Search Results (106)

This study explores the performance of an ultrathin Cu₂ZnSnSe₄ (CZTSe) absorber-based solar cell using numerical simulations carried out with SCAPS-1D software (version 3.8). Ultrathin absorber layers, generally thinner than 500 nm, are attractive because they require less material, reduce manufacturing costs, and can improve carrier collection due to the shorter distance that charge carriers must travel. However, when the absorber layer becomes very thin, it cannot absorb enough photons, which may limit the overall device performance. To overcome this challenge, the use of back surface field (BSF) layers is examined as a practical approach to improve photovoltaic efficiency. In this work, a solar cell structure composed of Carbon/BSF/CZTSe/CdS/i-ZnO/ITO was designed and simulated, with the thickness of the CZTSe absorber layer kept constant at 85 nm. Three different p⁺-type BSF materials, V₂O₅, Sb₂S₃, and CuSCN, were studied to understand how they influence device behavior. Important parameters such as electron affinity, interface defect density, acceptor defect density in the absorber layer, recombination processes, back contact properties, and operating temperature were systematically investigated. The addition of BSF layers forms a strong electric field at the p⁺–p interface, which helps push minority carriers toward the depletion region and reduces recombination losses at the back contact. The simulation results show that selecting a suitable BSF material can significantly enhance charge carrier collection and improve the efficiency of ultrathin CZTSe solar cells, offering useful guidance for designing more efficient thin-film photovoltaic devices. Full article

The Hailijin uranium (U) deposit is one of the super-large U-deposits recently discovered in the Qianjiadian ore field, southwestern Songliao Basin. The ore bodies are mainly hosted in the lower member sandstones of the Upper Cretaceous Yaojia Formation and occur as multilayered tabular bodies. The nature and source of the ore-forming fluids remain unclear, limiting the understanding of the genetic type of the deposit. This study integrated drill-core observation, mineralogy, whole-rock geochemistry, in situ pyrite trace elements and sulfur isotopes, fluid-inclusion, and Raman spectroscopy to constrain ore-forming fluids. The host sandstones experienced hematitization, limonitization, carbonate cementation, clay alteration, sulfidation and bleaching. Pitchblende and coffinite occur as submicron grains in dissolution pores of quartz and feldspar, on clay-mineral surfaces and within mobile organic matter (OM), commonly associated with pyrite and sphalerite. The ores and gray mineralized sandstones are enriched in U, Mo, Re, Co, Ni, Zn and Pb, and syn-ore pyrite shows positive correlations between U and As, Mo, Cu, Zn, Se and Sb. Mineralization-related fluid-inclusion assemblages occur mainly in syn-ore dolomite/ankerite cements and in secondary trails along microfractures in detrital quartz; they yield homogenization temperatures of 130–190 °C and salinities of 3–8 wt.% NaCl eq., higher than the normal burial temperature of the basin (80–90 °C), especially meteoric fluid. Raman and gas-chromatographic analyses indicate carbonaceous matter, CH₄, CO₂, H₂ and minor O₂. Pyrite δ³⁴S values of −49.24‰ to −23.1‰ indicate isotopically light reduced sulfur ultimately related to microbial sulfate reduction and/or thermal decomposition of sulfur-bearing OM, whereas thermochemical sulfate reduction was unlikely to be dominant. Therefore, the ore-forming fluid is interpreted as a low-temperature, low-salinity organic-rich fluid, most likely derived from U-enriched source rocks at depth, and the uranium mineralization is closely associated with the exudation of such deep-derived organic fluids. Full article

Cadmium sulfide has been widely used as a conventional n-type window/buffer layer or heterojunction partner in several p-type thin-film solar cells, including CdTe/CdSeTe-, chalcopyrite-, kesterite-, antimony chalcogenide-, tin sulfide- and iron pyrite-based devices. Its success is related to its ability to form suitable heterojunctions, partially passivate absorber surfaces and provide favorable electronic selectivity. However, the parasitic absorption associated with the relatively narrow band gap of CdS, the toxicity and waste-management issues related to cadmium-containing auxiliary layers and the need for improved band alignment have motivated extensive research on CdS-free window and buffer layers. This review summarizes the main efforts devoted to replacing CdS in thin-film solar cells based on absorbers such as CdTe/CdSeTe, CIS, CIGS, CZTS, CZTSe, CZTSSe, Sb₂S₃, Sb₂Se₃, Sb₂(S,Se)₃, SnS and FeS₂. The most investigated alternative materials, including Zn(O,S), ZnS, In₂S₃, ZnMgO, ZnSnO, TiO₂, SnO₂ and SnS₂, are discussed with emphasis on their optical properties, band alignment, interface quality, deposition methods and impact on device performance. The analysis highlights that CdS replacement cannot be treated as a universal material substitution problem. Instead, each absorber and device architecture requires a specific front-interface design, where chemical compatibility, conduction band offset, defect passivation, optical transparency and process-induced interfacial modifications play a decisive role. CdS-free approaches are relatively mature for CdTe/CdSeTe- and CIGS-based solar cells, whereas kesterite absorbers, antimony chalcogenides and SnS still require further interface engineering. In FeS₂, by contrast, buffer-layer substitution remains secondary to the control of intrinsic surface and bulk electronic defects. This review provides a concise comparison of the most relevant CdS-free front/window materials and identifies key challenges for the future design of sustainable thin-film solar cells. Full article

Lead-free double-absorber perovskite solar cells offer broad-spectrum absorption and environmental benefits, but their multilayer heterostructure creates computational challenges for conventional design optimization. This study introduces an automated framework integrating SCAPS-1D simulation, multilayer perceptron (MLP) surrogate modeling, metaheuristic algorithms, and reinforcement learning (RL). Using FTO/ZnO/Cs₂TiBr₆/RbGeI₃/CuI/Au cells, the MLP model trained on Latin hypercube sampling data achieved high accuracy (R² > 0.95). The proximal policy optimization (PPO) RL agent converged to 27.41% power conversion efficiency (PCE) in approximately 20 steps. For direct 15-dimensional optimization, simulated annealing and particle swarm optimization reached 98% target PCE with 138 and 111 function evaluations, respectively, while Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) yielded the highest average PCE. Transfer learning successfully adapted the pretrained model to a novel FASnI₃/Sb₂S₃ structure, improving the prediction accuracy of PCE, J_SC, and FF. This work systematically optimizes Cs₂TiBr₆/RbGeI₃ solar cells while establishing an efficient, generalizable paradigm for intelligent photovoltaic device design, validation, and material discovery. Full article

By synthesizing BiSbO₄ material with a molar ratio of Bi₂O₃ to Sb₂O₃ of 0.6:1 and calcining it at 700 °C, a relatively pure compound was obtained. Additionally, the effects of varying BiSbO₄ content on the microstructure and electrical properties of ZnO varistor ceramics were investigated. Results indicate that as BiSbO₄ content increased from 0% to 3%, the voltage gradient of the varistor rose with increasing BiSbO₄ content while leakage current gradually decreased. The nonlinear coefficient continued to rise, while the residual voltage ratio first decreased then increased. At a BiSbO₄ content of 2%, outstanding electrical properties were achieved: voltage gradient (E_1mA) = 346 V·mm⁻¹, leakage current J_L = 0.14 μA·cm⁻², nonlinear coefficient α = 32, and residual voltage ratio K = 1.73. Furthermore, after undergoing a 100 kA surge, the U_1mA value remained at 93.5% of its initial value, demonstrating outstanding surge stability. This provides a new approach for fabricating high-gradient, high-stability varistors. Full article

Transition-metal oxide/layered double hydroxide (LDH) electrodes often suffer from insufficient utilization of active sites, sluggish electron/ion transport, and limited cycling stability at high rates. Here, La-doped ZnCo₂O₄/MnCo-LDH nanoflowers serve as the positive electrode and Ti-supported Sb-doped SnO₂ (Ti/Sb-SnO₂) serves as the negative electrode for constructing an asymmetric supercapacitor. A stepwise hydrothermal route, La-doping regulation, and ethylenediamine-assisted morphology control transform stacked nanosheets into open porous nanoflowers with a specific surface area of 382.5 m² g⁻¹, thereby exposing more electroactive sites and shortening OH⁻ diffusion pathways. La³⁺-induced lattice distortion and defect-related oxygen species further tune the electronic structure and improve interfacial charge-transfer kinetics. The optimized La-ZnCo₂O₄/MnCo-LDH electrode delivers 2130 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ and retains 1993 F g⁻¹ after 10,000 cycles at 3 A g⁻¹. The Ti/Sb-SnO₂ negative electrode provides 673 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ and 302 F g⁻¹ at 15 A g⁻¹. The assembled device operates stably from 0 to 1.8 V in 2 M KOH and achieves 69 Wh kg⁻¹ and 13,500 W kg⁻¹. Full article

In this study, the PV performance of Au/BSF/CTS/CdS/i-ZnO/ITO thin-film solar cell (TFC) structure was systematically investigated using SCAPS-1D software. The effects of several critical parameters, including interface defect density, recombination mechanisms, absorber defect density, operating temperature, parasitic resistances, and different back surface field (BSF) layers, were comprehensively analyzed. The SCAPS-1D software results reveal that the photovoltaic performance is highly sensitive to the defect density at the absorber layer interface. When the interface defect density increased from 10¹² cm⁻³ to 10¹⁶ cm⁻³, the open-circuit voltage ($V_{OC}$) decreased from approximately 0.68 V to 0.45 V, while the power conversion efficiency (PCE) declined from nearly 19% to about 7%. Similarly, an increase in absorber defect density enhanced the Shockley–Read–Hall recombination rate, thereby reducing carrier lifetime and significantly deteriorating PV parameters. The influence of radiative and Auger recombination ($B_{Auger}$) processes was also examined, revealing that higher recombination coefficients lead to substantial reductions in current density and efficiency due to increased carrier losses. Furthermore, the impact of parasitic resistances was evaluated, demonstrating that decrease the series resistance from 9.5 Ω·cm² to 0.5 Ω·cm² increased the fill factor ($FF$) from about 48% to nearly 78%, while the device efficiency improved to approximately 32%. In addition to these parameters, particular emphasis was placed on the investigation of different BSF materials to enhance back contact performance. Various BSF layers, including SnS, PbS, V₂O₅, and Sb₂S₃, were examined to improve band alignment and suppress minority carrier recombination at the rear interface. Among these materials, the SnS BSF layer provided the most favorable band alignment with the CTS absorber, leading to a notable improvement in PV parameters and increasing the efficiency to approximately 25%. Overall, the results demonstrate that optimizing defect densities, recombination mechanisms, parasitic resistances, and especially the selection of appropriate BSF materials plays a crucial role in improving the performance of CTS-based TFCs. Full article

To improve the rutting resistance and low-temperature cracking performance of polymer-modified asphalt under extreme conditions, hierarchically structured ZnO-loaded porous activated carbon (ZnO/PAC) nanosheets were introduced as a synergistic reinforcing agent for SBS-modified asphalt. The ZnO/PAC hybrids were synthesized via template-assisted carbonization followed by hydrothermal growth, and their effects were evaluated by microscopic characterization and rheological tests, including temperature sweeps, multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR), and bending beam rheometer (BBR) analyses. ZnO was successfully anchored onto the PAC, forming a three-dimensional flower-like nanostructure. Among the investigated samples, ZPS3 with 3 wt.% ZnO/PAC showed the best overall performance. At 64 °C, the rutting factor increased from 4.2 kPa for the SBS-modified asphalt to 6.8 kPa for ZPS3, representing a ~62% enhancement and indicating markedly improved high-temperature deformation resistance. MSCR results further confirmed the superior rutting resistance of ZPS3, which exhibited the highest recovery and the lowest non-recoverable creep compliance. In addition, BBR results showed that the low-temperature performance grade improved from −12 °C for conventional the SBS-modified asphalt to −18 °C for the ZnO/PAC-modified system. These results demonstrate that ZnO/PAC nanosheets can effectively enhance both the high-temperature rutting resistance and low-temperature cracking resistance of SBS-modified asphalt. Full article

Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology, long central to analog signal processing and RF filtering, is undergoing a major renewal. Driven by advances that decouple SAWs from traditional piezoelectric materials and fixed-function devices, the field is gaining unprecedented control over acoustic, optical, and electronic interactions at the micro and nanoscale. This review synthesizes these developments across four fronts: new physical mechanisms for SAW manipulation, emerging material platforms, ranging from thin films to 2D systems, along with reconfigurable device architectures and circuits, and the expanding landscape of applications they enable. Optical methods are reshaping how SAWs are generated and controlled, bypassing the limits of conventional electromechanical coupling. Coherent optical excitation of high-Q SAW cavities via Brillouin-like optomechanical interactions now grants access to modes in non-piezoelectric substrates such as diamond and silicon, while on-chip SAW excitation in photonic waveguides through backward stimulated Brillouin scattering opens new integrated sensing routes. In parallel, magneto-acoustic experiments have revealed nonreciprocal SAW diffraction from resonant scattering in magnetoelastic gratings. On the device side, ZnO thin-film transistors integrated on LiNbO₃ exploit acoustoelectric coupling to realize voltage-tunable phase shifters; UHF Z-shaped delay lines achieve high sensitivity in a compact footprint; and parametric synthesis of wideband, multi-stage lattice filters targets 5G-class performance. Atomistic simulations show that SAW propagation in 2D MXene films can be engineered via surface terminations, while aerosol jet printing and SAW-assisted particle patterning provide agile, cleanroom-light fabrication of microfluidic and magnetic components. These advances enable applications ranging from hybrid quantum systems and quantum links to lab-on-a-chip particle control, SBS-based and UHF sensing, reconfigurable RF front-ends, and soft robotic actuators based on patterned magnetic composites. At the same time, optical techniques offer non-contact probes of dissipation, and MXenes and other emerging materials open new regimes of acoustic control. Conclusively, they are transforming SAW technology into a versatile, programmable platform for mediating complex interactions in next-generation electronic, photonic, and quantum systems. Full article

Antimony (Sb) contamination in water poses significant environmental and health risks due to its high toxicity, persistence and complex redox behavior. Magnetic spinel ferrites (MFe₂O₄) have shown promise for Sb removal; however, the intrinsic influence of divalent metal species (M²⁺) in regulating Sb(III)/Sb(V) adsorption performance and interfacial mechanisms remains poorly understood. In this study, MnFe₂O₄, ZnFe₂O₄ and NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized and systematically evaluated to elucidate how M²⁺ governs Sb immobilization behavior. Batch adsorption experiments revealed pronounced M–dependent selectivity. MnFe₂O₄ exhibited the highest Sb(III) adsorption capacity (229.89 mg·g⁻¹), whereas NiFe₂O₄ showed superior affinity toward Sb(V) (up to 257.07 mg·g⁻¹). Adsorption kinetics for both Sb species followed pseudo-second-order models, indicating chemically controlled processes. Isotherm analyses indicated predominantly monolayer complexation for Sb(III), while Sb(V) adsorption displayed mixed adsorption characteristics, reflecting surface heterogeneity. Mechanistic investigations based on FTIR and XPS analyses suggest that Sb(III) immobilization is dominated by inner-sphere complexation with surface Fe–O/Fe–OH groups, whereas Sb(V) adsorption involves synergistic coordination with both Fe–O and M–O (Mn–O/Ni–O) functional groups. XPS analysis of Sb-loaded ZnFe₂O₄ revealed the coexistence of Sb(III) and Sb(V) species after Sb(III) adsorption, indicating surface-confined partial oxidation; the extent of solution-phase conversion was not independently quantified. Therefore, the redox process is interpreted as an interfacial phenomenon rather than bulk oxidation in solution. These results clarify that M²⁺ species influence Sb removal behavior by modulating the reactivity of surface functional groups and interfacial redox characteristics, rather than merely altering adsorption capacity. This work provides spectroscopic insight into M-dependent structure–activity relationships in spinel ferrites and offers a theoretical basis for the rational design of magnetic adsorbents for selective and efficient Sb remediation. Full article

Antimony nanomaterials are becoming increasingly important in advanced functional applications, including catalysis, sensing, optoelectronics, and energy systems, motivating the development of reliable synthetic routes capable of producing high-purity Sb at the nanoscale. This study establishes a direct Zn-mediated reduction pathway for converting SbCl₃ into elemental Sb using acetone, ethanol, and methanol as reaction media. SbCl₃ was first dissolved in each solvent, followed by controlled addition of Zn powder under mild heating (60 °C), magnetic stirring, and ultrasonic agitation. Acetone proved the most effective medium, achieving ~94% of the theoretical Sb yield, while suppressing the formation of the SbOCl intermediate observed in alcoholic solvents. Structural and compositional analyses using XRD and SEM/EDS confirmed the formation of a pure phase, nanocrystalline Sb with mean crystallite sizes of ~25 nm in acetone, ~27 nm in ethanol, and ~21 nm in methanol. TGA/DTA measurements from room temperature up to 800 °C revealed oxidative conversion to off-white antimony oxide under O₂ atmosphere and the formation of molten Sb droplets under N₂ atmosphere, consistent with the expected thermal transitions of high-purity Sb. Overall, the findings demonstrate that Zn-driven reduction of SbCl₃ in high-purity organic media provides an efficient and scalable approach for producing Sb nano-powders with solvent-dependent yields and nanoscale structural characteristics. Full article

The six platinum group elements (PGE) are among the rarest elements in the upper continental crust of the earth. Higher values of PGE have been detected in the upper mantle and in chondrite meteorites. The PGE are siderophile and chalcophile elements and are divided into the following: (1) the Ir subgroup (IPGE) = Os, Ir, and Ru and (2) the Pd subgroup (PPGE) = Rh, Pt, and Pd. The IPGE are more refractory and less chalcophile than the PPGE. High concentrations of PGE led, in rare cases, to the formation of mineral deposits. The PGE are carried in discrete phases, the platinum group minerals (PGM), and are included as trace elements into the structure of base metal sulphides (BM), such as pentlandite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and pyrrhotite. Similarly to PGE, the PGM are also divided into two main groups, i.e., IPGM composed of Os, Ir, and Ru and PPGM containing Rh, Pt, and Pd. The PGM occur both in mafic and ultramafic rocks and are mainly hosted in stratiform reefs, sulphide-rich lenses, and placer deposits. Presently, there are only 169 valid PGM that represent about 2.7% of all 6176 minerals discovered so far. However, 496 PGM are listed among the valid species that have not yet been officially accepted, while a further 641 are considered as invalid or discredited species. The main reason for the incomplete characterization of PGM resides in their mode of occurrence, i.e., as grains in composite aggregates of a few microns in size, which makes it difficult to determine their crystallography. Among the PGM officially accepted by the IMA, only 13 (8%) were discovered before 1958, the year when the IMA was established. The highest number of PGM was discovered between 1970 and 1979, and 99 PGM have been accepted from 1980 until now. Of the 169 PGM accepted by the IMA, 44% are named in honour of a person, typically a scientist or geologist, and 31% are named after their discovery localities. The nomenclature of 25% of the PGM is based on their chemical composition and/or their physical properties. PGM have been discovered in 25 countries throughout the world, with 64 from Russia, 17 from Canada and South Africa (each), 15 from China, 12 from the USA, 8 from Brazil, 6 from Japan, 5 from Congo, 3 from Finland and Germany (each), 2 from the Dominican Republic, Greenland, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea each, and only 1 from Argentine, Australia, Bulgaria, Colombia, Czech Republic, England, Ethiopia, Guyana, Mexico, Serbia, and Tanzania each. Most PGM phases contain Pd (82 phases, 48% of all accepted PGM), followed, in decreasing order of abundances, by those of Pt 35 phases (21%), Rh 23 phases (14%), Ir 18 phases (11%), Ru 7 phases (4%), and Os 4 phases (2%). The six PGE forming the PGM are bonded to other elements such as Fe, Ni, Cu, S, As, Te, Bi, Sb, Se, Sn, Hg, Ag, Zn, Si, Pb, Ge, In, Mo, and O. Thirty-two percent of the 169 valid PGM crystallize in the cubic system, 17% are orthorhombic, 16% hexagonal, 14% tetragonal, 11% trigonal, 3% monoclinic, and only 1% triclinic. Some PGM are members of a solid-solution series, which may be complete or contain a miscibility gap, providing information concerning the chemical and physical environment in which the mineral was formed. The refractory IPGM precipitate principally in primitive, high-temperature, mantle-hosted rocks such as podiform and layered chromitites. Being more chalcophile, PPGE are preferentially collected and concentrated in an immiscible sulphide liquid, and, under appropriate conditions, the PPGM can precipitate in a thermal range of about 900–300 °C in the presence of fluids and a progressive increase of oxygen fugacity (fO₂). Thus, a great number of Pt and Pd minerals have been described in Ni-Cu sulphide deposits. Two main genetic models have been proposed for the formation of PGM nuggets: (1) Detrital PGM represent magmatic grains that were mechanically liberated from their primary source by weathering and erosion with or without minor alteration processes, and (2) PGM reprecipitated in the supergene environment through a complex process that comprises solubility, the leaching of PGE from the primary PGM, and variation in Eh-pH and microbial activity. These two models do not exclude each other, and alluvial deposits may contain contributions from both processes. Full article

This study focused on the dust in the ventilation of the underground coal mine of Ningwu Coalfield, Shanxi Province; the particle-size distribution and the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the vent dust were studied. The particle-size distribution of the vent dusts in the exhaust outlets of the four coal mines studied is similar and characterized by a single peak, which occurred at 3.5–4.0 μm. The minerals in the vent dusts are dominantly composed of kaolinite, followed by illite, quartz, calcite, dolomite, bassanite, and anhydrite. Except for the high content of bassanite, the vent dust discharged from the YS coal mine presents a similar mineral composition to the parent coal. Compared with the parent coal (and the Upper Continental Crust), the vent dust is enriched to varying degrees in the major element oxides Fe₂O₃, CaO, K₂O, Na₂O, and MgO, as well as trace elements Sb, Zn, Bi, Cd, Cu, As, W, and Pb, especially the contents of Sb, Zn, W, and As increased by 1177, 84, 15, and 12 times, respectively. The vent dusts emitted from these coal mines mainly come from the mining of coal seams; a small amount comes from the shotcrete and weathering products of the tunnel gallery, dust flame retardant, and the wear of coal cutters and coal transmission belts. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the management of coal mine vent dust emission to ensure that the mine vent emissions are pollution-free. Full article

This study evaluated the combined incorporation of zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles into a styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) copolymer-modified asphalt binder, aiming to increase thermal conductivity and healing potential while maintaining rheological performance. Nanocomposites containing ZnO + TiO₂ (50/50 wt.%) were produced at dosages of 2–12 wt.% and subjected to the Rolling Thin Film Oven Test (RTFOT), thermal conductivity measurements, viscosity testing, and rheological characterization. A dense-graded asphalt mixture with the optimized dosage was evaluated through wheel-tracking, four-point bending fatigue and healing, and internal heating rate assessment under microwave radiation. The integrated results indicated 8.5 wt.% as the optimal dosage, providing a 106.3% increase in thermal conductivity and improving the high-temperature performance grade (PGH) from 76-XX to 82-XX. Non-recoverable creep compliance (Jnr) decreased by 21.1%, and viscosity at 135 °C increased by 41.8%, remaining below 3.0 Pa·s. In the asphalt mixture, healing capacity increased by 50.7%, and the internal heating rate by 50.0%, while the wheel-tracking rut depth decreased by 13.3%. These findings demonstrate that 8.5 wt.% ZnO + TiO₂ simultaneously enhances heat conduction, healing efficiency, and resistance to permanent deformation, offering a promising solution for pavements subjected to high temperatures and heavy traffic. Full article

This work reports a low-cost, microwave-assisted wet chemistry synthesis of zinc antimonate (ZnSb₂O₆) powders with a trirutile structure, yielding highly homogeneous, nanometric particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the formation of the trirutile phase with lattice parameters of a = 4.664 Å and c = 9.263 Å, and an estimated crystallite size of 42 nm. UV–vis spectroscopy revealed a bandgap of 3.35 eV. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that ethylenediamine, as a chelating agent, formed porous microstructures of microrods and cuboids, ideal for enhanced gas adsorption. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis revealed a specific surface area of 6 m²/g and a total pore volume of 0.0831 cm³/g, indicating a predominantly mesoporous structure. The gas sensing properties of ZnSb₂O₆ pellets were evaluated in CO and C₃H₈ atmospheres at 100, 200, and 300 °C. The material exhibited high sensitivity at 300 °C, where the maximum responses were 5.86 for CO at 300 ppm and 1.04 for C₃H₈ at 500 ppm. The enhanced sensitivity at elevated temperatures was corroborated by a corresponding decrease in electrical resistivity. Furthermore, the material demonstrated effective photocatalytic activity, achieving up to 60% degradation of methylene blue and 50% of malachite green after 300 min of UV irradiation, with the process following first-order reaction kinetics. These results highlight that ZnSb₂O₆ synthesized by this method is a promising bifunctional material for gas sensing and photocatalytic applications. Full article