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Herein, we present the preparation of silver and yttrium co-doped ZnO (Ag-Y-ZnO) nanoparticles by a sol-gel process. The obtained catalysts are systematically characterized using a variety of standard techniques, including x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), photoluinescnce (PL), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). XRD analysis confirms the successful doping of Y ions into the lattice of ZnO with a slight negative peak shift while Ag appears in its metallic form on the surface of ZnO. The (Ag, Y) co-doping into ZnO decreased the crystallite size from 47.4 nm to 40.2 nm, promoted the optical response from 381 nm to 413 nm in the visible region, and inhibited the recombination rate of electron-hole pairs. Among all prepared catalysts, the Ag-Y-ZnO exhibits an optimum photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of 587.4 μmolh−1g−1, and 425.4 μmolh−1g−1 through water-methanol mixture under visible and UV light illumination, respectively. This catalyst manifests 49 and 3.32 times enhancement for cumulative (4 h) and initial H2 evolution rates, respectively, and credit to the red shift in the light absorption, inhibited recombination of photoinduced chare carriers, and abundant actives sites accessible for H2 evolution reaction. Furthermore, the recycling tests verify the strong stability of the as-prepared Ag-Y-ZnO catalyst. The plausible mechanism for the increased photocatalytic activity of the Ag-Y-ZnO catalyst is also proposed and discussed. Highlights: Ag and Y co-doped ZnO synthesized via sol–gel process. High charge separation and increased light absorption obtained over co-doped ZnO. Highest photoactivity of 587.4 μmolh−1g−1 was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we set forth a framework for solving a multiattribute group decision-making (MAGDM) problem, namely, the selection of a firm for participation in a Saudi oil refinery project in Pakistan. This project will prove a key success factor for the economic growth of Pakistan due to its enormous economic impact on the energy sector, industrial development, commerce, transportation, and so on. This multiplicity justifies that several intricate components comprising both intrinsic and external attributes should be adequately evaluated for the selection of such a firm, that is, the formulation of this question as a MAGDM problem. Nonbinary evaluation with two-dimensional ambiguity and uncertainty in the parameters are general concerns in modern literature, and they fit into this problem. Within this context, one of the most superior and amenable theories (complex spherical fuzzy N -soft sets, henceforth C S F N S f S s) shall be used to formulate a new comprehensive method, known as complex spherical fuzzy N -soft-VIKOR (C S F N S f -VIKOR) method. According to the general spirit of the benchmark technique, the normalized Euclidean distances and the weights of the attributes are jointly handled, and as consequence, two main features ("maximum group utility" and "minimum individual regret") are acquired. The coefficient strategy with reference to group utility measure and individual regret measure of opponents are employed for the compromise measure. Armed with this novel tool, we single out the most feasible firm according to the preference order of the alternatives examined by the decision-makers on the subject of linear normalized weights of experts and attributes. Furthermore, a comparative analysis justifies the C S F -VIKOR method, and some results prove its capabilities and validity. Moreover, a sensitivity test certifies the stability of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we establish the notion of complex single-valued neutrosophic N-soft set. It improves the traits of three general models, namely, single-valued neutrosophic sets, single-valued neutrosophic soft sets and single-valued neutrosophic N- soft sets, in such way that it makes two dimensional ambiguous information and parameterized grading evaluation compatible. We explain the modeling abilities of complex single-valued neutrosophic N-soft sets and investigate some of their fundamental properties. Moreover, the intended approach hinges on rational attributes to support the choice of the most suitable solution. The proposed method is explicated through an example from the islamic banking industry. We also perform a comparative analysis with respect to the neutrosophic TOPSIS method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the prospects of rural micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Punjab, Pakistan. A multistage mixed method approach was opted to conduct the study in three districts of central Punjab, Pakistan. In stage I, seminars / workshops were conducted in six villages. Innovative ideas were discussed with the farmers. In stage-II, data were collected from 300 respondents of 12 villages. Data were analyzed using both the quantitative and qualitative methods. More than 75% of the farmers were willing to start a small scale agriculture based business. Young farmers were more inclined (over 70%) for rural entrepreneurship but, less than 50% of them had any sort of business experience and financial power. Only 20% of them knew that loan facilities are available for small scale businesses. Regarding the training facilities to start and manage small scale business, 40% perceived that such facilities were available. The youth were uncertain whether the dependence on five major crops will sustain the future family requirements or not. Similarly, they were uncertain about the functioning of the output markets in order to support the productivity of rural enterprises, implying that the markets are not well established. From the results, it was concluded that the prospects of rural MSME culture in Punjab, Pakistan are bright and it can be achieved by improving the training facilities, easy credit availability and motivating rural youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]