Temperature dependence of fluorescence quantum yields of some side-substituted anthracene sulphonates

Of the four anthracene sulphonates (Na-salt), anthracene-1-sulphonate (1-AS), anthracene-2-sulphonate (2-AS) and anthracene-1, 5-disulphonate (1, 5-AS) show temperature dependence of φ_f, whereas for anthracene-1, 8-disulphonate (1, 8-AS) φ_f is independent of temperature. E_a for 1-AS, 2-AS and 1, 5-AS are 939 cm^?1, 1144 cm^?1 and 445 cm^?1, respectively. A low energy T_nπ¹ level supplied by ?SO^?₃ group could be responsible for efficient ISC in 1, 8-AS of symmetry C_2v. The possibility of tunnelling due to molecular distortion i.e. “geometry factor” cannot be ruled out also.     

Painlevé test for long-wave,short-wave interaction equation. II

In a previous communication we discussed the integrability of a long-wave, short-wave interaction equation for very restricted values of the parameters in the framework of the theory laid down by Weisset al. Here we proceed with the analysis in the sense of Weisset al., considering values of parameters other than those we used previously. We observe that for the combination of parameters for which a Lax pair was obtained by another approach (Newell), the equations considered pass the Painlevé test for integrability in the sense of Weisset al. We discuss several other combinations of parameters that do not pass the test. For these cases no Lax Pair was reported by Newell.     

Polarization switching properties of spray deposited CsNO3: PVA composite films

The ferroelectric and switching properties of spray deposited cesium nitrate: poly (vinyl alcohol) composite films at different substrate temperatures (T _s ) have been studied. The optimum value of remanent polarization was obtained in the film deposited at T _s =200°C, which may be due to larger structural distortion (c/a ratio) and less porosity as revealed by x-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) analysis. The switching current transients have been analyzed by nucleation limited switching model (NLS) with the Lorentzian distribution function. This model gives excellent agreement with the experimental polarization current throughout the whole time range. The switching parameters were determined in the composite films deposited at different T _s and found to be optimum at T _s =200°C. The effect of pulse amplitude on the domain switching properties has also been studied and analyzed. The peak value of polarization current exhibits an exponential dependence on the external applied field.     

Low threshold field electron emission from solvothermally synthesized WO2.72 nanowires

Field emission studies of WO_2.72 nanowires synthesized by a solvothermal method have been performed in the planar diode configuration under ultra high vacuum conditions. Fowler–Nordheim plots obtained from the current-voltage characteristics follow the quantum mechanical tunneling process and a current density of ∼8.3×10⁶ μA/cm² can be drawn at an applied electric field of 2 V/μm. The field enhancement factor is 33025, while the turn-on field is only 1.4 V/μm. The emission current-time plot recorded at the pre-set value of emission current of 1 μA over a period of more than 3 h exhibits an initial increase and a subsequent stabilization of the emission current. The results reveal that the WO_2.72 nanowire emitters synthesized by the solvothermal method are promising cathode materials for practical applications.     

Development of a high order discretization scheme for solving fully nonlinear magnetohydrodynamic equations

We have developed fully fourth order accurate compact finite difference discretization scheme for the Navier-Stokes equations coupled with Maxwell''s equations. The implementation is done in cylindrical polar geometry. Due to the full-MHD modeling of physical flow, the modeled equations are fully nonlinear coupled hydrodynamic equations which are again coupled with Maxwells equations. In our computations, we have accounted for the induced magnetic field in the flow of an electrically conducting fluid in an external magnetic field. The code is tested against available experimental and theoretical data where applicable. It is observed that a smaller grid of $64 \times 64$ is sufficient for weakly nonlinear problems and higher grids up to $512 \times 512$ are needed as the degree of nonlinearities grow in the modeled equation. In the absence of magnetic field, a discontinuity of total drag coefficient and separation length is noted for $Re=73$ which is in agreement with literature. When the magnetic Reynolds number $Rm<1$ separation length decreases linearly with strength of magnetic field on a log-log scale whereas if $Rm>1$, it decreases nonlinearly, at a much faster rate. Thermal boundary layer thickness decreases as the strength of magnetic field increases and it forces the thermal convection to take place in a laminar structure as observed from thermal contour lines. Finally, using divided differences, we establish that the accuracy of the proposed numerical scheme is in fact fourth order.     

Molecular dynamics study of surfactant monolayers adsorbed at the oil/water and air/water interfaces

Atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been carried out to investigate the physical properties of monolayers of monododecyl diethylene glycol (C(12)E(2)) surfactants adsorbed at the oil/water and air/water interfaces. The study shows that the surfactant molecules exhibit more extended conformations with a consequent increase of the thickness of the monolayer in the presence of the oil medium. It is noticed that the hydrocarbon tails of the surfactants are more vertically oriented at the oil/water interface. Interestingly, we notice that the presence of the oil medium has a strong influence in restricting both the translational and reorientational motions of the water molecules present in the hydration layer close to the surfactant headgroups.     

Nanohybridization of Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials: Synthesis,Classification, and Application

Nanomaterials have attracted much attention from academic to industrial research. General methodologies are needed to impose architectural order in low-dimensional nanomaterials composed of nanoobjects of various shapes and sizes, such as spherical particles, rods, wires, combs, horns, and other non specified geometrical architectures. These nanomaterials are the building blocks for nanohybrid materials, whose applications have improved and will continuously enhance the quality of the daily life of mankind. In this article, we present a comprehensive review on the synthesis, dimension, properties, and present and potential future applications of nanomaterials and nanohybrids. Due to the large number of review articles on specific dimension, morphology, or application of nanomaterials, we will focus on different forms of nanomaterials, such as, linear, particulate, and miscellaneous forms. We believe that almost all the nanomaterials and nanohybrids will come under these three categories. Every form or dimension or morphology has its own significant properties and advantages. These low-dimensional nanomaterials can be integrated to create novel nano-composite material applications for next-generation devices needed to address the current energy crisis, environmental sustainability, and better performance requirements. We discuss the synthesis, properties, and morphology of different forms of nanomaterials (building blocks). Moreover, we elaborate on the synthesis, modification, and application of nanohybrids. The applications of these nanomaterials and nanohybrids in sensors, solar cells, lithium batteries, electronic, catalysis, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and bio-based applications will be detailed. The time is now ripe to explore new nanohybrids that use individual nanomaterial components as basic building blocks, potentially affording additionally novel behavior and leading to new, useful applications. In this regard, the combination or integration of linear nanorods/nanowires and spherical nanoparticles to produce mixed-dimensionality, higher-level nanocomposites of greater complexity is an interesting theme, which we explore in this review article.     

Interactions of Nile Blue with Micelles, Reverse Micelles and a Genomic DNA

In this contribution we report studies on the nature of binding of a small ligand/drug Nile blue (NB) with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles, bis-(2-ethylehexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT)/isooctane reverse micelles (RM) and a genomic DNA extracted from Salmon sperm. With detailed steady state and picosecond resolved optical spectroscopic techniques, we examined the fluorescence quenching of the ligand upon complexation with the SDS monomers and DNA. Polarization analyzed picosecond-resolved fluorescence measurements reveal geometrical restriction on the probe in SDS micelles, AOT-RM and DNA. Steady state and time resolved studies on the probe in nanocages of AOT RM with various degrees of hydration (w₀) reveal the existence of NB as two distinct species namely, neutral and cationic. This study confirms that the emission of NB in aqueous micelles and DNA solution is due to the cationic form of the drug. Our experiments clearly identified non-specific electrostatic and intercalative modes of interaction of the probe with the DNA at lower and higher DNA concentrations respectively. The nature of binding of NB in presence of the DNA and SDS micelles reveals that the binding affinity of the probe is higher with the micelles than with the DNA. The complex rigidity of NB with DNA and its fluorescence quenching with DNA elucidate a strong recognition mechanism between NB and DNA.     

Effect of Microalgae Polysaccharides on Biochemical and Metabolomics Pathways Related to Plant Defense in Solanum lycopersicum

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms that produce several bioactive molecules that have received considerable attention in scientific and industrial...     

Antibacterial cotton fabrics with in situ generated silver and copper bimetallic nanoparticles using red sanders powder extract as reducing agent

Using aqueous extraction of red sanders powder as a reducing agent, silver and copper bimetallic nanoparticles were in situ generated in cotton fabrics. Silver and copper nanoparticles were also generated separately for comparison. The resulted nanocomposite cotton fabrics (NCFs) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and antibacterial tests. SEM analysis indicated the generation of more number of nanoparticles when bimetallic source solutions were used. Further, the size range of the generated bimetallic nanoparticles was found to be lower than when individual metal nanoparticles were generated in NCFs. XRD analysis confirmed the in situ generation of silver and copper nanoparticles when equimolar bimetallic salt source solutions were utilized. The NCFs with bimetallic nanoparticles exhibited higher antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and hence can be considered for applications as antibacterial bed and dressing materials.