Green Synthesis and Characterization of Nickel Tungsten Bimetallic Oxide Nanoparticles via Microwave Irradiation Technique

Nickel tungsten bimetallic oxide nanoparticles were synthesised in ethylene glycol using microwave irradiation technique. Nickel and tungsten oxide nanoparticles were synthesised separately using microwave assisted polyol synthesis method. The respective systems are combined together in ratio 1:1 molar and are subjected to microwave irradiation to get Ni-W bimetallic oxide. The structure and composition of nanoparticles were characterised by UV-Visible Spectroscopy, FT-IR Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersion Spectroscopy (EDS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (PL) and Magnetic Susceptibility measurements. From the XRD and FTIR measurements, nanocrystalline Wolframite structure of Ni-W bimetallic oxide nanoparticles was established. The emperical formula of the nanoparticle is found as Ni0.4W0.6O2.6. The composition may be varied by changing the ratio of Ni and W. A maximum absorbance of 385nm was obtained in UV-Visible spectrum and three emission peaks were obtained in the visible region of photoluminescent studies. Further studies can be done on the catalytic and electrochromic properties of the substance.

Morphological Aspects of Reparative Bone Tissue Regeneration under the Influence of Antitumor Chemotherapy

The occurrence of fractures in the development of cancer in the body is due to changes in bone metabolism in the form of osteoporosis and metastatic bone damage. Their appearance leads to the postponement or cessation of treatment of cancer, which affects the life expectancy of such patients and the chances of recovery. Antitumor chemotherapy, as one of the main methods of cancer treatment, is prescribed for long-term courses and affects the healing of fractures. However, according to the literature, the effect of antitumor chemotherapeutics on reparative regeneration is poorly understood today. The purpose of the work is to study the morphological features of reparative osteogenesis under the influence of antitumor chemotherapy. Materials and methods. The study was performed on 96 white laboratory male rats 7 months of age weighing 230±10 g. All animals had a perforated defect with a diameter of 2 mm spherical cutter to the bone marrow canal in the middle third of the femoral shaft. Animals were divided into control (n = 24, without chemotherapy) and three experimental groups (I, II, III, n = 72), which after injury and every 21 days of the study were administered intraperitoneal anticancer chemotherapeutics: I (n = 24) – doxorubicin (60 mg / m²), II (n = 24) – 5-fluorouracil (600 mg / m²), III (n = 24) – methotrexate (40 mg / m²). On the 15th, 30th, 45th, 60th days after injury, the animals were removed from the experiment, followed by removal of the injured long tubular bones. Histological preparations stained with hematoxylin-eosin, followed by their morphometry, scanning electron microscopy with the method of X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy, immunohistochemical examination were performed. Results and discussion. Antitumor chemotherapeutics causes delayed callus formation, which is manifested by an increase in the area of connective and reticulofibrous bone tissue in the regenerate, along with the slow formation of lamellar bone tissue. Chemotherapy leads to disorders of phosphorus-calcium metabolism both in the regenerate and in the maternal bone in the form of reducing the intensity of mineralization of the newly formed bone matrix and slowing down the remodeling activity of the maternal bone. Chemotherapy is accompanied by an increase in the expression of the bone resorption marker cathepsin K and a decrease in the expression of the osteopontin bone marker, which indicates a delay in the formation of regenerate in the area of injury and a decrease in the rate of reparative regeneration. Conclusion. The most pronounced delay in the processes of remodeling of bone regenerate was found with the use of doxorubicin and methotrexate, while 5-fluorouracil showed less inhibitory effect on these processes

Case Study on Large Ingots Cracking Failure

Use of Metal and its alloys have become the need of this world. high strength pipes and equipment are required for the extraction of bituminous oil from soil. For this High strength Low Alloy Steel (Micro-alloyed steels) can be used. HSLA required large size ingots for its manufacturing therefore in recent years, large size ingots demand is increased. Large size ingots are subjected to cracking while manufacturing during open die forging process. Optical Scanning Electron Microscopies and Energy dispersion Spectroscopy techniques are carried out for the investigation of root causes of the cracking during forging of large size ingots. Microstructure of large size ingots sample are reviewed at different locations and grain boundaries. Results of these chemical techniques shows the enrichment of chromium and oxygen content at the boundaries which clearly differentiated a cracked boundary and non-cracked locations. This writing comprises the literature study, test procedures and analyzing the results to review that abnormal grain growth was the cause of cracking of large size ingots during forging process. The report also reviewed, alternate heat treatments and possible solution.

Microstructural characterization of ceramic artifacts made using the raku technique

This study was carried out at the atelier “Adamas”, located in the city of Cunha, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The objective is to characterize the physical and mechanical properties of ceramics made using the raku technique in the Adamas atelier. As a methodology, the specimens were submitted to the following tests: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Energy Dispersion Spectroscopy (EDS), mass loss and linear shrinkage. It was observed that the specimens were mainly composed of silicon and aluminum, which is typical of ceramics made with kaolinitic clays, possessing a plastic behavior for molding and after firing refractory. Therefore, ceramic artifacts made through the raku technique have typical chemical and physical characteristics of clay ceramics, proper adhesion of the glaze even when there are crackles originated purposely from the process, which causes the artistic artifact appropriate characteristics for use and appreciation.

Preparation and Characterization of Physicochemical Properties of Spruce Cone Biochars Activated by CO2

In this study the pyrolysis of Norway spruce cones, a lignocellulosic biomass was made. The biochar product was obtained by means of the physical activation method. CO2 was used as the activating gas. The surface properties of biochars were characterized by the nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS), X-ray fluorescence energy dispersion spectroscopy (ED-XRF), thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy and the Boehm’s titration method as well as the point of zero charge (pHpzc). The adsorption capacity and the possibility of ammonia desorption (TPD) were also examined. It has been shown that spruce cones can be successfully used as a cheap precursor of well-developed surface biochars, characterized by a large pore volume and good sorption properties. All obtained activated biochars exhibit a largely microporous structure and an acidic character surface. The investigated activated materials have the specific surface areas from 112 to 1181 m2 g−1. The maximum NH3 adsorption capacity of the activated biochar was determined to be 5.18 mg g−1 (88.22 mmol g−1) at 0 °C. These results indicate the applicability of spruce cones as a cheap precursor for the sustainable production of the cost-effective and environmentally friendly biochar adsorbent.

Fabrication of CZTSe/CIGS Nanowire Arrays by One-Step Electrodeposition for Solar-Cell Application

The paper reports some preliminary results concerning the manufacturing process of CuZnSnSe (CZTSe) and CuInGaSe (CIGS) nanowire arrays obtained by one-step electrodeposition for p-n junction fabrication. CZTSe nanowires were obtained through electrodeposition in a polycarbonate membrane by applying a rectangular pulsed current, while their morphology was optimized by appropriately setting the potential and the electrolyte composition. The electrochemical parameters, including pH and composition of the solution, were optimized to obtain a mechanically stable array of nanowires. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and energy-dispersion spectroscopy. The nanostructures obtained showed a cylindrical shape with an average diameter of about 230 nm and a length of about 3 µm, and were interconnected due to the morphology of the polycarbonate membrane. To create the p-n junctions, first a thin film of CZTSe was electrodeposited to avoid direct contact between the ZnS and Mo. Subsequently, an annealing process was carried out at 500 °C in a S atmosphere for 40 min. The ZnS was obtained by chemical bath deposition at 95 °C for 90 min. Finally, to complete the cell, ZnO and ZnO:Al layers were deposited by magnetron-sputtering.

A voltammetric sensor based on mixed proton-electron conducting composite including metal-organic framework JUK-2 for determination of citalopram

A voltammetric sensor has been developed based on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modification with nanocomposite consisting of manganese-based metal-organic framework (JUK-2), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for detection of citalopram (CIT). The composition and morphology of JUK-2-MWCNTs-AuNPs/GCE were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical properties investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) indicated that the fabricated hybrid material exhibits the properties of mixed ion-electron conductor (MIEC). Using staircase voltammetry (SCV), under optimized conditions, the fabricated sensor shows a linear response in three CIT concentration ranges, 0.05–1.0, 1.0–10.0 and 15.0–115.0 μmol L−1, with a detection limit of 0.011 μmol L−1. The JUK-2-MWCNTs-AuNPs/GCE was successfully employed for the determination of CIT in pharmaceutical, environmental waters, and biological samples with satisfactory recoveries (98.6–104.8%). Graphical abstract

Chlorophytum comosum: A Bio-Indicator for Assessing the Accumulation of Heavy Metals Present in The Aerosol Particulate Matter (PM)

The present research focuses on the use of Chlorophytum comosum as a bio-indicator able to accumulate, through its leaves, heavy metals present in the aerosol particulate matter (PM) in the city of Milan (Italy). For this purpose, some specimens were exposed in selected sites at the Milan University Campus for increasing periods (7, 30, 60, 128 and 165 days). The collected leaves were then analyzed to quantify Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES). The leaves’ surfaces were also examined by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersion spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Chlorophytum comosum has proved to be a good system for studying the accumulation of heavy metals. The metals present with the higher concentration were Zn and Mn followed by Cd and Cr while Co, Ni and Pb were present in lower concentration. Although the sites investigated are not very far from each other, differences in the concentration of the heavy metals analyzed were found. Furthermore, in the monitoring period considered (July 2018–December 2018) the plant was a good proxy for tracking the concentration of zinc in Milan’s PM.

Nanoparticle characterization of HOMOEO AGROCARE (Agro Homeopathic Drug) by HRTEM and EDS analysis

Background: Use of Homeopathy as a therapeutic tool is still very nascent in plant science and agriculture. Therapies used for plant growth and diseases are not relevant for plants alone, but they also drastically influence the ecosystem of the organic world too. Use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers was a boon during the initial phase of green revolution around the world. Unfortunately, later they became the major reason of chronic illnesses like cancers and a cause for soil degradation all over. Current scenario demands the use of alternative models in agricultural practices in-order to prevent diseases and to maintain the health status of the population. This is also very important to get rid of the damages done to the soil. Aims: Present study aimed at analyzing the material content of the agro homeopathic drug, ‘Homeo agrocare’. Methdology: High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) and Energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) was used to evaluate the material content of the drug. Results: (1) the drug solution contains plenty of nanoparticles (NPs). (2) the size of NPs ranges between 4.99nm - 120nm. (3) Twenty elements were identified in the fields studied. Conclusion: Study conclusively proved the presence of NPs of the original drug materials used in the ‘Homoeo agrocare’ drug solution. The presence of NPs of the original drug substances suggest that the drug action of ‘Homoeo agrocare’ in plants is due to the epigenetic modifications initiated by the NPs in the plant genetics.