Plasmon-mediated, highly enhanced photocatalytic degradation of industrial textile dyes using hybrid ZnO@Ag core–shell nanorods

Hybrid ZnO@Ag core–shell heterojunction nanorods were synthesized using a novel, facile two-step process based on hydrothermal and seed mediated growth techniques. The material was characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), room temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy (RTPL), Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The hybrid ZnO@Ag core–shell nanorods were comprised of one-dimensional (1D) ZnO nanorods serving as a core material, over which surface-doped Ag nanoclusters (2.5 nm) were anchored as a heterogeneous shell. The presence of oxygen vacancies and Zn interstitials were confirmed by RTPL and Raman spectroscopic analysis. The photocatalytic activity of the hybrid ZnO@Ag core–shell nanorods was studied in comparison to bare ZnO nanorods using standard R6G dye and industrial textile dyes such as Congo red and Amido black 10B under UV and visible light (solar) irradiations. Moreover, the material was tested for real time industrial textile effluents under ambient conditions and was found to be highly efficient. The enhanced photocatalytic property observed for ZnO@Ag hybrid core–shell nanorods is attributed to a phenomenal increase in oxygen related defects in the core that generate photo-induced charge carriers and the presence of plasmonic Ag nanoclusters in the shell, which act as a sink for the photo-induced charge carriers

Genetic Variability, Genotype × Environment Interaction, Correlation, and GGE Biplot Analysis for Grain Iron and Zinc Concentration and Other Agronomic Traits in RIL Population of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

The low grain iron and zinc densities are well documented problems in food crops, affecting crop nutritional quality especially in cereals. Sorghum is a major source of energy and micronutrients for majority of population in Africa and central India. Understanding genetic variation, genotype × environment interaction and association between these traits is critical for development of improved cultivars with high iron and zinc. A total of 336 sorghum RILs (Recombinant Inbred Lines) were evaluated for grain iron and zinc concentration along with other agronomic traits for 2 years at three locations. The results showed that large variability exists in RIL population for both micronutrients (Iron = 10.8 to 76.4 mg kg−1 and Zinc = 10.2 to 58.7 mg kg−1, across environments) and agronomic traits. Genotype × environment interaction for both micronutrients (iron and zinc) was highly significant. GGE biplots comparison for grain iron and zinc showed greater variation across environments. The results also showed that G × E was substantial for grain iron and zinc, hence wider testing needed for taking care of G × E interaction to breed micronutrient rich sorghum lines. Iron and zinc concentration showed high significant positive correlation (across environment = 0.79; p 0.60, in individual environments) for Fe and Zn and other traits studied indicating its suitability to map QTL for iron and zinc

What do we know about chronic kidney disease in India: first report of the Indian CKD registry

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are no national data on the magnitude and pattern of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in India. The Indian CKD Registry documents the demographics, etiological spectrum, practice patterns, variations and special characteristics.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data was collected for this cross-sectional study in a standardized format according to predetermined criteria. Of the 52,273 adult patients, 35.5%, 27.9%, 25.6% and 11% patients came from South, North, West and East zones respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean age was 50.1 ± 14.6 years, with M:F ratio of 70:30. Patients from North Zone were younger and those from the East Zone older. Diabetic nephropathy was the commonest cause (31%), followed by CKD of undetermined etiology (16%), chronic glomerulonephritis (14%) and hypertensive nephrosclerosis (13%). About 48% cases presented in Stage V; they were younger than those in Stages III-IV. Diabetic nephropathy patients were older, more likely to present in earlier stages of CKD and had a higher frequency of males; whereas those with CKD of unexplained etiology were younger, had more females and more frequently presented in Stage V. Patients in lower income groups had more advanced CKD at presentation. Patients presenting to public sector hospitals were poorer, younger, and more frequently had CKD of unknown etiology.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This report confirms the emergence of diabetic nephropathy as the pre-eminent cause in India. Patients with CKD of unknown etiology are younger, poorer and more likely to present with advanced CKD. There were some geographic variations.</p

Structural and electrical performance of Ce0.33Ca0.34Ti0.33O1.66 based solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte fabricated using ball milling techniques

In the present work, calcium and titanium are doped with ceria in an effort to create a unique, effective electrolyte for solid oxide fuel cell applications (Ce0.33Ca0.34Ti0.33O1.66 (CCT-33)). CCT-33 is prepared through solid state method through ball milling and calcination. XRD analysis of the CCT-33 revealed cubic fluorite crystal structure favorable for oxygen ion conduction. Electron microscopy analysis of the sintered pellets revealed good compactness of the phase pure powders and crystallinity. The conductivity studied using impedance analysis is 10−3–10−4 S cm−1 in the temperature region of 500–630 °C. At 700 °C the highest value of 2.86 × 10−2 S cm−1 in considered temperature region was obtained. The present work introduces innovative, modified material for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (IT-SOFCs)

Structure and electrical conductivity properties of K doped Sr1−xKx(Sr0.50Nb0.50)O2.75−δ complex perovskites

In the present study structural and electrical conductivity properties of complex perovskites with general formula Sr _1− _x K _x (Sr _0.50 Nb _0.50 )O _2.75− _δ have been studied. Potassium is doped in the cuboctahedral Sr site Sr _1− _x K _x (Sr _0.50 Nb _0.50 )O _2.75− _δ with different dopant concentrations such as x  = 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1. The structural and morphological properties of Sr _1− _x K _x (Sr _0.50 Nb _0.50 )O _2.75− _δ were studied using Thermogravimetry (TG) analysis, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was performed to investigate the electrical properties. The effect of structural and morphological variations associated with the dopant concentration affecting the electrical conductivity behaviour of Sr _1− _x K _x (Sr _0.50 Nb _0.50 )O _2.75− _δ complex perovskite oxides were studied in detail. The higher total conductivity was observed for 100% K doped ( x  = 1, 3.10 × 10 ^−5 S cm ^−1 at 800 °C) and 25% K doped ( x  = 0.25, 2.02 × 10 ^−5 S cm ^−1 at 800 °C) composition

A facile synthesis of silver nanoparticle with SERS and antimicrobial activity using <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> exopolysaccharides

<div><p>In this study, we report a facile synthesis of silver nanoparticle having SERS and antimicrobial activity using bacterial exopolysaccharide (EPS). <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> (MTCC 2422) was grown in nutrient broth and the extracellular EPS secreted by the organism was extracted and purified. The purified EPS was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The kinetics of silver nanoparticle synthesis was deduced by varying the exposure time and the concentration of EPS. The rate constant (k) for the synthesis of silver nanoparticle was calculated from the slope of ln(A^∞ − A^t) versus time plot. The k value was found to be 3.49 × 10⁻³, 5.81 × 10⁻³ and 5.03 × 10⁻³ per min for particle synthesis using 2, 5 and 10 mg/mL EPS, respectively. The nanoparticles synthesised had an average particle size of 5.18 ± 1.49 nm, 1.96 ± 0.77 nm and 2.08 ± 0.88 nm for 2, 5 and 10 mg/mL EPS, respectively. The synthesised particles were characterised using UV-Vis absorbance spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) attached to EDS (energy dispersive spectroscopy), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and zeta potential analyser. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report SERS activity of microbial <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> EPS-based synthesis of silver nanoparticle. HRTEM images showed silver nanoparticle entrapped in polysaccharide nanocages. Silver nanoparticle showed higher adherence towards the bacterial surface, with good bactericidal activity against <i>Pseudomonas aeroginosa</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>.</p> </div

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