Large Surface Area Research Articles

Template-Assisted in situ synthesis of superaerophobic bimetallic MOF composites with tunable morphology for boosted oxygen evolution reaction

CoFe bimetallic organic frameworks (CoFe-MOFs) with tunable morphology and electronic structure are synthesized in situ utilizing cobalt hydroxide (Co(OH)2) as a semi-sacrificial template and different anionic iron salts as modifying factors in a non-calcined synthesis method. This work defines the impact of three different anionic metallic iron salts (FeCl3, Fe(NO3)3, and Fe2(SO4)3) on the morphology of MOF materials and their resulting oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalytic activity. Employing ferric chloride (FeCl3) as the metallic iron source, heterostructured electrocatalysts (BN-CoFe-MOF) with nanoparticles decorated nanoneedle tips are obtained, exhibiting a low overpotential (230 mV at 10 mA cm−2) and a Tafel slope of 105.6 mV dec−1 in 1.0 M KOH. It also demonstrates long time stability for at least 50 h at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. The investigation uncovers that the splendid OER activity and stability of the BN-CoFe-MOF heterojunction can be attributed to its large specific surface area, desirable mesoporous structure, superaerophobic characteristic, and high exposure of active centers. This work not only provides an efficient and cost-effective MOF based OER electrocatalyst but also serves as a valuable reference for future research on morphology control and strategies to enhance the OER activity of MOF catalysts.

Cellulose nanofiber-induced metal–organic framework “armor” for the fabrication of carbon fibre composites with enhanced mechanical properties and electrical conductivity

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) possess significant potential in enhancing the interfacial performance of composites owing to their exceptional skeletal structures and substantial specific surface area. Herein, we prepared typical conductive MOFs (Ni-HHTP, HHTP = 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11-hexahydroxybenzene) at the interface by in situ synthesis using cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) assembled on the surface of carbon fibres (CFs) as precursors. CNFs can not only act as a smart cushion to promote stress release but also provide abundant oxygen-containing functional groups, such as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, which can facilitate the growth of MOF on the surface of CFs. Furthermore, MOFs with porous structure and large specific surface area increase the interphase region for interfacial load transmission. The CF composites prepared using this strategy exhibited improvements in interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), interfacial shear strength (IFSS), flexural strength and flexural modulus by 57.9 %, 54.9 %, 35.1 % and 46.7 %, respectively. Additionally, the electrical conductivities of the composites in both thickness and in-plane directions were 1.04 × 10−4 S/cm and 7.3770 S/cm, respectively, which was attributed to the MOFs on the surface of the fibres facilitating the formation of good conductive channels between the fibres and resin. This study proposes an advanced interfacial modification approach to prepare CF composites with excellent mechanical and electrical conductivity properties.

Unveiling Electrochemical Properties of Silicon for Stable Cycling Performance of Silicon Anode Materials

Research on silicon (Si) as an anode material for Li-ion batteries has spanned two decades; however, certain electrochemical properties of Si remain unclear. Specifically, the cyclic voltammogram (CV) pattern of Li/Si cells varies from case to case, influenced not only by the material but also by the experimental conditions. In this work, slow cyclic voltammetry is employed to investigate Li/Si cells, resulting in three distinct CV patterns. It is further observed that the CV pattern, particularly during the delithiation, is contingent on the state-of-lithiation (SOL) during lithiation and correlates with the capacity fade of Li/Si cells in subsequent cycles. Additionally, it is revealed that the primary mechanism for capacity fade differs between nano-sized silicon (Si-NP) and micro-sized silicon (Si-MP). In brief, capacity fade in Li/Si-NP cells predominantly arises from parasitic reactions between the highly lithiated Li-Si alloy and electrolyte solvents, exacerbated by the large specific surface area of Si-NP materials, whereas capacity fade in Li/Si-MP cells is primarily attributed to the Li electrode rather than the Si-MP electrode due to the restricted lithiation of Si-MP materials. Finally, this work concludes that limiting the SOL of Li/Si cells offers a straightforward and effective pathway to achieving stable cycling performance.

Fracture properties of cementitious composites containing nano-materials: A comprehensive review

Traditional cementitious materials exhibit low strength and poor durability, which cannot keep up with the requirements of modern concrete infrastructure. The small particle size and large specific surface area (SSA) of nano-materials can contribute to the volcanic ash activity, nucleation effect, and filling effect in cementitious composites (CC), which can effectively promote cement hydration and improve the internal structure of the matrix, thereby enhancing the fracture performance of CC. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the enhancing effect of nanomaterials on the fracture performance of CC, this article reviews the effects of different nanomaterials by introducing three fracture models. The results show that the effect of the type of nanomaterials on improving fracture performance was different due to the different structures of nanomaterials, and the optimal content of each type of nanomaterial was not the same. Though there are great application prospects for nanomaterials in CC, there are still many opportunities and challenges for nanoparticle-reinforced cementitious composites (NRCC) in actual engineering applications.

Multisolid waste collaborative production of aeolian sand-red mud-fly ash cemented paste backfill

This study proposed the novel idea of anaolian sand-red mud-fly ash cemented paste backfill (ARFCPB) to realize low-carbon backfill mining. This idea realizes large-scale disposal and resource utilization of red mud (RM) and fly ash (FA) solid wastes. The influence of the FA/RM mass ratio and mass concentration on the mechanism of action of ARFCPB was explored through comprehensive rheological performance, mechanical property, microscopic, and leaching toxicity tests. The results showed that the fresh ARFCPB slurry could be described by the Herschel–Bulkley model (R2 ≥ 0.964). As the FA/RM mass ratio increased, the ARFCPB slurry yield stress decreased, the thixotropy decreased, and the slump increased. This is because RM has a large specific surface area and an unsmooth surface, resulting in greater water absorption by RM than by FA. In addition, the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of ARFCPB can meet the needs of backfill mining with higher strength requirements. UCS first increases and then decreases with increasing FA/RM mass ratio, which is optimal when the mass ratio of FA to RM is 4. When the FA/RM mass ratio was 4, the UCSs of specimens A4 and B4 with mass concentrations of 78% and 80%, respectively, were 5.6MPa and 6.4MPa after 28 days of curing. The leaching results of heavy metal ions in group B4 meet the Class III groundwater standards and can be used for centralized drinking water sources and industrial and agricultural water. Considering the fluidity characteristics, mechanical properties, and leaching results, B4 was identified as the optimal formulation. Finally, the microstructure of the ARFCPB was studied using ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and SEM. The results can contribute to clean production in the aluminum production industry, coal-fired power plants, and coal mines.

Efficient construction of low shrinkage xerogels via coordination-catalyzed in-situ polymerization for activated carbon xerogels with multi-dyes adsorption

Obtaining large specific surface areas (SSA) for carbon xerogels poses a significant challenge due to the inevitable volume shrinkage of xerogel. Here, the Zn2+ coordination-catalyzed in-situ polymerization approach was proposed to fabricate xerogels with a low shrinkage of 13.03 % and a short preparation period of 24 ​h. In resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) polymerization, ZnCl2 could accelerate the reaction kinetics through the coordination of the Zn2+ and hydroxyl groups. The gel network with adjustable RF particles (46.5 nm-1.89 ​μm) and narrow neck structures was constructed by changing ZnCl2 and ethanol contents, which could resist volume shrinkage during atmospheric drying without solvent exchange. The activated carbon xerogels (ACXs) with hierarchical structure were designed by one-step carbonization/activation due to the pore-forming of ZnCl2. The obtained ACXs showed a large SSA of 1689 ​m2/g, multi-dyes adsorption capacity (methylene blue, Congo red, methyl orange, and Sudan III were 625.90, 359.46, 320.69, and 453.92 ​mg/g, respectively), and reusability of 100 %. The maximum monolayer MB adsorption capacity was 630.28 ​mg/g. This work presents an efficient strategy to design porous nanomaterials with low shrinkage and large SSA, which illustrates promising applications in separation, adsorption, and photoelectric catalysis.

Bubble-induced self-assembly synthesis of defective hierarchical boehmite with ultra-high removal efficiency towards Congo red: Preparation and adsorption mechanism

To cope with the increasingly urgent environmental issue and provide promising alternative adsorbents, the synergistic preparation route of dissolution and bubble-induced self-assembly was firstly exploited to guide the reconstruction process of a defective hierarchical porous boehmite-microspheres (BMS) adsorbent in a favorable direction to improve the CR adsorption capacity using aluminium hydroxide industrial waste as raw materials. Multiple non-in-situ physicochemical characterization instruments demonstrate that BMS-4 adsorbent possesses abundant coordinatively unsaturated Al–species, large specific surface area, high porosity, oxygen vacancies and oxygen-containing groups, which promote the maximum adsorption capacities for CR up to 6805.08 ± 5.4 mg g−1. Moreover, the Pseudo-second order model and the Langmuir model are more suitable for describing the behavior of CR adsorption, which proves it is more inclined to be monolayer adsorption and there is no chemical reaction between CR and adsorbent. More importantly, it can be practiced in eight cycles of adsorption tests, achieving ultra-high stability for over 94.46 % of the original adsorption capacity. Combined with density-functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental results, it is illustrated that the amino protonation is responsible for the additional enhancement of CR adsorption, in addition, oxygen vacancy capture and BMS-4/CR–SO3+–NH3 mechanism for enhanced adsorption of dyes is proposed, both of which show that bubble-induced self-assembly provides a promising route for the preparation of high-performance adsorbents.

One-step preparation of hierarchical porous graphitic carbon nitride photocatalyst for wastewater treatment under real sunlight

Photocatalysis is a green and efficient way to handle antibiotic wastewater. However, most of the photocatalysts cannot be applied in real environments, which seriously hinders the development of photocatalysis in practical applications. In this study, we present an environmentally friendly one-step approach for fabricating g-C3N4 with hierarchical architecture by utilizing gas-phase template NH4Cl. The effects of various precursors, preparation methods, and additions of blowing agents on the structure and properties of g-C3N4 have been systematically investigated. Notably, g-C3N4 with hierarchical architecture (BSCN-3) demonstrated superior photocatalytic performance for Rhodamine B (RhB, 96.2 %, 20 min) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX, 80 %, 1 h) in comparison to both bulk g-C3N4 (BCN) and g-C3N4 nanosheets (SCN). This superior performance can be attributed to the exceptional properties of the hierarchical architecture, including its large specific surface area and enhanced capability for separating photogenerated carriers. Surprisingly, BSCN-3 exhibited remarkable performance in the degradation of dyes and antibiotics under real sunlight conditions (RhB, 95 %, 30 min, 65 mW cm−2). In addition, BSCN-3 exhibits excellent stability, with properties remaining unchanged over five consecutive cycles of degradation. This work presents a highly effective method for creating novel structured g-C3N4, which enables photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics in real environments, and greatly promotes the development of g-C3N4 for practical water treatment.

A Strategy Toward Enhancing the Lithium-Storage Performance of Anode Materials of ZIF-67-derived Co/N-doped Carbon Nanocubes by Ni-Co3ZnC

Metal-organic framework draws widespread interest on account of its large specific surface areas, which could be employed as sacrificial templates to synthesize Co/N-doped carbon nanocubes. Herein, Ni-Co3ZnC is used as an additive for improving the electrical conductivity as well as lithium-storage performance of Co/N-doped carbon because of the conductivity and catalytic activity of metal nanoparticles. Co/N-doped carbon nanocubes and Co/N-doped carbon-Ni-Co3ZnC anode materials are prepared through one-step precipitation and high-temperature calcination methods. The lithium-storage capabilities of Co/N-doped carbon and Co/N-doped carbon-Ni-Co3ZnC are investigated. Co/N-doped carbon-Ni-Co3ZnC manifests good electrochemical performance at 2.0 A g−1 compared to Co/N-doped carbon. The initial reversible capacities of Co/N-doped carbon and Co/N-doped carbon-Ni-Co3ZnC are 877.4/548.4 and 1, 170.5/557.3 mAh g−1, and the reversible capacities could be maintained at 152.6/152.4 and 276.8/276.5 mAh g−1 after 2, 000 cycles. The electrode kinetic results evidence that Ni-Co3ZnC could enhance the conductivity of Co/N-doped carbon. The data provide a theoretical basis for improving the lithium-storage performance of prevalent anode materials.

Ultra-trace leakage detection of 1, 2-dimethoxyethane in Lithium-Ion battery electrolyte via lacunary polyoxometalates-driven synthesis of NiO/Si-NiWO4/WO3 heterostructure nanofibers

Early detection of electrolyte leakage is crucial to prevent thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Gas sensors offer a potential solution, however, designing sensing materials that can sensitively identify organic molecules from electrolyte leakage remains a great challenge. Herein, the heterostructured NiO/Si-NiWO4/WO3 nanofibers (NFs) were achieved as a sensing material for highly sensitive detection of 1, 2-dimethoxyethane (DME), a typical electrolyte organic molecule. This was accomplished using the highly negatively charged lacunary polyoxometalates (POMs) TBA4H6[SiW9O34]·2 H2O (α-SiW9) and Ni2+ as precursors, resulting in a series of uniform Si-NiWO4/WO3 decorated NiO NFs synthesized through a two-step process involving electrospinning followed by thermal oxidation. By utilizing the synergistic effect of abundant active interfaces, rapid carrier transfer, and a large specific surface area inherent to NFs, the sensor shows high sensitivity (1.87–300 ppb DME), reliable reproducibility and stability, and superior selectivity. Moreover, the sensor is highly responsive to electrolyte leakage simulations, making it a strong candidate for safety systems of LIBs. The study outlines a cost-effective method for preparing NiO/Si-NiWO4/WO3 NFs, setting a foundation for developing various heterostructured nanomaterials with POMs as precursors.

Photo-rechargeable zinc-ion battery using highly ordered and vertically oriented C@VO2/ZnO microrod arrays

Development of photo-rechargeable batteries is a potential resolution for supplying off-grid solar power system in remote locations. Here, we present a photo-rechargeable zinc-ion battery (PRZIB) that can be directly recharged by the light without external photovoltaic cells and controllers. A highly ordered and vertically oriented ZnO microrod arrays (ZMRAs) are prepared using hydrothermal method in micron-scale patterned substrate defined by lithographic technology, which are used to incorporate with carbon coated vanadium oxide (C@VO2) nanocomposite to form a large specific surface area of three-dimensional network of C@VO2/ZnO heterojunction. PRZIB is assembled using C@VO2/ZMRAs structure as the photo-cathodes as well as intercalation host for Zinc-ions, which demonstrates a photo-conversion efficiency of 3.3% and gravimetric capacities of 286.0 mAh g−1 and 339.3 mAh g−1 at 500 mA g−1 in dark and light conditions. An excellent long-term cycling stability is achieved with a capacity retention of 88.79% after 300 cycles at 1000 mA g−1 in dark condition. It is suggested that the distinctive morphologies and structure of C@VO2/ZMRAs provide effective strategies for enhancing photo-electrochemical redox reaction kinetics.

Self-assembled Ti3C2Tx membrane driven by Marangoni effect for anti-corrosive and anti-wear applications

The recent rise of Ti3C2Tx has extended the applications in epoxy resin due to its large specific surface area and excellent mechanical properties. Whereas, the synergy between epoxy and Ti3C2Tx restricts properties enhancements when Ti3C2Tx is subjected to random orientation and discontinuous distribution. To optimize the barrier and lubrication characteristics of Ti3C2Tx, we have successfully prepared Ti3C2Tx membrane by using the Marangoni effect self-assembled method to move Ti3C2Tx nanosheets to the same latitude and deposit them on epoxy resin for the first time. Meanwhile, micro-arc oxidation technology was adopted to enhance the bonding strength of the substrate with epoxy. Due to the effective corrosion resistance offered by the Ti3C2Tx membrane, even after 28days of immersion, the pure epoxy coating had completely failed, while the |Z|0.01Hz value of the multilayer coating still increased by 36.5 % compared to MAO/EP/EP. Furthermore, the wear rate and the friction coefficient reduced by 58.2 % and 21.4 % in comparison to the pure epoxy coating. This exceptional lubrication property stems from the interlayer shear sliding of the expansive Ti3C2Tx nanosheets, effectively preventing direct contact between the friction ball and the epoxy.

Novel self-powered anti-interference photoelectrochemical sensor via zirconium porphyrin-based metal–organic framework as multifunctional signal label for oxytetracycline detection in food and environment

As a newly developed sensing mode, self-powered PEC sensing may successfully address issues like individual photoanode or photocathode sensing with poor signal responsiveness and weak anti-interference capacity. Herein, a self-powered PEC sensor was developed to detect oxytetracycline (OTC) by integrating SnS2/Sb2S3 photoanode with Cu2O photocathode, and zirconium porphyrin-based metal–organic framework (ZPM) as multifunctional signal label to achieve signal amplification. The highly efficient and stable self-powered biosensor not only delivers a sustained and robust photocurrent response for bioanalysis, thanks to its well-designed stepped band structure, but also successfully mitigates interference from reducing agents. Furthermore, the ZPM was firstly used as a multifunctional nano label in PEC biosensing platform. On the one hand, the ZPM has a large specific surface area and abundant functional groups that can be used to immobilize the aptamer. On the other hand, because of steric hindrance, poor conductivity, competition for dissolved oxygen and light source with the substrate, the ZPM can as photocathode quenching source to affect the photocurrent response. In optimized experimental conditions, the fabricated PEC sensing platform showed a broad linear range of 0.1 pM to 100 nM for assay of OTC with a low limit of detection (LOD=0.03 pM), coupled by its quantification in human serum samples with acceptable results. This work provides an avenue for the development of high-performance photoelectrochemical materials and opens up the possibility of designing more sensitive self-powered PEC biosensors.

Simultaneous immunodetection of multiple cervical cancer biomarkers based on a signal-amplifying redox probes/polyethyleneimine-coated gold nanoparticles/2D tungsten disulfide/graphene oxide nanocomposite platform

To advance cervical cancer diagnostics, we propose a state-of-the-art label-free electrochemical immunosensor designed for the simultaneous detection of multiple biomarker proteins (p16INK4a, p53, and Ki67). This immunosensor is constructed using a polyethyleneimine-coated gold nanoparticles/2D tungsten disulfide/graphene oxide (PEI-AuNPs/2D WS2/GO) composite-modified three-screen-printed carbon electrode (3SPCE) array. The 2D WS2/GO hybrid provides a large specific surface area for supporting well-dispersed PEI-AuNPs and adsorbed redox-active species, enhancing overall performance. The PEI-AuNPs-decorated 2D WS2/GO composite not only improves electrode conductivity but also increases the antibody loading capacity. Redox-active species, including Cd2+ ions, 2,3-diaminophenazine (DAP), and methylene blue (MB), serve as distinct signaling compounds to quantitatively detect the cervical cancer biomarkers p16INK4a, p53, and Ki67, respectively. Additionally, the immunosensor demonstrates the detection with high sensitivity, good storage stability, high selectivity, and acceptable reproducibility. This immunosensor demonstrates a good linear relationship with the logarithm of protein concentrations. Additionally, the immunosensor also demonstrates high sensitivity, good storage stability, high selectivity, and acceptable reproducibility. Our promising results and the successful application of the immunosensor in detecting three tumor markers in human serum highlight its potential for clinical diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Research on the effect of DES properties on the preparation of h-BN nanosheets by electrochemical-liquid phase exfoliation method

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) with a large specific surface area and unique optoelectronic properties has good application prospects in many fields. The liquid phase exfoliation method is considered the most promising method for achieving controllable preparation of boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs), but the low-cost, relatively environmentally friendly and efficient liquid phase exfoliation is still difficult to achieve. Choosing a suitable solvent system is the key to achieving efficient exfoliation. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have the advantages of simple synthesis, low cost, high thermal and chemical stability and strong biocompatibility and are expected to be green solvents for preparation of BNNSs. In this paper, it was found that the properties of DESs and its interaction with h-BN had a significant impact on the electrochemical exfoliation of h-BN. The intercalation effect of DES and the compatibility between DES and h-BN were the main factors affecting the yield, while the quality of BNNSs mainly depended on the decomposition and expansion effect of DES. This rule also can be applied to prepare highly conductive and hydrophilic two-dimensional material Ti-MXene. This research explores the structure–activity relationship between two-dimensional materials and DESs, and provides a theoretical basis for the environmentally friendly and efficient preparation of two-dimensional materials using DESs as exfoliation solvents.

Enhanced Cytotoxic Efficacy against MCF-7 and HCT116 Cell Lines and High-Performance Cefoperazone Removal Using Biogenically Synthesized CeO2 Nanoparticles

The biosynthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles “CeO2 NPs” using an aqueous Echinacea purpurea leaf extract (EP) was conducted. EP extract is a great source of organic compounds, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, with high antioxidant activity, providing a high degree of stabilizing and capping for the formed CeO2 NPs. Physicochemical and related morphological properties of the as-biosynthesized CeO2 NPs were explored using diverse analytical techniques. Results showed that the as-prepared CeO2 NPs were crystalline pure spherical with a cubic system, with an average crystallite size of 10.8nm as determined by XRD, and an average particle size of 12.3nm as determined via TEM. A large surface area of 100.3m²/g with a monodispersed phase with a crystallinity index of 1.2 was achieved. Moderate stability with Zeta potential of -27.8±0.20 mV and PDI 0.126±0.031 were illustrated. The cytotoxicity of the as-biosynthesized CeO2 NPs against two types of cell lines, MCF7 and HCT116 was studied, showing promising impacts where the IC50 values for MCF7 and HCT116 were found to be 78.5 and 128.8µg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the adsorption technique of the as-prepared CeO2 NPs was studied for the removal of cefoperazone. The study demonstrated that the adsorption followed the Langmuir isothermal model with a maximum loading capacity of 201.4mg/g and a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Therefore, the as-biosynthesized CeO2 NPs have promising potential as an anticancer agent and for pharmaceutical wastewater remediation. Also, Cefo@CeO2 NPs were carefully prepared after the determination of the optimum adsorption conditions. Antibacterial activity for both the as-prepared CeO2 NPs and Cefo@CeO2 NPs against gram-positive (S. aureus and B. subtilis) and gram-negative (P. aeruginosa, B. cepacia, E. coli, and S. typhimurium) bacteria was conducted. Cefo@CeO2 NPs exhibited a dose-dependent response, with significant synergistic effects reaching 76% and 82%-fold increase for P. aeruginosa and B. cepacia respectively, indicating promising potential for combating bacterial infections.

Punica grantum peel extract decorated Al-MOF scaffold as Solid-State Sensor/Concentrator for the Sensing/Reduction of Cr(VI) and its extended utility as a corrosion inhibitor in Al-Air batteries

The growing presence of hexavalent chromium in environmental and industrial settings highlights the importance of developing an eco-benign platform for real-time in-situ sensing/screening and decontamination. This research presents a facile and portable solid-state optical sensor using waste Punica Granatum, i.e., pomegranate peel extract (PPE) adorn onto Aluminium-based Metal-Organic Frameworks (Al-MOFs) for the sensing of carcinogenic Cr(VI) and its decontamination to benign Cr(III). The sensor fabrication entails a hydrothermal synthesis to form Al-MOF scaffolds decorated with PPE through direct immobilization. Al-MOF exhibits a large surface area with well-defined pore channels that facilitate PPE’s voluminous/uniform anchoring in restricted orientations to serve as an ion-selective probe for specifically targeting ultra-trace Cr(VI). The surface/structural morphology and porosity of the Al-MOF-PPE material are characterized using scanning/transmission electron microscopy and BET/BJH analysis. The reduction of Cr(VI) by the Al-MOF-PPE is validated by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, corroborated by a conspicuous color transition from light yellow to dark brown. The efficient reduction of Cr(VI) by Al-MOF-PPE is achieved at pH 2–3, in the linear response range of 0.3–300 ppb and a detection limit of 0.23 ppb for Cr(VI). The sensory system prefers minimal PPE probe content (4 mg) and sensor dosage (5 mg) for ion-sensing and decontamination studies, highlighting its remarkable operational efficacy. Post Cr(VI) reduction, electrochemical studies confirm the utility of Al-MOF-PPE-Cr(III) as a corrosion inhibitor for metal surfaces. Tafel plots demonstrate that Al-MOF-PPE-Cr(III) exhibits cathodic and anodic inhibition characteristics, ensuring excellent surface protection for aluminum electrodes upto 220 min in Al-air batteries. The proposed Al-MOF-PPE offers dual functionality as a naked-eye platform for Cr(VI) decontamination, and the Al-MOF-PPE-Cr(III) material is an excellent corrosion inhibitor for energy storage devices.

A comprehensive bibliometric review and analysis on the evolution of nanotube-based hydrogen storage materials via DFT simulations

Abstract Hydrogen’s promise as a clean energy carrier is tempered by the challenges of efficient storage and safety concerns. While it offers an alternative to finite fossil fuel resources, current hydrogen storage methods, like cryo-compression and liquefaction, are often economically impractical. To tackle these issues, researchers are turning to nanotube materials (NTMs), crystalline substances with unique attributes ideal for hydrogen storage. Structural adaptability - NTMs can be precisely engineered for optimized hydrogen adsorption. These materials boast significant porosity, providing ample room for hydrogen molecules. NTMs offer a large surface area, enhancing their hydrogen adsorption capacity. NTMs employ weak van der Waals forces for hydrogen adsorption, enabling easy release via heat or pressure. Efforts are underway to enhance NTMs’ surface area and hydrogen uptake capabilities, along with a focus on mechanisms like the hydrogen spill-over for achieving high-density storage. NTMs go beyond storage; they can act as proton exchange membranes and fuel cell electrodes, making them versatile components in hydrogen-based energy systems. One strategy for improving NTM hydrogen storage involves introducing dopants or defects. Transition metals, due to their ability to attract and store hydrogen molecules in NTMs, are commonly explored. However, this addition may reduce the material’s gravimetric density, a critical practical consideration. In summary, research into NTMs and their potential for hydrogen storage via density functional theory is ongoing. This work explores strategies to enhance hydrogen storage, especially through transition metal doped NTMs. While these metals can improve hydrogen adsorption, the trade- offs in gravimetric density must be carefully weighed. Overall, this research contributes to the broader goal of harnessing hydrogen’s potential as a clean energy carrier, addressing the world’s growing energy needs.

New Insights into Pharmaceutical Nanocrystals for the Improved Topical Delivery of Therapeutics in Various Skin Disorders.

Nanotechnology has provided nanostructure-based delivery of drugs, among which nanocrystals have been investigated and explored for feasible topical drug delivery. Nanocrystals are nano-sized colloidal carriers, considered pure solid particles with a maximum drug load and a very small amount of stabilizer. The size or mean diameter of the nanocrystals is less than 1 μm and has a crystalline character. Prominent synthesis methods include the utilization of microfluidic- driven platforms as well as the milling approach, which is both adaptable and adjustable. Nanocrystals have shown a high capacity for loading drugs, utilization of negligible amounts of excipients, greater chemical stability, lower toxic effects, and ease of scale-up, as well as manufacturing. They have gained interest as drug delivery platforms, and the significantly large surface area of the skin makes it a potential approach for topical therapeutic formulations for different skin disorders including fungal and bacterial infections, psoriasis, wound healing, and skin cancers, etc. This article explores the preparation techniques, applications, and recent patents of nanocrystals for treating various skin conditions.

Synthesis and Characterization of Graphene Oxide for Efficient Adsorptive Removal of Hymexazol Pesticide from Aqueous Solutions: Thermodynamic, Kinetic, and Isotherm Studies

Background: Nanomaterials play a significant role in the field of water treatment due to their environment-friendly and appealing physical and chemical characteristics. Objective: The purpose of this research is to evaluate whether graphene oxide adsorbents can effectively remove hymexazol pesticide from an aqueous solution. Methods: Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared by the modified Hummer method, and it was characterized by a number characterization techniques, including XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FE-SEM, TEM, and EDX. Furthermore, the performances of the GO adsorbents for the removal of hymexazol from aqueous solution were investigated. The effect of contact time, GO dosage, initial hymexazol concentration, and temperature was carefully studied. Results: The kinetic experimental data were best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium data were well fitted by the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The kinetic experimental data were best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. And through the thermodynamic studies, it was found that the adsorption process of hymexazol pesticide is endothermic and spontaneous, in addition to the occurrence of adsorption and absorption together. Conclusions: The findings of the adsorption process demonstrated that graphene oxide is an extremely efficient adsorbent material for pesticide adsorption, owing to its large surface area and the presence of oxygen-rich groups on its surface.