The rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT) has accelerated the advancement of indoor photovoltaics (IPVs) that directly power wireless IoT devices. The interest in lead-free perovskites for IPVs stems from their similar optoelectronic properties to high-performance lead halide perovskites, but without concerns about toxic lead leakage in indoor environments. However, currently prevalent lead-free perovskite IPVs, especially tin halide perovskites (THPs), still exhibit inferior performance, arising from their uncontrollable crystallization. Here, a novel adhesive bonding strategy is proposed for precisely regulating heterogeneous nucleation kinetics of THPs by introducing alkali metal fluorides. These ionic adhesives boost the work of adhesion at the buried interface between substrates and perovskite film, subsequently reducing the contact angle and energy barrier for heterogeneous nucleation, resulting in high-quality THP films. The resulting THP solar cells achieve an efficiency of 20.12% under indoor illumination at 1000 lux, exceeding all types of lead-free perovskite IPVs and successfully powering radio frequency identification-based sensors.

Tin halide perovskites (THPs) have demonstrated exceptional potential for various applications owing to their
low toxicity and excellent optoelectronic properties. However, the crystallization kinetics of THPs are less controllable than its lead counterpart because of the higher Lewis acidity of Sn2+, leading to THP films with poor morphology and rampant defects. Here, a colloidal zeta potential modulation approach is developed to improve the crystallization kinetics of THP films inspired by the classical Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory. After adding 3- aminopyrrolidine dihydro iodate (APDI2) in the precursor solution to change the zeta potential of the pristine colloids, the total interaction potential energy between colloidal particles with APDI2 could be controllably reduced, resulting in a higher coagulation probability and a lower critical nuclei concentration. In situ laser light scattering measurements confirmed the increased nucleation rate of the THP colloids with APDI2. The resulting film with APDI2 shows a pinholefree morphology with fewer defects, achieving an impressive efficiency of 15.13%
 

In the current study, two series of catalysts were synthesized and characterized by various physicochemical techniques. In the first series of catalysts, a chemical precipitation method was used for loading 1–20 wt. % ZrO₂ on the surface of sugarcane bagasse fly ash (SCBFA) with the goal of finding out the optimal ZrO₂ loading. In the second series, the 20% ZrO₂/SCBFA composition was modified by (1–10 wt. %) SO₄²⁻ by wet impregnation method. The acidity of these catalysts was determined through the dehydration of isopropyl alcohol and the chemisorption of pyridine and 2,6‐dimethyl pyridine. The catalytic efficiency for the dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether (DME) in a fixed‐bed reactor at atmospheric pressure was investigated. A ~ 95% yield toward DME is maximized over the 10% SO₄²⁻/20% ZrO₂/SCBFA catalyst at a reaction temperature of 400°C. Additionally, it maintained nearly the same …

This study aims to a more environment eco-friendly approach for producing dimethyl ether (DME), as an alternative fuel, through the dehydration of methanol. The method involves utilizing Egyptian natural red clay (ERC) that has been modified with various percentages of γ-Al₂O₃ (ranging from 3 to 30 wt%) as catalysts. The most active catalyst (10 % γ-Al₂O₃/ERC) was then modified with varying HCl percentages (3–7 wt%). The synthesized catalysts properties were examined by various techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), N₂-sorption analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface acidity of the catalysts was assessed using two methods: dehydration of isopropyl alcohol and chemisorption of pyridine and 2,6-dimethyl pyridine. The results of the catalytic activity study reflected that the treatment of ERC by HCl and γ-Al₂O₃ improved its …

Aim: We aimed to investigate the potential inhibitory effects of diterpenes on SARS-CoV-2 main

protease (Mpro). Materials & methods: We performed a virtual screening of diterpenoids against Mpro

using molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and absorption, distribution, metabolism and

excretion) analysis. Results: Some tested compounds followed Lipinski’s rule and showed drug-like

properties. Some diterpenoids possessed remarkable binding affinities with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and

drug-like pharmacokinetic properties. Three derivatives exhibited structural deviations lower than 1 A˚ .

Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that some of the diterpenes could be candidates as potential

inhibitors for Mpro of SARS-CoV-2.

The pure conjugated polyarylene azomethine (CPAA) and its nanocomposites (CPAA-TiO₂) with different concentrations of TiO₂ nanoparticles were successfully prepared by in-situ technique and analyzed by different advanced techniques. XRD has confirmed the structural properties and crystallinity of (CPAA) and nanocomposites. The SEM clearly shows that the (CPAA) is uniform and homogeneous, with tightly connected aggregate layers in shape. However, the amount of TiO₂ in the nanocomposites greatly affects their morphology, revealing structural differences and indicating a reaction between (CPAA) and TiO₂, especially at a higher concentration of 5% TiO₂. A new composite of (CPAA) was introduced and the photocatalytic effect for MB was studied. The removal efficiency of (pure-CPAA) over MB dye under simulated sunlight was 62%. However, (CPAA-TiO₂ 1%) destroyed 90% of MB dyes. It was …