라니 모니카의 쌀의 여신은 디아스포라적 스리랑카-말레이시아 가족 의 모성 권위와 정체성 형성의 접점을 탐구하며, 개인들에게 부여된 집합적 정체성을 조명한다. 가부장적 질서 속에서 가문의 중심 인물인 주인공 락슈미의 인내와 회복력은 특히 일본 점령기 동안 희생과 권력 사이의 긴장을 조율하면서 문화적 이주와 역 사적 트라우마 속에서 생존을 가능하게 하는 권위로 작용한다. 자녀들은 전통과 개인 적 열망이 결합하는 지점에서 이 모계적 권위를 수용하거나 저항해야 하는 상황에 놓 인다. 또한 이 소설은 가족 유대를 유지하면서도 동시에 균열을 일으키는 모성적 희생 을 비판적으로 재검토한다. 경제적 지위 하락과 세대 간 갈등은 가부장적 제약을 더욱 복잡하게 만들며, 이로 인해 소설은 모성을 동시에 권한 부여적이면서도 억압적인 것 으로 제시한다. 작가는 소외의 시기에 발생하는 원한을 극복하기 위한 방안으로 회복 력과 지속성을 제안한다. 궁극적으로 이 소설은 디아스포라 사회에서의 정체성과 가부 장제가 모성적 유산을 둘러싼 협상, 저항, 그리고 재정의의 혼합물임을 보여준다.
Due to the severity of environmental degradation and depletion of natural energy resources, research on sustainable energy storage systems have become quite popular. Supercapacitor is one of the most innovative and promising type of energy storage devices. The effective performance of supercapacitor greatly depends on the electrode material. Therefore, new type of nanocomposite has been fabricated with βCD-stabilized CuO nanoparticles (CuO-βCD NPs) on Co-Al layered double hydroxide (Co-Al LDH) utilizing solvothermal process. The wet impregnation technique facilitates the formation of three distinct CuO-βCD/Co-Al LDH nanocomposites in the ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 by promoting the growth of CuO-βCD on Co-Al LDH in corresponding compositions. Synthesized nanocomposites are characterized using a variety of spectroscopic techniques. The average pore size of 2:1 CuO-βCD/Co-Al LDH is 1.7 nm whereas the specific surface area and approximate pore volume of this nanocomposite are 38.306 m2 g− 1 and 0.043 cm3 g− 1, respectively. Electrochemical investigations like cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) measurements and along with cycle stability studies are performed to examine the electrochemical performance of synthesized nanocomposites. The 2:1 ratio has revealed improved specific capacitance (SC) of 1567 F g− 1 at 0.45 A g− 1 in 1 M potassium hydroxide medium in three electrode systems and maintains 76% of its original SC even after 5000 cycles. The improved electrochemical performance of 2:1 ratio reveals the appropriateness of this material as an effective electrode for supercapacitor application.
The mixed-ion electron conductor, Ag₂Se, has shown strong potential as a thermoelectric material operating near room temperature. In this study, we demonstrate that the incorporation of polyaniline (PANI) into Ag₂Se forms Ag₂Se/PANI nanocomposites with significantly enhanced thermoelectric performances. Ag₂Se was synthesized using a hydrothermal method followed by hot pressing to obtain dense composite pellets. The novelty of this work lies in the systematic tuning of the PANI content and its dual role in enhancing electrical transport while suppressing lattice thermal conductivity. Microstructural analysis reveals that PANI-induced defects, such as dislocations and point defects, effectively scatter phonons at multiple scales, resulting in a remarkably low lattice thermal conductivity (κₗ ≈ 0.08 Wm⁻1 K⁻1) at 393 K. Simultaneously, PANI improves carrier mobility by modifying the Coulomb potential at grain boundaries, reducing interfacial energy barriers. These effects lead to an improved power factor of 2028 μWm⁻1 K⁻2 and a peak figure of merit (zT ≈ 0.67) at 393 K for the 0.5 wt% PANI sample. This study introduces a novel polymer-assisted interface engineering approach to improve the thermoelectric performance of Ag₂Se-based materials.
This study presents, for the first time, a piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENG) model based on the nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) array and demonstrates the ability of N-CNT to convert external oscillations into electrical energy. Molybdenum was proved to be a preferred material for the upper electrode due to its high corrosion resistance and the formation of ohmic contact at the interface with N-CNT. It was shown the operation of the PENG model in constant and pulsed modes. It was found that the output voltage of the PENG model increased linearly from 3 to 60 mV with an increase in the amplitude of the external mechanical influence from 3.5 to 95 μm and decreased from 54 to 26 mV with an increase in the frequency of external influence from 15 to 120 Hz due to an excess of the natural resonant frequency of the nanotubes. The experiments demonstrated that the power density of the N-CNT-based PENG model reached 12.63 μV/cm2. It was exhibited that the PENG model can be used not only as a nanogenerator for autonomous power supply of wearable electronic devices, but also as a highly sensitive deformation sensor. In addition, the clamping force of the upper electrode determines the frequency range of the PENG model. The obtained results open wide opportunities for practical application of vertically aligned N-CNTs for autonomous power supply of wearable electronic devices.
Enhancing the energy storage capabilities of supercapacitors (SCs) while preserving their electrochemical performance is crucial for their widespread application. Our research focuses on developing Sb-modified tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles via a scalable hydrothermal process, offering substantial potential in this domain. The tetragonal nanoparticle structure provides abundant active sites and a highly porous pathway, facilitating rapid and efficient energy storage. Additionally, tin's varied oxidation states significantly enhance redox capacitance. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate ATO's promise as an advanced SC electrode, achieving a peak specific capacitance of 332 F/g at 3 mA/cm2, with robust redox capacitance confirmed through kinetic analysis. Moreover, the ATO electrode exhibits exceptional capacitance retention over 2000 cycles. This study establishes ATO as a leading candidate for future energy storage applications, underscoring its pivotal role in advancing energy storage technologies.
The untreated effluent dropping into the environment from various textile industries is a major issue. To solve this problem, development of an efficient catalyst for the degradation of macro dye molecules has attracted extensive attention. This work is mainly focused on the synthesis of nickel–manganese sulfide decorated with rGO nanocomposite (Ni–Mn-S/rGO) as an effective visible photocatalyst for degradation of textile toxic macro molecule dye. A simple hydrothermal method was used to synthesize Ni–Mn-S wrapped with rGO. The prepared composites were characterized using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Fourier transform infra-red spectrometer (FTIR), and ultra violet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. The photocatalytic performance of nickel sulfide (NiS), manganese sulfide (MnS), nickel–manganese sulfide (Ni–Mn-S), and Ni–Mn-S/rGO nanocomposite was assessed by analyzing the removal of acid yellow (AY) and rose bengal (RB) dyes under natural sun light. Among these, the Ni–Mn-S/rGO nanocomposite showed the high photocatalytic degradation efficiency of AY and RB dyes (20 ppm concentration) with efficiency at 96.1 and 93.2%, respectively, within 150-min natural sunlight irradiation. The stability of photocatalyst was confirmed by cycle test; it showed stable degradation efficiency even after five cycles. This work confirms that it is an efficient approach for the dye degradation of textile dyes using sulfide-based Ni–Mn-S/rGO nanocomposite.
The present research focuses on the tribological behavior of the AA5083 alloy-based hybrid surface composite using aluminosilicate and multi-walled-carbon nanotube through friction stir processing for automotive applications. The friction stir processing parameters (tool rotation and traverse speed) are varied based on full factorial design to understand their influence on the tribological characteristics of the developed hybrid composite. The surface morphology and composition of the worn hybrid composite are examined using a field-emission scanning electron microscope and an energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscope. No synergistic interaction is observed between the wear rate and friction coefficient of the hybrid composite plate. Also, adhesive wear is the major wear mechanism in both base material and hybrid composite. The influence of friction stir process parameters on wear rate and the friction coefficient is analyzed using the hybrid polynomial and multi-quadratic radial basis function. The models are utilized to optimize the friction stir processing parameters for reducing the rate of wear and friction coefficient using multi-quadratic RBF algorithm optimization.
The nanostructured dysprosium oxide ( Dy2O3) was synthesized by the co-precipitation method and incorporated with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) using the ultrasonication method. The resultant product is denoted as Dy2O3/ g-C3N4 nanocomposite which was further used for electrochemical sensing of riboflavin (RF). The physicochemical properties of Dy2O3/ g-C3N4 nanocomposite were examined using several characterization techniques. The obtained results exhibit the nanocomposite formation with the preferred elemental compositions, functional groups, crystalline phase and desired surface morphology. The electrocatalytic performance of Dy2O3/ g-C3N4 nanocomposite was scrutinized with a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) via differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques with the conventional three-electrode system. The modified electrode distributes more active surface area suggesting high electrocatalytic activity for the RF detection with two linear ranges (0.001–40 μM and 40–150 μM), a low detection limit of 48 nM and sound sensitivity (2.5261 μA μM−1 cm− 2). Further, the designed sensor possesses high selectivity, excellent stability, repeatability and reproducibility. Finally, the fabricated sensor was successfully estimated for the detection of RF in actual food sample analysis using honey and milk with better recovery.
Fluorescent nanostructures based on carbon, or carbon dots, are attracting much attention and interest because of their diverse properties which can be applied in several fields of knowledge, such as optics, biomedicine, environmental research, among others. Such properties are in part, derived from its intrinsic luminescence from tunable functional groups. In this work, we produced carbon nanodots (CND) using agro-industrial residues, such as Lolium perenne and malt bagasse. The methods used were conventional hydrothermal syntheses and microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that carbon dots synthesized from this ryegrass type are reported. The synthesis methods were one step (no catalyst, base, or acid were added for passivation), and the functional groups responsible for the luminescence and high solubility in water were identified by infrared spectroscopy, being mainly C=O, C–OH, C–N, and N–H. According to our theoretical studies, the C=O group introduced a new energy level for electronic transitions that can affect the emission properties. Fluorescence images of osteoblasts using CNDs were acquired and their chelating property towards Pb2+ and Cr6+ detection was tested.
Activated non-graphitizable hard carbon using orange peel with mesoporous structure has been prepared by pyrolyzation at 700, 800, 900 °C using chemical activation method. The activated orange peel-derived hard carbon has been characterized for its mesoporous and disordered structure. TG-DSC gives the information for the changes about sample composition and thermal stability of the materials. Increasing the carbonization temperature for orange peel precursor using NaOH as activating agent, elevates the pore diameter, which thereby facilitating the insertion of Na+. Raman and X-ray diffraction confirms the presence of disordered carbon. The surface morphology of the material was analyzed by scanning eletron microsope and nitrogen ( N2) adsorption and desorption analysis give the morphology, mesopore size (3.374, 3.39 and 4 nm) and surace area (60.164, 58.99 and 54.327 m2/g) of the orange peel-derived hard carbon. Hence, this work strongly evidences that the biomass-derived hard carbon with good porosity and paves way of superior electrochemical performance for emerging sodium ion batteries.
The use of recycled materials, such as the fine recycled aggregate made from concrete waste and carbon fiber (CF) product of industrial waste, for the manufacture of conductive recycled mortars (CRM), transforms the mortar base cement normally made with cement:sand in a sustainable multifunctional material, conferring satisfactory mechanical and electrical properties for non-structural uses. This action provides ecological benefits, reducing the use of natural fine aggregates from rivers and the amount of concrete waste deposited in landfills resulting from construction waste. In this investigation the effect of the addition of CF on electrical properties in hardened, wet and dry state, electric percolation in dry state and fluidity of the wet mixture of a cement based CRM was evaluated: fine recycled aggregate: graphite powder, CRM specimens with dimensions of 4 × 4 × 16 cm. were manufactured for 3, 7 and 28 days of age and sand/cement ratios = 1.00, graphite/cement = 1.00, water/cement = 0.60 and CF = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0% compared to the weight of cement. The results demonstrated the effect of the addition of CF in CRM, reducing fluidity of the mixtures due to the opposition generated by its physical interaction of CF with recycled sand or recycled fine aggregate and graphite powder (GP), in its case, placing the electric percolation percolation at 0.30% and 0.45% of CF for CRM with and without GP, respectively. Increases in electrical conductivity (EC) without the presence of GP are defined by the contact between the CF and the conductive paths formed. In contrast, with the presence of GP, the EC is defined by the contact between the CF and the GP simultaneously, forming conductive routes with greater performance in its EC.
Carbon lives along with us in our daily life and has a vital role to play. It is present in the air and within all living organisms. Due to its handheld advantage in nano-properties that are utilized in many applications, carbon substrates came under limelight during the recent decades. Carbon substrates are most widely used in cancer detection, catalysis, bio-sensing, adsorption, drug delivery, carbon capture, hydrogen storage, and energy. Alongside, composite materials with carbon as an additive are also developing rapidly in applications like infrastructures, automobile, health care, consumer goods, etc. which became an integral chunk of our life. In this paper different types of carbon substrates and its applications, properties of the substrates were reviewed. The applications and methods of synthesis of carbon substrates are also dealt with a broad perspective.
Engineering the microstructure of the carbonaceous materials is a promising strategy to enhance the capacitive performance of supercapacitors. In this work, nanostructured Black Pearl (1500 BP) carbon which is a conductive carbon being commercially used in printing rolls, conductive packaging, conductive paints, etc. is analyzed for its feasibility as an electrode material for Electric Double-Layer Capacitors (EDLCs). To achieve that commercial Black Pearl (BP), carbon is treated with mild acid H3PO4 to remove the impurities and enhance the active sites by regulating the growth of agglomerates and creating micropores in the nano-pigments. Generally, the coalescence of nanoparticles owing to their intrinsic surface energy has tendency to create voids of different sizes that act like meso/micropores facilitating the diffusion of ions. The electrochemical performance of BP carbon before and after chemical activation is investigated in aqueous ( H2SO4, KOH and KCl) and a non-aqueous electrolyte (1 M TEMABF4 in acetonitrile) environment employing different electrochemical techniques such as Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) and Electrochemical Impendence Spectroscopy (EIS). The chemically activated BP carbon delivers the highest specific capacitance of ∼156 F g−1 in an aqueous electrolyte, 6 M KOH. The highest specific power, ~ 15.3 kW kg−1 and specific energy, 14.6 Wh kg−1 are obtained with a symmetric capacitor employing non-aqueous electrolyte because of its high working potential, 2.5 V.
Processing and characterization of graphene (Gr)-reinforced aluminium alloy 7075 (AA7075) microcomposites and nanocomposites are reported in this work. Composites are fabricated by mechanical alloying process at wet conditions. The bulk composites are prepared by uniaxial die pressing to get higher densification and sintered in an inert atmosphere. Density of the nanocomposites is higher than the microcomposites due to the reduction of grain size by increased milling time. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms graphene interaction with the AA7075 matrix lattice spaces. The effective distribution of graphene with aluminium alloy is further confirmed by the Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis. The hardness of the composites proportionally increases with the graphene addition owing to grain refinement. Wear morphology is characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Microcomposites reveal abrasive and ploughing wear mechanism of material removal from the surface. Nanocomposites show adhesive wear with delamination and particle pull-out from the material surface.
The energy demands of the world have been accelerating drastically because of the technological development, population growth and changing in living conditions for a couple of decades. A number of different techniques, such as batteries and capacitors, were developed in the past to meet the demands, but the gap, especially in energy storage, has been increasing substantially. Among the other energy storage devices, supercapacitors have been advancing rapidly to fill the gap between conventional capacitors and rechargeable batteries. In this study, natural resources such as pistachio and acorn shells were used to produce the activated carbons for electrode applications in a supercapacitor (or an electrical double-layer capacitor— EDLC). The activated carbon was synthesized at two different temperatures of 700 °C and 900 °C to study its effect on porosity and performance in the supercapacitor. The morphology of the activated carbon was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A solution of tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate ( TEABF4)/propylene carbonate (PC) was prepared to utilize in supercapacitor manufacturing. The performance of the EDLC was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Activated carbons from both the pistachio and acorn shells synthesized at 700 °C in argon gas for two hours exhibited better surface textures and porosity. There activated carbons also exhibited more capacitor-like behavior and lower real impedances, indicating that they would have superior performance compared to the activated carbons obtained at 900 °C. This study may be used to integrate some of natural resources into high-tech energy storage applications for sustainable developments.