Effect of Graphene Concentration on the Electrochemical Properties of Cobalt Ferrite Nanocomposite Materials

Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs): a source to bring change in the properties of Co-Ni-Gd-ferrite/GNP nanocomposites

The nanocomposites of Co0.5Ni0.5Gd0.03Fe1.97O4/graphene nanoplatelets (CNGF/GNPs) were synthesized by a cost-effective sol-gel auto combustion (SGAC) route. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the cubic structure of the as-prepared nanocomposites, and a crystallite size of 32.28 nm was observed for the 7.5 wt% GNPs. Irregular and unique nanoparticles consisting of short stacks of graphene sheets having a platelet shape were confirmed by the morphological analysis of the as-prepared nanocomposites. Raman analysis revealed a spinel crystal structure along with a new vibrational mode due to the GNPs. The energy bandgap was 3.98 eV for the composite with 7.5 wt% GNP concentration. It was observed that the percentage temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR%) rapidly decreased with an increase in temperature both in low- and high-temperature ranges. Dielectric studies carried out in the frequency range 104-107 Hz confirmed that the graphene-added composites had high values for both the real and imaginary parts of permittivity at low frequencies. A decrease in saturation magnetization with an increase in GNP concentration was observed compared with the pure CNGF samples. Hence, the as-prepared composites are useful for application in high-frequency devices as well as spintronics.

Zinc-Ion Storage Mechanism of Polyaniline for Rechargeable Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Aqueous multivalent ion batteries, especially aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), have promising energy storage application due to their unique merits of safety, high ionic conductivity, and high gravimetric energy density. To improve their electrochemical performance, polyaniline (PANI) is often chosen to suppress cathode dissolution. Herein, this work focuses on the zinc ion storage behavior of a PANI cathode. The energy storage mechanism of PANI is associated with four types of protonated/non-protonated amine or imine. The PANI cathode achieves a high capacity of 74 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.3 A g⁻¹ and maintains 48.4% of its initial discharge capacity after 1000 cycles. It also demonstrates an ultrahigh diffusion coefficient of 6.25 × 10⁻⁹~7.82 × 10⁻⁸ cm⁻² s⁻¹ during discharging and 7.69 × 10⁻¹⁰~1.81 × 10⁻⁷ cm⁻² s⁻¹ during charging processes, which is one or two orders of magnitude higher than other reported studies. This work sheds a light on developing PANI-composited cathodes in rechargeable aqueous ZIBs energy storage devices.

Numerical Study on Generalized Heat and Mass in Casson Fluid with Hybrid Nanostructures

The rheological model for yield stress exhibiting fluid and the basic laws for fluid flow and transport of heat and mass are used for the formulation of problems associated with the enhancement of heat and mass due to dispersion of nanoparticles in Casson. The heat and mass transfer obey non-Fourier's laws and the generalized Fick's law, respectively. Model problems are incorporated by thermal relaxation times for heat and mass. Transfer of heat energy and relaxation time are inversely proportional, and the same is the case for mass transport and concentration relaxation time. A porous medium force is responsible for controlling the momentum thickness. The yield stress parameter and diffusion of momentum in Casson fluid are noticed to be inversely proportional with each other. The concentration gradient enhances the energy transfer, and temperature gradient causes an enhancement diffusion of solute in Casson fluid. FEM provides convergent solutions. The relaxation time phenomenon is responsible for the restoration of thermal and solutal changes. Due to that, the thermal and solutal equilibrium states can be restored. The phenomenon of yield stress is responsible for controlling the momentum boundary layer thickness. A porous medium exerts a retarding force on the flow, and therefore, a deceleration in flow is observed. The thermal efficiency of MoS2-SiO2-Casson fluid is greater than the thermal efficiency of SiO2-Casson fluid.