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Anatase TiO 2 hollow nanoboxes were synthesized and combined with the graphene oxide to get nanocomposite of TiO 2 /rGO (TG). Graphene oxide was used to modify the Oxygen-Clusters and bulk to surface defects. Anatase and TG composite were characterized with the positron annihilation, XPS, EPR, EIS and photocurrent response analysis. The relative affects of defects on the photocatalytic reduction (CO 2 to CH 4 ) were studied. The TG composites showed highest photo-catalytic activity after GO coupling (49 µmol g −1 h −1 ), 28.6 times higher photocurrent yields much higher quantum efficiency (3.17%@400 nm) when compared to the TiO 2 nanoboxes. The mechanism of enhanced photo-catalytic CO 2 conversion to CH 4 elucidated through electrochemical and photo-catalytic experiments with traceable isotope containing carbon dioxide ( 13 CO 2 ). For the first time we discovered that diminishing the comparative concentration ratio of anatase from the bulk to surface defects could significantly increase the conversion of CO 2 to CH 4 .

Flexible supercapacitors (SCs) have shown great potential for portable electronic devices due to ultra-long lifetime and high power characteristics. However, low energy densities of SCs hinder their practical applications. Herein, mesoporous C60 fullerene micro-particles (mCF) are prepared using Krätschmer-Huffman method, followed by solvent extraction and column chromatography for purification. The as-prepared mCF is characterized by XRD, EIMS, XPS, EDX, SEM, Raman spectroscopy and BET analysis, respectively. The mCF supported on carbon cloth (mCF@CC) is used as the electrode to study charge storage properties. The mCF@CC exhibits excellent capacitance of 440 F/g at 2 A/g, good rate capability of 84.85% at high current density of 12 A/g and stable life up to 10000 cycles. Additionally, the mCF@CC electrode possesses good flexible characteristics and presents almost same performance after 1000 bending cycles. Thus, mesoporous C60 fullerene micro-particles can be employed as negative electrode material for the flexible next generation supercapacitors.

This study explored the antioxidant activities of eight dry fruits (almond, apricot, cashew, figs, peanut, pistachio, raisins, and walnut) against electrochemically generated superoxide anion radical (O 2 ·− ) in a cyclic voltammetric cell. The HPLC profiling of phenolic aglycones was carried out to determine the antioxidant compounds present in these extracts. Most of the dry fruits showed strong O 2 ·− scavenging activity quantitated in terms of IC 50 (concentration for 50% inhibition) and antioxidant activity coefficient ( K ao ). The antiradical activity followed the descending order: apricot > raisins > walnuts > figs > pistachio > peanut > almond > cashew. Based on experimental observations, the interaction mechanism of O 2 ·− with the –OH-bearing compounds, present in the dry fruit extracts, has been proposed. This mechanism showed the relative proton transfer (H + ) ability of all the dry fruit extracts. Electrochemically, it is reversible charge transfer followed by irreversible chemical step (E r C i ). HPLC profiling showed seven phenolic aglycones (pyrocatechol, gallic acid, catechin, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, and sinapic acid) in all the dry fruits. Among these, walnut was the only fruit that contained all identified compounds, while the rest contained gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and coumaric acid as major compounds. Graphical abstract

Neutral perylene bisimides（PBI） are well-known n-type organic semiconductors, with number of challenging electronic properties in their neutral and reduced states. We report the characteristic electronic properties of PBI anionic films. We unexpectedly discovered that pristine PBI dianion film showed p-type character, while oxidized dianion film（dominant neutral state with few radical anions） showed normal n-type semiconductor character based on Seebeck effect measurements. Both kinds of films exhibit high electrical conductivity with a potential for thermoelectric applications. The mechanism of polarity reversal is proposed.

Fish is a vital food for humans and many animals. We report an environmental monitoring study to assess the trace metals in fish species caught from Arabian Sea and commercially available in the coastal city Karachi, Pakistan. Heavy metals such as copper, iron, lead and cadmium were determined in the skin, fillet and heart of the fish species Pampus argenteus , Epinephelus chlorostigma , Rachycentron canadum , Scomberomorus commerson , Johnius belangerii , Labeo rohita , Lutjanus argentimaculatus , Trachinotus blochii , Pomadsys olivaceum and Acanthopagrus berda by the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The concentration (mg kg −1 , dry weight) range was: Cd (0.00–0.041), Cu (0.006–0.189), Fe (0.413–4.952) and Pb (0.00–0.569). Cadmium, copper and iron levels were below the tolerable limits whereas concentration of lead in the skins of S. commerson , E. chlorostigma , J. belangerii , A. berda ; L. argentimaculatus , fillets of J. belangerii , E. chlorostigma and in the heart of J. belangerii exceeded the recommended limits. Therefore fish skin should be discouraged as food for humans or animals. The results indicate that a number of fish species have higher concentration of heavy metals dangerous for human health. Since the fish P. olivaceum (Dhotar) has the lowest level of trace metals therefore we recommend it for breeding and human consumption.

A binder-free activated carbon paper (ACP) was simply prepared for electric double-layer capacitors by the carbonization of filter paper, followed by heat-air activation at a lower temperature. The electrochemical cells assembled using the as-prepared ACP-470 provides a high specific capacitance of 296.4 F g−1 at current density of 0.5 A g−1 and a high rate performance at a current density of 150 A g−1 with a capacitance of 191.2 F g−1 and a high cycle ability at 10,000 recycles with 100 % capacitance retention. In addition, the ACP has a lower electrical resistivity and provides an effective energy storage performance with a maximum energy density of 41.2 Wh kg−1 and a maximum power density of 138.0 kW kg−1 in a voltage range of 1 V.

Anatase TiO hollow nanoboxes were synthesized and combined with the graphene oxide to get nanocomposite of TiO /rGO (TG). Graphene oxide was used to modify the Oxygen-Clusters and bulk to surface defects. Anatase and TG composite were characterized with the positron annihilation, XPS, EPR, EIS and photocurrent response analysis. The relative affects of defects on the photocatalytic reduction (CO to CH ) were studied. The TG composites showed highest photo-catalytic activity after GO coupling (49 µmol g h ), 28.6 times higher photocurrent yields much higher quantum efficiency (3.17%@400 nm) when compared to the TiO nanoboxes. The mechanism of enhanced photo-catalytic CO conversion to CH elucidated through electrochemical and photo-catalytic experiments with traceable isotope containing carbon dioxide ( CO ). For the first time we discovered that diminishing the comparative concentration ratio of anatase from the bulk to surface defects could significantly increase the conversion of CO to CH .

Neutral perylene bisimides(PBI) are well-known n-type organic semiconductors, with number of challenging electronic properties in their neutral and reduced states. We report the characteristic electronic properties of PBI anionic films. We unexpectedly discovered that pristine PBI dianion film showed p-type character, while oxidized dianion film(dominant neutral state with few radical anions) showed normal n-type semiconductor character based on Seebeck effect measurements. Both kinds of films exhibit high electrical conductivity with a potential for thermoelectric applications. The mechanism of polarity reversal is proposed.