Synthesis and characterization of CoxZn1−xFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles via a PEG-assisted route

We present an investigation of properties of Co_xZn_1−xFe₂O₄ (x=0.0-1.0) nanoparticles synthesized by a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-assisted hydrothermal route. X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and vibrating scanning magnetometry (VSM) were used to characterize the structural, morphological and magnetic properties. The particle size obtained from TEM and XRD are consistent with each other. It was observed that the lattice constant for each composition decreases with increasing Co substitution and follows Vegard's law. Magnetization measurements show that while the materials with high Zn substitution are superparamagnetic at room temperature, they are ferromagnetic at temperatures lower than the blocking temperature. The materials with less Zn substitution are ferromagnetic below room temperature. Magnetizations and the coercivities of the samples decrease with the Zn substitution. The resultant overall magnetic behavior of the superparamagnetic samples are found to be considerably different than that of conventional superparamagnetic systems due to the antiferromagnetic interactions both in intra- and inter-cluster spins, and size (effective moment) distribution of the particles.     

Transmittance of partially coherent cosh-Gaussian, cos-Gaussian and annular beams in turbulence

Average relative power transmittance is evaluated, by incorporating atmospheric turbulence, for partially coherent cosh-Gaussian, cos-Gaussian, Gaussian and annular beams. For all the collimated versions of these beams, against the increasing propagation length, there is a typical trend of the decrease in the relative average power transmittance with incremental drop being much less for partially coherent cos-Gaussian beams. The change in the transmittance versus the propagation length will be similar to the corresponding collimated cases, when these beams are focused at a certain focal length. Also partially coherent beams are less sensitive to propagation length changes, except for cos-Gaussian case. Partially coherent cosh-Gaussian beams exhibit a drop in the transmittance as the displacement parameter of the beam is made larger, whereas this trend is just the opposite for partially coherent cos-Gaussian beams. When examined versus the source size, for all the four types of beams, the transmittance has a similar behavior, i.e., it becomes high at small source sizes, falling with increasing source size, and following a dip, it starts to rise, eventually approaching the plane wave limit of unity. The occurrence of the dip coincides with the smallest source size for cosh-Gaussian, with the largest for cos-Gaussian, and about the same source size for Gaussian and annular beams. In general, the average relative power transmittance of coherent beam is affected much more than the partially coherent beams against the variations in source properties.     

Adsorption and kinetic studies of cationic and anionic dyes on pyrophyllite from aqueous solutions

The adsorption of cationic Methylene Blue (MB) and anionic Procion Crimson H-EXL (PC) dyes from aqueous medium on pyrophyllite was studied. Changes in the electrokinetics of pyrophyllite as a function of pH were investigated in the absence and presence of multivalent cations. The results show that pyrophyllite in water exhibits a negative surface charge within the range pH 2-12. Pyrophyllite is found to be a novel adsorbent for versatile removal of cationic and anionic dyes. The negative hydrophilic surface sites of pyrophyllite are responsible for the adsorption of cationic MB molecules. The adsorption of anionic PC dye is possible after a charge reversal by the addition of trivalent cation of Al. Nearly 2 min of contact time are found to be sufficient for the adsorption of both dyes to reach equilibrium. The experimental data follow a Langmuir isotherm with adsorption capacities of 70.42 and 71.43 mg dye per gram of pyrophyllite for MB and PC, respectively. For the adsorption of both MB and PC dyes, the pseudo-second-order chemical reaction kinetics provides the best correlation of the experimental data.     

Ovalbumin mediated synthesis of Mn3O4

By using Mn²⁺ and Mn³⁺ salts, and freshly extracted ovalbumin, Mn₃O₄ nanocrystals have been synthesized successfully. The X-ray diffraction results indicated that the synthesized nanoparticles have only the spinel structure without the presence of any other phase impurities. As the ovalbumin–water mixture was highly basic, the process did not require any use of base to increase the pH where hydrolysis took place. A gel formed where water soluble ovalbumin proteins served as a perfect matrix for entrapment of metal ions (Mn²⁺ and Mn³⁺). Upon heat treatment, the dried gel precursor decomposed into nanocrystalline Mn₃O₄. The discrepancy between the crystallite size from XRD and particle size SEM analysis reveals polycrystalline nature of the synthesized particles with this route. EPR analysis of Mn₃O₄ shows a narrow and symmetric line indicating the absence of hyperfine splitting.     

Turbulence distance of radial Gaussian Schell-model array beams

The effect of turbulence on the spreading of radial Gaussian Schell-model (GSM) array beams is studied quantitatively by examining the mean-squared beam width. The analytical expression for the turbulence distance z _T of radial GSM array beams is derived by using the integral transform technique, which indicates within what ranges radial GSM array beams will be less affected by turbulence. It is shown that the effect of turbulence on the spreading of radial GSM array beams can be reduced by choosing the suitable array beam parameters and the type of the beam superposition. In addition, a comparison with the previous work is also made.     

Beam wander characteristics of cos and cosh-Gaussian beams

Within the context of a general beam formulation, beam wander characteristics of cos and cosh-Gaussian beams are derived and numerically evaluated. In our graphs, the fundamental Gaussian beam is used as a benchmark for comparisons. The associated plots reveal that at small source sizes, a cos-Gaussian beam has the lowest beam wander, while this property is enhanced with increasing values of the displacement parameter. At large source sizes however, this advantage is taken over by cosh-Gaussian beam. Joint examination against the changing source sizes and propagation lengths shows that the range of source sizes, where the beam wander of cos-Gaussian beam remains lower, is enlarged as we go toward higher propagation lengths. Asymmetric beams tend to exhibit higher beam wanders both at small and large source sizes, but for the intermediate source size ranges, the beam wanders of asymmetric beams will fall below those of the symmetric beams. Explanations concerning these behaviors are offered. A historical account of beam wander formulation is also included.     

Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript> incorporated barium hexaferrites: structural and magnetic properties

BaM hexaferrites substituted with both Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions, namely, Ba_1-2×Ca_xMg_xFe₁₂O₁₉ (0.0?≤?x?≤?0.1), synthesized during a sol–gel auto-combustion route. The hexaferrite phase and morphology of all samples were investigated using X-ray powder diffraction, a field emission scanning electron microscope, a high-resolution transmission microscope, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In addition, an M-type hexagonal structure was confirmed using XRD for all samples. FE-SEM and TEM revealed the shape of the hexagonal plate. Measurements of the magnetization versus the field M(H) of Ba_1-2×Ca_xMg_xFe₁₂O₁₉ (0.0?≤?x?≤?0.1) nanohexaferrites were conducted at 300 and 10?K. A hard-ferrimagnetic behavior at both 300 and 10?K was noted for the different products produced. The squareness ratio indicates the uniaxial anisotropy for various products. The deduced values of saturation magnetization (M_s) in all substituted samples are higher than in the pristine sample (x?=?0). The Ba_0.96Ca_0.02Mg_0.02Fe₁₂O₁₉ nanosized hexaferrite showed the highest values of M_s, remanence M_r, magneton number (n_B), and magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant (K_eff). In contrast, the values of the coercive field (H_c) and intrinsic coercivity (H_ci) diminish with the increase in the amount of the substituted Ca and Mg elements.

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Potentiometric urea biosensor based on poly(glycidylmethacrylate)-grafted iron oxide nanoparticles

Urease enzyme was covalently attached on the poly(glycidylmethacrylate) (PGMA)-grafted iron oxide nanoparticles on Au electrode for the fabrication of urea biosensor. The telomere of poly(glycidylmethacrylate) (PGMA) with a trimethoxysilyl terminal group was synthesized by telomerization of glycidylmethacrylate. Iron oxide nanoparticles were coated with telomere of poly(glycidylmethacrylate) in order to obtain good enzyme immobilization platform. The telomere and nanoparticles were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The biosensor’s potentiometric response was measured as a function of urea concentration in phosphate buffer solution (10 mM, pH 7.5) and showed a linear range of 0.25–5.0 mM urea. The produced biosensor exhibited a good response time of ～8 s and was stable for about two months. The basic features (optimum pH, optimum temperature, interference and storage stability) of the enzyme electrode were determined.     

Intensity fluctuations in J-Bessel–Gaussian beams of all orders propagating in turbulent atmosphere

The scintillation index of a J _n -Bessel–Gaussian beam of any order propagating in turbulent atmosphere is derived and numerically evaluated at transverse cross-sections with the aid of a specially designed triple integral routine. The graphical outputs indicate that, just like the previously investigated J ₀-Bessel–Gaussian beam, higher-order members of the family also offer favorable scintillation characteristics at large source sizes. This advantage is maintained against rising beam orders. Viewed along the propagation axis, beams with lower orders and smaller widths exhibit smaller values of the scintillation index at shorter propagation distances and large values at longer propagation distances. Further, it is shown that the scintillation index of the J _n -Bessel–Gaussian beams (n>0) is larger than that of the fundamental Gaussian and the J ₀-Bessel–Gaussian beams only near the on-axis points, while remaining smaller towards the edges of the beam.     

Fabrication of Thymoquinone‐Loaded Albumin Nanoparticles by Microfluidic Particle Synthesis and Their Effect on Planarian Regeneration

Thymoquinone is the main bioactive component of the plant Nigella sativa, which is commonly known as black seeds and has several therapeutic effects. However, clinical applications of thymoquinone are limited due to its hydrophobic nature. In this study, thymoquinone is encapsulated in albumin nanoparticles by using a microfluidic platform to overcome this limitation. The mean particle sizes of empty and thymoquinone‐loaded nanoparticles are determined as 271.3 and 315.6 nm, respectively, with polydispersity index values both lower than 0.25. In addition to particle size distribution measurements, characterizations of the prepared nanoparticles such as zeta potential measurements, in vitro release studies, as well as scanning electron microscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared, and differential scanning calorimetry analyses are also carried out. To determine the effect of thymoquinone on neural regeneration, planarians are used as the model organism. After application of free and encapsulated thymoquinone, planarians are amputated and the fragments are observed in terms of head and tail regeneration, swimming pattern, and behavior. The results indicate that thymoquinone affects their behavior and primarily enhances head regeneration of planarians. In addition, it is shown that encapsulation of thymoquinone not only enhances the thermal stability of the molecule but also decreases its toxicity.