Exploring the gas-sensing properties of MOF-derived TiN@CuO as a hydrogen sulfide sensor

Mesoporous carbon particles by biomass waste based on sulfonation and copper oxide functionalization as efficient and stable electrode material for supercapacitor

Here, the hierarchical mesoporous-activated carbon particles obtained by KOH activation from pistachio shell wastes are modified by both the sulfonation process and CuO doping by hydrothermal heating (CuO@S-doped PSAC) for use as a supercapacitor. It is predicted that the electrochemical performance of the porous carbon electrode material obtained by such CuO doping and sulfonation process will be significantly increased with increased Faradaic capacitance. The electrochemical performance of CuO@S doped PSAC composite is systematically investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) in the presence of 1 M H2SO4, 1 M Na2SO4, and 1 M NaOH as electrolytes. The CuO@S doped PSAC-based electrode shows excellent stability with high specific capacitance up to 397.16 F/g at 0.1 A/g and 92.64% retention. Furthermore, FTIR, SEM, XRD, EDS, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption analyses are used for the characterisation of the obtained composites. Based on a significant supercapacitor performance, the synthesis strategy of carbon-based electrode material containing sulfonation and CuO modifications derived from agricultural biomass waste material is predicted to be a valuable example.

Naturally manufactured biochar materials based sensor electrode for the electrochemical detection of polystyrene microplastics

In recent times, microplastics have become a disturbance to both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and the ingestion of these particles can have severe consequences for wildlife, aquatic organisms, and even humans. In this study, two types of biochars were manufactured through the carbonization of naturally found starfish (SF-1) and aloevera (AL-1). The produced biochars were utilized as sensing electrode materials for the electrochemical detection of ∼100 nm polystyrene microplastics (PS). SF-1 and AL-1 based biochars were thoroughly analyzed in terms of morphology, structure, and composition. The detection of microplastics over biochar based electrodes was carried out by electrochemical studies. From electrochemical results, SF-1 based electrode exhibited the detection efficiency of ∼0.2562 μA/μM∙cm2 with detection limit of ∼0.44 nM whereas, a high detection efficiency of ∼3.263 μA/μM∙cm2 was shown by AL-1 based electrode and detection limit of ∼0.52 nM for PS (100 nm) microplastics. Process contributed to enhancing the sensitivity of AL-1 based electrode might associate to the presence of metal-carbon framework over biochar's surfaces. The AL-1 biochar electrode demonstrated excellent repeatability and detection stability for PS microplastics, suggesting the promising potential of AL-1 biochar for electrochemical microplastics detection.

Unleashing the visible light-exposed photocatalytic potential of V2O5/g-C3N4 nanocomposites for dye industries wastewater cleaner production

Dealing harmful dye-containing effluent from the textile sector significantly contributes to water contamination. The persistence of these dyes in wastewater complicates traditional treatment approaches, emphasizing the necessity for efficient photocatalytic materials for dye pollution degradation. Due to its unique features, V2O5/g-C3N4 nanocomposites are discovered as promising photocatalysts in this area. The V205 nanoparticles act as electron acceptors, while g-C3N4 acts as electron donors, thus encouraging charge separation and increasing photocatalytic activity. The V2O5/g-C3N4 nanocomposites are characterized using XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, XPS, and UV-DRS. Cationic dyes, anionic dyes and mix dyes (1:1 mixture of cationic and anionic dyes) are used to test the photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites. Photocatalytic activity shows that V2O5/g-C3N4 nanocomposites are more active than their precursors. The V5G-2 nanocomposite degrades anionic (Rose Bengal (85.1%) and Xylenol Orange (77.6%), cationic (Auramine O (75% and Crystal Violet (79.5%), and mixed dyes (81%), after 120 min of irradiation. This study introduces a novel technique for synthesizing V2O5/g-C3N4 nanocomposites using solvothermal and ultrasonic processes. The findings of this research provide significant knowledge for the development of photocatalysts with enhanced efficiency in the degradation of dye pollutants.