Publications

A novel catalytic system based on bimetallic nanoparticles entrapped chitosan hydrogel container (Cu–Ag/CH, Cu–Co/CH, Cu–Ni/CH) was prepared. The developed catalytic system was applied for production of H 2 from water and methanol and reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP), 3‐nitrophenol, 2‐nitrophenol, 2,6‐dinitrophenol, methylene blue, congo red (CR), methyl orange, acridine orange, and potassium ferricynide (K 3 [Fe(CN) 6 ]). The developed catalytic system has shown tremendous performance and exhibited high efficiency as a catalyst for water treatment and H 2 generation. Among all the nanocatalysts, Cu–Co/CH was more efficient in catalytic H 2 generation while Cu–Ni/CH was more efficient in catalytic reduction of toxic contaminants. Further, various parameters like amount of NaBH 4 , catalyst quantity, pollutant concentration, and temperature were optimized to enhance the effectiveness of catalytic system for fast production of H 2 and reduction of toxins. Moreover, the recyclability of the catalyst was investigated, where slight decrease in reduction time was noted.

A hierarchical CuO@NiCo LDH core–shell nanoarray on copper foil (CuO@NiCo LDH/CF) acts as an efficient and durable oxygen-evolving electrocatalyst, capable of driving 20 mA cm⁻² at an overpotential of only 256 mV in 1.0 M KOH.

Abstract The role of different carbonate salts on the interaction of anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) with employed quinolone antibiotic drug (ciprofloxacin hydrochloride [CFH]) was explosively inspected through measuring specific conductivity ( κ ) of the investigated system. The drug, CFH, is an excellent antibiotic for the treatment of different bacterial infections like skin, urinary tract, and respiratory infections. The estimated critical micelle concentrations ( cmc ) of SDS were observed to be dwindled in the attendance of electrolytes and cmc reduction continues with the escalation of the electrolyte's concentration. The magnitudes of cmc for the SDS + CFH mixture were reduced with the elevation of temperature in K 2 CO 3 and CaCO 3 medium while increased with the rise of the temperature in the Na 2 CO 3 medium. The magnitudes of counterion binding to micelles ( β ) were increased with the increase of the concentration of Na 2 CO 3 and K 2 CO 3 up to definite value and then reduced with the increase of successive rise of concentration of both salts at all temperatures while decreased monotonically with the rise of electrolyte concentration in CaCO 3 medium. The values of standard free energy ( ) were achieved to be negative in each case suggesting spontaneous self‐assembly formation. The standard entropy change ( ) along with enthalpy change ( ) was also assessed and discussed elaborately.

Heavy metal especially nickel (Ni(II)) is the most pernicious kind of pollution since it is both poisonous and difficult to break down in nature and can cause many human disorders and diseases. The monitoring and removal of Ni(II) ions optically is required to enhance the quality of the water and make it appropriate for drinking as well as other uses around the residence. Therefore, the goal of the current work was to synthesize ligand imprinted composite adsorbent (MCA) and utilize it as an adsorbent to monitor and remove Ni(II) ions from the water. Based on the findings gathered, the MCA that was synthesized had a large particle size with a high surface area even after the ligand impregnation. The MCA was enhanced significantly in color with the contact of Ni(II) ion with limit detection at 0.35 µg/L. The maximum level of Ni(II) ions was eliminated (99%) when the pH was adjusted to 5.50. The Langmuir model was also used to study the adsorption equilibrium data and the maximum adsorption capacity was 167.55 mg/g. Additionally, the method can selectively detect and remove Ni(II) even in the presence of diverse metal ions. Overall, the MCA offers an ideal platform for the on-site monitoring and removal of heavy metal ions, especially in resource-limited areas.

New Spiro‐OMeTAD analogues and the simpler “half” structures with the terminated methoxyphenyl and/or carbazolyl chromophores are successfully synthesized under Hartwig–Buchwald amination conditions using commercially available starting materials. New fluorene‐based hole‐transporting materials combined with suitable ionization energies properly align with the valence band of the perovskite absorber. Additionally, these compounds are amorphous, which is an advantage for the formation of homogenous films, as well as eliminate the possibility for films to crystallize during operation of the devices. The most efficient perovskite solar cells devices contain carbazolyl‐terminated Spiro‐OMeTAD analogue V1267 and reach a power conversion efficiency of 18.3%, along with a short‐circuit current density, open‐circuit voltage, and fill factor of 23.41 mA cm −2 , 1.06 V, and 74.0%, respectively. Moreover, “half” structures with methoxyphenyl/carbazolyl fragments show excellent long‐term stability and outperform Spiro‐OMeTAD and, therefore, hold a great prospect for practical wide‐scale applications in optoelectronic devices.

It is of great importance to design and develop highly active electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under alkaline conditions. In this work, we report the development of a CeO₂-Cu₃P nanoarray supported on nickel foam (CeO₂-Cu₃P/NF) as an excellent HER catalyst with the demand of an overpotential of only 148 mV to deliver a geometrical catalytic current density of 20 mA cm^-2 in 1.0 M KOH. Remarkably, this catalyst also shows strong long-term electrochemical durability for at least 100 h with nearly 100% Faradaic efficiency. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the CeO₂-Cu₃P/NF hybrid has a lower water dissociation energy and a more thermo-neutral hydrogen adsorption free energy.