Synthesis,characterization, and applications with the manifestation of antifungal activity and seed germination properties of nickel doped zinc oxide nano platform by biochemical contrivance

In the recent era, nanotechnology, a rapidly emerging field, has been explored as the most studied field worldwide. The goal of this study is to use neem leaves extract as an effective ‘reducing agent’ and ‘stabilizing agent’ in the green synthesis of bio-medically important Zn_1-XNi_XO (X = 0.00, 0.04, 0.08, 0.12) nanoparticles. The molar concentrations of nickel nitrate and zinc nitrate are varied to produce nickel-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Color change is the first indicator of nanoparticle formation during this biosynthesis. The hexagonal wurtzite structure with good crystallinity is confirmed by X-ray diffraction. FTIR analysis reveals the fact that the Zn–O stretching vibration shifts with the introduction of impurities into the ZnO matrix. UV–Vis spectra show the typical surface plasma resonance around 370 nm and the hydrodynamic diameter is larger than the size calculated from the XRD value, according to DLS. The main finding of this study is that Ni_0.12Zn_0.88O has a strong antifungal activity against and a significant growth rate after treating wheat seeds with biologically synthesized Ni_0.12Zn_0.88O nanoparticles.     

On mechanical response in a free piezoelectric plate subjected to a prescribed diffusion and with varied voltage input

The present note seeks to investigate the mechanical response in a free piezoelectric plate subjected to a prescribed diffusion and having various types of voltage input across it.     

Steric effect on fluorescence quenching

In this communication we have reported the steric effect on the fluorescence quenching rate constants of the electron transfer (ET) process. We have done a comparative study using donor (D)-acceptor (A) systems with different exergonicity (-deltaG(f)). Different carbazole derivatives (CZ): 1,4-dicyanobenzene (DCB) systems (-deltaG(f) = 0.7-0.8 eV) were found to be among those limiting systems that show a clear-cut steric dominance in the process of fluorescence quenching. It is known that with increasing exergonicity the ET distance increases and hence steric dependence becomes insignificant. On the other hand, with decreasing exergonicity the ET distance decreases and a pronounced steric dominance should be observed. However, in the D-A systems having lower exergonicity compared to CZ-DCB systems, this steric dominance is observed only in polar medium. In non-polar medium due to exciplex formation the D-A distance effectively becomes much longer and therefore no steric dominance is observed.     

The influence of Ni2+ lons on the distribution of Mg2+ and Cu2+ lons in spinel ferrites

Cation distribution in quenched and furnace-cooled samples of composition Ni_xM_1?xFe₂O₄ (where M is either Mg²⁺ or Cu²⁺) has been studied through magnetization measurements. It has been found that cation distribution in these mixed ferrites cannot be predicted by site preference energies. In magnesium-nickel ferrites, cation distribution is controlled by heat treatment up to x = 0.5, beyond which the effect of heat treatment diminishes. Addition of Ni²⁺ ions in copper ferrite reduces the diffusibility of Cu²⁺ ions and the distribution tends toward inverse spinel in the high-nickel region.     

Revisiting Impossible Quantum Operations Using Principles of No-Signaling and Nonincrease of Entanglement Under LOCC

In this letter, we show the impossibility of the general operation introduced by Pati (Phys. Rev. A 66:062319, 2002) using two different but consistent principles (i) no-signaling (ii) non increase of entanglement under LOCC.     

Processes developed for the separation of europium (Eu) from various resources

Europium (Eu), one of the most significant rare earth (RE) elements, has wide applications as functional material in phosphor production, majorly used in fluorescent lamps, computer monitors, televisions etc. Eu is one of the three divalent lanthanides (along with Yb and Sm) having a reduction potential higher than ?2 V. This possibility of Eu reduction is attributed to a relatively stable half-filled 4f⁷ electronic configuration, thus providing a high stabilization energy and selective recovery. But the Eu recuperation from natural minerals is either accompanied with other REs or Eu is recovered as a group of light REs. Selective recovery of Eu has sparked the progress for its reutilization through recycling of secondary resources. The perspectives of reclaiming Eu as a value added product from various sources using different pyro-hydro or hybrid techniques are discussed. The systematic research and salient findings on methods, viz., reduction, leaching, solvent extraction, as well as combined methods scaled-up to commercial scale to recover Eu, are also reported with recommendations. Thus, this comparative as well as summarized review hopes to help researchers to develop feasible processes for Eu recovery.