Functional Nanomaterials Based Electrochemical and Chemiresistive Sensors for Hydrogen Detection: A Review.

Hydrogen is a lightweight, small molecule that is highly flammable and causes an explosion when exposed to air by >4%. It is a colorless and odorless gas; hence, its physical examination is challenging. Therefore, a reliable detection tool is highly demanded to avoid the risk associated with their explosion.

A flexible MXene-carbon nanotube-based triboelectric nanogenerator for self-powered pH sensors.

Two-dimensional materials with semiconducting nature exhibit triboelectric responses, which is an important factor for the development of nanogenerators, tribotronics, and various electronic devices. Here, the manuscript describes the synthesis of MXene from the TiAlC MAX phase using the etching method, followed by the development of a flexible self-powered triboelectric nanogenerator (FTENG) based on TiCT MXene-carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which produces an output voltage of 47.6 V, which is greater than that of the pure carbon nanotube-based TENG.

3D Printed Iron Pyrite via Meniscus Confinement: A Promising Material for Photovoltaic Solar Cells.

The meniscus-confined electrochemical 3D printing (MC-E3DP) process has emerged as a novel approach for fabricating sub-micron complex structures through localized electrochemical deposition from salt solutions of desired materials. This study reports, for the first time, the MC-E3DP fabrication of iron oxide (FeO) thin films on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrates. The FeO films are characterized using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and UV-vis pectroscopy, confirming phase purity.

Flexible High Temperature Stable Hydrogel Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Structural Health Monitoring and Deep Learning Augmented Human Motion Classification.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are an emerging technology that harvests abundant vibrational energy present in ambient environment. TENGs typically rely on polymer contact interfaces, which, while ideal for wearable and flexible applications, limit their applicability in industry settings, where high-temperature plant equipment generates plentiful and wasted vibrational energy. In this study, a biocompatible PDMS-hydrogel nanocomposite TENG is fabricated, containing nanoparticles of ZnAl-layered double hydroxide (LDH).

Photothermal conversion and geochemical characterization of sulfur-rich lignite for non-conventional energy applications.

Lignite has emerged as a critical material in contemporary energy portfolios, particularly in electricity generation. However, this work explores lignite's potential beyond conventional uses, exploring on its energy conversion applications. In a pioneering move, lignite samples have been directly utilized as materials for photothermal conversion applications, along with a description of their geochemical features, such as sulfur compositions, forms, and microscopic characteristics.

Arresting of efflorescence in ceramic tiles developed using caustic alumina industry waste (red mud).

Conversion of caustic red mud (RM, Alumina industry waste) into building materials becoming one of the viable solution for its large scale utilization. The building materials developed using RM often results in efflorescence due to its high alkalinity, which is detrimental for the structural integrity of the buildings. The X-ray shielding tiles developed through ceramic route using the mixtures of RM, BaSO and kaolin clay also suffers from severe NaSO efflorescence when sintered above 1000 °C.

Non-invasive ultra-sensitive detection of breast cancer biomarker using cerium nanoparticle functionalized graphene oxide enabled impedimetric aptasensor.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane protein and a key biomarker implicated in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Early and precise detection of EGFR is crucial for effective diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic intervention. However, conventional EGFR detection techniques, such as biopsy and immunohistochemistry, are often invasive, time-consuming, and limited in sensitivity, highlighting the demand for non-invasive, highly sensitive detection methods.

Engineering the Hot-Spots in Au-Ag Alloy Nanoparticles through Meniscus-Confined 3D Printing for Microplastic Detection.

The escalating concern surrounding microplastic (MP) pollution necessitates urgent attention and the development of rapid techniques for quantifying extremely low concentrations. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a promising method due to its simplicity, high sensitivity, and rapid quantification capabilities. Herein, the efficacy of gold-silver alloy nanoparticles (3DPAu-Ag) substrates for detecting poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) MPs is investigated.

Evaluating Pb-based and Pb-free Halide Perovskites for Solar-Cell Applications: A Simulation Study.

Metal halide Pb-based and Pb-free perovskite crystal structures are an essential class of optoelectronic materials due to their significant optoelectronic properties, optical absorption and tuneable emission spectrum properties. However, the most efficient optoelectronic devices were based on the Pb as a monovalent cation, but its toxicity is a significant hurdle for commercial device applications. Thus, replacing the toxic Pb with Pb-free alternatives (such as tin (Sn)) for diverse photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications is essential.

Comparative performance analysis of mussel-inspired polydopamine, polynorepinephrine, and poly-α-methyl norepinephrine in electrochemical biosensors.

Polydopamine (PDA) has garnered significant interest for applications in biosensors, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. However, similar polycatecholamines like polynorepinephrine (PNE) with additional hydroxyl groups and poly-α-methylnorepinephrine (PAMN) with additional hydroxyl and methyl groups remain unexplored in the biosensing domain. This research introduces three innovative biosensing platforms composed of ternary nanocomposite based on reduced graphene oxide (RGO), gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), and three sister polycatecholamine compounds (PDA, PNE, and PAMN).

Stimulus of Work Function on Electron Transfer Process of Intermetallic Nickel-Antimonide Toward Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting.

Engineering the intermetallic nanostructures as an effective bifunctional electrocatalyst for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER) is of great interest in green hydrogen production. However, a few non-noble metals act as bifunctional electrocatalysts, exhibiting terrific HER and OER processes reported to date. Herein the intermetallic nickel-antimonide (Ni─Sb) dendritic nanostructure via cost-effective electro-co-deposition method is designed and their bifunctional electrocatalytic property toward HER and OER is unrevealed.

Activating Ion Channels in Collapsed Hydrogel Derived Densified MXene Films with Cellulose Nanofibers to Overcome the Areal Versus Volumetric Capacitance Trade-Off.

Concomitant achievement of all three performance pillars of a supercapacitor device, namely gravimetric, areal, and volumetric capacitance is a grand challenge. Nevertheless, its fulfilment is indispensable for commercial usage. Although, high compactness is the fundamental requirement to achieve high volumetric performance, it severely affects ion transportation in thick electrodes.

Internet-of-things-integrated molecularly imprinted polymer-based electrochemical nano-sensors for pesticide detection in the environment and food products.

To ensure environmental and health safety, relevant pollutants such as pesticides must be screened thoroughly to set their permissible limit. Various approaches have been used to identify pesticides such as capillary electrophoresis, gas and liquid-liquid chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and enzyme-linked immune-absorbent tests. However, these techniques have some drawbacks, including time-consuming difficult steps, expensive bulky equipment, expert personnel, and a lack of selectivity.

Unravelling the Bi-Functional Electrocatalytic Properties of {MoFe} Polyoxometalate Nanostructures for Overall Water Splitting Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscope and Electrochemical Gating Methods.

This study reports the use of Keplerate-type {MoFe} polyoxometalate (POMs) nanostructures as a bi-functional-electrocatalyst for HER and OER in an alkaline medium with a lower overpotential (135 mV for HER and 264 mV for OER), and excellent electrochemical stability. The bi-functional catalytic properties of {MoFe} POM are studied using a scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) via current mapping using substrate generation and tip collection mode. Furthermore, the bipolar nature of the {MoFe} POM nano-electrocatalysts is studied using the electrochemical gating via simultaneous monitoring of the electrochemical (cell) and electrical ({MoFe} POM) signals.

Miniaturized MXene-based electrochemical biosensors for virus detection.

The timely control of infectious diseases can prevent the spread of infections and mitigate the significant socio-economic damage witnessed during recent pandemics. Diagnostic methods play a significant role in detecting highly contagious agents, such as viruses, to prevent further transmission. The emergence of advanced point-of-care techniques offers several advantages over conventional approaches for detecting infectious agents.

Copper Oxide Anchored Carbon Nanofibers: A Versatile Platform for Multiplex Detection of Antibiotics, Heavy Metals and Pesticides.

Electrochemical sensors offer promising prospects for real-time pollutant monitoring. In this study, copper oxide-dispersed graphitic carbon nanofibers (CuO-CNFs) grown via chemical vapour deposition were employed as a robust platform for detecting a variety of environmental pollutants. This array-based sensor adeptly identifies three different classes of analytes, i.

Engineered two-dimensional nanomaterials based diagnostics integrated with internet of medical things (IoMT) for COVID-19.

More than four years have passed since an inimitable coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic hit the globe in 2019 after an uncontrolled transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The occurrence of this highly contagious respiratory infectious disease led to chaos and mortality all over the world. The peak paradigm shift of the researchers was inclined towards the accurate and rapid detection of diseases.

Effect of lignocellulosic corn stalk on mechanical, physical, and thermal properties of injection moulded low density polyethylene composites: An approach towards a circular economy.

Escalating concern over global warming, which is mostly associated with deforestation, has led to the development of new classes of materials that can replace wood and better utilise natural resources. Presently, waste is a significant factor in recycling. In this regard, one of the leading contributors to waste is agricultural waste, which includes dried branches, leaves of trees, plants, and other organic materials.

Solanum tuberosum tuber-driven starch-mediated green-hydrothermal synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles for efficient photocatalysis and antimicrobial activities.

In this study, we are reporting for the first time the utilization of Solanum tuberosum tuber-driven, starch-mediated, green-hydrothermally synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles (G-CeO NPs) for the antibacterial activity and photodegradation of cationic (methylene blue, MB) and anionic (methyl orange, MO) dyes separately and in combination, aimed at environmental remediation. The XRD analysis confirms the fluorite structure of G-CeO NPs, displaying an average crystallite size of 9.6 nm.

Unveiling a robust and high-temperature-stable two-dimensional ZnAl layered double hydroxide nanosheet based flexible triboelectric nanogenerator.

Triboelectric nanogenerators have the ability to harvest low- and mid-frequency vibrational energy from the environment; however, achieving stable performance of the nanogenerator device in high-temperature conditions remains challenging. In this work, a flexible and temperature-stable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/layered double hydroxides (LDH) nanocomposite-based triboelectric nanogenerator was developed to harvest unexploited vibrational energy for the first time. Crystalline ZnAl LDH nanosheets grown by a hydrothermal route are used to fabricate the high-performance flexible nanogenerator.

Smart Nanofibrous Hydrogel Wound Dressings for Dynamic Infection Diagnosis and Control: Soft but Functionally Rigid.

Chronic wounds, such as burns and diabetic foot ulcers, pose significant challenges to global healthcare systems due to prolonged hospitalization and increased costs attributed to susceptibility to bacterial infections. The conventional use of antibiotic-loaded and metal-impregnated dressings exacerbates concerns related to multidrug resistance and skin argyrosis. In response to these challenges, our research introduces a unique approach utilizing antibiotic-free smart hydrogel wound dressings with integrated infection eradication and diagnostic capabilities.

Breath-based biosensors and system development for noninvasive detection of diabetes: A review.

Background And Aims: In recent years, noninvasive techniques are becoming conspicuous for diabetes detection. Sweat, tear, saliva, urine and breath-based methods showing prominent results in breath acetone detection which is considered as a biomarker of diabetes. A concrete relationship between breath acetone and BG helps in the development of devices for diabetes detection.

growth of a redox-active metal-organic framework on electrospun carbon nanofibers as a free-standing electrode for flexible energy storage devices.

The rational construction of free-standing and flexible electrodes for application in electrochemical energy storage devices and next-generation supercapacitors is an emerging research focus. Herein, we prepared a redox-active ferrocene dicarboxylic acid (Fc)-based nickel metal-organic framework (MOF) on electrospun carbon nanofibers (NiFc-MOF@CNFs) an approach. This approach avoided the aggregation of the MOF.