Characterization of Calcium Phosphate Chitosan Nanocomposite as Plant Growth Promoter

In this study, calcium phosphate-chitosan nanocomposite (CaP-CS NC) was prepared by a convenient and affordable co-precipitation method, and the prepared NC was tested for agriculture application.  Physico-chemicals analyses of the CaP-CS NC were conducted by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) instruments to determine the structural characteristics, surface topology, chemical composition, function group, and optical properties. The XRD pattern of CaP-CS NC revealed that the average crystallite size was 43 nm. The SEM images showed agglomeration of the CaP-CS NC with a rod-like shape. The EDS spectrum of the CaP-CS NC indicated the presence of Ca, P, O, and N elements. FTIR displayed vibrational peaks for the active functional group such as carboxylic (C=O), amines (N-H), hydroxyl (O-H), and alkyne (C-H). Furthermore, the spectrum of CaP-CS NC showed the bending mode of phosphates at 588.37 cm-1 and 508.45 cm-1. The UV-Vis-NIR spectrum of the prepared nanocomposite indicates the anti-reflection properties, which might be useful in solar cell applications to increase the efficiency of the solar cell. In addition, the prepared CaP-CS NC was tested for the plant growth stimulator properties at the lab scale level, wherein it exhibited substantial growth. Accordingly, the current study suggests that the prepared CaP-CS NC could be used as a plant growth promoter

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF ZINC OXIDE THIN FILMS PREPARED BY THERMAL EVAPORATION TECHNIQUE

Zinc oxide thin films of 800nm were successfully prepared by thermal evaporation technique. XRD analysis revealed polycrystalline nature of the as prepared ZnO films. The structural parameters such as crystallite size, dislocation density and micro strain were evaluated and discussed.</jats:p

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THERMAL EVAPORATED BATIO3 THIN FILMS

Thermal evaporated Barium titanate (BaTiO3) thin films were prepared on to well cleaned glass substrates under the vacuum of 2 x10-5 torr, using 12A4 Hind Hivac coating unit from the BaTiO3 nanoparticles synthesized by using wet chemical method. The thickness of the film was measured by Quartz crystal monitor. From X-ray analysis, it has been found that the deposited film was polycrystalline in nature. SEM analysis revealed that grains of various sizes having tetragonal shape were uniformly distributed throughout the surface of the film. The dependence of capacitance and loss factor on frequency and temperature were investigated and results are discussed.</jats:p

Risk assessment of radioactivity in soils of forest and grassland ecosystems of the Western Ghats, India

Naturally occurring radionuclides were investigated in soil samples collected from a tropical rainforest in the Western Ghats, India. For comparison, a number of soil samples from nearby meadows (open grassland) were also studied using gamma-ray spectrometry. Average values of the activity concentration of radionuclides, outdoor gamma-ray dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent and radiation hazard indices from soil activity were estimated. Significant differences were found between the soils from the forest and meadow sites: the meadow sites contained higher natural radionuclide concentrations than the forest sites. The activity concentration of 232Th and average outdoor gamma-ray dose rates were found to be higher than the global average in both ecosystems, so high gamma radiation appears to affect the Western Ghats environment. Therefore, the radiological risks to the general population from ionizing radiation from the naturally occurring radionuclides in the soil are considered to be significant. However, other radiological hazard indices that were calculated were within acceptable limits

Evaluation of radionuclides in the terrestrial environment of Western Ghats

AbstractThe activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides in soil samples of an elevated radiation background area of Western Ghats were determined using gamma-ray spectrometry with the aim of evaluating the environmental radioactivity. The annual effective dose equivalent and the radiation hazard indices from the soil activity were estimated to reduce the harmful effects of gamma radiation to the population dwelling in the area. The activity concentrations of 232Th and average outdoor terrestrial gamma dose rate were found to be higher than the world average, this may affect Western Ghats environment in general. Therefore, the radiological risks to the general population from ionizing radiation from the naturally occurring radionuclides in the soil are considered to be significant. However, other radiological hazard indices were found to be within permissible limits

Measurement of radioactivity in an elevated radiation background area of Western Ghats

As part of monitoring the exposure of the general public to natural radioactivity, the activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides in soil samples in an elevated radiation background area of Western Ghats was determined using gamma-ray spectrometry. Average values of the activity concentration of radionuclides, outdoor terrestrial gamma dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent and radiation hazard indices from soil activity were estimated. The activity concentrations of 232Th and average outdoor terrestrial gamma dose rate were found to be higher than the world average, possibly affecting the Western Ghats environment in general. Therefore, radiological risks to the general population from ionizing radiation from the naturally occurring radionuclides in the soil are considered to be significant. How- ever, other radiological hazard indices were found to be within permissible limits

CHARACTERIZATION OF LANTHANUM ALUMINATE NANOPARTICLES PREPARED BY SOL-GEL ROUTE

Lanthanum aluminate was synthesised by simple sol-gel route to get a homogenously mixed powder. Hexahydrated Lanthanum Nitrate and Aluminium Nitrate were used as precursors, heat treated to obtain a fine grained powder of Lanthanum Aluminate. The powder was calcined at 800°C to get fine LanthanumAluminate powder and then characterised by XRD, SEM and EDAS to obtain the structure, morphology and composition. The XRD revealed the formation of a crystalline phase of lanthanum aluminate with a rhombohedral structure. The SEM revealed the agglomeration of lanthanum aluminate nanoparticles andenergy dispersive spectrum indicated the existence of O, Si and Al in the sample. The observed results indicated the feasibility of utilizing Lanthanum aluminate nanoparticles to prepare thin film using evaporation technique which could find application as dielectric in thin film transistors.</jats:p

Preparation and characterization of nano scale PMMA thin films

64-67Thin films of nano scale poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were prepared by fast dip coating technique (FDCT). XRD spectra indicated the amorphous nature of the films. The closer SEM inspection revealed that self-assembled mesoscopic cells for both as grown and annealed PMMA films. Low leakage current was observed in the J-V characteristics for the voltage ranges studied. The absence of hysteresis in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">J-V characteristics for the forward and reverse sweep direction eliminates the presence of deep traps in the PMMA thin films studied. The observed surface morphology, thermal stability and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">J-V behaviour indicated that these films could be used as AFM data storage devices as an efficient dielectric layer in field effect organic thin film transistors