Polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate-based conductive hydrogels with in situ formed bimetallic zeolitic imidazolate frameworks towards soft electronics.

Bimetallic zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (BZIFs) have received enormous attention due to their unique physi-chemical properties, but are rarely reported for electrically conductive hydrogel (ECH) applications arising from low intrinsic conductivity and poor dispersion. Herein, we propose an innovative strategy to prepare highly conductive and mechanically robust ECHs by in situ growing Ni/Co-BZIFs within the polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate dual network (PZPS). 2-methylimidazole (MeIM) ligands copolymerize with pyrrole monomers, enhancing the electrical conductivity; meanwhile, MeIM ligands act as anchor points for in-situ formation of BZIFs, effectively avoiding phase-to-phase interfacial resistance and ensuring a uniform distribution in the hydrogel network.

Cellulose nanofibers-based composite film with broadening MXene layer spacing and rapid moisture separation for humidity sensing and humidity actuators.

Based on the basic idea of expanding the interlayer spacing of MXene, utilizing the effect of gallic acid-modified cellulose nanofibers for rapid moisture separation, the flexible sensing and driving composite film with a perfect balance among humidity signal response and mechanical properties was prepared. Inspired by the stacking of autumn fallen leaves, the cellulose nanofibers-based composite films were formed by self-assembly under vacuum filtration of blending gallic acid-modified cellulose nanofibers with MXene. The enhanced mechanical properties (tensile strength 131.

Moisture Power Generation: From Material Selection to Device Structure Optimization.

Moisture power generation (MPG) technology, producing clean and sustainable energy from a humid environment, has drawn significant attention and research efforts in recent years as a means of easing the energy crisis. Despite the rapid progress, MPG technology still faces numerous challenges with the most significant one being the low power-generating performance of individual MPG devices. In this review, we introduce the background and underlying principles of MPG technology while thoroughly explaining how the selection of suitable materials (carbons, polymers, inorganic salts, etc.

Dynamical Janus-Like Behavior Excited by Passive Cold-Heat Modulation in the Earth-Sun/Universe System: Opportunities and Challenges.

The utilization of solar-thermal energy and universal cold energy has led to many innovative designs that achieve effective temperature regulation in different application scenarios. Numerous studies on passive solar heating and radiation cooling often operate independently (or actively control the conversion) and lack a cohesive framework for deep connections. This work provides a concise overview of the recent breakthroughs in solar heating and radiation cooling by employing a mechanism material in the application model.

Cerium Doping-Induced Enrichment of NiS Phase for Boosting Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

The development of low-cost transition metal compounds with high-performance for efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of great significance in promoting the development of electrocatalysis. In this study, a Ce-doped NiS catalyst (Ce-NiS) was synthesized through a one-step solvothermal method, where the doped rare earth element Ce induced the transformation of NiS to NiS. The Ce-NiS catalyst exhibited excellent OER performance in 1 M KOH.

Magnetic hydrochar grafted-chitosan for enhanced efficient adsorption of malachite green dye from aqueous solutions: Modeling, adsorption behavior, and mechanism analysis.

Water pollution by organic dyes is one of the most serious environmental problems worldwide. Malachite green (MG) is considered as one the serious organic dyes which is discharged in wastewater by leather and textile manufacturing plants. MG dye can cause severe hazards to the environment and human health.

Preparation and Characterization of Physically Activated Carbon and Its Energetic Application for All-Solid-State Supercapacitors: A Case Study.

Biomass-derived activated carbons have gained significant attention as electrode materials for supercapacitors (SCs) due to their renewability, low-cost, and ready availability. In this work, we have derived physically activated carbon from date seed biomass as symmetric electrodes and PVA/KOH has been used as a gel polymer electrolyte for all-solid-state SCs. Initially, the date seed biomass was carbonized at 600 °C (C-600) and then it was used to obtain physically activated carbon through CO activation at 850 °C (C-850).

Insight into the corrosion mitigation performance of three novel benzimidazole derivatives of amino acids for carbon steel (X56) in 1 M HCl solution.

Three new organic molecules having a benzimidazole base were synthesized and used for the protection of carbon steel (X56) against corrosion in 1.00 M HCl solution. The protection against corrosion was assessed by electrochemical frequency modulation (EFM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP).

Effective corrosion inhibition of mild steel in hydrochloric acid by newly synthesized Schiff base nano Co(ii) and Cr(iii) complexes: spectral, thermal, electrochemical and DFT (FMO, NBO) studies.

Two new cobalt(ii) and chromium(iii) complexes were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, HNMR, UV, elemental analysis, TGA, conductivity, XRD, SEM, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Structural analysis revealed a bi-dentate chelation and octahedral geometry for the synthesized complexes. The optical band gap of the Co(ii)-L and Cr(iii)-L complexes was found to be 3.

Removal of azo dye from aqueous solution by a low-cost activated carbon prepared from coal: adsorption kinetics, isotherms study, and DFT simulation.

The high-risk organic pollutants produced by industries are of growing concern. The highly porous coal-based activated carbon (AC) having a specific surface area of 3452.8 m/g is used for the adsorption of azo dye from synthetic solution.