Ecological Compatibility Research Articles

Tuning the Electronic Structures of Mo-Based Sulfides/Selenides with Biomass-Derived Carbon for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction and Sodium-Ion Batteries

A key research focus at present is the exploration and innovation of electrode materials suitable for energy storage and conversion. Molybdenum-based sulfides/selenides (primarily MoS2 and MoSe2) have garnered attention in recent years due to their intrinsic two-dimensional structures, which are conducive to ion/electron transfer or insertion/extraction, making them promising candidates in electrocatalytic hydrogen production and sodium-ion battery applications. However, their inherently poor electronic structures have led most research efforts to concentrate on modifications aimed at enhancing their performance in hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Owing to their remarkable chemical inertness, expansive specific surface areas, and tunable pore architectures, carbon-based materials have garnered significant attention in research. The utilization of biomass as a renewable and environmentally sustainable precursor offers considerable benefits, including abundant availability, ecological compatibility, and cost-effectiveness. Consequently, recent scholarly endeavors have concentrated intensively on the synthesis of valuable carbon materials derived from renewable biomass sources. This review addresses the scientific challenges related to the development of electrode materials for HERs and SIBs in electrochemical energy storage and conversion. It delves into the recent focus on the two-dimensional transition-metal chalcogenides, particularly MoS2 and MoSe2, and the difficulties encountered in modulating their electronic structures when applied to HERs and SIBs. The review proposes the use of eco-friendly and widely sourced biomass-derived carbon (BMC) as a supporting matrix combined with MoS2 and MoSe2 to regulate their structures and enhance their electrocatalytic activity and sodium storage performance. Additionally, it highlights the existing challenges faced by these BMC/MoS2 and BMC/MoSe2 composites and offers insights into future developments.

Mediating role of specific environmental beliefs in the relationship between general beliefs and water consumption

AbstractThis study investigates the impact of general environmental beliefs (GEB) on water consumption behaviour (WCB) and the mediating role of specific environmental beliefs (SEB) in Kuala Lumpur. By administering 1584 surveys via a 5‐point Likert scale questionnaire, the study analyses the influence of utilitarian beliefs (UB) and ecological beliefs (EB) at both the Kuala Lumpur and district levels. The results demonstrate that EB significantly mediates the relationship between GEB and WCB, while UB also plays a significant mediating role. The study highlights practical measures for environmental preservation, such as prioritizing utilitarianism for environmentally beneficial choices, afforestation, waste reduction, reusability and recycling of production materials and ensuring ecological system compatibility for waste disposal.

Exploring the Efficacy and Sustainability of Natural Pesticides in Plant Protection

With the increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices, the efficacy and sustain-ability of natural pesticides in plant protection, providing a critical assessment of their potential as alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides is the basic demand of the future. This study aimes to examine the diverse categories of natural pesticides, including plant-based, microbial, and mineral-based options, and evaluate their effectiveness against a broad range of pests and diseases. We exam-ine the environmental impact of natural pesticides on non-target organisms, their persistence and degradation, and the potential for bioaccumulation, focusing on their reduced chemical residues and ecological compatibility. Typically, natural pesticides target specific areas of the insect, like its nerv-ous system, leading to the insect's downfall, loss of coordination, paralysis, and eventual death. The majority of botanical pesticides affect the target organism by poisoning its stomach, lungs, or other bodily systems. Sincebotanical pesticides are typically fairly biodegradable and may be quickly bro-ken down by the stomach acids of mammals, their toxicity to humans and animals is typically quite low, and they are environmentally beneficial. Natural pesticides offer significant environmental, health, economic, and social benefits, making them an essential component of modern sustainable agriculture. Their use supports ecological balance, human safety, and long-term agricultural produc-tivity. Overall, it highlights the promising efficacy and sustainability of natural pesticides, underscor-ing their potential for enhancing plant protection while minimizing environmental risks.

Synthesis and Antifungal Evaluation of Cinnamic Acid-Geraniol Hybrids as Potential Fungicides.

Cinnamic acid and geraniol are two well-known antifungal natural products and widely applied in food and cosmetics industries. To discover novel natural product-based fungicide candidates with more potent activity and good ecological compatibility for the management of plant diseases, a series of cinnamic acid-geraniol hybrids were prepared by means of molecular hybridization and their chemical structures were well confirmed by spectral analysis. The antifungal activities of the target compounds against three phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium graminearum, Gaeumannomycesgraminis (Sacc.) Arx et Oliver var. tritici (Sacc.) Walker, and Valsa mali were evaluated. Among them, compounds 5e and 5f showed the remarkable antifungal activity against G. graminis with the EC50 values of 82.719 and 91.828 μg/mL, respectively; while compounds 5f and 6b exhibited the obvious antifungal activity against V. mali. It suggested that compound 5f can be further optimized for the design of novel broad-spectrum fungicide molecules as the secondary lead compound. In addition, some interesting structure-antifungal activity relationships were obtained. This work will provide some reference and guidance for the further discovery of novel fungicide candidates based on cinnamic acid and geraniol.

A comparative analysis of the tribological performance of coir, bamboo and wood filler reinforced polymer composites

Abstract Researchers and academics are increasingly favoring natural fibres for incorporation into polymer composites on account of their ecological compatibility and longevity. The aim of this comparative study is to identify the optimal natural filler by AHP-TOPSIS approach by analyzing the tribological performance of three distinct natural fillers: coir, bamboo, and wood reinforced polymer composite. These filler materials are pre-treated by alkali treatment to increase the interlinking properties between filler and polymer. The outcome of these treatments on the composites’ physical and mechanical properties are investigated. Using a Pin-on-disk (POD) machine under dry, wet, and heated sliding contact conditions, different natural fillers’ effects on polymer wear and friction are examined. The wear rate and coefficient of friction (COF) were quantified as a function of the sliding distance (0–2000 m) under various normal loads (5–40 N). It was observed from the different experimental results that coir filler reinforced composite shows best wear resistance property whereas wood filler reinforced composite shows the least wear resistance composite. Results revealed that lower filler support and low load show better wear resistant property compared to the higher filler support and high load condition. When seen through a microscope, the worn surfaces of the composite material exhibit micro and macro fissures, as well as debonding and plastic deformation. The coir filler-based composite was found to be the best alternative using the AHP-TOPSIS method, with a closeness coefficient of 0.770023.

Weed Role for Pollinator in the Agroecosystem: Plant-Insect Interactions and Agronomic Strategies for Biodiversity Conservation.

The growing interest in safeguarding agroecosystem biodiversity has led to interest in studying ecological interactions among the various organisms present within the agroecosystem. Indeed, mutualisms between weeds and pollinators are of crucial importance as they influence the respective survival dynamics. In this review, the mutualistic role of flower visitors and the possible (often predominant) abiotic alternatives to insect pollination (self- and wind-pollination) are investigated. Mutualistic relations are discussed in terms of reward (pollen and/or nectar) and attractiveness (color, shape, scent, nectar quality and quantity), analyzing whether and to what extent typical weeds are linked to pollinators by rigid (specialization) or flexible (generalization) mutualistic relations. The entomofauna involved is composed mainly of solitary and social bees, bumblebees, Diptera, and Lepidoptera. While some of these pollinators are polylectic, others are oligolectic, depending on the shape of their mouthparts, which can be suited to explore the flower corollas as function of their depths. Consequently, the persistence dynamics of weed species show more successful survival in plants that are basically (occasional insect pollination) or totally (self and/or wind pollination) unspecialized in mutualistic relations. However, even weed species with typical abiotic pollination are at times visited during periods such as late summer, in which plants with more abundant rewards are insufficiently present or completely absent. Many typically insect-pollinated weeds can represent a valid indicator of the ecological sustainability of crop management techniques, as their survival dynamics are closely dependent on the biodiversity of the surrounding entomofauna. In particular, the presence of plant communities of species pollinated above all by butterflies (e.g., several Caryophyllaceae) gives evidence to the ecological compatibility of the previous agronomic management, in the sense that butterflies require certain weed species for oviposition and subsequent larva rearing and, therefore, provide further evidence of plant biodiversity in the environment.

Bio fabricated palladium nano particles using phytochemicals from aqueous cranberry fruit extract for anti-bacterial, cytotoxic activities and photocatalytic degradation of anionic dyes.

The low cost and ecological compatibility of green technology makes it superior to chemical approaches in the generation of metal nanoparticles. The current study shows the use of cranberry fruit extract in the environmentally friendly green production of palladium nanoparticles. It is well known that the fruit extract from cranberries has a rich phytochemical composition that makes it a useful bio reducing agent for the formation of PdNPs. Several spectroscopic techniques, including ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), were used to characterize the palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs). The diffractogram of the XRD analysis shows significant reflections at 39.98° (111), 46.49° (200), and 67.95° (220), which indicate the face-centered cubic (FCC) structure of PdNPs and demonstrate the crystallinity of the produced nanoparticles from the green method. The SEM and TEM structural and morphological analyses reveal that the synthesized nanoparticles have a spherical shape with size ranging between 2 nm to 50 nm. In addition, the synthesized PdNPs demonstrated possible antibacterial activity on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as a cytotoxic effect on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The degradation of Indigo Carmine (IC) and Sunset Yellow (SY) dyes can be effectively catalyzed by biogenic PdNPs, according to the results.

3D printing of sustainable wood-based bio-composites for high-end custom carton

This research delves into an upscale, personalised packaging paradigm employing 3D printing and a bio-composite derived from esteemed rosewood. The study incorporates a design for additive manufacturing, enhancing designers’ flexibility, and fostering innovation. To address global sustainability imperatives, including efficiency, energy conservation, a low carbon footprint and ecological compatibility, a premium and sustainable rosewood/polyethersulfone (PES) composite is developed. Laser sintering (LS), renowned for its processing flexibility, is applied for crafting intricate packages. A weight ratio of 1:4 of rosewood to PES is highly suitable for LS processing. The resultant custom carton, embodying natural rosewood aesthetics and fragrance, exhibits commendable mechanical robustness and precision. Tensile and bending strengths reach peaks of 4.880 MPa and 7.870 MPa, respectively, under a 9-W laser power. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis confirms the favourable dispersion of rosewood fibres in LS specimens, providing insights into the microstructure of the composite powder.

Optimizing acid microemulsions for cleaner gas production: A study on enhanced adsorption characteristics and implications in retardation

The ultralow interfacial tension between the oil and aqueous phases and the solubilization characteristics in microemulsion systems make them useful for surface cleaning and enhanced oil recovery applications. Microemulsions can form an adsorbed barrier on rock, reducing the acid-rock reaction rate. However, as acid retardation additives, the adsorption patterns of microemulsions are not clearly defined. In this study, microemulsions composed of various electrical surfactants, oil cores, and oil core additives were obtained, and their phase behaviors were investigated. Through adsorption and reaction experiments, cleaning microemulsions that enhance adsorption effects were identified, and their adsorption patterns and adaptability under flow conditions were evaluated. The results demonstrate that incorporating negatively charged polar compounds forms an enhanced adsorption microemulsion characterized by an average droplet size of less than 30 nm after mixing with the acid. The introduction of negatively charged polar compounds resulted in a 177 % increase in adsorption and an 81 % improvement in static retardation effect. Dynamic adsorption tests indicate that the pseudo-second-order model more accurately describes the kinetics of dynamic adsorption of microemulsions on rock surfaces. Under a fixed flow rate, the dynamic retardation rate increased with the concentration of the microemulsion. In practical acidification, the adsorption of microemulsions results mainly from combined electrostatic forces and fluid scouring, characterized by a continuous process of adsorption and desorption. Scanning electron microscope also confirmed that microemulsions can form an adsorptive film on the rock, reducing the acid-rock reaction rate. This study offers practical guidelines for the selection and application of retardation additives, aiming to enhance the ecological compatibility of chemical treatments in low-permeability limestone reservoirs.

Multiphase manganese-based layered oxide for sodium-ion batteries: structural change and phase transition

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are recognized as a leading option for energy storage systems, attributed to their environmental friendliness, natural abundance of sodium, and uncomplicated design. Cathode materials are crucial in defining the structural integrity and functional efficacy of SIBs. Recent studies have extensively focused on manganese (Mn)-based layered oxides, primarily due to their substantial specific capacity, cost-effectiveness, non-toxic nature, and ecological compatibility. Additionally, these materials offer a versatile voltage range and diverse configurational possibilities. However, the complex phase transition during a circular process affects its electrochemical performance. Herein, we set the multiphase Mn-based layered oxides as the research target and take the relationship between the structure and phase transition of these materials as the starting point, aiming to clarify the mechanism between the microstructure and phase transition of multiphase layered oxides. Meanwhile, the structure-activity relationship between structural changes and electrochemical performance of Mn-based layered oxides is revealed. Various modification methods for multiphase Mn-based layered oxides are summarized. As a result, a reasonable structural design is proposed for producing high-performance SIBs based on these oxides.

Book Culture Ecology: Looking for a Concept

The authors have attempted to comprehend the ecological component of book culture, its importance for social development and evolution of human needs. This problem updating is closely connected with the modern state of book culture, characterized by minimization of state management, absolutist commercial approach, appearance of the great amount of players on the book market, multiformity of book products and modes of their advancement, transformation and re-estimation of activities of institutes of reading infrastructure, etc. It demands, according to our viewpoint, re-comprehension of the book culture state, inclusion of ecological criteria into its functioning, which presupposes, most of all, social attention to its various manifestations due to their correspondence to humanist values and national interests. The aim of the article is to reveal and justify the “book culture ecology” concept.The formation of ideas about this concept was ­carried out in the context of the paradigm of cultural ecology through clarification of its content and main vector directions. The article justifies the importance of book culture and considers different approaches to its treatment. It is shown that the eco-cultural aspects of book culture are an organic embodiment of its static and dynamic characteristics. In the progress of the study, the authors used terminological and operational analysis as well as structuralfunctional approach. Eco-cultural approach to different phenomena of book culture defines ethical norms of functioning of book-publishing industry different actors, determines their most important for the society principles of activity. Moreover, the study has defined difficulties of developing book culture ecological compatibility criteria. The result of the analysis has manifested itself in the generalized definition of the concept under study.

AI for Sustainable Farming

Abstract: Technology like the AI and IoT have been employed in farming for some time now, along with other forms of cutting-edge computer science. There has been a shift in recent years towards thinking about how to put this new technology to use. Agriculture has provided a large portion of humanity’s sustenance for thousands of years, with its most notable contribution being the widespread use of effective agricultural practices for several crop types. The advent of cutting edge IoT know-hows with the ability for monitoring agricultural ecosystems and guarantee high-quality production is underway. Smart Sustainable Agriculture continues to face formidable hurdles due to the widespread dispersion of agricultural procedures, such as the deployment4/ and administration of IoT and AI devices, sharing of data and administration, interoperability, and analysis and storage of enormous data quantities. The project aims to address pressing global challenges by promoting sustainable agriculture practices. Sustainable agriculture is characterized by its long-term viabilityand ecological compatibility, prioritizing the well-being of both humans and natural resources. It encompasses various techniques and methods that protect soil quality, conserve water resources, enhance biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Shape recovery and energy absorption properties of 3D printed continuous ramie fiber reinforced thin‐walled biocomposite structures

AbstractContinuous fiber reinforced composites are widely used in thin‐walled structures due to their high specific strength and stiffness. In this work, continuous natural fiber was introduced into thin‐walled biocomposite structures via 3D printing technique to enhance energy absorbing properties and promote ecological compatibility. The effects of varying configurations of printing speed, layer thickness, and path optimization on the deposition quality of continuous ramie fiber and polylactic acid matrix were explored. The results showed that reduced printing speed (100 mm/min) and optimal layer thickness (0.25 mm) effectively minimized structural forming defects. In addition, further enhancements in the printing quality could be achieved by smoothing the path with rounded corners. Based on optimal printing strategies, different configurations of thin‐walled biocomposite structures were fabricated. Lateral monotonic and cyclic load tests were performed to investigate their energy absorption and shape recovery capacities. When the loading displacement was 10 mm (strain was 20%), the circular structure presented good shape recovery capability, with measured recovery ratio remaining above 89%. The hexagonal structure showed a similar variation in shape recovery ratio as the quadrangular structure, both remaining above 75%. Moreover, the specific energy absorption of all the structures converged after two cycles, indicating their remarkable and stable repeatable load‐bearing capacity.Highlights Continuous ramie fiber reinforced thin‐walled structures were prepared. The deformation patterns of structures under lateral compression were analyzed. Energy absorption and shape recovery radio were studied under cycle loading. Printed structures exhibited great and stable repeatable load‐bearing capacity.

Isolating Antipathogenic Fungal Coumarins from Coriaria nepalensis and Determining Their Primary Mechanism In Vitro.

Through bioassay-guided isolation, eight undescribed coumarins (1-8), along with six reported coumarins (9-14), were obtained from Coriaria nepalensis. The new structures were determined by using IR, UV, NMR, HRESIMS, and ECD calculations. The results of the biological activity assays showed that compound 9 exhibited broad spectrum antifungal activities against all tested fungi in vitro and a significant inhibitory effect on Phytophthora nicotianae with an EC50 value of 3.00 μg/mL. Notably, compound 9 demonstrated greater curative and protective effects against tobacco balack shank than those of osthol in vivo. Thus, 9 was structurally modified to obtain new promising antifungal agents, and the novel derivatives (17b, 17j, and 17k) exhibited better effects on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum than did lead compound 9. Preliminary mechanistic exploration illustrated that 9 could enhance cell membrane permeability, destroy the morphology and ultrastructure of cells, and reduce the exopolysaccharide content of P. nicotianae mycelia. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity results revealed that compound 9 exhibited relatively low cytotoxicity against HEK293 cell lines with an inhibition rate of 33.54% at 30 μg/mL. This research is promising for the discovery of new fungicides from natural coumarins with satisfactory ecological compatibility.

Air-agitated liquid–liquid microextraction method based on solidification of a floating organic droplet (AALLME-SFO) followed by UPLC-MS/MS for trace analysis of steroids in water samples: Assessment of the method environmental impact using Analytical Eco-Scale, green Analytical procedure Index and the Analytical GREEnness metric

In the present study, we developed and optimized an air-agitated liquid–liquid microextraction method, employing the solidification of a floating organic droplet (AALLME-SFO), for the effective and rapid identification of specific steroids in water samples using UPLC-MS/MS. The methodology relies on the utilization of 1-dodecanol as the extractant.Initial microextraction trials were carried out to identify an appropriate study space within the experimental conditions. The factors influencing extraction efficiency, including the type and volume of extractant, sample pH, salt concentration, and centrifugation time, were investigated and optimized using experimental designs. The method was carried out using 1-dodecanol as the extractant solvent, the centrifugation time was 15 min and no requirement for the addition of salt or adjustment of pH. Under optimized conditions, the method exhibited favorable linearity, with correlation coefficients higher than 0.9990. Detection limits fell within the range of 0.0025–0.034 µg/L. The proposed method effectively determined the targeted steroids in water samples, yielding satisfactory recoveries ranging from 90.14 % to 98.90 % and relative standard deviations (RSDs) of ≤ 4.10. The environmental impact of the method was assessed through the Analytical Eco-Scale (AES), Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI), and the Analytical GREEnness (AGREE) metric, affirming its ecological compatibility. The AALLME-SFO method, as proposed, offers advantages over established methods for steroid detection in water, such as simple preparation, cost-effectiveness, improved extraction efficiency, and environmental friendliness, establishing it as a practical alternative to conventional methods.

Quinolizidine Alkaloids and Isoflavones from the Herb of Thermopsis lupinoides and Their Antiviral, Antifungal, and Insecticidal Activities.

As part of our ongoing investigation of natural bioactive substances from the genus Thermopsis of the tribe Fabaceae for agricultural protection, the chemical constituents of the herb Thermopsis lupinoides were systematically investigated, which led to the isolation of 39 quinolizidine alkaloids (QAs) (1-39), including 14 new QAs (1-14) and 14 isoflavones (40-53). Their structures were elucidated through comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis (IR, UV, NMR, HRESIMS), ECD calculations, and X-ray crystallography. The antitomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and antifungal (against Botrytis cinerea, Gibberella zeae, Phytophythora capsica, and Alternaria alternata) and insecticidal (against Aphis fabae and Tetranychus urticae) activities of the isolated compounds were screened using the lesion counting method, mycelial inhibition assay, and spray method, respectively. The bioassay results showed that 34 exhibited excellent protective activity against TSWV, with an EC50 value of 36.04 μg/mL, which was better than that of the positive control, ningnanmycin (86.03 μg/mL). The preliminary mechanistic exploration illustrated that 34 induced systemic acquired resistance in the host plant by acting on the salicylic acid signaling pathway. Moreover, 1 showed significant antifungal activity against B. cinerea (EC50 value of 20.83 μg/mL), while 2 exhibited good insecticidal activity against A. fabae (LC50 value of 24.97 μg/mL). This research is promising for the invention of novel pesticides from QAs with high efficiency and satisfactory ecological compatibility.

ASSESSING THE EFFICACY OF ECO-FRIENDLY INSECTICIDES AGAINST THE SPODOPTERA LITURA (TOBACCO CUTWORM) POPULATION

In the investigation conducted, the assessment of environmentally friendly insecticides, including Abamectin, Spinosad, Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs), and Bacillus thuringiensis, was undertaken with a focus on evaluating their efficacy and toxicity in controlling the tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura. The study aimed to provide insights into the ecological compatibility of these insecticides within the context of controlling the target pest. Among the various treatment applications, Diflubenzuron + Deltamethrin exhibited the highest efficacy in causing mortality among the larvae of the cutworm and Abamectin demonstrated significant approachability, resulting in mortality rates of 91.35% and 91.23%, respectively. The untreated control group exhibited the highest growth rate, while treatment with Diflubenzuron + Deltamethrin yielded the lowest growth rate at 2.03. Bacillus thuringiensis treatment demonstrated significant impacts on both larval-pupal transition and survival rates, registering values of 1.34 and 0.43, respectively. This indicates a notable influence on the developmental stages and overall survival of Spodoptera litura larvae. The findings of this study underscore the potential of eco-compatible pesticides, with Diflubenzuron + Deltamethrin, Abamectin, and Bacillus thuringiensis presenting distinct outcomes in the control of Spodoptera litura. The observed effects on mortality, growth rates, and developmental transitions provide valuable insights into the practical applicability of these environmentally friendly insecticides in managing pest populations in an ecologically sustainable manner.

Nanocatalytic and antimicrobial potency of CQD@Pd nanoparticles: Experimental and theoretical approach

A single-pot approach has been developed for the fabrication of novel heterogeneous nanocatalyst of carbon quantum dots doped palladium (CQD@Pd-NPs) nanoparticles. Herein, Aegle marmelos fruit extract was utilized as a reducing and capping agent for the fabrication of CQD@Pd-NPs. Synthesis of metallic nanoparticles through green chemistry route is environment beneficial technology owing to its low cost and ecological compatibility. The formation of CQD-NPs and CQD@Pd-NPs was confirmed with high-end sophisticated techniques and theoretical studies. The computational analysis revealed a discernible decrease in the band gap value (Egap = ELUMO - EHOMO) from 0.08 eV to 0.03 eV upon the introduction of Pd atoms into carbon quantum dots (CQDs). Therefore, computational data also authenticates the stability of the CQD@Pd-NPs nanocatalyst which was predominantly supported by electrostatic interaction between Pd and CQDs. The developed nanocatalyst has vouched for an effective candidature in the Suzuki-Miyaura and Mizoroki-Heck coupling reactions with a superior selectivity for product formation. The excellent antibacterial properties against E. coli and S. aureus were further supported by visualizing bacterial growth, inhibition zone, FESEM results and molecular docking studies. Moreover, the nanocatalyst displayed facile separation from the reaction system and showcased efficient recyclability with minimal activity loss. This further supports an effective potential over existing commercial catalysts and holds immense future prospective in industrial applications.

Sustainable carbonaceous nanomaterial supported palladium as an efficient ligand-free heterogeneouscatalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura coupling.

A novel ligand-free heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized via pyrolysis of Samanea saman pods to produce carbon nanospheres (SS-CNSs), which served as a carbon support for immobilizing palladium nanoparticles through an in situ reduction technique (Pd/SS-CNS). The SS-CNSs effectively integrated 3% of Pd on their surfaces with no additional activation procedures needed. The nanomaterials obtained underwent thorough characterization employing various techniques such as FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, EDS, ICP-AES, and BET. Subsequently, the efficiency of this Pd/SS-CNS catalyst was assessed for the synthesis of biaryl derivatives via Suzuki coupling, wherein different boronic acids were coupled with various aryl halides using an environmentally benign solvent mixture of EtOH/H2O and employing only 0.1 mol% of Pd/SS-CNS. The catalytic system was conveniently recovered through centrifugation and demonstrated reusability without any noticeable decline in catalytic activity. This approach offers economic viability, ecological compatibility, scalability, and has the potential to serve as an alternative to homogeneous catalysis.

High-entropy configuration of O3-type layered transition-metal oxide cathode with high-voltage stability for sodium-ion batteries

The O3-type cathode of NaNi0.4Fe0.2Mn0.4O2 stands out for its remarkable theoretical capacity, straightforward production process, affordability, and ecological compatibility for sodium-ion batteries.