Al-Ce co-doped BaTiO3 nanofibers as a high-performance bifunctional electrochemical supercapacitor and water-splitting electrocatalyst.

Supercapacitors and water splitting cells have recently played a key role in offering green energy through converting renewable sources into electricity. Perovskite-type electrocatalysts such as BaTiO3, have been well-known for their ability to efficiently split water and serve as supercapacitors due to their high electrocatalytic activity. In this study, BaTiO3, Al-doped BaTiO3, Ce-doped BaTiO3, and Al-Ce co-doped BaTiO3 nanofibers were fabricated via a two-step hydrothermal method, which were then characterized and compared for their electrocatalytic performance. Based on the obtained results, Al-Ce co-doped BaTiO3 electrode exhibited a high capacitance of 224.18 Fg-1 at a scan rate of 10 mVs-1, high durability during over the 1000 CV cycles and 2000 charge-discharge cycles, proving effective energy storage properties. Additionally, the onset potentials for OER and HER processes were 11 and - 174 mV vs. RHE, respectively, demonstrating the high activity of the Al-Ce co-doped BaTiO3 electrode. Moreover, in overall water splitting, the amount of the overpotential was 0.820 mV at 10 mAcm-2, which confirmed the excellent efficiency of the electrode. Hence, the remarkable electrocatalytic performance of the Al-Ce co-doped BaTiO3 electrode make it a promising candidate for renewable energy technologies owing to its high conductivity and fast charge transfer.

State-of-the-art advancement of surface functionalized layered double hydroxides for cell-specific targeting of therapeutics.

Over the years, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) hold a specific position in biomedicine due to their tunable chemical composition and appropriate structural properties. However, LDHs lack adequate sensitivity for active targeting because of less active surface area and low mechanical strength in physiological conditions. The exploitation of eco-friendly materials, such as chitosan (CS), for surface engineering of LDHs, whose payloads are transferred only under certain conditions, can help develop stimuli-responsive materials owing to high biosafety and unique mechanical strength. We aim to render a well-oriented scenario toward the latest achievements of a bottom-up technology relying on the surface functionalization of LDHs to fabricate functional formulations with promoted bio-functionality and high encapsulation efficiency for various bioactives. Many efforts have been devoted to critical aspects of LDHs, including systemic biosafety and the suitability for developing multicomponent systems via integration with therapeutic modalities, which are thoroughly discussed herein. In addition, a comprehensive discussion was provided for the recent progress in the emergence of CS-coated LDHs. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives in the fabrication of efficient CS-LDHs in biomedicine are considered, with a special focus on cancer treatment.

Fe2.5Co0.3Zn0.2O4/CuCr-LDH as a visible-light-responsive photocatalyst for the degradation of caffeine, bisphenol A, and simazine in pure water and real wastewater under photo-Fenton-like degradation process.

This paper outlines the synthesis and application of a sustainable composite for the photo-Fenton-like degradation of caffeine, bisphenol A, and simazine. The phase, morphology, optical and magnetic properties of the samples were evaluated by different characterization techniques. The composite of Fe2.5Co0.3Zn0.2O4 and copper-chromium layered double hydroxide (CuCr-LDH) was determined to be the most favorable photocatalyst in the photo-Fenton-like process when compared with Fe3O4, Fe2.5Co0.3Zn0.2O4, CuCr-LDH, and Fe3O4/CuCr-LDH composite. Studying the efficiency of the photo-Fenton-like degradation process in the presence of the Fe2.5Co0.3Zn0.2O4/CuCr-LDH composite revealed a degradation rate constant of caffeine twice more than the sum of those obtained for the individual processes. This ascribes to the synergistic effect by which the photo-generated electron-hole from the catalyst and the efficient reduction of Fe3+, Cu2+, etc. during the photo-Fenton-like reaction is accelerated. Moreover, under the optimal condition and after 120 min of heterogenous photo-Fenton-like process at natural pH, > 90% of pollutants mixture was decomposed. The experiments fulfilled in near-real conditions demonstrated I) the high stability and magnetically recoverability of the photocatalyst and II) the proper degradation performance of the applied heterogenous photo-Fenton-process in the removal of pollutant mixture in different water bodies and in the presence of chloride and bicarbonate ions.

A BaTiO3/WS2 composite for piezo-photocatalytic persulfate activation and ofloxacin degradation.

Piezoelectric fields can decrease the recombination rate of photogenerated electrons and holes in semiconductors and therewith increase their photocatalytic activities. Here, a BaTiO3/WS2 composite is synthesized and characterized, which combines piezoelectric BaTiO3 nanofibers and WS2 nanosheets. The piezo-photocatalytic effect of the composite on the persulfate activation is studied by monitoring Ofloxacin (OFL) degradation efficiency. Under mechanical forces, LED lamp irradiation, and the addition of 10 mM persulfate, the OFL degradation efficiency reaches ~90% within 75 min, which is higher than efficiencies obtained for individual BaTiO3, WS2, or TiO3, widely used photocatalysts in the field of water treatment. The boosted degradation efficiency can be ascribed to the promotion of charge carrier separation, resulting from the synergetic effect of the heterostructure and the piezoelectric field induced by the vibration. Moreover, the prepared composite displays good stability over five successive cycles of the degradation process. GC-MS analysis is used to survey the degradation pathway of OFL during the degradation process. Our results offer insight into strategies for preparing highly effective piezo-photocatalysts in the field of water purification.