L. John Kennedy

Comparative investigation of zirconium oxide (ZrO2) nano and microstructures for structural, optical and photocatalytic properties.

ZrO(2) nanocrystals were synthesized by the microwave combustion method (MCM) using urea as the fuel without using any template, catalyst or surfactant. For the purpose of comparison, it was also prepared using the conventional combustion method (CCM). The as-synthesized ZrO(2) was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The results indicated that the ZrO(2) nanocrystals obtained by MCM show high crystallinity and uniform size distribution than the ones prepared by CCM. Hence, the influence of the preparation methods on the structure, morphology and optical activity of ZrO(2) was investigated systematically. Photocatalytic degradation (PCD) of 4-Chlorophenol (4-CP), a potent endocrine disrupting chemical in aqueous medium was investigated by ZrO(2) nanocrystals obtained by MCM. The kinetics of PCD was found to follow pseudo first-order. Having established that ZrO(2) was photo catalytically active, the mixed oxide catalysts of ZrO(2)-TiO(2) were also tested for the PCD of 4-CP.

Green synthesis of NiO nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera extract and their biomedical applications: Cytotoxicity effect of nanoparticles against HT-29 cancer cells

Green protocols for the synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera plant extract has been reported in the present study as they are cost effective and ecofriendly, moreover this paper records that the nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles prepared from green method shows better cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity. The NiO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The formation of a pure nickel oxide phase was confirmed by XRD and FTIR. The synthesized NiO nanoparticles was single crystalline having face centered cubic phase and has two intense photoluminescence emissions at 305.46nm and 410nm. The formation of nano- and micro-structures was confirmed by HRTEM. The in-vitro cytotoxicity and cell viability of human cancer cell HT-29 (Colon Carcinoma cell lines) and antibacterial studies against various bacterial strains were studied with various concentrations of nickel oxide nanoparticles prepared from Moringa oleifera plant extract. MTT assay measurements on cell viability and morphological studies proved that the synthesized NiO nanoparticles posses cytotoxic activity against human cancer cells and the various zones of inhibition (mm), obtained revealed the effective antibacterial activity of NiO nanoparticles against various Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial pathogens.

Studies on the efficient dual performance of Mn1–xNixFe2O4 spinel nanoparticles in photodegradation and antibacterial activity

The present work describes the successful synthesize of spinel magnetic ferrite Mn1-xNixFe2O4 (x=0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 & 0.5) nanoparticles via a simple microwave combustion method which was then evaluated for its photocatalytic activity in the degradation of indigo carmine (IC) synthetic dye, a major water pollutant. Our results reveal that the synthesized of Ni2+ doped MnFe2O4 nanoparticles possess well-crystalline pure cubic spinel phase, exhibit excellent optical and magnetic properties. Further, the photocatalytic performance of the synthesized nanoparticles at different concentration ratios of Ni2+ ions was monitored by photocatalytic degradation of indigo carmine synthetic dye under UV (λ=365nm) light irradiation. In order to get maximum photocatalytic degradation (PCD) efficiency, we have optimized various parameters, which include catalyst dosage, initial dye concentration, pH and Ni2+ dopant content. It was found that the reaction was facilitated with optimum catalyst dose of 50mg/100mL, high dye concentrations of 150mg/L and acidic pH and among all the synthesized samples, Mn0·5Ni0.5Fe2O4 exhibit superior performance of photocatalytic activity on the degradation of indigo carmine synthetic dye. These results highlighted the potential use of effective, low-cost and easily available photocatalysts for the promotion of wastewater treatment and environmental remediation. In addition, the antibacterial activity of spinel magnetic Mn1-xNixFe2O4 nanoparticles against two Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and two Gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) was also examined. Our antibacterial activity results are comparable with the results obtained using the antibiotic, streptomycin.

Structure and magnetic properties of Cu-Ni alloy nanoparticles prepared by rapid microwave combustion method

Abstract Cu-Ni alloy nanoparticles were prepared by a microwave combustion method with the molar ratios of Cu2+ to Ni2+ as 3:7, 4:6, 5:5, 6:4 and 7:3. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, HR-SEM, EDX and VSM. XRD and EDX analyses suggest the formation of pure alloy powders. The average crystallite sizes were found to be in the range of 21.56–33.25 nm. HR-SEM images show the clustered/agglomerated particle-like morphology structure. VSM results reveal that for low Ni content (Cu5Ni5, Cu6Ni4 and Cu7Ni3), the system shows paramagnetic behaviors, whereas for high Ni content (Cu3Ni7 and Cu4Ni6), it becomes ferromagnetic.

Green synthesis of Ag nanoparticles using Tamarind fruit extract for the antibacterial studies

In the present study, first time we report the microwave-assisted green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Tamarindus indica natural fruit extract. The plant extract plays a dual role of reducing and capping agent for the synthesis of AgNPs. The formation of spherical shape AgNPs is confirmed by XRD, HR-SEM, and HR-TEM. The presence of face-centered cubic (FCC) silver is confirmed by XRD studies and the average crystallite size of AgNPs is calculated to be around 6-8nm. The average particle diameter is found to be around 10nm, which is identified from HR-TEM images. The purity of AgNPs is confirmed by EDX analysis. The presence of sigmoid curve in UV-Visible absorption spectra suggests that the reaction has complicated kinetic features. To investigate the functional groups of the extract and their involvement in the reduction of AgNO3 to form AgNPs, FT-IR studies are carried out. The redox peaks are observed in cyclic voltammetry in the potential range of -1.2 to +1.2V, due to the redox active components of the T. indica fruit extract. In photoluminescence spectroscopy, the excited and emission peaks were obtained at 432nm and 487nm, respectively. The as-prepared AgNPs showed good results towards antibacterial activities. Hence, the present approach is a facile, cost- effective, reproducible, eco-friendly, and green method.

Pure and Mg-doped self-assembled ZnO nano-particles for the enhanced photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol

A novel self-assembled pure and Mg doped ZnO nano-particles (NPs) were successfully synthesized by a simple low temperature co-precipitation method. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, high resolution scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The results indicated that the prepared photocatalysts showed high crystallinity with a uniform size distribution of the NPs. The degradation of cholorphenols is highly mandatory in todays scenario as they are affecting the environment adversely. Thus, the photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), a potent endocrine disrupting chemical in aqueous medium was investigated by both pure and Mg-doped ZnO NPs under UV-light irradiation in the present study. The influence of the Mg content on the structure, morphology, PL character and photocatalytic activity of ZnO NPs were investigated systematically. Furthermore,the effect of different parameters such as 4-CP concentration, photocatalyst amount, pH and UV-light wavelength on the resulting photocatalytic activity was investigated.

Photocatalytic degradation of phenolic syntan using TiO2 impregnated activated carbon

Investigations were carried out to study the photocatalytic degradation of phenolic syntan (PS), a widely used environmentally polluting chemical in the leather tanning industry. Photocatalytic inactive commercial TiO(2) was used as the precursor for the preparation of TiO(2) impregnated activated carbon (Ti-AC) photocatalyst. Experiments were conducted by varying the concentrations of PS solution (50-1000 mg/l), pH (2.5-10) and time intervals to optimize the working parameters. A 254 nm UV light was used throughout the study. The effect of PS degradation using Ti-AC was also compared with direct UV photolysis. The Ti-AC was characterized using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) to determine the structural, optical, surface morphology and elemental analysis respectively. X-ray studies revealed the formation of catalytically active anatase phase in Ti-AC. Photodegradation of PS was examined by chemical oxygen demand (COD) method. PS degradation occurred at both the extreme end of acidic and alkaline pH conditions. However, the percentage degradation was comparatively higher at pH 2.5. The photodegradation followed pseudo first order kinetics. UV-Visible studies substantiated the occurrence of bathochromic and hyperchromic effects as a result of ring opening in the PS molecule.

Catalytic properties of nanosized zinc aluminates prepared by green process using Opuntia dilenii haw plant extract

Abstract Various nanosized zinc aluminate (ZnAl2O4) samples were prepared by a conventional and a microwave method both with and without using Opuntia dilenii haw plant extract, and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), energy dispersion scanning (EDX), temperature dependent conductance measurements, thermoelectric power measurements, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The formation of a pure ZnAl2O4 phase was confirmed by XRD and FT-IR. A change in morphology from nanosized plates to nanosized sheets with, respectively, the conventional and microwave heating methods was clearly shown by HRSEM. UV-Vis diffusion reflectance spectroscopy measured the band gaps of ZnAl2O4 nanosized plates and nanosized sheets as 3.5 and 3.9 eV, respectively. The synthesized ZnAl2O4 was single crystalline and has three photoluminescence emissions at 482, 528, and 540 nm. ZnAl2O4 nanosized sheets prepared by the microwave method showed higher catalytic activity for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol (85% conversion) than ZnAl2O4 nanosized plates prepared by the conventional method (60% conversion).

Comparative studies on influence of morphology and La doping on structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of zinc oxide nanostructures

A simple, low temperature co-precipitation method was developed to synthesize ZnO nanomaterials with different morphologies such as nanoflakes, spherical nanoparticles (SNPs), and nanorods. The concentration of the capping agent, Triton X-100, is a key factor in the morphological control of ZnO nanostructures. The formation of different morphologies of ZnO was confirmed by HR-SEM and HR-TEM. XRD data showed the formation of single-phase ZnO with the wurtzite crystal structure. The influence of La contents on the structure, morphology, absorption, emission, and photocatalytic activity of ZnO SNPs was investigated systematically. The influence of the ZnO morphologies on the photocatalytic degradation (PCD) of Bisphenol A (BPA) as a model reaction is evaluated and discussed in terms of surface area, crystal growth habits, particle size, and oxygen defects. The results indicated that the particle size is an important factor for the enhancement of PCD. Furthermore, the effect of different photocatalytic reaction parameters on the resulting PCD efficiency of ZnO SNPs was investigated.

Preparation and characterization of hierarchical porous carbons derived from solid leather waste for supercapacitor applications.

Utilization of crust leather waste (CLW) as precursors for the preparation of hierarchical porous carbons (HPC) were investigated. HPCs were prepared from CLW by pre-carbonization followed by chemical activation using KOH at relatively high temperatures. Textural properties of HPCs showed an extent of micro-and mesoporosity with maximum BET surface area of 716m(2)/g. Inducements of graphitic planes in leather waste derived carbons were observed from X-ray diffraction and HR-TEM analysis. Microstructure, thermal behavior and surface functional groups were identified using FT-Raman, thermo gravimetric analysis and FT-IR techniques. HPCs were evaluated for electrochemical properties by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) by three electrode system. CLC9 sample showed a maximum capacitance of 1960F/g in 1M KCl electrolyte. Results achieved from rectangular curves of CV, GCD symmetric curves and Nyquist plots show that the leather waste carbon is suitable to fabricate supercapacitors as it possess high specific capacitance and electrochemical cycle stability. The present study proposes an effective method for solid waste management in leather industry by the way of converting toxic leather waste to new graphitic porous carbonaceous materials as a potential candidate for energy storage devices.