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Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Performance of Ru(II)-Sensitized Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Cyanopyridine-Based Cosensitizers

Research Abstract

The cosensitization approach is one of the widely adopted strategies for systematically enhancing photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) by utilizing two or more dyes with distinct absorption spectra. This method achieves panchromatic absorption, improves intramolecular charge transfer performance, prevents dye aggregation, and increases dye loading capability. In this study, we investigated four previously reported push–pull-type dianchored chromophores (CP1–4) featuring a cyanopyridine scaffold as cosensitizer to enhance the performance of Ru(II)-based N3-sensitized DSSCs. Both the co-sensitized devices (N3 + CP1–4) and the N3-only devices were fabricated using a fixed dye concentration of 0.2 mM for each sensitizer/cosensitizers, while the coadsorbent chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) was systematically varied between 0 and 20 mM. This systematic variation of CDCA concentration was designed to examine its role in suppressing dye aggregation and modulating interfacial charge dynamics. Among the Series, CP4, carrying a thiobarbituric acid anchoring/acceptor group, demonstrated superior performance at all CDCA concentrations, achieving power conversion efficiency of 6.67%, 6.79%, and 5.74%, compared to 6.02%, 6.10%, and 5.44% for devices sensitized with N3 alone. Further, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements confirmed the improved charge transport and reduced recombination in these devices. These findings highlight the potential of rationally engineered cosensitizers and optimized coadsorbent concentrations for enhancing the performance of metal-based sensitizers in DSSCs.

 
 


 

Research Authors
Praveen Naik, Islam M. Abdellah, Muhammad Abdel-Shakour, Kavya S. Keremane, Airody Vasudeva Adhikari
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Energy Technology
Research Pages
2500294
Research Publisher
WILEY
Research Vol
Volume13, Issue12
Research Website
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ente.202500294
Research Year
2025

Lead-free perovskites for indoor photovoltaics

Research Abstract

With the rapid development of indoor photovoltaics as an energy-efficient solution to power devices in low light conditions, lead-free perovskite materials have emerged as promising candidates. Particularly, tin halide perovskites (THPs) and bismuth halide perovskites (BHPs) are attractive due to their tunable bandgaps, strong optoelectronic performance, and non-toxicity. This review explores their crystallization behavior, defect formation, and indoor-specific challenges, focusing on BHPs as stable, less-toxic alternatives, and evaluating THPs for their optoelectronic merits. We highlight methods to overcome critical barriers—such as defect mitigation via doping, compositional engineering, and controlled crystallization and outline future directions to boost BHPs efficiency, stability, and environmental compatibility in indoor solar harvesting.


 

Research Authors
Muhammad Abdel-Shakour ; Junfang Wang; Hao Wang; Xiangyue Meng
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Applied Physics Letters
Research Pages
163312
Research Publisher
AIP Publishing
Research Vol
127
Research Website
https://pubs.aip.org/aip/apl/article-abstract/127/16/163312/3369137/Lead-free-perovskites-for-indoor-photovoltaics?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Research Year
2025

Recent Advances in the Development of Efficient Tin Halide Perovskite Solar Cells: Interface Engineering, Crystallization Kinetics, and Stability Optimization

Research Abstract

Tin halide perovskite solar cells (Sn-PSCs) have garnered significant attention within the research community as a promising renewable and environmentally friendly energy source. Recently, numerous strategies have been explored to enhance the efficiency of Sn-PSCs. This review article highlights the potential of Sn-PSCs as eco-friendly alternatives and examines recent progress in this field. The discussion focuses on the exceptional properties of tin perovskite materials, and the challenges associated with optimizing device performance. The article provides an overview of controlling crystallization kinetics of tin halide perovskites and interface engineering to improve the performance of Sn-PSCs. Additionally, the stability challenges of Sn-PSCs have been discussed, and perspectives on future developments are provided.

 


 

Research Authors
Shiwei Zhang, Muhammad Abdel-Shakour, Yongle Pan, Junfang Wang, Xu Wang, Xiangyue Meng
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
ChemPhotoChem
Research Pages
e202400328
Research Publisher
WILEY
Research Vol
Volume 10, Issue 3
Research Website
https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cptc.202400328
Research Year
2025

6H‐Intermediate Phase Enabled Slow Crystal Growth of Tin Halide Perovskites for Indoor Photovoltaics

Research Abstract

The rapid expansion of Big Data and Internet of Things (IoT) has driven significant advancements in indoor photovoltaics (IPVs), which provide power to wireless IoT devices. Tin halide perovskites (THPs) have garnered significant attention for IPVs due to their excellent optoelectronic properties without the environmental risks of lead exposure. However, THPs face challenges in controlling their fast crystallization process. Here, we introduce a novel approach to precisely control the crystallization kinetics of FASnI2Br perovskite via the formation of the 6H-intermediate phase, supported by the mesomeric (+M) interaction effect of 4-aminopyridine hydrochloride (4APCl) in the perovskite precursor. The grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements indicated the formation of 6H-intermediate phase for the FASnI2Br-4APCl perovskite during the crystallization process. The in situ ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy during the spin coating and annealing process confirmed the reduction of crystal growth rate after the 6H-intermediate phase formation. Thus, high-quality perovskite films were obtained with reduced defects. The resulting IPVs achieved an efficiency of 21.55 % under indoor illumination at 1000 lux, exceeding all types of lead-free perovskite IPVs.

 


 

Research Authors
Muhammad Abdel-Shakour, Junfang Wang, Junjie Huang, Zhen Gao, Yongle Pan, Prof. Xiangyue Meng
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Angewandte Chemie
Research Pages
e202421547
Research Publisher
WILEY
Research Rank
Q1
Research Vol
Volume137, Issue20
Research Website
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ange.202421547
Research Year
2025

First report of Ophiotaenia sp. in frogs (Amietophrynus kassasii) from Egypt and in vitro anticestodal activity of Sinularia sp. extract

Research Abstract

Background and Aim: Ophiotaenia species are globally distributed proteocephalidean cestodes that commonly parasitize amphibians and reptiles. Despite the ecological importance of frogs in controlling insect populations and maintaining foodweb stability, data on cestode infections in Egyptian amphibians remain scarce. This study provides the first documentation of Ophiotaenia sp. infecting Amietophrynus kassasii in Egypt and evaluating the in vitro anticestodal activity of Sinularia sp. extract against adult tapeworms.

Research Authors
Barakat Shehata Abd elmaleck 1 , Mahmoud Abdelhamid2 , Abdallah Alian3, Hind Alzaylaee4, George D. Zouganelis5, Gaber El-Saber Batiha6, Marwa Adel Thabet7, and Fatma A. S. Anwar7
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Veterinary World
Research Year
2025

Biofabrication, Cytotoxicity, and Biofunctionalities of Polyhydroxbutrate-Selenium-Cefepime as Controlled-Release Smart Nanodrug Delivery System

Research Abstract

Innovative nanodrug are in high demand for the novel antimicrobial agents development that have Sustained release dosage in gastrointestinal simulation. Therefore, this study looked at the effect of mixing selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and their composites with cefepime, embedded in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) matrices for controlled drug release to overcome pathogenic bacteria. These results showed that cefepime (Cef) released more slowly at pH 2 than at pH 7.4. Zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, Hixon–Crowell, and Korsmeyer–Peppas equations were used to study the drug release mechanism at various pH values (2, 7.4). According to zeta potential analysis, the composite exhibited good stability, indicating to strong structure. The nanocomposite possesses an encouraging antimicrobial potential against pathogenic strains S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa, Kb. pneumonia strain. Moreover, SeNPs and PHB/PVA/SeNPs/Cef nanocomposites recorded excellent antioxidant activity (87.35% and 79.9%). The total phenolic compounds for SeNPs and PHB/PVA/SeNPs/Cef nanocomposite are 875 mg gallic acid/g and 1160 mg gallic acid/g in 200 µg/mL of SeNPs that activated their antioxidant properties. MTT analysis was showed that PHB/PVA/SeNPs/Cef has no cytotoxic effect on normal HEK- 293 cells and RPE-1 normal cells at even 50 µg/mL of SeNPs for 24 h. Moreover, the coagulation cascade was unaffected by the nanocomposites at the high concentration. Also, there was no evidence of haemolysis when the nanocomposite interacted with the constituents. The release test exhibited controlled drug release of Cef from composite, indicating its potential for use in drug delivery systems.

Research Authors
Shereen M. Hamdy, Dalal Sulaiman Alshaya, Khadra B. Alomari, Mohammed Fareed Felemban, Amal Adnan Ashour, Ali Alqarni, Kotb A. Attia & Sanaa M. F. Gad El-Rab
Research Date
Research Journal
Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials
Research Publisher
Springer US
Research Year
2025

Multidisciplinary approaches to lithological discrimination and structural mapping for mineral resource assessment

Research Abstract

Understanding the geological and structural controls on mineralization is globally important for sustainable resource exploration and management. This study investigates the Gardan Ophiolitic Mélange (GOM) and the Shait Granite Complex (SGC) in the Wadi Shait area, Eastern Desert, Egypt, using an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. The GOM comprises basal metasediments, metabasalt slices, and schistose hornblende-bearing metagabbros, representing a tectonically imbricated, low-grade metamorphosed unit. Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, analysed using false colour composites (FCCs), principal component analysis (PCA), band ratios, and textural correlation, effectively discriminated lithological units and structural patterns. These results were validated and extended using high-resolution aeromagnetic data. Interpretation of aeromagnetic, employing advanced edge-detection filters such as the improved horizontal tilt derivative (impTDX) and STDR, together with classical techniques including the first vertical derivative (FVD), horizontal gradient magnitude (HGM), and tilt derivative (TDR), as well as three-dimensional (3D) Euler deconvolution and 3D magnetic modeling, revealed a network of NW–SE, NE–SW, N–S, and E–W trending faults at depths of 124–782 m. Within the SGC, NW-trending shear zones indicate late orogenic extensional exhumation associated with Najd fault-related tectonics. These structures govern the distribution of gold and radioactive (K, U, Th) mineralization. The results highlight the effectiveness of integrating remote sensing and aeromagnetic techniques for resolving lithological complexity, subsurface architecture, and mineral potential in structurally complex terranes worldwide.

Research Authors
Mohamed Abdelkawy Elfadly, Mohamed Abdelrady, Alessandro Decarlis, Ali A. Khudeir, Mohamed Ali Abu El-Rus, Hassan Abbas, Hany H. El Hadek, Ismael M. Ibraheem & Ali Shebl
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Scientific Reports
Research Website
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-43824-x#citeas
Research Year
2026

Structural characterization and mapping of sub-surface features in the Dungash gold deposit, Egypt using integrated geophysical datasets

Research Abstract

Airborne geophysical and satellite-based remote sensing datasets are widely recognized as effective tools for mineral exploration, particularly for mapping structural and lithological variations in complex geological terranes. In this study, aeromagnetic data were integrated with Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery and ALOS PALSAR radar data to investigate the surface and subsurface geology of the Dungash region. The aeromagnetic dataset was processed to delineate magnetic lineaments, identify subsurface structural boundaries, and estimate basement depth variations. Remote sensing analyses highlighted major lithological units and surface structural trends, enabling a refined understanding of geological relationships. A key contribution of this work is the application of the Hyperbolic Tangent Function (HTF) as a novel edge detection technique on both synthetic and observed magnetic data. Compared to conventional derivative-based filters, the HTF provided clearer structural boundaries with reduced noise sensitivity and fewer false anomalies, resulting in more reliable interpretation. Three-dimensional magnetic modeling, supported by 3D Euler deconvolution and tilt-depth estimates, suggested that the basement occurs at depths ranging from approximately 581 to 946 m. The dominant tectonic trends identified include NNW-SSE, NNE-SSW, N-S, NE-SW, NW–SE, and E-W, corresponding to major regional tectonic systems such as the Red Sea, Gulf of Suez, and Gulf of Aqaba trends. Remote sensing textural measures effectively distinguished heterogeneous Precambrian basement rocks from more homogeneous sedimentary units, while band ratio composites highlighted lithological contrasts and unconformity surfaces. The integrated approach significantly enhances geological interpretation and provides a robust framework for guiding mineral exploration in the Dungash region.

Research Authors
Mohamed Abdelrady, Divyanshu Dwivedi, Ferenc Molnar & Ali Shebl
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources
Research Publisher
Springer
Research Rank
Q1
Research Website
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40948-025-01089-0
Research Year
2026

Lie theory and Humbert function Psi_{1}

Research Abstract

The paper is devoted to bringing hypergeometric functions (HFs) within the purview of Lie theory by constructing a dynamical symmetry algebra of Humbert function $\Psi_{1}$. Multiplier representation theory of Lie groups and algebras is then used to obtain a generating function for basic analogue of Humbert function $\Psi_{1}$

Research Authors
Mohamed M. Awad, Nada Mostafa and Ayman Shehata
Research Date
Research Department
Research File
Research Journal
AIMS Mathematics
Research Pages
5824-5840
Research Publisher
AIMS Press
Research Rank
Q1
Research Vol
11
Research Website
https://www.aimspress.com/article/doi/10.3934/math.2026240
Research Year
2026
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