Medium-chain dicarboxylic acids: chemistry, pharmacological properties, and applications in modern pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.

Succinic (SUA), glutaric (GLA), pimelic (PA), suberic (SUBA), adipic (ADA), azelaic (AZA), and sebacic acids (SA) make up the majority of medium-chain dicarboxylic acids (MCDAs) with chain lengths of C4-C10, and are widely utilised in the chemical, food, textile, pesticide, pharmaceutical, and liquid crystal sectors. The MCDAs' two carboxyl groups provide them with an incredibly broad variety of applications. The focus of significant scientific research now is on the increasingly varied pharmacological effects of MCDAs.

Effect of Zn-FeO nanomaterials on the phase separated morphologies of polyvinylidene fluoride piezoelectric nanogenerators.

Self-powered devices based on piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) are becoming crucial in the upcoming smart societies as they can integrate multifunctional applications, especially sensing, energy storage, In this work, we explore the piezoelectric voltage generation happening in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposites developed by phase separation. The simple method adopted for the nanocomposite synthesis rules out the high voltage required for the normal electrospun PENGs and adds to their cost-effectiveness. Zinc-doped iron oxide (Zn-FeO) nanomaterials influence the piezoelectric properties by enhancing the crystallinity and structural properties of the polymer.

Observation of magnetic vortex configuration in non-stoichiometric FeO nanospheres.

Theoretical and micromagnetic simulation studies of magnetic nanospheres with vortex configurations suggest that such nanostructured materials have technological advantages over conventional nanosystems for applications based on high-power-rate absorption and subsequent emission. However, full experimental evidence of magnetic vortex configurations in spheres of submicrometer size is still lacking. Here, we report the microwave irradiation fabrication of FeO nanospheres and establish their magnetic vortex configuration based on experimental results, theoretical analysis, and micromagnetic simulations.

A carbon dot-based clay nanocomposite for efficient heavy metal removal.

Carbon dots and their derivatives with fascinating photoluminescence properties have recently attracted tremendous scientific attention. This work describes the preparation of novel fluorescent bentonite clay (B), modified with carbon dot nanomaterials (CDs), and its usage as a lead removal platform. The CDs were prepared using a hydrothermal method from graphitic waste which served as the carbon source material.

Revealing the improved sensitivity of PEDOT:PSS/PVA thin films through secondary doping and their strain sensors application.

The field of strain sensing involves the ability to measure an electrical response that corresponds to a strain. The integration of synthetic and conducting polymers can create a flexible strain sensor with a wide range of applications, including soft robotics, sport performance monitoring, gaming and virtual reality, and healthcare and biomedical engineering. However, the use of insulating synthetic polymers can impede the semiconducting properties of sensors, which may reduce sensor sensitivity.

A realistic perspective for CO triggered tuning of electrical conductivity.

To seek sustainable CO sequestration and conversion, an electrochemical cell has been investigated for carbon capture and utilization strategy (CCU). In this cell, atmospheric CO is captured under ambient conditions and incorporated into power generation using zinc nanopowder as the catalyst. As a result, a method was developed to tune the electronic property of zinc by passing CO.

Systematic laboratory approach to produce Mg-rich carbonates at low temperature.

Dolomite is a common Mg-rich carbonate in the geological record, but the mechanism of its formation remains unclear. At low temperature, the incorporation of magnesium ions into the carbonate minerals necessary to form dolomite is kinetically inhibited. Over the decades, several factors that possibly allow for overcoming this kinetic barrier have been proposed, and their effectiveness debated.

Humidity sensor based on poly(lactic acid)/PANI-ZnO composite electrospun fibers.

The electrospinning technique has been successfully used to prepared micro-fibers of the poly(lactic acid)/polyaniline-zinc oxide (PLA/PANI-ZnO) composite. The polyaniline-zinc oxide (PANI-ZnO) nanocomposites are synthesized by hydrothermal and polymerization methods. X-ray diffraction techniques are used to study the structural properties of the PLA/PANI-ZnO composite fibers and the PANI-ZnO nanocomposite.

Carbon dioxide adsorption based on porous materials.

Global warming due to the high concentration of anthropogenic CO in the atmosphere is considered one of the world's leading challenges in the 21 century as it leads to severe consequences such as climate change, extreme weather events, ocean warming, sea-level rise, declining Arctic sea ice, and the acidification of oceans. This encouraged advancing technologies that sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or capture those emitted before entering the carbon cycle. Recently, CO capture, utilizing porous materials was established as a very favorable route, which has drawn extreme interest from scientists and engineers due to their advantages over the absorption approach.

Effect of silylating agents on the superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties of siloxane/polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposite coatings on cellulosic fabric filters for oil-water separation.

A new facile approach for preparing two nonfluorinated hybrid organic-inorganic siloxane/polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposite coatings for cotton fabrics is presented using two distinct silylating agents. The first coated fabric was prepared predominantly trimethylsilyl modification using hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) while higher amounts of trimethoxy(octadecyl)silane (TMOS) further enhanced the superhydrophobicity of the second coating matrix. Unlike HMDS with substituted silyl (MeSi) groups, TMOS consists of hydrolysable trimethoxy silyl ((MeO)Si) chemical groups that allowed for the formation of nanosilica with Si-O-Si linkages needed to foster stable coatings.

Tailoring the defects of sub-100 nm multipodal titanium nitride/oxynitride nanotubes for efficient water splitting performance.

Deciphering the photocatalytic-defect relationship of photoanodes can pave the way towards the rational design for high-performance solar energy conversion. Herein, we rationally designed uniform and aligned ultrathin sub-100 nm multipodal titanium nitride/oxynitride nanotubes (TiON NTs) ( = 2, 4, and 6 h) the anodic oxidation of Ti-foil in a formamide-based electrolyte followed by annealing under ammonia gas for different durations. XPS, XPS imaging, Auger electron spectra, and positron annihilation spectroscopy disclosed that the high nitridation rate induced the generation of a mixture of Ti-nitride and oxynitride with various vacancy-type defects, including monovacancies, vacancy clusters, and a few voids inside TiO NTs.

Investigation of the structural, optical and gas sensing properties of PANI coated Cu-ZnS microsphere composite.

Polyaniline (PANI)/Cu-ZnS composites with porous microspheres are prepared by a hydrothermal and polymerization method. The structural, optical, and morphological properties are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR, UV-vis, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope. The XRD results confirmed that the PANI/Cu-ZnS composite is formed.

Graphene quantum dot based materials for sensing, bio-imaging and energy storage applications: a review.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are an attractive nanomaterial consisting of a monolayer or a few layers of graphene having excellent and unique properties. GQDs are endowed with the properties of both carbon dots (CDs) and graphene. This review addresses applications of GQD based materials in sensing, bioimaging and energy storage.

Dicarboxylic acid cross-linked metal ion decorated bentonite clay and chitosan for fluoride removal studies.

This study focused on the synthesis of a dicarboxylic acid (malic acid (A)), metal ion decorated bentonite clay (BC) modified with chitosan (CS) and the investigation of its defluoridation efficiency in fluoride contaminated groundwater. The synthesized adsorbent showed a fluoride removal capacity of 9.87 mg g.

Effect of surface morphology on methane interaction with calcite: a DFT study.

Natural gas, consisting primarily of methane, is found in carbonate reservoirs of which calcite is major component. However, the complexity and heterogeneity of carbonate reservoirs remain a major challenge in estimating ultimate recovery. Herein, density functional theory calculations are employed to study the effect of surface morphology on the adsorption of CH on the surface of CaCO (calcite).

A microbial fuel cell configured for the remediation of recalcitrant pollutants in soil environment.

A pristine soil environment supports a healthy soil biodiversity, which is often polluted with recalcitrant compounds. The bioelectrochemical remediation of the contaminated soils using bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) is gaining significant attention with respect to the restoration of the soil ecosystem. In this direction, a microbial fuel cell (MFC, an application of BES), was employed for the treatment of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in a soil microenvironment at three ranges of pollution (loading conditions - 320, 590 and 840 mg TPH per L).

Fabrication of polyaniline-graphene/polystyrene nanocomposites for flexible gas sensors.

This research work presents the fabrication of polyaniline (PANI) and graphene-polyaniline (graphene-PANI) nanocomposite-coated polystyrene (PS) nanofibre mats, as well as their application in flexible and highly sensitive gas sensors. The surface morphology of the flexible films is investigated using a number of techniques. The profilometry studies confirmed that the electrospun fibres are evenly distributed over a large surface area and there was no visible difference between coated and uncoated fibres.

One-dimensional facile growth of MAPbI perovskite micro-rods.

One-dimensional microrods (4-5 mm) of PbI and CHNHPbI (MAPbI) with unique structural and morphological properties have been grown at room temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of both types of micro-rods exhibit a hexagonal system (3̄1(164) space group) with 2H polytype structures. In the case of PbI, the atomic composition of the microcrystals indicates the formation of pure phases of PbI, however, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) of MAPbI indicates the existence of intermediate phases due to the addition of MAI.

Synthesis and performance evaluation of nanostructured NaFe Cr (SO) cathode materials in sodium ion batteries (SIBs).

This research work focuses on the synthesis and performance evaluation of NaFe Cr (SO) ( = 0, 0.8 and 1.0) cathode materials in sodium ion batteries (SIBs).

Aqueous dispersions of carbon black and its hybrid with carbon nanofibers.

The aqueous dispersions of a special type of carbon black (CB) in 1 M lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) electrolyte is mainly controlled by the affinity of the aqueous electrolyte towards the CB particles rather than the particle size. In spite of its small particle size (30 nm), this type of CB forms a three-dimensional open network which is rheologically and electrically percolated at a relatively high threshold (2.0 wt%) with enhanced rheological and electrical properties.

Flexible ultra-sensitive and resistive NO gas sensor based on nanostructured ZnFeO.

Low concentration gas detection, rapid response time and low working temperature are anticipated for a varied range of toxic gas detection applications. Conversely, the existing gas sensors suffer mostly from a high working temperature along with a slow response at low concentrations of analytes. Here, we report an ultrasensitive flexible nanostructured ZnFeO ( = 0.