Effect of the solvent on growth of titania nanotubes prepared by anodization of Ti in HCl

The effect of the solvent on the anodic growth of titania nanotubes in HCl dissolved in water, ethylene glycol and 2-propanol was studied. These nanotubes grow with locally rapid breakdown of the passive TiO₂ film forming a forest of nanotubes-bearing microtowers with the background of passive TiO₂ Film. These bundles of assembled-groups of titania nanotubes look like Pillars corals. The low relative permittivity of the 2-propanol led to lowering of dissociation of HCl and hence lowering the activity of H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions which in turn led to suppress of dissolution of titania and increasing the growth rate of the titania nanotubes. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed that the titania nanotubes after annealing change to the crystalline anatase phase. The anodic films showed characteristic coloration with intensity and color that changes (qualitatively) with time of anodization.     

In vitro and in vivo investigations of upconversion and NIR emitting Gd2O3:Er3+,Yb3+ nanostructures for biomedical applications

The use of an “over 1000-nm near-infrared (NIR) in vivo fluorescence bioimaging” system based on lanthanide containing inorganic nanostructures emitting in the visible and NIR range under 980-nm excitation is proposed. It may overcome problems of currently used biomarkers including color fading, phototoxicity and scattering. Gd₂O₃:Er³⁺,Yb³⁺ nanoparticles and nanorods showing upconversion and NIR emission are synthesized and their cytotoxic behavior is investigated by incubation with B-cell hybridomas and macrophages. Surface modification with PEG-b-PAAc provides the necessary chemical durability reducing the release of toxic Gd³⁺ ions. NIR fluorescence microscopy is used to investigate the suitability of the nanostructures as NIR–NIR biomarkers. The in vitro uptake of bare and modified nanostructures by macrophages is investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. In vivo investigations revealed nanostructures in liver, lung, kidneys and spleen a few hours after injection into mice, while most of the nanostructures have been removed from the body after 24?h.     

Isopropylation of ethylbenzene over MCM-22 molecular sieve

MCM-22 materials (Si/Al ratios 24, 50 and 75) were synthesized and characterized. The catalytic activity was examined in the vapour phase isopropylation of ethylbenzene with isopropyl alcohol. Based on ethylbenzene conversion, the order of activity of the catalysts is found to be MCM-22(50) > MCM-22(24) = MCM-22(75). The selective formation of p-isopropyl ethylbenzene (p-IPEB) suggests that the reaction occurs mainly inside the 10-membered ring channel. The time on stream study over MCM-22(50) showed steady conversion for 6 h with nearly the same selectivity to p-isopropyl ethylbenzene (p-IPEB) and o-isopropyl ethylbenzene (p-IPEB).     

Antibacterial activity of hybrid chitosan–cupric oxide nanoparticles on cotton fabric

In this study, cupric oxide (CuO) nanoparticles were prepared using sonochemical method. The prepared nanoparticles were studied using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. The colloidal chitosan (CS) solution was prepared using ultrasound irradiation method and simultaneously mixed with CuO nanoparticles. The coatings of colloidal solution with and without CuO nanoparticles were studied through TEM images. The cotton fabrics were separately soaked in the prepared nanoparticle‐containing (hybrid) solutions by sonication method followed by pad‐dry‐cure method. The structural, functional, and morphological analyses of the coated and uncoated fabrics were performed using XRD, FTIR‐attenuated total reflectance, and SEM analyses, respectively. The hybrid‐coated cotton fabrics showed better antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The bioactivity performance of the coated fabrics was in the order of CuO‐coated fabric > CS‐coated fabric.Inspec keywords: cotton fabrics, nanoparticles, antibacterial activity, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, copper compoundsOther keywords: antibacterial activity, hybrid chitosan‐cupric oxide nanoparticles, cotton fabric, cupric oxide nanoparticles, sonochemical method, X‐ray diffraction, XRD pattern, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, SEM, transmission electron microscopy, TEM methods, colloidal chitosan solution, ultrasound irradiation method, colloidal solution, TEM images, cotton fabrics, nanoparticle‐containing solutions, sonication method, pad‐dry‐cure method, morphological analyses, structural analyses, functional analyses, FTIR‐attenuated total reflectance, SEM analyses, hybrid‐coated cotton fabrics, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, bioactivity performance, CuO     

Screening the UV‐blocking and antimicrobial properties of herbal nanoparticles prepared from Aloe vera leaves for textile applications

Nanomaterials play a vital role in textile industries due to their unique properties and applications. There is an increase in the use of nanoscale phyto products in textiles to control the bacterial infection in fabrics. Here, natural herbal nanoparticles of different sizes were prepared from shade‐dried Aloe vera plant leaves using ball milling technique without any additives. The amorphous herbal A. vera nanoparticles possess an average particle size of 40 ± 2 nm and UV‐absorption maximum at 269 nm. A. vera nanopowders–chitosan nanocomposites were prepared and coated on cotton fabrics using pad‐dry cure method. The evaluation of antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (22.05 ± 0.06 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (27.17 ± 0.02 mm), UV‐protection properties (UV‐protection factor = 57.2 ± 0.1), and superhydrophobic nature (155 ± 3°) of the prepared herbal nanoparticles and their composites were analysed by disc diffusion, UV–visible spectral analysis, and contact angle analysis. Understanding the functional properties of herbal nanoparticles, coated particles on fabrics highlights their potential applications in protective clothing with better antimicrobial properties, hydrophobicity, and UV‐protection properties. This study of using A. vera herbal nanoparticles in textiles significantly enhances the fabric performance to develop protective textile fabrics in defence and biomedical fields.Inspec keywords: nanoparticles, particle size, nanofabrication, nanomedicine, antibacterial activity, biomedical materials, hydrophobicity, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, radiation protection, textile fibres, cotton fabrics, ball milling, X‐ray diffraction, light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray fluorescence analysis, fluorescence, amorphous state, nanocomposites, filled polymers, protective coatings, curing, microorganisms, biodiffusion, contact angle, surface morphology, protective clothingOther keywords: UV‐blocking, antimicrobial properties, disc diffusion, UV‐visible spectral analysis, contact angle analysis, morphological characteristics, protective clothing, protective textile fabrics, biomedical fields, superhydrophobic nature, UV‐protection factor, UV‐protection properties, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, pad‐dry cure method, cotton fabrics, A. vera nanopowders‐chitosan nanocomposites, UV‐absorption maximum, average particle size, amorphous herbal A. vera nanoparticles, X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, UV‐visible spectrophotometry, X‐ray diffraction, ball milling, shade‐dried Aloe vera plant leaves, natural herbal nanoparticle size, bacterial infection, nanoscale phyto products, textile industries, nanomaterials, textile applications     

Technical Note: Hyperspherical direction cosine transformation of remotely sensed data for separation of topographic expression of land use classification

In this paper, the hyperspherical direction cosine transformation process of remotely-sensed data is explained. In particular, this transformation process is utilized to examine various land use and land cover classes in the Bombay suburban and Thana district area in India. A statistical approach to determine the transformed components and other statistical variables on different band combinations is discussed. The results are analysed, and the best possible combinations selected for accurate classification are presented. Separation of topographically induced illumination effects and spectral information (cover type) in digital scanner data can be accomplished by projecting measurement vectors on to a hypersphere.     

An Overview on the Synthetic Routes and Properties of Ammonium Dinitramide (ADN) and other Dinitramide Salts

In recent years, there has been a considerable interest in the development of novel type of high performance propellants for use in solid rocket motors. Ammonium salt of dinitramidic acid NH₄N(NO₂)₂ (ADN) has attracted wide interest as a potentially useful energetic oxidizer for rocket propellants because of its clean and environment‐friendly exhaust products during burning. ADN contains one N (NO₂)₂ group and its synthesis requires new type of N‐nitration. The present paper reviews the general synthetic methods used for the synthesis of inorganic, organic and metal dinitramide salts and their properties, with a special emphasis on ammonium dinitramide. The salient features with reference to the extent of conversion and ease of separation of the products of the various synthetic methodologies are also addressed.     

Synthesis,characterization, and magneto‐electric properties of (1−x)BCZT‐xCFO ceramic particulate composites

Synthesis of a new magnetoelectric [(1?x)(Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)(Zr_0.1Ti_0.9)O₃‐xCoFe₂O₄] (weight fraction x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 1) ceramic particulate composites with its structural characterization and magneto‐electric properties have been reported here in this study. Lead free piezoelectric (Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)(Zr_0.1Ti_0.9)O₃ (BCZT) and ferrimagnetic CoFe₂O₄ (CFO) were synthesized using sol‐gel and combustion methods respectively. (1?x)BCZT‐xCFO magnetoelectric composites were then synthesized by mixing of the calcined individual ferroic phases with required weight fractions. Powder X‐ray diffraction studies indicate the coexistence of BCZT and CFO phases in the composites sintered at 1300°C. 0.5BCZT‐0.5CFO composite showed high strain sensitivity (dλ/dH) of 52×10^?9 Oe^?1, which is comparable to that of pure CFO (50×10^?9 Oe^?1). A high piezoelectric voltage constant (g₃₃) of 8×10^?3 V m/N was measured for 0.8BCZT‐0.2CFO sample. All the composites showed magnetoelectric effect and a high magnetoelectric coupling coefficient (α_ME) of 6.85 mV/cm Oe was measured for 0.5BCZT‐0.5CFO composite at 1 kHz and a large ME coefficient of 115 mV/cm Oe at its resonance frequency. The effect of microstructure on the magnetoelectric properties of [(1?x)BCZT‐(x)CFO] composites has been studied and reported here as a function of its piezoelectric (BCZT)/ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) content.