This study investigates the effects of varying CuO doping concentrations on the performance of titanium dioxide (TiO₂)-based or zinc oxide (ZnO)-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). TiO₂ or ZnO mixed with CuO at different weight percentages (0–50 wt %) was employed as photoanodes in DSSCs, prepared via mechanical mixing. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the structural changes, showing that as the CuO content increased in the hybrid, the CuO peaks (notably at 35.5° and 38.7°) became more prominent. Morphological and elemental characterizations were conducted using SEM and XRF, respectively. The solar cells were photosensitized by Vitis lasbrusca (V.L.) extract and N3 dye. The presence of anthocyanin molecules in the extracted V.L. was confirmed using UV-VIS and FTIR spectroscopy. The electrochemical characterization demonstrated optimal solar conversion efficiencies at a 20% doping level for both photosensitizers. Specifically, in the V.L. dye, TiO₂-CuO achieved a conversion efficiency of 7.18%, and ZnO-CuO reached 5.77%. In the N3 dye, TiO₂-CuO showed an efficiency of 11.34%, and ZnO-CuO, 9.55%. Notably, undoped photoanodes displayed a significantly lower photovoltaic performance: for V.L. dye, TiO₂ showed 1.12% and ZnO 0.87%; for N3 dye, TiO₂ showed 6.02% and ZnO 4.39%. Doping was therefore effective, yielding up to a seven-fold increase in performance in the case of V.L. with TiO₂, compared to undoped DSSCs. The results demonstrate that using the hybrid photoanode led to a considerable increase in performance compared to using only TiO₂ or ZnO photoanodes, highlighting the potential of DSSCs as sustainable energy sources.

This work aims to characterize the elemental concentrations of two banana types gold and silver. In both were analyze in the pulp and peel by X-Ray Fluorescence technique. The results showed that the elements in both types are more concentrated in the peel than in the pulp. In addition, it was also observed that the normalization of the peel and pulp concentrations for the elements K, Fe, Zn, Br, Rb, and Sr is higher in the silver banana compared to the gold banana. The results indicate that banana peels can be used to supplement nutritional deficiencies. The work also demonstrates the potential that X-Ray Fluorescence has in investigation of elemental composition of foods. As the technique has easy instrumentation and data interpretation, it can be implemented as a routine in the investigation of the elemental composition of foods. In addition, the technique has the advantage of carrying out in situ analyzes by portable instruments. These in situ investigations can even be applied to make quality control of bananas at the time of harvest.

The historical and cultural significance of artistic works and archaeological artifacts underscores the imperative use of non-destructive testing methods in cultural heritage objects. Analyzing pigments in artwork poses a specific analytical challenge that demands a combination of various techniques to accurately determine chemical compositions. In this context, our work focused on the multi-analytical characterization of samples derived from fragments of a Roman-era Egyptian mummy named Kherima, dating back to around 200 AD. To identify the layers and elemental composition of the pigments used in the decoration, various techniques were employed: X-ray microfluorescence (µXRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-resolution optical microscopy (OM), and X-ray computed microtomography (microCT). This multi-analytical approach facilitated the identification of the original pigments in the analyzed mummy fragments, along with insights into the materials used in the ground layer and the techniques applied in artifact manufacturing, indicating their accordance with the historical period and region to which they originally belonged.

A Berlinda de Aparato do Imperador D. Pedro II é um objeto museológico muito importante para a história do Brasil. Trata-se do veículo imperial mais imponente de todo o período monárquico brasileiro, relacionado não apenas com a imagem do imperador D. Pedro II, mas com todo o Segundo Reinado. A berlinda foi encomendada para a cerimônia de coroação de D. Pedro II, em 1841 e pertence ao acervo do Museu Imperial, localizado na cidade de Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Neste trabalho foi analisado a técnica de douramento utilizada nas pinturas decorativas da berlinda. Para a análise do douramento foram aplicadas técnicas de Fluorescência de Raios X (XRF) e Macro Fluorescência de Raios X (MA-XRF). Todas as análises foram realizadas “in situ” utilizando equipamentos portáteis. As medidas de XRF realizadas sobre as folhas de ouro revelaram a presença do elemento-chave cromo. Os resultados combinados das técnicas analíticas utilizadas indicaram a possível utilização de mordente contendo amarelo de cromo como óleo adesivo para fixar as folhas de ouro nas pinturas decorativas. O resultado encontrado está de acordo com o descrito na literatura.

In this study the elemental concentrations of twenty-three beer cans of different brands and nationalities were determined using X-ray fluorescence technique. Beer cans from Brazil (20 beer cans), Germany, the United Kingdom and Colombia were analyzed, totalizing 15 different breweries. It was possible to calculate the concentration of 15 elements in the beer cans samples: Mg, Al, Si, S, Cl, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Zr and Pb. The results showed that aluminum concentrations ranged from 94 % to 96 %. Other's elements can be considered trace elements, being the highest concentrations of them for Mg (approximately 2%) and Mn (approximately 1%). Some elements showed differences between cans from different nationalities, with Zn being much higher in samples from Brazil. The Zr element showed similarities between German and UK beer cans. In addition, the beer can sample from Colombian had lower concentrations of Cl and Ga. This study shows that the values found are comparable to those found in the literature and that the concentrations of some trace elements in beer cans may represent signs of impurities brought during the recycling process.