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The chemical diffusion coefficient in LiNi 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 O 2 was determined via the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique in the voltage range 3 to 4.2 V. Calculated diffusion coefficients in these layered oxide cathodes during charging and discharging reach a minimum at the open-circuit voltage of 3.8 V and 3.7 V vs. Li/Li + , respectively. The observed minima of the chemical diffusion coefficients indicate a phase transition in this voltage range. The unit cell parameters of LiNi 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 O 2 cathodes were determined at different lithiation states using ex situ crystallographic analysis. It was shown that the unit cell parameter variation correlates well with the observed values for chemical diffusion in NMC cathodes; with a notable change in absolute values in the same voltage range. We relate the observed variation in unit cell parameters to the nickel conversion into the trivalent state, which is Jahn-Teller active, and to the re-arrangement of lithium ions and vacancies.

The reverse piezoelectric effect allows for the conversion of an electrical input signal into mechanical displacement and forms the basis for the operation of positioners and actuators. Addressing the practical need for cost-effective sensitive materials, we introduce erbium-doped lead magnesium niobium titanate ceramics which exhibit exceptionally high strain (3.19% bipolar and 0.8% unipolar) under a very low applied field of 2 kV mm −1 , resulting in record-breaking piezoelectric coefficients ( d 33 * values of 15,950 and 4014 pm V −1 , respectively). These exceptional properties stem from a combination of factors including the sensitivity of polar nanoregions to the applied field in this relaxor ferroelectric system, the thickness of the sample, and the energetic availability of polymorphs with different polar structures where a change in polarisation direction occurs at the field induced phase transition. Surpassing the performance of single crystal materials, our findings establish a benchmark in piezoelectric performance with implications for many diverse applications. Erbium-doped lead magnesium niobium titanate ceramics demonstrate ultrahigh strain and piezoelectric coefficients under low electric fields, setting a benchmark for piezoelectric materials and offering versatile applications in precision actuators and sensors.

(S)-1-Methyl-2-oxoimidazolidine-4-carboxylic acid 1 is an analog of (S)-pyroglutamic acid, a key component of naturally occurring peptide hormones and synthetic pharmaceutical candidates. The reaction of (S)-2-amino-3-(methylamino)propionic acid with COCl2 and aqueous NaHCO3 followed by ion exchange afforded 1, which was recrystallized from acetonitrile and then characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, polarimetry, elemental microanalysis, high-resolution mass spectrometry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The acid 1 crystallized in the orthorhombic chiral space group P212121 with cell constants a = 6.2275(4) Å, b = 8.3963(5) Å, c = 24.9490(14) Å. The X-ray crystal structure revealed that two distinct conformers of 1 occur at alternating positions within helices which are supported by hydrogen bonds. Each molecule of 1 is linked to its two neighbors in the helix by a total of three hydrogen bonds, and four molecules of 1 are contained within each turn of the helix. The pattern of hydrogen bonds illustrates a preference for the carboxylic acid group to act as a hydrogen bond donor and for the urea unit to be a hydrogen bond acceptor.

(R)-2-Amino-1-hydroxyethylphosphonic acid 2 was prepared by hydrolytic kinetic resolution of rac-diethyl oxiran-2-ylphosphonate followed by reaction with benzylamine, acid hydrolysis, catalytic hydrogenolysis, and anion-exchange chromatography. Recrystallization from water-ethanol gave pure 2, which was characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 31P NMR, polarimetry, elemental microanalysis, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The acid 2 crystallized in the orthorhombic noncentrosymmetric space group P212121 with cell parameters a = 6.303 (2) Å, b = 7.104 (2) Å, c = 11.627 (3) Å. The X-ray crystal structure confirmed the (R)-configuration of 2 and revealed that 2 is zwitterionic in the solid state, with extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl, ammonium cation, and phosphonate anion groups.

Magnesium-ion batteries represent promising environmentally sustainable energy-storage systems with higher energy densities than their lithium counterparts. In this work, the charge storage mechanisms of the olivine-related compound (Mg0.5Ni0.5)3(PO4)2 using Mg2+ and Li+ ions were investigated and compared for the first time when copper was chosen as the current collector. A comprehensive physicochemical and electrochemical characterization was performed on the pristine powder and electrodes at different states of charge. Although (Mg0.5Ni0.5)3(PO4)2 is electrochemically active, it undergoes irreversible conversion reactions in both Mg and Li chemistries. The conversion reactions proceed with an ionic exchange between structural Ni2+ and Mg2+ or Li+ cations, which results in the formation of sarcopside-Mg3(PO4)2, a Cu–Ni alloy and poorly crystalline Li3PO4, respectively. A capacity of 600 mA h g−1 was achieved with a Li metal counter electrode in the Li cell since the conversion reaction could go to completion. A capacity of 92 mA h g−1 was delivered in the Mg cell using an activated carbon counter electrode. These findings shed light on the fundamental mechanism of activity in olivine-related compounds, underlining the importance of performing systematic studies to unveil the complex interactions between both single-valent and multivalent ions with novel structures.

Terra Incognita provides an autobiographical account of Joseph Abrahams’ 75-year career as a psychoanalyst, with extensive scientific data, life-altering discoveries, and insightful conclusions. Each chapter represents a different stage of Abrahams’ career, from its prescient wartime beginnings to its post-retirement studies and writings. Terra Incognita offers a detailed look at the multi-disciplinary fields of the severe disorders, individual psychoanalysis, therapeutic community, and group work; as well as some of the key players in these fields who served as an inspiration for Abrahams throughout his career.

The present research focused on environmentally benign synthesis of CuO–ZrO 2 nanocomposite using bioactive compounds of A. viridis . Phase analysis of CuO–ZrO 2 using Xray diffraction revealed the crystal size of 30.3 nm. Scanning electron microscope showed spherical-shaped nanoparticles of 88 nm size. The band gap value of 2.25 eV was obtained. The synthesized CuO–ZrO 2 material was further investigated as electrode material for supercapacitor and water splitting studies. Cyclic voltammetry was used to estimate the specific capacitance value of 374.7 F/g, and galvanostatic charge discharge was used to determine the specific capacitance value of 286.3 F/g. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) were used to conduct HER and OER experiments. Tafel value of 143 mV/dec and overpotential value of 225 mV was recorded for composite by LSV for hydrogen evolution reaction. Graphical abstract

Synthesis of energy efficient materials is the integral step towards tackling global energy crises in the current era. Present work elucidates the synthesis, characterization, and energy related applications of the lanthanides tri-doped zirconium semiconductor system comprising of Ln 3+ co-doped ZrO 2 (Ln 3+  = Ce 3+ , Pr 3+ , and Nd 3+ ). Synthesis has been done by adopting 5% doping strategy following chemical co-precipitation route. Precursors and thin films have been characterized via UV–Vis, FT-IR, XRD, and FE-SEM analysis. This material possessed a bandgap energy ranging between 3.6 and 4 eV and Baddeleyite monoclinic phase with 60 nm crystallite size exhibiting P2 1 /c space group with the Zr 4+ bonded with seven O 2− atoms leading to formation of pentagonal bipyramids of ZrO 7 . Thin films of Ln 3+ co-doped ZrO 2 were marked by profound smoothness and maximum surface coverage. The scaffolding performance of the of Ln 3+ co-doped ZrO 2 was investigated in cesium lead halide perovskite solar cell device, which excelled in gaining an efficiency of 14.1% with the 66% of fill factor. Synthesized material was also explored for electrical charge storage for supercapacitor application by decorating 80% of it on the nickel form current collector (area: 1 × 1 cm 2 and thickness: ~0.7 mm). The specific capacitance of this material exceeded the conventionally used materials by reaching up to 350.6 F g −1 making it a potential electrode material with the stabilized electrochemical performance using 0.1 M NaCl as a supporting electrolyte. Impedance studies in this regard indicated faster reaction kinetics and lower smaller series resistance ( R s ) of 1.9 Ω. Finally, this material was employed as a bifunctional electro-catalyst for oxygen and hydrogen evolution. With the lowest overpotential and Tafel slope values of 133 mV and 118.9 mV dec −1 , the developed electro-catalyst expressed more affinity as an HER electro-catalyst with the Volmer–Heyrovský mechanistic pathway for hydrogen generation. Voltammteric, potentiometric, and amperometric electro-analyses exhibited the excellent durability and service life for 100 min inside 0.1 M alkaline electrolyte of the developed semiconductor material which can be commercialized after optimization.

Nanofiltration, a practice vigorous for innumerable applications, comprising water purification, expressions challenges in attaining optimal enactment by means of graphene-based membranes. These membranes contest to balance effective water flow and operative rejection rates. Addressing this concern, the present investigation leads Cu 2 O nanoparticles integrated within graphene oxide (GO) membranes. These nanoparticles, substitute as structural pillars, improve membrane performance. Particularly, their production includes an exceptional approach employing a citrus peel extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The composite membrane formation relies on electrostatic interactions and coordination bonding between Cu 2 O nanoparticles and oxygen-containing functional groups in GO, which enhances the membrane’s structural stability and performance. Compared to a pristine GO membrane, the Cu 2 O/GO composite demonstrates a significant increase in both water flux and salt rejection. By leveraging size exclusion effects, the Cu 2 O nanoparticles expressively lift water flux, getting a remarkable rate of 64 L m −2  h −1  bar −1 to 412 L m −2  h −1  bar −1 , whereas synchronously attaining an imposing rejection rate of 88% to 99% for salts and other molecular species which is higher as compared to the pristine GO membranes as under similar conditions. Additionally, the subsequent Cu 2 O/GO membranes reveal significant stability, mainly in acidic and alkaline environments, due to their incomparable chemical composition. These results highlight the potential of Cu 2 O/GO composite membranes in nanofiltration applications, showcasing an efficient approach to improving water purification performance through material enhancement. Their superior permeation and rejection aptitudes propose that these membranes could be greatly beneficial in numerous industrial progressions requiring competent separation techniques.

Owing to the higher global energy needs through cleaner sources the present study manifests a modified and ecofriendly method for the fabrication of CuO–Sb 2 O 3 -based electrode for electrochemical experiments. The aqueous solution derived from the Amaranthus viridis L. plant, belonging to the Amaranthaceae family, was employed as a reducing agent in order to impact the structure of CuO–Sb2O3 nanocomposites. The improved material exhibited a regular crystal size of 40.04 nm that is in excellent accordance with the findings obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, FE-SEM, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy were utilized in order to examine and assess the synthesized nanocomposite. Based on the Tauc plot, the optical bandgap energy was found to be 2.7 eV. The bioorganic framework-derived CuO–Sb 2 O 3 electrode was then evaluated for energy generation and storage applications, with cyclic voltammetry revealing a capacitance of 344.4 F/g at 2 mV/s. Hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reactions demonstrated the electrocatalytic potential of CuO–Sb 2 O 3 as a water splitting electrocatalyst, with the highest efficiency of the electrode up to 18 h for HER. Graphical abstract