Optical and electronic properties of MgPc-Ch-diisoQ blend organic thin film as an active layer for photovoltaic cells.

Organic photovoltaic cells are a promising technology for generating renewable energy from sunlight. These cells are made from organic materials, such as polymers or small molecules, and can be lightweight, flexible, and low-cost. Here, we have created a novel mixture of magnesium phthalocyanine (MgPc) and chlorophenyl ethyl diisoquinoline (Ch-diisoQ). A coating unit has been utilized in preparing MgPc, Ch-diisoQ, and MgPc-Ch-diisoQ films onto to FTO substrate. The MgPc-Ch-diisoQ film has a spherical and homogeneous surface morphology with a grain size of 15.9 nm. The optical absorption of the MgPc-Ch-diisoQ film was measured, and three distinct bands were observed at 800-600 nm, 600-400 nm, and 400-250 nm, with a band gap energy of 1.58 eV. The current density-voltage and capacitance-voltage measurements were performed to analyze the photoelectric properties of the three tested cells. The forward current density obtained from our investigated blend cell is more significant than that for each material by about 22%. The photovoltaic parameters (Voc, Isc, and FF) of the MgPc-Ch-diisoQ cell were found to be 0.45 V, 2.12 µA, and 0.4, respectively. We believe that our investigated MgPc-Ch-diisoQ film will be a promising active layer in organic solar cells.

Synthesis of novel Cu/Fe based benzene Dicarboxylate (BDC) metal organic frameworks and investigations into their optical and electrochemical properties.

In the recent past Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based thin films have demonstrated superior performance in various technological applications such as optical and optoelectronic devices, electrochemical energy storage, catalysis, and sensing. Herein we report tuning the optical performance of stable complexes using Cu and Fe metal ions with carboxylate benzene dicarboxylic (BDC), leading toward the formation of novel MOF structures. The formation of Cu-BDC and Fe-BDC were confirmed by XRD and SEM studies. The thermal stability of two MOFs was investigated, indicating that, the Cu-BDC is more stable than Fe-BDC. Further, the optical properties were investigated in the wavelength range 325-1100 nm, and the Fe-BDC exhibited greater optical transmission properties than Cu-BDC by 33 %, as investigated by Wemple-DiDomenico and Tauc models. The dispersion parameters related to optical studies for Cu-BDC were better in comparison to Fe-BDC, which could be attributed to the increase in Cu valence electrons due to an increase in the number of cations. The electrochemical behavior in terms of CV measurements shows the presence of pseudo capacitance in both Fe-BDC and Cu-BDC MOFs. The improved CV performance of Cu-BDC MOF suggests that it could be used as a storage material. This work successfully demonstrates the tailoring of optical properties related to MOF thin films through the formation of stable complexes using BDC as a potential material for the fabrication of OLED's and Solar cells. The improved CV performance suggests that these MOF based materials could be used as anodes in fabrication of batteries or supercapacitors.

CuO nanoparticles mixed with activated BC extracted from algae as promising material for supercapacitor electrodes.

The present analysis aims to use existing resources to lower the cost of electrodes and reduce environmental pollution by utilizing waste materials like green algae. In the present research, the hydrothermal carbonization technique was utilized to synthesize a nano sized CuO mixed with activated biochar (CuO@BC) extracted from red sea algae (Chlorophyta). The CuO@BC sample was extensively examined using several advanced physical techniques, such as UV/Visible spectroscopy, FTIR, XED, HRTEM, SEM, EDX, BET, and TGA. The HRTEM indicated that the size of the particles is 32 nm with a larger surface area and without aggregations. The BET analysis of CuO@BC indicates that the material contains pores of a relatively large size and with a pore diameter of about 42.56 A°. The electrochemical analysis of CuO@BC modified glassy carbon electrode CuO@BC/GCE has been investigated using CV, GCD, and EIS techniques. This CuO@BC/GCE shows excellent electrochemical features that are significant for energy storage applications. The CuO@BC/GCE showed a specific capacitance of approximately 353 Fg-1 which is higher compared to individual materials. Overall, the research outcomes suggest that the CuO@BC/GCE shows potential for use in high-performance supercapacitors as energy storage systems that are eco-friendly and sustainable.

Synchrotron-based operando X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of LiCo0.5Fe0.5PO4 mixed d-metal olivine cathode.

Lithium-ion batteries based on high-voltage cathode materials, such as LiCoPO4, despite being promising in terms of specific power, still suffer from poor cycle life due to the lower stability of common non-aqueous electrolytes at higher voltages. One way to overcome this issue might be decreasing the working potential of the battery by doping LiCoPO4 by Fe, thus reducing electrolyte degradation upon cycling. However, such modification requires a deep understanding of the structural behavior of cathode material upon lithiation/delithiation. Here we used a combination of operando synchrotron-based XRD and XAS to investigate the dynamics of d-metal local atomic structure and charge state upon cycling of LiCo0.5Fe0.5PO4 mixed d-metal olivine cathode material. Principal components analysis (PCA) of XAS data allowed the extraction of spectra of individual phases in the material and their concentrations. For both Co and Fe two components were extracted, they correspond to fully lithiated and delithiated phases of LixMPO4 (where M = Fe, Co). Thus, we were able to track the phase transitions in the material upon charge and discharge and quantitatively analyze the M2+/M3+ electrochemical conversion rate for both Fe and Co. Rietveld's refinement of XRD data allowed us to analyze the changes in the lattice of cathode material and their reversibility upon (de)lithiation during cycling. The calculation of DFT and Bader charge analysis expects the oxygen redox procedure combined with d-metals redox, which supplements iron charge variations and dominates at high voltages when x < 0.75 in LixCoFePO4.

Enhancement of the adsorptive performance of TiO2nanoparticles towards methylene blue by adding suspended nanoparticles of Pt: kinetics, isotherm, and thermodynamic studies.

Methylene blue (MB) is one of the most dangerous dyes found in numerous industries' wastewaters. Thus, the effect of suspended Pt nanoparticles (NPs) on the adsorption capability of TiO2NPs towards MB was investigated in this research. Factors affecting (adsorbate initial concentration, agitation time, solution pH, and temperature) the adsorption capacity of MB on the modified TiO2NPs were also studied. It was found that the first two factors have a positive effect, the temperature has an adverse impact, and the maximum uptake was observed when pH is 11. Isotherm parameters of Langmuir, Freundlich, and Timken models were determined. Langmuir's model was found to be the best one for analyzing the experimental data. The adsorption capacities obtained were 100.61, 90.66, and 80.26 mg g-1at 25 °C, 40 °C, and 55 °C, respectively. 1storder, 2ndorder, and intra-particle diffusion kinetic models were utilized to analyze experimental data. It found that these data were explained well by the 2ndorder model, indicating that this adsorption is chemisorption. Thermodynamic parameters were also determined, and the results obtained suggest that this adsorption is an exothermic and spontaneous process. The findings show that TiO2NPs modified by suspended Pt NPs will get a strong attraction in the treatment of fluids and wastewaters.

Synthesis, characterization and optical properties of nanosized lanthanum (III) complexes thin film with aryl-azo-pyrogallol derivatives.

The present study is focused on the assembly of two new thin films based on the direct layer deposition of lanthanum ion from solution with two aryl-azo-pyrogallol ligands onto the surface of a glass substrate. Assembled lanthanum (III) complexes were characterized by different techniques including thermal gravimetric analysis, metal analysis by acid digestion and complexometric titration, Fourier transforms infrared, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Two complexes were highly similar in their patterns and crystallinities with the characterized particle size range 23.16-23.31 nm. Energy gaps of the two complexes NS Na3La(III)-(L1)2 and NS Na3La(III)-(L2)2 were found to be 2.09 and 2.33 eV, respectively. Linear and calculated nonlinear optical properties have been studied for the two complexes. The nonlinear refractive index has been calculated and NS Na3La(III)-(L2)2 showed a high nonlinear behavior (n2 = 8 × 10-7 esu) and it could be a promising low-cost material in the optical nonlinear application.

Residue levels of organochlorine pesticides in some ecosystem components of Manzala Lake.

To evaluate the organochlorine pesticide (OCP) contamination of Manzala Lake, its ecosystem was investigated during the winter season (December to March). The studied ecosystem components were water, sediment, aquatic weeds, and fishes in four locations. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector. Pollutant levels of total OCPs showed significantly high levels in the water areas of Round road (46.253 ng/ml), Port-Said Damietta road (19.301 ng/ml), followed by Bughas El-Rasoah (5.539 ng/ml), then Ashtoum El Gamel (natural reserve area now) (0.289 ng/ml). Organochlorines were detected in sediment only in Round road (3.359 µg/kg) and Port-Said Damietta road (0.171 µg/kg) by significant order while they were undetectable in Ashtoum El Gamel and Bughas El-Rasoah. Total OCPs in aquatic weeds ranged between 0.194 µg/kg in Port-Said Damietta and 0.026 µg/kg in Ashtoum El Gamel. While OCPs were 0.160 and 0.153 µg/kg in Round road and Bughas El-Rasoah, respectively. Concerning fish muscles OCPs were significantly higher in the Round road area (0.397 µg/kg) followed by the Port-Said Damietta road (0.258 µg/kg), and finally, Ashtoum El Gamel samples (0.126 µg/kg). The results revealed the direct relation for the accumulation of OCPs between studied ecosystem parameters at the Manzala Lake during the winter season. Results also demonstrated that fish samples collected from the Manzala Lake in the studied areas were contaminated with levels of organochlorines, not higher than the maximum permissible level recorded by FAO/WHO, and that the public is not at risk with fish consumption.

Fourier-transform infrared and optical absorption spectra of 4-tricyanovinyl-N,N-diethylaniline thin films.

Thin films of 4-tricyanovinyl-N,N-diethylaniline (TCVA) were prepared for the first time using thermal evaporation technique. The molecular structure and electronic transitions of TCVA films were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectra. The observed vibrational wavenumbers in FTIR spectra were analysed and assigned to different normal modes of the molecule. UV-vis electronic absorption spectral measurements of TCVA films were analysed to obtain the electronic transitions and optical band gap (E(g)). Other important optical parameters such as molar extinction coefficient (epsilon(molar)), the oscillator strength (f), and the electric dipole strength (q(2)) were also reported.

Bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of pulmonary complications of bone marrow transplant patients.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has proved valuable in the diagnosis of pulmonary complications in immunosuppressed patients. We evaluated the diagnostic yield of BAL in pulmonary complications in bone marrow transplantation (BMT) recipients. We reviewed sequentially the records of 89 patients during an 18-month period. BAL was diagnostic in 42 patients (47%). The most common pulmonary complication diagnosed by BAL was diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (n = 15); followed by bacterial pneumonia (n = 10), respiratory syncytial virus (n = 8), aspergillosis (n = 6), Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (n = 5), cytomegalovirus (CMV) (n = 4), and others (n = 4). The final diagnoses in the BAL non-diagnostic group were: bacterial pneumonia (n = 6), CMV (n = 6), idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (n = 5), cancer recurrence (n = 4), cardiogenic pulmonary edema (n = 4), and others (n = 9). We conclude that BAL is a useful diagnostic tool in BMT-related pulmonary complications.

Association of Helicobacter pylori and nonulcer dyspepsia.

The etiology and pathogenesis of nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD) are not completely understood and consequently, no specific medication can be prescribed to the sufferers. We studied 69 cases, proved clinically, laboratorally, sonographically and endoscopically, to have NUD. Antral biopsy was taken from every case and subjected to CLO test. Out of the 69 patients, 51 (74%) were infected with Helicobacter pylori (HP). Oral medication, consisting of amoxacillin 500 mg, metronidazol 500 mg, and bismuth mixture, 5 mls three times daily was prescribed for four weeks. Out of the 51 patients at the end of four weeks, 46 cases (90%) were cleared of HP, and only 38 cases (74.5%) experienced complete improvement of their dyspeptic symptoms. We arrived at the conclusion that a good percentage of NUD patients can be cured by the use of the 3-drug combination.

Ribonucleotide levels in six nematodes, a cestode and a trematode.

The levels of ribonucleotides in the nematodes Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Ascaris suum and Stephanurus dentatus, the cestode Moniezia expansa and the trematode Fasciola hepatica were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography. The adenylate charge, ATP and total adenine nucleotide levels were in general agreement with those determined enzymatically and with published data. UDP and guanine nucleotide levels were found to be higher than those present in mammals and previously reported for helminth parasites. Cytidine nucleotide levels varied considerably between parasite species. On the other hand inosine nucleotides were present at low concentrations in all species. Adenylate and guanylate charges were similar.