VOLUME 47, NO2, APR-2025

The Potential Application of B24N24 Cage in Li-, Na-, K-, and Mg-Ion Batteries: A DFT Investigation

The potential applications of the B24N24 cage in Li-, Na-, K-, and Mg-ion batteries (LIBs, SIBs, PIBs, and MgIBs) were explored using density functional theory. Three potential adsorption sites of M/Mq+ (M=Li, Na, K, and Mg) on the B24N24 cage were identified: above the tetragonal, hexagonal, and octagonal rings. In the case of the octagonal ring, the storage capacity of MgIBs was found to be 536 mAhg-1, surpassing that of LIBs, SIBs, and PIBs with a value of 268 mAgh-1. Furthermore, the sequence of cell voltages (Vcell) generated by the B24N24 cage in ion batteries was determined as follows: MgIBs (3.46 V) > LIBs (1.33 V) > SIBs (1.11 V) > PIBs (0.18 V). In both the tetragonal and hexagonal ring cases, the Vcell generated by the B24N24 cage were also highest in MgIBs, at 3.12 and 3.38 V, respectively. These findings indicate that the B24N24 cage could serve as a promising electrode material for MgIBsread more

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Shuailing Ma, Junkai Wang and Zhenxia Huang

Exploring the Potential of Renewable Resources for Ammonia Production: A Pathway to Sustainable Energy in Pakistan

Employing alternative and renewable energy sources can help lessen Pakistan's current energy crisis. Pakistan has an abundance of renewable energy resources, which can be harnessed to store intermittent renewable energy for later use. This makes it essential for Pakistan, as well as other developing economies, to produce ammonia from renewable resources. Consequently, initiating a Pakistan Ammonia Economy depends on adding ammonia to the energy supply chain. To this end, Pakistan must incorporate ammonia into its energy roadmap by utilizing its renewable energy resources, as many nations are already doing. This study estimates the potential for various renewable resources—mostly solar, wind, and biomass—that are readily available in Pakistan. An estimate is made for producing ammonia from each of these renewable sources using different proven and emerging technologies, including electrochemical synthesis and plasma-assisted methods. Although several studies have examined energy resources in Pakistan, their use for ammonia production is still lacking. According to the findings, biomass energy is estimated to generate about 50,000 tonnes of ammonia per year, while solar energy could produce approximately 65,000 tonnes annually. The paper also includes a case study on a prototype development for green ammonia production, utilizing solar energy. The case study demonstrates a sustainable approach to ammonia synthesis, providing practical insights for implementation. The policy implications suggest the need to integrate green ammonia into Pakistan’s energy strategy, offering a pathway to reduce fossil fuel dependency and enhance energy security. However, detailed policy formulation and roadmap development are beyond the scope of this study.read more

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Zahid Hussain, Hammad Saeed, Hafiz M Abdullah Moazzam Hafiz Huzaifa Ramzan Butt and Masood ur Rehman

Preparation of WO3 Nanoplate for Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B

Herein, WO3 nanoplate was synthesized via a top-down route. A single crystal with monoclinic structure of WO3 nanoplate was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The activity of photocatalytic degradation Rhodamine B (RhB) over the WO3 nanoplate increased by about 1.4 times, when compared with that of bulk WO3. The enhancement of activity was attributed to the unique two-dimension (2D) structure leading to an effective separation of carriers, which was further verified via steady and time-solution fluorescence spectra (PL), photocurrent and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS).read more

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Xiaoyuan Zhang, Wenbin Hu, Yaping Chen, Jinhua Xiong

Optimization of Bleaching Conditions in Refining Process of Camellia Oil with Response Surface Method

The objective of this study was to optimize bleaching conditions of camellia oil by minimizing the lovibond yellow color and maximizing the polyphenol content. The experiments of bleaching were conducted using RSM with Box-Behnken design for the camellia oil. RSM was used to investigate the effects of active clay amount (2-6 wt%), heating temperature (30-60 oC) and stirring speed (60-140 rpm) on lovibond yellow color and polyphenol content. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that active clay amount, heating temperature and stirring speed significantly effect on lovibond yellow color and polyphenol content (p < .05), while the quadratic (X22, X32) and interaction effect of X1X2, X2X3 hardly influence the polyphenol content (p > .05). In addition, the optimized conditions were active clay amount of 4 g/hg, the heating temperature of 40 oC, and the stirring speed of 60 rpm. Under these conditions, the experimental lovibond yellow color and polyphenol content were 8.5 (133.4mm) and 26.74 mg/kg respectively, which were well matched with the predictive values.read more

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Shuai Huang, Wen W. Jin, Dan Huang, Lin Chen and Jianwu Yu

The Projective Effect of Pomegranate Juice on Fibrosis, Carboxylesterase Activity and Fatty Acid Profile in Rat Liver Tissues Exposed to Carbon Tetrachloride

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) on liver carboxylesterases (Ces), oxidative stress parameters, liver histology, and fatty acids in rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups as control, CCl4, PJ, and CCl4+PJ (n=7 in each group). We determined that the decrease in Ces activity due to CCl4-induced liver damage was alleviated by PJ. Moreover, PJ reduced CCl4-induced oxidative stress, liver degeneration, and apoptosis. While the CCl4 group increased the 15:0, 16:0 fatty acid levels, it decreased the 20:4 and PUFA fatty acid levels compared to the control group. In the CCl4+PJ group, 16:0 and ΣSFA fatty acid percentages decreased with the effect of PJ compared to the CCl4 group, while 18:2n-6, ΣPUFA and ΣUSFA fatty acid ratios increased. We concluded that PJ has an ameliorative effect on liver damage caused by CCl4 exposure.read more

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Ahmet Ozkaya, Zafer Sahin, Seyda Cagri Bulbul, Mirac Uckun, Ertan Yologlu Ahmet Turk and Yusuf Ozay

N-Selective Alkylation of Norepinephrine by Reductive Amination

A facile direct alkylation of norepinephrine has been developed by reductive amination. This method has several advantages, including a one-step procedure, ease of execution, moderate yields and broad substrates feasibility.read more

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Linming Zuo, Han Lin, Xianheng Wang and Changkuo Zhao

Development of Novel Bryophyllum Pinnatum Chitosan Loaded Nanoparticle for Invitro Antioxidant, Antimicrobial Anticancer Studies

Cancer, characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation, remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Conventional therapies often face limitations, including severe side effects, drug resistance, and non-specificity. Nanotechnology offers a promising alternative, and Bryophyllum pinnatum, known for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties, provides a sustainable source of bioactive compounds for nanoparticle-based therapeutics. Bryophyllum pinnatum-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (BPCNPnp) were synthesized using the ionic gelation method and characterized for their physicochemical and biological properties. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified eight bioactive compounds in the extract, including alpha-linolenic acid, oleic acid, and ethyl palmitate. The nanoparticles exhibited a particle size of 116.7 nm, a zeta potential of +28.84 mV, and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.25, indicating enhanced stability and uniformity. Compared to conventional chitosan nanoparticles (CNPnp), BPCNPnp demonstrated superior DPPH radical scavenging capacity, with an IC₅₀ value of 4.26 mg/mL, closely matching ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = 4.00 mg/mL), while CNPnp showed an IC₅₀ of 5.32 mg/mL. The nanoparticles exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, with inhibition zones up to 17.33 ± 1.52 mm for Klebsiella pneumoniae and 15.66 ± 1.15 mm for Escherichia coli at 8000 µg/mL. Antifungal activity was observed against Aspergillus niger, with an inhibition zone of 15.70 ± 0.57 mm. Cytotoxicity and MTT assays revealed dose- and time-dependent antiproliferative effects on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, reducing cell viability by 66% at 24 h and 42% at 48 h at 300 µg/mL, compared to 76% and 66% reductions for CNPnp.These findings demonstrate the superior stability, antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial efficacy, and anticancer potential of BPCNPnp, making it a promising nanoplatform for addressing challenges in oxidative stress, antimicrobial resistance, and cancer treatment.read more

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Ahmad Muazu Shehu and Erkay Özgör

Photodegradation of Norfloxacin on Ni0.5Cd0.5S/g-C3N4 Composites in Water

Widely used in hospital and animal farming, the large amounts of norfloxacin (NORF) were discharged into the water environment which caused severe pollution problems. Photocatalysis technology can decompose, mineralize most organic compounds, including NORF. In this paper, Ni0.5Cd0.5S(NCS), g-C3N4(CN) and their composites were prepared as photocatalysts. The composites were characterized by SEM, energy-disperse X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and XRD. It was showed that NORF in water can be effectively removed by NCS/CN composites in visible light. The experimental results proved that the composites have better photocatalytic degradation performance than NCS or CN alone. The best photocatalysis reaction condition of pH was 7. There were different performances on the degradation of NORF when the interfere anions, NO3ˉ, Cˉ and HCO3ˉwere mixed in the reactive system. HCO3ˉand Clˉ were the inhibitory substances on the photocatalysis reaction, and NO3ˉ slightly prompted the reaction. In addition, the main active substances produced in the reaction were superoxide radicals (•O2ˉ) and holes (h+) which were confirmed by adding different free radical quenchants in NORF photodegradation reaction system.read more

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Qinjun Chen, Guoqiang Lai, Zanen Wu, Xia Chen, Jinhui Zhang, Shibiao Wu