Currently, energy storage devices draw considerable attention owing to the growing need for clean energy. The depletion of fossil fuels and the generation of greenhouse gases have led to the development of alternative, environmentally friendly energy storage devices. Supercapacitors with high power densities are excellent devices for energy storage. Although carbon-based materials are widely used in such devices, their non-faradic behavior in electrical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) limits the maximum power density that can be generated. In contrast, the faradaic mechanism of transition metal hydroxides results in better capacitance rates along with good stability during cycling. This review is confined to nickel cobalt layered double hydroxides (NiCo LDHs) classified based on the fabrication of electrodes for application in supercapacitors. We discuss the growth of the active LDH material in situ or ex situ on the current collector and how the synthesis can affect the crystal structure as well as the electrochemical performance of the electrode.

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are one of the most promising next-generation batteries because they have higher theoretical capacities, lower cost, and smaller environmental impact than lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).

A recent focus on the development of biobased polymer packaging films has come about in response to the environmental hazards caused by petroleum-based, nonbiodegradable packaging materials. Among biopolymers, chitosan is one of the most popular due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, antibacterial properties, and ease of use. Due to its ability to inhibit gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, yeast, and foodborne filamentous fungi, chitosan is a suitable biopolymer for developing food packaging. However, more than the chitosan is required for active packaging. In this review, we summarize chitosan composites which show active packaging and improves food storage condition and extends its shelf life. Active compounds such as essential oils and phenolic compounds with chitosan are reviewed. Moreover, composites with polysaccharides and various nanoparticles are also summarized. This review provides valuable information for selecting a composite that enhances shelf life and other functional qualities when embedding chitosan. Furthermore, this report will provide directions for the development of novel biodegradable food packaging materials.

As a novel carbon allotrope, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have been investigated in various fields including photocatalysis, bio imaging, optoelectronics, energy and photovoltaic devices, biosensing and drug delivery owing to their unique optical and electronic properties. Especially, CQDs’ excellent sunlight harvesting ability, tunable photoluminescence (PL), up-converted photoluminescence (UCPL) and efficient photo-excited electron transfer have enabled their applications in photocatalysis. This work focuses on the recent progress on CQDs related materials’ synthesis, properties and applications in photocatalysis.

Many pathological conditions are predominantly associated with oxidative stress, arising from reactive oxygen species (ROS); therefore, the modulation of redox-activities has been a key strategy to restore normal tissue functions.