Chemical selectivity is traditionally understood in the context of rigid molecular scaffolds with precisely defined local coordination and chemical environments that ultimately facilitate a given transformation of interest. By contrast, nature leverages dynamic structures and strong coupling to enable specific interactions with target species in otherwise complex media. Taking inspiration from nature, we demonstrate unconventional selectivity in the solvent extraction of light over heavy lanthanides using a conformationally flexible ligand called octadecyl acyclopa (ODA).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLead-free inorganic halide perovskites, specifically BaPX (X = Cl, F, I, Br) have gained attention in green photovoltaics due to their remarkable mechanical, optical, structural, and electronic properties. Using first-principles calculations, we investigated the mechanical, electronic, and optical characteristics of BaPX, revealing direct band gaps at the -symmetry point, assessed with the PBE and HSE functionals. The charge distribution analysis shows strong ionic bonding between Ba and halides and covalent bonding between P and halides.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrecise prediction of adsorption in a multicomponent system is vital for successful design of dye-contaminated industrial wastewater treatment processes. The present work looks for the reason behind the failure of the competitive Langmuir model (CLM) to describe adsorption in such systems, while the Langmuir model (LM) successfully describes the process for a single dye solution. With that end, derivations of LM and CLM have been revisited, and a criterion for the universality of active sites has been defined.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLower back pain (LBP) is a prevalent issue affecting individuals globally. This study explored factors associated with LBP among rickshaw pullers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 299 bicycle rickshaw pullers in Mirpur from July to November 2019.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOne of the challenges in carbon fiber production centers around the high cost of raw materials required for fiber precursors or complex production processes involving multiple steps. This research paper delves into the utilization of asphaltene sourced from Alberta oil sands as an alternative precursor material that is low cost for carbon fiber production. We investigated the carbon fiber production process using a blend of different asphaltene types via melt-spinning technology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF