Polypyrrole and activated carbon enriched MnCo2O4 ternary composite as efficient electrode material for hybrid supercapacitors.

The development of proficient electrode materials is one of the major tasks faced by modern techniques for energy storage. Integrating different materials with synergistic effects can be a valuable strategy for designing storage devices with high capacity and energy density. The spinel manganese cobaltite (MnCo2O4) is an outstanding candidate for supercapacitors owing to its remarkable pseudocapacitive behavior. However, it suffers from low electric conductivity and limited cyclic stability. To overcome its limitations, activated carbon with superior cyclic stability and polypyrrole with high electric conductivity can be incorporated in MnCo2O4. The synergistic effect of these components offers high capacitance, better conductivity, and superior cyclic performance to the ternary composite. Herein, the MnCo2O4/AC/PPY ternary composite has been synthesized by a facile approach. The optimized ternary composite (MAP-20) exhibited a wonderful capacitance of 945.77 F g-1 at five mV s-1 compared to pristine MnCo2O4 (254.98 F g-1). The real-time applicability of the optimized composite was tested with asymmetric device configuration. The asymmetric device with MAP-20 and MnO2/AC electrodes exhibited a wonderful Ed of 88.12 W h kg-1 (Pd ∼ 1.6 kW kg-1). The asymmetric device also exhibited excellent cyclic performance of 89.68% for 10 000 cycles. Further, the real-time applicability of the device was tested by illuminating a 39 red LED panel. Three asymmetric cells connected in series illuminated the panel for about 45 minutes. All these results suggest that the synergistic integration of various efficient electrode materials leads to enhanced electrochemical performance of supercapacitors.

Theoretical investigation of quantum capacitance of Co-doped α-MnO2 for supercapacitor applications using density functional theory.

The rapid depletion of fossil fuels and ever-growing energy demand have led to a search for renewable clean energy sources. The storage of renewable energy calls for immediate attention to the fabrication of efficient energy storage devices like supercapacitors (SCs). As an electrode material for SCs, MnO2 has gained wide research interest because of its high theoretical capacitance, variable oxidation state, vast abundance, and low cost. However, the low electric conductivity of MnO2 limits its practical application. The conductivity of MnO2 can be enhanced by tuning the electronic states through substitution doping with cobalt. In the present work, first principles analysis based on density functional theory (DFT) has been used to examine the quantum capacitance (CQC) and surface charge (Q) of Co-doped MnO2. Doping enhanced the structural stability, electrical conductivity, potential window, and quantum capacitance of α-MnO2. The shortened band gap and localized states near the Fermi level improve the CQC of α-MnO2. For the narrow potential range (-0.4 to 0.4 V), the CQC is observed to increase with doping concentration. The highest CQC value at +0.4 V is observed to be 2412.59 µF cm-2 for Mn6Co2O16 (25% doping), five times higher than that of pristine MnO2 (471.18 µF cm-2). Mn6Co2O16 also exhibits better CQC and 'Q' at higher positive bias. Hence, it can be used as an anode material for asymmetric supercapacitors. All these results suggest better capacitive performance of Co-doped α-MnO2 for aqueous SCs and as an anode material for asymmetric supercapacitors.

Comparative evaluation of fluoride release and re-release and recharge potential of Zirconomer Improved and Cention.

BACKGROUND: The cariostatic action associated with fluoride-releasing restorative materials is mainly attributed to a sustained release of fluoride. This research aims on comparing Cention N and Zirconomer Improved in vitro fluoride release and re-release. METHODS: Test materials were grouped into two categories containing 15 samples each. The cumulative fluoride release and re-release measurements was made during 1st, 7th and 15th day. The independent sample t-test and paired t-test was used to check mean differences. The level of significance was kept at p<0.05. RESULTS: At day 1, 7 and 15 the initial fluoride release of zirconomer group was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the cention group. It was found that from day 1 to day 7 the mean initial fluoride release has significantly reduced (p<0.05) for both the groups. Similar results were also seen when comparisons were done between day 7 to day 15 (p<0.05) and day 1 to day 15 (p<0.05) for both the groups. CONCLUSION: Zirconomer was more efficient in initial and fluoride re-release than the Cention N restorative material. Further in vivo studies with more parameters are recommended to evaluate fluoride release and cariostatic performance of Cention N and Zirconomer in real environmental circumstances.

Association between maxillary and mandibular apical base lengths and severity of dental crowding or spacing in Class II malocclusion subjects: An in-vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Anterior crowding/ spacing are one of the major problems that inspire patients to undergo orthodontic treatment. Several factors associated with anterior crowding/ spacing includes arch width and length, mesio-distal tooth diameter and proportions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of maxillary and mandibular base lengths to the amount of anterior dental crowding/ spacing in patients with complete class II malocclusions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was done with 152 patients who were divided into four groups according to the severity of pre-treatment dental crowding/spacing present in the mandibular arch. Measurements were performed on the pre-treatment dental casts and lateral cephalograms. Statistical analysis was done using t-test and chi-square test. RESULTS: Subjects with complete class II malocclusion and moderate to severe mandibular crowding [≥3mm] have significantly smaller base lengths as compared to the subjects with slight crowding or spacing [<3mm]. CONCLUSIONS: There exists an inverse correlation between maxillary and mandibular base lengths and the severity of dental crowding and direct correlation with spacing. Key words:Apical base lengths, Class II malocclusion, Crowding, Incisor inclination, Spacing.