Comparison of various organic stabilizers as capping agents for CdS nanoparticles synthesis

Results of the studies on the preparation and characterization of CdS nanoparticles capped with various organic stabilizers are presented in this article. Solutions of Cadmium acetate and Sodium sulphide were taken as the precursors. CdS nanoparticles were synthesized in an aqueous medium with Mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as the stabilizer and non-aqueous methods were used for the synthesis of Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP) and thiophenol-capped CdS nanoparticles. The synthesized CdS nanoparticles were characterized by the optical absorption and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. Particle sizes estimated from the band gap values using Effective Mass Approximation (EMA) agreed fairly well with those calculated from the XRD using Scherrer formula. The quantity and the concentration of the stabilizers needed for effective capping of the CdS nanoparticles were different in the three cases considered. Stability of the synthesized CdS nanoparticles was studied at different intervals of time for 10 days. A change in particle size was observed at lower stabilizer concentrations for the first few days. But at higher stabilizer concentrations there was no change in particle size with time.     

p-TSA Modified Montmorillonite Catalyst for Free Fatty Acid Reduction in Rubber Seed Oil

Silicon - Rubber seed oil containing free fatty acid (FFA) to the extent of 2% is difficult to transesterify and does not undergo transformation at all for the free acid value beyond 3%. This oil...     

Pd/Fe3O4 supported on bio-waste derived cellulosic-carbon as a nanocatalyst for C–C coupling and electrocatalytic application

The current work describes the synthesis of a new bio-waste derived cellulosic-carbon supported-palladium nanoparticles enriched magnetic nanocatalyst (Pd/Fe₃O₄@C) using a simple multi-step process under aerobic conditions. Under mild reaction conditions, the Pd/Fe₃O₄@C magnetic nanocatalyst demonstrated excellent catalytic activity in the Hiyama cross-coupling reaction for a variety of substrates. Also, the Pd/Fe₃O₄@C magnetic nanocatalyst exhibited excellent catalytic activity up to five recycles without significant catalytic activity loss in the Hiyama cross-coupling reaction. Also, we explored the use of Pd/Fe₃O₄@C magnetic nanocatalyst as an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction. Interestingly, the Pd/Fe₃O₄@C magnetic nanocatalyst exhibited better electrochemical activity compared to bare carbon and magnetite (Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles) with an overpotential of 293 mV at a current density of 10 mA·cm^–2.     

Investigation of decay modes of superheavy nuclei

A detailed investigation of different decay modes,namely alpha decay,beta decay,cluster decay,including heavy particle emission(Zc＞28),and sponta-neous fission,was carried out,leading to the identification of new cluster and beta-plus emitters in superheavy nuclei with 104≤Z≤126.For the first time,we identified around 20 beta-plus emitters in superheavy nuclei.Heavy-particle radioactivity was observed in superheavy elements of atomic number in the range 116≤Z≤126.292-293 Og were identified as 86Kr emitters,and 298122 and 300122 were identified as 94Zr emitters,whereas heavy-particle radioactivity from 91Y was also observed in 299123.Fur-thermore,the nuclei 300124 and 306126 exhibit 96Mo radioactivity.The reported regions of beta-plus and heavy-particle radioactivity for superheavy nuclei are stronger than those for alpha decay.The identified decay modes for superheavy nuclei are presented in a chart.This study is intended to serve as a reference for identifying possible decay modes in the superheavy region.     

Photoluminescence study of PVP capped CdS nanoparticles embedded in PVA matrix

Photoluminescence properties of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) capped cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanoparticles embedded in polyvinyl alcohol matrix (PVA) are reported. The PVP-CdS nanoparticles are prepared by non-aqueous method wherein cadmium nitrate is used as the cadmium source and hydrogen sulphide as the sulphur source. The synthesized nanoparticles are dispersed in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix and cast as self-standing flexible (PVP-CdS)-PVA films. The nanocomposites are characterized by optical absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. XRD and TEM studies show the formation of cubic CdS particles with average size ∼3-5 nm. Thermal studies, carried out to observe the changes in PVA matrix due to the incorporation of PVP-CdS nanoparticles show strong interaction between the polymer matrix and nanoparticles. The photoluminescence emission spectra of the nanocomposites show two peaks, at 502 and 636 nm, which are attributed to the band edge and surface defects respectively, of CdS nanoparticles. Effective surface capping with optimum concentration of polyvinyl pyrrolidone leads to the quenching of surface defect-related emission.     

Preparation and characterization of copper indium diselenide films by electroless deposition

The preparation of copper indium diselenide (CIS) films by electroless deposition technique is reported. The films have been deposited on molybdenum substrates. The deposition bath consisted of aqueous solutions of copper chloride, indium chloride, selenous acid and lithium chloride. The pH of the bath was adjusted to 2.2 by adding dilute HCl. The Mo substrate was short-circuited with the aluminum counter electrode for the electroless deposition. The films have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA), inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and optical spectroscopy. The results indicate that reasonable quality CIS films can be grown by simple electroless deposition process followed by recrystallization in selenium atmosphere.     

Gamma and X-ray radiation compatibility of Ti–Ta–Hf–Zr alloys used for coronary stent applications

We have studied the gamma and X-ray radiation compatibility of Ti-based alloys such as Ti–37 Ta–26 Hf–13 Zr-24(wt%) [Alloy 1], Ti–40 Ta–22 Hf–11.7 Zr-26.3(wt%) [Alloy 2], Ti–45 Ta–18.4 Hf–10 Zr-26.6(wt%) [Alloy3], Ti–50 Ta–15 Hf–8 Zr-27(wt%) [Alloy 4], Ti–55 Ta–12 Hf–7 Zr-26(wt%) [Alloy 5], and Ti–60 Ta–10 Hf–5 Zr-25(wt%) [Alloy 6]. Gamma and X-ray radiation compatibility is studied by evaluating the mass attenuation coefficient,mean free path, HVL, TVL effective atomic number,effective electron density, exposure buildup factor, and relative dose. We have compared these parameters for studied alloys with that of arteries. The alloys Ti–55 Ta–12 Hf–7 Zr-26 and Ti–60 Ta–10 Hf–5 Zr-25 have added properties such as gamma/X-ray radiation compatibility,high elastic admissible strain, high mechanical strength,and excellent biocompatibility. Hence, we may suggest that, among Ti–Ta–Hf–Zr alloys, these alloys are best materials for coronary stent applications.     

Interference‐aware MAC scheduling and admission control for multiple mobile WBANs used in healthcare monitoring

In this paper, we address the problem of interference when multiple time division multiple access‐based wireless body area networks (WBANs) come in the proximity of one another. We propose a simple solution that creates common non‐conflicting schedule between these interfering WBANs. Our proposed scheme allows the reuse of maximum possible time slots among WBANs that are two‐hop neighbors of one another. A flow admission control scheme is applied to control the flows during the period of interference. We show that the percentage of flows admitted because of flow control decreases with the increase in the network size and flow rate. We simulated a scenario where WBANs move randomly within a simulation area with a certain speed and meet at a particular point. We show that the signal to interference noise ratio (SINR) value of WBANs changes as long as they are within the transmission range of one another. Also, we show that the exchanges of common schedule (which is dependent on the number of times the SINR value drops below the threshold) are required in order to improve the packet delivery ratio in WBANs. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemical detection of acetaminophen on the functionalized MWCNTs modified electrode using layer-by-layer technique

A selective electrochemical method is fabricated via layer-by-layer (LBL) method using both positively and negatively charged multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on poly (diallyldimetheylammonium chloride) (PDDA)/poly styrene sulfonate (PSS) modified graphite electrode, for the determination of acetaminophen (ACT) in the presence of dopamine (DA) and high concentration of ascorbic acid (AA). The modified electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Experimental conditions such as pH, accumulation potential and time, effect of potential sweep rates and interferents were studied. In CV well defined peaks for AA, ACT and DA are obtained at 24, 186 and 374 mV, respectively. The separations of peaks were 210, 188 and 398 mV between AA and DA, DA and ACT and AA and ACT, respectively. The diffusion coefficient was calculated by chronocoulometric. Chronoamperometric studies showed the linear relationship between oxidation peak current and concentration of ACT in the range 25–400 μM (R = 0.9991). The detection limit was 5 × 10⁻⁷ mol/L. The proposed method gave satisfactory results in the determination of ACT in pharmaceutical and human serum samples.