This review provides insight into the different aspects and challenges associated with the realization of sustainable solar hydrogen production systems on a practical large scale.

This work represents a state-of-the-art technique developed for the preparation of graphene from graphite-metal electrodes by the arc-discharge method carried out in a continuous flow of water. Because of continuous arcing of graphite-metal electrodes, the graphene sheets were observed in water with uniformity and little damage. These nanosheets were subjected to various purification steps such as acid treatment, oxidation, water washing, centrifugation, and drying. The pure graphene sheets were analyzed using Raman spectrophotometry, x-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and tunneling electron microscopy (TEM). Peaks of Raman spectra were recorded at (1300-1400 cm À1 ) and (1500-1600 cm À1 ) for weak D-band and strong G-band, respectively. The XRD pattern showed 85.6% crystallinity of pure graphite, whereas pure graphene was 66.4% crystalline. TEM and FE-SEM micrographs revealed that graphene sheets were overlapped to each other and layer-by-layer formation was also observed. Beside this research work, we also reviewed recent developments of graphene and related nanomaterials along with their preparations, properties, functionalizations, and potential applications.

In the present work, polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomposites were synthesized using ferric chloride (FeCl 3 ) as an oxidant by in situ polymerization at room temperature. Cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles were synthesized by ultrasonication technique with size ranging between 60 and 110 nm. The PPy/CdS nanocomposites were prepared by taking 1-3 wt % loading of CdS to measure the electrical conductivity. The PPy nanocomposites were characterized by using FTIR, X-ray diffraction, UV, and SEM. Furthermore, these PPy/CdS nanocomposites were investigated to study their effect of electrical properties on gas sensitivity of ammonia and LPG. The nanocomposites showed improvement in conductivity and sensing response toward 250 ppm NH 3 was found to be maximum (4.2) compared with 100 and 500 ppm NH 3 gas, whereas in the case of LPG, it showed sensitive response.

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In this study, the effects of a coupling agent and additive on the physicomechanical (morphological, mechanical, thermal, and swelling) properties of tea dust (TD)–polypropylene (PP) composites were studied. TD–PP composites were prepared with untreated tea dust (UTD) and tetraethylsilane (TES)‐treated TD or silanated tea dust (STD) particles at ratios of 0:100, 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, and 40:60 w/w. Initially, TD particles were grafted by TES as a coupling agent, and these STD particles were then modified with graphene oxide (GO) as an additive to study their effects on the STD–PP composites; these were compared to the STD–PP and UTD–PP composites in accordance with a study of improvements in the mechanical properties. All of the TD–PP composites were analyzed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical, thermal, and physical tests. The thermal and mechanical properties of both the STD–PP and GO‐modified STD–PP composites were found to be improved as compared to those of the UTD–PP composites. So, the recycling of a large amount of TD as a waste material could be useful in the preparation of TD–PP composites. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 42927.

Recent advances and overview of hybrid nanostructured cotton materials will boost an essential encouragement for the development of next generation smart textiles and flexible devices which could be worn by human beings.

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Fast recovery and quick response time for the detection of 50 ppm LPG have been demonstrated by hybrid (CNT/PANi/γ-Fe2O3) nanostructured cotton threads that can be used as wearable sensing textiles.