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The energy density of conventional supercapacitors is in the range of 6–10 Wh kg −1 , which has restricted them from many applications that require devices with long durations. Herein, we report a method for enhancing the energy density of a device through the parallel stacking of five copper foils coated on each side with graphene nanoplatelets. Microporous papers immersed in 2 M aqueous sodium sulphate were used as separators. With a low contact resistance of 0.05 Ω, the supercapacitor yielded an optimum specific energy density and a specific power density of 24.64 Wh kg −1 and 402 W kg −1 at 0.8 V, respectively. The working potential was increased to 2.4 V when three of the supercapacitors were connected in series, forming a tandem device. Its potential for real applications was manifested by the ability to light up a light-emitting diode for 40 s after charging for 60 s.

A photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor with excellent sensitivity and detection toward copper (II) ions (Cu2+) was developed using a cadmium sulphide-reduced graphene oxide (CdS-rGO) nanocomposite on an indium tin oxide (ITO) surface, with triethanolamine (TEA) used as the sacrificial electron donor. The CdS nanoparticles were initially synthesized via the aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) method using cadmium acetate and thiourea as the precursors to Cd2+ and S2-, respectively. Graphene oxide (GO) was then dip-coated onto the CdS electrode and sintered under an argon gas flow (50 mL/min) for the reduction process. The nanostructured CdS was adhered securely to the ITO by a continuous network of rGO that also acted as an avenue to intensify the transfer of electrons from the conduction band of CdS. The photoelectrochemical results indicated that the ITO/CdS-rGO photoelectrode could facilitate broad UV-visible light absorption, which would lead to a higher and steady-state photocurrent response in the presence of TEA in 0.1 M KCl. The photocurrent decreased with an increase in the concentration of Cu2+ ions. The photoelectrode response for Cu2+ ion detection had a linear range of 0.5-120 μM, with a limit of detection (LoD) of 16 nM. The proposed PEC sensor displayed ultra-sensitivity and good selectivity toward Cu2+ ion detection.

In this present work, the synthesis of g-C 3 N 4 /TiO 2 nanocomposites with different wt.% g-C 3 N 4 to form a type-II heterostructure and its potential application towards photoelectrocatalytic water splitting was discussed. The synthesized g-C 3 N 4 nanoplatelets incorporated TiO 2 nanocomposites were characterized by various analytical techniques such as UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). HRTEM confirms the formation of type-II heterostructure consists of g-C 3 N 4 nanoplatelets incorporated titania in the nanocomposite. The photoelectrocatalytic activity of the TiO 2 , g-C 3 N 4 , and g-C 3 N 4 /TiO 2 nanocomposite were investigated under AM 1.5G (100 mW cm −2 ) illumination in 1 M KOH. The g-C 3 N 4 /TiO 2 (with 10 wt.% of g-C 3 N 4 ) nanocomposite photoanode exhibits photocurrent density of 142.7 μA cm −2 (at 1.23 V vs. RHE) which is ~ 1.8-fold higher than bare TiO 2 (80.5 μA cm −2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE). The enhancement in PEC activity explained by formation of type-II heterostructure between g-C 3 N 4 and TiO 2 , which reduced the recombination rate of photo-generated electron–hole pairs and also extends the absorption of TiO 2 to visible light range and boost up the interfacial charge transfer between electrode/electrolyte interface, which enhance the PEC activity of the g-C 3 N 4 /TiO 2 nanocomposite towards water splitting.

In this paper, different sizes of Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanospheres were prepared with the aid of soft-template cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and polyethylene glycol (PEG M.W. 20,000) by using sol–gel method. The crystalline, morphological, and optical properties of synthesized TiO 2 materials were studied. The TiO 2 nanospheres of 1-TiO 2 , 3-TiO 2 , and 5-TiO 2  modified photoanode dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) demonstrated the power conversion efficiency of 1.6, 5.9, and 7.4%, respectively, under standard AM 1.5 G illumination (100 mW cm −2 ). On increasing the amount of precursor during the synthesis, the particle size decreases but the efficiency of the synthesized materials increases. The higher efficiency exhibited by 5-TiO 2  based DSSC is mainly due to the inter- and intra-sphere connection of small nanoparticles, increased electron lifetime, and suppressed back electron transfer process. This work paves the way to find potential candidate to develop an efficient photoanode material with magnificent photovoltaic performance.

Owing to increase in energy demands and depletion in fossil fuels, solar energy conversion is the reliable and sustainable one for future. Among the solar energy conversion techniques, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have received much attention due to their ease of fabrication, cost-effectiveness, reliable and high proficiency in converting solar energy. The commercialization of DSSC is still hindered by usage of expensive materials like platinum counter electrodes. Therefore, researchers are focusing on developing low-cost and earth abundant alternatives. The present work involves hydrothermal synthesis of molybdenum trioxide (MoO 3 ) at various temperature ranges such as 400, 500, 600 and 700 °C and several other characterizations through various analytical techniques. On increasing the temperature range, the MoO 3 forms nanorod like structure. The synthesized materials are employed as counter electrode in DSSC, showed enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) on increasing the calcination temperature range. The maximum PCE of 4.13% is obtained for MoO 3 calcined at 600 °C, which is highly comparable with the high cost platinum CE based DSSC.

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Tungsten carbide (WC) materials are synthesized and sintered at 800, 900 and 1000 °C. The differently treated tungsten carbide nanostructures (WC-NSs) have been investigated as counter electrode (CE) catalysts to replace the expensive platinum (Pt) for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) towards better power conversion efficiency. The synthesized samples were structurally characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) which reveals that the sintering temperatures strongly affect the structure of WC-NSs. The surface morphology and chemical compositions were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) fitted with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). The electrochemical studies of WC-NSs suggest that increasing the sintering temperature leads to increase in the charge transfer resistance and results in decrease of the catalytic activity of the WC-NSs CE. The power conversion efficiency of the WC-NSs materials sintered at 800 °C is higher than that of 900 °C and 1000 °C sintered materials. It is found that the photovoltaic performance was strongly affected by the sintering temperature of the WC-NSs materials. The tungsten carbide nanorods sintered at 800 °C showed better photovoltaic parameters such as J sc , V oc , FF and η of 2.71 mA cm −2 , 0.53 V, 0.28 and 0.41 %, respectively when compared to the WC-NSs sintered at 900 and 1000 °C. The optimally modified WC-NSs could be a useful substitute.

A comprehensive volume on photocatalytic functional materials for environmental remediation As the need for removing large amounts of pollution and contamination in air, soil, and water grows, emerging technologies in the field of environmental remediation are of increasing importance. The use of photocatalysis—a green technology with enormous potential to resolve the issues related to environmental pollution—breaks down toxic organic compounds to mineralized products such as carbon dioxide and water. Due to their high performance, ease of fabrication, long-term stability, and low manufacturing costs, photofunctional materials constructed from nanocomposite materials hold great potential for environmental remediation. Photocatalytic Functional Materials for Environmental Remediation examines the development of high performance photofunctional materials for the treatment of environmental pollutants. This timely volume assembles and reviews a broad range of ideas from leading experts in fields of chemistry, physics, nanotechnology, materials science, and engineering. Precise, up-to-date chapters cover both the fundamentals and applications of photocatalytic functional materials. Semiconductor-metal nanocomposites, layered double hydroxides, metal-organic frameworks, polymer nanocomposites, and other photofunctional materials are examined in applications such as carbon dioxide reduction and organic pollutant degradation. Providing interdisciplinary focus to green technology materials for the treatment of environmental pollutants, this important work: * Provides comprehensive coverage of various photocatalytic materials for environmental remediation useful for researchers and developers * Encompasses both fundamental concepts and applied technology in the field * Focuses on novel design and application of photocatalytic materials used for the removal of environmental contaminates and pollution * Offers in-depth examination of highly topical green-technology solutions * Presents an interdisciplinary approach to environmental remediation Photocatalytic Functional Materials for Environmental Remediation is a vital resource for researchers, engineers, and graduate students in the multi-disciplinary areas of chemistry, physics, nanotechnology, environmental science, materials science, and engineering related to photocatalytic environmental remediation.

An interdisciplinary guide to the newest solar cell technology for efficient renewable energy Rational Design of Solar Cells for Efficient Solar Energy Conversion explores the development of the most recent solar technology and materials used to manufacture solar cells in order to achieve higher solar energy conversion efficiency. The text offers an interdisciplinary approach and combines information on dye-sensitized solar cells, organic solar cells, polymer solar cells, perovskite solar cells, and quantum dot solar cells. The text contains contributions from noted experts in the fields of chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering.The authors review the development of components such as photoanodes, sensitizers, electrolytes, and photocathodes for high performance dye-sensitized solar cells. In addition, the text puts the focus on the design of material assemblies to achieve higher solar energy conversion. This important resource: * Offers a comprehensive review of recent developments in solar cell technology * Includes information on a variety of solar cell materials and devices, focusing on dye-sensitized solar cells * Contains a thorough approach beginning with the fundamental material characterization and concluding with real-world device application. * Presents content from researchers in multiple fields of study such as physicists, engineers, and material scientists Written for researchers, scientists, and engineers in university and industry laboratories, Rational Design of Solar Cells for Efficient Solar Energy Conversion offers a comprehensive review of the newest developments and applications of solar cells with contributions from a range of experts in various disciplines.