Iranian Journal of Materials Science and Engineering

• Cobalt containing bioactive glasses were characterized in terms of glass structure, crystallization behavior and Sinterability.

• Glass-ceramic scaffolds were fabricated through 3D printing method.

• Bioactivity assessments of the most promising glass-ceramic scaffolds confirmed rapid apatite formation without considerable toxicity.

             Highlights

               

• Ag/PVA nanocomposites were successfully fabricated using an electrochemical method.
• X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis further reveals the crystalline structure of the AgNPs, indicating their high quality and consistent properties.
• The Ag/PVA nanocomposites exhibit remarkable antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
• AgNPs/PVA nanocomposite showed remarkable antifungal efficiency, resulting in an impressive inhibition zone of up to 47 mm.
• Findings highlight the potential of these nanocomposites for applications in biomedicine and materials science.

Highlights

• Dissimilar alloy FSW (AA5052 & AZ31B) explored for heterogeneous bonding.
• DNN model predicts tensile strength and microhardness accurately.
• Microstructural analysis identifies lamellae and intermetallic compounds.
• Medium parameter combo yields highest joint tensile strength (180 MPa).

 

• Nickel-tungsten coating as a catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with different current densities was synthesized.
• An inexpensive way to improve the electrocatalytic properties of the Ni-W coating is introduced.
• By increasing the current density to 500 mA.cm^-2, grain structure of the coating became as parallel columnar grains that were placed next to each other during grain growth.
• At the same potential, the coating applied at a higher current density shows a higher current density of hydrogen evolution and therefore, has better performance.

 

Highlight of the Study

1. The study emphasizes the significance of using Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR)-synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films as an Electron Transport Layer (ETL) in Organic Solar Cells (OSCs).
2. The cost-effective SILAR method was employed for the deposition of a 0.1 Molar ZnO thin film derived from zinc acetate salt on a glass substrate.
3. Structural and surface analyses using XRD, SEM, and AFM revealed the crystalline nature, surface texture, and surface roughness of the prepared sample.
4. AFM surface roughness analysis indicated an (Rq) to (Ra) ratio of 1.204, providing valuable insights for engineering applications.
5. Optical analysis included transmittance, absorbance, extinction coefficient, refractive index, and Urbach energy. The optical band gap energy was determined to be 3.625 eV.
6. The study showcased the potential of ZnO Electron Transport Layers in improving the Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE) of Organic and Perovskite solar cells.
7. J-V curve analysis using GPVDM revealed the performance of the fabricated solar cells, achieving notable PCE values of 5.384% and 10.251% for Organic and Perovskite solar cell devices, respectively.

Highlights:

• P92 is a candidate material for components in Ultra Super Critical power plant
• Multiaxial stress rupture tests indicated notch strengthening behavior
• Precipitation of Laves phases was observed in the ruptured specimens
• Mixed mode fracture was seen with brittle fracture at notch root and ductile fracture at center of the specimen

Highlights:
In this research Ternary (Fe80Ni20)1-xCrx nanostructured alloys, where (x= 0, 4) at %, were prepared by the
mechanical alloying. Theoretical simulations (DFT) are using to determine magnetic and structural stability
of compositions with various amount of Cr addition.
• Interestingly, our theoretical simulations research proofed that addition low percentage of
antiferromagnetic chromium enhances magnetic properties of Fe(Ni) composition. But high
percentage of antiferromagnetic element caused to reduce the saturation magnetization which is
not desirable for soft-magnetic alloys.
• Mechanical alloying of Fe-Ni with low percentage of Cr caused to decreasing the crystallite size
to about 10nm.
• A considerable enhancing in magnetic properties was achieved by adding 4% Cr to Fe-Ni alloy.

Highlights

• Modification of photo-anode is still challenging to improve the dye-sensitized solar cell efficiency
• Growth of ZnO nanorods on porous silicon has potential as photo-anode in the dye-sensitized solar cell
• ZnO nanorods' shapes depend on structures of porous silicon, including diameter, depth, and pith of pores
• ZnO flower-like whose have a high bandgap, largest surface area, and highest density are appropriate for photo-anode in the dye-sensitized solar cell

We synthesized the GO-Ag-TiO₂ ternary nanocomposite by a facile hydrothermal technique to analyze the impact of silver (Ag) and graphene oxide (GO) doping on the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells.

The SEM images disclosed the formation of nanoparticles and nanosheets owing to Ag and GO doping. XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline structure of ternary nanocomposite with no peak of impurity. UV-Vis spectroscopic studies revealed the reduction in band gap favorable for high light absorption.

The photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy confirmed the efficient charge extraction by GO-Ag-TiO₂ ETL due to reduced trap states and less recombination centers. Further, the perovskite deposited on ITO/GO-Ag-TiO₂ ETL exhibited dense and uniform surface coverage beneficial for fast charge transport.

The GO-Ag-TiO₂ ternary nanocomposite as ETL in a perovskite solar cell demonstrated the favorable PCE of 8.72% with J_sc of 14.98 mA.cm^-2 ,V_oc of 0.99 V, and a fill factor of 58.83%. The efficiency of the modified device was found almost 33 % higher than the pristine TiO₂ based device. The efficiency enhancement is attributed to fast charge carrier extraction by the ETL and reduced recombinations owing to smooth and crack free surface coverage.

This research work provides pavement for the fabrication of low-cost perovskite devices by employing GO-Ag-TiO₂ ETL due to synergistic effect of silver and graphene oxide.
 

Highlight
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Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using an aqueous extract of Aerodramus fuciphagus.
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Aerodramus fuciphagus extract solution acts as capping and stabilizing agent for silver nanoparticles.
•
The silver nanoparticles reduced by Aerodramus fuciphagus exhibited an average spherical diameter ranging from 10 to 35 nm.
•
The excitation of surface plasmon vibrations resulted in an absorbance peak at 421 nm proves the emerging of silver nanoparticles-reduce Aerodramus fuciphagus.
•
The immobilization of Aerodramus fuciphagus with silver nanoparticles demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against both E. coli and S. aureus

Highlights:

• The use of TiB₂ and B₄C was compared to fabricate in situ Ti matrix composites.
• The content of the reinforcement formed using B₄C was much higher.
• Using 3 wt.% TiB₂ caused the peak hardness.
• Using 3 wt.% TiB₂ showed the ruling of combined delamination and adhesive wear.
• Using 3 wt.% TiB₂ led to the lowest wear rate at 50 N due to its higher hardness.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

1. CuWO₄/SnO₂ nanocomposite was prepared by simple wet-impregnation process.
2. The synthesized nanocomposites were completely characterized through various techniques including UV-vis-DRS, XRD, SEM, EDS, HRTEM, XPS and BET techniques.
3. CuWO₄/SnO₂ nanocomposite exhibited better photocatalytic performance for the degradation of RB dye.
4. Possible mechanism for the visible light driven photocatalytic activity of CuWO₄/SnO₂ nanocomposite was proposed.

Highlights

• Optimizing the performance of organic solar cells by simulating the behavior of P3HT:PCBM materials.
• Optimizing the structure of organic solar cells to enhance their efficiency.
• Predicting the absorption spectra of P3HT:PCBM organic solar cells to enhance light harvesting.

 

 

Highlights of the Research

• A hybrid composite TiO₂-Polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposite was synthesized using the chemical oxidative polymerization method.
• The XRD analysis confirmed the presence of Anatase TiO₂. The average crystallite size of TiO₂ was 13.87 in pure form and 10.76 nm in the composite TiO₂-PANI.
• The TiO₂ exhibits absorption in the UV region, while its composite TiO₂-PANI nanocomposite absorbs across both UV and Visible regions.
• Robust degradation of Carbol Fuchsin dye was achieved within 40 minutes, indicating a promising photocatalytic activity.