Self-supported 3D nano-rhombus (nano-diamond) shaped Ni₃N coated on FTO glass which serves as a CE in DSSCs and supercapacitors. .

A carbon aerogel (CA)-assisted CdS nanocomposite was prepared by hydrothermal process and was investigated as a photocatalyst towards the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye and colorless phenol under visible light irradiation (VLI). CdS have attracted wide attention due to their relatively narrow band gap for the visible light effect and the suitably negative potential of the conduction band (CB) edge for the neutralization of H⁺ ions. The obtained characterization results suggest that the CA-assisted CdS nanocomposite has enhanced photophysical properties, a more surface area, and the desired morphology at the nm scale. Under optimization, CdS CA 8% shows superior catalytic activity for degradation compared with other samples. The photocatalytic activities of the as-synthesized samples were examined under VLI through the MB and phenol degradation. Compared with pure CA and CdS, the CA (8%)-assisted CdS nanoparticles (NPs) offer significantly enhanced photocatalytic efficiency for MB and phenol. The mechanism of photocatalytic reaction was examined by adding various scavengers, and the results revealed that the holes generated in CA (8%)-assisted CdS NPs have a crucial impact on the visible light photocatalytic process. The improved photocatalytic degradation was due to the strong interaction between the CA and CdS NPs.

The demand to synthesize economical detoxification adsorbents of organic pollutants has been a thriving solicitude for most environmental research aspirants. Here, we synthesized a titanium(III) oxide doped with spherical shaped meta-aminophenol formaldehyde magnetic microspheres (Ti₂O₃/mAPF MMSs) by the polymerization method of Ti₂O₃ nanoparticles with formaldehyde and m-aminophenol. SEM analysis confirmed the synthesized material as crystalline in nature and had ~400–450 nm sized particles. The physical characterization of the Ti₂O₃/mAPF MMSs were quantitatively revealed by FTIR spectrum and PXRD in elaboration. The carboxylate frequency and the characteristic apex of the titanium–oxygen bond was found in the FTIR spectrum for Ti₂O₃/mAPF derived from Ti₂O₃. The PXRD patterns proved that the synthesized magnetic microspheres contained Ti₂O₃ nanoparticles. The experimental methods of TGA and DTA confirmed the thermal stability and its composition of Ti₂O₃/mAPF MMSs. The kinetic adsorption study for methyl violet was confirmed as first-order kinetics. The present study was to investigate the dye desorption of methyl violet from simulated water samples by using a titanium(III) oxide doped with meta-aminophenol formaldehyde magnetic microspheres in an adsorption process.

Platinum-free counter electrodes (CE) were developed for use in efficient and cost-effective energy conversion devices, such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Electrochemical deposition of CoS₂ on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) formed a hierarchical sheet-like structured CoS₂ thin film. This film was engaged as a cost-effective platinum-free and high-efficiency CE for DSSCs. High stability was achieved using a phthaloychitosan-based gel-polymer electrolyte as the redox electrolyte. The electrocatalytic performance of the sheet-like CoS₂ film was analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The film displayed improved electrocatalytic behavior that can be credited to a low charge-transfer resistance at the CE/electrolyte boundary and improved exchange between triiodide and iodide ions. The fabricated DSSCs with a phthaloychitosan-based gel-polymer electrolyte and sheet-like CoS₂ CE had a power conversion efficiency (PCE, η) of 7.29% with a fill factor (FF) of 0.64, J_sc of 17.51 mA/cm², and a V_oc of 0.65 V, which was analogous to that of Pt CE (η = 7.82%). The high PCE of the sheet-like CoS₂ CE arises from the enhanced FF and J_sc, which can be attributed to the abundant active electrocatalytic sites and enhanced interfacial charge-transfer by the well-organized surface structure.

In this paper, the spectral properties of a conjugated polymer poly [2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1, 4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) in benzene have been studied. The results showed that the fluorescence spectra of MEH-PPV under low concentrations had two peaks; the dominant one due to monomer was around 560 nm, and the shoulder one attributed to the excimer was around 600 nm. Under higher concentrations, it was found that there was only one band around 600 nm due to the excimeric state. By increasing the concentrations of MEH-PPV, it could be seen that there was a new band around 640nm. This band is being attributed to the double excimer. Under high power pulsed laser excitation, we observed amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) at 570 nm, 605 nm and 650 nm. These ASE peaks could arise from the monomer, excimer and double excimer states of the macromolecule respectively. To the best of our knowledge this is perhaps the first report on ASE from double excimer of the conjugated polymer, MEH-PPV in liquid solution.