Graphene oxide‐catalyzed CSp3–H activation of methylarenes in aqueous medium: A unified metal‐free access to amides and benzimidazoles

Graphene oxide (GO)‐catalyzed selective synthesis of amides via C_Sp3–H activation of methylarenes and consequent C–N bond formation with anilines under aqueous medium has been described. Oxygen functionality allied with GO surface played a dual role both as acid catalyst and oxidizing agent to some extent. However, GO has a copious effect on the reaction, shown by a high TOF value with TBHP as co‐oxidant. The decisive role of carboxylic acid functional groups on GO nanosheets in this metal‐free strategy has been confirmed and was monitored by various analytic techniques viz. Fourier transform‐infrared, UV–Vis, Raman and XPS. A plausible mechanism was proposed by control experiments and by the isolation of the intermediate. Over‐oxidation of methylarenes was not detected, and high recyclability of the carbocatalyst with its heterogeneous behavior facilitated the isolation and purification of the desired products. We have further explored the utility of this process for the chemoselective synthesis of benzimidazoles.     

Role of Cu-doping in CdTe thin films: Experiments and simulations

Due to its outstanding physical properties, CdTe is used to fabricate high efficiency solar cells. However, its high work function poses a challenge, and hence, to fabricate an efficient CdTe-based solar cell, Cu-doping may be useful. Here, we present the role of temperature-dependent Cu-doping in radio frequency sputter-deposited CdTe films and the related changes occurring in their optical, electrical, structural and microstructural properties. For instance, Cu-doping at different temperatures leads to an increase in the grain size and a reduction in the optical reflectance with increasing temperature. In addition, Kelvin probe force microscopy measurements reveal that the work function is found to be smaller corresponding to the annealing temperature of 473 K, whereas resistivity measurements show that it decreases with increasing temperature (the lowest value of resistivity is found to be 1.8 × 10⁻² Ω-cm). To understand the electronic structure of CdTe before and after Cu-doping, we have carried out first-principles density functional theory (DFT) simulation, which reveals a strong hybridization among Cu, Cd and Te atoms. This study paves the way to fabricate efficient Cu-doped CdTe-based solar cells.     

Magnesium ion conducting solid polymer blend electrolyte based on biodegradable polymers and application in solid-state batteries

Ionics - Magnesium ion conducting solid polymer blend electrolyte based on biodegradable polymers polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) mixed with different molecular weight...     

Preparation and characterization of pva based solid polymer electrolytes for electrochemical cell applications

Solid polymer electrolyte films containing poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and magnesium nitrate (Mg(NO3)2) were prepared by solution casting technique and characterized by using XRD, FTIR, DSC and AC impedance spectroscopic analysis. The amorphous nature of the polymer electrolyte films has been confirmed by XRD. The complex formation between PVA and Mg salt has been confirmed by FTIR. The glass transition temperature decreases with increasing the Mg salt concentration. The AC impedance studies are performed to evaluate the ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte films in the range of 303 383 K, and the temperature dependence seems to obey the Arrhenius behavior. Transport number measurements show that the charge transport is mainly due to ions. Electrochemical cell of configuration Mg/(PVA + Mg(NO3)2) (70:30)/(I2 + C + electrolyte) has been fabricated. The discharge characteristics of the cell were studied for a constant load of 100 kΩ.     

Effect of zinc salt on transport,structural, and thermal properties of PEG-based polymer electrolytes for battery application

Solid polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based electrolytes composed with zinc acetate Zn(CH₃COO)₂ have been prepared by using solution blending. We proposed a scheme of PEG–zinc acetate for battery application. The structure confirmation was done by using X-ray diffraction studies detecting the phase variation. The thermal properties demonstrate the optimization of melting point (T _m) as a function of loading zinc acetate. The impedance analysis reveals that the role of ionic conductivity depends on the controlled concentration of Zn(CH₃COO)₂. Optimum ionic conductivity σ?~?1.55?×?10^?6 S?cm^?1 at room temperature (303 K) was observed for 70:30 composition. The linear variation in log σ vs 1000/T plot is based on the Arrhenius-type thermally activated process. The simultaneous discharge profile was confirmed by the solid-state electrochemical cell. Hence, the PEG–zinc acetate composition was suggested for polymer electrolyte battery application.     

Pyrolysis of poplar bark

Pyrolysis of poplar bark is investigated in the temperature range of 573–1023 K. The effect of temperature on the gas production rate, gas yield and composition calorific value of gaseous products and carbon conversion is reported. Production of CO, CH₄ and CO₂ can be predicted by a model based on the assumption that reaction is the rate controlling step.     

Maintaining maximum signal-to-noise ratio in uncooled vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser-based self-mixing sensors

We demonstrate a method for maintaining the maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal obtained from the self-mixing sensor based on a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). It was found that the locus of the maximum SNR in the current-temperature space can be well approximated by a simple analytical model related to the temperature behavior of the VCSEL threshold current. The optimum sensor performance is achieved by tuning the laser current according to the proposed model, thus enabling the sensor to operate without temperature stabilization in a wide temperature range between -20 °C and +80 °C.