Schiff base-functionalised styrofoam resin for preconcentration of metal ions in wastewater and wastewater-irrigated vegetables samples

Polystyrene (PS) was extracted from styrofoam waste and functionalised with schiff base, N,N-bis(salicylidene)cyclohexanediamine (SCHD) through an azo spacer. The resin was characterised and used for preconcentration of Pb(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II) ions prior to their trace determinations by microsample injection system–coupled flame atomic absorption spectrometry (MIS-FAAS). The recoveries of studied metal ions were achieved ≥96.0% with relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤4.5 at optimum parameters: pH 8; resin amount 300 mg; flow rates 3.0 mL min^?1 of sample solution; and 2.0 mL min^?1 of eluent (2.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃). The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) were found to be 0.32, 0.23 and 0.21 and 1.10, 0.78 and 0.69 μg L^?1, respectively, with preconcentration factors (PFs) of 500, 800 and 1000, respectively. The linear ranges of the method were 1–40, 1–25 and 1–20 μg L^?1 for Pb(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II) ions, respectively. The accuracy and validation of the method were evaluated by analysis of certified reference materials (CRMs). The method was successfully applied for preconcentration of studied metal ions in wastewater and wastewater-irrigated vegetable samples.     

Optical signal processing using four wave mixing in highly nonlinear silicon nano-wire

Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguide devices are emerging for the realization of optical signal processing systems for the last couple of years. The recent technological advancement in silicon photonics is the main driving force at the back of these devices. Using non-linear optical phenomenon in silicon wires and their compatibility with CMOS devices provide the stage for integrated photonic devices. All-optical signal processing devices are being investigated at present, but the chip-scale solution provided by the silicon photonics is the most promising. In this research we have investigated all-optical signal processing in a 10 mm long SOI waveguide by exploiting well established coupled wave equations. We consider single pulsed pump to analyze frequency shifting by four-wave-mixing (FWM). For the wavelengths 20?30 nm far from the pump, the gain overcomes nonlinear losses resulting in higher frequency conversion efficiency.     

Thermodynamics of magnetohydrodynamic Brinkman fluid in porous medium

This research article investigates that how heat flow changes versus temperature or time on the rheology of magnetohydrodynamic Brinkman fluid embedded in porous medium for the oscillations of heated plate. A fractional approach namely Caputo–Fabrizio fractional operator is applied for developing the governing partial differential equations of Brinkman fluid flow. The fractional governing partial differential equations have been modeled for temperature distribution, mass concentration and velocity field along with imposed initial and boundary conditions. The solutions are obtained by integral transforms and presented in special and elementary functions. In the limiting sense, the analytical solutions are particularized in the presence and absence of heat and mass transfer, magnetic field and porous medium. The parametric graphs have been depicted for the influence of different embedded rheological parameters on fluid flow. The results show few interesting differences and similarities by comparative analysis for fractional and ordinary Brinkman fluid flow, such as physically higher Prandtl (Pr) number that leads to decay thermal diffusivity which results in the reduction in thermal field; this means that better quality of production can be achieved through proper choice of Prandtl (Pr) and Schmidt (Sc) numbers.

     

Synthesis and characterisation of novel chelating resin for selective preconcentration and trace determination of Pb(II) ions in aqueous samples by innovative microsample injection system coupled flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam waste (white pollutant) was utilised for the synthesis of novel chelating resin i.e. EPS-N = N-α-Benzoin oxime (EPS-N = N-Box). The synthesised resin was characterised by FT-IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. A selective method for the preconcentration of Pb(II) ions on EPS-N = N-Box resin packed in mini-column was developed. The sorbed Pb(II) ions were eluted with 5.0 mL of 2.0 mol L^?1 HCl and determined by microsample injection system coupled flame atomic absorption spectrometry (MIS-FAAS). The average recovery of Pb(II) ions was achieved 95.5% at optimum parameters such as pH 7, resin amount 400 mg, flow rates 1.0 mL min^?1 (of eluent) and3.0 mL min^?1 (of sample solution). The total saturation capacity of the resin, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of Pb(II) ions were found to be 30 mg g^?1, 0.033 μg L^?1 and 0.107 μg L^?1, respectively with preconcentration factor of 300. The accuracy, selectivity and validation of the method was checked by analysis of sea water (BCR-403), wastewater (BCR-715) and Tibet soil (NCS DC-78302) as certified reference materials (CRMs). The proposed method was applied successfully for the trace determination of Pb(II) ions in aqueous samples.     

Flower-like Highly Open-Structured Binder-Free Zn-Co-Oxide Nanosheet for High-Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes

Scientific research is being compelled to develop highly efficient and cost-effective energy-storing devices such as supercapacitors (SCs). The practical use of SC devices is hindered by their low energy density and poor rate capability due to the binding agents in fabricating electrodes. Herein, we proposed flower-like highly open-structured binder-free ZnCo₂O₄ micro-flowers composed of nanosheets supported in nickel foam (ZnCoO@NF) with improved rate capability up to 91.8% when current varied from 2 to 20 A·g⁻¹. The ZnCoO@NF electrode exhibited a superior specific capacitance of 1132 F·g⁻¹ at 2 A·g⁻¹ and revealed 99% cycling stability after 7000 cycles at a high current density of 20 A·g⁻¹. The improved performance of the ZnCoO@NF electrode is attributed to the highly stable structure of the micro/nano-multiscale architecture, which provides both the high conduction of electrons and fast ionic transportation paths simultaneously.     

Parametric analysis of four wave mixing in DWDM systems

The developments made over the years in WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing), on one side, produced compensation of increasing traffic and channel capacity, but on other side, pertinently caused WDM systems to undergo different linear and non-linear effects thereby degrading the performance as such. To overcome linear effects is relatively convenient and manageable, however, the non-linear effects including four wave mixing (FWM) is not only difficult to eliminate but also highly incompatible from system point of view. In this research, valid parameters which lead to generation and enhancement of FWM, are discussed, simulated and based on exhaustive sets of obtained results, a detailed analysis has been carried out to reduce the FWM. The simulated results obtained by exploiting nine important parameters using Optisys simulator, divulge very incisive information for the removal of nonlinear effects in WDM. The authors are reasonably confident to extend their results as a contribution in the subject area.