Effect of Randomly Grown Morphology of ZnO Nanorods in Inverted Organic Solar Cells.

Here, we analyzed the photovoltaic properties of the inverted organic solar cells (IOSCs) by using randomly oriented medium density ZnO nanorods (ZnO-NR) synthesized hydrothermally at low temperature conditions to avoid morphological defects. The IOSC with ZnO-NR (length < 150 nm) of medium density and random orientation showed an improvement of 83% in power conversion efficiency compared to the cell with (length < 20 nm) hydrothermally grown ZnO-NR. The optimized hydrothermal growth conditions for ZnO-NR enhanced the photovoltaic performance indicators by reducing recombination rate evidenced by the photovoltaic data. The qualitative elemental analysis of the ZnO-NR based interface was performed by the EDX, which confirmed that the as-grown ZnO-NR contain the Zn and O elements.

Mo-doped ZnO nanoflakes on Ni-foam for asymmetric supercapacitor applications.

A single-step hydrothermal route for synthesizing molybdenum doped zinc oxide nanoflakes was employed to accomplish superior electrochemical characteristics, such as a specific capacitance of 2296 F g-1 at current density of 1 A g-1 and negligible loss in specific capacitance of 0.01025 F g-1 after each charge-discharge cycle (up to 8000 cycles). An assembled asymmetric supercapacitor (Mo:ZnO@NF//AC@NF) also exhibited a maximum energy density and power density of 39.06 W h/kg and 7425 W kg-1, respectively. Furthermore, it demonstrated a specific capacitance of 123 F g-1 at 1 A g-1 and retained about 75.6% of its initial capacitance after 8000 cycles. These superior electrochemical characteristics indicate the potential of this supercapacitor for next-generation energy storage devices.

Some challenges in progressive control of livestock originated zoonotic diseases in Pakistan-a pilot survey

Objective: To document the recent livestock related practices and possible unhygienic ways of pathogen entry. Identification of the potential risk factors for the spread of infection is important to design an evidence-based disease control programme. Methods:Rapid assessment method was adopted and a purposive sample of 60 dairy farmers were interviewed. The following factors were noted for contributing in primary and secondary transmission of zoonotic infections: (i) persons who come in close contact with animals and their secretions, (ii) management strategies of farm animals (sheds and environment), (iii) management practices adopted at farms, (iv) small scale farmers and rural livestock production systems, (v) milk collection systems. Results:This research unveiled the certain routes of zoonotic disease transmission. Certain management practices, precautionary measures and strategies were the pivotal risk factors. Conclusions:The study emphasizes the need to educate the poor livestock keepers.