Pub Date : 2026-01-02DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119165
Nikola Ilić , Ivana Validžić , Tanja Barudžija , Sanja Stevanović
Antimony sulfide amorphous and crystalline nanoparticles were synthesized by the hot-injection method. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the gradual growth and crystallization of amorphous particles with synthesis time and temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed spherical shapes of amorphous nanoparticles of 10–50 nm in radius and clothespin-shaped crystalline particles with a radius and length of several micrometers and an approximate aspect ratio of 2.5. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) implied a 1.8–2.0 eV, size-tunable, indirect band gap for the amorphous phase and a smaller, ∼1.6 eV, direct band gap for the crystalline phase. Thermogravimetry (TG/DSC) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy studies show that amorphous powders have a low concentration of organic molecules, which are primarily eliminated during crystallization. The powders were spray deposited as an absorber layer in ITO/TiO2 + Sb2S3/P3HT/I2(I−)/Al-composed solar cells, giving up to 1.2 % energy conversion efficiency when illuminated by a 290 W/m2 tungsten lamp as a source.
{"title":"Hot injection synthesis parameters effects on the structure, crystallinity, microstructure and optical properties of Sb2S3 nanopowders","authors":"Nikola Ilić , Ivana Validžić , Tanja Barudžija , Sanja Stevanović","doi":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119165","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119165","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Antimony sulfide amorphous and crystalline nanoparticles were synthesized by the hot-injection method. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the gradual growth and crystallization of amorphous particles with synthesis time and temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed spherical shapes of amorphous nanoparticles of 10–50 nm in radius and clothespin-shaped crystalline particles with a radius and length of several micrometers and an approximate aspect ratio of 2.5. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) implied a 1.8–2.0 eV, size-tunable, indirect band gap for the amorphous phase and a smaller, ∼1.6 eV, direct band gap for the crystalline phase. Thermogravimetry (TG/DSC) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy studies show that amorphous powders have a low concentration of organic molecules, which are primarily eliminated during crystallization. The powders were spray deposited as an absorber layer in ITO/TiO<sub>2</sub> + Sb<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub>/P3HT/I<sub>2</sub>(I<sup>−</sup>)/Al-composed solar cells, giving up to 1.2 % energy conversion efficiency when illuminated by a 290 W/m<sup>2</sup> tungsten lamp as a source.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18233,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: B","volume":"326 ","pages":"Article 119165"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883408","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-02DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119172
Guixin Wan , Yunlong Jia , Zhanyi Zhu , Bingjie Ren , Tao Qin , Lin Ma
In this study, coral-like α-Fe2O3 gas sensing materials were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal-annealing method. By optimizing the calcination temperature, the material with high specific surface area and rapid dynamic response was obtained. The coral-like α-Fe2O3 which was calcined at 600 °C for 2 h exhibited excellent ammonia sensing properties: a low optimal operating temperature (220 °C), a high response value (50.26 to 200 ppm NH₃) alongside fast response/recovery times (13.6/33.4 s), and a good linear relationship between sensor response and ammonia concentration in the range of 10–200 ppm (regression coefficient R2 = 0.987). The coral-like interconnected porous architecture significantly enhanced gas diffusion and increased the contact area between target gases and the sensing materials. Simultaneously, it facilitated adsorption/desorption processes on both internal and external surfaces, contributing to rapid response/recovery kinetics and high sensitivity. Furthermore, gas sensors based on coral-like α-Fe2O3 demonstrated excellent selectivity to ammonia and robust long-term stability. Finally, the gas sensing mechanism of ammonia detection was also discussed.
{"title":"Coral-like α-Fe2O3 nanosensor for enhanced ammonia sensing at low operating temperature","authors":"Guixin Wan , Yunlong Jia , Zhanyi Zhu , Bingjie Ren , Tao Qin , Lin Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119172","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119172","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, coral-like α-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> gas sensing materials were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal-annealing method. By optimizing the calcination temperature, the material with high specific surface area and rapid dynamic response was obtained. The coral-like α-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> which was calcined at 600 °C for 2 h exhibited excellent ammonia sensing properties: a low optimal operating temperature (220 °C), a high response value (50.26 to 200 ppm NH₃) alongside fast response/recovery times (13.6/33.4 s), and a good linear relationship between sensor response and ammonia concentration in the range of 10–200 ppm (regression coefficient <em>R</em><sup>2</sup> = 0.987). The coral-like interconnected porous architecture significantly enhanced gas diffusion and increased the contact area between target gases and the sensing materials. Simultaneously, it facilitated adsorption/desorption processes on both internal and external surfaces, contributing to rapid response/recovery kinetics and high sensitivity. Furthermore, gas sensors based on coral-like α-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> demonstrated excellent selectivity to ammonia and robust long-term stability. Finally, the gas sensing mechanism of ammonia detection was also discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18233,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: B","volume":"326 ","pages":"Article 119172"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145877044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-02DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119148
Jian-hong Han , Qiu-bing Ma , Ting-ting Zhang , Zhe Wang , Xin Xu , Wei Qiao , Wei-da Wang
In this study, a new and efficient process for the removal of U(VI) from aqueous solutions was sought. The surface of Chlorella vulgaris features abundant functional groups (e.g., carboxyl, hydroxyl, and phosphate groups), which makes it a promising matrix material. The magnetic zinc ferrite/carbon (ZnFe2O4/C) composite was prepared from Chlorella vulgaris via hydrothermal carbonization. The successful compositing of zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) with Chlorella vulgaris was confirmed by SEM-EDS and TEM, while VSM measurements confirmed the magnetic nature of the resulting material. The ZnFe2O4/C composite demonstrated a higher U(VI) adsorption capacity and efficiency than both Chlorella vulgaris and ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles alone, indicating a synergistic effect. The optimal conditions for U(VI) adsorption on the ZnFe2O4/C composite were pH = 5, M/V = 0.8 g/L, T = 298 K and C0 = 30 mg/L, under which an adsorption capacity of 36.19 mg/g was achieved. The adsorption of U(VI) onto the ZnFe2O4/C composite followed the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, indicating a monolayer chemisorption process. Desorption and regeneration experiments demonstrated the high reusability of the ZnFe2O4/C adsorbent for efficient recovery of U(VI) from aqueous solutions. Analysis of FT-IR and XPS data before and after adsorption indicates that U(VI) undergoes coordination with surface-exposed metal‑oxygen groups (Zn-O/Fe-O) of the ZnFe2O4/C composite, along with complexation with oxygen-containing functional groups (e.g., carboxyl, hydroxyl, and phosphate) on the carbon matrix. Therefore, because of its low cost, simple and efficient preparation method and superior performance, the ZnFe2O4/C adsorbent has high potential for removing U(VI) from aqueous solutions.
{"title":"Synthesis of nano-ZnFe2O4/C magnetic composite based on Chlorella vulgaris hydrochar and its adsorption mechanism for U(VI) in aqueous solutions","authors":"Jian-hong Han , Qiu-bing Ma , Ting-ting Zhang , Zhe Wang , Xin Xu , Wei Qiao , Wei-da Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119148","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119148","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, a new and efficient process for the removal of U(VI) from aqueous solutions was sought. The surface of <em>Chlorella vulgaris</em> features abundant functional groups (e.g., carboxyl, hydroxyl, and phosphate groups), which makes it a promising matrix material. The magnetic zinc ferrite/carbon (ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/C) composite was prepared from <em>Chlorella vulgaris</em> via hydrothermal carbonization. The successful compositing of zinc ferrite (ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>) with <em>Chlorella vulgaris</em> was confirmed by SEM-EDS and TEM, while VSM measurements confirmed the magnetic nature of the resulting material. The ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/C composite demonstrated a higher U(VI) adsorption capacity and efficiency than both <em>Chlorella vulgaris</em> and ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles alone, indicating a synergistic effect. The optimal conditions for U(VI) adsorption on the ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/C composite were pH = 5, M/V = 0.8 g/L, T = 298 K and C<sub>0</sub> = 30 mg/L, under which an adsorption capacity of 36.19 mg/g was achieved. The adsorption of U(VI) onto the ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/C composite followed the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, indicating a monolayer chemisorption process. Desorption and regeneration experiments demonstrated the high reusability of the ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/C adsorbent for efficient recovery of U(VI) from aqueous solutions. Analysis of FT-IR and XPS data before and after adsorption indicates that U(VI) undergoes coordination with surface-exposed metal‑oxygen groups (Zn-O/Fe-O) of the ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/C composite, along with complexation with oxygen-containing functional groups (e.g., carboxyl, hydroxyl, and phosphate) on the carbon matrix. Therefore, because of its low cost, simple and efficient preparation method and superior performance, the ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/C adsorbent has high potential for removing U(VI) from aqueous solutions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18233,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: B","volume":"326 ","pages":"Article 119148"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-02DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119162
Mingming Lu, Pengfei Xu, Jieqiong Lin, Yongsheng Du, Limin Zhang, Bowen Yang
To address the challenge of achieving surface uniformity in microcrystalline glass magnetorheological polishing (MRP), this study proposes a method for predicting and evaluating surface uniformity based on the motion trajectories of abrasive particles. First, a mathematical model of abrasive particle trajectories was established based on kinematic principles. COMSOL magnetic field simulations defined the physical boundaries of the effective polishing zone under Halbach ring arrays. The coefficient of variation (Cv) of particle trajectory density was innovatively introduced as a new metric for quantifying trajectory uniformity. Second, the numerical simulation system reveals the influence mechanisms of three key process parameters-workpiece speed, polishing disc speed, and eccentricity-on surface uniformity: increasing workpiece speed extends the abrasive particle trajectory path but tends to cause trajectories to cluster toward the workpiece center; polishing disc speed significantly affects trajectory overlap rate and distribution range; reducing eccentricity promotes dense abrasive particle distribution in the workpiece center region, thereby enhancing overall uniformity. Through systematic optimization, the study identified the optimal parameter combination: workpiece speed of 700 r/min, polishing disc speed of 60 r/min, and eccentricity of 28.6 mm. At these settings, the simulated Cv value was minimized, and the abrasive particle trajectory distribution was most uniform. Experimental validation demonstrated that under different process parameters, the trends in the coefficient of variation (Cv) of workpiece surface roughness and surface light transmittance closely matched the simulated Cv trends, confirming the validity of the established model and simulation experiments.
{"title":"Study on the uniformity of microcrystalline glass processing via magnetorheological polishing","authors":"Mingming Lu, Pengfei Xu, Jieqiong Lin, Yongsheng Du, Limin Zhang, Bowen Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119162","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119162","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To address the challenge of achieving surface uniformity in microcrystalline glass magnetorheological polishing (MRP), this study proposes a method for predicting and evaluating surface uniformity based on the motion trajectories of abrasive particles. First, a mathematical model of abrasive particle trajectories was established based on kinematic principles. COMSOL magnetic field simulations defined the physical boundaries of the effective polishing zone under Halbach ring arrays. The coefficient of variation (Cv) of particle trajectory density was innovatively introduced as a new metric for quantifying trajectory uniformity. Second, the numerical simulation system reveals the influence mechanisms of three key process parameters-workpiece speed, polishing disc speed, and eccentricity-on surface uniformity: increasing workpiece speed extends the abrasive particle trajectory path but tends to cause trajectories to cluster toward the workpiece center; polishing disc speed significantly affects trajectory overlap rate and distribution range; reducing eccentricity promotes dense abrasive particle distribution in the workpiece center region, thereby enhancing overall uniformity. Through systematic optimization, the study identified the optimal parameter combination: workpiece speed of 700 r/min, polishing disc speed of 60 r/min, and eccentricity of 28.6 mm. At these settings, the simulated Cv value was minimized, and the abrasive particle trajectory distribution was most uniform. Experimental validation demonstrated that under different process parameters, the trends in the coefficient of variation (Cv) of workpiece surface roughness and surface light transmittance closely matched the simulated Cv trends, confirming the validity of the established model and simulation experiments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18233,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: B","volume":"326 ","pages":"Article 119162"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119157
B.C. Bhadrapriya , Karthick Natarajan , Sayyid Abdul Basith , Arunkumar Chandrasekhar , Gara Kishor , Rabindra Nath Bhowmik , A. Arockiarajan , Didier Rouxel , Nandakumar Kalarikkal
Piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators harvest energy from mechanical motion, but based on different mechanisms. Hybrid tribo-piezoelectric nanogenerators (TPNGs) offer a promising approach by harnessing both triboelectric and piezoelectric effects, enhancing energy conversion efficiency. In this paper, we have developed a flexible Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanocomposite film incorporating multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and W-type hexaferrite (BaCo2Fe16O27) nanoparticles for high-performance energy harvesting. The addition of CNTs enables charge transport, while the hexaferrite phase adds magnetoelectric (ME) coupling, thus increasing charge density and output performance. The synergistic combination of the polymer matrix and nanoscale fillers results in materials with improved electrical and magnetic capabilities, enabling their use in energy harvesting and sensing applications.The structural and functional characterizations of the developed films confirmed the improved β-phase content, enhanced dielectric, magnetic, ferroelectric properties, and strong ME coupling coefficient of 25.5 mVcm−1 Oe−1.A piezoelectric and hybrid tribo-piezoelectric nanogenerator device was fabricated with PCF20, a sample showing the best ferroelectric, magnetic and magnetoelectric properties. The device could generate a maximum output voltage of 164 V and a power density of 16 μW/cm2, highlighting the potential of these flexible nanocomposites for next-generation multifunctional materials capable of harnessing diverse environmental stimuli for sustainable energy solutions.
{"title":"A hybrid approach to powering the future: Flexible PVDF-HFP/MWCNT/hexaferrite nanocomposite films for piezoelectric and hybrid tribo-piezoelectric energy harvesting","authors":"B.C. Bhadrapriya , Karthick Natarajan , Sayyid Abdul Basith , Arunkumar Chandrasekhar , Gara Kishor , Rabindra Nath Bhowmik , A. Arockiarajan , Didier Rouxel , Nandakumar Kalarikkal","doi":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119157","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119157","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators harvest energy from mechanical motion, but based on different mechanisms. Hybrid tribo-piezoelectric nanogenerators (TPNGs) offer a promising approach by harnessing both triboelectric and piezoelectric effects, enhancing energy conversion efficiency. In this paper, we have developed a flexible Poly(vinylidene fluoride-<em>co</em>-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanocomposite film incorporating multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and W-type hexaferrite (BaCo<sub>2</sub>Fe<sub>16</sub>O<sub>27</sub>) nanoparticles for high-performance energy harvesting. The addition of CNTs enables charge transport, while the hexaferrite phase adds magnetoelectric (ME) coupling, thus increasing charge density and output performance. The synergistic combination of the polymer matrix and nanoscale fillers results in materials with improved electrical and magnetic capabilities, enabling their use in energy harvesting and sensing applications.The structural and functional characterizations of the developed films confirmed the improved β-phase content, enhanced dielectric, magnetic, ferroelectric properties, and strong ME coupling coefficient of 25.5 mVcm<sup>−1</sup> Oe<sup>−1</sup>.A piezoelectric and hybrid tribo-piezoelectric nanogenerator device was fabricated with PCF20, a sample showing the best ferroelectric, magnetic and magnetoelectric properties. The device could generate a maximum output voltage of 164 V and a power density of 16 μW/cm<sup>2</sup>, highlighting the potential of these flexible nanocomposites for next-generation multifunctional materials capable of harnessing diverse environmental stimuli for sustainable energy solutions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18233,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: B","volume":"325 ","pages":"Article 119157"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119167
Jifan Zhao, Linghui Tang, Yue Wang, Shaoyan Wang
This study reports a one-step, in-situ route to a carbon-nanotube-reinforced conductive hydrogel and its use, with layer-by-layer (LbL) CS/GOx assembly, to build a high-performance glucose sensor. The key innovation is the direct co-gelation of functionalized CNTs into a chemically cross-linked 3D network, creating a low-loading, percolated pathway that boosts conductivity without stiffening the hydrogel or requiring bespoke monomer design/post-modification. The CS/GOx LbL layers furnish an enzyme-friendly microenvironment and synergistic stabilization. SEM/FT-IR/XPS and electrochemical analyses confirm a stable 3D architecture with uniform composition, while the enlarged electroactive area and rapid mass transport enhance electrocatalysis. Operated at pH 5.5, the GCE/HG/CNTs/CS/GOx sensor shows a linear range of 0.5–25 mM, a sensitivity of 6.07 μA cm−2 mM−1, excellent reproducibility (RSD = 1.47%), and durability (91% signal retention after one week). This simple, aqueous, low-temperature process offers both performance gains and a practical pathway toward next-generation flexible, wearable glucose sensing.
{"title":"Hydrogel-integrated functionalized carbon nanotube electrode for electrochemical glucose sensing","authors":"Jifan Zhao, Linghui Tang, Yue Wang, Shaoyan Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119167","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119167","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study reports a one-step, in-situ route to a carbon-nanotube-reinforced conductive hydrogel and its use, with layer-by-layer (LbL) CS/GOx assembly, to build a high-performance glucose sensor. The key innovation is the direct co-gelation of functionalized CNTs into a chemically cross-linked 3D network, creating a low-loading, percolated pathway that boosts conductivity without stiffening the hydrogel or requiring bespoke monomer design/post-modification. The CS/GOx LbL layers furnish an enzyme-friendly microenvironment and synergistic stabilization. SEM/FT-IR/XPS and electrochemical analyses confirm a stable 3D architecture with uniform composition, while the enlarged electroactive area and rapid mass transport enhance electrocatalysis. Operated at pH 5.5, the GCE/HG/CNTs/CS/GOx sensor shows a linear range of 0.5–25 mM, a sensitivity of 6.07 μA cm<sup>−2</sup> mM<sup>−1</sup>, excellent reproducibility (RSD = 1.47%), and durability (91% signal retention after one week). This simple, aqueous, low-temperature process offers both performance gains and a practical pathway toward next-generation flexible, wearable glucose sensing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18233,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: B","volume":"325 ","pages":"Article 119167"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119144
Muhammad Azim, Dilawar Ali
The spray pyrolysis technique was used to prepare NiO, Cr₂O₃ and NiCr composite thin films on a glass substrate of soda lime and nickel foam. The high crystallinity of pure NiO and Cr₂O₃ was identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), whereas the composites had partial crystallinity and the appearance of a cubic spinel NiCr₂O₄ phase. The spinel structure was further confirmed by Raman and FTIR analyses by the appearance of characteristic NiO, CrO, and Ni–O–Cr vibrational bands. SEM showed that the films had uniform and crack-free structures with fine grains, suggesting that they were densely and uniformly formed in their surfaces. Electrochemical studies (CV, GCD, and EIS) revealed that NC3 composite (Cr/Ni = 1:1) had showed excellent performance with specific capacitances of 1371 F g−1 at 2 mV s−1 and 1451 F g−1 at 1.5 A g−1, and a low equivalent series resistance (1.27 Ω). Symmetric supercapacitor based on NC3 electrode provided 99.7 F g−1 at 1.33 A g−1, and maintained 89 % capacitance after 9000 cycles, and an energy density of 19.95 Wh kg−1 at 800 W kg−1. These results show the excellent electrochemical activity and stability of the NiCr composite thin films for advanced energy storage applications.
采用喷雾热解技术在碱石灰和泡沫镍玻璃基板上制备了NiO、Cr₂O₃和NiCr复合薄膜。通过x射线衍射（XRD）鉴定了纯NiO和Cr₂O₃具有较高的结晶度，而复合材料具有部分结晶度，并呈现立方尖晶石NiCr₂O₄相。通过拉曼光谱和红外光谱分析，发现NiO、CrO和Ni-O-Cr的特征振动带，进一步证实了尖晶石结构。SEM结果表明，薄膜结构均匀、无裂纹，晶粒细小，表明薄膜表面形成致密、均匀。电化学研究（CV， GCD和EIS）表明，NC3复合材料（Cr/Ni = 1:1）具有优异的性能，在2 mV s−1和1.5 A g−1下的比电容分别为1371 F g−1和1451 F g−1，等效串联电阻低（1.27 Ω）。基于NC3电极的对称超级电容器在1.33 A g−1下可提供99.7 F g−1，在9000次循环后保持89%的电容，在800 W kg−1下能量密度为19.95 Wh kg−1。这些结果表明NiCr复合薄膜具有优异的电化学活性和稳定性，可用于先进的储能应用。
{"title":"Facile binder free synthesis of NiO–Cr₂O₃ composite coatings for high performance symmetric supercapacitor","authors":"Muhammad Azim, Dilawar Ali","doi":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119144","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119144","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The spray pyrolysis technique was used to prepare NiO, Cr₂O₃ and Ni<img>Cr composite thin films on a glass substrate of soda lime and nickel foam. The high crystallinity of pure NiO and Cr₂O₃ was identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), whereas the composites had partial crystallinity and the appearance of a cubic spinel NiCr₂O₄ phase. The spinel structure was further confirmed by Raman and FTIR analyses by the appearance of characteristic Ni<img>O, Cr<img>O, and Ni–O–Cr vibrational bands. SEM showed that the films had uniform and crack-free structures with fine grains, suggesting that they were densely and uniformly formed in their surfaces. Electrochemical studies (CV, GCD, and EIS) revealed that NC3 composite (Cr/Ni = 1:1) had showed excellent performance with specific capacitances of 1371 F g<sup>−1</sup> at 2 mV s<sup>−1</sup> and 1451 F g<sup>−1</sup> at 1.5 A g<sup>−1</sup>, and a low equivalent series resistance (1.27 Ω). Symmetric supercapacitor based on NC3 electrode provided 99.7 F g<sup>−1</sup> at 1.33 A g<sup>−1</sup>, and maintained 89 % capacitance after 9000 cycles, and an energy density of 19.95 Wh kg<sup>−1</sup> at 800 W kg<sup>−1</sup>. These results show the excellent electrochemical activity and stability of the Ni<img>Cr composite thin films for advanced energy storage applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18233,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: B","volume":"325 ","pages":"Article 119144"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119166
Mohamed Taha , A. Khalid , Hassan Nageh , S. Abdalla
The heterostructures of nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) were fabricated using hydrothermal approach. Physicochemical characterizations, including FTIR, XRD, XPS, and HR-TEM were used to explore the phase structure, chemical composition and morphological structure of the heterostructures. The optical characteristics were investigated via using UV–vis spectrophotometry. The results confirm the strong coupling and compounding between N-CQDs and g-C3N4 to form a 0D/2D heterojunction. Furthermore, using the Tauc equation, the optical bandgap energy for g-C3N4 was dropped from 2.805 eV after conjugation with N-CQDs, reaching 2.797 eV, 2.76, and 2.795 as the concentration of N-CQDs in the heterostructure increased. Meanwhile, the PL of heterostructures is gradually blue shifted. However, upon increasing the amount of N-CQDs in the heterostructure, the extinction coefficient, refractive index, electronegativity, and optical conductivity enhanced. It is shown that Skin depth (δ) decreases as photon energy increases up to cut off wavelength λcutoff ∼ 3.8 eV, then increases exponentially with N-CQDs content in surface g-C3N4 sheets. Photoacoustic spectroscopy technique (PA) was used to evaluate the thermal diffusivity (α), thermal effusivity (e) and thermal conductivity (k) of prepared materials. The results show the values of (k) of g-C3N4 reached to 300 % increase upon conjugation with N-CQDs. Additionally, the thermal conductivity increased from 0.126 w m−1k−1to 0.596 w m−1 k−1, and the e values increased from 40 to 63.4 ws1/2m−2k−1 as the concentration of N-CQDs increase in the heterostructures. Finally, these results demonstrate the potential of N-CQDs/g-C₃N₄ heterostructures for multifunctional optoelectronic and thermal applications.
采用水热法制备了氮掺杂碳量子点（N-CQDs）。采用FTIR、XRD、XPS、HR-TEM等理化表征手段对异质结构的物相结构、化学成分和形态结构进行了表征。用紫外-可见分光光度法研究了其光学特性。结果证实了N-CQDs与g-C3N4之间的强耦合和复合形成了0D/2D异质结。此外，利用Tauc方程，随着N-CQDs浓度的增加，g-C3N4的光学带隙能量从与N-CQDs共轭后的2.805 eV下降到2.797 eV、2.76 eV和2.795 eV。同时，异质结构的PL逐渐蓝移。然而，随着异质结构中N-CQDs数量的增加，消光系数、折射率、电负性和光电导率都有所提高。结果表明，当光子能量增加至波长λ截止~ 3.8 eV时，趋肤深度（δ）减小，然后随着表面g-C3N4片中N-CQDs含量的增加呈指数增长。利用光声光谱技术（PA）对制备材料的热扩散系数（α）、热渗透系数(e)和导热系数(k)进行了评价。结果表明，与N-CQDs偶联后，g-C3N4的k值提高了300%。随着N-CQDs浓度的增加，导热系数从0.126 w m−1k−1增加到0.596 w m−1k−1，e值从40增加到63.4 ws /2m−2k−1。最后，这些结果证明了N- cqds /g-C₃N₄异质结构在多功能光电和热应用方面的潜力。
{"title":"Interface-engineered N-CQD/g-C₃N₄ Heterostructures with tunable opto-elctronic features and enhanced thermal conductivity","authors":"Mohamed Taha , A. Khalid , Hassan Nageh , S. Abdalla","doi":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119166","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119166","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The heterostructures of nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) were fabricated using hydrothermal approach. Physicochemical characterizations, including FTIR, XRD, XPS, and HR-TEM were used to explore the phase structure, chemical composition and morphological structure of the heterostructures. The optical characteristics were investigated via using UV–vis spectrophotometry. The results confirm the strong coupling and compounding between N-CQDs and g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> to form a 0D/2D heterojunction. Furthermore, using the Tauc equation, the optical bandgap energy for g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> was dropped from 2.805 eV after conjugation with N-CQDs, reaching 2.797 eV, 2.76, and 2.795 as the concentration of N-CQDs in the heterostructure increased. Meanwhile, the PL of heterostructures is gradually blue shifted. However, upon increasing the amount of N-CQDs in the heterostructure, the extinction coefficient, refractive index, electronegativity, and optical conductivity enhanced. It is shown that Skin depth (δ) decreases as photon energy increases up to cut off wavelength λ<sub>cutoff</sub> ∼ 3.8 eV, then increases exponentially with N-CQDs content in surface g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> sheets. Photoacoustic spectroscopy technique (PA) was used to evaluate the thermal diffusivity (α), thermal effusivity (e) and thermal conductivity (k) of prepared materials. The results show the values of (k) of g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> reached to 300 % increase upon conjugation with N-CQDs. Additionally, the thermal conductivity increased from 0.126 w m<sup>−1</sup>k<sup>−1</sup>to 0.596 w m<sup>−1</sup> k<sup>−1</sup>, and the e values increased from 40 to 63.4 ws<sup>1/2</sup>m<sup>−2</sup>k<sup>−1</sup> as the concentration of N-CQDs increase in the heterostructures. Finally, these results demonstrate the potential of N-CQDs/g-C₃N₄ heterostructures for multifunctional optoelectronic and thermal applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18233,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: B","volume":"325 ","pages":"Article 119166"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119163
Yan Zhang , Xinyuan Wang , Dao Wang , Yuanzhen Meng , Jiahao Yue , Zihao Lu , Jianing Wang , Yabing Sun , Chunlai Luo , Xubing Lu
Ferroelectric HfO2 (FE-HfO2) films with excellent scalability and CMOS compatibility have emerged as a leading candidate for next-generation nonvolatile ferroelectric memories. Nevertheless, the reliability issues induced by its high coercive field (Ec) remain a challenge. Herein, a ferroelectric/dielectric superlattice strategy was employed, wherein ultrathin Al2O3 layers (∼5 Å) were inserted into the Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO) films. Periodic Al2O3 interlayers in HZO films facilitate the controlled coexistence of ferroelectric orthorhombic and anti-ferroelectric tetragonal phases. Increasing tetragonal phase content progressively constricts the polarization loops and reduces the coercive field (∼0.82 MV/cm, ∼43.5 % reduction). Moreover, the incorporation of Al2O3 interlayers significantly enhances the fatigue (>109 cycles) of HZO films by suppressing leakage currents while lowering Ec. When integrated with solution-processed In2O3 semiconductor channels in ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs), the stacked HZO films exhibit relatively reliable memory windows. This work explores a feasible route to achieve fatigue-resistant FE-HfO2 and promotes its application in high-reliability FeFETs.
{"title":"Ferroelectric HZO/Al2O3 stacked films with enhanced fatigue resistance for FeFET memory devices","authors":"Yan Zhang , Xinyuan Wang , Dao Wang , Yuanzhen Meng , Jiahao Yue , Zihao Lu , Jianing Wang , Yabing Sun , Chunlai Luo , Xubing Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119163","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119163","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ferroelectric HfO<sub>2</sub> (FE-HfO<sub>2</sub>) films with excellent scalability and CMOS compatibility have emerged as a leading candidate for next-generation nonvolatile ferroelectric memories. Nevertheless, the reliability issues induced by its high coercive field (<em>E</em><sub>c</sub>) remain a challenge. Herein, a ferroelectric/dielectric superlattice strategy was employed, wherein ultrathin Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> layers (∼5 Å) were inserted into the Hf<sub>0.5</sub>Zr<sub>0.5</sub>O<sub>2</sub> (HZO) films. Periodic Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> interlayers in HZO films facilitate the controlled coexistence of ferroelectric orthorhombic and anti-ferroelectric tetragonal phases. Increasing tetragonal phase content progressively constricts the polarization loops and reduces the coercive field (∼0.82 MV/cm, ∼43.5 % reduction). Moreover, the incorporation of Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> interlayers significantly enhances the fatigue (>10<sup>9</sup> cycles) of HZO films by suppressing leakage currents while lowering <em>E</em><sub>c</sub>. When integrated with solution-processed In<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> semiconductor channels in ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs), the stacked HZO films exhibit relatively reliable memory windows. This work explores a feasible route to achieve fatigue-resistant FE-HfO<sub>2</sub> and promotes its application in high-reliability FeFETs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18233,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: B","volume":"325 ","pages":"Article 119163"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880036","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119141
Monika Wysocka-Żołopa
Polymer-based nanocomposites have attracted significant attention as advanced electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors and other energy storage devices. Their unique combination of redox activity, tunable conductivity, and mechanical flexibility makes them ideal candidates to overcome the limitations of pristine polymers and nanomaterials. While numerous studies have reported progress on composites with metals, transition metal oxides, carbon nanostructures, and mesoporous frameworks, a comprehensive and critical assessment of their practical potential remains limited.
This review also presents the achievements, with a focus on new strategies, including biomass-derived carbon, quantum dots (CQDs, GQDs), hierarchical architectures, and flexible/wearable configurations. In addition to summarizing electrochemical performance, a comparative assessment considers key practical aspects, including cost, toxicity, scalability, and environmental sustainability. This approach goes beyond conventional metrics and offers a realistic perspective on the pathways most likely to translate laboratory results into large-scale applications. Finally, key challenges and opportunities are identified: (i) green synthesis methods, (ii) sustainable polymer‑carbon hybrids, (iii) scalable design of hierarchical porous structures, and (iv) multifunctional nanocomposites for flexible and wearable electronics. Combining a literature review with critical insights, this article aims to guide future research toward the development of sustainable, scalable, and application-oriented conductive polymer nanocomposites.
{"title":"Conducting polymer nanocomposites for energy storage: Critical insights, sustainability, and future roadmap","authors":"Monika Wysocka-Żołopa","doi":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119141","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119141","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polymer-based nanocomposites have attracted significant attention as advanced electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors and other energy storage devices. Their unique combination of redox activity, tunable conductivity, and mechanical flexibility makes them ideal candidates to overcome the limitations of pristine polymers and nanomaterials. While numerous studies have reported progress on composites with metals, transition metal oxides, carbon nanostructures, and mesoporous frameworks, a comprehensive and critical assessment of their practical potential remains limited.</div><div>This review also presents the achievements, with a focus on new strategies, including biomass-derived carbon, quantum dots (CQDs, GQDs), hierarchical architectures, and flexible/wearable configurations. In addition to summarizing electrochemical performance, a comparative assessment considers key practical aspects, including cost, toxicity, scalability, and environmental sustainability. This approach goes beyond conventional metrics and offers a realistic perspective on the pathways most likely to translate laboratory results into large-scale applications. Finally, key challenges and opportunities are identified: (i) green synthesis methods, (ii) sustainable polymer‑carbon hybrids, (iii) scalable design of hierarchical porous structures, and (iv) multifunctional nanocomposites for flexible and wearable electronics. Combining a literature review with critical insights, this article aims to guide future research toward the development of sustainable, scalable, and application-oriented conductive polymer nanocomposites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18233,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: B","volume":"325 ","pages":"Article 119141"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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