New Ni (II) and Cu (II) complexes with pyridoxal-semicarbazone were synthesized and their structures were solved by X-ray crystallography. This analysis showed the bis-ligand octahedral structure of [Ni(PLSC-H)2]·H2O and the dimer octahedral structure of [Cu(PLSC)(SO4)(H2O)]2·2H2O. Hirshfeld surface analysis was employed to determine the most important intermolecular interactions in the crystallographic structures. The structures of both complexes were further examined using density functional theory and natural bond orbital analysis. The photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue in the presence of both compounds was investigated. Both compounds were active toward E. coli and S. aureus, with a minimum inhibition concentration similar to that of chloramphenicol. The obtained complexes led to the formation of free radical species, as was demonstrated in an experiment with dichlorofluorescein-diacetate. It is postulated that this is the mechanistic pathway of the antibacterial and photocatalytic activities. Cyclic voltammograms of the compounds showed the peaks of the reduction of metal ions. A molecular docking study showed that the Ni(II) complex exhibited promising activity towards Janus kinase (JAK), as a potential therapy for inflammatory diseases, cancers, and immunologic disorders.

The intermittent nature of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind necessitates integration with energy-storage units to enable realistic applications. In this study, thermal performance enhancement of the finned Cylindrical Thermal Energy Storage (C-TES) with nano-enhanced Phase Change Material (PCM) integrated with the water heating system under Storage, Charging and Discharging (SCD) conditions were investigated experimentally. The effects of the addition of copper oxide (CuO) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles in PCM on thermal conductivity, specific heat, and on charging and discharging performance rates were theoretically and experimentally investigated and studied in detail. The experimental apparatus utilized paraffin wax as PCM, which was filled in Finned C-TES to conduct the experiments. The experimental results showed a positive improvement compared with the non-nano additive PCM. The significance and originality of this project lies within the evaluation and identification of preferable metal-oxides with higher potential for improving thermal performance.

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