As a growing aspect of materials science, there are an enormous number of synthesis routes that have been identified to produce materials, particularly through simple methodologies. In this way, the present study focuses on the easiest way to prepare sulfur doped carbon nanoparticles (SDCNs) using a flame synthesis method and has also demonstrated a novel route to synthesize Ni(OH)2 decorated SDCNs by a simple adsorption cum precipitation method. The SDCNs are alternative candidates to prestigious carbon materials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and fullerenes. Moreover, SDCNs provide excellent support to the Ni(2+) ion adsorption and initiate the formation of Ni(OH)2. The formation of Ni(OH)2 on the SDCN matrix was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), selected area diffraction pattern (SAED), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). After these meticulous structural evaluations, we have described the mechanism for the formation of Ni(OH)2 on an SDCN matrix. The as-prepared Ni(OH)2 decorated SDCN nanocomposites were used as an electrode material for nonenzymatic glucose sensors. The fabricated glucose sensor exhibited a wide linear concentration range, 0.0001-5.22 mM and 5.22-10.22 mM, and a low-level detection limit of 28 nM. Additionally, it reveals excellent selectivity in the potentially interfering ions and also possesses a good stability. The practicality of the fabricated glucose sensor was also demonstrated toward glucose detection in biological samples.

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Sodium-ion hybrid supercapacitors are potential energy-storage devices and have recently received enormous interest. However, the development of cathode materials and the use of nonaqueous electrolyte remain a great challenge. Hence, aqueous Na-ion hybrid supercapacitors based on a three-dimensional network of NaMnO were developed. The cathode material was synthesized by the electro-oxidation of potassium manganese hexacyanoferrate nanocubes. The oxidized compound was confirmed to be Na MnO by various physical characterization methods. Manganese dioxide is a well-characterized material for aqueous asymmetric pseudocapacitors, but its usage at high operating voltages is limited due to the electrochemical stability of water. Nevertheless, high-potential and high-performance aqueous supercapacitors exhibiting a cell potential of 2.7 V were developed. Further, the practical applicability of an asymmetric supercapacitor based on NaMnO (cathode) and reduced graphene oxide (anode) was demonstrated by powering a 2.1 V red LED.

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A highly selective and sensitive dopamine sensor was demonstrated based on copper hexacyanocobaltate nanocubes in the presence of ascorbic acid.

We report nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles from a one-step flame synthesis by directly burning pyrrole at room temperature and in an air atmosphere.

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Inhalation of organic dust is an occupational hazard leading to the development of respiratory symptoms and respiratory diseases. Bioaerosols from concentrated animal feeding operations are rich in bacteria and could carry bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) that could induce lung inflammation. It is not known if organic dust contains bacterial EVs and whether they modulate lung inflammation. Herein, we show that poultry organic dust contains bacterial EVs (dust EVs) that induce lung inflammation. Treatment of airway epithelial cells, THP-1-monocytes and -macrophages with dust EVs rapidly induced IL-8, IL-6, ICAM-1, proIL-1β, and TNF-α levels. In airway epithelial cells, induction of inflammatory mediators was due to increased mRNA levels and NF-kB activation. Induction of inflammatory mediators by dust EVs was not inhibited by polymyxin B. Single and repeated treatments of mice with dust EVs increased lung KC, IL-6 and TNF-α levels without significantly altering IL-17A levels. Increases in cytokines were associated with enhanced neutrophil infiltration into the lung. Repeated treatments of mice with dust EVs increased lung mean linear intercept and increased collagen deposition around airways indicating lung remodeling. Peri-bronchial cell infiltrates and airway epithelial thickening were also observed in treated mice. Because bacterial EVs are nanometer-sized particles, they can reach and accumulate in the bronchiolar and alveolar regions causing lung injury leading to the development of respiratory diseases. Our studies have provided new evidence for the presence of bacterial EVs in organic dust and for their role as one of the causative agents of organic dust induced lung inflammation and lung injury