Federal University of Technology Minna

We investigate the influence of Zinc (Zn) proportion on the structural, morphological and optical properties of Zinc doped Lead iodide (Zn–PbI 2 ). The doped precursors were synthesed by adding varying amount of Zinc acetate to Lead iodide from 2 % to 6 %. The X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the peaks positions slightly shifted towards high 2theta for Zn–PbI 2 . The film surfaces were improved with Zn incorporation and the thickness slight increases from 472.440 nm for PbI 2 –474.445 nm for 4 % Zn–PbI 2 . A noticeable decrease in the ratio of Pb–Zn from 2.7:1 for PbI 2 to 2.2:1 for the 4 % doped sample was observed. The lowest value (22.494 nm) of the root mean square roughness was observed in the 4 % doped sample. It was observed that the doped samples exhibit a blue shift in the major peaks of the photoluminescence intensity from 524 nm for PbI 2 to 519 nm. The energy gap was observed to decrease from 2.63 eV for 0 % Zn–PbI 2 –2.42 eV 4 % Zn–PbI 2 sample. The absorbance, reflectance, extinction coefficient and imaginary part of dielectric constant were found to have their peak intensities when 4 % Zn was added to PbI 2 .While transmittance, refractive index and real part of dielectric constant were found to have their least intensities when 4 % Zn was added. The 4 % doped sample was observed to be the most suitable material for optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications due to its outstanding properties.

This study presents the optimization of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) synthesized through an environmentally benign route using Sida acuta (SA) leaf extract as a reducing and capping agent. Taguchi-Grey Relational Analysis (TGRA) was employed to optimize the hydrodynamic diameter (HDD) and polydispersity index (PDI) of the synthesized NiO NPs. Key synthesis parameters (extract concentration, reaction temperature, and reaction time) were varied within an L9 orthogonal array. Using Grey Relational Analysis (GRA), a regression-based model was developed to predict the grey relational grade (GRG) for multi-response optimization. The optimal synthesis conditions (60mg/mL extract concentration, 70°C reaction temperature, and 120min reaction time) produced NiO NPs with an HDD of 62.72nm and a PDI of 0.232. ANOVA identified temperature as the dominant factor governing the size and distribution of the NPs. UV-Vis spectroscopy showed a characteristic absorption peak at 284nm, and XRD confirmed a face-centered cubic crystalline structure with an average crystallite size of 5.99nm. SEM, EDS, and TEM analyses indicated well-dispersed polycrystalline NPs with 80% purity. The synthesized NiO NPs possess physicochemical characteristics that position them as promising candidates for catalytic, sensing, and energy-storage applications. This work demonstrates a statistical-experimental framework for tuning nanoparticle properties through sustainable synthesis routes, highlighting a scalable strategy for precision nanomaterial design.

The benefits of electromagnetic fields of mobile transceiver stations (MTS) to society are numerous. However, there are disagreements on whether or not emissions from different mobile cell towers are harmful for human health. Therefore, the assessment of the power flux density of the electromagnetic radiation coming from mobile transceiver stations (cell towers) close to residential areas are the main focus of this study. The signal levels of all the mobile telecommunication networks in Gidan-Kwano, Bosso Local Government Area, Niger State were measured with RF Strength Meter Level (480836 Meter) along all the possible accessible routes and the corresponding distances and locations (coordinates) were also measured using Global Positioning System (GPS). The analysis revealed that power flux density varied significantly across different locations, largely due to environmental factors such as topography, building, and vegetation. Despite these fluctuations, the maximum measured signal strength was 6.172 V/m and the maximum power flux density was 101.7 mW/m², which are well below the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) recommended safety limit of 61 V/m and 4,500 mW/m² (for 900 MHz) for signal strength and power flux density respectively, signifying that public exposure levels remain within safe limits.

This study investigated the effectiveness of three blended learning models Rotational, Flex, and Enriched Virtual on the achievement, retention, and motivation of pre-service Mathematics teachers in Colleges of Education in North-Central Nigeria. Guided by six research questions and six corresponding null hypotheses, the study adopted a quasi- experimental pretest–posttest–retention control group design involving 940 participants purposively sampled from six accredited Colleges of Education. The treatment instruments consisted of custom-developed blended learning platforms built with Hyper Text Pre processor PHP, My strucured Query Language MySQL, Hyper Text markup Language HTML, and Cascading Style Sheets CSS, while data were collected using the Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT), Mathematics Retention Test (MRT), and Motivation Assessment Questionnaire (MAQ). Expert validation ensured content accuracy, instructional appropriateness, and platform usability, while reliability coefficients for MAT and MRT ranged from 0.88 to 0.91. ANCOVA and ANOVA were used for data analysis. Findings revealed significant differences among the instructional groups, with the Enriched Virtual Model producing the highest achievement (M = 46.55), retention (M = 44.58), and motivation (M = 3.83) scores. The Rotational and Flex Models also outperformed the conventional method. Retention decline was smallest in the Enriched Virtual Model (−1.97), demonstrating superior long-term learning. Gender differences across achievement, retention, and motivation were minimal and statistically insignificant, indicating that instructional method not gender was the primary determinant of learning outcomes. All hypotheses on group differences were rejected, while those on gender differences were retained. The study concludes that blended learning, particularly the Enriched Virtual Model, significantly enhances cognitive and affective learning outcomes in Algebra. It recommends broader adoption of blended learning models to strengthen mathematics instruction in teacher education programmes.

Lithium-ion solid electrolyte batteries have attracted great attention to replacing liquid electrolytes due to their cycling electrochemical properties, durable stability and safety. Numerous studies have been investigated to increase the performance of ionic-conductivity and enhance the stability of solid-state electrolytes, and its commercialization is broadly spread. This review article highlights the progress in developing NASICON-type solid electrolytes, which are made by solid-state reactions and wet-chemical procedures. Initially, researchers focused on the crystal structure, strength, and electrochemical properties of LiZr2(PO4)3, but recent studies have shifted towards investigating the electrical conductivity, crystal structure and its compatibility with Li metal. Also, the indigenous research on LiTi2(PO4)3 was pivoted on densification of the solid electrolyte to improve ionic conductivity by partial substitution of Ti4+ with Al3+ or B3+ now yields a promising ionic conductivity. LiGe2(PO4)3 is yet another Li-based NASICON electrolyte that, from the early stage, received extensive research majoring on the partial substitution of Al3+ with Ge4+ with the formula Li1+xAlxGe2-x(PO4)3 to stabilize the crystal structure following experimental and computational analysis. Improved ionic conductivity currently increasing as a result of improved Li intensity affected by aliovalent Al3+ substitution. Numerous research efforts have been explored to improve the ionic conductivity and elevate the electrochemical and thermal stabilities of NASICON-type electrolytes. It deems it fit to bring forth a cascade of promising results that so far have been recorded in both the early and the current research efforts in improving the suitability of NASICON-type electrolytes.

This study investigates the development of ferromanganese (Fe-Mn), zeolite-A and Fe-Mn-zeolite-A for the removal of some organic compounds from poultry manure. Fe-Mn was synthesized using the co-precipitation method, zeolite-A was synthesized from kaolin using a hydrothermal method, and Fe-Mn-zeolite-A nanocomposite was synthesized using the wet impregnation method to treat poultry manure. These nanomaterials were characterized using HRSEM-EDS, XRD, BET, HRTEM, and FTIR. HRSEM and HRTEM analysis reveals Fe-Mn consists of uniform spherical-like particles while zeolite-A has a less agglomerated cubic structure, and the Fe-Mn-zeolite-A shows a mixture of the cubic surface of zeolite-A and spherical Fe-Mn nanoparticles. EDS confirmed the presence of Al, Si, Fe, and Mn in the nanocomposite. XRD/HRSEM pattern revealed Fe-Mn spherical crystal structure (21.30 nm), spinel cubic crystal structure for zeolite-A with size (86.72 nm), while Fe-Mn-zeolite-A nanocomposite displays strong crystallinity and a mixture of spherical and cubic crystal structures (19.40 nm). FTIR spectrum of Fe-Mn indicates stretching vibration of metal-oxygen bonds in the Fe-Mn- lattice, zeolite-A peaks show bending and stretching vibration of water molecules within the zeolite, Si-O stretching vibrations, while the peaks of Fe-Mn-zeolite-A shows the combination of metal-oxygen and Si-O stretching vibrations, emphasizing synergistic behaviour between Fe-Mn and zeolite-A in the nanocomposite. The BET analysis results reveal the specific surface areas of Fe-Mn, zeolite-A, and Fe-Mn-zeolite-A nanocomposite as 58.66 m²/g, 15.88 m²/g, and 92.62 m²/g, respectively. The column adsorption experiment investigation revealed that Fe-Mn-zeolite-A nanocomposite was able to remove more dimethylamine up to 97.57% within 60 min, while indole was the least adsorbed organic compound (10.05%). Other removed compounds include 2-butanone (54.34%), cyclohexane (73.7%), toluene (81.81%), butanoic acid (70.12%) and 1-methoxy-1,3-cyclohexadiene (74.39%) at the end of 60 min contact time. The results of the isotherms and kinetics show that the order of fit for the prepared nanomaterials was Fe-Mn-zeolite-A > Fe-Mn > zeolite-A for the removal of selected organic compounds and the nanocomposite showed limited recyclability. This study demonstrated that Fe-Mn-zeolite-A nanocomposite are efficient in the removal of the selected organic compounds from poultry manure. • Fe-Mn-zeolite-A was successfully via hydrothermal and wet impregnation methods. • Fe–Mn and zeolite-A synergy enhanced structure, crystallinity, and surface area. • Fe–Mn–zeolite-A nanocomposite achieved highest organic pollutant removal. • Maximum dimethylamine removal reached 97.57% within 60 min of adsorption time. • Adsorption kinetics favored Fe–Mn–zeolite A over individual components.