Enhancing the Performance of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Using Silver Nanoparticles Modified Photoanode

PEGylation of silver nanoparticles by physisorption of cyclic poly(ethylene glycol) for enhanced dispersion stability, antimicrobial activity, and cytotoxicity

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are practically valuable in biological applications. However, no steady PEGylation has been established, which is essential for internal use in humans or animals. In this study, cyclic PEG (c-PEG) without any chemical inhomogeneity is physisorbed onto AgNPs to successfully PEGylate and drastically enhance the dispersion stability against physiological conditions, white light, and high temperature. In contrast, linear HO-PEG-OH and MeO-PEG-OMe do not confer stability to AgNPs, and HS-PEG-OMe, which is often used for gold nanoparticles, sulfidates the surface to considerably degrade the properties. TEM shows an essentially intact nanostructure of c-PEG-physisorbed AgNPs even after heating at 95 °C, while complete disturbance is observed for other AgNPs. Molecular weight- and concentration-dependent stabilization by c-PEG is investigated, and DLS and ζ-potential measurements prove the formation of a c-PEG layer on the surface of AgNPs. Furthermore, c-PEG-physisorbed AgNPs exhibit persistent antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity.

Fabrication and Characterization of a Marine Wet Solar Cell with Titanium Dioxide and Copper Oxides Electrodes

One of the effective ways of utilizing marine environments is to generate energy, power, and hydrogen via the effect of photocatalysts in the seawater. Since the ocean is vast, we are able to use its large area, but the power generation system must be of low cost and have high durability against both force and corrosion. In order to meet those requirements, this study focuses on the fabrication of a novel marine wet solar cell composed of a titanium dioxide photoanode and a copper oxide photocathode. These electrodes were deposited on type 329J4L stainless steel, which possesses relative durability in marine environments. This study focuses on the characterization of the photocatalytic properties of electrodes in seawater. Low-cost manufacturing processes of screen-printing and vacuum vapor deposition were applied to produce the titanium dioxide and copper oxides electrodes, respectively. We investigated the photopotential of the electrodes, along with the electrochemical properties and cell voltage properties of the cell. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) of the copper oxides electrode was analyzed in association with the loss of photocatalytic effect in the copper oxides electrode. Although the conversion efficiency of the wet cell was less than 1%, it showed promising potential for use in marine environments with low-cost production. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the cell was also conducted, from which impedance values regarding the electrical properties of electrodes and their interfaces of charge-transfer processes were obtained. This study focuses on the early phase of the marine wet solar cell, which should be further studied for long-term stability and in actual marine environmental applications.

A novel symmetrical imidazole-containing framework as a fluorescence sensor for selectively detecting silver ions

In this study, a novel and highly efficient "turn-off" fluorescence imidazole-based sensor (BIB) with a symmetric structure was synthesized by a four-step reaction, from o-phenylenediamine, 6-bromo-2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, and 1-bromohexane. The sensing mechanism was confirmed via fluorescence titration, HRMS, and ¹HNMR techiniques. The results showed that the binding ratio of BIB and Ag⁺ was 1 : 1 in a DMF-HEPES (pH 7.4) solution (9 : 1, v/v). The fluorescence response of BIB exhibited a good linear response within the Ag⁺ concentration ranging from 2 × 10^-7 to 8 × 10^-6 mol L^-1, and the limit of detection was calculated to be 4.591 × 10^-8 mol L^-1. BIB was successfully applied to the detection of Ag⁺ in water samples with recoveries of 97.25-109.50% and relative standard deviations (RSD) of 1.14-2.45%. In addition, BIB can successfully be applied to qualitatively and quantitatively identify Ag⁺ in water by test paper strips of BIB, which is fast and convenient. This provides a possible potential for the rapid monitoring of metal ions by sensors in environmental research.

The Recent Progress on Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Electronic Applications

Nanoscience enables researchers to develop new and cost-effective nanomaterials for energy, healthcare, and medical applications. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are currently increasingly synthesized for their superior physicochemical and electronic properties. Good knowledge of these characteristics allows the development of applications in all sensitive and essential fields in the service of humans and the environment. This review aims to summarize the Ag NPs synthesis methods, properties, applications, and future challenges. Generally, Ag NPs can be synthesized using physical, chemical, and biological routes. Due to the great and increasing demand for metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, researchers have invented a new, environmentally friendly, inexpensive synthetic method that replaces other methods with many defects. Studies of Ag NPs have increased after clear and substantial support from governments to develop nanotechnology. Ag NPs are the most widely due to their various potent properties. Thus, this comprehensive review discusses the different synthesis procedures and electronic applications of Ag NPs.

Catalytic Effect of 1,4-Dioxane on the Kinetics of the Oxidation of Iodide by Dicyanobis(bipyridine)iron(III) in Water

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a technically and financially viable alternative to today’s photovoltaic systems using p-n junctions. The two functions are isolated here, which are unlike traditional systems where the semiconductor is thought to perform both light absorption and charge carrier transport. This article discusses the potential use of dicyanobis(bipyridine)iron(III) to oxidize iodide as a sensitizer in DSSCs. However, it is critical to understand the kinetics of this essential process in order to understand the mechanism of electron transport. The oxidation of iodide by dicyanobis(bipyridine)iron(III) in three reaction media was studied: water, 10% v/v 1,4-dioxane-water, and 20% v/v 1,4-dioxane-water. The reaction was carried out in a regular laboratory setting, with no special sensitive conditions or the use of expensive materials, making it a cost-effective and practical method. Dicyanobis(bipyridine)iron(III) oxidized iodide in selected media at 0.06 M ionic strength and constant temperature. The reaction was subjected to a spectrophotometric analysis. The data were acquired by measuring the rise in visible absorbance as a function of time after the formation of dicyanobis(bipyridine)iron(II). The reaction proceeded with an overall fractional (0.5), first order, and third order in water, 10% media, and 20% media, respectively. The presence of dicyanobis(bipyridine)iron(III) in either of the reaction media had no effect on the rate. The effect of protons (H+) on the rate constant indicated resistance in water and catalysis in dioxane-water media containing 10–20% dioxane. When the ionic strength was raised, there was no change in the rate constant in water, but there was a deceleration in both binary solvent media. In an aqueous medium, the thermodynamic parameters of activation were computed as Ea 46.23 kJ mol−1, 24.62 M s−1, ΔH# 43.76 kJ mol−1, ΔS# −226.5 J mol−1 K−1, and ΔG# 111.26 kJ mol−1 (25 °C). By increasing the rate of the reaction to its maximum, this study discovered the binary solvent media with the highest catalytic efficiency, i.e., 20% v/v 1,4-dioxane-water, which may increase the efficiency of DSSCs without using any expensive material or unusual experimental conditions.