Magneto-electric characteristics in (Mn,Cu) co-doped BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> multiferroic nanoparticles

Multiferroic nanoparticles having general formula BiFe_0.99-xMn_xCu_0.01O₃ (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 & 0.04) were prepared by a chemically derived method to explore the magneto-electric characteristics of this new class of materials. X-ray diffraction confirmed that all the samples had rhombohedraly distorted cubic perovskite 3D lattice. Lattice constant was increased with increasing concentration of Mn. Micrographs obtained from a field emission scanning electron microscope revealed a fine distribution of well-shaped particles while the particle size was increased with increased contents of Mn. Enhanced hopping mechanism induced by substitution of Mn at the lattice sites of Fe resulted in an increased AC conductivity. Ferroelectricity was observed to increase with increased Mn, attributed mainly to the leakage current due to free charge carriers instigated by multiple oxidation states of Fe and Mn. It has been observed that antiferromagnetic bismuth ferrite begins to show ferromagnetic behavior due to the collapse of antiferromagnetic spin structure with increased Mn contents.     

Disorder Induced Magnetic Behavior of Non-Stoichiometric Co0.75Mn0.5Fe0.75Si Full-Heusler Alloy

Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism - Many stoichiometric Heusler alloys have been extensively investigated in recent years due to their wide range of magnetic properties. However, a...     

System Archetypes Underlying Formal-Informal Urban Water Supply Dynamics

Water Resources Management - Contrary to developed countries, developing countries have been observed to have an increased reliance on a diversity of water supply options to meet their daily...     

Pleurotus mushrooms. Part II. Chemical composition, nutritional value, post-harvest physiology, preservation, and role as human food

The fruit bodies of Pleurotus species as a class of "Edible Fungal Foods" have been discovered to have definite nutritive and medicinal values. They are a good source of nonstarchy carbohydrates, dietary fiber (that can help in reducing the plasma cholesterol), most of the essential amino acids, minerals and vitamins of B group, and folic acid (necessary to counteract pernicious anaemia) in particular. Considering the essential amino acid index, biological value, in vitro digestibility, nutritional index, and protein score, Pleurotus species fall between high grade vegetables and low grade meats. Fractions of water-soluble polysaccharides are reported to possess antitumor activity. The physiological processes such as changes in water content, respiratory rate, texture, color, and activities of enzymes like proteases and polyphenol oxidases during the after-harvest life are delineated. The problems and prospects of processing the fruit bodies by various methods are discussed. Potentialities for production and consumption of the fruit bodies in different parts of the world are brought out.     

CuS-functionalized cellulose based aerogel as biocatalyst for removal of organic dye

CuS-functionalized cellulose based aerogel (CBA) with 3D macroporous structure was synthesized by in situ deposition of visible light responsive CuS photocatalyst. Hexagonal CuS was deposited onto the outer and inner walls of CBA matrix. CuS/CBA composite catalyst has hierarchical porous structure and abundance in functional groups supporting CuS on CBA surface that enhance photodecomposition of methylene blue (MB). The CuS/CBA composite was characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDS, Atomic Absorption Analysis, and XPS analysis. Photodegradation rate of MB by CuS/CBA composite catalyst in visible light was 94.1%, whereas, 67.4% for pure CuS. Initial MB concentration effects, pH change, and variations in CuS/CBA dosage on overall reaction kinetics were also studied. CuS/CBA composite catalyst carried out Photo-Fenton like reactions which decomposed 97% MB within 6 min, by producing hydroxyl radicals from chemical and photocatalytic reactions. CuS/CBA composite catalyst was recycled and reused. It retained over 80% MB degradation rate even after five consecutive cycles. CuS/CBA composite can be used as biocatalyst for removal of organic dyes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47404.     

A Study on Physical Properties of Melt Blended Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene/Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Modified with Linear Low Density Polyethylene and Montmorillonite

In this study, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/ethylene vinyl acetate-based melt blends were prepared using linear low-density polyethylene as modifier. Commercially available sodium montmorillonite clay was organically modified and incorporated in blends. Fourier transformed infrared was used to confirm the structure of the blend and composites. Morphology of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene / ethylene vinyl acetate blend showed two-phase structure that formed a well-aligned pattern with fine nanoclay distribution. Addition of organo-modified clay depicted increase in tensile strength (43%) and modulus (89%) in damage-free range. XRD results of sodium montmorillonite, organically modified Na-montmorillonite, and PNCs were compared to investigate the degree of dispersion in matrix.     

On heated surface transport of heat bearing thermal radiation and MHD Cross flow with effects of nonuniform heat sink/source and buoyancy opposing/assisting flow

Heat transport subject to nonlinear thermal radiation has multiple applications in physics, industry, engineering field, and space technology, such as aerodynamic rockets, solar power technology, large open water reservoirs, and gas-cooled nuclear reactors. This effort studies the magnetohydrodynamic flow of cross fluid, which is a type of non-Newtonian, along a heated surface. Furthermore, the transportation of heat in the fluid is induced by  thermal radiation. Furthermore, the behavior of opposing/assisting flow and impact of nonuniform heat sink/source is scrutinized. The reserved suitable transformations are carried out to shift the ruling equations into nondimensional class. Through reserved transformations, two nonlinear partial differential equations are altered into corresponding nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Then a scheme of integration referred to as Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg is imposed to get a numerical solution of these. The impact of parameters are mentioned concisely on temperature and velocity profiles in the absence and presence of a magnetic parameter. It is proved that the presence of a magnetic field steps up the velocity and temperature as well.     

Photochemical interaction of ascorbic acid with riboflavin, nicotinamide and alpha-tocopherol in cream formulations

The present work is based on a study of the effect of some vitamins such as riboflavin (RF), nicotinamide (NA) and alpha‐tocopherol (TP) on the photodegradation of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) (AH₂) in oil‐in‐water cream formulations using a UV irradiation source. A UV spectrophotometric and the official iodimetric methods have been used for the assay of AH₂ in cream formulations. These methods have been validated in the presence of RF, NA and TP before their application to the creams. The recoveries of AH₂ in the creams are in the range of 90–95% and the reproducibility of the method is within ±5%. The apparent first‐order rate constants (k_obs) for the photodegradation of AH₂ in the presence of RF, NA and TP, individually, in the creams have been obtained. The second‐order rate constants for the photochemical interaction of AH₂ and the vitamins RF, NA and TP have been determined from the plots of k_obs for AH₂ photolysis versus the individual vitamin concentration along with the values of k₀ from the intercept on the vertical axis. The values of k₀ in the presence of RF and NA are lower than those of the k_obs, indicating that these vitamins act as photosensitizers for the degradation of AH₂ in creams. On the contrary, the value of k₀ in the presence of TP is higher than that of the k_obs, suggesting a stabilizing effect of this vitamin on the degradation of AH₂ in creams. The mode of interaction of the individual vitamins with AH₂ on photolysis has been discussed.     

Microscopic investigations of some selected species of Papilionaceae through SEM and LM from Skardu valley,northern Pakistan

Pollen morphology of 10 species and foliar epidermal anatomy of eight species of Papilionaceae from Skardu valley, northern Pakistan has been estimated for the first time. The present study was commenced with an aim to provide a detailed account of the pollen morphology by scanning electron microscopy and foliar epidermal anatomy by light microscopy. The pollen aperture was tricolporate with reticulate exine in the selected species. Stomata types are actinocytic, paracytic, and anomocytic. Irregular or polygonal with undulate or straight walls, epidermal cells were reported. A unique diversity was observed in the foliar trichomes that show the taxonomic significance of the discrimination of taxa. Non‐glandular trichomes were observed in the selected species which are unicellular with thin, long and pointed apical cells. Pollen and foliar micro morphological characters proved to be helpful for the identification of taxa at a specific level.