Corresponding author: Yedilfana.setarge@aau.edu.et;obodokingsley@gmail.com
The structural, electronic, optical, and photovoltaic properties of Sn/Ge substituted 2D slightly shifted DJ phase (3AMP)4Pb4I16 perovskite were investigated using first principle calculations. The toxic Pb was substituted in the primary geometry by less toxic Sn/Ge.We found that Ge/Sn doping is energetically...
The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract hosts a balance of healthy and pathogenic microorganisms collectively known as the gut microbiome. Disruptions in this balance, known as dysbiosis, occurs due to factors such as antibiotic usage and aging, leading to increased susceptibility to pathogens like Clostridium difficile. Colon infection by C. difficile causes tissue damage and can lead to...
In today's world, supercapacitors (SC) are widely used as energy storage systems in an array of fields, including portable electronics, transportation, and clean energy. However, the effectiveness of these devices (charge storage capacity and cycling stability) would be heavily influenced by electrode materials that would allow for greater capacitance, energy, and power. Cu/Ce-based...
Amongst the commercially available titanium alloys, Ti6AL4V alloy is the most widely used in orthopaedic applications. However, its high elastic modulus causes stress shielding effect, while the vanadium and aluminium that dissociate from the parent material can cause long term health problems e.g., Alzheimer disease and neuropathy. These challenges have motivated for the development of...
Energy is an enabler, a fundamental resource that makes other processes, developments, or activities possible. Among various renewable energy solutions, solar energy through photovoltaic technology is believed to be the most promising. Dye sensitized solar cells have emerged as a technically and economically viable alternative to silicon solar cells. The photovoltaic conversion efficiency...
Phosphorus (P) is an essential element for all life forms and a finite resource that must be mined. The P cycle plays a critical role in regulating primary agricultural productivity, making it a limiting nutrient for food systems. To ensure high yields, most agricultural practitioners apply excess P. This practice often leads to P runoff, which causes detrimental environmental effects on...
The MnFe2O4 /AC composite was synthesized by a green method from rice straw extracts as solvent. Physical characterization techniques (Raman, FT-IR, SEM, EDX and TGA) were used to evaluate the structural, morphological and chemical composition properties of the composite. Electrochemical measurements such as CV, GCD, EIS and Stability were carried out to know the electrochemical properties of...
In our previous work, we developed an invariant neural network potential for pure zeolites via active learning, resulting in a dataset of 16,552 structures from ten silica polymorphs. Using this dataset, we built a model based on an equivariant message-passing neural network architecture. This new potential significantly reduced training errors for both energies and forces. A validation test...
Microplastic pollution in drinking water has become an increasing concern for discerning consumers due to potential health risks to humans. Using plastic cups for hot drinks such as tea, coffee or milk could release microplastics and/or nanoplastics which are very harmful to human health. The failure to remove these plastic pollutants from the human body may cause chronic inflammation and...
Electrical energy storage (EES) is one of the most critical areas of technological research around the world. Supercapacitors are promising devices for highly efficient energy storage and power management. This study explores the innovative use of discarded face masks as a sustainable precursor for the production of activated carbon, aimed at enhancing supercapacitor performance. With the rise...
The development of sustainable energy technologies is a critical point of attention to many developing countries; thus, it is crucial to develop education that fosters young engineers and scientists to advance the technology. The SciBridge Project aims to promote research collaborations on emerging materials for renewable energy between U.S. and African university students. The organization is...
Transition metal-oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have gained research attention for applications in optoelectronics devices such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The major components of a DSSC are a photo-anode, an electrolyte, and a counter electrode. Platinum (Pt) has mainly been used as an efficient counter electrode, however, it is scarce and very expensive and this has ignited research...
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It remains a global health challenge necessitating innovative diagnostic techniques for early detection of the disease. Current established techniques, involve invasive procedures, and require laboratory tests that takes time leading to delays in diagnosis while the disease is progressing. To address these challenges, this...
Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate of all cancers worldwide and this is due to late detection of the disease. Current diagnostic techniques are invasive and expensive resulting in late diagnosis. Exhaled human breath offers an alternative rapid and non-invasive technique. This is because human breath has volatile organic compounds (VOCs) some of which can be biomarkers of certain...
Widespread use of antibiotic drugs such as norfloxacin (NFX) to treat common human infections is increasing the pharmaceutical pollution of global wastewater and surface water sources. As antibiotic pollution poses the risk of adverse ecological effects while also fueling antibiotic resistance, there is a need to optimize water treatment processes that remove antibiotics through sustainable,...
Carbon-rich materials have received a great deal of attention, as carbon is a raw material for many industrial products, and their production from various biomasses is currently an active area of research. Hydrothermal carbonization has been used as a chemical synthesis technique. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an active area of research in the synthesis of carbon-rich materials due to...
Supercapacitors are devices with high power density, low internal resistance, good cycling and thermal stability, and excellent charge and discharge rates. They are a good bridge between conventional capacitors and other energy storage devices such as batteries and fuel cells. However, supercapacitors have a challenge of limited energy density, which can be solved by improving the device's...
Aim of this study is to review the mechanical behavior and performance of metallic materials under extreme pressure and temperature.
Today state of art industrial gas turbines working at about 50-60% efficiency with temperature about 1500degree celicius, to achieve to this 60% require increasing temperature and pressure which lead to aging process in materials which leading to reduction of...
The study aims to explore the dynamics of energy transfer in molecular collisions, specifically using pyrazine as the energy donor and nitrous oxide (N2O) as the bath gas. Understanding these processes can provide critical insights into energy distribution in molecular systems, which is fundamental for advancements in fields such as chemical kinetics and photophysics. This research...
Many buildings suffer from moisture damage, leading to problems like mold, rot, and structural weakening. These issues arise from various sources: water rising from the ground, leaks, moisture absorption from the air, and condensation. Traditional building materials often exacerbate these problems due to their permeability and porosity. A shift towards more sustainable and moisture-resistant...
The Sagdeev potential approach in material science, particularly in plasma physics, provides a powerful method to study nonlinear wave behavior, such as ion acoustic waves, in plasma systems. These waves result from the interplay between ions and electrons, which affects energy transport and stability within the plasma. When electrons follow a Tsallis distributionโcapturing non-equilibrium and...
To meet the energy demands of future electric vehicle (EV) technologies, high-energy-density batteries are essential for extending driving range. Anode-free lithium-metal batteries (AFLMBs) present a promising solution due to their superior energy density compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). $^{1-4}$ However, AFLMBs face challenges such as premature capacity degradation and...
Supercapacitors (SCs) have garnered significant attention in recent years owing to their exceptional attributes, such as high power density, prolonged cycle stability, and the capacity to fill the gap between the traditional capacitor and lithium-ion battery1. A pivotal focus has been on the refinement of electrode materials to optimize capacitance and overall performance, driving innovation...
This work focuses on the development of efficient quantum algorithms for solving many-body quantum problems by implementing variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) associated with shallow quantum circuits and without optimization issues such as Barren plateaus. The aim of this research is to overcome the disadvantages of hardware-efficient ansatz (HEA) through a novel approach that would...
Abstract
Access to clean drinking water has been a challenge in Africa and globally due to factors such as industrial water pollution, urbanization, population growth, and climate change. Textile industry is among the highly water consuming sectors with significant dye-containing wastewater discharges. Although membrane-based water treatment has shown developments with commercial products in...
One of the prerequisites for achieving sustainable development is the design and production of materials that focus on energy-saving processes as well as environmentally and eco-friendly use of local raw materials, with engineering properties suitable for building constructions. The present work offers an alternative way of implying the enhancement of the reactivity of tropical clayey soils...
The 2D materials have shown tremendous growth and have been successfully explored as anode materials. The first example of a 2D electrode material for LIBs is graphene. Recently, there has been a lot of attention on the
topic of 2D transition metal Boron (MBene). They are easier to synthesize, have high specific capacities, good electrical conductivity, highly active surfaces, high-rate...
ZAMANGWANE HLATSHWAYO1, CLINTON MASEMOLA1, MANOKO MAUBANE-NKADIMENG1, LERATO MACHOGO-PHAO2, SIZIWE GQOBA1
1University of the Witwatersrand, Molecular Science Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
2Mintek, Johannesburg, South Africa
Corresponding author: Zamangwane Hlatshwayo, 2107045@students.wits.ac.za
Keywords: selective, heterojunction, ammonia, room temperature
Theme:...
The additive manufacturing of multilayered materials from multi-component inks would be revolutionary for the fabrication of electronic devices, optical and protective coatings, and biological substrates, by reducing production costs and expanding the flexibility of design. This is a completely novel technology, which is based on the stratification of different solvents and particles/polymers...
Agroforestry systems, which combine trees and crops, benefit from the use of innovative biocomposite materials for improved land management and sustainability. This study investigates the role of biocompositesโmaterials made from natural fibers and bio-based polymersโin enhancing soil structure, reducing erosion, and supporting plant growth. The use of biocomposites in creating erosion control...
Kgomotso N.G. Mtshatshenia,*, Sithembela A. Zikalalab, Eliazer B. Naidooa, Edward N. Nxumalob
aDepartment of Chemistry, Vaal University of Technology, Private Bag X 021, Vanderbijlpark, 1900, South Africa
bInstitute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Florida, 1709, Johannesburg, South...
In this work, pure 2D (PEA2SnI4) and 3D/2D (MASnI3/PEA2SnI4) bi-layer Sn-based perovskite thin films were deposited using the sequential physical vapor deposition (SPVD). The effect of film thickness, annealing time, substrate deposition temperature and guanidinium tetrafluoroborate (GuaBF4) surface treatment on the structural, morphological and optoelectronic properties together with device...
Magnesium ferrite, activated carbon and their composite were successfully synthesised using a simple solvothermal method. The physical properties of the magnesium ferrite were analysed by various techniques : Raman, FTIR, SEM, EDX and ATG spectroscopies. FTIR confirmed the characteristic vibrations of metal-oxygen bonds at the tetrahedral sites of the ferrite (568.9 cm-1). Raman analysis...
Cobalt zinc oxide/activated carbon (ZnCo2O4/CA) composite was successfully synthesized from biomass using a solvothermal method. The materials prepared were characterized by Raman, FTIR, SEM, EDS and TGA spectroscopy. Their electrochemical properties evaluated in a three-electrode configuration recorded a specific capacity of 27 mAh.g-1 for the sample synthesized using the autoclave and 38...
Materials for Environment, water and Sanitation
Written by ERIC NDAYISHIMIYE
University of Rwanda (Irrigation and drainage department/Kigali,Rwanda)
Materials for environmental, water, and sanitation applications play a crucial role in addressing global challenges related to pollution, water scarcity, and public health. Advanced materials, such as nanomaterials, biopolymers, and composite...
Surface passivation of MASnI3 films with FPEAI without annealing to avoid formation of 2D layer on top has been demonstrated. The optimum pristine MASnI3 film was achieved by varying MAI thickness and annealing time. XRD results showed that at 5 & 7 nm FPEAI treatment, there was no formation of F-PEASn2I4 2D layer on top of the MASnI3 3D perovskite. Pristine MASnI3 films showed many pinholes...
In this work, we incorporate carbon-based materials such as fullerene (C60) and graphitic carbon ni-tride (g-C3N4) in manganese cobalt oxide (MnCo2O4) matrix via a green synthesis method for super-capacitor applications.
The MnCo2O4 @ C60/g-C3N4 composite was synthesized through a green solvothermal method from an aqueous extract of Arachis hypogaea biomass (peanut shell) as solvent....
Several hazards in the low Earth orbit (LEO) environment can cause degradation to spacecraft material and the electronic instruments on board. The four main hazards that can affect spacecraft material are atomic oxygen, vacuum ultraviolet (VUV), micrometeoroids and orbital debris, and thermal cycling. The current study uses density functional theory (DFT) methods to evaluate polymer,...
Core to the prospects of cellular engineering are facile yet tunable methods to load cells with a range of therapeutic cargo. The process ideally allows for delivery to many cells at once and maintains cargo and cell faculties after transport. Electroporation (applying an electric potential to a cell suspension) has long been utilized to deliver biomolecules to cells, but the drawbacks of...
In addressing the urgent need for sustainable and efficient strategies to remediate toxic chromium (Cr(VI)) contaminants, this study explores the synthesis and photocatalytic capabilities of a two-dimensional (2D) CuO/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite. The CuO/rGO hybrid was synthesized via a high-energy sonochemical approach, enabling intimate interfacial contact between CuO...
The pretreatment of fibers through alkalization or hornification were observed to be inadequate due to bleaching and initial damage caused by several cycles of hornification. An investigation on the influence of a modified hornification process on the physico-chemical properties of raffia stalk and Oil palm empty fruit bunch spikelet (EFB) fibers was done to reduce fiber water absorption, and...
Nanomaterials represent a significant portion of the rapidly expanding field of nanoscience-nanotechnology, for which shape and size remain essential in nanoscale device manufacturing. Size reduction can lead to new physicochemical properties and a range of applications. Access to these nanoscale entities requires the development of suitable elaboration methods. Conventional procedures for...
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have garnered significant attention due to their remarkable electronic and magnetic properties. In this chapter, we introduce multiwalled carbon nanotubes covered with tantalum (MWNTs/Ta) to systematically modulate the magnetoresistive properties of the MWNTs/Ta hybrid nanostructures. We observe distinct changes in both positive and negative magnetoresistances of...
There has been a significant increase in the applications of natural resources to synthesize nanoparticles (NPs) because they are eco-friendly and cost-effective. This work presents a greener synthetic approach in generating iron oxide nanoflakes using ginger extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The ฮฑ-Fe2O3 nanoflakes were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron...
This study explores the fluoride removal efficiency of a novel and sustainable alkali-activated glass-hydroxyapatite (AAC-P@HAp) composite for water treatment applications. The composite, formed from waste glass activated with alkaline solutions (produced from ash of plantain bunch stalk) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) (produced with egg shells), aims to provide a cost-effective and environmentally...
Precision agriculture aims to optimize crop yields while minimizing resource use and environmental impact. Smart materials, including sensors, actuators, and responsive materials, play a critical role in achieving these goals. This research delves into the development and application of smart materials that respond to environmental stimuli such as moisture, temperature, and...
Ordered alloys based on manganese-platinum (Mn-Pt) are currently receiving increased attention, mostly in the development of magnetic materials for data storage applications. In particular, Mn-Pt-Co appears to be one of the most promising alloys due to its ferromagnetic behaviour at 0 K. There have been numerous efforts to improve the ferromagnetic properties of MnPt through alloying with...
The large surface area available for pollutant adsorption and the low charge recombination exhibited by carbon-based nanocomposites enhance the performance efficiency of photocatalysts. In this study, the performance of ZnO/GO and ZnO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites in the photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen under UV irradiation was compared. The nanocomposites were synthesized using a simple...
Large surface area for pollutant adsorption and low charge recombination exhibited by carbon-based nanocomposites augments the performance efficiency of photocatalysts. Herein, the performance of ZnO/GO and ZnO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites in the photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen under UV irradiation was compared. The nanocomposites were synthesized by a facile sol-gel method. The...
Advanced electrode materials must be developed to meet the increasing demand for energy. Carbon-based materials are the most versatile materials in energy storage and generation. These materials are used in supercapacitors which are energy storage devices with high specific power and low specific energy. Thus, it is necessary and even desirable to produce increasingly enhanced carbon materials...
Biosynthesis of functional nanomaterials from metallic salts using polyphenolic components of plant extracts provides an ecofriendly, easily scalable one pot fabrication of novel biomaterials. Among the nanomaterials that can be obtained through green synthesis, ZnONPs have shown considerable potential in the management of diabetes which is a worldwide scourge affecting more than 50% of all...
Title:Biocomposite Materials in Agroforestry for Innovations in Sustainable Land Management
Keywords: biocomposite materials, agroforestry, biodegradable and soil amendments.
Theme: Materials for Agriculture
Agroforestry systems, which combine trees and crops, benefit from the use of innovative biocomposite materials for improved land management and sustainability. This study...
Abstract
Heavy metals are regarded as one of notorious pollutants in water bodies, adversely affecting human health by causing various severe diseases after passing down to the food chain. The rise in aqueous environmental pollution forces researchers to come up with biodegradable materials for remediation purposes. Therefore, there is an increasing growth in extensive use of cellulose...
Quarry dust is a waste material generated in rock quarries in large quantities and has been associated with serious environmental effects when improperly disposed. Although several researchers have recently demonstrated its viability to partially replace sand as a fine aggregate in concrete and as a filler for virgin plastics, limited information about its properties was found in literature....
This research project aims to address challenges in environmental safety specifically to
promote the use of organic methods in pharmaceutical industries, agricultural industries
and food industries in Botswana. Experimental set ups, careful observation of the
patterns of algal blooms in the local environment, revising mycology journal articles and
textbooks, as well as participating in...
Two Kenyan bentonite samples (K1&K2) were characterized before and after modifying them into organoclay. K1 was obtained from a quarry in Olturoto Village of Kajiado County while K2 was donated by Athyplast Enterprises Ltd, Kitengela. For comparison, a known bentonite sample rich in montmorillonite (US) was procured from Sigma Aldrich (USA). Dimethyl-dioctadecyl-ammonium chloride (DODMA)...
Two raw Kenyan bentonite samples (K1 and K2) were characterized before and after treating them with a surfactant. K1 was obtained from a quarry in Olturoto Village of Kajiado County, while Athyplast Enterprises Ltd, Kitengela, donated K2. A bentonite sample rich in montmorillonite (labelled US) was procured from Sigma Aldrich (Product ID 682659) for comparison purposes....
Here, we combined liquid hot water and neutral/alkaline sulfonation pretreatments of sugar cane bagasse (SCB) at relatively low temperatures to maximize enzymatic hydrolysis yields.
X-ray diffraction, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy analyses showed that the structural disorganization of bagasse after liquid hot water pretreatment associated with...
ABDIRAHMAN ELMI 1*, ROSELLA SPINA2, FATOUMA M. ABDOUL-LATIF 1, ANDREEA PASC3, ARNAUD RISLER3, STEPANIE PHILIPPOT3, RAPHAEL DUVAL3, DOMINIQUE LAURAIN MATTAR2
1 Centre dโEtudes et de Recherche de Djibouti, Medicinal Research Institute, IRM-CERD, Route de lโAรฉroport, Haramous B.P. 486, Djibouti City, Djibouti;
2 Universitรฉ de Lorraine, INRAE, LAE, F-54000 Nancy, France;
...
In our previous research, we discovered that essential oils (EOs) from the Cymbopogon genus, known locally as Caws Dameer or Dambahu, have significant anti-cancer properties. We analyzed EOs from four Cymbopogon species using GC-MS and found a significant variation in their phytochemical composition. Oxygenated monoterpenes were the dominant components in all species, with (+)-(R)-Limonene,...
Objectives
Fertilizer which:
Improve agricultural sustainability.
Environmental friendly.
Help a plant to boost its nutrient naturally.
Canbe produced in one's yard.
Methodology
Observation and through research
Result
Improve agricultural sustainability.
Improve soil texture.
Environmental friendly.
Plants boost its nutrient naturally.
It can be produced...
Defect emissions of Cd0.015Mg0.10Zn0.885O (CMZO) thin film with a broad yellow emission are discussed. The self-textured growth and the texture fraction of 95.8% for (002) peak (TF(002)) of the (CMZO) thin films orientation along the c-axis is deposited on Si substrate using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. The crystal structure of the thin film and their crystallographic parameters...
Abstract
Defect emissions of Cd0.015Mg0.10Zn0.885O (CMZO) thin film with a broad yellow emission are discussed. The self-textured growth and the texture fraction of 95.8% for (002) peak (TF(002)) of the (CMZO) thin films orientation along the c-axis is deposited on Si substrate using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. The crystal structure of the thin film and their crystallographic...
MUSA RUNDE
National Open University of Nigeria, Department of Chemistry, Abuja, Nigeria
Corresponding Author: Musa Runde; rmusa@noun.edu.ng
Key words; Absorbance, Fatty acids, Moisturizer, Sunscreen, and Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
Theme: Biomaterials and Materials for HEALTH
The study provides valuable insights into the potential cosmetic applications of various oil extracts, emphasizing...
Water (Fresh) is necessary for the survival of all living organisms on Earth. Humanโs body is made up of about 60% water hence, the reason why we cannot survive more than a few days without water. Among all the sources of freshwater (ponds, lakes, rainfall, river, streams and groundwater), groundwater is regarded as being probably the most safe source of fresh water for human consumption....
This study explores the development of an innovative electronic stove integrated with solar energy
systems to transform cooking methods in both rural and urban area. The electronic stove requires
very low cost and consume low energy and solve the problem of environmental degradation,
offering a sustainable and eco-friendly cooking solution. By utilizing solar energy, this stove aims
to...
Whilst PCR is often considered the โgold standardโ in nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) for detection of disease, the reagents required can often be unaffordable or inaccessible in many LMICโs. Consequently, it is often communities which are most at risk from infectious diseases such as malaria or dengue, which have the lowest capability to accurately diagnose them, reducing effective...
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has attracted a lot of interest as a very potent photocatalyst for the degradation of organic contaminants in wastewater, especially in the water treatment process used in oilfields. This review discusses the fundamental mechanisms of TiO2 photocatalysis, emphasizing its ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon UV light irradiation, which facilitates the...
Enhancing Water Quality and Sanitation: The Impact of Sustainable Materials on public health and Environmental Sustainability
Keywords: Sanitation, Water quality, Biodegradable solutions, wastewater treatment
Theme: Materials for Environment, Water and Sanitation
This abstract examines the role of materials and technologies in promoting environmental sustainability and improving water...
This project aim is to incorporate other materials in the reduction of CO2 through reduced cement using limestone, calcined laterite, cement and rice husk ash. It can reduce up to 75% of CO2 emissions being released into the atmosphere. It helps reduce the CO2 emissions been released into the atmosphere by 75% and also uses industrial waste such as rice husk ash which has a higher silica...
ASHLEY NKANSAH NANA KWAME1 and ACHEAMPONG SETH2
1kwame6362@gmail.com, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
(Department of Industrial Arts, Kumasi, Ghana)
2sacheampong5566@gmail.com, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
(Department of Industrial Arts, Kumasi, Ghana)
This project talks about the reduction of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere...
The mounting challenge of food waste disposal in African urban centers poses a critical environmental dilemma while revealing opportunities for transformative innovation. This research upcycles Nairobiโs food processing side streams into high-value composite materials contributing to sustainable development goals and circular economy principles.
Composite boards are fabricated by integrating...
Single metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) face limitations such as low specific
capacity, poor electrical conductivity, and weak substrate adherence as nickel foam,
which hinder their use as supercapacitor electrodes. To address these issues, this study
investigates the impact of bimetallic MOFs synthesized via ex-situ nickel inclusion on
the charge storage performance of Ni-doped ZIF-67 in a...
This study explored the structural, electronic, elastic, optical, thermdynamic, and thermoeletric properties of CoTaSi half-Heusler compound using first-principles density functional approach. Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) and projected augmented planewave pseudopotential method of Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) exchange-correlation functional implemented in Quantum Espresso code...
Fixed-bed Adsorption Studies of Phospholipids using Apatite Materials: Column Breakthrough Studies
DAVID MARIKAH1 and PATRICK WERE2
1 Independent Researcher (Kenya)
2Kenyatta University, School of Health Sciences
Corresponding Author: David Marikah, davidmarikah@gmail.com
Apatites (Aps) are naturally occurring minerals and bio-components of the bone structure, with good adsorptive...
After extraction of cellulose from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and its subsequent conversion to cellobiose, the biopolymers were activated, via trans-esterification reaction with palm kernel oil (PKO). The trans-esterification process gave rise to a biopolymer based material bearing several functional groups, prominent amongst which is the carbonyl functionality (CO) of the PKO trans-esterified...
The growing focus on green chemistry and its application in nanomaterials has sparked a desire to explore more efficient and environmentally friendly synthesis methods. In this work, Citrus sinensis peel extract was used to synthesize Ag-TiO2, and the photocatalytic properties were evaluated in comparison to pristine TiO2 for wastewater purification and the anti-microbial efficacy tested. TiO2...
This study presents the synthesis of an environmentally benign single-layered spectrally selective Ag/NiO thin film nanocomposite absorber. The researchers used various techniques including Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, SEM, and AFM to examine the effects of plasmonic Ag concentration on the nanocomposites' structural composition, and surface morphology. The...
The global shift towards sustainable bioprocessing technologies has sparked significant interest in valorising agricultural waste, particularly hemp waste, for renewable bioplastic production. In this study, we focus on the concurrent hydrolysis of cellulose into fermentable sugars and fermentation to polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) a kind of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) from pretreated hemp hurds...
Crab shells, often considered wastes, have the potential to be a valuable source of chitin nanofibrils (ChNFs) for various applications. This study introduces a novel, cost-effective method where NaOH treatment and concrete mechanical vibrator (CMV) produce high-quality ChNFs while maintaining their native properties, such as crystalline structure and higher degree of acetylation. This method,...
Crab shells, often considered wastes, have the potential to be a valuable source of chitin nanofibrils (ChNFs) for various applications. This study introduces a novel, cost-effective method where NaOH treatment and concrete mechanical vibrator (CMV) produce high-quality ChNFs while maintaining their native properties, such as crystalline structure and higher degree of acetylation. This method,...
Abstract
The kind of electrolyte employed in a supercapacitor mostly determines its operating potential window and performance. Supercapacitors (SCs) always make use of different electrolytes including ionic liquids, organic electrolytes, or aqueous electrolytes. However, one of the drawbacks of the commonly employed aqueous electrolytes is their low operating potential window, which prevents...
Investigating the way in which therapeutic drugs interact with engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) is crucial for understanding the fate and behaviour of engineered nanoparticles in the human body. After the outbreak of COVID-19, drugs such as dexamethasone and hydroxychloroquine were suggested as viable candidates to combat the adverse effects of the disease [1]. In this study,...
Abstract
By 2030, it is anticipated that approximately 21.7 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed annually on a global scale (Ovais et al., 2017). Colon cancer accounts for over 8% of cancer-related deaths worldwide (Ma et al., 2018). Conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, often in combination, face significant challenges including lack of specificity and...
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) No. 7 says, โEnsure Access To Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable And Modern Energy For Allโ. Lithium is a key mineral in addressing the energy challenges faced across the world, and Zimbabwe is endowed with the largest lithium reserves/deposits in Africa. Lithium exists as pegmatite, petalite and spodumene ore in Zimbabwe. This is a...
This research explores the upcycling of mango seed coats and
macadamia nut shell waste as natural fibre reinforcements in
biodegradable plastic-based composite filaments for structural
applications in the energy sector. The study investigates the integration
of these agricultural waste fibres into a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix to
produce environmentally friendly composite filaments with...
This paper explores the diverse materials utilized in agricultural practices, emphasizing their roles in enhancing productivity, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. It examines traditional materials such as soil amendments and organic fertilizers, alongside innovative solutions like biodegradable plastics and advanced irrigation systems. The impact of these materials on soil health,...
High temperature shape-memory alloys (HTSMAs) have received increased attention as the demand for lightweight, compact, and efficient actuators has grown in recent years. These materials are used in various sectors such, energy, aerospace and engineering, due to their unique properties shape memory and pseudoelasticity which occurs as a result of phase transformation. Most desirable HTSMAs...
Ammonia is a crucial compound for the production of fertilizers and several important chemical feedstocks. It has also recently been receiving impressive attention as an energy carrier due to its high hydrogen content and zero carbon emissions when used in fuel cells. There has been a growing interest in developing a more efficient method to produce ammonia because the conventional Haber-Bosch...
The standard temperature and pressure (298K and 1bar) are only particular conditions in the nature that surrounds us. Indeed, areas of high temperature and pressure such as the ocean floor,hydrothermal sources, planetary interiors, etc. exist around us. The study of the effects of temperature and pressure is therefore important and essential for a complete understanding of living organisms...
This study reports on the morphological, structural and anticancer properties of palladium sulfide (PdS) and zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis confirmed a tetragonal crystalline phase for PdS nanoparticles, while ZnS nanoparticles exhibited a hexagonal wurtzite phase. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs revealed spherically shaped PdS...
The global rise in antidepressant consumption underscores the urgent need for effective systems
to detect, capture, and treat bioactive pollutants. Venlafaxine (VEN), a widely prescribed
antidepressant, and its transformation products (N-VEN, O-VEN, and O-N-VEN) are frequently
detected in wastewater, raising significant environmental concerns due to their...
See attachment
Water pollution caused by organic contaminants poses a critical challenge to environmental sustainability and public health. Conventional remediation techniques often fall short in efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This study aims to address these gaps by developing carbon sphere-supported semiconductor heterojunction photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic properties.
The synthesis...
The conversion of incident electromagnetic radiation into charge carriers by the solar cell depends on the intensity of incident light energy that is absorbed by the active layer of the solar cell. However, when light energy is incident on the upper surface of the solar cell, it is partly reflected or transmitted. The reflection of light energy significantly lowers its efficiency. To offset...
Water, also called the molecule of life is the most abundant polyatomic molecule in the galaxy and the 3rd most abundant molecule in the Interstellar Medium (ISM) after CO and H2. In the recent years, mixed H2OโHCN heterodimer have attracted a great number of experimentalists and theorists alike with a special interest on its structure and spectroscopy but no complete quantum calculations of...
Keywords: Emerging Technologies, Artificial Intelligence
Theme: Advanced Materials (New Devices, Quantum Materials, OptoElectronic Materials)
Introduction: The pharmacy profession is undergoing a trans-formative phase driven by shifting paradigms and propelled by emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. This abstract emphasizes the importance of...
Pyrroles, thiophenes, and furans are key building blocks in conjugated poly(heterocycles), which are promising organic conductors for various applications. The initial step in their electropolymerization involves the oxidation of ฮฒ-substituted pyrroles, thiophenes, and furans [1,2]. Important electrochemical parameters like function coefficient (Fn), atomic charge distribution, ionization...
This study investigates the structural and functional properties of copper oxide (CuO) doped with silver (Ag) and co-doped with chromium ions (Crยณโบ) for potential gas sensor applications. The synthesis of CuO:Ag and CuO:Ag,Crยณโบ nanostructures was achieved through a sol-gel method, followed by annealing at various temperatures to optimize their crystalline quality and morphological...
Low thermal conductivity is a primary limitation in the development of enrgy-efficient heat transfer fluids that are required in many industrial application, in this paper we propose that an innovative new class of heat transfer fluids can be engineered by suspending metallic nanoparticles in conventional heat transfer fluids. The resulting nanofluids are expected to exhibit high thermal...
3D mixed perovskites have achieved substantial successes in boosting solar cell efficiency, but the complicated perovskite crystal formation pathway remains mysterious. Detailed crystallization kinetics of mixed perovskites FA0.83MA0.17Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3 with addition of Cs+ to form a triple cation perovskite (3-CAT) in comparison with the perovskite building block MAPbI3 (MAPI) by static...
This study guide to improve material performance for it long term use.
This research explores the influence of hematite seed layer precursor concentrations and co-dopants on the structural, optical, and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of hematite nanorods. Seed layers were prepared using various concentrations (0.05โ0.13 mM) of FeClโยท6HโO, affecting nanorod alignment and morphology. The lowest precursor concentration (0.05 mM) resulted in the highest...
Phycobilisomes are giant (~6 MDa) light-harvesting pigment-protein complexes of cyanobacteria and certain algae, responsible for harvesting sunlight and regulating the flow of absorbed energy to provide the photochemical reaction centers with a constant energy throughput. Single-molecule spectroscopy studies have identified the presence of strongly red-shifted and quenched emission states and...
Abstract
Introduction
Methods and materials
Result
Discussion
Abstract
In this study, three human hair-derived porous carbon (HPC) with various ratios of micropores and mesopores area were produced using chemical activation method with KOH as activator. Based on the weight ratios of KOH to human hair, the samples are identified as HPC1, HPC2, and HPC3, the numbers correspond to the ratios of 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1, respectively. The prepared porous carbons...
The use of Moringa oleifera seeds as efficient adsorbents in water discolouration treatment has been extensively documented over the years. Despite their efficiency, the chemical mechanisms that underpins their water-purifying characteristics are understudied. This study therefore postulated a potential chelation of copper ions by phytochemicals found in moringa oleifera seeds as a key...
Abstract
We present cost-effective and environmentally friendly Cr- CrโOโ nanocomposites coatings, prepared using an entirely green process on a copper (Cu) substrate. The CrโOโ was synthesized through eco-friendly methods and deposited onto the Cu substrate using spin coatings at rotational speeds (RS) of 600rpm. The XRD results revealed that at lower concentrations, the thin film samples...
Global water scarcity has led to recycling wastewater becoming a plausible mitigation approach. As such, treated wastewater has become an essential resource for increasing irrigation water supply. However, treated wastewater often falls short of regulatory standards, particularly due to elevated levels of heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), and...
The use of macadamia nutshell biomass for the synthesis of Hydrochar, modified with aminopropyltriethoxysilane for the removal of chromium in wastewater.
Wastewater containing hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) presents significant ecological and environmental hazards. An innovative MNS hydrochar was created using a hydrothermal process with macadamia nutshell (MNS) biomass grafted with...
For the extraction of metal ions, graphene oxide (GO) is a highly effective adsorbent. GO surface functional moieties, however, are not metal ion specific. As a result, in this work, GO was chemically functionalized using gold (Au) to increase its mercury selectivity. To make the adsorbent's separation easier, the GO was first magnetized using the co-precipitation technique. The synthesized...
The LiMn2O4 as a cathode material for Li-ion batteries face practical limitations mainly due to electrolyte interactions, which result in capacity fading. Hence, this work uses the DFT calculations to explore effect of coating, and interfacial stability in an ฮฑ-Al2O3 coated LiMn2O4. Spin-polarized DFT calculations were performed using VASP code 3 to study the stability and interactions of the...
This research work was carried out to eliminate the problems of delithiation and lithiation experienced in lithium-ion-based batteries using Ca2+ nanoparticles derived from eggshells. The methodology of this work was done by first synthesizing silicon nanoparticles from rice husks using the hydrothermal method and the Ca2+ nanoparticles using the sol-gel method. The nanosilicon and Ca2+...
Continued generation of plastic waste, a non-biodegradable material, and the resulting land as well as water pollution have been continuously increasing in Kenya and the world over. Considering the challenges associated with the management of plastic waste, exploring novel uses of this material has become imperative. This study investigates the conversion of polyethylene terephthalate waste...
Introduction
Concrete is one of the most utilized construction materials globally, requiring immense quantities of natural resources. Concurrently, industrialization has led to an increase in waste, including foundry sand, which often ends up in landfills, exacerbating environmental concerns. This study explores upcycling Waste Foundry Sand (WFS) into concrete products like paver blocks...
