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Beam exit windows are crucial components of any particle accelerator as they provide an interface between the beamline vacuum and target material at atmospheric media. For high beam power machines, special materials and designs are required to withstand high radiation and mechanical loads, while minimizing energy loss during transition and maximizing window lifetime. This research investigates the impact of electron beam exposure to bulk CrMnV and CrMnTiV high entropy alloys (HEAs) with the primary goal of identifying suitable candidate materials for the design of robust and durable exit window settings. The selection criteria include intrinsic characteristics, power dissipation, and mechanical responses. According to the thermodynamic calculations, both equiatomic CrMnV and the addition of 7% of Ti with equiatomic CrMnV yield solid-solutions phases. The structural and mechanical properties of CrMnV and CrMnTiV samples were tested using field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microcopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and nanoindentation before and after exposure to a dose of ∼66 kGy from a 10 MeV e-beam accelerator. Despite exhibiting beam transmission characteristics comparable to Cr and V, the indentation hardness of HEAs exceeded that of the Cr and V samples by five to six times. The examination of the CrMnTiV irradiated samples revealed organized deformation patterns depicting new features, which we suspect twinning and twin boundaries due to the addition of Ti to CrMnV. Ti, a hexagonal-close-packed crystal structure, is commonly known for deformation twinning behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a TiNbCrTa refractory complex concentrated alloy (RCCA) was prepared using vacuum arc remelting. The microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of both as-cast and heat-treated RCCA samples were analyzed. Heat treatment (HT) was performed at 800–1200 °C for 1 h in a vacuum-sealed environment. These samples exhibited a formation of Cr2Nb and Cr2Ti Laves phases. A variation in elemental distribution was observed, with interdendritic (ID) regions showing higher fractions of Ti and Cr, while the dendritic regions had a greater concentration of Ta and Nb. Micro-segregation at the IDs was confirmed through energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy mapping, which inferred the formation of Cr- and Ti-rich phases during HT at 800–1200 °C. High-temperature HT at 1200 °C for 1 h led to the evolution of the hcp omega phase. Prolonged HT at 1200 °C for 96 h resulted in the evolution of a Cr-rich Laves phase (Cr2Ta), which was homogeneously distributed within the microstructure, indicating an unstable microstructure. Furthermore, despite prolonged HT, a variation in the elemental distribution persisted due to the presence of dendritic and ID regions. Electron backscattered diffraction analysis revealed the presence of bcc and hcp phases in the dendritic and ID regions, respectively, of the as-cast and HTed samples. The as-cast samples demonstrated a high compressive strength of approximately 2 GPa. Micro-hardness values increased with the HT temperature up to 1000 °C. Further increases under HT conditions did not significantly reduce the microhardness value, whereas prolonged HT at 1200 °C led to an increase in the microhardness value. Overall, the newly developed TiNbCrTa RCCA exhibited high-strength behavior even after the phase transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using resonant Raman spectroscopy with 632.8 nm (1.96 eV) laser, we describe the Raman spectra of single crystals of transition metal dichalcogenides with nominal composition MoSe(2−x)Sx for x = 0.2. Changes in Raman spectra at some regions of the sample indicated non-stoichiometry and, in particular, chalcogenide vacancies. At low temperatures around 77 K, we observed unusual temperature dependent enhancement in the intensity of non-zone center modes as well as overtones and combination modes in Raman spectra. This enhancement in the intensity is correlated to the resonance achieved in the non-stoichiometric regions of the crystal at low temperatures. Observed resonance is attributed to modification in the electronic structure due to defects. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy measurements confirmed chalcogenide vacancies in the crystals. The change in the electronic structure due to defects is also corroborated by photoluminescence spectroscopy measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a scientific study that examines the contamination levels on dental abutments and the effectiveness of a cleaning protocol. The study finds that custom-made abutments have surface pollutants, and laboratory procedures increase the amount of pollutants. However, the cleaning protocol tested is highly effective in cleaning both titanium and zirconia abutments. The study suggests that decontaminating abutments before placement may improve tissue integration. [Extracted from the article]

Gastropods forage with their radula, a thin chitinous membrane with embedded teeth, which scratch across the substrate to lose food particles. During this interaction, the risk of loosening particles is obvious without having a specialized mechanism holding them on the tooth surface. As mucus secretions are essential in molluscan life cycles and the locomotion and attachment gels are known to have an instant high adhesion, we have hypothesized that the saliva could support particle retention during feeding. As adhesion of snail saliva was not studied before, we present here an experimental setup to test its particle-binding capacity using a large land snail (Lissachatina fulica, Stylommatophora, Heterobranchia). This experiment was also applied to the gels produced by the snail foot for comparison and can be potentially applied to various fluids present at a small volume in the future. We found, that the saliva has high particle retention capacity that is comparable to the foot glue of the snail. To gain some insight into the properties of the saliva, we additionally studied it in the scanning electron microscope, estimated its viscosity in a de-wetting experiment, and investigated its elemental composition using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy reveling higher contents of Ca, Zn and other potential cross-linkers similar to those found in the glue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel rape seedling peel-derived biochars (BCs) prepared by vacuum pyrolysis were used as cost-saving and sustainable biosorbents for wastewater remediation. The adsorption properties of BCs for p-nitrophenol (PNP) were investigated. The results showed that BC400 prepared at 400°C possessed the highest adsorption capacity of 55.78 mg g−1 towards PNP. Scanning electron microscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Zeta potential analysis and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area analyses were performed to characterise the physicochemical properties of BC samples. The microporous structure and abundant surface heteroatomic functional groups of BC400 were confirmed. The effects of adsorption conditions (contact time, temperature, initial PNP solution pH, initial PNP concentration) on the adsorption of PNP by BC400 were investigated. Adsorption behaviour was more consistent with the linear Freundlich model and linear pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic study showed that the adsorption of PNP on BC400 was a spontaneous endothermic process, and the disorder degree increased after adsorption. In addition, the adsorption capacities of BC400 for different phenols including hydroquinone, 3-nitrophenol, 1-naphthol (AN) and tert-butyl hydroquinone were compared, and the mechanism was also proposed. BC400 with aromatic and heteroatom-containing functional groups could interact effectively with PNP through various intermolecular interactions including π-π stacking, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic attraction. Reusability assessment indicated BC400 remained high removal rate even after 10 consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By inducing gamma radiation at a dose of 25 kGy, vinylpyrrolidone (VP) was combined with dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, an anionic surfactant, to create PVP@DSSS. The sorption and recovery of Ce(III) and Co(II) from aqueous solutions were evaluated using PVP@DSSS. The physical and chemical characterisation of prepared sorbent was investigated by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and thermal analysis (TGA-DTA). The characterisations show that sorbents prepared using these techniques outperform conventional preparation methods. The PVP@DSSS was implanted for batch processing with the goal of studying the effect of different parameters on the sorption of the investigated metal ions, such as pH, contact time, metal ion concentration, and reaction temperatures. The results show that the maximum adsorption capacity of the PVP@DSSS adsorbent for Ce(III) and Co(III) were 9.8 and 0.9 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption of Ce(III) and Co(II) from aqueous suspension using PVP@DSSS was fit to Langmuir and pseudo second order equations well. The changes in the free energy (ΔG) and enthalpy (ΔH) values of Ce(III) confirm the endothermic nature of the adsorption reaction, whereas Co(II) adsorption was exothermic and spontaneous. The desorption efficiency was 95% for Co(II) and less than 10% for Ce(III) with HCl as good desorbing agent.The results show that PVP@DSSS is a promising adsorbent for the the recovery and separation process of Ce(III) ions from aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-precipitation-assisted hydrothermal synthesis was employed to synthesize Fe3O4/CeO2 nanohybrids over 2D g-C3N4 (CF@GCN) for photo-Fenton catalytic degradation of Bismarck brown R (BBR) and Congo Red (CR) dyes. Initially, Fe loading was deployed in CF@GCN with different sets of molar ratios of Fe against the 1 mole of Ce (Ce: Fe=1:0.2-1). Among different sets, the one with 0.8 moles of Fe against the 1 mole of Ce (C1F0.8@GCN) performed excellently for BBR and CR dye degradation via aiding in the photo-Fenton process. Morphological, structural, compositional, and electronic states of the final nanocomposite were evaluated using powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy/high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. BET analysis of the final nanocomposite showed an excellent surface area of 56.76 m2g−1, allowing for effective degradation. UV–vis spectrophotometry, UV-DRS, and PL (photoluminescence) techniques were performed to monitor the optical properties of the final nanocomposite. Taulc's plots estimated the band gaps of catalysts, and the final nanocomposite's band gap was 2.2 eV, which was key for capturing photons from the light source and functioning the degradation process. Further, operating parameters such as catalyst dose, dye concertation, pH, H2O2 dose, and contact time studies were done with the final nanocomposite. C1F0.8@GCN degraded BBR up to 94.5 % within 30 minutes with a first-order rate constant of 0.09747 min−1 and CR dye up to 97.7 % within 45 minutes with a first-order rate constant of 0.07391 min−1. All results supported a nanocomposite of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and CeO2 nanorods grown over 2D g-C3N4 sheets. As predicted, composing Fe3O4 sped up catalyst recovery. Also, the final nanocomposite's dye degradation rate was consistent till the 6th run. So, the study proposes a cost-effective plan for dealing with organic water contaminants like hazardous dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental remedy calls for scientific contributions with ever increasing urgency. This research aims to a circular economy look to deliver the concept of novel materials, created from renewable by-product waste feedstock and designed to be reused, recycled, then the feedstock renewed through wastewater treatment process. The use of alum sludge (AS) waste as a photocatalyst in the catalytic oxidation of wastewater to the potential capability of ˙OH radical use as a strong oxidant is explored. Investigation has performed using magnetite (M) augmented with alum sludge as a composite material formed as alum sludge/magnetite (ASM) at different proportions (1:1), (1:2), (1:3), (1:5) and (2:1) and the samples labelled as ASM-1, ASM-2, ASM-3, ASM-4 and ASM-5, respectively. The characterisation of such composite materials was explored by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron Microscopy (TEM) and the composition of the composite material is attained by the Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The capabilities of these materials are tested for dye removal. Consequently, the corresponding photocatalytic performance was notably improved. The various operating conditions, initial dye concentration, initial pH value, catalyst and H2O2 concentrations on the oxidation efficiency of the dye were optimised at pH 2.0 and 800 mg/L and 2 g/L for H2O2 and ASM-1, respectively. Thermodynamic and kinetics were studies and the data revealed that the reaction is spontaneous and exothermic in nature and follows the first-order reaction kinetics. This assessment introduces the role of engineers and chemists in a world without waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was targeted to remove toxic heavy metal lead (Pb(II)) from synthetic solution with ultra-sonicated turmeric leaves powder (UTLP) as sorbent. The responsible functional groups for adsorption of Pb(II) onto UTLP were investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and the adsorption was confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The Central Composite Design (CCD) method was used to scrutinise the effective parameters. Based on the optimisation results, the maximum % biosorption (97.36) of Pb(II) was attained under optimum conditions of pH: 4.92, biosorbent dosage (BD): 0.44 g and initial solution concentration (ISC): 37.93 mg/L. The experimental findings were fitted with Langmuir and Freundlich and Temkin isotherms. Sequel to isotherm data, the Freundlich model gave good fit with R2 = 0.99 and a maximum adsorption capacity of 36.49 mg/g. The pseudo-second-order model was found to be the most significant for kinetic data analysis. The thermodynamic parameters such as Gibb's energy change (∆G0), enthalpy change (∆H0) and entropy change (∆S0) were estimated, and it was found that the process was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Furthermore, the desorption study was conducted with 0.1 N HNO3 to estimate the ease of regeneration behaviour of UTLP. Conclusively, the results revealed that UTLP is prominent and cheap biosorbent for removal of Pb(II) from aqueous medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser directed energy deposition (L-DED) typically uses a 1 – 3 mm diameter laser spot size to melt feedstock material. Smaller spot sizes can benefit L-DED in certain applications (i.e., repair), by creating smaller beads. This study examined how a 0.3-mm-diameter laser spot affects the bead formation, microstructure, and mechanical properties (as-built) of 18Ni-300 maraging steel. The main printing parameters (i.e., laser power, scan speed, powder flow rate) were varied in different combinations to optimize for single-track bead geometry, before printing cubes. Parameters for optimal bead aspect ratio (AR) and dilution (D) had an average energy and mass density of 74.5 J/mm2 and 0.018 g/mm2. Compared to larger laser spot diameters, the use of a 0.3-mm laser size influenced bead characteristics (i.e., AR, D, dominant parameters). Additionally, cube fabrication resulted in cubes with ≥ 99% density but had external geometric defects. Titanium oxides were identified through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and were attributed to the smaller interaction volume between the laser beam and powder streams with a small laser spot size that plays a significant role within the processing window defined. Additionally, analysis of tensile fracture surfaces showed the oxide particles significantly impacted tensile properties, resulting in premature failure compared to expected values. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and thermal simulations demonstrated that locations with the highest cooling rate had the highest amount of retained austenite (RA) and finest microstructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a cheap, novel, ecofriendly and effective nanosorbent was synthesised with natural materials such as sand beach and eggshell for diazinon determination in natural water. The synthesised nanosorbent was successfully characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), field emission scanning- electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) methods. Effective parameters were optimised for the extraction of diazinon and determination was done by UV-Vis spectroscopy at 248 nm. The method was linear in the range of 50–400 µg L−1 and the limit of detection was 6.9 µg L−1. Adsorption kinetic and isotherm studies were performed. Also, for measurement of diazinon in water samples of Gilan province, sampling was performed from important points such as river water, Anzali lagoon, well water, agricultural streams, and tap water. The results shows good spiked recovery (97.6–103.4%) in all samples. The accuracy of the method was also confirmed by the student's t -test with HPLC analysis of real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borate bioactive glasses are an auspicious material for tissue engineering applications due to their enhanced dissolution rate, bioactivity, and capacity to integrate therapeutic ions. In this study, borate-based S49B4 bioactive glass doped with silver at mass fraction of 0.5, 1, and 3 wt% were studied for bioactivity, degradation, antibacterial, and cytocompatibility. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the bioactive glasses were thermally stable between 600 and 700 °C. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed the successful synthesis of an amorphous phase of the doped borosilicate bioactive glasses and the incorporation of silver ion crystals within the structure, as well as associated contributions from borate and silicate network formers in the borosilicate bioactive glass. Morphological evaluation revealed that the borosilicate bioactive glasses exhibit a uniform and spherical shape across all formulations, with the mean particle size varying from 65 to 76 nm. An in-vitro acellular bioactivity in simulated body fluid medium showed that increasing the silver content increased the degradation rate and pH. Besides, scanning electron microscopy and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed an upsurge in apatite production on the BBGs' surfaces as well as incremental Calcium-Phosphate ratio values of 1.50, 1.65 and 1.70 as the silver content increases. The antibacterial effect was tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus , while cytocompatibility was tested against human gingival epithelial cells. Silver integration at 1 wt percent yielded the most promising outcomes, which were particularly bactericidal at 79.8 % for Escherichia coli and 93.41 % for Staphylococcus aureus. Similarly, its Lactate Dehydrogenase percentage is significantly similar to the negative control employed in the study, indicating its biocompatibility. In contrast, 3 wt% silver exhibited the maximum bactericidal activity while also exhibiting mild cytotoxicity. In summary, our research indicates that elevated silver concentration enhances the bioactivity and antimicrobial characteristics of borosilicate bioactive glasses; nevertheless, a higher silver weight percent in this study also increases the possibility of cytotoxicity. It is therefore essential to carefully regulate the amount of silver doping at lower concentrations in order to maximize antibacterial action and minimize toxicity to human cells. The results presented here contribute to our understanding of the prospective use of silver doped borosilicate bioactive glasses as a possible material for tissue engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pechini method was used for the first time to synthesize the phase-pure nickel-containing cubic pyrochlore Bi 2 NiNb 2 O 9 (space group Fd-3m, a = 10.5371(5) Å), while the solid-phase reaction method provided no possibility to obtain impurities-free pyrochlore. At a synthesis temperature of 950°С, low-porosity ceramics with indistinct grain boundaries were formed. The results of elemental mapping indicated a uniform distribution of metal atoms on the surface of the sample. The X-ray energy dispersive analysis showed that the chemical composition of the synthesized sample corresponded to the predetermined theoretical composition. The calcination of the sample synthesized by the Pechini method was studied by the thermal analysis up to 1100°С. The functional composition of intermediate synthesis products was analyzed by vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR). In the FTIR spectrum of pyrochlore (4000–400 cm−1), absorption bands were identified at 829, 540, 654, and 490 cm−1. The dielectric properties of the pyrochlore were studied using an impedance spectroscopy. Pyrochlore Bi 2 NiNb 2 O 9 has the high relative dielectric permittivity of 145 and low dielectric losses of 0.001 (at 24°С, 1 MHz), which make it a promising for dielectric in multilayer ceramic capacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal nitride coatings, especially Ta/TaN are demonstrated to be a cost-effective anti-corrosion coating for titanium bipolar plate(BPP) of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE). However, the performance of Ta/TaN coatings for titanium felt gas diffusion layer (GDL) is still elusive. In this work, Ta/TaN coated titanium felt is prepared by magnetron sputtering followed by structural characterization and electrochemical tests. It is found that its surface roughness is obviously increased after coating, while the porosity and average pore size decrease resulting from the blockage of small pore aperture on the surface upon coating. Although the anti-corrosion capability and interface contact resistance (ICR) of Ta/TaN coated titanium felt are improved, its performance in electrolytic cell assembled with Ta/TaN coated titanium felt fails in contrast to the excellent durability of PEMWE assembled with Ta/TaN coated BPP. Further scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirm that Ta/TaN coatings on titanium felt in direct contact with anode catalytic layers are oxidized, resulting in remarkably increased resistance and performance failure. This study demonstrates the performance of metal nitride coating on GDL in PEMWE and inspires further efforts into the exploration of cost-effective coatings for titanium felt for PEMWE. [Display omitted] • Decreased porosity, pore size and increased roughness of titanium felt upon Ta/TaN coating. • Electrochemical test demonstrates the improved anti-corrosion performance of Ta/TaN coating. • Catalytic oxidation of Ta/TaN coating on titanium felt caused the electrolyzer failure. • Enhanced durability of Ta/TaN coated bipolar plates is observed in electrolyzer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a DABCO-based ionic liquid containing cobalt metal ([(DABCO)2C3H5OH]·CoCl4) was successfully synthesized through a simple method combined with DABCO, 1,3-dichloropropan-2-ol and CoCl2. The structure of this reagent was investigated via various analytical methods including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermal analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The catalytic performance of the prepared Lewis acidic catalyst was evaluated for the reduction of nitroarenes, and aromatic aldehydes and also one-pot reductive acetylation of aldehydes using NaBH4 and CH3COCl as the hydrogen donor and acetylating agent, respectively. Ease of preparation, reusability of the catalyst, short reaction times and excellent yields of the obtained compounds are among the salient features of this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The holmium (Ho3+) ions-based fluoro borosilicate (SBNCHo) glasses have been prepared using the traditional melt quenching technique with varying concentrations of Ho3+ ions. Physical parameters were analyzed using x-ray diffraction, energy dispersive analysis of x-rays, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, optical, luminescence, and Commission International de I'Eclairage (CIE) studies. Judd-Ofelt spectral intensity parameters were evaluated for SBNCHo_1.0 (Ω 2 = 5.292 x 10-20 cm2, Ω 4 = 3.062 x 10-20 cm2 and Ω 6 = 3.376 x 10-20 cm2) glass, optical bandgaps were estimated using optical absorption studies. The Photoluminescence emission spectra were recorded for synthesized glasses with 452 nm excitation. The stimulated emission (σ e = 1.40 x 10-20 cm2) for the intense green radiation (5S 2 (5F 4) → 5I 8) was calculated. The lifetime decay profile was analyzed for all the synthesized glasses. From the CIE color coordinates of SBNCHo glasses, the color purity was estimated to be (SBNCHo_1.0 (98.6 %)). These results strongly support the applicability of SBNCHo_1.0 glass for green laser applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice husk is an inexpensive and readily available adsorbent for heavy metal ions, though its natural form lacks sufficient adsorption capacity. This study focuses on improving its ability to adsorb Cr(VI) by treating it with NaOH. After treatment with 1N NaOH at 90 °C for 4 h, the adsorption efficiency of rice husk for Cr(VI) increased by almost 30%. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed an increase in the cellulosic content of the treated rice husk, while X-ray diffraction indicated the formation of new polymorphs and enhanced crystallinity of the cellulose fraction. Among the applied isotherms, the Redlich-Peterson and Langmuir models best described the adsorption, suggesting both monolayer and multilayer adsorption. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacities were determined to be 18.9, 21.1, and 22.9 mg g−1 at 303 K, 313 K, and 323 K, respectively. The kinetic data fit well with pseudo-second-order and Elovich models, confirming the chemical nature of the adsorption process. Activation energy, along with other kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, showed that the process is endothermic, involving both physical and chemical interactions. FT-IR analysis identified various functional groups involved in the chemical interaction with chromium, while XPS confirmed that all adsorbed chromium was in the + 3 oxidation state. The presence of interfering anions reduced the adsorption efficiency of NaOH-treated rice husk for Cr(VI), regardless of the anion type, while regeneration studies showed that the adsorbent could be reused for up to five adsorption–desorption cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel PANI/NiCO2O4/CeO2 nanocomposite was prepared using the binary Nano metal oxide NiCo2O4/CeO2 with aniline and ammonium persulfate (APS) via a one-step polymerization and drop throwing system. The nanocomposite was explored by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the successful integration of nanoparticles into PANI. UV-visible spectroscopy revealed absorbance peaks characteristic of PANI combined with nano metal oxides. Raman spectroscopy further verified the nanocomposite's structure, with peaks at 415, 517, 575, and 640 cm− 1 attributed to CeO2 and NiCo2O4 nanoparticles within the PANI matrix. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses of the doped PANI showed nanostructures ranging from 18.40 to 23.28 nm. Photodetection properties such as responsivity (Rλ), detectivity (D*), and external quantum efficiency (QE) of porous silicon nanocomposites were assessed using the drop-casting method. The incorporation of Ag/PANI-NiCo2O4-CeO2/PSi/Si/Ag enhanced the ideality factor of porous silicon. At wavelengths of 350–900 nm, the values of Rλ, D*, and QE were measured at 0.37 A/W, 5.3 × 10^12 cmHz^1/2/W, and 110%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Gd1 – x – yEuxTbyAlO3 (x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07 mol, y = 0.03 mol) tunable color emanating phosphors were synthesized by simplistic low temperature solution combustion process at 600°C. The X-ray powder diffraction and Rietveld refinement analysis confirmed the formation of single-phased co-doped nanophosphor at 1000°C. The synthesized nanophosphors were crystallized in orthorhombic crystal system having Pnma (62) space group. The morphological and photoluminescence characteristics of Gd1 – x – yEuxTbyAlO3 phosphors were validated using field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, excitation, and emission spectra studies. The optical band gap values of co-doped nanocrystalline phosphors were also evaluated. The detailed analysis of excitation and emission spectra of synthesized nanophosphors revealed that Tb3+ effectively sensitized Eu3+ ion and the energy transfer can be controlled by carefully adjusting the amounts of Eu3+ to achieve color-tunable emission. The non-radiant energy loss phenomenon was observed at x = 0.05(Eu3+) in Gd1 – x – 0.03AlO3: xEu3+, 0.03Tb3+ phosphors. Commission International de I'Eclairage 1931 color coordinates (x, y) of co-doped samples have been extracted from emission spectra avail of photoluminescent data. The result suggested that hue could have been vigilant in greenish, orangish red and dark red color region with divergences in Eu3+ (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07). Other pertinent photometric assets, i.e. correlated color temperature and color purity of synthesized co-doped nanocrystalline materials were determined as well. This study advances understanding of rare earth ion co-doping effects, also providing new design opportunities for enhanced luminous materials for usage in light emitting diodes, lasers, displays, and solid-state technological innovations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface composition and microstructure of an up to 5 µm thick multilayer on a knee implant were investigated. When the implant was explanted after approximately two years of clinical use due to failure from aseptic loosening, the topmost ZrN layer was found to be oxidized. Interestingly, only the non-articulating area was visibly oxidized (color change). Up until then, the formation and characteristics of the oxide and its influence on the tribological performance remained uncertain. The oxide was thoroughly analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT). The articulating and non-articulating areas were compared with an as-fabricated implant, which served as a reference. The results show that a thin oxide was also present on the articulating surface. All measured oxides were thicker than expected from native oxidation. The oxygen content of the majority of the oxide, measured with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and APT, was lower than required for the stable ZrO 2 form. Underneath the oxide, the ZrN layer remained unaffected, demonstrating the oxide's effective passivating behavior against further oxidation. No cobalt from the substrate was detected within the ZrN layer, proving the multilayer's excellent barrier function against ion release from the base metal. In our aging society, the use of artificial knee implants is widespread. Implant failure is not only costly, but often connected with pain for the patient and inevitably involves the implantation of a new joint. Hence, understanding the origin of joint failure is of high importance to extend the lifetime of the implant. In this research, we investigate the influence of a surface oxide, formed on an explant which failed after ∼ 2 years, on the multilayer stability. As a novelty, we focus not on the wear of the polyethylene gliding surface but on the formed oxide. The use of high-resolution analysis techniques allowed us to get a glimpse on the ongoing mechanisms at the explants surface. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A self-floating amphiphilic biosorbent (SFAB) was prepared by dispersing the plasma-modified water hyacinth (WH) (Eichhornia crassipes) fibers on the beeswax support. The synthesis process takes advantage of the functionalising properties of plasma with polar groups (–OH, –CO, –COOH) and the binding effect of beeswax. The characteristics of the obtained biosorbent exhibited significant changes in surface chemistry and roughness confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The resulting functionalised material offers appropriate anchoring sites for pollutants leading to a biomaterial with hydrophilic and lipophilic properties. The removal performance of the SFAB outperforms the natural biomass fibers taking alone, with an uptake capacity of 20.83 mg/g for merbromin (MB) (50 mg/L) and 19.90 mg/g for Green Naphthol B (GNB) (50 mg/L), based on the successfully fitted general-order kinetic model. The effects of some key adsorption parameters were optimised, and the equilibrium data (298–323 K) were best fitted by the Liu isotherm reaching 47.20 and 36.40 mg/g of uptake amounts for MB and GNB, respectively at 298 K. The removal mechanism is governed by π–π interplay, hydrophobic interaction, and hydrogen bonding effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a facile synthesis of Ce4+ -doped ZrO2/ZnO nanocomposites by a simple ultrasonic-assisted hydrothermal method. The ZrO2/ZnO:x mol% Ce4+ composites were then characterized by x-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), The ζ potential, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and elemental mapping, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results indicated that the ZrO2/ZnO:x%Ce4+ composites have nanospherical morphology with average particle sizes less than 50 nm and bandgap values of 3.13–3.17 eV. The XPS spectrum confirmed the existence of a Ce4+/Ce3+ pair, which effectively prevents e–/h+ recombination, contributing to the enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes of photocatalysts. The Ce4+-doped ZrO2/ZnO composites gave the high degradation, 66.88–91.23%, for Rhodamine B under visible-light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the microstructural changes in Nb-doped zirconium alloy cladding at high irradiation doses, the Mitsubishi Developed Alloy (MDA) cladding was ion- irradiated up to 40 dpa at 400◦C and the distribution of alloying elements was in- vestigated using atom probe tomography (APT) and scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDS). APT analysis revealed two types of Nb nanoclusters with different Nb contents after the ion irradia- tion. The Nb concentration in the matrix decreased significantly with ion irradiation up to 10 dpa and then decreased slowly to 40 dpa. STEM-EDS analysis estimated that the secondary phase precipitates (SPPs) of Zr(Fe,Cr,Nb)2 and Zr(Fe,Cr)2 were formed before the ion irradiation. Although Fe, Cr, and Nb were dissolved from the SPPs during the ion irradiation, these alloying elements still remained in the SPPs after 40 dpa irradiation. Other Fe-Cr nanoclusters, Nb-rich phase, and Fe-rich phase were also formed during the ion irradiation. These radiation-induced precip- itates were observed until after 40 dpa irradiation and were expected to be stable under irradiation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One possible option for increasing the fatigue strength of welded joints is the use of so-called low transformation temperature (LTT) alloys. The aim is to introduce residual compressive stresses into the weld to counteract crack initiation and propagation. Until now, there has been no application of an LTT effect to high-performance welding processes such as the laser beam submerged arc hybrid welding process (LUPuS hybrid). First, the LUPuS hybrid single-wire process was further developed into the LUPuS tandem hybrid process. This makes it possible to equip the two submerged arc welding torches with different commercially available filler wires. The aim of the work is to further develop the LUPuS tandem hybrid welding process to enable the use of the LTT effect. The in situ alloying process for obtaining the LTT effect from commercially available material combinations was extended to the two-wire process. The alloy obtained was investigated by means of energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and hardness measurements and the influence on residual stresses was determined by the borehole method supported by electronic speckle pattern interferometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, MnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using Citrus limetta peels extract and functionalized by chitosan polymer. Surface morphology analysis of chitosan functionalized MnO2 nanoparticles was carried out using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), which revealed that the synthesized nanoparticles were spherical, with a size range of 14–24 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis and elemental mapping were used to observe Mn, O, C, H, and N. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino groups on the surface of the nanoparticles. The kinetics and isotherms were compared and it was found that the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir isotherm were the best fit, with R2 values of 0.99. The thermodynamic study demonstrated that the adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous. These findings indicate that chitosan functionalized nanoparticles have a better Pb(II) removal efficiency (94.40%), making them an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative for wastewater treatment. Highlights: Chitosan functionalized nanoadsorbent was synthesized through green route. Sorption mechanism explored through isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic models. Synthesized adsorbent showed high Pb(II) removal capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The self-cleaning concept has drawn a lot of attention due to its unique characteristics and wide range of potential applications in a variety of sectors. In the present study, the photocatalytic properties of TiO2 nanoparticles for achieving the self-cleaning ability on banana fabric were explored using sol–gel technology. Highly stable TiO2 nano sols were developed using a simple, rapid, and relatively low acid content process at low temperatures. Pad-dry-cure method was used to obtain a homogeneous coating of TiO2 nano sols on the surface of the banana fabric. The coated fabrics were characterised using techniques like Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, and UV–Vis Spectroscopy. After light irradiation, the photocatalytic activity was determined by stain degradation of different stains by analysing colour difference and K/S. Anatase TiO2 nanoparticles were formed in good concentration exhibiting photocatalytic activities shown by the photodegradation of Coffee and Rhodamine B stains on exposure to light. Overall, the proposed method can incorporate titanium dioxide functionalization of a new class of cellulosic-based materials, i.e. banana fabrics intended for self-cleaning applications, in a stable, rapid, cost-effective, and ecologically acceptable manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some physical properties (structural, dielectric and optical) of a complex lead-free ceramic [ Bi 1 ∕ 2 Na 1 ∕ 2 ][ Fe 1 ∕ 2 W 1 ∕ 2 ]O3 have been thoroughly examined in different experimental conditions in this study. It was fabricated via a solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure is monoclinic, according to the detailed analysis of the X-ray diffraction pattern. Also, the functional vibrational bands can be observed in the FT-IR and Raman spectra, which support the creation of the molecular structure. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the sample clearly show the effects of Na + and W 6 + incorporation in morphology, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) indicates the existence of all constituents. The non-overlapping small polaron tunneling (NSPT) and correlated barrier hopping (CBH) model conduction mechanisms are examined through Jonscher's power law. The contribution of the grain and grain boundary to the capacitive behavior is shown by Nyquist plots. According to a leakage current analysis, the compound exhibits Ohmic and space charge limited conduction (SCLC) conduction mechanisms. Electric field polarization was used to study the ferroelectric nature. The findings of this study show that the inclusion of Na + and W 6 + is an efficient technique to improve its dielectric and optical characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study demonstrates the creation of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in an environmentally benign manner from Cymbopogon citratus leaves extracts by employing microwave-assisted synthesis at a low power of 400 W for a short period of 180 s. The produced Ag NPs are thoroughly characterized using methods like X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). These Ag NPs form clusters and have unique plate-like shapes with average particle size of ~ 165 nm. To evaluate their antibacterial activity, the produced Ag NPs are tested against both gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus) and gram-negative bacteria (E. Coli, S. typhi, and Pseudomonas) at varied concentrations (1–5 mg/L). The results show strong antibacterial activity, against both gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus) and gram-negative bacteria (E. Coli, S. typhi, and Pseudomonas); and show the largest zone of inhibition diameters at 23 mm (~ 3 mg/L) and 26 mm (~ 5 mg/L) for S. aureus and Pseudomonas, respectively. The ecological potential of Cymbopogon citratus extracts as sources for the environmentally friendly synthesis of Ag NPs is highlighted in this work and the produced Ag NPs are a viable option for antibacterial treatments against pathogenic microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water contamination by toxic organic dyes represents a significant global challenge necessitating effective remediation strategies. Due to their high catalytic activity, considerable attention has been gained to metal-based nanocatalysts. Cellulose acetate sheets supported by gold nanoparticles through a reduction method were synthesized. The composite synthesized material presents a compelling platform for catalytic reduction in the remediation of toxic organic pollutants, ensuring controlled particle size and stability. In this study, the prepared cellulose acetate sheet (CAsheet) was dipped in a 0.001 M aqueous chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) solution and reduced by immersion in a 0.1 M sodium borohydride (NaBH4) aqueous solution. After the successful preparation of virgin cellulose acetate sheet (CAsheet) and gold-supported cellulose acetate sheet (Au-CAsheet) samples were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray crystallography (XRD), energy dispersive X-rays spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The catalytic reduction reaction of toxic compounds i.e. reduction of 4-nitroaniline (4-NA), Congo red (CR), and reactive yellow (RY-42) by using NaBH4. The catalytic activity of the Au-CAsheet was exhibited by the reaction rate constant (kapp) values 0.3189, 0.1596, and 0.1593 min−1 for CR, 4-NA, and RY-42 respectively. This kind of procedure for Au-CAsheet synthesis may be valid for different applications in catalysis, sensing, and environmental application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employing safe and inexpensive methods for the synthesis of biocompatible nanoparticles (NPs) can be very challenging. Green synthesis refers to the process of synthesizing nanoparticles without using toxic and dangerous chemicals. One of the applications of nanoparticles is increasing production from oil reservoirs, known as enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The main aim of the current study is the biosynthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) using Enterobacter cloacae (Persian Type Culture Collection (PTCC): 1798) microorganism, extracted from the formation water of one of the southwestern Iranian reservoirs, as a novel approach in EOR applications. Several analytical methods, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FSEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and zeta potential were used to analyze the produced NPs. The FESEM analysis confirmed the amorphous form of the nanoparticles and estimated their size in the range of 32 to 58 nm. In investigating the effect of synthesized nanoparticles on interfacial tension (IFT) and stability tests, three levels of base fluids (distilled water, seawater, and diluted sea water) and five levels of nanoparticle concentrations (0, 100, 500, 1000, and 2000 ppm) were considered. The IFT analysis showed that an increase in nanoparticle concentration causes a decrease in the IFT. Also, ZnO nanoparticles were chosen at concentrations of 500 and 1000 ppm for wettability alteration and the EOR test through injection into porous media. The results for the EOR test demonstrated a maximum oil recovery factor of 56% for nanofluid injection with a concentration of 1000 ppm with diluted seawater as the base fluid. Furthermore, oil recovery factors of 43% and 49% were achieved by injection of distilled water and seawater with a concentration of 1000 ppm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible polymer nanocomposite composed of organic methylcellulose (MC) and semiconducting titanium dioxide (TiO2) films were successfully prepared. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) recorded the structure characteristics of the films, proving that MC/TiO2 nanocomposite were successfully synthesized. The EDX showed that this composite was composed of (28.55% C, 50.90% O, and 20.55% Ti), which displayed the chemical composition of MC/TiO2. Moreover, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows the TiO2 nanoparticles are loaded homogenously in the nanocomposite films. With increasing the TiO2, the FTIR intensity of most peaks gradually decreased which may be attributed to that titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) were formed on the methylcellulose (MC). The UV spectrophotometer records the data of absorption (A) for the MC and MC/TiO2 films between 200nm and 1100nm at the ambient temperature. Using Tauc’s relation, the linear/nonlinear optical characteristics of MC and MC/TiO2 films were computed. By mixing MC with 2%, 4%, and 6% TiO2, the Urbach energy of the MC is enhanced from 1.77eV to 1.85, 2.02, and 2.34eV, correspondingly, while the TiO2 reduced the energy gap of MC from 5.17eV to 3.59, 3.52, or 3.43eV. Moreover, the carbon cluster increased from 44 for MC to 92, 95, and 101 for MC mixed by 2%, 4%, and 6% TiO2. This study found the MC/TiO2 hybrid films can potentially be used as optical materials for flexible electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical application of hydrogen in daily life as a daily energy source, in competition with fossil fuels, is dependent upon the overcoming of the technical challenges associated with the storage of this energy. Although a considerable number of studies have been conducted on the storage of hydrogen in porous synthetic materials, including MOFs and carbon-based structures, there are fewer studies utilizing natural zeolites for the same purpose. In this study, the usability of natural chabazite (Raw-CHA) from Bala (Türkiye) for hydrogen storage was investigated. Firstly, the H+ form of Raw-CHA was obtained by modification with 1.0 M NH 4 NO 3 solutions at 80 °C for 4 h, followed by calcination at 400 °C for 5 h. Secondly, the H+ form was treated with different concentrations (0.05, 0.15, 0.25 and 0.50 M) of AgNO 3 , Ca(NO 3) 2.4H 2 O and Ni(NO 3) 2.6H 2 O solutions at 80 °C for 4 h to evaluate the effect of ion exchange with different cations on hydrogen adsorption. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and nitrogen adsorption methods. The hydrogen adsorption capacities of all the samples at 77 K exhibited a range of 0.818–1.080 wt%. [Display omitted] • Pretreatment with NH 4 NO 3 and calcination improved the hydrogen adsorption capacity. • Cation exchange after the pretreatment further enhanced hydrogen adsorption. • The highest hydrogen uptake was obtained after treatment with 0.05 M nickel nitrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High strength, high conductivity copper alloys that can resist creep at high temperatures are one of the primary candidates for efficient heat exchangers in fusion reactors. Cu–Cr–Nb–Zr (CCNZ) alloys, which were designed to improve the strength and creep life of ITER Cu–Cr–Zr (CCZ) reference alloys, have been found to have comparable electrical conductivity and tensile properties to CCZ alloys. The measured creep rupture times for these improved alloys is about ten times higher than the ITER reference alloys at 90–125 MPa at 500 °C. However, the effects of neutron irradiation on these alloys, and the ensuing material properties, have not been studied; thus, their utility in a fusion reactor environment is not well understood. This study characterizes the room temperature mechanical and electrical properties of a neutron-irradiated CCNZ alloy and compares them to a neutron-irradiated ITER reference heat sink CCZ alloy. Tensile specimens were neutron irradiated in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) to 5 dpa between 250 °C and 325 °C. Post-irradiation characterization included electrical resistivity measurements, hardness, and tensile tests. Microstructural evaluation used scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and atom probe tomography to characterize the irradiation-produced changes in the microstructure and investigate the mechanistic processes leading to post-irradiation properties. Transmutation calculations were validated with composition measurements from atom probe data and used to calculate contributions to the increased electrical resistivity measured after irradiation. Comparisons with CCZ alloys in the same irradiation heat found that the post-irradiated CCNZ and CCZ alloys had comparable electrical resistivity. Although CCNZ alloys suffered more irradiation hardening than CCZ, the overall tensile behavior deviated very little from non-irradiated values in the temperature range studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly selective, sensitive caffeic acid (CA) detection based on calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaO NPs) derived from extract of Moringa oleifera leaves decorated graphitic carbon nitride covalently grafted poly vinyl alcohol (CaO/g-C3N4/PVA) nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was studied. A facile sonochemical method was adapted to synthesis nanomaterials and characterized by HR-TEM (High resolution transmission electron microscopy), FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), FE-SEM (Field emission scanning electron microscopy), EDX (Energy dispersive X-ray analysis), Mapping and BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) analysis, and electrochemical techniques. The nanocomposite modified GCE exhibited an excellent catalytic performance to the oxidation of CA under optimized conditions owing to better electron transfer efficiency, conductivity and high surface area of the electrode material. The present electrochemical sensor showed high selectivity towards the determination of 10 µM CA in the presence of 100-fold higher concentrations of interferents. The modified CA sensor exhibited a wide sensing linear range from 0.01 µM to 70 µM and the detection limit (LOD) was found to be 0.0024 µM (S/N = 3) in 0.1 M phosphate buffer saline (PBS) as a supporting electrolyte at pH 7.0. The fabricated CA sensor provides an excellent stability, reproducibility and selectivity for the determination of CA. The modified CA sensor was applied to real blood plasma samples and obtained good recovery (97.6-100.1%) results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat-resistant fungal conidia are a common source of contamination and can cause significant difficulties in producing spawns. Through the use of PCR method, Aspergillus tubingensis and Aspergillus flavus as common microbial contaminants found in wheat grain spawn were identified that had been sterilized at 120 ºc for 2 h. Since these conidia are highly resistant to standard sterilization techniques, alternative methods were used to treat them with NaOCl and cold plasma and evaluate their effectiveness in reducing contamination. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) analysis of the plasma showed dominant emissions from the N2 second positive system and N2+ first negative system, while reactive oxygen species (ROS) spectral lines were undetected due to collision-induced quenching effects. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDXS) analyses revealed notable alterations in the elemental makeup of conidia surfaces, as evidenced by a marked rise in levels of Na, O, Cl (in the case of NaOCl treatment) and N (in the case of plasma treatment). The conidia size was reduced at lower levels of NaOCl, but with increased concentrations and plasma treatment, the conidia underwent rupture and, in some cases, pulverization. The research suggests that utilizing a combined approach can be highly effective in eliminating heat-resistant fungal conidia and drastically cutting down the sterilization time for producing wheat spawn to only 30 s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is dedicated to improving the sintering and conductivity of BaZr 0.1 Ce 0.7 Y 0.1 Yb 0.1 O 3-δ (BZCYYb) by adding ZnO–CuO dual-sintering aids. The synergistic effects of liquid-sintering of Zn and B-site substitution of Cu on the sinterability and proton conductivity of BZCYYb are systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of BZCYYb after addition of ZnO–CuO (BZCYYb-Zn-Cu) confirms the complete perovskite phase formation without any secondary phase. The substitution of Ce4+ (0.87 Å) with Zn2+ (0.74 Å) or Cu2+ (0.73 Å) induces a shift in XRD diffraction peak to higher angle due to a decrease in lattice constant. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis indicate a distinct distribution of Zn primarily at the grain boundaries, while Cu is predominantly located within the grains of BZCYYb-Zn-Cu. The addition of ZnO–CuO into BZCYYb results in a denser microstructure with larger average grain size. Furthermore, the substitution of Ce4+ by Cu2+ increases the concentration of oxygen vacancies and reduces activation energy. For BZCYYb-Zn-Cu, the proton conductivity reaches 4.52 × 10−2 S/cm at 750 °C, approximately 3 times higher than that of BZCYYb. This enhancement can be attributed to the synergistic effects of larger average grain size resulting from liquid phase sintering of Zn, low active energy, and high concentration of oxygen vacancies arising from Cu B-site substitution. BZCYYb-Zn-Cu is used as the electrolyte for anode support SOFC, and the single cell exhibits remarkable electrochemical performance and excellent stability in H 2 fuel. This research establishes a crucial theoretical foundation for the preparation and performance evaluation for large-size protonic ceramic cell. • Zn is mainly aggregated at grain boundaries, while Cu is mostly distributed in the grains bulk. • ZnO–CuO synergistically promote the sinterability and conductivity for BZCYYb. • The SOFC with BZCYYb-Zn1-Cu1 electrolyte exhibits high electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single crystals of Thiourea Cadmium hydrogen borate (TCHB), a hybrid nonlinear optical (NLO) material, are grown from an aqueous solution by slow evaporation solution growth technique at ambient temperature. Characterization studies have been conducted to probe the nonlinear effects of the crystal. The crystalline nature of TCHB is explored using the single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The chemical composition is resolved by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. UV–Vis spectral studies analyze the transparency of the crystal. Optical studies illustrate the UV cut-off wavelength to be 285 nm with wide window of transparency in the infrared and visible regions. The optical and electrical conductivity studies indicate superior optical response essential for optical computing and photonic applications. The Kurtz powder test has confirmed the NLO capability. The thermal stability is analyzed through a thermogravimetric study. Dielectric and AC conductivity measurements carried out over a wide range of frequencies (100 Hz to 5 MHz) for various temperatures establish the semiconducting and photonic capacity of TCBH crystal to be used as photodiodes, optical fibres and laser lights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, CaYGaO 4 : x Eu3+ (CYGO: x Eu3+)phosphors were synthesized for the first time using a high-temperature solid-state method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Their energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to further investigate the microscopic composition of the samples. The forbidden bandwidths and densities of states of CYGO and CYGO:0.25Eu3+ were calculated by first principles methods. The emission and excitation spectra of the samples were tested by fluorescence spectroscopy, which showed that the samples can be excited by both UV and blue light. When the sample heated to 473 K, the luminescence intensity under 393 and 463 nm excitation stays at 83.99 % and 85.19 % of the room temperature, respectively, which demonstrates that CYGO:0.3Eu3+ possesses excellent thermal stability. The color coordinates (CIE), correlated color temperature (CCT) and color purity (CP) of the samples were also investigated. In order to explore its application in the field of white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs), CYGO:0.3Eu3+ was mixed with commercial blue and green phosphors in a certain ratio, and the chip was made into a WLED with 395 nm excitation, and the CIE of the lamps were (0.3338, 0.3521), with a correlated CCT of 5448 K, and a color rendering index (CRI) of Ra = 86.2. The thermal imaging performance of the small lamps was also evaluated for sustained usage, revealing minimal temperature fluctuations and excellent thermal stability. Consequently, CYGO:Eu3+ exhibits promising potential for applications in the field of WLEDs. Additionally, CYGO:0.3Eu3+ was selected as a representative sample for the creation of fluorescent ink and its subsequent application on various media. The outcomes indicate that this phosphor possesses promising potential for use in the field of anti-counterfeiting ink technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles derived from biological sources are currently garnering significant interest due to their diverse range of potential applications. The purpose of the study was to synthesize Al-doped nanoparticles of zinc oxide (ZnO) from leaf extracts of Cucumis maderaspatanus and assess their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity using some bacterial and fungal strains. These nanoparticles were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The average crystalline size was determined to be 25 nm, as evidenced by the XRD analysis. In the UV-vis spectrum, the absorption band was observed around 351 nm. It was discovered that the Al-ZnO nanoparticles had a bandgap of 3.25 eV using the Tauc relation. Furthermore, by FTIR measurement, the presence of the OH group, C=C bending of the alkene group, and C=O stretching was confirmed. The SEM analysis revealed that the nanoparticles were distributed uniformly throughout the sample. The EDAX spectrum clearly confirmed the presence of Zn, Al, and O elements in the Al-ZnO nanoparticles. The TEM results also indicated that the green synthesized Al-ZnO nanoparticles displayed hexagonal shapes with an average size of 25 nm. The doping of aluminum may enhance the thermal stability of the ZnO by altering the crystal structure or phase composition. The observed changes in TG, DTA, and DTG curves reflect the impact of aluminum doping on the structural and thermal properties of ZnO nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity of the Al-ZnO nanoparticles using the agar diffusion method showed that the maximum zone of inhibition has been noticed against organisms of Gram-positive S. aureus compared with Gram-negative E. coli. Moreover, antifungal activity using the agar cup method showed that the maximum zone of inhibition was observed on Aspergilus flavus, followed by Candida albicans. Al-doping nanoparticles increases the number of charge carriers, which can enhance the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under UV light exposure. These ROS are known to possess strong antimicrobial properties. Al-doping can improve the crystallinity of ZnO, resulting in a larger surface area that facilitates more interaction with microbial cells. The structural and biological characteristics of Al-ZnO nanoparticles might be responsible for the enhanced antibacterial activity exhibited in the antibacterial studies. Al-ZnO nanoparticles with Cucumis maderaspatanus leaf extract produced via the green synthesis methods have remarkable antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals against DPPH radicals, according to these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focuses on the production of methane through the photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide using Pt-doped CdS/TiO2 heterostructures. The photocatalysts were prepared using P25 commercial titania and CdS synthesized through a solvothermal methodology, followed by the impregnation of Pt onto the surface to enhance the physicochemical properties of the resulting photocatalysts. The pure and heterostructure-based materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The obtained results show the successful synthesis of the heterostructure impregnated with Pt. Moreover, the observed key role of CdS and Pt nanoparticles in the final semiconductor is to reduce the electron-hole pair recombination rate by acting as an electron sink, which slows down the recombination process and increases the photocatalyst efficiency. Thus, Pt-doped CdS/TiO2 heterostructures with the best observed composition presents better catalytic activity than P25 titania with methane production values being 460 and 397 µmol CH4/g·h, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One method to reduce the spread of pathogens is to use clean surfaces. These have long-acting components, and their use would reduce the massive consumption of disinfectants and cleaning products. In order to ensure the safety of these surfaces in water-based systems and prevent mishandling and potential health and environmental risks, this study analyzed the stability of clean surfaces made of polyethylene with three silver compounds with different water solubility. The surfaces were subjected to erosion at 40 °C by immersing them in aqueous solutions of 3% acetic acid (w/v), 50% ethanol (v/v), and deionized water. The ionic silver release was monitored in real-time in situ via voltammetry using an Ag/S2− electrode. Analytical methods such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) were employed to elucidate the surface alteration. The plastic residue after immersion varied depending on the pH and the type of solvent used, with a higher plastic migration observed when in contact with the water-ethanol mixture. Furthermore, a correlation was identified between surface stability, oxygen composition in the antibacterial, and water solubility, influencing increased surface oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article calculates horizontal and vertical heat and moisture fluxes in the wall based on measurements of temperature and relative humidity in the building wall. It was a basement wall that was close to the ground on one side and the basement ceiling on the other, which increased the difficulty in problem simulation. The brick material from the wall was also analyzed under an electron microscope and its elemental composition was determined using the EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) method. The brick had a relatively uniform elemental composition apart from several variations in calcium content. Monthly, daily, and hourly heat and moisture fluxes were determined. The tested wall was characterized by low humidity, and the values obtained of the moisture fluxes confirmed this. The maximum recorded relative humidity inside the wall is 57.89%, and the minimum is 43.99%. The effect of buffering moisture by brick material was noticed. Vertical streams of water vapor were found to be important in the moisture balance of the tested partition. The maximum heat flux through the tested wall area in August was 0.06 W, and the minimum in January was −0.2 W. The maximum moisture flux in August was 5 × 10−11 kg/s, and the minimum in January was −5 × 10−11 kg/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demand for infrastructure, the need to consolidate aging structures, and the effects of climate change imply the replacement or improvement of traditional concrete. This study investigates three accelerators and their mixtures (Ca(NO3)2·4H2O, Al2(SO4)3·18H2O, and Na2S2O3·5H2O) (series I) and their counterparts with superplasticizers (Dynamon SR41) (series II) as additives in standard concrete to improve its functionality. The standard concrete and new concrete mixes were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and tests for water absorption, bulk density, and compressive strength. XRD analysis showed that all concrete mixes had similar structures composed of quartz, portlandite, larnite, calcium silicate, ettringite, albite, and muscovite in varying proportions. Their microstructures, as shown by SEM images, revealed the presence of ettringite, portlandite, and C-S-H gel at high magnification (1–5 kx). The addition of the superplasticizer remodeled the surface of the concrete mix, reducing the pore radius and increasing its compaction. These changes helped to reduce its bulk density while increasing the compressive strength. The results showed that all the concrete mixtures are similar to the standard concrete and can replace it for better functionality, but Na2S2O3·5H2O with superplasticizer concrete mixture had the higher compressive strength, supplying additional benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing production of solid waste and the scarcity of natural aggregates as a matter of fact have made waste recycling a necessity. One such waste, which is generated in large quantities, is slag. However, slag from incineration plants may contain harmful elements that adversely affect the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of cement composites. This study presents laboratory research results on the effect of slag from the Poznan Municipal Waste Thermal Conversion Plant (Poland) on the physicochemical properties of cement composites. The samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was shown that the slag analyzed contained significant amounts of aluminum, which had a direct effect on the structure of the concrete. An example of this influence is the release of hydrogen during reactions, which causes swelling and cracking of the concrete and reduces its mechanical strength. The authors emphasize that waste aggregate (slag) can be effectively used in the production of concrete after appropriate processing that reduces the risk of adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan nanosheets (NS) stabilized on poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) was functionalized using Fe3O4 to capacitively remove chloride ions and toxic cadmium ions at optimized pH, concentration, and number of charging cycles. The synthesis procedure was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscope – Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The analyses confirms increase in surface area of the nanocomposite from 41 to 132 m2/g and a decrease in crystallinity from 75.3 to 66.9% after nanosheet formation. The highest sorption exchange capacity (SEC) for this work, 93% CdCO3 removal is achieved at 100 CDI cycles while 82% NaCl removal was achieved at 80 cycles. The SEC% increased with pH during Na ion deionization and decreased with pH during Cd removal. The works shows that chitosan is able to impart advanced structural properties to Fe3O4 and PEDOT and is able to reduce reverse migration of ions from electrodes to bulk solution, leading to higher SEC performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of atmospheric aerosols on the earth's radiation budget is primarily through their direct effects. Understanding aerosols' morphology and elemental composition is crucial in this context. For two years, from January 2017 to December 2018, aerosol samples (PM 10) were collected on quartz filter papers using a high-volume sampler (PM 10) in Chennai, a semi-urban coastal environment located at 12.81°N, 80.03°E. These filter papers were stored under ambient laboratory conditions and were subsequently subjected to ultrasonication using ethanol as the solvent to separate the aerosols from the filters. The extracted samples were then analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the morphology and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) for elemental composition. The EDX analysis of the samples revealed the presence of various elements such as carbon (C), oxygen (O), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), sulfur (S), potassium (K), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), vanadium (V), bismuth (Bi), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), phosphorus (P), and technetium (Tc). High concentrations of carbon, oxygen, and aluminum–silicate particles indicated the presence of carbonaceous aerosols and wind-blown dust particles. Concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis was carried out to assess the transport pathways of aerosols in the region. CALIPSO overpasses during the study period were selected, and the Vertical Feature Mask (VFM) identifiers for different aerosol types were compared with the local experimental results. The findings show that CALIPSO possess a reasonably effective capability in detecting and characterizing the local aerosol types. CALIPSO detected Dusty marine, Clean marine, Elevated smoke and Polluted dust in the study area across all four seasons. These findings closely match the characteristics of such aerosol types obtained from SEM/EDX analysis, HYSPLIT (HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) modeling, and the Angstrom exponent derived from sunphotometer readings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we synthesize pristine and (Mg, Fe) co-doped SnO 2 nanoparticles using the chemical co-precipitation method, where the Mg doping amount is fixed (2 mol%) and the amount of Fe is varied between 2 and 6 mol%. The narrow and sharp natures of intense XRD peaks notify that the crystallinity is pretty well. The formation of the single-phase tetragonal rutile type structure of all prepared compounds has been identified by Rietveld refinement, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, the well incorporation of Fe and Mg in SnO 2 and absence of any other unexpected elements are confirmed by the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. How the co-doping of Mg and Fe alter the crystallite size, microstrain, and dislocation density of the prepared samples have been investigated by Scherrer method with various modified version of it, Williamson-Hall method (W–H) in three factions (UDM, USDM, and UDEDM), Size strain plot (SSP) method, Halder-Wagner (H–W) method, Wagner-Aqua (W-A) method, and Warren-Averbach (WA) method. The obtained crystallite size using the WA method is smaller than the other methods and Scherrer-based methods show much comparable (except SLMSE) sizes. Additionally, the W–H, H–W, SSP, and W-A plots show almost similar tendency of decreasing crystal size, increasing dislocation density and lattice strain with increasing doping. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) profiles revealed that the synthesized nanoparticles are agglomerated in nature, where the agglomeration increases with decreasing crystal size. The magnetic response of the prepared samples revealed a weak ferromagnetic (or soft magnetic) nature, where saturation magnetization increased due to doping, and a reducing trend of remanent magnetization and coercivity was explored which indicates the phase transition from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic. However, this soft magnetic nature was modified with the influence of defects like changes in lattice parameters, strain, and oxygen vacancy. This phase transition at higher doping concentration makes our nanomaterial as a suitable contender for memory devices, hyperthermia treatment, and photothermal effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years Ceria based heterostructure composites are considered as one of the highest performing solid state ionic conductors, therefore we wanted to leverage the benefits of using these materials for high temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs). In this study a Polybenzimidazole (PBI)/Ceria carbonate CHC (Ceria based heterostructure composite) membrane was prepared by drop casting method and tested as an electrolyte for a high temperature H 2 /Air PEMFC application in anhydrous condition. Inorganic composite of ceria and alkali metal carbonates (Li 2 CO 3 , Na 2 CO 3) was prepared by solid state route to obtain Ceria carbonate CHC. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) study confirmed the formation of the heterostructure and their successful incorporation into the PBI membranes. Homogeneity of fillers inside the membrane was further verified by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDAX) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). 5 wt% of inorganic powder induced inside the PBI fillers reduced the phosphoric acid uptake of composite membrane (∼17% less) compared to pristine PBI membrane, which ultimately resulted into a lower swelling and dimensional change of the composite membrane. Thermal robustness of the phosphoric acid doped composite and pristine PBI membranes was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) which showed that the prepared membranes were gone under a less than 10% reduction in weight up till 200°C, ensuring their validity of application in high temp PEM fuel cells. The added inorganic functionalities resulted in a slight increase in the proton conductivity of PA doped composite PBI membranes i.e., 42.3 mS cm−1 at 180°C while for pristine PBI membrane it is 36 mS cm−1 at same temperature. A single cell with composite PBI membranes outperformed a pristine PBI membrane resulted into a ∼120% higher peak power density i.e., 320.88 mW cm−2. The composite membrane also displayed the excellent durability and showed a less than 10−4 mV/h degradation in cell potential till 180°C. • Synthesis of Ceria-Carbonate doped mixed matrix membrane with Polybenzimidazole (PBI). • SEM images shows the homogenous dispersion of inorganic material into the membrane. • Cell voltage degradation is lower than 10−4 V/h for composite membrane. • Peak power density increases upto 120% for composite membrane compared to pure PBI membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kuruma shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus) is a commercially important crustacean and a valuable global food source. This study employed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to explore the morphology and morphometric features of the Marsupenaeus japonicus cephalothoracic structures, including antennules, antennas, scaphocerite, rostrums, and eye stalks. The primary focus was on understanding the role of each part, especially through the examination of setae, which are crucial for chemoreception and defense. Additionally, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis was utilized to identify the elemental composition of these structures. Material and methods: The samples from the heads of fifteen Marsupenaeus japonicus were studied by gross morphology and morphometry, SEM, and EDX analysis. This study is the first to integrate both SEM and EDX techniques for a detailed analysis of these cephalothoracic structures, offering an innovative approach to understanding both morphological and elemental characteristics. Results: Marsupenaeus japonicus exhibited two antennules and two antennae. The antenna featured four basal segments: basicerite, ischiocerite, merocerite, and carpocerite, each with distinctive articulations and setae distribution. The antennule, with three segments covered by plumose setae, displayed curved cone-shaped flagellae. The scaphocerite, resembling a paddle, showcased plumose setae, while the rostrum exhibited dorsal and ventral spines, lateral grooves, and unique setal arrangements. Setal measurements across structures revealed diverse lengths and widths, indicating functional specialization. The compound eyes were connected to an optic stalk adorned with plumose setae. EDX analysis revealed higher percentages of calcium and phosphorus in the spear-like structures of the scaphocerite, rostrum, and antenna, respectively. Conclusion: This investigation provides a thorough examination of the intricate morphological features of the cephalothoracic region of Marsupenaeus japonicus, shedding light on its sensory and defensive capabilities. The novel application of both SEM and EDX not only deepens our insights into these structures but also lays the groundwork for future studies using this dual approach to explore crustacean morphology, with potential advantages for sustainable aquaculture and the conservation of marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]