Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) create imitation photosynthesis by using chemical reactions to produce electricity from sunlight. DSSC has been pursued in numerous studies due to its capability to achieve efficiencies of up to 15% with artificial photosensitizer in diffuse light. However, artificial photosensitizers present a limitation because of the complex processing of metal compound. Therefore, various types of sensitizers were developed and synthesized to surpass the artificial sensitizer performances such as natural sensitizers from bio-based materials including plants, due to simple processing techniques and low environmental impact. Thus, this study examines the potential and properties of natural sensitizers from the waste of bio-based materials from Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen fruit) and Archidendron pauciflorum (jering fruit). Both fruits pericarps have dark color pigments as dark purple and dark brown, respectively, which promise a good absorption and has potential to be used as sensitizer for DSSC. Each pericarps dye extracted using cold extraction method in methanol solvent. Electrochemical properties and photovoltaic properties of the natural photosensitizers were studied. The highest peaks of photoluminescence spectra of mangosteen and jering sensitizers were at 490 and 670 nm, respectively, due to their different types of dye pigment extracted. We also obtained the absorption spectra for both mangosteen and jering sensitizers at 380-500 and 400-600 nm, respectively, in blue shift behavior. The redox reaction was also studied using cyclic voltammetry and identify their energy levels. The DSSC device with mangosteen sensitizer achieved an efficiency of 0.38% with 35.43% (IPCE at 337 nm) and 37.75 Ω (Rs), whereas that with jering sensitizer has efficiency of 0.07% with 25.31% (IPCE at 337 nm) and 490.70 Ω (Rs). Performance studies for both photosensitizers were weak due to their HOMO-LUMO levels, but the results show that both natural dyes can be potentially applied as photosensitizer in DSSC.
The current study introduces a novel technique to handle electrochemical localized corrosion in certain limited regions rather than applying comprehensive cathodic protection (CP) treatment. An impressed current cathodic protection cell (ICCPC) was fabricated and firmly installed on the middle of a steel structure surface to deter localized corrosion in fixed or mobile steel structures. The designed ICCPC comprises three essential parts: an anode, a cathode, and an artificial electrolyte. The latter was developed to mimic the function of the natural electrolyte in CP. A proportional-integrated-derivative (PID) controller was designed to stabilize this potential below the ICCPC at a cathodic potential of −850 mV, which is crucial for prote
... Show MoreA number of ehemical ion materials were used as an absorber against solar energy. These materials were selected according to their absorption spectra in the wavelength range 300-800nm where the solar spectrum is coventrated. A solar olleetorw^esigd and The ability of each material inside the collector for absorbing the solar radiation was examined by a converter parameter “R”.According to the “R” parameter, the cohaltous and copperic ions material seems to be of higher capability for absorbing solar energy than the other materials.All the results were analyzed by means of a least-squared fitting program.
BCl3 is toxic gas and its detection is of great importance. Thus, here, B3LYP, M06-2X, and B97D density functionals are utilized for probing the effect of decorating Zn, Cd, and Au on the sensing performance of an AlP nano-sheet (AlPNS) in detecting the BCl3. We predict that the interaction of pure AlPNS with BCl3 is physisorption, and the sensing response (SR) of AlPNS is approximately 9.2. The adsorption energy of BCl3 changes from −4.1 to −18.8, −19.1, and −19.5 kcal/mol by decorating the Zn, Cd, and Au metals into the AlPNS surface, respectively. Also, the corresponding SR meaningfully rises to 40.4, 59.0, and 80.9, indicating that by increasing the atomic number of metals, the sensitivity of metal decorated AlPNS (metal@AlPNS)
... Show MoreThe growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives in road construction has led to the exploration of bio-based materials for bitumen modification. This study investigates the use of sugarcane molasses (SM) as a partial replacement of bitumen, evaluating its performance through an interlaboratory study conducted in India and Iraq. Bio-bitumen binders were prepared by partially replacing 30% of conventional bitumen with sugarcane molasses, and their chemical and thermal behaviour was studied. Additionally, laboratory tests were conducted on bio-bitumen mixtures, evaluating rutting resistance, cracking resistance, moisture susceptibility, and stiffness characteristics. A mechanistic-empirical pavement analysis using
... Show MoreFresh water production from saline or waste water utilizing solar stills is the secured future approach in water industry with low cost and no environmental pollution accompanied with low productivity. In this work, the effect of inserting different available materials in a passive Single Slope Solar SSS stills on their productivity is accomplished. Side by side tests are performed on a conventional still, and three SSS stills inserted with carbon filter media, Copper wire mesh, and Cellulose sheets. All these stills are symmetrical in dimensions with 0.5 m2 base area tested for 20mm water level. The stills have been manufactured, instrumented, and tested in July 2021 under DhiQar-Iraq climate conditions (latitude 31.2° N, longitude 46.34
... Show MoreThe drying process is considered an effective technique for preserving foods and agricultural products from spoilage. Moreover, the drying process lessens the products' weight, volume, and packaging, which prompts a reduction in the products' transportation costs. The drying technique with solar energy represents an ancient method, still alluring due to solar energy abundance and cost‐effectiveness. In this article, the previous manuscripts concerned with studying and analyzing indirect solar dryer systems that utilize innovative solar air heaters (SAHs) are reviewed. The results and conclusions are discussed intensively to clarify the significance of utilizing this type of drying technique. The ef
Background: Oral SCC is a complex malignancy where environmental factors, viral infections and genetic alterations most likely interact, and thus give rise to the malignant condition. The HSP70 play a direct role in apoptosis inhibition by aligning the improved integrity of a cell’s proteins with the improved chances of that particular cell’s survival.P21 gene produces p21 protein which is a potent cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that plays a significant role in carcinogenesis. The aims of the study were to evaluate and compare the immun-histochemical expression of the HSP70 and cell cycle protein p21in NOM, OED, and OSCC. Correlate both marker expressions with each other. Materials and methods: Forty six formalin-fixed, par
... Show MoreThere is currently a pressing need to create an electro-analytical approach capable of detecting and monitoring genosensors in a highly sensitive, specific, and selective way. In this work, Functionalized Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, Polypyrrole, and gold nanoparticles nanocomposite (f-MWCNTs-GR-PPy-AuNP) were effectively deposited on the surface of the ITO electrode using a drop-casting process to modify it. The structural, morphological, and optical analysis of the modified ITO electrodes was carried out at room temperature using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemi
... Show MoreMost studies indicated that the values of atmospheric variables have changed from their general rates due to pollution or global warming etc. Hence, the research indicates the changes of direct solar radiation values over a whole century i.e. from 1900 to 2000 depending on registered data for four cities, namely (Mosul - Baghdad - Rutba - Basra. Moreover, attemptsto correlate the direct solar radiation with the temperature values have been recorded over that period. The results showed that there is a decreasing pattern of radiation quantities over time throughout the study period, where the value of direct radiation over the city of Baghdad 5550 w/m2 was recorded in the year 1900, but this ratio decreased cle
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