Bio-Based Aerogels in Energy Storage Systems.

Bio-aerogels have emerged as promising materials for energy storage, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional aerogels. This review addresses their syntheses, properties, and characterization challenges for use in energy storage devices such as rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells. Derived from renewable sources (such as cellulose, lignin, and chitosan), bio-based aerogels exhibit mesoporosity, high specific surface area, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, making them advantageous for environmental sustainability.

Catalytic Ozonation of Pharmaceuticals Using CeO-CeTiO-Doped Crossflow Ultrafiltration Ceramic Membranes.

The removal of persistent organic micropollutants (OMPs) from secondary effluent in wastewater treatment plants is critical for meeting water reuse standards. Traditional treatment methods often fail to adequately degrade these contaminants. This study explored the efficacy of a hybrid ozonation membrane filtration (HOMF) process using CeO and CeTiO-doped ceramic crossflow ultrafiltration ceramic membranes for the degradation of OMPs.

Sol-Gel Synthesis of Zinc Alumotitanate, Monitoring of Chelation, Hydrolysis, Condensation, and Crystallization Processes.

Zinc alumotitanate sorbents with various compositions were prepared through sol-gel synthesis with the use of ethyl acetoacetate as a chelating agent. The formation and decomposition of chelates, providing insight into sol-gel process advancement, have been successfully monitored via H NMR, C NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy. It has been established that Al(OBu) and Ti(OBu) react completely with Eaa, forming chelates after 1 h, while after 24 h hydrolysis is already advanced.

Influence of Manganese Content on Martensitic Transformation of Cu-Al-Mn-Ag Alloy.

The influence of manganese content on the formation of martensite structure and the final properties of a quaternary Cu-Al-Mn-Ag shape memory alloy (SMA) was investigated. Two alloys with designed compositions, Cu- 9%wt. Al- 16%wt.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of N/TiO Nanoparticles for Photocatalysis under Different Irradiation Spectra.

Nitrogen-doped TiO (N/TiO) photocatalyst nanoparticles were derived by the environmentally friendly and cost-effective microwave-assisted synthesis method. The samples were prepared at different reaction parameters (temperature and time) and precursor ratio (amount of nitrogen source; urea). The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy (RS), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms.

Synthesis and Nanoarchitectonics of Novel Squaraine Derivatives for Organic Photovoltaic Devices.

Necessary advancements in the area of organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices include the upgrade of power conversion efficiencies (PCE) and stability. One answer to these demands lies in the research into new absorbers. Here, we focus on the development of new small molecule absorbers from the group of squaraines (SQs).

Humidity Sensing Ceria Thin-Films.

Lowering the constitutive domains of semiconducting oxides to the nano-range has recently opened up the possibility of added benefit in the research area of sensing materials, in terms both of greater specific surface area and pore volume. Among such nanomaterials, ceria has attracted much attention; therefore, we chemically derived homogeneous ceria nanoparticle slurries. One set of samples was tape-casted onto a conducting glass substrate to form thin-films of various thicknesses, thereby avoiding demanding reaction conditions typical of physical depositions, while the other was pressed into pellets.

Structural and Electrical Characterization of Pure and Al-Doped ZnO Nanorods.

Pure and Al-doped (3 at.%) ZnO nanorods were prepared by two-step synthesis. In the first step, ZnO thin films were deposited on silicon wafers by spin coating; then, ZnO nanorods (NR) and Al-doped ZnO NR were grown using a chemical bath method.

Spontaneous Adsorption-Induced -like Micropillars with High Adhesion.

Superhydrophobic surfaces with high adhesion provide high potential for underwater applications. Inspired by leaf, here, we have reported a simple method for fabricating adhesive -like micropillars via photolithography and spontaneous adsorption of organic molecules from the atmosphere. With continuous hydrocarbon adsorption on sputtered cerium dioxide (CeO) films, the surface gradually evolved and eventually became chemically heterogeneous.

In-Operando Diffraction and Spectroscopic Evaluation of Pure, Zr-, and Ce-Doped Vanadium Dioxide Thermochromic Films Derived via Glycolate Synthesis.

Pure and doped vanadia (VO, VZrO, VCeO) samples were prepared by wet chemistry synthesis from vanadyl glycolate intermediate phase and tape casted into films. Combining in-operando grazing incidence synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, we studied the structural evolution of the films under isothermal conditions. The setup allowed assessment of the thermochromic functionality with continuous monitoring of the monoclinic to tetragonal transition in pure and doped vanadia phases, responsible for the transmission and reflection of light in the infrared part of the solar spectrum.

Titania-Coated Alumina Foam Photocatalyst for Memantine Degradation Derived by Replica Method and Sol-Gel Reaction.

In the present work, alumina (AlO) foam was prepared by the replica method where a polyurethane (PU) foam (30 pores per inch (ppi)) template was impregnated with a 60 wt.% AlO suspension. Sintered AlO foam was used as substrate for the deposition of sol-gel derived titania (TiO) film using dip coating.

Hardness and Indentation Fracture Toughness of Slip Cast Alumina and Alumina-Zirconia Ceramics.

Alumina (AlO) and zirconia (ZrO) have good overall properties and thus are widely used oxide technical ceramics. The biggest drawback of AlO is its low fracture toughness. In contrast, ZrO is relatively tough, but is also much more expensive.

ZnO@TiO Core Shell Nanorod Arrays with Tailored Structural, Electrical, and Optical Properties for Photovoltaic Application.

ZnO has prominent electron transport and optical properties, beneficial for photovoltaic application, but its surface is prone to the formation of defects. To overcome this problem, we deposited nanostructured TiO thin film on ZnO nanorods to form a stable shell. ZnO nanorods synthesized by wet-chemistry are single crystals.

Preparation of a PANI/ZnO Composite for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Acid Blue.

Polyaniline/zinc oxide (PANI/ZnO) composite photocatalysts were prepared from neutral media by in situ chemical oxidation of aniline (ANI) in the presence of different amounts of diethylene glycol (DEG). The PANI/ZnO composite photocatalysts were synthesized to efficiently remove organic dye (acid blue, AB25) from model wastewater. The PANI/ZnO composite photocatalysts were studied with the intention of efficient removal of organic dye (acid blue, AB25) from wastewater to obtain low-cost heterogeneous catalysts that offer high catalytic activity and stability.

Influence of various fluoride agents on working properties and surface characteristics of uncoated, rhodium coated and nitrified nickel-titanium orthodontic wires.

Objective: To analyze the effect of various fluoride formulations in commercially available agents on working properties of various nickel-titanium orthodontic wires.

Materials And Methods: Uncoated (NiTi), rhodium coated (RhNiTi) and nitrified (NNiTi) wires were immersed to dH2O, MiPaste, Elmex and Mirafluor for 1 h. Unloading slope characteristics (average force, bending action of the force and average plateau length) and the percentage of useable constant force during unloading were observed.