Composite absorbers based on conducting fabrics possessing moderate conductivity and dielectric/magnetic properties were prepared by in situ incorporation of nanoparticles of BaTiO 3 (15−25 nm) or Fe 3 O 4 (25−40 nm) within coated poly(aniline) (PANI) matrix. The X-ray diffraction patterns and transmission electron microscopy images confirmed the formation of PANI coating and incorporation of BaTiO 3 or Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy images show formation of thick and uniform coating of PANI over individual fibers and in interweave regions. The dielectric studies show that incorporation of BaTiO 3 lead to enhancement of dielectric properties of PANI whereas magnetization measurements revealed that incorporation of Fe 3 O 4 resulted in noticeable improvement in magnetic properties with saturation magnetization of 17.9 emu/g. The Ku-band (12.4−18.0 GHz) shielding studies revealed that pure PANI-coated fabric show total shielding effectiveness (SE T ) of −15.3 dB which enhanced to −16.8 and −19.4 dB after incorporation of BaTiO 3 and Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles respectively. Such an improvement can be attributed to the better matching of input impedance, reduction of skin depth, and additional dielectric/magnetic losses. The high value of absorption-dominated SE T (i.e., 97−99% attenuation) and specific shielding effectiveness value of 17−20 dB cm 3 /g demonstrate the potential of these fabrics as promising microwave-shielding material. In addition, these fabrics also display good antistatic response with static charge decay time of only 0.11 s.

Summary Recent increase in energy demand and associated environmental degradation concern has triggered more research towards alternative green energy sources. Eco‐friendly energy in facile way has been generated from abundantly available iron oxides using only few microliters of water without any external energy source. Hydroelectric cell (HEC) compatible to environment benign, low cost oxygen‐deficient mesoporous hematite nanoparticles has been used for splitting water molecules spontaneously to generate green electricity. Hematite nanoparticles have been synthesized by coprecipitation method. Chemidissociated hydroxyl group presence on hematite surface has been confirmed by infrared spectroscopy (IR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Surface oxygen vacancies in nanostructured hematite have been identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), XPS, and photoluminescence (PL) measurement. Hematite‐based HEC delivers 30 mA current with 0.92 V emf using approximately 500 μL water. Maximum off‐load output power 27.6 mW delivered by 4.84 cm2 area hematite‐based HEC is 3.52 times higher than reported 7.84 mW power generated by Li‐magnesium ferrite HEC. Electrochemistry of HEC in different irreversible polarization loss regions has been estimated by applying empirical modeling on V‐I polarization curve revealing the reaction and charge transport mechanism of cell. Tafel slope 22.7 mV has been calculated by modeling of activation polarization overvoltage region of 0.11 V. Low activation polarization indicated easy charge/ion diffusion and faster reaction kinetics of Ag/Zn electrode owing to lesser energy barrier at interface. Dissociated H3O+ ions diffuse through surface via proton hopping, while OH− ions migrate through interconnected defective crystallite boundaries resulting into high output cell current.

Summary Dissociation of water molecule occurs on octahedrally coordinated unsaturated suface cations and oxygen vacancies created by lithium substitution in magnesium ferrite. Lower synthesis temperature of ferrite has generated nanopores in microstructure. Dissociated hydronium and hydroxyl ions are transported through surface and capillary diffusion in porous ferrite network towards attached Zn and Ag electrodes. Water molecule dissociation ability of nanoporous ferrite has been exploited to develop a green electrical energy cell, which is a combination of material science and electrode chemistry. The innovated cell has been nomenclatured as hydroelectric cell (HEC). When HEC is partially dipped in deionized water, spontaneously hydroxide and hydronium ions are produced by water molecule dissociation. Hydronium ions trapped in nanopores develop enough electric field that further dissociates physisorbed water molecules. Thereby, the process of water molecule dissociation is accelerated in a bigger way to increase ionic current in the cell. Oxidation of Zn electrode by hydroxide ion and reduction of H3O+ at Ag electrode develop voltage and electric current in the cell. The HEC cell of a 17 cm2 area is able to generate a short circuit current of 82 mA and 920 mV emf with a maximum output power of 74 mW, which is three order higher than reported output power 1.4 μW/cm2 produced by water in cement matrix. Hydroelectric cell performance is repetitive, stable and possesses potential to replace traditional ways of generating renewable energy in terms of cost and safety. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

We have observed ferromagnetism in Li-doped ZnO nanorods with Curie temperature up to 554 K. Li forms shallow acceptor states in substitutional zinc sites giving rise to p-type conductivity. An explicit correlation emerges between increase in hole concentration with decrease in magnetization and Curie temperature in ZnO:Li. Occurrence of ferromagnetism at room temperature has been established with observed magnetic domain formation in ZnO:Li pellets in magnetic force microscopy and prominent ferromagnetic resonance signal in electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum. Magnetic ZnO:Li nanorods are luminescent, showing strong near UV emission. Substitutional Li atoms can induce local moments on neighboring oxygen atoms, which when considered in a correlated model for oxygen orbitals with random potentials introduced by dopant atom could explain the observed ferromagnetism and high Curie temperature in ZnO:Li nanorods.

The recently invented hydroelectric cell (HEC) is emerging as a better alternative to green electrical energy devices. In this direction, oxygen-deficient mesoporous magnetite nanoparticles have been synthesized by a chemical method to fabricate a magnetite-based HEC. A water molecule chemidissociates on the surface Fe cations and oxygen vacancies, followed by physisorbed water molecule dissociation due to charges trapped inside mesopores of magnetite. Mesoporosity and oxygen vacancies in magnetite nanoparticles have been confirmed by BET and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. Dissociated H 3 O + and OH − ions migrate toward attached silver and zinc electrodes, respectively, in magnetite HEC via capillary and surface diffusion. Ionic diffusion of dissociated ions has been confirmed by a Nyquist plot for dry and wet magnetite HEC. Ohmic loss in magnetite has been found to be less due to Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ hopping process, which results in increased cell current. A typical magnetite HEC of 4.8 cm 2 area delivers a 50 mA peak current with a maximum output power of 38.5 mW. An electromotive force (emf) of 0.77 V is generated due to a redox reaction at respective electrodes in the cell. Reduction in cell emf is attributed to the oxidation of Fe 2+ to Fe 3+ , forming internal cells in magnetite, which ultimately impedes OH − ion diffusion toward the Zn electrode. Byproducts of the HEC, zinc hydroxide and H 2 gas, are not harmful for the environment. Electricity generation by magnetite HEC is a safe, environment-friendly, and facile technique.