Transition metal titanium (Ti) doped LaFeO3 nanoparticles for enhanced optical structural and magnetic properties

A series of LaFe1−xTixO3 (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8) nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by simple co-precipitation technique. The synthesized samples (calcined at 800° C/3hr) were characterised for structural, optical and magnetic properties. Structural phase formation of the crystal shows orthorhombic planes of these samples phases. The average crystallite size (Dc) is decreasing with a dopant and found to be varying between ∼ 9 and 25 nm. Tailored surface morphology was analyzed using scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopes (TEM) with selected area electron diffraction pattern (SAED) also confirms the evolution of orthorhombic phases. Diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) are recorded to evaluate the variation of optical band gap (Eg) upon titanium doping into the LaFeO3 system. The obtained results attributed that Eg values are increasing with dopant altering between 2.05 and 2.61 eV. The metal oxide (M - O) stretching vibrations and few functional groups are detected from infrared spectra (IR). The weak ferromagnetic behaviour is observed from hysteresis loop behaviour. Additionally, the large hysteresis loop behaviour induces no saturation up to 15 kOe in nanoparticles coercivity (Hc) and anisotropy constants (K1) are eventually decreasing with ‘x’ values

Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis, X-Ray Line Analysis and Chemical Composition Study

TiO2 nanoparticleshave been synthesized by the sol-gel method using titanium alkoxide and isopropanolas a precursor. The structural properties and chemical composition of the TiO2 nanoparticles were studied usingX-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.The X-ray powder diffraction pattern confirms that the particles are mainly composed of the anatase phase with the preferential orientation along [101] direction.The physical parameters such as strain, stress and energy density were investigated from the Williamson- Hall (W-H) plot assuming a uniform deformation model (UDM), and uniform deformation energy density model (UDEDM). The W-H analysis shows an anisotropic nature of the strain in nanopowders. The scanning electron microscopy image shows clear TiO2 nanoparticles with particle sizes varying from 60 to 80nm. The results of mean particle size of TiO2 nanoparticles show an inter correlation with the W-H analysis and SEM results. Our X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra show that nearly a complete amount of titanium has reacted to TiO2

Efficacy of Major Plant Extracts/Molecules on Field Insect Pests

Insect pests are considered the major hurdle in enhancing the production and productivity of any farming system. The use of conventional synthetic pesticides has led to the emergence of pesticide-resistant insects, environmental pollution, and negative effects on natural enemies, which have caused an ecological imbalance of the predator-prey ratio and human health hazards; therefore, eco-friendly alternative strategies are required. The plant kingdom, a rich repertoire of secondary metabolites, can be tapped as an alternative for insect pest management strategies. A number of plants have been documented to have insecticidal properties against various orders of insects in vitro by acting as antifeedants, repellents, sterilant and oviposition deterrents, etc. However, only a few plant compounds are applicable at the field level or presently commercialised. Here, we have provided an overview of the broad-spectrum insecticidal activity of plant compounds from neem, Annona, Pongamia, and Jatropha. Additionally, the impact of medicinal plants, herbs, spices, and essential oils has been reviewed briefl

Learning Analytics: Developing a Data-Centric Teaching-Research Skill

This paper highlights the importance of developing data-centric teaching-research skills of 21st-century teachers. It critically examines the literature related to the teaching-research nexus and learning analytics, and presents a model of the integration of these concepts, and their relevance to the teaching and learning process. This paper also presents the desirable skills set of learning analysts and identifies the analytic tools that they can use to carry out this role. Finally, this paper suggests the future direction of teacher training and professional development programs that will equip teachers with the right teaching-research skills and tools to help the millennial learners gain academic success. This study recommends that teachers need to be well informed about their students by having access to their data and acquiring the necessary competencies to perform appropriate data analysis. Furthermore, they are expected to engage with analytical tools and educational technologies in order to realize a more effective teaching and learning experience, and improve academic outcomes

Synthesis of triazolo indazolones using 3D mesoporous aluminosilicate catalyst with nanocage structure

Mesoporous Aluminosilicate (AlKIT-5) has been found to be an efficient catalyst for one-pot synthesis of triazolo[1,2-a]indazole-1,3,8-trione derivatives from dimedone, urazole, and aromatic aldehydes using acetonitrile as a solvent. This new method is simple, effective, ecofriendly, and consistently has the advantage of excellent yields (80–96%) and short reaction time (30–60 min). The effect of the catalyst weight, aluminum content in the catalyst, and the solvents on the synthesis of triazolo[1,2-a]indazole-1,3,8-trione derivatives has been investigated. It has been found that the catalyst can be recycled for several times without much affecting its activity for a variety of organic transformations