Solar Radiation Spectrum Research Articles

Molecular and morphofunctional bases of development of the horse multiple congenital eye anomalies with the silver gene presence on the example of the <i>Soviet draft</i> breed

The article concretizes clinical data on the molecular and morphofunctional foundations of the development of multiple congenital eye abnormalities (MСOA) linked to the silver gene, using the example of the Soviet heavy-duty horse breed. Recommendations for owners on their maintenance and medical support and work with them are provided. The study was conducted on the basis of data from the VNIIK breeding center for the specified horse breed, genetic testing and ophthalmological examination. The focus group included 26 horses of the Soviet heavy-duty breed, examined for the presence of the silver gene. The results of the study showed that horses of the Soviet heavy-duty breed should undergo genetic testing for the presence of a silver gene in the genotype. However, the presence of MCOA linked to the silver gene is not an indication for the culling of horses due to the status of this breed as endangered, if it is necessary to select a mate for mating without genetic abnormalities so that they do not spread during uncontrolled crossing. Regular observation of an ophthalmologist and strict implementation of his recommendations are necessary to prevent the development of infectious complications and rapid progression of the disease with the onset of blindness. Horses homozygous for the silver gene should be kept in conditions that limit the possibility of injury to the eyeballs, including secondary damage to eye structures by the UV spectrum of solar radiation, for which translucent/opaque masks or sunglasses should be used. Working on homozygous horses with partial or complete loss of vision is potentially dangerous and possible only if a number of conditions are met and the owner is ready to bear legal responsibility for possible consequences.

An enhanced method for reconstruction of full SIF spectrum for near-ground measurements

Recently the applications of remotely sensed Solar-Induced chlorophyll Fluorescence (SIF) in the study of photosynthesis, stress conditions, and gross primary production have increased significantly. The full SIF spectrum spans over a spectral region of 650 ∼ 850 nm with two characteristic peaks around 685 nm and 740 nm. Over recent decades, many retrieval algorithms have been developed to estimate SIF at Top-Of-Canopy (TOC) using in-situ measurements of solar irradiance and canopy radiance spectra. Although the majority of retrieval methods retrieve SIF at a narrow spectral window, there exists a potential for retrieval of SIF in the full emission spectrum. Moreover, solar irradiance and canopy radiance spectra should ideally be measured at the same time but are usually measured sequentially with a certain time lag, raising potential errors in SIF retrieval. In this study, an enhanced retrieval algorithm of the full SIF spectrum at TOC is proposed. The proposed algorithm attempts to minimize the errors owing to time mismatch in measurements of solar irradiance and canopy radiance spectra. As an improvement to the previous algorithm (advanced Fluorescence Spectrum Reconstruction, aFSR), this proposed algorithm (aFSR-SVE) models the SIF-free contribution with principal components using the singular value decomposition technique. The optimal parameter settings in the forward model were determined for the experimental data collected by spectrometers used in the study. Firstly, the proposed algorithm was used to reconstruct full SIF spectrum for simulated data. The results were compared with known reference SIF values. After achieving satisfying results from simulated data, the proposed algorithm was compared with retrievals from established algorithms using experimental data. The results show improved SIF retrieval accuracy, without the need to simultaneously measure solar irradiance and canopy radiance spectra. The retrieval values comply with the results of previous algorithms in terms of spectral shape, diurnal trend, and temporal variations. The induced errors in SIF retrievals due to non-simultaneous measurements of solar irradiance and canopy radiance spectra were also investigated and the proposed algorithm was found to be less prone to such errors. Hence, the proposed algorithm is an improvement in reconstructing the full SIF spectrum with near-ground measurements. With the help of the proposed algorithm, field measurements using sequential systems and automated measurements of multiple targets can be performed effectively as it relaxes the requirement of concurrent measurement of solar irradiance and canopy radiance spectra. For future work, the applicability of this method can be investigated under more variable illumination conditions, like high cirrus clouds, passing clouds or persistent thin clouds.

Role of Humic Substances in the (Bio)Degradation of Synthetic Polymers under Environmental Conditions

Information on the detection of the presence and potential for degradation of synthetic polymers (SPs) under various environmental conditions is of increasing interest and concern to a wide range of specialists. At this stage, there is a need to understand the relationship between the main participants in the processes of (bio)degradation of SPs in various ecosystems (reservoirs with fresh and sea water, soils, etc.), namely the polymers themselves, the cells of microorganisms (MOs) participating in their degradation, and humic substances (HSs). HSs constitute a macrocomponent of natural non-living organic matter of aquatic and soil ecosystems, formed and transformed in the processes of mineralization of bio-organic substances in environmental conditions. Analysis of the main mechanisms of their influence on each other and the effects produced that accelerate or inhibit polymer degradation can create the basis for scientifically based approaches to the most effective solution to the problem of degradation of SPs, including in the form of microplastics. This review is aimed at comparing various aspects of interactions of SPs, MOs, and HSs in laboratory experiments (in vitro) and environmental investigations (in situ) aimed at the biodegradation of polymers, as well as pollutants (antibiotics and pesticides) that they absorb. Comparative calculations of the degradation velocity of different SPs in different environments are presented. A special place in the analysis is given to the elemental chemical composition of HSs, which are most successfully involved in the biodegradation of SPs. In addition, the role of photo-oxidation and photoaging of polymers under the influence of the ultraviolet spectrum of solar radiation under environmental conditions on the (bio)degradation of SPs in the presence of HSs is discussed.

Multi-mode hybridization in the MXene tetramer metasurface for ultra-broadband solar energy utilization

MXene is promising in photothermal or photovoltaic conversion, while high-performance MXene metasurface solar absorbers based on simple and feasible structures are still lacking. This study aims to design a solar absorber with ultra-broadband absorption capability in the visible and near-infrared wavelength ranges based on the MXene nanoblock tetramer/silica film/MXene substrate structure. The average absorptivity of this proposed metasurface absorber is 96.9% in the wavelength range of 300–2500 nm covering the whole solar spectrum. The physics behind the high absorption results from multiple-mode hybridization in different resonant bands, including the coupling between the surface plasmons, cavity resonances, and guided-mode resonances. The broadband and high-absorption performance remains stable under large-angle incidence and structural parameter variations with the average absorption above 90% in the whole wavelength region of interest. The calculated energy absorption ratio of the AM1.5 solar radiation spectrum can reach up to 96.3%, indicating low solar energy loss and efficient solar energy capture. In summary, these results provide great application prospects in the fields of photothermal and photovoltaic conversion.

Tracking the Photoactivity At The Interface of SiC/Poly 2(2-Thienyl) Furan Thin Solid Film in Polymer Gel Electrolytes

Assemblies made by immobilizing nanoparticles SiC into poly 2(2-thienyl) furane (PTF) were subjected to optical and electrochemical investigation. The studies show that SiC, a molecular inorganic compound, and PTF produce reproducible photo responses. Optical studies show that the optical band gap of SiC is around 2.5 eV while PTF's is around 2.2 eV. The band gap values suggest these assemblies absorb the visible solar radiation spectra. Electrochemical studies in gel electrolytes indicate that PTF and PTF/SiC under illumination show p-p behavior, where hole accumulation dominates. SiC thin films lack such character. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) studies revealed that the PTF and PTF/SiC possess kinetic and diffusional charge transfer properties. The studied assemblies and the gel electrolyte showed stability and resistance to photodegradation as evidenced by the regeneration of the same photo response after a longer period of experimentation.

Construction of core-shell W18O49@ZnIn2S4 hollow hierarchical structure for boosted photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H2 production

The development of photocatalysts that maximize the utilization of the solar spectrum is crucial to achieving efficient photocatalysis. Herein, the synthesized W18O49@ZnIn2S4 hollow hierarchical structure exhibits superior photothermal-assisted hydrogen (H2) photocatalytic performance under full solar spectrum irradiation. Within this photocatalyst design framework, the use of hollow spherical W18O49 exploits the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) effect, resulting in increased light absorption. This imparts additional energy to photogenerate carriers through ZnIn2S4, expediting charge migration and elevating the temperature of the reaction system, consequently facilitating the separation of carriers. Notably, the optimized WO(16h)@ZIS-10 sample shows impressive hydrogen evolution rates of 3.11 mmol g−1 under sunlight exposure and 4.98 mmol g−1 h−1 under composite illumination of AM 1.5G and near-infrared (NIR). Additionally, the study explores the impact of different heating methods on photocatalytic activity in solid-liquid reactions, providing valuable insights into effective solar energy conversion through high-activity solar-assisted photocatalysts.

Optical response of Zr[formula omitted]CO[formula omitted]/MoS[formula omitted] van der Waals heterostructures calculated using first-principles calculations

In the field of material science, the search for a material with an optimal bandgap of approximately 1.40 eV that can act as an efficient photocatalyst for water splitting using solar spectrum irradiation is a noble mission. In this article, we explore the structural, electronic structure, optical and photocatalytic properties of Zr2CO2/MoS2 vdW heterostructures. Our results demonstrates that the Zr2CO2/MoS2 vdW heterostructure can be reliably synthesized. This is due to a minimal lattice mismatch of less than 3%, a negative adhesion energy of -4.23 meV/Å 2, and inherent dynamic stability. The electronic band structure calculations indicate that the Zr2CO2/MoS2 vdW heterostructure is an indirect bandgap semiconductor. We found that the conduction band minimum (CBM) and valance band maximum (VBM) of the heterostructure are located in different monolayers. Furthermore, under −2% biaxial strain a transition from type-I to type-II (staggered) band alignment occurred. Stacking 2D MoS2 on the Zr2CO2 monolayer results in a vdW heterostructure, and as a result, the HSE calculated bandgap of the Zr2CO2/MoS2 vdW heterostructure in most stable configuration lying in the ideal range for photocatalytic applications. We also studied the heterostructure’s optical properties to understand its response to incident photons with energies up to 14 eV. Based on our findings, Zr2CO2/MoS2 heterostructures are desirable for optoelectronic device applications operated in visible range. Our research offers fresh recommendations for developing novel, highly effective photocatalytic compounds with numerous optical device applications.

Oxidant concentrations and photochemistry in a vehicle cabin.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in vehicles can be important to people's health, especially for those whose occupations require them to spend extensive time in vehicles. To date, research on vehicle IAQ has primarily focused on direct emissions as opposed to chemistry happening in vehicle cabins. In this work, we conducted time-resolved measurements of the oxidants and oxidant precursors ozone (O3), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and nitrous acid (HONO) inside the cabin of a 2012 Toyota Rav4 under varying ventilation conditions (i.e., car off, car on with passive ventilation, car on with mechanical ventilation via the recirculating fan, and car on with mechanical ventilation via the direct fan). Ozone levels inside the vehicle were significantly lower than outdoors under most conditions, and were approximately half the outdoor levels when the direct fan was in operation. Nitric oxide and NO2 concentrations were very low both inside the vehicle and outdoors. Nitrous acid levels in the vehicle were lower than reported values in other indoor environments, though much higher than expected outdoor levels. We also investigated the potential for photochemical production of radicals in the vehicle. Time- and wavelength-resolved solar irradiance spectra were collected, and steady state hydroxyl radical (OH) and nitrate radical (NO3) concentrations were calculated. Steady state OH concentrations were predicted to be similar to those in air masses in residences illuminated by sunlight, suggesting the importance of HONO photolysis in vehicles. Conversely, nitrate radicals (NO3) were not considered significant indoor oxidants in our study due to rapid titration by NO. Overall, our findings emphasize the importance of both air exchange and photochemistry in shaping the composition of air inside vehicles.

Hydrogen bubble management in planarly confined aqueous electrolyte: Fundamental factors for scale-up reactor design

Solar photoelectrochemical water-splitting is a potential process for producing renewable hydrogen. Here, the energy transport phenomena associated with hydrogen bubble generation are investigated for the future design of large-scale reactors. Light transfer analysis shows that using a thin aqueous-electrolyte layer is essential for utilizing the full spectrum of solar radiation. The hydrogen bubble flow needs to be redirected to avoid screening the photoelectrode from incident light. Hence, a bubble flow guide for controlling the stream of bubbles in a planarly confined aqueous electrolyte has been proposed. It is found that the surface wettability and inclination angle are important for designing an effective bubble flow guide. The hydrophilic coating on a polymethyl methacrylate surface inhibits bubble adhesion and reduces energy loss. Furthermore, measuring the electrode potential variation during water electrolysis is useful for comparing the performances of bubble flow guides.

Surface wettability control of bubble flow guide for a thin aqueous electrolyte layer of solar photoelectrochemical reactors

Abstract Hydrogen is a promising energy carrier as no carbon dioxide is emitted during its use in fuel cells or combustion. Solar photoelectrochemical water splitting is a potential process for producing renewable hydrogen. Herein, energy transport phenomena are addressed for the future design of large-scale reactors. First, we show that the thickness of the aqueous electrolyte layer is an essential factor for utilizing the full spectrum of solar radiation. The transport of solar irradiation through the aqueous electrolyte is theoretically analysed. Next, based on the measurement of light transmission through hydrogen bubbles generated from a hydrogen evolving electrode, the energy loss caused by the bubbles covering a photoelectrode is discussed. The bubble size distributions at practical current densities are also presented. Then, a bubble flow guide for controlling the stream of bubbles in a thin electrolyte layer is proposed. A design strategy and experimental results verifying the performance of the bubble flow guide are presented. We demonstrate that surface wettability and inclination angle are important for designing an effective bubble flow guide. We examine the surface wettability control using hydrophilic coatings in detail. Changes in the water contact angles as well as bubble adhesion forces on the coated surfaces are demonstrated. In addition, the current experimental method can be used to identify essential issues in photoelectrochemical processes. Because bubble trapping and growth in a flow guide are reflected in the electrode potential variation, the discussion of electrode potential variation would be useful for further developing bubble flow guides. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential for developing and designing solar photoelectrochemical reactors.

Ultra-wideband solar perfect absorber for photothermal conversion with high manufacturing error tolerance

Solar energy is a key way to solve today's energy and environmental crises, and the full collection and utilization of solar energy requires a solar absorber with a broader spectrum and higher efficiency. Here, we present a solar metamaterial absorber, consisting of a Ti substrate, a Si3N4 dielectric spacer layer, and a Ti–SiO2 patterned layer. The results of the simulation show that the average absorption of the absorber is 98.16% in the range of 200–4200 nm under normal incidence. Its high absorption is attributed to the interaction of magnetic resonance (MR), cavity resonance (CR), guided mode resonance (GMR) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Moreover, the total absorption of the absorber in the AM1.5 standard solar radiation spectrum is 97.8% and the total absorption of blackbody radiation at 1500 K is 98.0%. In addition, the total photothermal conversion efficiency is still 92.2% at 1000 K. The proposed metamaterial absorber is also characterized by wide-angle incidence insensitivity, polarization-independence and a high tolerance of fabrication errors, which can be practically applied in the field of solar energy harvesting.

Solar-matched S-scheme ZnO/g-C3N4 for visible light-driven paracetamol degradation

In pursuit of an efficient visible light driven photocatalyst for paracetamol degradation in wastewater, we have fabricated the ZnO/g-C3N4 S-Scheme photocatalysts and explored the optimal percentage to form a composite of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with zinc oxide (ZnO) for enhanced performance. Our study aimed to address the urgent need for a catalyst capable of environmentally friendly degradation of paracetamol, a common pharmaceutical pollutant, using visible light conditions. Here, we tailored the band gap of a photocatalyst to match solar radiation as a transformative advancement in environmental catalysis. Notably, the optimized composite, containing 10 wt.% g-C3N4 with ZnO, demonstrated outstanding paracetamol degradation efficiency of 95% within a mere 60-min exposure to visible light. This marked enhancement represented a 2.24-fold increase in the reaction rate compared to lower wt. percentage composites (3 wt.% g-C3N4) and pristine g-C3N4. The exceptional photocatalytic activity of the optimized composite can be attributed to the band gap narrowing that closely matched the maximum solar radiation spectrum. This, coupled with efficient charge transfer mechanisms through S-scheme heterojunction formation and an abundance of active sites due to increased surface area and reduced particle size, contributed to the remarkable performance. Trapping experiments identified hydroxyl radicals as the primary reactive species responsible for paracetamol photoreduction. Furthermore, the synthesized ZnO/g-C3N4 composite exhibited exceptional photostability and reusability, underscoring its practical applicability. Thus, this research marks a significant stride towards the development of an effective and sustainable visible light photocatalyst for the removal of pharmaceutical contaminants from aquatic environments.

Parameterization of Secondary Ionization Rates and Photoelectron Heating Rates of Venus and Mars

AbstractAs a fundamental physical process in the ionosphere, photoionization and the associated photoelectrons play vital roles in determining the ionospheric electron density and temperature for Earth and other planets with atmospheres such as Mars and Venus. The production and transport of ionospheric photoelectrons have been widely examined on Earth, but relatively less studied for other terrestrial planets, such as Mars and Venus. In this study, a two‐stream photoelectron transport model for Mars and Venus is constructed, in which the photoelectron fluxes, photoelectron heating rates, primary and secondary ionization rates are calculated. The simulated photoelectron fluxes agree with Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) observations at various altitudes, with the input of solar spectrum irradiance, electron density and temperature, neutral density and temperature observed by MAVEN. Moreover, by parametrically fitting the simulation results for various solar zenith angles and solar activities, we obtain empirical parameterized formulas for ionization and heating efficiencies which can potentially be adapted to planetary ionospheric models for the community.

Crafting in situ boron and selenium-doped carbon nitride nanosheets for turbocharged benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol under solar spectrum

This research focuses on the fabrication and application of in situ boron and selenium-doped carbon nitride nanosheets as effective photocatalysts using sun spectrum irradiation to convert turbocharged benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol. To optimize the doping method for enhanced activity, the effect of changing dopant concentrations on catalytic efficiency was thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, a through analysis of the reactive species involved in the conversion process helped to clarify the photocatalytic process. Based on charge transfer and low recombination, the results indicate that boron and selenium dopants work synergistically to improve catalytic efficiency. This research helps to improve the development of new photocatalytic materials for the sustainable and ecologically friendly transformation of organic molecules under solar spectrum irradiation. The regeneration of NADH using B,Se-CN photocatalyst demonstrates very good efficiency. It also demonstrated the high conversion efficiency of benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol. This study emphasizes the possible use of B,Se-CN composite in the area of photoinduced conversion-based organic transformation. The knowledge gathered from this research opens up new avenues for the development and enhancement of effective photocatalysts that might be used in a range of solar-powered organic transformation processes.

Structural, Mechanical, and Optoelectronic Properties of CH3NH3PbI3 as a Photoactive Layer in Perovskite Solar Cell

The structural, electronic, mechanical, and optical properties of pseudo-cubic CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite have been studied within the framework of density functional theory, in line with solar cell applications. The computed values of lattice and elastic constants concurred with the available theoretical and experimental data. This compound has a semi-conducting behavior, with a direct band gap of about 1.49 eV. Note that the solar radiation spectrum has a maximum energy intensity value of approximately 1.50 eV. Thus, semiconductors with such gaps are preferred for photovoltaic applications. Its elastic parameters reveal that it is a ductile material that is mechanically stable. Optical descriptors such as refractive index, reflectivity, extinction, energy loss, and absorption have been explored with the aim of establishing the optical features of the material. Our findings demonstrate that this perovskite is suitable for solar cell applications based on the size and nature of the band gap, as also supported by the obtained upper limit value of simulated power conversion efficiency via the spectroscopic limited maximum efficiency mathematical model.

Fabrication of homogenous Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells by close space sublimation using a single alloyed powder source

Sulfoselenide Sb2(S,Se)3, as a potential light-harvester, possesses a flexibly tunable bandgap of 1.1–1.7 eV to match solar radiation spectrum. However, the preparation of a homogenous Sb2(S,Se)3 film is still challenging due to the different growth kinetics in sulfide and selenide compound, which consequentially leads to phase separation, lattice disorder and unfavored band level. This dilemma also occurs in the simple and well-established close space sublimation (CSS) method, and poses a devastating carrier recombination in Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells. Herein, alloyed powders of Sb2(S,Se)3 are exquisitely synthesized by a thorough gas-solid reaction, delivering a uniform and single phase composition distribution as well as finely-tunable S/Se ratio. Compared with a physically mixed powder source (Sb2S3/Sb2Se3), this alloyed Sb2(S,Se)3 source allows for the fabrication of a homogeneous Sb2(S,Se)3 thin film by CSS, rendering improved (hk1) orientation, dense morphology, a more consistent longitudinal S/Se ratio, and enhanced energy level arrangement. These advancements contribute to enhance carrier transport and reduce carrier recombination. As a result, the efficiency of the solar cell is remarkably boosted from 2.59% to 5.46%, which is among of the highest PCE of full-inorganic Sb2(S,Se)3 devices fabricated through the CSS method.

Wide‐Gap Perovskites for Indoor Photovoltaics

Organic–inorganic halide perovskite semiconductors have revolutionized next‐generation photovoltaics (PV) due to several characteristics such as solution‐processability, gap tunability, and excellent charge generation and transport properties. This has made them very adaptable for various applications in light harvesting and photodetection. One such rapidly growing application is indoor photovoltaics (IPV) which have the potential to power standalone Internet of Things devices. IPV requires wider optimal bandgaps than solar cells (1.8 vs 1.3 eV) due to the differences between the spectra of artificial lights versus solar radiation. For IPV applications, the active layer wide‐gap perovskite must be developed systemically considering all other components of the device, such as interlayers, electrodes, and scaling. This perspective provides an overview of the potential and challenges facing perovskite‐based IPV from a theoretical, material, and experimental perspective. Furthermore, accurate characterization of perovskite IPVs under simulated indoor conditions is discussed and candidate perovskite PV (PPV) systems are presented to provide insight into IPV development. These include IPV‐optimized formamidinium cesium‐based perovskite, wide‐gap p‐i‐n devices, and 2D perovskite devices, tested under spectrophotometrically calibrated LED illumination at various indoor‐relevant illuminances and benchmarked against thermodynamic predictions. Finally, strategies required to create stable, optimized PPV devices for indoor applications are discussed.

Ultra-broadband and wide-angle plasmonic absorber based on all-dielectric gallium arsenide pyramid nanostructure for full solar radiation spectrum range

Broadband and plasmonic absorbers (PAs) are key components for numerous applications in the fields of energy harvesting, thermal photonics, optoelectronic devices, and enhanced spectroscopy. In this work, we propose a simple and cost-effective metamaterial plasmonic absorber (MPA) design based on an all-dielectric GaAs pyramid nanostructure for the full solar radiation spectrum range. Simulation results demonstrate that the absorbance of the proposed MPA exceeds 85% in the full solar spectrum range, and it exceeds 90% from 0.25 μm to 3.1 μm with a relative bandwidth of approximately 170.74%, with an absorption peak up to 99% at resonance wavelength. The high absorption is attributed to the excitation of wave-guide mode, surface plasmon polariton (SPP) resonance modes combined with coupling effect and intrinsic lossy of dielectric GaAs and metallic tungsten (W). Furthermore, the proposed MPA is polarization-independent and wide incident angles for both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes. Additionally, the MPA can tolerate certain structural parameter errors during practical fabrication applications. Furthermore, the photophysical properties of this MPA for solar cell applications are investigated, revealing the achievement of high short-circuit current density. Our proposed design is highly promising for applications in solar energy harvesting, thermoelectric, and thermal emitter applications.

Effect of solar radiation and full spectrum artificial sun light drying on the drying characteristics, ultra-structural and textural properties of white radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Traditional sun drying has long been employed as a method for preserving radishes (Raphanus sativus L.) However, it suffers from various uncertainties, including weather-related factors such as rain and cloudy days, the pressing issue of climatic change can lead to an impact on the traditional drying process and texture of radish. In this research, the full spectrum artificial sunlight drying (FSASLD) has been implemented to simulate the traditional open sun drying of white radish slices which helps to prevent hygienic issues and unstable climatic conditions. Water activity (Aw) was measured and observed to decrease from 0.89 to 0.60 under both drying methods, indicating the removal of moisture from radish cells. Mathematical modelling and color kinetics models were studied with respect to drying time. Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) was employed to assess hardness, and results showed an increase in hardness following both SD (1018.24 g to 1327.67 g) and FSASLD (1018.24 g to 1731.04 g) salt treated radish slices. These findings suggest that FSASLD can serve as a viable alternative to the conventional drying method and contributes to agricultural innovation and the food industry, reducing drying time significantly from 270 min to 200 min and minimizing the impact of adverse weather conditions and interference from animals and microorganisms.

Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Using Homogeneous Carbon Dots with a Molecular Cobalt Catalyst.

A simple and precious-metal free photosystem for the reduction of aqueous CO2 to syngas (CO and H2) is reported consisting of carbon dots (CDs) as the sole light harvester together with a molecular cobalt bis(terpyridine) CO2 reduction co-catalyst. This homogeneous photocatalytic system operates in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor (triethanolamine) in DMSO/H2O solution at ambient temperature. The photocatalytic system exhibits an activity of 7.7 ± 0.2 mmolsyngas gCDs -1 (3.6 ± 0.2 mmolCO gCDs -1 and 4.1 ± 0.1 mmolH2 gCDs -1) after 24hours of full solar spectrum irradiation (AM 1.5G). Spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization supports that this photocatalytic performance is attributed to a favorable association between CDs and the molecular cobalt catalyst, which results in improved interfacial photoelectron transfer and catalytic mechanism. This work provides a scalable and inexpensive platform for the development of CO2 photoreduction systems using CDs.