Highly efficient and thermally stable cyan-emitting ZnS/ZnO phosphors for full-visible-spectrum LED lighting.

Near-ultraviolet (NUV)-pumped white light-emitting-diodes (WLEDs) often suffer from poor color rendering in the 480-520 nm range, highlighting the need for an efficient cyan phosphor with strong absorption at 370-420 nm. This study presents the successful synthesis of cyan-emitting ZnS/ZnO phosphors using a high-energy planetary ball milling method followed by post-annealing. The fabricated phosphors, with particle sizes ranging from 1 to 3 μm, exhibit strong cyan emission with CIE chromaticity coordinates of (0.

Activating SERS Signals of Inactive Analytes: Creating an Energy Bridge between Metal/Molecule Energy Alignment via Metal/Semiconductor Transitions.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful analytical technique, yet it faces challenges with certain probe molecules exhibiting weak or inactive signals, limiting their applicability. In a recent study, we investigated this phenomenon using a set of four probe molecules─chloramphenicol (CAP), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), amoxicillin (AMX), and furazolidone (FZD)─deposited on Ag-based nanostructured SERS substrates. Despite being measured under identical conditions, CAP and 4-NP exhibited SERS activity, while AMX and FZD did not.

Enhanced photocatalytic performance of polyaniline nanoparticles for efficient dye degradation under simulated sunlight.

This study investigates the effectiveness of polyaniline oxide (PANI) nanoparticles as photocatalysts for the degradation of organic dyes under visible light irradiation. Known for their stability and adjustable conductivity, PANI nanoparticles were synthesized a hydrothermal method using P123 surfactants, followed by calcination. The morphology, structural phase, and optical properties of the synthesized PANI materials were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Promising deep-red emitting Cr-doped SrAlO phosphors for plant growth LEDs.

Recently, deep-red-emitting phosphors that can be excited by ultraviolet (UV) and near-ultraviolet (NUV) light have been extensively investigated for plant growth LED applications. However, due to the harmful effects of these high-energy rays on plants, violet- or blue-excited deep-red-emitting phosphors are considered a more appropriate solution. In this work, SrAlO:Cr phosphors were synthesized using a simple solid-state reaction, revealing a strikingly sharp deep-red emission band centered at 694 nm and effective excitation by violet light.

Synthesis of Up-Conversion CaTiO: Er Films on Titanium by Anodization and Hydrothermal Method for Biomedical Applications.

The present study investigates the effects of Er doping content on the microstructure and up-conversion emission properties of CaTiO: Er phosphors as a potential material in biomedical applications. The CaTiO: %Er ( = 0.5, 1.

Synthesis of Heterostructured TiO Nanopores/Nanotubes by Anodizing at High Voltages.

This paper reports on the coating of heterostructured TiO nanopores/nanotubes on Ti substrates by anodizing at high voltages to design surfaces for biomedical implants. As the anodized voltage from 50 V to 350 V was applied, the microstructure of the coating shifted from regular TiO nanotubes to heterostructured TiO nanopores/nanotubes. In addition, the dimension of the heterostructured TiO nanopores/nanotubes was a function of voltage.

Simple and Rapid Method of Microwell Array Fabrication for Drug Testing on 3D Cancer Spheroids.

Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to mimic the complex process of angiogenesis in cancer, providing more accurate and physiologically relevant data than traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems. Microwell systems are particularly useful in this context as they provide a microenvironment that more closely resembles the in vivo environment than traditional microwells. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) microwells are particularly advantageous due to their bio-inertness and the ability to tailor their material characteristics depending on the PEG molecular weight.

Identification of differentially expressed genes and metabolism signaling pathway in the spleen of broilers supplemented with probiotic Bacillus spp.

Probiotics are essential in the body's nutrients, improving the ratio of meat to meat, immune response, and preventing diseases. In this study, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), enriched related pathways, and Gene Ontology (GO) terms among blank negative control (NC), supplemented with Bacillus spp. (BS) and commercial probiotic (PC) groups after a 42-day fed supplementation.

The synthesis and properties of Ca Sc Si O :Ce (CSSG) phosphor are utilized for the development of human-centric lighting light-emitting diodes (HCL-LEDs).

In this study, cerium ion (Ce )-doped calcium scandium silicate garnet (Ca Sc Si O , abbreviated CSSG) phosphors were successfully synthesized using the sol-gel method. The crystal phase, morphology, and photoluminescence properties of the synthesized phosphors were thoroughly investigated. Under excitation by a blue light-emitting diode (LED) chip (450 nm), the CSSG phosphor displayed a wide emission spectrum spanning from green to yellow.

Bioconversion of Shrimp Waste into Functional Lipid by a New Oleaginous Sakaguchia sp.

Chitin, the second most abundant biomolecule after cellulose in nature, is a significant aquaculture by-product, and is estimated at 6-8 million tons annually. Chitin is composed of monomeric N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) which can be seen as an alternative feedstock for biotechnology. Microbial functional lipids have gained attention due to their bioactivity and sustainable production.

An on-site and portable electrochemical sensing platform based on spinel zinc ferrite nanoparticles for the quality control of paracetamol in pharmaceutical samples.

In this study, crystalline spinel zinc ferrite nanoparticles (ZnFeO NPs) were successfully prepared and proposed as a high-performance electrode material for the construction of an electrochemical sensing platform for the detection of paracetamol (PCM). By modifying a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPE) with ZnFeO NPs, the electrochemical characteristics of the ZnFeO/SPE and the electrochemical oxidation of PCM were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), chronoamperometry (CA), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) methods. The calculated electrochemical kinetic parameters from these techniques including electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), peak-to-peak separation (Δ), charge transfer resistance (), standard heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants (), electron transfer coefficient (), catalytic rate constant (), adsorption capacity (), and diffusion coefficient () proved that the as-synthesized ZnFeO NPs have rapid electron/mass transfer characteristics, intrinsic electrocatalytic activity, and facilitate the adsorption-diffusion of PCM molecules towards the modified electrode surface.

High quantum efficiency and excellent color purity of red-emitting Eu-heavily doped Gd(BO)-YBO-GdBO phosphors for NUV-pumped WLED applications.

Eu-doped phosphors have been much attractive owing to their narrow-band red emission peak at 610-630 nm with high color purity; however, the weak and narrow absorption band in the NUV region limits their applications. Doping a higher amount of Eu ions into a non-concentration quenching host could be key to enhancing the efficiency of the absorption value and emission intensity. Hence, the design of Eu-heavily doped phosphors with a suitable host lattice is key for applications.

A sigh-performance hydrogen gas sensor based on Ag/Pd nanoparticle-functionalized ZnO nanoplates.

As a source of clean energy, hydrogen (H) is a promising alternative to fossil fuels in reducing the carbon footprint. However, due to the highly explosive nature of H, developing a high-performance sensor for real-time detection of H gas at low concentration is essential. Here, we demonstrated the H gas sensing performance of Ag/Pd nanoparticle-functionalized ZnO nanoplates.

A molybdenum disulfide/nickel ferrite-modified voltammetric sensing platform for ultra-sensitive determination of clenbuterol under the presence of an external magnetic field.

The electrochemical behavior and sensing performance of an electrode modified with NiFeO (NFO), MoS, and MoS-NFO were thoroughly investigated using CV, EIS, DPV, and CA measurements, respectively. MoS-NFO/SPE provided a higher sensing performance towards the detection of clenbuterol (CLB) than other proposed electrodes. After optimization of pH and accumulation time, the current response recorded at MoS-NFO/SPE linearly increased with an increase of CLB concentration in the range from 1 to 50 μM, corresponding to a LOD of 0.

Mussel - Inspired biosorbent combined with graphene oxide for removal of organic pollutants from aqueous solutions.

In this work, we develop a mussel-inspired biosorbent combined with graphene oxide for removal of organic dyes in water sources. The composite was prepared via self-polymerization of dopamine in weak alkaline solution containing graphene oxide at ambient condition. Morphological and structural studies revealed that polydopamine has gradually grown to cover the surface of graphene oxide flakes, partially reduced these flakes, and somehow form many grains (size around 20 nm) on the flakes instead of making very large aggregates as usual.

Firing-Associated Recycling of Coal-Fired Power Plant Fly Ash.

Coal-fired power plant fly ash is a global environmental concern due to its small particle size, heavy metal content, and increased emissions. Although widely used in concrete, geopolymer, and fly ash brick production, a large amount of fly ash remains in storage sites or is used in landfills due to inadequate raw material quality, resulting in a waste of a recoverable resource. Therefore, the ongoing need is to develop new methods for recycling fly ash.

Room Temperature Ammonia Gas Sensor Based on p-Type-like VO Nanosheets towards Food Spoilage Monitoring.

Gas sensors play an important role in many areas of human life, including the monitoring of production processes, occupational safety, food quality assessment, and air pollution monitoring. Therefore, the need for gas sensors to monitor hazardous gases, such as ammonia, at low operating temperatures has become increasingly important in many fields. Sensitivity, selectivity, low cost, and ease of production are crucial characteristics for creating a capillary network of sensors for the protection of the environment and human health.

Ultra-low detection limit chemoresistive NO gas sensor using single transferred MoS flake: an advanced nanofabrication.

In this work, a method of fabricating a NO nano-sensor working at room temperature with a low detectable concentration limit is proposed. A 2D-MoS flake is isolated by transferring a single MoS flake to SiO/Si substrate, followed by applying an advanced e-beam lithography (EBL) to form a metal contact with Au/Cr electrodes. The resulting chemoresistive nano-sensor using a single MoS flake was applied to detect a very low concentration of NO at the part-per-billion (ppb) level.

Elucidating the roles of oxygen functional groups and defect density of electrochemically exfoliated GO on the kinetic parameters towards furazolidone detection.

Using electrochemically exfoliated graphene oxide (GO)-modified screen-printed carbon electrodes for the detection of furazolidone (FZD), a nitrofuran antibiotic, was explored. In this study, we designed some GO samples possessing different oxygen functional group content/defect density by using ultrasonic irradiation or microwave techniques as supporting tools. The difference in physical characteristics of GO led to the remarkable change in kinetic parameters (electron transfer rate constant ( ) and transfer coefficient ()) of electron transfer reactions at / probes as well as the FZD analyte.

Advances in magnetic field-assisted electrolyte's physicochemical properties and electrokinetic parameters: A case study on the response ability of chloramphenicol on FeO@carbon spheres-based electrochemical nanosensor.

Despite the utilization of external magnetic field (MF) in promoting the intrinsic unique features of magnetic nanomaterials in many different applications has been reported, however the origin of MF-dependent electrochemical behaviors as well as the electrochemical response of analytes at the electrode in sensor applications is still not clear. In this report, the influence of MF on the electrolyte's physicochemical properties (polarization, mass transport, charge/electron transfer) and electrode's properties (conductivity, morphology, surface area, interaction, adsorption capability, electrocatalytic ability) was thoroughly investigated. Herein, the working electrode surface was modified with carbon spheres (CSs), magnetic nanoparticles (FeONPs), and their nanocomposites (FeO@CSs), respectively.

Analysis of the structure and luminescence properties of Zn GeO :Eu according to Judd-Ofelt theory.

The preparation and characteristic of nanorod-like Zn GeO doped with Eu or zinc germanate (ZGO):xEu (x = 0 ÷ 0.05), which was synthesized using the hydrothermal method, are described. The influence of Eu -doping ions on the structure and the optical properties of ZGO was also investigated.

Hollow ZnO nanorices prepared by a simple hydrothermal method for NO and SO gas sensors.

Chemoresistive gas sensors play an important role in detecting toxic gases for air pollution monitoring. However, the demand for suitable nanostructures that could process high sensing performance remains high. In this study, hollow ZnO nanorices were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method to detect NO and SO toxic gases efficiently.

Heterostructure of vanadium pentoxide and mesoporous SBA-15 derived from natural halloysite for highly efficient photocatalytic oxidative desulphurisation.

Integration between conventional semiconductors and porous materials can enhance electron-hole separation, improving photocatalytic activity. Here, we introduce a heterostructure that was successfully constructed between vanadium pentoxide (VO) and mesoporous SBA-15 using inexpensive halloysite clay as the silica-aluminium source. The composite material with 40% doped VO shows excellent catalytic performance in the oxidative desulphurisation of dibenzothiophene (conversion of 99% with only a minor change after four-cycle tests).

From half-metallic to magnetic semiconducting triazine g-CN: computational designs and insight.

We have given, for the first time, physicochemical insight into the electronic structure routes from half-metallic to magnetic semiconducting triazine g-CN. To this end, three material designs have been proposed using density functional calculations. In one design, this half-metal is first made semiconducting hydrogenation, then tailored with B and N atomic species, which gives a new prototype of the antiferromagnetic semiconductor monolayer HCNBN.