Polypyrrole–NiO hybrid nanocomposite films: highly selective,sensitive, and reproducible NO2 sensors

Polypyrrole–nickel oxide (PPy–NiO) hybrid nanocomposite thin-film sensor was prepared by spin-coating method on glass substrate. The PPy–NiO hybrid nanocomposite thin film sensors were used to study room temperature gas-sensing properties for oxidizing (NO₂, Cl₂) as well as reducing (NO₂, H₂S, C₂H₅OH, NH₃, and Cl₂) gases. It was revealed that PPy–NiO (50 %) hybrid nanocomposite thin-film sensor could detect NO₂ at low concentration (100 ppm) with very high selectivity (47 % compared with Cl₂) and high sensitivity (47 %), with better stability (90 %) and reproducibility. The response and recovery times were changed significantly with NO₂ concentration.     

Nonlinear refractive and optical limiting measurements of 2-thienylchalcone derivatives under cw laser regime

The nonlinear refractive index of 2-thienylchalcone derivatives in solution was investigated using z-scan technique with a continuous wave Argon ion laser. The results show that 2-thienylchalcone derivatives exhibit a large nonlinear refractive index at 488 nm. The optical limiting behaviour based on nonlinear refractive index was also investigated. The fluorescence from the samples was recorded and the relationship between the variation of nonlinear refractive index values and optical limiting values with fluorescence intensity were investigated. The results indicated that 2-thienylchalcone derivatives could be promising candidates for application on nonlinear photonic devices.     

A study of estimation of excited state dipole moments of di(4-bromophenyl)carbazone and its Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) complexes from the solvent effect on their electronic spectra

The solvent effect on the electronic spectra of di(4-bromophenyl)carbazone and its Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) complexes have been studied by synthesizing and characterizing them by magnetic moment, IR, EPR and 1H NMR spectral measurements. The electric dipole moments of these compounds in the first electronically excited state have been determined. The results indicate that the observed band systems in these compounds may be attributed to pi(*) <-- pi transition.     

Effect of annealing temperature on photoelectrochemical properties of nanocrystalline MoBi2(Se0.5Te0.5)5 thin films

Nanocrystalline MoBi₂(Se_0.5Te_0.5)₅ thermoelectric thin films have been deposited on ultrasonically cleaned glass and FTO-coated glass substrates by Arrested Precipitation Technique. The change in properties of MoBi₂(Se_0.5Te_0.5)₅ thin films were examined after annealing at the temperature 473 K for 3 h. The structural, morphological, compositional and electrical properties of thin films were characterized by X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, etc. Thermoelectric properties of the thin films have been evaluated by measurements of electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient in the temperature range 300–500 K. Our aim is to investigate the effect of annealing on behaviour of MoBi₂(Se_0.5Te_0.5)₅ thin films along with photoelectrochemical properties.     

Comparative study of GQ and QG indices as potentially favorable molecular descriptors

In chemical graph theory, several degree-based topological indices are introduced and put forward in the development of quantitative structure-property relationships (QSPR)/quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) studies. However, only a few of them are considered employable in the prediction of physical and chemical properties and biological activities of molecular compounds. Here, we focus our attention on some foremost characteristics of newly defined Geometric–Quadratic $$ and Quadratic–Geometric $$ indices such as prediction power, degeneracy and structure sensitivity. Based on these attributes, we discuss their comparison with other well-established degree-based topological indices with the help of statistical analysis and computational techniques on the data sets of octane, nonane and decane isomers. Some of the graphical approaches, statistical outcomes and computational tests exhibit the dominating nature of the $$ and $$ indices over other topological indices.     

Chapman–Enskog analysis for finite-volume formulation of lattice Boltzmann equation

The classical Chapman–Enskog expansion is performed for the recently proposed finite-volume formulation of lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) method [D.V. Patil, K.N. Lakshmisha, Finite volume TVD formulation of lattice Boltzmann simulation on unstructured mesh, J. Comput. Phys. 228 (2009) 5262–5279]. First, a modified partial differential equation is derived from a numerical approximation of the discrete Boltzmann equation. Then, the multi-scale, small parameter expansion is followed to recover the continuity and the Navier–Stokes (NS) equations with additional error terms. The expression for apparent value of the kinematic viscosity is derived for finite-volume formulation under certain assumptions. The attenuation of a shear wave, Taylor–Green vortex flow and driven channel flow are studied to analyze the apparent viscosity relation.     

Synthesis, physicochemical investigation and biological studies of Zinc(II) complexes with 1,2,4-triazole Schiff bases

A series of metal complexes of Zn(II) have been synthesized with newly synthesized biologically active 1,2,4-triazole Schiff bases derived from the condensation of 3-substituted-4-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole with 8-formyl-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin. The structure of the complexes has been proposed in the light of elemental analyses, spectroscopic data (IR, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR and FAB-mass), thermal studies. Electrochemical study of the complexes is also reported. All the complexes are soluble to limited extent in common organic solvents but soluble to larger extent in DMF and DMSO and are non-electrolytes in these two solvent. All these Schiff bases and their complexes have also been screened for their antibacterial (Escherichia. coli, S. aureus, S. pyogenes, P. aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi) and antifungal activities (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and cladosporium) by MIC method. The brine shrimp bioassay was also carried out to study their in vitro cytotoxic properties.     

Investigation of structural and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline manganese substituted lithium ferrites

Nanocrystalline manganese substituted lithium ferrites Li_0.5Fe_2.5−xMn_xO₄ (2.5≤x≥0) were prepared by sol-gel auto-combustion method. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that as the concentration of manganese increased, the cubic phase changed to tetragonal. Magnetic properties were measured by hysteresis loop tracer technique. All the compositions indicated ferrimagnetic nature. The surface morphology of all the samples was studied by using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The substitution of manganese ions in the lattice affected the structural as well as magnetic properties of spinels.     

Triad sequence determination of ethylene–propylene copolymers – application of quantitative 13C NMR

A methodology for acquiring fully quantitative ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectra for high performance ethylene–propylene copolymers has been proposed. To minimize the spectral acquisition time without sacrificing spectral quality, different amounts of chromium(III)acetylacetonate relaxation agent has been added to optimize its concentration. The study demonstrates the critical setting of delay time for determining six triad distributions from eight discrete set of resonances which otherwise leads to inaccurate determination of triad concentrations. It allows precise integral measurements of low intensity resonances depending on copolymer composition, and significant reduction of experimental time.