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In the context of emerging electric devices, the demand for advanced energy storage materials has intensified. These materials must encompass both surface and diffusion-driven charge storage mechanisms. While diffusion-driven reactions offer high capacitance by utilizing the bulk of the material, their effectiveness diminishes at higher discharge rates. Conversely, surface-controlled reactions provide rapid charge/discharge rates and high power density. To strike a balance between these attributes, we devised a tri-composite material, TiO 2 /Carbon/MoS 2 (T10/MoS 2 ). This innovative design features a highly porous carbon core for efficient diffusion and redox-active MoS 2 nanosheets on the surface. Leveraging these characteristics, the T10/MoS 2 composite exhibited impressive specific capacitance (436 F/g at 5 mV/s), with a significant contribution from the diffusion-controlled process (82%). Furthermore, our symmetrical device achieved a notable energy density of ~ 50 Wh/kg at a power density of 1.3 kW/kg. This concept holds promise for extending the approach to other Metal–Organic Framework (MOF) structures, enabling enhanced diffusion-controlled processes in energy storage applications.

Structures that can be stimulated to change shape may be utilized for a variety of applications, but they frequently need to be processed and modified. We propose here a simple, straightforward strategy of actuation based on bipolar electrochemistry driving asymmetric reactions at the surface grooves of pristine carbon fibers. In the first set of proof-of-principle experiments, a free-standing carbon fiber is polarized in a closed bipolar cell to trigger asymmetric benzoquinone/hydroquinone redox reactions in the two distinct compartments. Beyond a particular threshold potential, ion transfer occurs, and the part of the fiber involved in the anodic reaction exhibits reversible directional motion. Elemental surface characterization of the polarized carbon fiber indicates that the deflection is due to the intercalation/deintercalation of ions accompanying the oxidation/reduction of the fiber. The simultaneous local surface ionic adsorption/desorption is responsible for the fiber deflection. The length of the fiber part exposed to the electrochemical reduction reaction in the opposite compartment of the closed bipolar cell, as well as the groove orientation, determines the motion’s intensity and direction, respectively. Effective bending is achieved by optimization of fiber alignment and stimuli parameters. Actuation of two parallel fibers, oriented in opposite directions, leads to microtweezer-type behavior. We anticipate that these results will enrich the tool case for research in the field of soft robotics and micromechanics. The article demonstrates that pristine carbon fibers can bend and act like micro-tweezers when stimulated wirelessly by bipolar electrochemistry, offering a simple approach to creating actuators for soft robotics and micromechanics.

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) presents a versatile approach for efficiently converting carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into valuable products. However, poor electron uptake by the microorganisms from the cathode severely limits the performance of MES. In this study, a graphitic carbon nitride ( g- C 3 N 4 )-metal–organic framework (MOF) i.e. HKUST-1 composite was newly designed and synthesized as the cathode catalyst for MES operations. The physiochemical analysis such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy showed the successful synthesis of g- C 3 N 4 -HKUST-1, whereas electrochemical assessments revealed its enhanced kinetics for redox reactions. The g- C 3 N 4 -HKUST-1 composite displayed excellent biocompatibility to develop electroactive biohybrid catalyst for CO 2 reduction. The MES with g- C 3 N 4 -HKUST-1 biohybrid demonstrated an excellent current uptake of 1.7 mA/cm 2 , which was noted higher as compared to the MES using g- C 3 N 4 biohybrid (1.1 mA/cm 2 ). Both the MESs could convert CO 2 into acetic and isobutyric acid with a significantly higher yield of 0.46 g/L.d and 0.14 g/L.d respectively in MES with g- C 3 N 4 -HKUST-1 biohybrid and 0.27 g/L.d and 0.06 g/L.d, respectively in MES with g- C 3 N 4 biohybrid. The findings of this study suggest that g- C 3 N 4 -HKUST-1 is a highly efficient catalytic material for biocathodes in MESs to significantly enhance the CO 2 conversion.

Several in-situ electrochemical approaches have been developed for performing a localized photoelectrochemical investigation of the photoanode. One of the techniques is scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), which probes local heterogeneous reaction kinetics and fluxes of generated species. In traditional SECM analysis of photocatalysts, evaluation of the influence of radiation on the rate of studied reaction requires an additional dark background experiment. Here, using SECM and an inverted optical microscope, we demonstrate the determination of O 2 flux caused by light-driven photoelectrocatalytic water splitting. Photocatalytic signal and dark background are recorded in a single SECM image. We used an indium tin oxide electrode modified with hematite (α-Fe 2 O 3 ) by electrodeposition as a model sample. The light-driven flux of oxygen is calculated by analysis of SECM image recorded in substrate generation/tip collection mode. In photoelectrochemistry, the qualitative and quantitative knowledge of oxygen evolution will open new doors for understanding the local effects of dopants and hole scavengers in a straightforward and conventional manner.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) derived nanostructures receive immense research focus due to its high porosity, conductivity, and structural tailrolability features. In this work, porous Zeolitic Imidazole Framework‐67 (ZIF‐67) to synthesize cobalt phosphide/carbon composite (ZCoPC) that serves as a positive electrode is utilized. Furthermore, porous and conductive office paper derived carbon (OPC) are utilized as a negative electrode to make a hybrid system. The metalloid characteristics, high conductivity, and good porosity of ZCoPC material makes it a high‐performance battery like electrode. ZCoPC electrode achieves maximum specific capacity of 192.6 mAh g −1 at 1 A g −1 using 1  m potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte. Furthermore, surface and diffusion charge participation investigation are also undergone for ZCoPC electrode that helps in determining the actual charge dynamics occurring in the electrode. In addition, a supercapattery device is assembled using ZCoPC as battery electrode and OPC as supercapacitor electrode. The as fabricated OPC//ZCoPC hybrid supercapattery device delivers extraordinary energy density of 31.6 Wh kg −1 with a power density of 700 W kg −1 and also a long cycle life of 92.3% even after 10,000 charge–discharge cycles. Hence, these outcomes demonstrate that the synergy of porous MOF derived metal phosphide and OPC electrodes are beneficial for supercapattery devices.

The present work reports the synthesis of a composite of TiO 2 nanosheets (NS) with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for supercapacitor applications. The formation of composite has been achieved via a simple one-pot hydrothermal method. The rGO/TiO 2 NS composite was used to fabricate a flexible electrode which, in presence of 1 M H 2 SO 4 as an electrolyte, has shown a high specific capacitance of 233.67 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g within a potential window of 0–1 V. This enhanced supercapacitance of the rGO/TiO 2 NS electrode is attributed to the synergistic effects from TiO 2 and rGO NS which help in to attain a low equivalent series resistance and enhanced ion diffusion. Furthermore, the fabricated composite electrode has displayed a long-term cyclic stability, retaining a specific capacitance of 98.2% even after 2000 charge–discharge cycles. The proposed rGO/TiO 2 NS electrode has delivered high values of energy (32.454 Wh/kg) and power (716.779 W/kg) densities. Interestingly, it is possible to retrieve a sufficiently high energy density of 24.576 Wh/kg which could generate a power density value of as high as 2142.84 W/kg. The above results reveal that the herein proposed thin film composite of rGO/TiO 2 NS can offer extraordinary performance as a supercapacitor electrode compared to its nanotubes or nanoparticles.

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) presents a versatile approach for efficiently converting carbon dioxide (CO ) into valuable products. However, poor electron uptake by the microorganisms from the cathode severely limits the performance of MES. In this study, a graphitic carbon nitride (g-C N )-metal-organic framework (MOF) i.e. HKUST-1 composite was newly designed and synthesized as the cathode catalyst for MES operations. The physiochemical analysis such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy showed the successful synthesis of g-C N -HKUST-1, whereas electrochemical assessments revealed its enhanced kinetics for redox reactions. The g-C N -HKUST-1 composite displayed excellent biocompatibility to develop electroactive biohybrid catalyst for CO reduction. The MES with g-C N -HKUST-1 biohybrid demonstrated an excellent current uptake of 1.7 mA/cm , which was noted higher as compared to the MES using g-C N biohybrid (1.1 mA/cm ). Both the MESs could convert CO into acetic and isobutyric acid with a significantly higher yield of 0.46 g/L.d and 0.14 g/L.d respectively in MES with g-C N -HKUST-1 biohybrid and 0.27 g/L.d and 0.06 g/L.d, respectively in MES with g-C N biohybrid. The findings of this study suggest that g-C N -HKUST-1 is a highly efficient catalytic material for biocathodes in MESs to significantly enhance the CO conversion.

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health burden, ranked among the most common causes of cancer-related fatalities. While insulin resistance (IR) biomarkers have been associated with CRC prognosis, their role in predicting metastasis remains unclear. Metastasis remains a critical determinant of prognosis and treatment planning in CRC. Identifying precise biomarkers can improve CRC management. This study evaluates the prognostic efficacy of lipid-based IR biomarkers in predicting metastasis in treatment-naïve CRC patients and selects the most appropriate one. We also explore their association with clinicopathological characteristics. Method Eighty-seven CRC patients (metastatic, n  = 24; non-metastatic, n  = 63) from four tertiary hospitals in India were analysed. Clinical data included TNM staging, ECOG-PS, KPS, CEA, and lipid profiles. Statistical tests included Fisher’s exact test, Mann-Whitney U-test, ROC curve analysis, Spearman’s correlation, multiple linear regression, and binary logistic regression. Results Statistically significant differences were observed in job status, diet, smoking, alcohol use, diabetes, BMI, and IR markers between metastatic and non-metastatic CRC patients. Among the IR biomarkers, the ratio of LDL to HDL (LHR) demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy with an AUC of 0.867 ( p  < 0.05, CI: 0.79–0.94), a sensitivity of 83.3%, and a specificity of 74.6%. Spearman correlation analysis unveiled a moderate-positive relationship between IR biomarkers and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, except for the triglyceride glucose index (TyG). Binary logistic regression identified LHR as the sole significant predictor of metastasis, with a one-unit increase in LHR corresponding to a 19.35% higher likelihood of metastasis. Multiple linear regression confirmed a moderate, significant combined effect of TNM staging, ECOG-PS, KPS, and LHR. Conclusion LHR strongly predicts metastasis in CRC patients, with high sensitivity and specificity among IR biomarkers. Its significant association with TNM staging, ECOG-PS, and CEA levels highlights its potential for early detection of metastasis and improved risk stratification. Larger studies are needed to validate its clinical utility for personalised treatment planning.