Total structure factors (Bragg and diffuse scattering) for CuI in and -phases have been measured by powder neutron diffraction. Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) modelling of the data has been used to obtain detailed information on the distribution of mobile ions. The RMC results in the and -phases are in good agreement with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and Rietveld refinement (RR) of high-resolution (Bragg scattering) powder neutron diffraction data; they confirm that the dominant diffusion pathway is in directions, directly between tetrahedrally coordinated sites. The octahedral site is not occupied, though there is a very small level of diffusion through this site, along directions, at the highest temperatures. There are small differences between RMC, MD and RR in the -phase. In all phases the radial distribution functions obtained from experiment are significantly different from the MD results. It is shown clearly that there is a relationship between the experimental observation of a broad diffuse scattering peak at in the structure factor for the and -phases and the existence of a short-distance peak in in the RMC models.

The construction industry increasingly seeks sustainable solutions to reduce environmental impact and energy consumption. This study explores the innovative use of industrial sludge generated from the wastewater treatment of detergent manufacturing as a partial substitute for Portland cement in mortar production. The sludge, characterized by high SiO₂ (46.58%) and CaO (28.66%) content, was incorporated at substitution rates of 0% to 30%. Mortars were prepared and tested according to NF EN 196-1 standards for mechanical strength, and thermophysical properties were assessed using the Hot Disk TPS 1500 system. The results demonstrate that up to 20% sludge replacement maintains acceptable mechanical performance (compressive strength: 12.63 MPa at 28 days vs. 13.91 MPa for the control; flexural strength: 3.93 MPa vs. 4.65 MPa) while significantly enhancing thermal insulation. Thermal conductivity decreased from 1.054 W/m·K (0% sludge) to 0.797 W/m·K (20% sludge), and thermal diffusivity dropped from 0.6096 mm²/s to 0.504 mm²/s. XRD analysis revealed the formation of new phases, such as gismondine, indicating beneficial pozzolanic activity. These findings highlight the dual benefit of valorizing detergent sludge and improving building energy efficiency, offering an eco-efficient alternative to traditional mortars aligned with circular economy and low-carbon construction goals.

The rise in the need for sustainable energy has facilitated the advancement of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as potential substitutes for traditional photovoltaic technologies. Nevertheless, their performance is very sensitive to environmental factors, especially temperature, which influences the charge transport and recombination processes. This paper examines the thermal effect on the electrical characteristics and impedance response of lead-free PSCs in accordance with the FTO/ETL (C₆₀, PCBM, SnS₂, ZnSe)/CH₃NH₃SnBr₃/Cu₂O configuration. The experiments were performed with SCAPS-1D under usual illumination, using a combination of current-voltage analysis and impedance spectroscopy between 270 and 400 K. The findings indicate that there is a significant reduction in open-circuit voltage with higher temperature, whereas the short-circuit current density does not change much. The enhancement of the fill factor increases and then decreases with increased temperature, leading to a net decrease in power conversion efficiency because of the increased recombination. The impedance analysis is also an indicator of lower recombination resistance and accelerated charge carrier dynamics. These results demonstrate that thermal control and interface optimization can be important for enhancing PSC performance.

Safe drinking water remains an issue all around the world, especially in arid countries that require seawater desalination to obtain safe water. This research seeks to analyze water quality at the major stages of an SWRO plant, i.e., raw seawater intake, RO permeate, reject brine, and distribution network water. For the study, conventional physicochemical methods of water quality analysis, as well as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, were used. Four water samples were taken at different stages of the treatment process: raw seawater (feed water), RO permeate, reject brine, and distribution network water. Physicochemical parameters, such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), major ions (Na⁺, Cl⁻, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺), and heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cr, and Hg) concentrations, were evaluated. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to investigate ionic transport, dielectric relaxation, and interfacial polarization mechanisms within the tested solutions. It has been shown that RO membranes are capable of rejecting major ions up to 95–99%, as can be seen in the low values of conductivity and TDS of RO permeate. EIS analysis also allowed for identifying specific electrochemical characteristics of all four types of water, with brine being characterized by the highest polarization rates and relaxation times.