Investigation of Toxic Metals in the Tobacco of Pakistani Cigarettes Using Proton-Induced X-Ray Emission

A particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) study has been carried out to find out whether available local and imported cigarette brands in Pakistan have elevated concentration of metals or not. The results are compared within the brands examined in this study and with the results of related studies in literature. A sum of 19 different cigarette brands was purchased randomly from different Pakistani markets which included local and imported brands. The concentration of elements like Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Co was investigated. Results showed that different cigarette brands have different metal contents. The mean concentration of the heavy metals is Cd—4.92 μg/g, Co—0.12 μg/g, Cu—0.97 μg/g, Ni—0.13 μg/g, Pb—1.02 μg/g, and Zn—12.91 μg/g per dry weight. Compared with the reported results of other international studies, Pakistani cigarettes are observed to have lower heavy metal contents except for cadmium which was higher. This study will provide adequate data for all concerned departments. This study will also create awareness among people about the toxicity of metals present in tobacco of cigarettes

Review on performance optimization of Lithium Sulphur Batteries (LiSBs) using carbon based electrodes

Presently, researchers’ and experts are currently dealing with ways to maintain and improve the best performance of several energy storage technologies. This review focuses on how adding carbon derivatives to lithium sulfur battery (LiSBs) electrodes can reduce capacity fade, resistance, breakdown and poor performance while also enabling the best possible use of LiSBs in a variety of devices. Their rate as regards specific capacitance, energy and power densities, life duration, lightweight, etc., are among these optimal performances. The global energy crisis focused more scientists’ attention on how to enhance the performance of LiSBs devices for the benefit of humanity. Numerous carbon derivatives, including GO, rGO, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), etc., have advantageous properties that raise the efficiency of energy storage technologies. This review looked at LiSBs and the impact of carbon derivatives addition on their storage capability, cycle stability, life span and durability

Trimetallic Oxides/GO Composites Optimized with Carbon Ions Radiations for Supercapacitive Electrodes

Hydrothermally synthesized electrodes of Co3O4@MnO2@NiO/GO were produced for use in supercapacitors. Graphene oxide (GO) was incorporated into the nanocomposites used for electrode synthesis due to its great surface area and electrical conductivity. The synergistic alliance among these composites and GO enhances electrode performance, life span, and stability. The structural properties obtained from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results suggest that nanocomposites are crystalline in nature. The synergistic alliance among these composites and GO enhances electrode performance, life span, and stability. Performance assessment of these electrodes indicates that their characteristic performance was enhanced by C2+ radiation, with the uttermost performance witnessed for electrodes radiated with 5.0 × 1015 ions/cm2

Investigation of Chemical Bath Deposited Transition Metals/GO Nanocomposites for Supercapacitive Electrodes

In this work, the chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique was utilized in the synthesis of transition metals/GO nanocomposites (Co3O4/MnO2/NiO/GO) for applications in supercapacitor electrodes. The nanocomposites after characterization showed that the electrically conductive nature and wide surface area of graphene oxide (GO) accounted for its incorporation into the nanocomposites. The synergy between the nanocomposites accounts for their improved performance and stable phase. The XRD results revealed cubic, orthorhombic, cubic, and mixed phases for the Co3O4/GO (CG), MnO2/GO (MG), NiO/GO (NG), and Co3O4/MnO2/NiO/GO (CMNG), respectively; their morphologies showed platelet nanoparticles with few agglomerates, with an average particle size of 69 ± 12 nm, 37 ± 09 nm, 58 ± 36 nm, and 36 ± 08 nm, respectively. For the produced materials, electrochemical results revealed maximum specific capacitance values of 2482 F/g from cyclic voltammograms and 1280.48 F/g from the galvanometric test. The results showed that the composites outperform single transition metal oxide (TMO) electrodes, with graphene oxide boosting the electrode performance

Exploring dual synergistic effects of CeO2@ZnO mediated sarcophrynium brachystachys leaf extract nanoparticles for supercapacitor electrodes applications

Cerium oxide (CeO2), Zinc oxide (ZnO) and Zinc@Cerium oxides composites (CeO2@ZnO) electrodes were synthesized using aqueous extract of Sarcophrynium Brachystachys leaf extract as comforting agent employing hydrothermal technique. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies revealed crystallites of various nanoparticles (NPs) sizes valued from the Debye-Scherer's equation to be 26.50, 26.77 and 26.50 nm for CeO2, ZnO and CeO2@ZnO respectively. The electrochemical analysis shown that the estimated specific capacitance acquired using cyclic voltammetry (CV) employing 10.0 mV/s scan rates are 976, 878 and 1075 F/g for CeO2, ZnO, and CeO2@ZnO respectively. Results obtained indicated clearly that specific capacitance of mixed metal oxides and Sarcophrynium Brachystachys leaf extract, an organic and natural material is better when compared with separate metal oxide alone. Sarcophrynium Brachystachys leaf extract increased the synergistic effect among constituent ions by reducing electrodes resistance, increasing electrodes conductivity and enriched electrode features

Mechanism behind sources and sinks of major anthropogenic greenhouse gases

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are major contributors to global warming and climate change. These gases modulate the atmospheric radiative forcing and play an important role in Earth's albedo. The emission level, global warming potential and the persistence of a GHG define its accumulation in the atmosphere and relative potential to change radiative forcing. The major anthropogenic GHGs include methane, nitric oxide, ozone, hydrochloroflourocarbons, chloroflourocarbons, sulfur hexaflouride and nitrogen triflouride Besides these, some gases indirectly act as GHGs like carbon monoxide, non-methane hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. Many scientists have already warned regarding elevated emission trends after the industrial revolution. From last decades the emission of GHGs has tremendously increased in the atmosphere and the natural sinks of GHGs have contracted over time. Generally, fossil fuel burning and change in land use are major sources of GHGs while major sinks include soil, ocean and atmosphere. Interestingly the emission trends of greenhouse gases from different sources as well as the contribution of various countries to global greenhouse gasses budget have changed. Thus previous footprints, trends and projections regarding GHGs are needed to be reevaluated. Specific precautions and strategies are compatible to reduce GHGs emissions while further may help to obtain global temperature to above pre-industrial ambient temperature level by reducing 2°C in current temperature