BiWO and FeWO Nanocatalysts for the Electrochemical Water Oxidation Process.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-assisted nanocatalyst preparation was succeeded by employing a controlled solvothermal route to produce efficient electrodes for electrochemical water-splitting applications. BiWO and FeWO nanocatalysts have been confirmed through the strong signature of (113) and (111) crystal planes, respectively. The binding natures of Bi-W-O and Fe-W-O have been thoroughly discussed by employing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy which confirmed the formation of BiWO and FeWO.

Morphology-Dependent Photoelectrochemical and Photocatalytic Performance of -Bi₂O₃ Nanostructures.

Simple one-step solvothermal route was used to synthesize -Bi₂O₃ nanostructures. Well-defined nanoflowers and finite nanorods surface morphology of the samples were revealed. The physical characterization and material confirmation was explored by employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, photoluminescence (PL), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies.

MnFe₂O₄ Nanoparticles as an Efficient Electrode for Energy Storage Applications.

In this study, solvothermal method was used for the synthesis of MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles at different processing period of 7, 14, and 21 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern study confirms that MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles correspond to the face-centered cubic spinel structure and belong to the [227] space group. From Raman spectra analysis, two major peaks were observed at 476 and 616 cm, which correspond to the vibration modes of MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles; especially, the broad peak at 620 cm (A1g) corresponds to the symmetric stretching vibration of oxygen atoms at tetrahedral site.

Advanced CuSn and Selenized CuSn@Cu Foam as Electrocatalysts for Water Oxidation under Alkaline and Near-Neutral Conditions.

Water electrolysis is a field growing rapidly to replace the limited fossil fuels for harvesting energy in future. In searching of non-noble and advanced electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), here we highlight a new and advanced catalyst, selenized CuSn@Cu foam, with overwhelming activity for OER under both alkaline (1 M KOH) and near-neutral (1 M NaHCO) conditions. The catalysts were prepared by a double hydrothermal treatment where CuSn is first formed which further underwent for second hydrothermal condition for selenization.

Evaluating DNA Derived and Hydrothermally Aided Cobalt Selenide Catalysts for Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation.

Electrocatalysts with engaging oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity with lesser overpotentials are highly desired to have increased cell efficiency. In this work, cobalt selenide catalysts were prepared utilizing both wet-chemical route (CoSe and CoSe-DNA) and hydrothermal route (CoSe-hyd). In wet-chemical route, cobalt selenide is prepared with DNA (CoSe-DNA) and without DNA (CoSe).

BiVO₄ Nanostructures for Photoelectrochemical (PEC) Solar Water Splitting Applications.

We reported a simple and economical SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) assisted BiVO₄ solvothermal synthesis of BiVO₄ nanostructures. The implementation of pristine and SDS assisted BiVO₄ nanostructure as photoanode in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting was investigated. The good crystalline nature, defects present in the material, recombination nature and vibrational properties of the synthesized BiVO₄ nanostructures have been analyzed and confirmed by XRD, Raman, PL and FTIR studies.

Low Surface Energy and pH Effect on SnO₂ Nanoparticles Formation for Supercapacitor Applications.

The SnO₂ nanoparticles formation by hydrothermal method at different experimental conditions such as temperature, pH, reaction time, and capping agent (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide), was studied. X-ray diffraction results confirmed regular rutile crystal structure of SnO₂. The characteristic Raman peak observed at 635 cm corresponded to A modes of Sn-O vibrations.

Investigating the usefulness of chitosan based proton exchange membranes tailored with exfoliated molybdenum disulfide nanosheets for clean energy applications.

Chitosan based proton exchange membranes (PEMs) has been synthesized by a facile solution casting strategy using two-dimensional exfoliated molybdenum disulfide (E-MoS) nanosheets. The prepared PEMs are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), water uptake, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), AC impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. In comparison with pure chitosan membrane, E-MoS nanosheets incorporated membranes exhibit excellent water absorbing capacity, ion-exchange capacity and proton conductivity.

Nanosheets of Nickel Iron Hydroxy Carbonate Hydrate with Pronounced OER Activity under Alkaline and Near-Neutral Conditions.

Evaluation of unique catalysts of the iron group metals with activity in the OER region similar to that of scarce metals is of great importance to achieve sustainable production of H on a large scale. Herein, we report the unique nanosheets of nickel iron hydroxy carbonate hydrate (NiFeHCH) which were prepared through a wet-chemical route within 1 h of reaction time, acting as an efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in both alkaline and near-neutral media. The NiFeHCH was prepared with different concentrations of Fe in different ratios: 1:0.

In Situ Synthesis of Silver Nanospheres, Nanocubes, and Nanowires over Boron-Doped Graphene Sheets for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Application and Enzyme-Free Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide.

An effective in situ synthesis strategy is demonstrated for the preparation of silver nanostructures (nanospheres (NSs), nanocubes (NCs), and nanowires (NWs)) on the surface of boron-doped graphene (BG). Further, these functional nanomaterials are employed for the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and non-enzymatic electrochemical detection of HO. The results confirm the superior performance of BG-Ag nanostructures as SERS platform.

Biosynthesis of Copper Oxide (CuO) Nanowires and Their Use for the Electrochemical Sensing of Dopamine.

A facile one-step, eco-friendly, and cost-effective approach for the formation of copper oxide (CuO) nanowires by a green method using saponin-rich fruit extract (SMFE). The physio-chemical characteristics of the synthesized CuO nanowires have been characterized by X-ray Diffractometry (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, FE-SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM). Further, the electrocatalytic activity of the CuO nanowires synthesized with SMFE has been investigated, and they have been used as dopamine (DA) sensors.

Synthesis of ultra-small Rh nanoparticles congregated over DNA for catalysis and SERS applications.

Exploration of rare earth metals for the Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) is greatly preferred to identify probe molecules even at nano molar level. Highly stable Rh nanoparticles (NPs) which are ultra-small size have been prepared within 20 min of reaction time as a colloidal solution using a bio-molecular scaffold DNA and NaBH as a reducing agent under room temperature. While keeping metal ion concentration fixed and by making difference in DNA concentration, three different sets of Rh@DNA such as 0.

Cytocompatibility assessment of Ti-Nb-Zr-Si thin film metallic glasses with enhanced osteoblast differentiation for biomedical applications.

Biologically safe Ti-based quaternary Ti-Nb-Zr-Si thin film metallic glass (TFMG) was fabricated by sputtering on Titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V or Ti alloy) substrates. A preliminary assessment regarding glass forming ability, thermal stability and corrosion behavior was performed. The amorphous nature of the film is evidenced from the X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) patterns.

2D MoSe sheets embedded over a high surface graphene hybrid for the amperometric detection of NADH.

Delaminated 2D sheets of MoSe were prepared by liquid phase exfoliation and were embedded over high surface area hydrogen exfoliated graphene (HEG) by a simple technique. The MoSe/HEG hybrid composite exhibits fast heterogeneous electron-transfer (HET) and a high electrochemically active surface area compared to only HEG. When employed for detection of NADH, it exhibits electrooxidation at a low potential of 150 mV (vs.

Exopolysaccharide from Bacillus cereus VK1: Enhancement, characterization and its potential application in heavy metal removal.

Increasing interests in industrialization invites acute or chronic toxicity into the environment resulting in serious ecological risks. This can be efficiently handled by bioremediation techniques. Hence in the present study, an exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing bacterium was isolated and identified as Bacillus cereus VK1 by 16S rRNA characterization.

Framework of ruthenium-containing nickel hydrotalcite-type material: preparation, characterisation, and its catalytic application.

The framework ruthenium-containing nickel (NiRu) hydrotalcite (HT)-type materials were prepared by a co-precipitation method for the first time in this study. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the formation of a layered hydrotalcite-type phase. DRUV-Vis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies revealed the presence of nickel in the +2 and +3 oxidation states along with the presence of ruthenium as Ru ions.

Vertical Alignment of Liquid Crystals Over a Functionalized Flexible Substrate.

A simple and effective approach for vertical alignment of liquid crystals (LCs) over a functionalized transparent flexible substrate is described. Surface characterization of this commercially available plastic substrate through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR) indicated that cellulose acetate is main component of the transparent substrate. This substrate was chemically functionalized with a suitable LC compound.

Structural, Optical and Magnetic Properties of NiO Nanopowders.

Nickel oxide (NiO) nanopowders were synthesized without using surfactant by chemical reduction technique. NaBH4 influence on structural, optical and magnetic properties of NiO product was investigated. XRD results revealed the formation of dominant single phase, cubic face centered nickel oxide.

A membrane electroflotation process for recovery of recyclable chromium(III) from tannery spent liquor effluent.

A two-compartment membrane electroflotation reactor has been demonstrated for recovery of recyclable chromium(III) from tannery spent liquor effluent. Dimensionally stable RuO/TiO-Ti and Ti were used as anode and cathode, respectively. The spent liquor effluent was used as catholyte and 0.

Custom-made PEI/exfoliated-MoS nanocomposite ultrafiltration membranes for separation of bovine serum albumin and humic acid.

Herein, we report the effect of the exfoliated molybdenum disulfide (eMoS) nanosheets in improving the permeability and anti-fouling properties of the PEI ultra-filtration (UF) membrane using bovine serum albumin (BSA) and humic acid (HA) as model fouling agents. The PEI/eMoS nanocomposite membranes were prepared via phase inversion method using three different eMoS concentrations (0.5, 1 and 2wt%) designated as PEI-0.

Combined electrochemical, sunlight-induced oxidation and biological process for the treatment of chloride containing textile effluent.

This study presents a combined electrochemical, sunlight-induced oxidation and biological process for the treatment of textile effluent. In the first step, RuO-TiO/Ti and Titanium were used as the electrodes in EO process and color removal was achieved in 40 min at an applied current density of 20 mA cm. The EO process generated about 250 mg L of active chlorine which hampered the subsequent biological treatment process.

Highly sensitive novel cathodic electrochemiluminescence of tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(ii) using glutathione as a co-reactant.

Herein, glutathione was used as a co-reactant for the first time to generate a novel, highly stable, and enhanced cathodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) on a simple bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface using the Ru(bpy) molecule in an alkaline pH phosphate buffer solution (PBS).

Self-Assembled Molecular Hybrids of CoS-DNA for Enhanced Water Oxidation with Low Cobalt Content.

Water oxidation in alkaline medium was efficiently catalyzed by the self-assembled molecular hybrids of CoS-DNA that had 20 times lower Co loading than the commonly used loading. The morphological outcome was directed by varying the molar ratio of metal precursor Co(Ac) and DNA and three different sets of CoS-DNA molecular hybrids, viz. CoS-DNA(0.

Controlled Growth of Gold Nanostars: Effect of Spike Length on SERS Signal Enhancement.

Two different types of gold nanostars (Au NS), namely, short-spiked nanostars (SSNS) and long-spiked nanostars (LSNS), are prepared by using a hexagonal lyotropic liquid-crystalline (LLC) phase as a template. The formation, size and length of spikes or arms of the resultant Au NS are controlled by preparation in either a hexagonal LLC phase or an isotropic phase. These NS are anchored onto indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes through a self-assembled monolayer of 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, which acts as a linker molecule.

Microwave-Initiated Facile Formation of NiSe Nanoassemblies for Enhanced and Stable Water Splitting in Neutral and Alkaline Media.

Molecular hydrogen (H) generation through water splitting with minimum energy loss has become practically possible due to the recent evolution of high-performance electrocatalysts. In this study, we fabricated, evaluated, and presented such a high-performance catalyst which is the NiSe nanoassemblies that can efficiently catalyze water splitting in neutral and alkaline media. A hierarchical nanoassembly of NiSe was fabricated by functionalizing the surface-cleaned Ni foam using NaHSe solution as the Se source with the assistance of microwave irradiation (300 W) for 3 min followed by 5 h of aging at room temperature (RT).