No abstract

A brief seed pretreatment of 12 hours, in an aqueous suspension of synthesized nano iron pyrite (FeS2), significantly increases the yield of spinach and other crops.

Li and S compounds are currently exploited for their applications in battery industry. Here, we discovered that Li-S compounds exhibit supercapacitor like properties in a context-dependent manner viz., when Li and S atoms are entrapped in a conductivity cage of N-doped reduced graphene oxide (ND-RGO) supercapacitor derived from silk cocoon, it resulted in the formation of a superior hybrid Li-S-silk (ND-RGO-Li-S) supercapacitor. Interestingly, ND-RGO-Li-S proves to be a better supercapacitor than ND-RGO alone. Electrochemical properties of ND-RGO versus ND-RGO-Li-S indicated that the later has higher capacitance (~ 10.72%), lower resistance (~ 2.98%), and higher time constant or relaxation time (~ 7.52%). Thus, in one of the first attempts, caging Li and S in ND-RGO supercapacitor matrix offers a new role for Li-S, as an improved supercapacitor, unlike its current application as a battery.

Futuristic energy materials are expected to be biocompatible, green, sustainable and economical. One of the ways to develop such energy storage materials is by utilizing natural sources such as plants, animals, and insects. Autotrophs fix nitrogen and carbon in the atmosphere through rhizobium and photosynthesis, respectively, which are later consumed by animals and insects as energy sources. Biocharring these plants and insects derived products that could help us regain this carbon and nitrogen in the form of biocharred energy materials. Insect-derived Tassar cocoon, Mulberry cocoon, and Tassar silk thread give N-doped carbon matrix upon biocharring which is further processed to obtain reduced graphene oxide, whereas plant-derived Jute gives a pure carbon matrix on biocharring, all four materials show typical properties of charge storage. Exploring further on these natural charge storage materials will help the energy industries to design green charge storage systems. Further, such an approach in future will open up new avenues of business for silk and jute farmers of the world.