Modifying the photocatalytic property of ZnO-based photoelectrodes by introducing MgFe2O4 nanoparticles

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - Limited light absorption and acute charge recombination on the surface of ZnO nanostructure-based photoelectrodes are the basic challenges...     

Bioceramic composites for orthopaedic applications: A comprehensive review of mechanical,biological, and microstructural properties

Bioceramics have been widely utilized for orthopaedic applications in which the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of the materials are vital characteristics to be considered for their clinical use. Till date, extensive studies have been devoted to developing a range of scientific ways for tailoring the microstructure of bioceramics in order to attain the trade-off of mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the final product. Owing to low reactivity, earlier stabilization and longer functional life of bioceramic, the developed implants are capable of replicating the mechanical behaviour of original bone. As the safety of the patient and its ultimate functionality are the ultimate goal of the selected implant material hence, the present literature survey investigates and brings forth the important aspects associated to the mechanical, biological and microstructural characteristics of bioceramics employed in orthopaedic applications. The review paper majorly focuses on effective utilization of various materials as an additive in bioceramics and processing techniques used for enhancement of properties, enabling the use of material in orthopaedic applications. The influence of various additives on the microstructure, mechanical properties and biological performance of developed bioceramics orthopaedic implants has been elaborately discussed. Furthermore, future prospects are proposed to promote further innovations in bioceramics research.     

Synthesis and characterization of chemically stable sulfonated copoly(triazole imide)s with high proton conductivity

The synthesis and characterization of a series of new sulfonated copoly(triazole imide)s (PTPQSH‐XX) are reported in this work. The PTPQSH‐XX with different degree of sulfonation (DS) were prepared by click polymerization of equimolar amounts of a diimide‐based dialkyne monomer, namely bis‐N,N′‐(prop‐2‐ynyl)pyromellitic diimide (TP) and a mixture of two different diazide monomers (one sulfonated, 4,4‐bis[3′‐trifluoromethyl‐4′{4‐azidobenzoxy} benzyl] biphenyl, and another nonsulfonated, 4,4′‐diazido‐2,2′‐stilbene disulfonic acid disodium salt [SAZ]), in different molar ratios. The copolymers showed high inherent viscosity (1.12–1.28 dL/g) in n‐methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) indicating the formation of high molar masses. Freestanding membranes were prepared from these copolymers by solution casting method. DS of the copolymers was determined from ¹H NMR signal intensities, and the values were in good agreement with the quantity of SAZ monomer used in polymer feed, indicating the successful incorporation of the sulfonated monomer. The copolymers exhibited high thermal and mechanical stabilities. The PTPQSH‐80 membrane showed proton conductivity as high as 178 mS/cm at 90°C with good oxidative and hydrolytic stability. Cross‐sectional transmission electron microscope micrographs of the membranes indicated phase segregated morphology along with interconnected hydrophilic domains with dimension in the range 15–150 nm. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:2279–2289, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Ionic liquid-based deep eutectic solvents as novel solvent-cum-catalyst media for thermal dehydrogenation of chemical hydrides

The current work explores the usage of novel synthesized Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) as a catalyst cum solvent media for the thermal dehydrogenation of chemical hydrides, namely Ammonia Borane (AB) and Ethylene diamine bisborane (EDAB). In the first instance, the quantum chemistry based COSMO-SAC (COnductor like Screening MOdel Segment Activity Coefficient) model was used for the selection of the pertinent solvent. 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate: Imidazole ([BMIM][MeSO₃]:[Im]) turned out to be an ideal eutectic mixture with the highest predicted solubility with amine boranes. The DES was synthesized by combining the Hydrogen Bond Acceptor (HBA), namely 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate and Imidazole as Hydrogen Bond Donor (HBD) at a molar ratio of 1:2 and T = 70 °C. The formation of DES was confirmed by recording the NMR spectra. Further, the thermal dehydrogenation study was performed at a vacuum of 4 × 10^?2 mbar (gauge pressure) of AB/DES and EDAB/DES systems at 105 °C, where a hydrogen equivalent of 1.40 and 2.55 was produced, respectively. The residual samples were further analyzed through ¹H NMR analysis for the reaction mechanism and to confirm the role of Ionic Liquid-based DES as catalyst cum solvent media.     

Innovative Utilization of Improved n-doped μc-SiOx:H Films to Amplify the Performance of Micromorph Solar Cells

Silicon - Due to in-situ deposition process doped SiOx material attracts the PV community as intermediate reflecting layer (IRL) for the less hazardous deposition process. Previously we have been...     

Alginate–chitosan composite hydrogel film with macrovoids in the inner layer for biomedical applications

Making of a layered composite using two biopolymer gels with regularly aligned voids in the inner layer is described in this article. Calcium alginate constituted the inner layer, within which voids of 500 μm diameter were embedded in monolayer or in multiple layers using a fluidic device for bubbling. The chitosan without any additional crosslinker was used to form the outer layer. The layered structure enabled compartmentalization of drug hold-up, and differential release rates. These aspects were reviewed using bovine serum albumin and vitamin B₁₂ as model solutes. The presence of voids at the inner layer of alginate increased the uptake, raising the level of absorptivity to more than 4000%. The composite film could hold two solutes at a time. The one, held inside the alginate layer started releasing only after 1 h of dipping in the release media. The adhesive strength between layers and the response of the composite film to compressive deformation are studied here. The effect of single or multiple layers of voids in the inner layer is reviewed. The slowing of degradation rate due to chitosan-encapsulation is experimentally determined. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47599.     

Novel multi walled carbon nanotube based nitrogen impregnated Co and Fe cathode catalysts for improved microbial fuel cell performance

For application in a microbial fuel cell (MFC), transition metal and nitrogen co-doped nanocarbon catalysts were synthesised by pyrolysis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in the presence of iron- or cobalt chloride and nitrogen source. For the physicochemical characterisation of the catalysts, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used. The results obtained by rotating disk electrode (RDE) method showed an extraordinary electrocatalytic activity of these catalysts towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in neutral media, which was also confirmed by the MFC results. The Co-N-CNT and Fe-N-CNT cathode catalysts exhibited maximum power density of 5.1 W m^?3 and 6 W m^?3, respectively. Higher ORR activity and improved electric output in the MFC could be attributed to the formation of the active nitrogen-metal centers. All findings suggest that these materials can be used as potential cathode catalysts for ORR in MFC to replace expensive noble-metal based materials.