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Radiation (RT) remains the most frequently used treatment against cancer. The main limitation of RT is its lack of specificity for cancer tissues and the limited maximum radiation dose that can be safely delivered without damaging the surrounding healthy tissues. A step forward in the development of better RT is achieved by coupling it with other treatments, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT is an anti-cancer therapy that relies on the light activation of non-toxic molecules—called photosensitizers—to generate ROS such as singlet oxygen. By conjugating photosensitizers to dense nanoscintillators in hybrid architectures, the PDT could be activated during RT, leading to cell death through an additional pathway with respect to the one activated by RT alone. Therefore, combining RT and PDT can lead to a synergistic enhancement of the overall efficacy of RT. However, the involvement of hybrids in combination with ionizing radiation is not trivial: the comprehension of the relationship among RT, scintillation emission of the nanoscintillator, and therapeutic effects of the locally excited photosensitizers is desirable to optimize the design of the hybrid nanoparticles for improved effects in radio-oncology. Here, we discuss the working principles of the PDT-activated RT methods, pointing out the guidelines for the development of effective coadjutants to be tested in clinics.

Silicon/mesoporous carbon (Si/MC) composites with optimum Si content, in which the volumetric energy density would be maximized, while volume changes would be minimized, have been developed. The composites were prepared by dispersing Si nanoparticles in a phenolic resin as a carbon source, subsequent carbonization, and etching with hydrofluoric acid (HF). Special attention was paid to understanding the role of HF etching as post-treatment to provide additional void spaces in the composites. The etching process was shown to reduce the SiO2 native layer on the Si nanoparticles, resulting in increased porosity in comparison to the non-etched composite material. For cell optimization, vinylene carbonate (VC) was employed as an electrolyte additive to build a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the electrode. The composition of the SEI layer on Si/MC electrodes, cycled with and without VC-containing electrolytes for several cycles, was then comprehensively investigated by using ex-situ XPS. The SEI layers on the electrodes working with VC-containing electrolyte were more stable than those in configurations without VC; this explains why our sample with VC exhibits lower irreversible capacity losses after several cycles. The optimized Si/MC composites exhibit a reversible capacity of ~800 mAhg−1 with an average coulombic efficiency of ~99 % over 400 cycles at C/10.

Thin films of ZnO and ZnTe semiconductors were deposited on ITO conducting glass substrates by sputtering and electrodeposition techniques, respectively. On the other hand, thin films of ion conducting solid polymer electrolyte were prepared by solution cast technique. The polymer is a blend of 50 wt% polyethylene oxide and 50 wt% chitosan. To provide redox couple (I−/I3−), the polymer was complexed with ammonium iodide NH4I with addition of few crystals of iodine I2. Ammonium iodide NH4I was added to the solution in different amounts (wt%) weight ratios to supply the charge carriers for the polymer electrolytes. The highest ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte was 1.18×10−5 S cm−1 at room temperature. Structural and optical properties of the semiconductor thin films were characterized by X-ray diffractometer and UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The XRD shows crystalline structures for both ZnO and ZnTe thin films. The UV-Vis shows direct energy gaps EZnO of 3.1 eV and EZnTe of 2.2 eV. The polymer film was sandwiched between the ZnO and ZnTe semiconductors to form ITO/ZnO/polymer/ZnTe/ITO double-junction photovoltaic cell, and the photovoltaic properties were studied. The highest open-circuit voltage 𝑉oc, short-circuit current density 𝐽sc, and fill factor FF of the fabricated cells are 0.5 V, 55 μA cm−2, and 27%, respectively.

Polymer electrolytes containing Li-ion conducting fillers are among the extensively investigated materials for the development of solid-state Li metal batteries. The practical realization of these electrolytes is, however, impeded by their low Li-ion conductivity, which is related to the filler and the interplay between the filler and the polymer. Therefore, we performed an in-depth analysis on the influence of the filler content (0, 10, and 20 wt%) and filler morphology (particles and nanowires) on the electrical and electrochemical properties of the PEO-based composite electrolyte using a wide spectrum of characterization techniques, such as 3D micro-X-ray computed tomography, cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry, impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic cycling. The studies reveal that the filler materials are well distributed within the membranes, without any indications for the formation of agglomerates. For 10 wt% filler, a decrease in the crystallinity compared to PEO was observed, in contrast to 20 wt% filler showing an increase in crystallinity. Impedance spectroscopic studies on the Li-ion conductivity of the membranes have shown that the change in the Li-ion conductivity is solely related to the change in the crystallinity, rather than to the participation of LLZO as an active transport mediator. The PEO membranes containing 10 wt% LLZO have been tested in terms of their rate capability in symmetrical Li cells by galvanostatic cycling. A critical current density of up to 1 mA cm−2 at 60°C was observed.

The growing interest in energy storage devices, both batteries and capacitors, could lead to the improvement of electrochemical properties such as extended charge/discharge cycles, high specific capacitance, and power density. Furthermore, the use of easily available raw materials for the production of carbon electrodes has attracted interest due to the criticality of the resources related to the current technologies of high-performance capacitors. The present article reviews carbon-based materials for supercapacitors derived from affordable coal deposits or crop waste with appropriate characteristics in terms of specific surface area, electrical conductivity, and charge/discharge stability. In addition, the substitution of organic liquids electrolytes with less dangerous solutions, such as aqueous electrolytes containing high concentrations of salt, is a valuable strategy for the design of green devices that is discussed in this review. Finally, the present article reviews the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors based on carbon electrodes obtained from various natural resources and their compatibility with safer and cheaper electrolytes.

Les batteries aluminium-air (AAB), en raison de leur faible coût et de leur capacité spécifique élevée, reçoivent beaucoup d'attention de nos jours. Néanmoins, un problème vital pour freiner une large application des AAB est la corrosion de l'anode en aluminium (Al), qui est déclenchée par la réaction d'évolution de l'hydrogène (HER). Par conséquent, ce travail aborde le problème de la corrosion de l'anode dans une batterie alcaline à flux d'air Al (AAFB) en mettant en œuvre un système à double électrolyte. La configuration de la batterie se compose d'une anode en Al | anolyte | membrane échangeuse d'anions | catholyte | cathode à air. Les anolytes dans ce travail sont des solutions d'éthylène glycol/éthanol (0, 5, 10, 20 et 30) % v/v contenant de l'hydroxyde de potassium 3 M (KOH). Un électrolyte en gel polymère (Carbopol® 940) est utilisé comme catholyte. La corrosion d'une électrode en Al dans les anolytes est dûment examinée. Il est significatif que lorsque le rapport d'éthylène glycol dépasse 5 % v/v, cela affecte négativement le processus de dissolution et supprime la corrosion de l'Al. En outre, la batterie utilisant l'anolyte à 5 % v/v d'éthylène glycol, à une densité de courant de décharge de 5 mA/cm2, présente une puissance de crête de 3,75 mW/cm2. La batterie présente également la capacité de décharge spécifique la plus élevée de 2 100 mAh/gAl (utilisation de 70 % d'Al) à une densité de courant de décharge de 2,5 mA/cm2. En général, le système à double électrolyte affirme son efficacité dans le contrôle de la corrosion anodique, la suppression de la passivation de la surface Al dans les AAB alcalins et l'augmentation de la capacité de décharge. Le KOH dans une solution d'éthylène glycol/ éthanol est un anolyte prometteur, plus respectueux de l'environnement, moins toxique et offrant des performances électrochimiques favorables. Las baterías de aluminio-aire (AAB), debido a su bajo coste y alta capacidad específica, reciben mucha atención en la actualidad. No obstante, un problema vital que frena la amplia aplicación de los AAB es la corrosión del ánodo de aluminio (Al), que se desencadena por la reacción de evolución de hidrógeno (HER). Por lo tanto, este trabajo aborda el problema de la corrosión del ánodo en una batería de flujo alcalino de Al-aire (AAFB) mediante la implementación de un sistema de doble electrolito. La configuración de la batería consiste en un ánodo de Al | anolito | membrana de intercambio aniónico | catolito | cátodo de aire. Los anolitos en este trabajo son soluciones de etilenglicol/etanol (0, 5, 10, 20 y 30) % v/v que contienen hidróxido de potasio (Koh) 3 M. Se emplea un electrolito de gel de polímero (Carbopol® 940) como catolito. Se examina debidamente la corrosión de un electrodo de Al en los anolitos. Es significativo que cuando la relación de etilenglicol excede el 5 % v/v, esto afecta negativamente el proceso de disolución y suprime la corrosión del Al. Además, la batería que utiliza el anolito con 5% v/v de etilenglicol, a una densidad de corriente de descarga de 5 mA/cm2, demuestra una potencia máxima de 3.75 mW/cm2. La batería también exhibe la mayor capacidad de descarga específica de 2.100 mAh/gAl (70% de utilización de Al) a una densidad de corriente de descarga de 2,5 mA/cm2. En general, el sistema de doble electrolito afirma su eficacia en el control de la corrosión anódica, sofocando la pasivación de la superficie de Al en los AAB alcalinos y aumentando la capacidad de descarga. El Koh en solución de etilenglicol/ etanol es un anolito prometedor que es más respetuoso con el medio ambiente, menos tóxico y proporciona un rendimiento electroquímico favorable. Aluminum-air batteries (AABs), due to their low cost and high specific capacity, receive much attention nowadays. Nonetheless, a vital problem curbing wide application of AABs is corrosion of the aluminum (Al) anode, which is triggered by hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Therefore, this work tackles the problem of anode corrosion in an alkaline Al-air flow battery (AAFB) by implementing a dual-electrolyte system. The battery configuration consists of an Al anode | anolyte | anion exchange membrane | catholyte | air cathode. The anolytes in this work are ethylene glycol/ethanol solutions (0, 5, 10, 20 and 30) % v/v containing 3 M potassium hydroxide (KOH). A polymer gel electrolyte (Carbopol® 940) is employed as the catholyte. The corrosion of an Al electrode in the anolytes is duly examined. It is significant that when the ratio of ethylene glycol exceeds 5 % v/v, this negatively affects the dissolution process and suppresses Al corrosion. Furthermore, the battery using the anolyte with 5% v/v ethylene glycol, at a discharge current density of 5 mA/cm2, demonstrates peak power of 3.75 mW/cm2. The battery also exhibits the highest specific discharge capacity of 2,100 mAh/gAl (70% utilization of Al) at a discharge current density of 2.5 mA/cm2. In general, the dual-electrolyte system affirms its effectiveness in controlling anodic corrosion, quelling passivation of the Al surface in the alkaline AABs and boosting discharge capacity. KOH in ethylene glycol/ ethanol solution is a promising anolyte being more environmentally friendly, less toxic and providing favorable electrochemical performance. تحظى بطاريات الألومنيوم الهوائية (AABs) باهتمام كبير في الوقت الحاضر بسبب تكلفتها المنخفضة وقدرتها النوعية العالية. ومع ذلك، فإن المشكلة الحيوية التي تحد من التطبيق الواسع لـ AABs هي تآكل أنود الألومنيوم (Al)، والذي ينجم عن تفاعل تطور الهيدروجين (HER). لذلك، يعالج هذا العمل مشكلة تآكل الأنود في بطارية تدفق الهواء القلوية (AAFB) من خلال تنفيذ نظام ثنائي الإلكتروليت. يتكون تكوين البطارية من الأنود | الأنوليت | غشاء تبادل الأنيونات | الكاثوليت | كاثود الهواء. الأنوليتات في هذا العمل هي محاليل إيثيلين جليكول/إيثانول (0، 5، 10، 20 و 30 )٪ v/v تحتوي على 3 M هيدروكسيد البوتاسيوم (KOH). يتم استخدام إلكتروليت هلام البوليمر (Carbopol® 940) ككاثوليت. يتم فحص تآكل القطب Al في الأنوليتات على النحو الواجب. من المهم أنه عندما تتجاوز نسبة الإيثيلين جلايكول 5 ٪ حجم/حجم، فإن هذا يؤثر سلبًا على عملية الذوبان ويثبط تآكل Al. علاوة على ذلك، فإن البطارية التي تستخدم الأنوليت مع 5 ٪ v/v إيثيلين جلايكول، عند كثافة تيار تفريغ تبلغ 5 مللي أمبير/سم 2، توضح قوة الذروة البالغة 3.75 مللي واط/سم 2. تُظهر البطارية أيضًا أعلى قدرة تفريغ محددة تبلغ 2100 مللي أمبير في الساعة/جالون في الساعة (استخدام 70 ٪ من Al) بكثافة تيار تفريغ تبلغ 2.5 مللي أمبير/سم 2. بشكل عام، يؤكد نظام الإلكتروليت المزدوج فعاليته في التحكم في التآكل الأنودي، وتهدئة تخميل سطح Al في AABs القلوية وتعزيز قدرة التفريغ. KOH في محلول الإيثيلين جليكول/ الإيثانول هو أنوليت واعد كونه أكثر ملاءمة للبيئة وأقل سمية ويوفر أداءً كهروكيميائيًا مناسبًا.

AbstractDespite the considerable initial optimism behind its development and prospective commercialization, the Li/air battery chemistry has now reached a mature stage of development, which has served to highlight the main underlying technological limitations, as well as what can realistically be expected from it. One of the main challenges is the control of the discharge product morphology, that is, Li2O2, onto the positive electrode. In this article, we show how the three‐phase configuration required to ensure cell operation can be induced in a two‐phase system made of mesoporous carbon and an ionic liquid electrolyte [N‐butyl‐N‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide, Pyr14TFSI] by means of an oxygen‐bubbling device (OBD) and a peristaltic pump. The use of a non‐flammable, non‐volatile electrolyte ensures long‐term, extensive discharging (up to 4.78 mAh cm−2), as well as operation at temperatures higher than room temperature.