Biocompatible Gold Nanoparticles-Modified Fluorine Doped Tin Oxide Electrode for the Fabrication of Enzyme-Free Glucose Sensor.

This work demonstrates the use of jute stick extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent for the synthesis of spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). In UV-Vis spectroscopy, peak at 550 nm was used to confirm the formation of AuNPs. The spherical surface morphology of AuNPs was determined through SEM and TEM analysis. While XRD investigation revealed the crystallinity of the prepared AuNPs. To ensure the biocompatibility of synthesized AuNPs, a bacterial investigation was conducted with negative results towards bacterial strain. The, modified FTO with AuNPs were able to detect glucose in CV analysis and the constructed sensor displayed a wide linear range of 50 µM to 40 mM with a detection limit of 20 µM. Scan rate analysis was performed to determine the charge transfer coefficient (0.42) and Tafel slope (102 mV/decade). Furthermore, the interfacial surface mechanism is illustrated to understand the interaction of glucose with the electrode surface in an alkaline medium and the product formation through the dehydrogenation and hydrolysis process. The prepared sensor also showed good stability, reproducibility, and anti-interference capabilities. In the case of real sample analysis, we used a blood serum sample. A low RSD value (<10 %) suggests the practical use of AuNPs/FTO in real-life applications.

Poly[(2-methacryloyloxy)Ethyl]Trimethylammonium Chloride Supported Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles as an Active Electrocatalyst for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

To combat with energy crisis considering clean energy, oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial to implement electrolytic hydrogen fuel production in real life. Here, straightforward chemical synthesis pathways are followed to prepare cobalt tetraoxide nanoparticles (Co3 O4 NPs) in an alkaline OER process using poly[(2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (Co3 O4 NPs@PMTC) as support to prevent aggregation. In material characterization, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirms the crystallinity of the synthesized Co3 O4 NPs@PMTC, and Raman spectroscopy indicates that the Co3 O4 NPs contain cubic close-packed oxides. The morphological analysis reveals the wrinkle-like disruption which is distributed evenly owing to the folded nanosheet arrays. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicates the presence of a significant number of cobalt atoms in the Co3 O4 NPs, and elemental mapping analysis demonstrates the composition of the NPs. At a current density of 10 mA cm-2 , oxygen is emitted at 1.67 V delivering an overpotential of 440 mV. This unique structure of Co3 O4 NPs@PMTC provides beneficial functions that are responsible for a large number of active sites and the rapid release of oxygen gas with long-term stability. Through kinetic study, we found a Tafel slope of 48.9 mV dec-1 which proves the catalytic behavior of Co3 O4 NPs@PMTC is promising toward the OER process.

High Performance and Long-cycle Life Rechargeable Aluminum Ion Battery: Recent Progress, Perspectives and Challenges.

The rising energy crisis and environmental concerns caused by fossil fuels have accelerated the deployment of renewable and sustainable energy sources and storage systems. As a result of immense progress in the field, cost-effective, high-performance, and long-life rechargeable batteries are imperative to meet the current and future demands for sustainable energy sources. Currently, lithium-ion batteries are widely used, but limited lithium (Li) resources have caused price spikes, threatening progress toward cleaner energy sources. Therefore, post-Li, batteries that utilize highly abundant materials leading to cost-effective energy storage solutions while offering desirable performance characteristics are urgently needed. Aluminum-ion battery (AIB) is an attractive concept that uses highly abundant aluminum while offering a high theoretical gravimetric and volumetric capacity of 2980 mAh g-1 and 8046 mAh cm-3 , respectively. As a result, intensified efforts have been made in recent years to utilize numerous electrolytes, anodes, and cathode materials to improve the electrochemical performance of AIBs, and potentially create high-performance, low-cost, and safe energy storage devices. Herein, recent progress in the electrolyte, anode, and cathode active materials and their utilization in AIBs and their related characteristics are summarized. Finally, the main challenges facing AIBs along with future directions are highlighted.

Preparation of Sulfur-doped Carbon for Supercapacitor Applications: A Review.

Electrochemical capacitors, also known as supercapacitors (SCs), have lately played an important role in energy storage and conversion systems due to their specific characteristics such as high strength, durability, and environmental friendliness. A wide range of materials is used as electrodes for SC applications because the electrochemical efficiency is primarily determined by the electrode materials used. Carbonaceous materials with unique surface, chemical, electrochemical, and electronic characteristics have become attractive for energy storage research, but they cannot meet the rising need for high specific energy and specific power. Besides, heteroatom-doped carbon materials have shown pseudocapacitance characteristics and improved specific energy, specific power, and conductivity. This makes them more adaptable in SC application. Among different heteroatom doping of carbon, S-doped carbon has gained considerable attention in SC applications due to its unpaired electrons and easily polarizable nature. S-doped carbon materials-based SCs have demonstrated enhanced surface wettability, improved conductivity, and induced pseudocapacitance effect, thereby delivering improved specific energy and specific power. Many reports on S-doped carbon for SC applications have been published, but there is no specific Review on the preparation of S-doped carbon for SC applications. This Review focuses on recent developments in the field of SC electrodes made from S-doped carbon materials. Herein, the preparation methods and applications of S-doped carbon for SCs were summarized following a brief discussion of different electrochemical characterization techniques of SCs. Finally, the challenges of S-doped carbon materials and their potential prospects were discussed to give crucial insights into the favorable factors for future innovations of SC electrodes. This Review aims to provide insight for further research on the preparation of S-doped carbon for electrochemical energy storage applications.

Electrochemical Sensing Platforms of Dihydroxybenzene: Part†2 - Nanomaterials Excluding Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene.

The high surface-to-volume ratio and desirable chemical, thermal, and catalytic properties of nanomaterials have made them promising electrode materials for sensing applications. As such, different nanomaterials and their nanocomposite-based individual and/or simultaneous detection of dihydroxybenzene (DHB) have been reported in recent years. Due to the low degradation rate and high toxicity of DHB isomers, the development of innovative and robust sensors for their simultaneous detection has received considerable attention. In this review, applications of different nanomaterials (with the exception of carbon nanotubes, graphene, and their derivatives) for individual and/or simultaneous detection of DHB are briefly discussed. The focal point is on the characteristic features of the modified electrodes that improve their electrocatalytic activities toward DHB. Real sample analysis and electrolyte media are also summarized. This review includes studies published from 2011 to 2020.

Electrochemical Sensing Platforms of Dihydroxybenzene: Part 1 - Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, and their Derivatives.

Dihydroxybenzene is regarded as a serious environmental pollutant. Its detection through electrochemical methods is still challenging due to having a similar structure and overlapping signals with the conventional bare electrode. Thanks to the unique features and wide applicability of carbon nanotubes, graphene, and their derivatives, they can be used as modifiers to overcome the poor resolution ability of bare electrodes in the detection of dihydroxybenzene. This review focuses on the use of carbon nanotubes, graphene, and their derivatives and nanocomposites to enhance the electrocatalytic activity of conventional bare electrodes for dihydroxybenzene sensing. The reports from 2011-2020 on the simultaneous and/or individual detection of three different dihydroxybenzenes - hydroquinone, catechol, and resorcinol - are summarized. This review also highlights the challenges and prospects surrounding the sensitive and selective detection of dihydroxybenzene.