Experimental comparison of performance and emission characteristics of 4-stroke CI engine operated with Roselle and Jatropha biodiesel blends

The environmental degradation, combined with the continuous depletion of the world's fossil fuel reserves, has forced the search for alternative fuels. This study was performed to investigate the performance of novel biodiesels in the CI engine. The experiments were performed at three different compressions ratios (16:1, 17:1, 18:1) and four loading conditions (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%). Different types of fuels such as jatropha biodiesel (JB), roselle biodiesel (RB), and ternary biodiesel (TB) were prepared and analyzed. The thermal performance of different fuels was analyzed in terms of brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and exhaust gas temperature (EGT). The emission characteristics such as CO₂ emission, NO_x emission, and smoke emission were analyzed for all types of fuels. The results of these fuels in the engine were compared with mineral diesel (MD). The BTE was increased with increasing compression ratios and loads for all types of fuels. The BSFC was increased with increasing compression ratios but decreased with increasing loads. The increase in emission of NO_x was observed at higher compression ratios and loads. However, the CO₂ emission was decreased at higher loads and lower compression ratio. The performance curves achieved with a 20% jatropha biodiesel blend showed results that were approximate to those obtained with pure MD. The comparative analysis between different fuels showed that JB exhibit higher thermal performance as compared to other biodiesels. Therefore, JB can be a better alternative to conventional fuel.     

Magnetite nanoparticle mediated catalytic aquathermolysis of Omani heavy crude oil

The worldwide demand for energy continues to grow and the production of heavy crude is escalating due to shortage of conventional light crude. The transportation of heavy crude oil from the head-well to the refinery is a challenging task due to its high viscosity and low API gravity. Catalytic aquathermolysis is one of the most significant and cost-effective viscosity reduction techniques employed in the up gradation of the crude oil at elevated temperatures and hence to enhance oil extraction process. In this study, catalytic aquathermolysis of Omani heavy crude oil was performed using magnetite nanoparticles (NPs). The NPs were synthesised by reverse co-precipitation method using iron salts in alkaline medium. The synthesised NPs were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X- Ray analysis (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The XRD results exhibited a characteristic peak confirming the high purity of iron oxide nanoparticles. The FTIR spectral analysis designated two well-defined peaks corresponding to wave numbers of 500 ?cm^?1 and 630 ?cm^?1, endorses the presence of Fe–O. The catalytic aquathermolysis experiments were carried out in a Parr high temperature-high pressure batch reactor at different experimental conditions. The processing parameters in temperature range of 250 ?°C - 300 ?°C, 0.1% to 0.3% catalyst loading, water to oil ratio of 1:7 to 3:7 with 24–72 ?h of reaction time. The initial pressure in the reactor was maintained at 32 ?bars and the optimization was performed using the Taguchi method to maximize the level of heavy oil. An orthogonal array was employed to analyse the effects of mean response and mean signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) to upgrade the heavy oil. The regression analysis was used to establish a relationship between the viscosity and experimental parameters. The experimental outcomes indicates that the maximum reduction in viscosity occurred at a processing temperature of 300 ?°C, 1:7 ?W/O ratio, 0.1 ?wt% of catalyst concentration and 48 ?h of reaction time. Similarly, the optimum conditions for the reduction in API gravity were obtained at 280 ?°C temperature, 3:7 ?W/O ratio, 0.2 ?wt% of catalyst concentration and a reaction time of 24 ?h.     

有机半导体非平衡态HOMO和LUMO能量位移规律与OLED中“热激子”形成的唯象理解

以能斯特方程为基础, 通过分析电流密度与氧化还原物种活度变化, 即载流子浓度变化的关系, 计算出有机半导体材料电极电势的变化, 从而建立起有机半导体前线轨道, 即最高占据分子轨道(HOMO)能级和最低未被占据分子轨道(LUMO)能级相对于热力学平衡态的能量位移随电流密度变化的数学关系. 进而依据能级能量位移引起的能隙变化, 提出了有机电致发光显示器（OLED）中“热激子”的产生机制.     

Enhanced energy transfer from diolefinic laser dyes to meso-tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin immobilized on silver nanoparticles: DFT,TD-DFT and spectroscopic studies

Porphyrin derivatives are known singlet oxygen sensitizers in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Energy transfer from a class of diolefinic laser dyes (DOLDs) as energy donors to the sodium salt of meso-tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS) as the accepter of energy would extend the range of photon harvesting down to the UV-region. Energy transfer was substantially enhanced in the presence of metallic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), as revealed by steady-state emission spectroscopy, lifetimes, and quantum mechanics. DOLDs under investigation are 2,5-distyrylpyrazine (DSP), 1,4-bis (β-pyridyl-2 vinyl) benzene (P2VB), and 1,4 bis (2-methylstyryl) benzene (MSB) as efficient donors of intense absorption in the UV-region. AgNPs enhance the rate of energy transfer from DOLDs to TPPS via bringing donor and acceptor into close- proximity with a concomitant increase in dipole–dipole interaction between excited state donor and ground-state acceptor. The DOLDs molecular structures were optimized using the DFT/CAM-B3LYP/6-311G++ (d, p) level of theory. The calculated electronic absorption spectra for the studied DOLDs in the gaseous phase and methanol solvent were studied using the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) at M06-2X/6-311G++ (2d,2p) level. The calculated absorption/emission spectra for DSP laser dye in methanol are obtained at the TD/ M06-2X/6-311G++(2d, 2p) method. Notably, all theoretical results of the molecular structures under study highly agreed with the practical optical results. Energy transfer rate constants (k_ET) amid energy donor/acceptor pairs were determined by Stern-Volmer constants (KSV) and donors' lifetime measurements. The KSV values indicate an enhanced Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) efficiencies in the presence of negatively charged AgNPs. The critical transfer distances R_o were determined from the spectral overlap between the emission spectrum of donor and absorption spectrum of TTPS. These outcomes propose the application of designed metal-enhanced FRET for energy-transfer-based assays and photodynamic therapy (PDT) applications.     

Spectrochemical analysis using LIBS and ICP-OES techniques of herbal medicine (Tinnevelly Senna leaves) and its anti-cancerous/antibacterial applications

Tinnevelly senna leaves are being applied to cure many diseases especially in developing countries and sub-Saharan region due to many bioactive compounds such as sennosides, phenols, and flavonoids. The conventional methods to isolate and analyze plant extracts biomolecules are not very effective as well cost effective as they require hazardous chemical solvents and reagents, which are time-consuming processes. The major objective of the present study is to investigate the feasibility of the Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique for rapid, eco-friendly, and multi-elemental analysis of Senna leaves extracts and study their antibacterial and anticancer potentials. The elegant LIBS technique was applied as a qualitative and quantitative method for Senna leaves sample’s elemental analysis and their biological activities were measured by evaluating anti-cancer and anti-bacterial analysis. The quantitative analysis of Senna leaves extracts was done using the calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) algorithm showing their appreciable content of several nutrient elements, and the obtained results were in close conformity with these achieved by using the standard analytical ICP OES technique. We studied the bactericidal efficacy of the Senna leaves extract against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) by AWD assays and morphogenesis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the anticancer activity was also investigated where different concentrations of Senna leaves extract were tested on cancer cells (HCT-116 and HeLa) and normal cells (HEK-293) using the cell metabolic activity MTT assay and Propidium iodide (PI) staining. We have also calculated the inhibitory concentration (IC50) value for the various extracts concentrations (25 µg/ml, 50 µg/ml, 100 µg/ml, 150 µg/ml, 200 µg/ml, and 225 µg/ml). We have found that IC₅₀ value for HCT-116 cells were 13.5 µg/ml, 17.5 µg/ml, 21.5 µg/ml, 22.5 µg/ml, 26 µg/ml and 33.5 µg/ml and for HeLa cells 15.25 µg/ml, 21.25 µg/ml, 23.5 µg/ml, 262.5 µg/ml, 36.25 µg/ml, and 39.50 µg/ml. The bactericidal efficacy of the Senna leaves extract showed significant inhibition against Gram-positive bacterium. Both MTT and PI analysis showed that Senna leaves extract induced profound inhibition on HCT-116 growth and proliferation. Additionally, Senna leaves extract did not exert an inhibitory influence on normal (HEK-293), which is non-cancerous cells. We suggest that the extract specifically targets the cancerous cells, which could be highly beneficial for the development of future safe anticancer and antibacterial drugs using these extracts.     

Redox targeting of energy materials

The redox-mediated electrochemical–chemical process, when it involves the redox-targeting reaction with energy materials, has shown intriguing potential for various energy-related applications. This review starts with a brief discussion on the evolution of redox-targeting reactions for high-energy redox-flow batteries and the critical future studies for large-scale energy storage. Then, with spatially decoupled water electrolysis as an example, the merits of redox-targeting reaction by liberating the catalyst from electrode surface are highlighted, followed by an introduction of redox targeting–based thermal-to-electrical conversion. We have also featured various redox-targeting processes in other fields of study, such as electrochromic window, redox catalysis, and spent battery material recycling. Overall, this review attempts to demonstrate the incredible versatility and prospects of redox-targeting process for energy-related applications.     

Synthesis,characterizations, and electrochemical studies of ZnO/reduced graphene oxide nanohybrids for supercapacitor application

Herein the present article reports the fabrication of ZnO/reduced graphene oxide (ZnG) nanohybrid following a reduction-based process using a non-hazardous material, i.e., ascorbic acid. The morphology, structure, and bonding in the nanohybrid were analyzed using different techniques. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images show spherical particles of ZnO distributed over reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The X-ray diffraction analysis gives calculated values of crystallite size for ZnO as 15.62 nm. The successful incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles into rGO was confirmed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. The electrochemical studies were performed using an electrolyte (0.5 M H₂SO₄). The calculated value of specific capacitance for the nanohybrid was 345 Fg^-1, which was found to be almost double as compared to that of rGO, which is having a value of only 190.5 Fg^-1 at the same scan rate. The nanohybrid also showed excellent capacitance retention after 1,000 cycles.     

Role of MXene surface terminations in electrochemical energy storage: A review

MXenes are a group of recently discovered 2D materials and have attracted extensive attention since their first report in 2011; they have shown excellent prospects for energy storage applications owing to their unique layered microstructure and tunable electrical properties. One major feature of MXenes is their tailorable surface terminations (e.g., −F, −O, −OH). Numerous studies have indicated that the composition of the surface terminations can significantly impact the electrochemical properties of MXenes. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood, mainly because of the difficulties in quantitative analysis and characterization. This review summarizes the latest research progress on MXene terminations. First, a systematic introduction to the approaches for preparing MXenes is presented, which generally dominates the surface terminations. Then, theoretical and experimental efforts regarding the surface terminations are discussed, and the influence of surface terminations on the electronic and electrochemical properties of MXenes are generalized. Finally, we present the significance and research prospects of MXene terminations. We expect this review to encourage research on MXenes and provide guidance for usingthese materials for batteries and supercapacitors.     

Spectral downshifting from blue to near infer red region in Ce3+-Nd3+ co-doped YAG phosphor

The YAG phosphors co-doped with Ce³⁺-Nd³⁺ ions by varying concentration of Nd³⁺ ion from 1 mol% to 15 mol% were successfully synthesized by conventional solid state reaction method. The phosphors were characterized by powder X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and surface morphology was studied by scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The photoluminescence (PL) properties were studied in near infra red (NIR) and ultra violet visible (UV–VIS) region. The synthesized phosphors can convert a blue region photon (453 nm) into photons of NIR region (1063 nm). The energy transfer (ET) process was studied by time decay curve and PL spectra. The theoretical value of energy transfer efficiency (ETE) was calculated from time decay luminescence measurement and the maximum efficiency approached up to 82.23%. Hence this phosphor could be prime candidate as a downshifting (DS) luminescent convertor (phosphor) in front of crystalline silicon solar cell (c-Si) panels to reduce thermalization loss in the solar cells.     

Influence of MgO on structure and optical properties of alumino-lithium-phosphate glasses

MgO doped lithium alumino phosphate glasses (PLA: P₂O₅+Li₂O+Al₂O₃+MgO) were prepared by melt quenching technique. Raman spectra display three significant peaks at 698, 1164 and 1383 cm⁻¹ attributed to: symmetric stretching vibrations of the bridging oxygen (BO) in the P–O–P chains, symmetric stretching vibrations of the PO₂ groups, and the asymmetric vibrations vas(PO₂) of the non-bridging oxygen (NBO) atoms, respectively. Also, the density, molar volumes and ion concentration have been discussed and correlated with the structural changes within the glassy matrix. Some optical constants such as refractive index and dispersion parameters (E_o: single-oscillator energy and E_d: dispersive energy) of the glasses were determined. Finally, the values of the optical band gap for direct and indirect allowed transitions have been determined from the absorption edge studies. It is deduced that the values of E_opt increase with increasing MgO content. It was assigned to structural changes induced from the formation of non-bridging oxygen. The Urbach energy (ΔE) was found to decrease from 0.578 to 0.339 eV with increasing MgO content from 0.5 to 2 mol.