Sarika Verma

A novel process for the synthesis of “Designed Molecular Precursor” (DMP) of thorium useful for broad application spectrum

For the first time (Patent application filed in India vide N/F No- 0018NF2015) a novel process for the synthesis of “Designed Molecular Precursor” (DMP) of thorium has been developed, which involves the unique combination of two different (dual) capping agents, one is biomolecule: Cytosine and other is non biomolecule : cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide. The DMP essentially consists of hybrid nanosized thorium oxalate and alkaline thorate whose application lies in the area of making thorium metal, densified thorium oxide, carbide and nitride, anhydrous thorium complexes and thorium boron silicates glasses.

Synchronising effect of microwave and cytosine for the synthesis of hybrid homogenised nanosized cerium oxide and cerium oxycarbonate hydrate material

A novel microwave irradiation process has been developed for the synthesis of hybrid homogenised nanosized cerium oxide and cerium oxycarbonate hydrate material. Aqueous cerium(IV) sulfate and cytosine were reacted in the presence of microwave irradiation for 10–15 min at a temperature of 40–45 °C. Cytosine acts as a novel multifunctional agent, as a source of alkaline amine, a source of carbon-containing moieties and also as a highly effective capping agent. This enables the synthesis of light yellow hybrid homogenised nanosized advanced material. The synthesised material was characterised by various complementary techniques, namely X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The characterisation showed that the size of the nano particles were in the range 27–48.3 nm.

Development of advanced, non-toxic, synthetic radiation shielding aggregate

Abstract For the first time in the world, the capability of red mud waste has been explored for the development of advanced synthetic radiation shielding aggregate. Red mud, an aluminium industry waste consists of multi component, multi elemental characteristics. In this study, red mud from two different sources have been utilized. Chemical formulation and mineralogical designing of the red mud has been done by ceramic processing using appropriate reducing agent and additives. The chemical analysis, SEM microphotographs and XRD analysis confirms the presence of multi-component, multi shielding and multi-layered phases in both the different developed advance synthetic radiation shielding aggregate. The mechanical properties, namely aggregate impact value, aggregate crushing value and aggregate abrasion value have also been evaluated and was compared with hematite ore aggregate and found to be an excellent material useful for making advanced radiation shielding concrete for the construction of nuclear power plants and other radiation installations.

Improvement of Strength and Radiation Protection Properties of Biodegradable Jute Fiber Reinforced Material

Over past few years, polymer composites with natural fiber reinforcement, called eco-composites, have achieved a worldwide compliance due to their strong potentiality to save the environment from pollution as a result of their ultimate disposability, as compared to glass-filled composites. Since natural fibers combine a low cost and low density with high toughness, biodegradability, renewability, reduced tool wear, and higher energy recovery. They are carbon dioxide neutral when burned and are present in abundance, which make composites made from them also sustainable and economical. We report a facile method for the improvement of strength and radiation protection properties of biodegradable jute fiber reinforced material by ceramic treatment of red mud. The developed powder was further blended with polyester resin to form thick, viscous radiation protection organic gel-based material. The developed protection gel material was then cured for making advanced non-toxic, biodegradable radiation protection panels using jute as natural fiber reinforcement. The developed radiation protection panels were analyzed by X-ray method with different energies of X-ray photons and were found to possess highly competent properties. Their various mechanical properties, like tensile, flexural, and impact strength values and morphological features were evaluated. The developed non-toxic, biodegradable, jute fiber reinforced, X-ray radiation protection panels combine good shielding and mechanical properties, which ensures their broad application spectrum ranging from diagnostic X-ray and CT scanner room installations to nuclear power plant and other strategic radiation shielding tasks.

Multifunctional application of cytosine for the synthesis of hybrid homogenized nano-sized rare earth oxide (Re2O3) and rare earth oxycarbonate (Re2O2CO3) (Re = Nd, Sm) advance material via microwave irradiation

For the first time in the world* a novel microwave irradiated chemical process has been developed for the synthesis of hybrid homogenized nanosized rare earth oxide (Re2O3) and rare earth oxycarbonate (Re2O2CO3) (Re = Nd, Sm) advance material using cytosine molecule. Aqueous nitrate (iii) salt of rare earth metal is allowed to react with cytosine in the presence of microwave irradiation of power source 230 V for 15 minutes at the temperature of 45°C to get the desired product. Cytosine acts as a multifunctional agent by being a source of alkaline amine, carbon containing moieties, a highly effective capping agent and therefore enabling synthesis of hybrid homogenized nanosized advance material of rare earth metal oxide and oxycarbonates. The synthesized materials were characterized by various complementary techniques namely XRD, FTIR, U.V visible, FESEM, EDXA. FESEM study revealed that the sizes of nano particles are up to 21 nm. The applications of synthesized material lies in the area such as CO2 sensor, ceramic, cosmetic, advance glass, optical fiber, luminescent, superconducting,catalyst, nanowire, nanofibre, advance magnets, phosphate removal agent from water and also in biomedical.