Probing the Challenge of P-Type Semiconductors in Long-Chain VOC Detection: 3D Micro-Flower Zinc Cobaltate Heterojunction Sensors.

Tetradecane, a long-chain alkane recently recognized as a volatile marker for early-stage mildew detection in stored grains and as a reference material in hydrocarbon studies, presents significant challenges for detection due to its inherent low reactivity and substantial molecular size. This study reports the synthesis of a microflower-like Fe@WO/ ZnCoO heterostructure for effective tetradecane sensing. The Fe@WO/ ZnCoO n-p junctions demonstrated significant alterations in electrical conductivity upon exposure to tetradecane at room temperature.

Electronic Excitation-Induced Modification in Electronic Structure and Magnetism for Pulsed Laser Deposited Barium Strontium Titanate Thin Films with Changing Fe Impurity.

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the modifications in electronic structure and magnetism resulting from electronic excitation in pulsed laser-deposited BaSrFeTiO thin films, specifically for compositions with x = 0, 0.1, and 0.2.

Scalable WS-Graphene Hybrids for Ultralow NO Concentration Detection.

This work presents a facile approach for fabricating hybrid heterostructures of tungsten disulfide (WS), synthesized via atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) and commercial graphene. A simple airbrushing technique, with nitrogen (N) as the carrier gas, was employed to fabricate the sensors. The morphological and structural characterizations of the hybrid material revealed a sheet-like synthesis of edge-enriched 2D WS decorated with multilayer graphene nanomaterial.

Retrieval of B1 phase from high-pressure B2 phase for CdO nanoparticles by electronic excitations in Cd Zn O composite thin films.

This study investigates the recovery of the B1 phase from the high-pressure B2 phase, at atmospheric pressure, in cadmium oxide (CdO) nanoparticles incorporated within sol-gel synthesized Cd Zn O ( = 0.40) composite thin films. The recovery process is investigated using electronic excitations as an effective tool.

Two in One: Recycled Cobalt Aluminate as a Pigment and Synergistic Flame-Retardant Agent for Polylactide.

Cobalt aluminate (CoAlO) pigment, synthesized from recycled aluminum obtained from can seals and transformed into the boehmite phase, was combined with ammonium polyphosphate (APP422) to produce an efficient flame-retardant material for polylactide (PLA) while simultaneously imparting coloration to the polymer matrix. The chemical structure of the pigment was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction prior to its integration into PLA in combination with ammonium polyphosphate (APP422). Thermal gravimetric analysis highlights the superior effect of the APP422/CoAlO combination that enables obtaining a greater amount of char, presenting improved thermal stability and an enhanced protective effect, as clearly evidenced by Mass Loss Cone test results.

Clays enhanced with niobium: potential in wastewater treatment and reuse as pigment with antibacterial activity.

Bentonite clay sourced from the Guarapuava region, Brazil, was modified with niobium oxide (BEOx) and niobium phosphate (BEPh) to act as an adsorbent and photocatalyst in the remediation of wastewater containing methylene blue (MB) dye. Additionally, colored materials were evaluated for their potential as antibacterial hybrid pigments. The bentonite clay modified with niobium was prepared by a solution containing swelling clay mixed with niobium oxide (NbOx) and niobium phosphate (NbPh) in a water solution; after that, the suspension was calcinated.

Decoration of Silver Nanoparticles on WS-WO Nanosheets: Implications for Surface-Enhanced Resonance Raman Spectroscopy Detection and Material Characteristics.

This study investigates the chemical and structural modifications of vertically aligned tungsten disulfide-tungsten trioxide (WS-WO) nanosheets decorated with silver nanoparticles (Ag(NPs)) under nitrogen plasma conditions. The synthesized vertically aligned WS-WO nanosheets were functionalized through direct-current (DC) magnetron sputtering, forming silver-decorated samples. Structural changes, as well as the size and distribution of Ag(NPs), were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Quantification of anthropogenic debris from small-scale fisheries and community-based aquaculture in marine and coastal ecosystems of Southwestern Madagascar.

Most coastal populations in Southwestern Madagascar live on the resources provided by small-scale fishery (SSF), and over the past twenty years, sea cucumber and seaweed farming has grown significantly. This study analyzes the importance of these fisheries and community-based aquaculture (CBA) activities in the contribution of anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) to coastal ecosystems in Southwestern Madagascar. Sampling was conducted in the rainy and dry seasons in three sites with contrasted fishing and farming activities.

Decorated-Induced Oxygen Vacancy Engineering for Ultra-Low Concentration Nonanal Sensing: A Case Study of La-Decorated BiOCO.

La-decorated BiOCO (BCO-La) microspheres are synthesized using a facile wet chemical strategy for sensing low-concentration nonanal (CHO) at room temperature. These BCO-La gas sensors are applied to evaluate agricultural product quality, specifically for cooked rice. The sensitivity of the BCO-6La sensor significantly surpassed that of the pure BCO sensor, achieving a response value of 174.

Operando Investigation of WS Gas Sensors: Simultaneous Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Electrical Characterization in Unveiling Sensing Mechanisms during Toxic Gas Exposure.

Ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) is combined with simultaneous electrical measurements and supported by density functional theory calculations to investigate the sensing mechanism of tungsten disulfide (WS)-based gas sensors in an dynamic experiment. This approach allows for the direct correlation between changes in the surface potential and the resistivity of the WS sensing active layer under realistic operating conditions. Focusing on the toxic gases NO and NH, we concurrently demonstrate the distinct chemical interactions between oxidizing or reducing agents and the WS active layer and their effect on the sensor response.

Differentiation of petro-sourced plastic microfilaments from organic microfilaments by SEM-EDX in environmental samples.

Quantifying microplastics (MPs) in marine environments is challenging due to the complexities of differentiation from other materials. This study aims to distinguish petro-sourced plastic microfilaments from organic ones in environmental samples using scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis. Therefore, 38 particles resembling MPs (PRMPs) from sediments and organisms in Madagascar were analyzed.

Impact of Synthesis Parameters upon the Electronic Structure in PVD-Deposited CdZnO Composite Thin Films: An XPS-XANES Investigation.

The impact of different synthesis parameters, such as thickness, postsynthesis annealing temperature, and oxygen gas flow rate, upon the electronic structure is discussed in detail in the present experimental investigation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy techniques are used to evaluate the surface electronic properties along with the presence and stability of the CdO surface oxide in CdZnO ( = 0.4) composite thin films.

Hydrogen Sensing Mechanism of WS Gas Sensors Analyzed with DFT and NAP-XPS.

Nanostructured tungsten disulfide (WS) is one of the most promising candidates for being used as active nanomaterial in chemiresistive gas sensors, as it responds to hydrogen gas at room temperature. This study analyzes the hydrogen sensing mechanism of a nanostructured WS layer using near-ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (NAP-XPS) and density functional theory (DFT). The W 4f and S 2p NAP-XPS spectra suggest that hydrogen makes physisorption on the WS active surface at room temperature and chemisorption on tungsten atoms at temperatures above 150 °C.

Regenerated cellulose/chitosan composite aerogel with highly efficient adsorption for anionic dyes.

A novel reusable, high-compressible cotton regenerated cellulose/chitosan composite aerogel (RC/CSCA) was prepared using N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) as the green cellulose solvent, and glutaraldehyde (GA) as the crosslinking agent. The regenerated cellulose obtained from cotton pulp could chemically crosslink with chitosan and GA, to form a stable 3D porous structure. The GA played an essential role in preventing shrinkage and preserving the deformation recovery ability of RC/CSCA.

Mixed oxides with corundum-type structure obtained from recycling can seals as paint pigments: color stability.

Green chromium and red iron oxides are technically important pigments due to their high color intensity, good dispersibility in paints, and superior hiding power. We report on the synthesis of colored pigments of mixed oxides with a corundum-type structure. The pigments are obtained via the addition of coloring ions to boehmite from recycled metallic aluminium.

Copper(II) and Cobalt(II) Complexes Based on Abietate Ligands from Resin: Synthesis, Characterization and Their Antibacterial and Antiviral Activity against SARS-CoV-2.

Co-abietate and Cu-abietate complexes were obtained by a low-cost and eco-friendly route. The synthesis process used resin and an aqueous solution of CuSO/CoSO at a mild temperature (80 °C) without organic solvents. The obtained complexes are functional pigments for commercial architectural paints with antipathogenic activity.

Combining physical vapor deposition structuration with dealloying for the creation of a highly efficient SERS platform.

Nanostructured noble metal thin films are highly studied for their interesting plasmonic properties. The latter can be effectively used for the detection of small and highly diluted molecules by the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect. Regardless of impressive detection limits achieved, synthesis complexity and the high cost of gold restrict its use in devices.

Eco-Friendly Polysaccharide-Based Synthesis of Nanostructured MgO: Application in the Removal of Cu in Wastewater.

The present study described three synthesis routes using different natural polysaccharides as low-cost non-toxic fuels and complexing agents for obtaining MgO. Cassava starch, leaves (mainly acemannan) gel, and citric pectin powder were mixed with magnesium nitrate salt and calcined at 750 °C for 2 h. The samples were named according to the polysaccharide: cassava starch (MgO-St), citrus pectin (MgO-CP), and (MgO-Av).