The polyacrylamide/gelatin–iron lanthanum oxide (P-G-ILO nanohybrid) was fabricated by the free radical grafting co-polymerization technique in the presence of N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as cross linker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as initiator. The P-G-ILO nanohybrid was characterized by the various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques that provided the information regarding the crystalline behavior, surface area, and pore size. The response surface methodology was utilized for the statistical observation of diclofenac (DF) adsorption from the wastewater. The adsorption capacity (q_e, mg/g) of P-G-ILO nanohybrid was higher (254, 256, and 258 mg/g) than the ILO nanoparticle (239, 234, and 233 mg/g). The Freundlich isotherm model was the best fitted, as it gives the higher values of correlation coefficient (R² = 0.982, 0.991 and 0.981) and lower value of standard error of estimate (SEE = 6.30, 4.42 and 6.52), which suggested the multilayered adsorption of DF over the designed P-G-ILO nanohybrid and followed the pseudo second order kinetic model (PSO kinetic model) adsorption. The thermodynamic study reveals that adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic in nature and randomness onto the P-G-ILO nanohybrids surface increases after the DF adsorption. The mechanism of adsorption of DF demonstrated that the adsorption was mainly due to the electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and dipole interaction. P-G-ILO nanohybrid was reusable for up to five adsorption/desorption cycles.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are often viewed as the potential future of photovoltaic systems and have garnered significant attention in solar energy research. In this groundbreaking research, we introduced a novel solvothermal method to fabricate a unique “grass-like” pattern on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass (FTO), specifically designed for use as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) assemblies. Through rigorous structural and morphological evaluations, we ascertained the successful deposition of nickel cobalt sulfide (NCS) on the FTO surface, exhibiting the desired grass-like morphology. Electrocatalytic performance assessment of the developed NCS-1 showed results that intriguingly rivaled those of the acclaimed platinum catalyst, especially during the conversion of I₃ to I⁻ as observed through cyclic voltammetry. Remarkably, when integrated into a solar cell assembly, both NCS-1 and NCS-2 electrodes exhibited encouraging power conversion efficiencies of 6.60% and 6.29%, respectively. These results become particularly noteworthy when compared to the 7.19% efficiency of a conventional Pt-based electrode under similar testing conditions. Central to the performance of the NCS-1 and NCS-2 electrodes is their unique thin and sharp grass-like morphology. This structure, vividly showcased through scanning electron microscopy, provides a vast surface area and an abundance of catalytic sites, pivotal for the catalytic reactions involving the electrolytes in DSSCs. In summation, given their innovative synthesis approach, affordability, and remarkable electrocatalytic attributes, the newly developed NCS counter electrodes stand out as potent contenders in future dye-sensitized solar cell applications.

Photocatalysis is considered as simple, green, and the best strategy for elimination of hazardous organic contaminants from wastewater. Herein, new broad spectrum photocatalysts based on pure and Sm-doped CuO/ZnO/CuMn₂O₄ ternary composites were simply prepared by co-precipitation approach. The X-ray diffraction results proved the formation of a composite structure. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) images displayed that most particles have a spherical shape with average mean sizes within 26–29 nm. The optical properties of both samples signified that the addition of Sm ions significantly improves the harvesting of the visible light spectrum of CuO/ZnO/CuMn₂O₄ ternary composites. The photocatalytic study confirmed that 97% of norfloxacin and 96% of methyl green pollutants were photo-degraded in the presence of the Sm-doped CuO/ZnO/CuMn₂O₄ catalyst after 50 and 40 min, respectively. The total organic carbon analysis revealed the high mineralization efficiency of the Sm-doped CuO/ZnO/CuMn₂O₄ catalyst to convert the norfloxacin and methyl green to carbon dioxide and water molecules. During three cycles, this catalyst presented a high removal efficiency for norfloxacin and methyl green contaminants. As a dielectric energy storage material, the Sm-doped CuO/ZnO/CuMn₂O₄ ternary composite has large dielectric constant values, mainly at low frequencies, with low dielectric loss compared to a pure CuO/ZnO/CuMn₂O₄ composite.

Gd/Fe-SnO₂ nanopowders as novel photocatalysts for the active removal of Rose Bengal dye and methyl parathion pesticide were synthesized with a low-cost coprecipitation route. The X-ray diffraction analysis of SnO₂, Sn_0.96Gd_0.02Fe_0.02O₂ and Sn_0.94Gd_0.02Fe_0.04O₂ nanopowders proved the formation of a tetragonal phase of tin oxide with average crystallite sizes in the range of 13–18 nm. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of all samples displayed the characteristic absorption bands of SnO₂. The nanopowder of the pure SnO₂ sample, as seen in its transmission electron microscope (TEM) image, contains spherical-like particles of variable sizes. The TEM images of the Sn_0.96Gd_0.02Fe_0.02O₂ and Sn_0.94Gd_0.02Fe_0.04O₂ powders revealed the synthesis of fine spherical nanoparticles. Based on the TEM images, the average particle size of the pure, (Gd, 2 wt% Fe) and (Gd, 4 wt% Fe) codoped SnO₂ nanopowders was estimated to be 14, 10 and 12 nm, respectively. After the addition of (Gd, 2 wt% Fe) and (Gd, 4 wt% Fe) to the SnO₂ structure, the band gap energy of SnO₂ was reduced from 3.4 eV to 2.88 and 2.82 eV, respectively. Significantly, the Sn_0.96Gd_0.02Fe_0.02O₂ nanocatalyst exhibited a high removal efficiency of 98 and 96% for Rose Bengal dye and methyl parathion pesticide after activation by sunlight for 35 and 48 min, respectively. Furthermore, this catalyst has shown perfect mineralization as well as high stability properties for the treatment of Rose Bengal dye and methyl parathion pesticide. These results suggest the suitability of the Sn_0.96Gd_0.02Fe_0.02O₂ nanocatalyst for the treatment of agriculture and industrial effluent under sunlight light energy.