Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles and Their Impact on the Antioxidant Response and Histology of Indian Major Carp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo rohita</Emphasis>, with Combined Response Surface Methodology Analysis

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles has received considerable attention due to their cost-effective, eco-friendly and medicinal values. In this study, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were synthesised using the aqueous leaf extracts of Piper nigrum. TEM images revealed that the particle is spherical with 20–50 nm in size. Furthermore, to evaluate the toxicity of synthesized Ag NPs, fish Labeo rohita were exposed to two different concentrations (2.5 µg/L as the treatment I and 5 µg/L as treatment II) for 35 days, and antioxidant parameters and histology of gill, liver and kidney were examined. A biphasic response in the activity of glutathione S-transferases (GST) was observed in gill and liver of fish. GST activity in the kidney of fish was significantly increased when compared to control group. Glutathione reductase (GR) activity in organs/tissue of fish were found to be increased while peroxidase (POD) activity was significantly decreased. Histopathological changes such as hyperplasia, proliferation of epithelial cells and fusion of lamellae were observed in both the concentrations. In liver, necrosis, nuclear degeneration and dilation of sinusoids were observed. Subsequently, the representative effects of POD activity were assessed based on the Box–Behnken Equation, 3-D contour plot and ANOVA analysis through response surface methodology analysis.     

A simple spectrophotometric method for the determination of zirconium in U–Zr alloy samples in presence of fluoride ions

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - A spectrophotometric method, circumventing interference from F− ions, during estimation of Zr in U-Zr alloy fuel, has been developed....     

Biosynthetic Approaches towards the Design of Artificial Hydrogen-Evolution Catalysts

Hydrogen is a clean and sustainable form of fuel that can minimize our heavy dependence on fossil fuels as the primary energy source. The need of finding greener ways to generate H₂ gas has ignited interest in the research community to synthesize catalysts that can produce H₂ by the reduction of H⁺. The natural H₂ producing enzymes hydrogenases have served as an inspiration to produce catalytic metal centers akin to these native enzymes. In this article we describe recent advances in the design of a unique class of artificial hydrogen evolving catalysts that combine the features of the active site metal(s) surrounded by a polypeptide component. The examples of these biosynthetic catalysts discussed here include i) assemblies of synthetic cofactors with native proteins; ii) peptide-appended synthetic complexes; iii) substitution of native cofactors with non-native cofactors; iv) metal substitution from rubredoxin; and v) a reengineered Cu storage protein into a Ni binding protein. Aspects of key design considerations in the construction of these artificial biocatalysts and insights gained into their chemical reactivity are discussed.     

Preparation and Characterization of Chiral Oxazaborolidine Complex Immobilized SBA‐15 and Its Application in the Asymmetric Reduction of Prochiral Ketones

The immobilization of chiral oxazaborolidine complex in the well‐ordered mesochannels of SBA‐15 is demonstrated by a postsynthetic approach using 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane as a reactive surface modifier. The immobilized catalysts are characterized by various techniques, such as XRD, nitrogen adsorption, HRSEM, UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy. The catalysts are used for the enantioselective reduction of aromatic prochiral ketones. The activity of the chiral oxazaborolidine complex immobilized SBA‐15 catalysts is also compared with that of the pure chiral oxazaborolidine complex, which is a homogeneous catalyst. It is found that the activity of the chiral complex immobilized SBA‐15 heterogeneous catalyst is comparable with that of the homogeneous catalyst.     

Hyperfine interactions in (CuFe2O4)1 − x (SnO2) x (x = 0, 1, 5, 10 and 20 wt.%) nanocomposites studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy

A series of (CuFe₂O₄)_1???x (SnO₂) _x nanocomposites (x = 0, 1, 5, 10, 20 wt.%) have been prepared by urea–nitrate combustion method. The room temperature Mössbauer spectra of CuFe₂O₄ and (CuFe₂O₄)_0.99(SnO₂)_0.01 contained two sextets while remaining samples contained at least four sextets with additional doublet indicating the presence of paramagnetic phase. The variations of isomer shift, quadruple splitting and magnetic hyperfine field values were found with the addition of SnO₂.     

Semiconductor laser crystallization of a-Si:H on conducting tin-oxide-coated glass for solar cell and display applications

Semiconductor laser (=805 nm) crystallization of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) deposited on a low-cost fluoride-doped tin-oxide-coated glass substrate is demonstrated. X-ray diffraction confirms that the structure of the polycrystalline silicon thus formed shows (111), (220), and (311) peaks. A sharp Raman peak at 520 cm^-1 further confirms the crystallization. Atomic force microscope images of a Secco-etched laser-treated sample reveal the granular structure of the poly-Si. Grains as big as 10 times the film thickness are readily obtained and sample as thick as 5000 Å is easily crystallized. The method can be extended to films with a thickness of several microns. PACS 42.55.Px; 42.62.Cf; 81.05.Gc     

Modelling of the plasma-substrate interaction and prediction of substrate temperature during the plasma heating

Temperature of the substrate during plasma heating and spraying plays an important role on quality of the substrate and coating. In this study a three dimensional numerical model is developed to simulate the Ar-N₂ plasma jet and conjugate heat transfer between plasma and substrate. The influencing of operating parameters on thermal flux from the plasma to the substrate and substrate temperature are discussed. Transient simulations are carried out to predict the substrate temperature with heating time. The arc current, gas flow rate, stand-off distance, substrate material and environment around the substrate significantly affect the thermal flux to the substrate. Heat flux to the substrate cannot be neglected in the coating built-up models. Present model is validated by comparing the results of present model with previous predictions and measurements.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Rare Earth Orthovanadate (RVO4; R = La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu & Gd) Nanorods/Nanocrystals/Nanospindles by a Facile Sonochemical Method and Their Catalytic Properties

We report herein on an efficient sonochemical method for the synthesis of rare earth orthovanadate nanorods/nanoparticles/nanospindles, (general formula RVO₄; R = La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd). TGA, XRD, FTIR, Raman, UV–Vis, and TEM studies are employed for their characterization and for understanding their morphologies. In order to vary the textural properties of the rare earth vanadates, two surfactants, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and amphiphilic triblock copolymer Pluronic P123, are chosen in the preparation. While the sonochemical synthesis in the presence of PEG results in the formation of nearly spherical nanoparticles of LaVO₄, CeVO₄, SmVO₄ and EuVO₄, the same technique yields nanorods and nanospindles of NdVO₄ and GdVO₄, respectively. When P123 is used as the surfactant, the morphologies of RVO₄ are strikingly different, and in most cases nanorods and nanospindles are formed. The photocatalytic activities of the rare earth orthovanadate have been evaluated by studying the degradation of methylene blue, and CeVO₄ seems to be the best catalyst in the heterogeneous photolysis. The electrocatalytic activity of the vanadates has been examined by studying the hydrogen evolution reaction using a linear sweep voltammogram technique in 1 M of a H₂SO₄ solution. GdVO₄ seems to be the best electrocatalyst. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Ionic liquid modified silica gel for the sorption of americium(III) and europium(III) from dilute nitric acid medium

The imidazolium bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate moiety was chemically attached on silica gel by chemical modification. The resulting product ([SG-Im]⁺ [DEHP]^?) was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and elemental analysis. The sorption behavior of Am(III) and Eu(III) on [SG-Im]⁺ [DEHP]^? was studied from dilute nitric acid medium for the separation of Am(III) and Eu(III) from aqueous waste. The effect of time, concentrations of nitric acid and europium in aqueous phase on the distribution coefficient (K _d) was studied. The study indicated the possibility of using modified silica for the separation of Eu(III) from Am(III) with high separation factors (>50 at 0.1 M HNO₃).