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The use of semiconductor‐based photocatalytic methods has been widespread for a range of applications, including pollution control and energy generation. However, certain analytical concerns limit the effectiveness of these photocatalysts, such as their limited light absorption capacity, physicochemical instability, and large energy band gap. To address these issues, scientists have been exploring integrating carbonaceous materials into photocatalytic systems to enhance their activity. This review focuses specifically on fullerene photocatalysts, a type of carbonaceous photocatalyst that has shown great promise in recent research. Fullerenes, which include C60 and C70, have unique properties that make them ideal for use as photocatalyst amplifiers in combination with other semiconductors or non‐semiconductors. This review summarizes recent research into the use of fullerene‐based materials for a variety of photocatalytic applications, including pollutant degradation, and hydrogen energy production. The efficacy of fullerene‐based photocatalysts is also discussed in recent breakthroughs in photocatalytic mechanisms and synthesis methods, focusing on pollution removal and hydrogen generation. Finally, the review addresses ongoing challenges and opportunities for fullerene‐based photocatalysts. The goal is to contribute to advancements in environmental protection and energy generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the energy shortage and environmental pollution are the burning global issues. For centuries, fossil fuels have been used to meet worldwide energy demand. However, thousands of tons of greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned, contributing to global warming. Therefore, green energy must replace fossil fuels, and hydrogen is a prime choice. Photocatalytic water splitting (PWS) under solar irradiation could address energy and environmental problems. In the past decade, solar photocatalysts have been used to manufacture sustainable fuels. Scientists are working to synthesize a reliable, affordable, and light-efficient photocatalyst. Developing efficient photocatalysts for water redox reactions in suspension is a key to solar energy conversion. Semiconductor nanoparticles can be used as photocatalysts to accelerate redox reactions to generate chemical fuel or electricity. Carbon materials are substantial photocatalysts for total WS under solar irradiation due to their high activity, high stability, low cost, easy production, and structural diversity. Carbon-based materials such as graphene, graphene oxide, graphitic carbon nitride, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and carbon quantum dots can be used as semiconductors, photosensitizers, cocatalysts, and support materials. This review comprehensively explains how carbon-based composite materials function as photocatalytic semiconductors for hydrogen production, the water-splitting mechanism, and the chemistry of redox reactions. Also, how heteroatom doping, defects and surface functionalities, etc., can influence the efficiency of carbon photocatalysts in H2 production. The challenges faced in the PWS process and future prospects are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the maternal hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and its levels in hypertensive pregnant patients during the third trimester of gestation. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in an Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Teaching Hospital affiliated to the University of Lahore from November 2017 to June 2018. All pregnant women aged 18-40 years having third trimester of gestation, who came for antenatal check up or admitted to hospital were consecutively included. The demographic characteristics of pregnant women were documented and Hb concentration was assayed in the hematology laboratory and evaluated in pregnant females with hypertension (Hypertensive pregnant group) and healthy normotensive pregnant women. Hypertensive pregnant group were further categorized as pregnancy induced hypertensive (PIH), pre-eclampsia, and eclampsia. Results: Of 78 pregnant women (62 hypertensive and 16 normotensive), the median age was 25 (23-29) years. Of 62 hypertensive women, PIH was observed in 33 (42.3%) women, pre-eclampsia in 17 (21.8%), and eclampsia in 12 (15.4%). The median HB level was observed in 11.5 (10-12) g/dL. The median Hb level in normotensive pregnant women was significantly higher as compared to hypertensive pregnant women, i.e., 11.9 (11.6-12.0) vs. 11.0 (9.5-12.0) respectively (p-value 0.006). Furthermore, among hypertensive women, the median Hb level was insignificantly higher in eclamptic women [11.5 (11.1-12.0)] as compared to PIH [10.7 (9.4-12.2)] and pre-eclamptic women [9.9 (9.5-11.7)] (p-value 0.079). Conclusion: In the present study, the evaluation of Hb shows a statistically significant deterioration in Hb levels among hypertensive pregnant patients as compared to normotensive pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocomposites of conjugated polymers polypyrrole (PPy) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as matrices and 1,4-phenylenediamine (PDA) as a linker with amine functional graphite (FG-NH2) as filler have been efficiently fabricated using in situ oxidative polymerization, and the effect of various mass ratios on physicochemical characteristics of prepared nanocomposite was investigated. The layer-by-layer oxidative polymerization of various matrices on host filler surface is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, energy dispersive X-ray, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy examinations. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed fibrillary morphology of obtained nanocomposites. Thermal stability, glass transition temperature, and melting and crystallization temperature of the nanocomposites were increased with the incorporation of modified graphite. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis explored the improved adsorption capacity (128 cm3 g−1) of the nanocomposite with higher feeding ratio of pyrrole. The influence of FG-NH2 and pyrrole on electrical conductivity performance of composites was also investigated. Functionalized graphite in the resultant PPy/PVC/PDA@FG-NH2 nanocomposites played an important role in forming conducting network in PPy matrix indicating synergistic effect between PPy and FG-NH2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate maternal serum levels of an angiogenic factor called Placental Growth Factor (PLGF) at different ages of pregnancy in gestational hypertensive women residing in Raiwind Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: The analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Sharif Medical City Hospital, Lahore from January 2015 - April 2015. Serum levels of PLGF were measured and compared between 22 control normotensive subjects (Group A) and 18 gestational hypertensive (Group B). Moreover, comparison was also made among different gestational weeks groups (I, II and III). Results: Serum PLGF levels were raised in gestational hypertensive (Group B) compare to normotensive (Group A) [366 (185-695) vs. 156 (132-319) ng/L], (P= 0.024). Serum PLGF levels were 156 (132-319) in gestational hypertensive individuals and 366 (185-695) ng/L in normotensive individuals. Serum levels PLGF of 18 -28 (I), 29-35 gestational weeks (II) were raised [425 (197-452) vs. 163 (91-332)], [546 (309-1519) vs. 137 (86-147)]. While in last 36- 40 weeks group (III) levels were decreased [216 (136-881) vs. 315 (185-612)] in comparison of normotensive subjects. Conclusion: It is concluded from this research that placental-derived angiogenic biomarker PLGF plays a significant role in gestational hypertension. The pattern of the PLGF marker in various intervals of pregnancy may provide information for the management of hypertension in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation of rare metals recovery from LiNixCoyMnzO2 cathode material of the end-of-life lithium-ion batteries is presented. To determine the influence of reductant on the leach process, the cathode material (containing Li 7.6%, Co 20.4%, Mn 19.4%, and Ni 19.3%) was leached in H2SO4 solutions either with or without H2O2. The optimal process parameters with respect to acid concentration, addition dosage of H2O2, temperature, and the leaching time were found to be 2.0 M H2SO4, 4 vol.% H2O2, 70°C, and 150 min, respectively. The yield of metal values in the leach liquor was > 99%. The leach liquor was subsequently treated by precipitation techniques to recover nickel as Ni(C4H7N2O2)2 and lithium as Li2CO3 with stoichiometric ratios of 2:1 and 1.2:1 of dimethylglyoxime:Ni and Na2CO2:Li, respectively. Cobalt was recovered by solvent extraction following a 3-stage process using Na-Cyanex 272 at pHeq ~5.0 with an organic-to-aqueous phase ratio (O/A) of 2/3. The loaded organic phase was stripped with 2.0 M H2SO4 at an O/A ratio of 8/1 to yield a solution of 114 g/L CoSO4; finally recovered CoSO4.xH2O by crystallization. The process economics were analyzed and found to be viable with a margin of $476 per ton of the cathode material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have long been recognized as the stiffest and strongest man-made material known to date. Owing to high electrical conductivity, CNTs have also gained interest in the area of electrical appliances and communication related applications. Moreover, carbon nanofibers (CNFs) depict fine electrical and mechanical profile. Due to their miniscule size, excellent mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, CNTs can only be beneficial if they are homogeneously dispersed and embedded into light-weight engineering polymer matrices. Adding small amounts of CNTs strongly improve the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the composites. In order to enhance their chemical affinity to polymer matrices, chemically modifying the graphitic sidewalls and tips is necessary. This article reviews the processing technology and improvement of various properties of carbon nanotube-reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) composites. Initially, the structure, morphology, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of nanotubes are described. Then various strategies for fabricating PU/CNTs composites and their properties are discussed. To conclude, recent developments in the field of mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of thermoplastic PU reinforced with nanotubes and nanofibers are reviewed. A brief account regarding the toxicity and environmental safety aspects of carbon nanomaterials is also included in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]