A new methodology for the synthesis of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for large production is proposed. The as‐obtained CQDs can be transformed into 3D porous carbon frameworks exhibiting superb sodium ...storage properties with ultralong cycle life and ultrahigh rate capability, comparable to state‐of‐the‐art carbon anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Research into alternative renewable energy generation is a priority, due to the ever-increasing concern of climate change. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are one potential avenue to be explored, as a ...partial solution towards combating the over-reliance on fossil fuel based electricity. Limitations have slowed the advancement of MFC development, including low power generation, expensive electrode materials and the inability to scale up MFCs to industrially relevant capacities. However, utilisation of new advanced electrode-materials (i.e. 2D nanomaterials), has promise to advance the field of electromicrobiology. New electrode materials coupled with a more thorough understanding of the mechanisms in which electrogenic bacteria partake in electron transfer could dramatically increase power outputs, potentially reaching the upper extremities of theoretical limits. Continued research into both the electrochemistry and microbiology is of paramount importance in order to achieve industrial-scale development of MFCs. This review gives an overview of the current field and knowledge in regards to MFCs and discusses the known mechanisms underpinning MFC technology, which allows bacteria to facilitate in electron transfer processes. This review focusses specifically on enhancing the performance of MFCs, with the key intrinsic factor currently limiting power output from MFCs being the rate of electron transfer to/from the anode; the use of advanced carbon-based materials as electrode surfaces is discussed.
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•This review summarises the current understanding of microbial fuel cells.•Structural configurations and limitations of microbial fuel cells are discussed.•Known electron transfer mechanisms are explored.•Optimisation of electrode materials to further enhance power outputs.•Field standardisation is essential to progress this field.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Oxygen vacancies (OVs) dominate the physical and chemical properties of metal oxides, which play crucial roles in the various fields of applications. Density functional theory calculations show the ...introduction of OVs in TiO2(B) gives rise to better electrical conductivity and lower energy barrier of sodiation. Here, OVs evoked blue TiO2(B) (termed as B‐TiO2(B)) nanobelts are successfully designed upon the basis of electronically coupled conductive polymers to TiO2, which is confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The superiorities of OVs with the aid of carbon encapsulation lead to higher capacity (210.5 mAh g−1 (B‐TiO2(B)) vs 102.7 mAh g−1 (W‐TiO2(B)) at 0.5 C) and remarkable long‐term cyclability (the retention of 94.4% at a high rate of 10 C after 5000 times). In situ X‐ray diffractometer analysis spectra also confirm that an enlarged interlayer spacing stimulated by OVs is beneficial to accommodate insertion and removal of sodium ions to accelerate storage kinetics and preserve its original crystal structure. The work highlights that injecting OVs into metal oxides along with carbon coating is an effective strategy for improving capacity and cyclability performances in other metal oxide based electrochemical energy systems.
Oxygen vacancies (OVs) evoked blue‐colored TiO2(B) nanobelts are first designed as superior anodes for sodium‐ion batteries. They feature remarkable high‐rate performance and durable long‐term cycle life because of their ability to take full advantage of OVs to elevate electronic conductivity and lower sodiated energy barriers. A high capacity of 80.9 mAh g−1 (at 3350 mA g−1) is still maintained after 5000 cycles.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The accurate detection of biological materials has remained at the forefront of scientific research for decades. This includes the detection of molecules, proteins, and bacteria. Biomimetic sensors ...look to replicate the sensitive and selective mechanisms that are found in biological systems and incorporate these properties into functional sensing platforms. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic receptors that can form high affinity binding sites complementary to the specific analyte of interest. They utilise the shape, size, and functionality to produce sensitive and selective recognition of target analytes. One route of synthesizing MIPs is through electropolymerization, utilising predominantly constant potential methods or cyclic voltammetry. This methodology allows for the formation of a polymer directly onto the surface of a transducer. The thickness, morphology, and topography of the films can be manipulated specifically for each template. Recently, numerous reviews have been published in the production and sensing applications of MIPs; however, there are few reports on the use of electrosynthesized MIPs (eMIPs). The number of publications and citations utilising eMIPs is increasing each year, with a review produced on the topic in 2012. This review will primarily focus on advancements from 2012 in the use of eMIPs in sensing platforms for the detection of biologically relevant materials, including the development of increased polymer layer dimensions for whole bacteria detection and the use of mixed monomer compositions to increase selectivity toward analytes.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor for organophosphate pesticide (Parathion) has been developed for the first time by utilizing nickel oxide nanoplatelets modified screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). ...The NiO NPLs showed a superior electrochemical performance and ultrasensitive determination of parathion in real samples over bare/unmodified SPEs.
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•Meso-/macro-porous NiO nanoplatelets were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method.•Sensitive determination of parathion pesticide by utilizing NiO NPLs modified SPE was explored.•NiO-SPEs can be used in a wide concentration range with low detection limit of 24 × 10−9 mol L−1.•The stability of NiO-SPEs nanozyme was utilized for detection of parathion in water, urine and vegetable samples.
Nanozyme-based electrochemical sensors have attracted much attention because of their low cost, sensitivity and remarkable stability under extensive environmental and industrial conditions. Interestingly, the physical characteristics of the nanomaterials in terms of size, shape, composition, surface area and porosity dominate the electrochemical processes at electrode surfaces. Herein, we explore nickel oxide nanoplatelets (NPs) modified screen-printed electrode-based nanozyme sensors that displays high electrochemical activity including stability, sensitivity, selectivity and applicability for organophosphate pesticide (Parathion) determination. Differential pulse voltammogram of NiO-SPE in presence of parathion showed a characteristic peak current at −1.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The NiO-SPE platform allows determination of parathion over the concentration range of 0.1–30 µM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.024 µM. The sensing platform is found to detect parathion of interferences without compromising the sensitivity of the sensor. Such interesting features offer a sensitive determination of parathion in water, urine and vegetable samples.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Graphene, a 2D nanomaterial that possesses spectacular physical, chemical and thermal properties, has caused immense excitement amongst scientists since its freestanding form was isolated in 2004. ...With research into graphene rife, it promises enhancements and vast applicability within many industrial aspects. Furthermore, graphene possesses a vast array of unique and highly desirable electrochemical properties, and it is this application that offers the most enthralling and spectacular journey. We present a review of the current literature concerning the electrochemical applications and advancements of graphene, starting with its use as a sensor substrate through to applications in energy production and storage, depicting the truly remarkable journey of a material that has just come of age.
Graphene, a 2D nanomaterial that possesses spectacular physical, chemical and thermal properties, has caused immense excitement amongst scientists since its freestanding form was isolated in 2004. We present a review of the current literature concerning the electrochemical applications and advancements of graphene, starting with its use as a sensor substrate through to applications in energy production and storage, depicting the truly remarkable journey of a material that has just come of age.
The use of graphene, a one atom thick individual planar carbon layer, has exploded in a plethora of scientific disciplines since it was reported to possess a range of unique and exclusive properties. ...Despite graphene being explored theoretically since the 1940s and known to exist since the 1960s, the recent burst of interest from a large proportion of scientists globally can be correlated with work by Geim and Novoselov in 2004/5, who reported the so-called "scotch tape method" for the production of graphene in addition to identifying its unique electronic properties which has escalated into graphene being reported to be superior in a superfluity of areas. Consequently, many are involved in the pursuit of producing new methodologies to fabricate pristine graphene on an industrial scale in order to meet the current world-wide appetite for graphene. One area which receives considerable interest is the field of electrochemistry, where graphene has been reported to be beneficial in various applications ranging from sensing through to energy storage and generation and carbon based molecular electronics. Electrochemistry is an interfacial technique which is dominated by processes that occur at the solid-liquid interface and thus with the correct understanding can be beneficially utilised to characterise the surface under investigation. In this
tutorial review
we overview fundamental concepts of Graphene Electrochemistry, making electrochemical characterisation accessible to those who are working on new methodologies to fabricate graphene, bridging the gap between materials scientists and electrochemists and also assisting those exploring graphene in electrochemical areas, or that wish to start to. An overview of the recent understanding of graphene modified electrodes is also provided, highlighting prominent applications reported in the current literature.
Insights into the recent fundamental understanding of graphene modified electrodes is given, assisting those exploring graphene in electrochemical areas (or those who wish to start to) and making electrochemical characterisation accessible to those in other fields; recent developments in prominent applications are also highlighted.
Carbon dots inducing petal‐like rutile TiO2 wrapped by ultrathin graphene‐rich layers are proposed to fabricate superior anodes for sodium‐ion batteries, featuring high‐rate capabilities and ...long‐term cyclelife, benefiting from promoted electron transport and a shortened Na+ diffusion length. High capacities of 144.4 mA h g−1 (at 837.5 mA g−1) after 1100 cycles and 74.6 mA h g−1 (at 3350 mA g−1) after 4000 cycles are delivered outstandingly.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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