration of 500 ppm.

Electrical transport properties of [(1 - )succinonitrile:poly(ethylene oxide)]-LiCFSO-Co[tris-(2,2'-bipyridine)](TFSI)-Co[tris-(2,2'-bipyridine)](TFSI) solid redox mediators.

A solid redox mediator (solid electrolyte) with an electrical conductivity () greater than 10 S cm is an essential requirement for a dye-sensitized solar cell in the harsh weather of Gulf countries. This paper reports the electrical properties of solid redox mediators prepared using highly dissociable ionic salts: Co[tris-(2,2'-bipyridine)](TFSI), Co[tris-(2,2'-bipyridine)](TFSI), and LiCFSO as a source of Co, Co, and Li ions, respectively, in a solid matrix: [(1 - )succinonitrile:poly(ethylene oxide)], where = 0, 0.5, and 1 in weight fraction.

Evaluation of Structural, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Properties of Co-Substituted NiCuZn Ferrites.

We report citrate gel-assisted autocombusted spinel-type Co-substituted NiCuZn ferrites and their electromagnetic properties. Several complementary techniques were used to investigate the influence of Co on structural and electromagnetic properties of NiCoCuZnFeO with = 0.00-0.

Effect of Mixing Time on Properties of Whole Wheat Flour-Based Cookie Doughs and Cookies.

This study investigated if whole wheat flour-based cookie dough's physical properties were affected by mixing time (1 to 10 min). The cookie dough quality was assessed using texture (spreadability and stress relaxation), moisture content, and impedance analysis. The distributed components were better organized in dough mixed for 3 min when compared with the other times.

Structural, Thermal, and Electrical Properties of Poly(Ethylene Oxide)-Tetramethyl Succinonitrile Blend for Redox Mediators.

An all-solid−state dye-sensitized solar cell is one of the non-fossil fuel-based electrochemical devices for electricity generation in a high-temperature region. This device utilizes a redox mediator, which is a fast ion-conducting solid polymer electrolyte (SPE). The SPE makes the device economical, thinner, and safer in high-temperature regions.

Effect of Accelerated Weathering on the Thermal, Tensile, and Morphological Characteristics of Polypropylene/Date Nanofiller Composites.

The aging of polypropylene (PP) composites reinforced with date palm nanofiber (DNF) was investigated in this study in order to predict their long-term performance. To produce composites, date palm nanofibers in the range of 1-5 wt% loading were dry-melt-blended with polypropylene. These biocomposites were then subjected to UV exposure (Xenon arch source) for accelerated weathering for 250 and 500 h according to a standard method.

Development of a Soft Robotic Bending Actuator Based on a Novel Sulfonated Polyvinyl Chloride-Phosphotungstic Acid Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite (IPMC) Membrane.

This work presents the development of a cost-effective electric-stimulus-responsive bending actuator based on a sulfonated polyvinyl chloride (SPVC)-phosphotungstic acid (PTA) ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC), using a simple solution-casting method followed by chemical reduction of platinum (Pt) ions as an electrode. The characterizations of the prepared IPMC were performed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Excellent ion-exchange capacity (IEC) and proton conductivity (PC), with values of ca.

Achievements and pitfalls in improving Pediatric Oncology Nursing standards: A public-private partnership project.

Rationale: Approximately 8,000 new cases of pediatric cancer arise annually in Pakistan. However, there is a dire survival rate of 30-35% due to various factors, especially a lack of competent nurses in pediatric oncology care. Public-private partnerships (PPP) supported by a My Child Matters (MCM) Grant from Sanofi Espoir Foundation was granted to Indus Hospital & Health Network (IH&HN) to improve pediatric nursing standards.

Electrical Transport, Structural, Optical and Thermal Properties of [(1-)Succinonitrile: PEO]-LiTFSI-Co(bpy)(TFSI)-Co(bpy)(TFSI) Solid Redox Mediators.

The solar cell has been considered one of the safest modes for electricity generation. In a dye-sensitized solar cell, a commonly used iodide/triiodide redox mediator inhibits back-electron transfer reactions, regenerates dyes, and reduces triiodide into iodide. The use of iodide/triiodide redox, however, imposes several problems and hence needs to be replaced by alternative redox.

Date-Palm-Derived Cellulose Nanocrystals as Reinforcing Agents for Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Guar-Gum-Based Phase-Separated Composite Films.

The current study delineates the use of date-palm-derived cellulose nanocrystals (dp-CNCs) as reinforcing agents. dp-CNCs were incorporated in varying amounts to poly(vinyl alcohol)/guar-gum-based phase-separated composite films. The films were prepared by using the solution casting method, which employed glutaraldehyde as the crosslinking agent.

Platinum-coated silicotungstic acid-sulfonated polyvinyl alcohol-polyaniline based hybrid ionic polymer metal composite membrane for bending actuation applications.

An electro-stimulus-responsive bending actuator was developed by synthesizing a non-perfluorinated membrane based on silicotungstic acid (SA), sulfonated polyvinyl alcohol (SPVA), and polyaniline (PANI). The membrane was developed via solution casting method. The dry membrane SA/SPVA showed a sufficient ion-exchange potential of 1.

A Convenient and Simple Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite (IPMC) Actuator Based on a Platinum-Coated Sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone)-Polyaniline Composite Membrane.

Herein, we present new approaches for developing sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) and polyaniline-based (PANI) actuator formed by film-casting and chemical reduction of Pt electrodes. We have thoroughly studied the synthesis of SPEEK and characterized it by different analytical techniques. The ion-exchange capacity (IEC) and proton conductivity of SPEEK-PANI polymer membrane were calculated to be 1.

Tetramethyl Succinonitrile as a Solid Plasticizer in a Poly(ethylene oxide) -LiI-I Solid Polymer Electrolyte.

Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is a promising alternative to the commercially available amorphous silicon-based solar cell because of several advantageous properties. A DSSC with a fast ion conducting solid polymer electrolyte is required for the arid atmosphere of Gulf countries. In this work, a new matrix, poly(ethylene oxide)-tetramethyl succinonitrile blend to synthesize a blend-LiI-I solid polymer electrolyte for the DSSC application has been proposed.

Isolation and Characterization of Alpha and Nanocrystalline Cellulose from Date Palm ( L.) Trunk Mesh.

Highly pure cellulosic polymers obtained from waste lignocellulose offer great potential for designing novel materials in the concept of biorefinery. In this work, alpha-cellulose and nanocrystalline cellulose were isolated from the date palm trunk mesh (DPTM) through a series of physicochemical treatments. Supercritical carbon dioxide treatment was used to remove soluble extractives, and concentrated alkali pretreatment was used to eliminate the lignin portion selectively to obtain alpha-cellulose in approximately 94% yield.

Green synthesis of silk sericin-embedded silver nanoparticles and their antibacterial application against multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Background: The green synthesis strategy of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) has become popular due to being environmentally friendly. Stable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized by natural products such as starch, soy protein, various extract of leaves, barks, and roots functioning both as reducing and stabilizing agents. Likewise, silk sericin (SS) is a globular protein discarded in the silk factory might be used for NP synthesis.

Strontium Aluminate-Based Long Afterglow PP Composites: Phosphorescence, Thermal, and Mechanical Characteristics.

A tremendous potential has been observed in the designing of long afterglow materials for sensing, bioimaging, and encryption applications. In this study, two different strontium aluminate-based luminescent materials; SrAlO: Eu, Dy (S), and SrAlO: Eu, Dy (S) were melt-mixed with polypropylene (PP) matrix, and the phosphorescence properties were evaluated. After excitation at 320 nm, the PP/S composite exhibited a green emission and the PP/S generated a blue emission at 520 nm and 495 nm, respectively.

Engineered biochar from wood apple shell waste for high-efficient removal of toxic phenolic compounds in wastewater.

This study investigated a novel agricultural low-cost bio-waste biochar derived from wood apple fruit shell waste via the pyrolysis method, which is modified by ball milling and utilized to remove toxic phenol and chlorophenols (4-CPh and 2,4-DCPh) from contaminated aqueous media. The ball-milled wood apple fruit shell waste biochar (WAS-BC) sorbent was systematically analyzed by BET, CHN, and FTIR as well as particle size, SEM-EDS, XPS and TGA studies. The sorption equilibrium and kinetic studies exhibit that the sorption capacity was greater than 75% within the first 45 min of agitation at pH 6.

Understanding the Electrical Transport-Structure Relationship and Photovoltaic Properties of a [Succinonitrile-Ionic Liquid]-LiI-I Redox Electrolyte.

The properties of succinonitrile-based electrolytes can be enhanced by the addition of an ionic liquid (IL). Here, we have reported the relationship between the electrical transport properties and the structure of a new [(1 - )succinonitrile:IL]-LiI-I electrolyte, where the mole fraction () of the IL (1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium iodide) was varied from 0 to 40%. Compositional variation revealed the optimum conducting electrolyte (OCE) at = 10 mol %, possessing an electrical conductivity (σ) of ∼7.

Date palm biochar-polymer composites: An investigation of electrical, mechanical, thermal and rheological characteristics.

The application of biochar (BC) as a filler in polymers can be viewed as a sustainable approach that incorporates pyrolysed waste based value-added material and simultaneously mitigate bio-waste in a smart way. The overarching aim of this work was to investigate the electrical, mechanical, thermal and rheological properties of biocomposite developed by utilizing date palm waste-derived BC for the reinforcing of polypropylene (PP) matrix. Date palm waste derived BC prepared at (700 and 900°C) were blended at different proportions with polypropylene and the resultant composites (BC/PP) were characterized using an array of techniques (scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy).