Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles by Allium cepa L. to produce silver nano‐coated fabric and their antimicrobial evaluation

This research work was proposed to study the antimicrobial activity of the silver nanocoated fabric with the purpose of producing good dressing and clothing material. We synthesized simple, ecofriendly, cost‐effective and sustainable silver nanoparticles by using the aqueous extract of Allium cepa L. Here, A. cepa L. acts as a good reducing and capping agent that produced stable silver nanoparticles having particle size of range 36 ± 1 to 98 ± 2 nm, Poly dispersiblity index 0.234 ± 0.61 to 1.023 ± 0.33 and Zeta potential ‐12 ± 1.5 mV to ‐26 ± 1.2 mV. The effect of temperature and extract volume used was considered for optimization of synthetic procedure. The nanocoated fabric was characterized for morphological study, size (using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and zeta‐potential (Zeta Potentiometer). The presence of functional groups were observed by using attenuated total reflection‐Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. The crystallinity and structural property of the synthesized silver nanoparticles were studied in terms of Powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD). An IC₅₀ value and zone of inhibition was studied which demonstrate that the silver nanocoated fabric have an excellent antibacterial property against Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Further nanocoated fabric material was washed (with function of time 0, 10, 25, and 50 laundry cycles) and still retained their anti‐bacterial activity towards both strain. Initially there was 52 μg/ml of silver nanoparticles on the cotton fabric but after 50 laundry cycle in 500 ml of distilled water the fabric showed 92% efficiency against gram positive and 90% efficacy toward gram negative bacteria. It was found that 4.16 μg/ml nano particles leached in case of S. Aureus and 5.2 μg/mL silver nanoparticles leached in case of E. coli. Nanocoated fabric material synthesized using green synthesis was found to be economical with good resistance to washing.     

Microwave Assisted FriedläNder Condensation Catalyzed by Clay

Clay catalyzed Friedländer condensation of 2-amino arylaldehyde or ketone with carbonyl compounds containing α-methylene group has been achieved in solvent free condition under microwave irradiation to give polycyclic quinoline derivatives.     

Nanocomposite Hydrogel of Pd@ZIF-8 and Laponite®: Size-Selective Hydrogenation Catalyst under Mild Conditions

The composite hydrogel of a nanoscale metal–organic framework (NMOF) and nanoclay has emerged as a new soft-material with advanced properties and applications. Herein, we report a facile synthesis of a hydrogel nanocomposite by charge-assisted self-assembly of Pd@ZIF-8 nanoparticles with Laponite^® nanoclay which coat the surface of Pd@ZIF-8 nanoparticles. Such surface coating significantly enhanced the thermal stability of the ZIF-8 compared to the pristine framework. Further, the Pd@ZIF-8+LP hydrogel nanocomposite shows better size-selective catalytic hydrogenation of olefins than Pd@ZIF-8 nanoparticles based on selective diffusion of the substrate.     

Persistent luminescence in Ca8Zn(SiO4)4Cl2:Eu2+

A new persistent, green emission is reported for europium activated Calcium Zinc Chlorosilicate (CZCS). The phosphor was prepared by the solid state reaction and characterized using XRD, PL and TL techniques. The decay was characterized by admixture of two exponential components with decay constants 20.2 and 101 s.     

A Jeffrey-fluid model of blood flow in tubes with stenosis

In this paper, we discuss the two-layered Jeffrey-fluid model with mild stenosis in narrow tubes. The blood flow in narrow arteries is treated as a two-fluid model with the suspension of erythrocytes, leukocytes, etc., as a Jeffrey fluid, which is a non-Newtonian fluid, in the core region and plasma, a Newtonian fluid, in the peripheral region. An analytical solution has been obtained for the velocity in the core and peripheral region, volume flow rate, resistance to flow, and wall-shear stress. The effect of Jeffrey-fluid parameters, like the height of stenosis, viscosity, etc., on volume flow rate, resistance to flow (impedance), and wall-shear stress has been discussed graphically. Through the present study, it is found that the wall-shear stress and resistance to flow increases with the increase in height of stenosis and decreases with the increase in the ratio of relaxation time. It is also found that the velocity decreases with an increase in stenosis height in both the core and the peripheral region. A previous result has been also verified.     

Comparative Study of the Signal-to-Noise Ratio and Gain in Photorefractive Materials

We calculate the dependence of the signal-to-noise ratio and gain on the angle α between the pump and signal beams and the beam ratio β in Cu-doped potassium-sodium-strontium-barium niobate (Cu:KNSBN) crystal and compare them with the experimental results available in the literature. We find good qualitative agreement between the calculated and experimental results. Also we study variations of SNR and gain with α and β in BaTiO₃ crystal. Experimental data for this crystal are not available.