This study addresses the persistent challenge of polysulfide dissolution in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries by introducing magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles as a novel additive. MgO was integrated with sulfur using a scalable process involving solid-state melt diffusion treatment followed by planetary ball milling. XRD measurements confirmed that sulfur (S₈) retains its orthorhombic crystalline structure (space group $F_{ddd}$) following the MgO incorporation, with minimal peak shifts indicating slight lattice distortion, while the increased peak intensity suggests enhanced crystallinity due to MgO acting as a nucleation site. Additionally, Raman spectroscopy demonstrated sulfur’s characteristic vibrational modes consistent with group theory (point group $D_{2}h$) and highlighted multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT′s) D, G, and 2D bands, with a low I_D/I_G ratio (0.47), which indicated low defects and high crystallinity in the prepared cathode. The S–MgO composite cathode exhibited superior electrochemical behavior, with an initial discharge capacity (950 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 C), significantly improved compared to pristine sulfur’s. The presence of MgO effectively mitigated the polysulfide shuttle effect by trapping polysulfides, leading to enhanced stability over 400 cycles and the consistent coulombic efficiency of over 99.5%. After 400 cycles, EDS and SEM analyses confirmed the structural integrity of the electrode, with only minor fractures and slight sulfur content loss. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy further confirmed the enhanced performance.

In this work, we report a systematic study of complex La³⁺ and Sc³⁺ doped lead zirconate titanate ceramics with the stoichiometric formula (PbZr_0.53Ti_0.47)_0.90 (La_xSc_1−x)_0.10O_3−δ for x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 denoted as PLZTS2, PLZTS4, PLZTS6, and PLZTS8, respectively (abbreviated as PLZTS10x), synthesized using the solid-state reaction method. We carried out dielectric measurements on Ag/PLZTS10x/Ag metal–ferroelectric–metal capacitors as a function of temperature (100–650 K) and frequency (10²–10⁶ Hz). Upon increasing La³⁺ concentration, the dielectric constant was found to be increased up to x = 0.6 and attained the highest value of ∼1800 at room temperature, and consequently, the highest saturation polarization was observed. The relaxor behavior of PLZTS8 can be attributed to the polar nano regions created in the materials. A recoverable energy density of ∼1162 mJ/cm³ with an excellent efficiency of ∼79% was achieved under an applied electric field of 97 kV/cm. The demonstrated high dielectric constant (ɛ′), spontaneous polarization (P_s), and energy density make these bulk materials promising for ferroelectric memory and energy-storage applications.

Graphite, widely adopted as an anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), faces challenges such as an unsustainable supply chain and sluggish rate capabilities. This emphasizes the urgent need to explore alternative anode materials for LIBs, aiming to resolve these challenges and drive the advancement of more efficient and sustainable battery technologies. The present research investigates the potential of lead zirconate titanate (PZT: PbZr_0.53Ti_0.47O₃) as an anode material for LIBs. Bulk PZT materials were synthesized by using a solid-state reaction, and the electrochemical performance as an anode was examined. A high initial discharge capacity of approximately 686 mAh/g was attained, maintaining a stable capacity of around 161 mAh/g after 200 cycles with diffusion-controlled intercalation as the primary charge storage mechanism in a PZT anode. These findings suggest that PZT exhibits a promising electrochemical performance, positioning it as a potential alternative anode material for LIBs.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were synthesized via a block copolymer-assisted hydrothermal method and the phase purity and the crystal structure were investigated by X-ray diffraction. The Rietveld analysis of X-ray diffractometer spectra shows the hexagonal phase symmetry of α-Fe₂O₃. Further, the vibrational study suggests Raman active modes: 2A1g + 5Eg associated with α-Fe₂O₃, which corroborates the Rietveld analysis and orbital analysis of 2PFe. The superparamagnetic behavior is confirmed by magnetic measurements performed by the physical properties measurement system. The systematic study of the Congo red (CR) interaction with IONPs using a UV-visible spectrophotometer and a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry system equipped with a triple quadrupole mass analyzer and an electrospray ionization interface shows effective adsorption. In visible light, the Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles get easily excited and generate electrons and holes. The photogenerated electrons reduce the Fe³⁺ ions to Fe²⁺ ions. The Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ oxidizes CR by the Fenton mechanism. The strong adsorption ability of prepared nanoparticles towards dyes attributes the potential candidates for wastewater treatment and other catalytic applications.

Carbon doped two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) are obtained through a CO₂—pulsed laser deposition (CO₂—PLD) technique on silicon dioxide (SiO₂) or molybdenum (Mo) substrates, showing - stable hysteresis characteristics over a wide range of temperatures, which makes them a promising candidate for materials based on non-volatile memory devices. This innovative material with electronic properties of n-type characterized in the form of back-to-back Schottky diodes appears to have special features that can enhance the device performance and data retention due to its functional properties, thermal-mechanical stability, and its relation with resistive switching phenomena. It can also be used to eliminate sneak current in resistive random-access memory devices in a crossbar array. In this sense constitutes a good alternative to design two series of resistance-switching Schottky barrier models in the gold/BNNS/gold and gold/BNNS/molybdenum structures; thus, symmetrical and non-symmetrical characteristics are shown at low and high bias voltages as indicated by the electrical current-voltage (I–V) curves. On the one hand, the charge recombination caused by thermionic emission does not significantly change the rectification characteristics of the diode, only its hysteresis properties change due to the increase in external voltage in the Schottky junctions. The addition of carbon to BNNSs creates boron vacancies that exhibit partially ionic character, which also helps to enhance its electrical properties at the metal-BNNS-metal interface.

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LiSBs) offer high energy density, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness, making them promising for future energy storage. This study explores using BiFeO3 (BFO) nanoparticles (NPs) to tackle challenges such as lithium polysulfides (LiPs) and shuttle issues in LiSBs. It employs a solid-state melt diffusion technique, encapsulates sulfur in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SCNTs), and utilizes BFO for effective polysulfide control. Herein, composite cathodes of sulfur (S)/SCNTs (abbr. SCNT) were fabricated, and cells were designed using a BFO-coated separator (SCNT-BFS). In addition, a cathode modification was performed with composite S/SCNTs/BFO (SCNT-BF), and a comparative analysis was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the BFO in the separator and the cathode. Cyclic voltammetry measurements revealed that the increased current peak intensity at lower reduction potential in SCNT-BF and SCNT-BFS indicated control of higher-order LiPs (Li2Sx, where 4 ≤ x ≤ 8), resulting in the generation of more stable lower-order products (Li2S2/Li2S). The charge/discharge analysis revealed controlled LiPs, resulting in high-capacity retention in SCNT-BF (∼75%) and SCNT-BFS (∼88%) over 200 cycles, which yielded capacities of 526 and 700 mAh/g at C/8 (1C = 1675 mA/g). These promising results suggest that incorporating BFO into the cathode and separator can advance the commercialization of durable LiSBs.