Chemical Physics Impact最新文献

Exploiting efficient Pt-free counter-electrode materials with low cost and highly catalytic property is a hot topic in the field of Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Here, NiCo₂S₄/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was prepared via an economical hydrothermal ynthesis route, and the as-prepared composite exhibited comparable electrocatalytic property with the conventional Pt electrode as the counter-electrode. Enhanced optoelectronic, optical and structural characteristics have been attained over the constructed heterojunction. Band gap energy of NiCo₂S₄ (2.35 eV) was suppressed to 2.11 eV owing to its supporting with 10 wt.% rGO bringing about upgraded absorption of visible light. Electrochemical studies confirmed the synergetic effect of nickel and cobalt ions with the high electrical conductive rGO networks that enhance the electrocatalytic activity of NiCo₂S₄ nanostructures. The efficiency achieved for the NiCo₂S₄@rGO counter electrode (CE) based DSSC is 8.17%, which is remarkably higher than that of pristine NiCo₂S₄ (7.31%), and Pt (7.14%) under the same experimental conditions. In outline, given their innovative synthesis approach, affordability, and remarkable electrocatalytic attributes, the newly developed NiCo₂S₄@rGO counter electrodes stand out as potent contenders in future dye-sensitized solar cell applications.

Water contamination resulting from the presence of organic dye pollutants in the ecosystem is a significant issue in the 21st century, that requires urgent resolution. Utilizing an effective nanocatalyst for the removal of dyes from water is a viable solution to address this problem. In this study, we proposed two distinct approaches for synthesizing δ-MnO₂ nanostructures: an environmentally friendly, “green” method (MG) and a “cost-effective” hydrothermal method (MH). The leaf extract of Clinacanthus nutans was used for the preparation of MG, while MnSO₄ was used for MH as a reducing agent, along with KMnO₄, with the reaction time fixed at 90 °C. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that both approaches yielded δ-MnO₂ nanostructures with a monoclinic Birnessite phase. The MG sample displayed a coagulated nanoflake-like morphology, as observed in FESEM images. On the other hand, the MH sample exhibited a distinct nanoflower morphology. The materials' optical properties were investigated using UV–visible spectra analysis, revealing direct bandgap energies of 2.2 eV and 2.58 eV for the MG and MH, respectively. The surface area of the MG sample was found to be higher as compared to the MH nanoflower, showcasing a mesoporous structure. XPS analysis was employed to determine the oxidation states of the elements. The effect of varying pH levels on the degradation of Methyl Orange dye by the two nanocatalysts was investigated. The results demonstrated that acidic pH led to higher decolouration efficiency, particularly notable for the MG nanocatalyst. Consequently, this study illustrates that the green δ-MnO₂ nanocatalyst effectively degrades methyl orange dye under acidic conditions through photocatalysis.

Magnetic garnets, a diverse group of magnetic insulating materials, have been the subject of extensive research for decades, owing to their versatility and potential for a wide range of applications. In this study, we synthesized Bismuth-Substituted Yttrium Iron Garnet (BiY₂Fe₅O₁₂: BiYIG) using the solid-state reaction method to explore its structural, optical, and dielectric characteristics. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the attainment of a pure cubic garnet phase in BiYIG, with a lattice parameter of 12.444 Å. Using UV–visible spectroscopy, we determined that the optical band gap of BiYIG is 2.2 eV, indicating n-type semiconductor behavior. We conducted a thorough investigation of the dielectric properties, examining capacitance, dielectric constant, dielectric loss, conductivity, impedance, and modulus, as functions of frequency and temperature. The impedance results revealed that the dielectric relaxation at room temperature was dominated by a Debye-type process, with a shift to a non-Debye-type process becoming apparent as temperature increased. Comprehensive analysis sheds light on the material's transport phenomena and optical attributes, offering insights into the potential of BiYIG for applications in magneto-dielectric and magneto-optical domains, given its high dielectric constant with low dielectric loss, and promising optical properties. These findings position BiYIG as a versatile material and underscore its suitability for advanced applications in future technological developments.

This study presents a novel photovoltaic cell design utilizing a layered structure of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), Zinc Selenide (ZnSe), and Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) for enhanced solar energy conversion. We employed the Solar Cell Capacity Simulator (SCAPS-1D) to model and optimize the device under AM 1.5 spectrum conditions. Our simulations systematically investigated the influence of key parameters including layer thicknesses, doping concentrations, temperature, back contact work function, and parasitic resistances on cell performance. The optimized structure demonstrated a theoretical power conversion efficiency of 29.91%, with an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 799 mV, a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 43.49 mA/cm², and a fill factor (FF) of 86.02%. These promising results are attributed to the synergistic combination of CNTs' broad spectral absorption, ZnSe's effective charge separation, and optimized layer properties. We found that the CNT absorber layer's doping concentration significantly impacted cell performance, with an optimal value of 10¹⁷ cm⁻³. The ZnSe buffer layer thickness showed minimal effect on efficiency within the studied range. Temperature increases from 300 K to 400 K led to a significant efficiency drop from 33.97% to 24.65%, primarily due to Voc reduction. While these results represent idealized conditions and upper theoretical limits, they provide valuable insights for the potential of CNT-based solar cells. This study offers a roadmap for future experimental work in high-efficiency thin-film photovoltaics, highlighting the promise of novel material combinations and the importance of device architecture optimization.

This study presents a planar hybrid system consisting of an electric-field-coupled resonator (ELCR) and yttrium iron garnet (YIG) film, designed to investigate the interaction between photons and magnons at room temperature. This hybrid system has been designed and simulated using the commercial electromagnetic full-wave simulator CST Microwave Studio. The phenomenon of anti-crossing between the photon mode of the ELCR and the magnon modes of the YIG was observed by analyzing the |S₂₁|-versus-frequency spectrum under varying strengths of bias magnetic fields. We present a comprehensive theoretical framework that explains the observed anti-crossing effect resulting from photon-magnon coupling (PMC) and provide estimations for the strength of PMC (Δ). Additionally, the interaction between photons and magnons was manipulated through two distinct methods: by adjusting the thickness ($t_{\text{YIG}}$) of the YIG film and by positioning the YIG films along the microstripline. For the ELCR (for $t_{\text{YIG}}$ = 25 μm), Δ comes to 58 MHz, while changing $t_{\text{YIG}}$ from 2 μm to 50 μm, enabling more precise control of the Δ parameter across the span of 17 MHz to 84 MHz. Similarly, the YIG positioning at a different location along the microstripline allowed manipulation of Δ from 5 to 50 MHz. The resultant PMC can be significantly tuned by 400% to 900% in a planar-geometry ELCR-YIG hybrid system. This research offers avenues for developing innovative hybrid systems that afford greater control over the magnitude of PMC in a planar configuration, representing a promising direction for future advancements in hybrid magnonic systems.

Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) stabilize CO₂ emissions by converting CO₂/H₂O into synfuel. Current-Voltage (i-V) characteristics of an electrolyte-supported button cell (NiO-YSZ/NiO-SDC/ScSZ/LSCF-GDC/LSCF) were measured as a function of temperature, water vapor concentration, and CO₂ gas concentrations. The cell microstructure was characterized by the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM). FE-SEM micrographs depict that the electrolyte layer is relatively dense, and porous fuel and air electrode layers are well adhered to the electrolyte. The i-V curves were obtained at a scan rate of 0.02 Vs⁻¹ from 0.3 to 1.5 V. Electrolysis current density increases as the temperature increases. SOEC performance increases, but SOFC performance decreases with increased water vapor concentration. Electrolysis current densities decrease as the CO₂ concentration increases. The i-V characteristics show only ohmic polarization under fuel-lean and fuel-rich conditions. At optimal conditions, current density values at 800 °C/1.5 V are -174, -187, and -195 mA cm⁻² for 5 %H₂O, 30 %CO₂, and 30 %CO₂/5 %H₂O co-electrolysis. At 800 °C, open-circuit voltage (OCV) values for H₂O, CO₂, and co-electrolysis are 0.906, 0.891, and 0.885 V, respectively. The electrolysis area-specific resistances (ASRs) give information on the reduction of CO₂ or H₂O, forming CO or H₂, respectively. At optimal conditions, ASR values are 3.43, 3.29, and 3.18 Ω cm² for H₂O, CO₂, and co-electrolysis, respectively. Co-electrolysis has a lower ASR value than pure H₂O and CO₂ electrolysis, indicating that H₂O and CO₂ are involved in the electrochemical processes.

In this work, a series of curcumin derivatives have been synthesized using Claisen Schmidt condensation reaction & Schotten-Baumann reaction, and they were screened through in-silico and in-vitro analysis to determine their capacity as a potential agent against breast cancer. Molecular docking reveals that the compounds are in good fit in the active site region of the target protein. Anti-cancer activity reveals that compounds are highly active against the MCF-7 cell lines, even at low concentration. Among the synthesized compounds, a set of five (Group B) exhibits a nontoxic effect against normal cell lines even at high concentration, whereas the other set of six compounds (Group A) display a toxic effect. The drug likeliness and pharmacokinetic properties reveal that the compounds can be lead drug materials against breast cancer.

In this study,MoS₂/g-C₃N₄Nano flower like composite is synthesizedusing hydrothermal procedure to identify its photo catalytic properties on Methyl Dyes. The morphology, structure and optical properties of the produced materials are studied by X-Ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, FESEM, EDAX and UV –Vis Spectroscopy. The results received through characterizations confirmed that g-C₃N₄nanosheets are embedded with flower-like MoS₂.The construction of the hetero junction is successful and widened absorptionrange in visible light is identified. Iste water contaminated by methyl dyes can be purified using thesynthesized composite. The suitability of the synthesized composite can be efficient in the removal of methyl dyes from industrial istes and domestic istes.

The current work employs a novel approach to construct a composite nanostructure to improve the capacitive performance of a supercapacitor device. The work involved preparing cube-shaped WO₃ particles and depositing them onto the surface of NiCo₂O₄ needles using a microwave technique. The structure of the composites enables efficient paths for ion transport and electron diffusion in supercapacitors. The hybrid composite electrode demonstrates a specific capacitance of 716 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 5 Ag⁻¹. The asymmetric capacitor device, which utilizes NiCo₂O₄@WO₃ as the positive electrode and AC as the negative electrode, exhibits an energy density of 48.57 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 1120 W kg⁻¹. In addition, the NiCo₂O₄@WO₃//AC device has a favourable cycle life, maintaining 85.7 % of its capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles. The findings demonstrate the potential of NiCo₂O₄@WO₃//AC to be used in the development of advanced hybrid electrodes for improved supercapacitors.