A facile synthesis of Au-nanoparticles decorated PbI2 single crystalline nanosheets for optoelectronic device applications

This research communication presents a rapid and facile microwave-assisted synthesis of single crystalline nanosheets (SCNSs) of hexagonal lead iodide (PbI2) decorated with Au nanoparticles, a potential optoelectronics material. Homogeneous low dimensional AuNP decoration in PbI2 resulted in a new absorption band at similar to 604 nm and a shift in band gap from 3.23 to 3.00 eV. The significant enhancement of photoluminescent (PL) intensity observed in the AuNP-PbI2 SCNSs is attributed to the coupling of the localized surface plasmon resonanzce of AuNP leading to improved excitation and emission rates of PbI2-SCNSs in the region of the localized electromagnetic field. The Au-PbI2 SCNSs display a compelling increment in photoconductivity, and its fabricated photodetector showed a stable and switchable photo-response. Due to ease of synthesis and enhanced photoconductivity along with appealing PL features, Au-PbI2 SCNS has the potential to be used as a material of choice when fabricating an optoelectronic devices of high performance

Barium hexaferrite/muscovite heteroepitaxy with mechanically robust perpendicular magnetic anisotropy

Recent advances in the design and development of magnetic storage devices have led to an enormous interest in materials with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) property. The past decade has witnessed a huge growth in the development of flexible devices such as displays, circuit boards, batteries, memories, etc. since they have gradually made an impact on people's lives. Thus, the integration of PMA materials with flexible substrates can benefit the development of flexible magnetic devices. In this study, we developed a heteroepitaxy of BaFe12O79 (BaM)/muscovite which displays both mechanical flexibility and PMA property. The particular PMA property was characterized by vibrating sample magnetometer, magnetic force microscopy, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. To quantify the PMA property of the system, the intrinsic magnetic anisotropy energy density of similar to 2.83 Merg cm(-3) was obtained. Furthermore, the heterostructure exhibits robust PMA property against severe mechanical bending. The findings of this study on the BaM/muscovite heteroepitaxy have several important implications for research in next-generation flexible magnetic recording devices and actuators

Nitric oxide status in patients with chronic kidney disease

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at an increased risk of cardiovascular (CVD) morbidity and mortality, mainly due to atherosclerosis. Decreased production or reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) can result in endothelial dysfunction (ED). Multiple mechanisms are known to cause a state of NO deficiency in patients with CKD. Patients in various stages of CKD grouped as group-1 (CKD stage 1 and 2), group-2 (CKD stage 3 and 4), group-3 (CKD stage 5) and healthy controls were included in the study. Each group of patients and controls comprised 25 subjects. Plasma nitrites, L-arginine, asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) and citrulline were measured in all the subjects. Patients in all stages of CKD had lower NO and higher ADMA levels compared to controls. Further, group-2 and group-3 patients had lower levels of NO and higher levels of ADMA than group-1 patients. L-arginine levels showed no difference between patients and controls. However, group-3 patients had lower L-arginine levels compared to group-1 patients. Citrulline levels were decreased in group-3 patients. NO production was decreased in patients in all stages of CKD. The decrease could be due to decreased availability of the substrate, L-arginine or due to an increased ADMA, a potent inhibitor of endothelial NO synthase. Therapeutic interventions directed towards improvement of NO production in addition to management of other CVD risk factors may prevent development of ED and facilitate proper management of CKD patients who are at increased risk for CVD