Search

Totally six composite bio-films were produced through a simple solution casting technique by varying the weight percentage (0, 5, 10,15, 20, 25 wt.%%) of the filler material (ground nutshell (GNS) powder) and matrix (Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)). Before making the bio-film GNS was characterized through particle size analysis and chemical analysis. Composite biofilms were characterized by X-ray Diffraction analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis and tensile testing. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis results established that complete dispersion of GNS in PVA. X-ray Diffraction analysis results pronounced that the crystallinity index of the films was improved when increasing in the filler content. Derivative thermogravimetric curve was also visualized that maximum degradation temperature of the films was improved from 287°C (Controlled PVA) to 337°C (25% GNS/PVA Film). The tensile strength of the bio-films was increased and elongation at break of the bio-films was decreased while increasing the GNS content. The obtained results were clearly showed that the PVA/GNS composite bio-films were suitable materials to produce packaging applications.

The physicochemical, thermal, and surface morphological properties of the Sida mysorensis fiber (SMF) were investigated first time in this article. From the chemical compositional analysis, higher cellulose (53.36 wt. %) and lower hemicelluloses (15.23 wt. %), lignin (9.46 wt. %), wax (0.86 wt), and ash content of (3.33 wt. %) SMF were acknowledged. The different functional groups of SMF were determined through the Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The Crystallinity index (41.17%) and crystalline size (13.06 nm) of SMF were evidenced through the X-ray diffraction analysis. Atomic force microscopy investigation was used to study the surface morphology of SMF. Thermal stability (220°C) and kinetic activation energy (65.486 KJ/mol) of the SMF were determined through the thermogravimetric analysis. All the above findings ensured that SMF can be used as reinforcement in polymer composite.

The present work is planned to investigate the fundamental properties of the novel plant fiber extracted from the bark of Acacia nilotica L. tree. The various chemical compositions of the Acacia nilotica L. fiber (ANF) such as cellulose (56.46 wt. %), hemicelluloses (14.14 wt. %), lignin (8.33 wt. %) and ash content (4.95 wt. %) were identified through the chemical analysis. The maximum degradation temperature of ANF (339°C) was determined by the thermogravimetric analysis. The crystallinity index (44.82%) and crystalline size (3.21 nm) of the ANF were calculated by the X-ray diffraction analysis. The surface topography of ANF was estimated through the atomic force microscope. The density of ANF was identified as a value of 1165 kg/m3 which is comparatively lower than the other renowned fibers such as Acacia leucophloea (1385 kg/m3) and Jute (1460 kg/m3); this would be confirmed with all above characterization results that is an appropriate material to fabricate the green composites.

This investigation aimed at finding the effect of weight fraction (10 wt.%, 20 wt.% and 30 wt.%) and fiber orientation (0°, 45° and 90°) on mechanical properties (Tensile, Flexural and Impact) of Carica papaya fiber/epoxy (CPFE) composite. Totally nine composite samples were fabricated by hand layup followed by compression molding method. Testing results revealed that composites containing 20 wt.% and 0° fiber orientation exhibited better mechanical properties such as tensile strength (122 MPa), flexural strength (118.9 MPa) and impact strength (7.8 J) when compared to composite samples with other weight fraction and orientation. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was used to analyze the fractured surfaces of the composite specimens. The thermal stability of CPFE composites was evaluated by the Thermo Gravimetric (TG) and Differential Thermo Gravimetric (DTG) curves. All the findings led to the conclusion that the CPFE composites are suitable material to make the light weight industrial applications.

Environmental concerns are raised due to municipal solid wastes especially due to non-biodegradable packaging waste materials. To overcome such issues, researchers gained attention in biodegradable natural waste materials as an alternative to existing non-biodegradable packaging materials. In this work, Orange Peel Powder (OPP) chosen as a filler at varying proportion (5% to 20% of wt.) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) used a matrix to prepare biocomposite films by solution casting method. The films were analyzed with FT-IR, XRD, TGA, DSC, and tensile tests. The results of FT-IR and XRD show smooth dispersion of PVA and OPP, whereas samples are thermally stable up to 350°C & tensile properties of the prepared biofilms increased with inclusion of OPP from 6.20 MPa to 7.80 MPa and are better than the conventional-packaging materials which can be used as eco-friendly packaging materials.

In this work, graphene was used as a filler for banyan aerial root fibers reinforced epoxy composites at various compositions. The synergetic effect of graphene and banyan fibers, on the physical and mechanical characteristics of the epoxy thermoset, was studied. The mechanical tests, hardness, water absorption behavior and morphology of the composites were studied. Significant improvement in tensile strength, flexural strength, shore D hardness and substantial reduction in the percentage of water absorption was observed. This paper also discusses the ideal proportion of banyan fibers with graphene powder for the development of the improved epoxy composites. The optimum concentration of the composites was observed at 4% of graphene powder in the 40% banyan fiber-reinforced hybrid epoxy composites. From the results, it is proved that graphene combined with 40% banyan fiber-reinforced epoxy hybrid composites will efficiently improve the strength of the composites.

This study focuses on enhancing the free vibration characteristics of epoxy polymers by reinforcing it with Phoenix sp. fibers and nano-clay for the first time. The composites were prepared by varying the fiber length, fiber volume fraction, concentration of NaOH treatment, and weight percentage of nano-clay and subjected to modal analysis. The optimum fiber length and fiber volume fraction for better vibration characteristics is found to be 30 mm and 40%, respectively. Moreover, the results revealed that the chemical treatment and nano-clay addition show the largest effect on vibration behavior of the composites. Based on the experimental data, it is concluded that the natural frequency of epoxy polymer could be enhanced up to 242% by using aforesaid reinforcements.

This study was aimed at understanding the characteristics of Celosia argentea fiber (CAF) and its physicochemical properties. The physicochemical properties of CAF were analyzed by FT-IR, XRD, TGA, SEM, and AFM analysis. Cellulose content (64.34wt.%), density (843 kg/m3) and crystallinity index (52.54%) properties were identified in the CAF while the thermal studies performed by TG and DTG technique revealed that the maximum degradation temperature is 324°C with a kinetic activation energy of 61.393 kJ/mol. From the results, it is evident that the CAF could be one of the future reinforcement materials for green composites applications.

Natural fiber polymer matrix composites occupy the major percentage in applications due to its ecofriendly and low-cost nature. This study investigates the mechanical properties of a polyester matrix nanocomposite reinforced by the NaOH-treated jute fabric mat (NJM) and untreated jute fabric mat (UJM). In addition, the effects of egg shell powder (ESP) and nanoclay (NC) to the above has also been studied. The matrices were prepared with different combinations of presence and absence of the ESP, NC, and both as well as different weight percentage using compression molding process. The mechanical and morphological properties of the composites were determined. The tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength of NJM with NC 1.5%wt and ESP 1.5%wt were found to be 29.28 MPa, 39.51 MPa and impact strength 3.03 J, respectively. This composition is superior to the other compositions. Morphological analysis of tensile fractured surface showed interfacial adhesion between UJM and NJM composites. NJM composites contained smaller amount of pullouts and the splits compared with the UJM composites, which hold up the better performance.

Environmental friendly products are getting much attention nowadays because of their availability in abundance and their usability in many engineering applications. Natural fibers possess many unique properties which make them easily replaceable to man-made fibers. This review is envisioned to present the various extraction and chemical treatment methods and also focused on providing the information of the fibers in terms of their physical and chemical properties.

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NRPCs) are replacing many synthetic fibers because of their cheap availability and their hygienic, ecological, biodegradable, and sustainable properties. This work involved extraction of new cellulosic fibers from red banana peduncle (RBP) plant and investigated its chemical composition, physical, structural, thermal, and tensile properties. RBP fibers (RBPFs) have high specific strength and good binding properties due to their light weight andpresence of high cellulose (72.9 wt%), low lignin (10.01 wt%), and wax (0.32 wt%). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) determined that RBPFs are rich in cellulose content with a crystallinity index (CI) of 72.3%. The density and diameter of the fibers were found to be about 0.896 g/cm3 and 15–250 μm, respectively. The fiber was thermally stable up to 230°C. Based on the results of this work, it seems that the properties of the fiber are a suitable candidate as a natural reinforcing material for the development of the biocomposite for potential applications.

The natural fiber Epipremnum aureum was extracted from its plant. E. aureum fibers (EAFs) were investigated by chemical analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and single fiber tensile test. Chemical analysis, FTIR, and X-ray analysis evidenced that these fibers has 66.34% cellulose content with crystallinity index of 49.33%. The thermogravimetric analysis reveals that EAFs can thermally withstand temperatures until 328.9°C. The morphology of the EAFs was observed by scanning electron microscope. It was established that the fiber can be utilized as reinforcement in polymer composites.

Natural fibers are one of effective substitute for switching artificial fiber and concentrating to reinforce polymer matrixes due to their decomposable character. This study was implied to realize physico-chemical properties of bio fiber obtained from Heteropogon contortus (HC) plant. Heteropogon contortus fibers (HCFs) had cellulose (64.87 wt. %), hemicellulose (19.34 wt. %), lignin (13.56 wt. %), and low density (602 kg/m3). The chemical functional group of HCFs was established by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal stability of the fiber up to 220°C discovered by thermogravimetric analysis. Further the assets of HCFs proved that it can act as an excellent reinforcement material as a bio composite. Finally, the tensile properties were carried out through single fiber tensile tests, such as tensile strength, tensile modulus and microfibrillar angle.

The increasing environmental awareness has directed attention of the researchers towards the field of natural fiber composites. The aim of this investigation is to understand the physico-chemical properties of fibers extracted from the bark of the Dichrostachys Cinerea (DC) plant. Dichrostachys Cinerea fibers (DCFs) has cellulose (72.4 wt. %), hemicellulose (13.08 wt. %), lignin (16.89 wt. %), density (1240 kg/m3), crystallinity index (57.82%), and tensile strength (873 ± 14 MPa). Besides the cellulose degradation of DCFs at 359.3° vide by the thermo-gravimetric analysis and chemical groups are identified by Fourier transform analysis. Eventually the characterization results of DCFs strongly show the possibility of reinforcement in polymer matrices.

The microRNAs are endogenous, regulating gene expression either at the DNA or RNA level. Despite the availability of extensive studies on microRNA generation in plants, reports on their abundance, biogenesis, and consequent gene regulation in plant organelles remain naVve. Building on previous studies involving pre-miRNA sequencing in Abelmoschus esculentus , we demonstrated that three putative microRNAs were raised from the chloroplast genome. In the current study, we have characterized the genesis of these three microRNAs through a combination of bioinformatics and experimental approaches. The gene sequence for a miRNA, designated as AecpmiRNA1 ( A. esculentus chloroplast miRNA), is potentially located in both the genomic DNA, i.e., nuclear and chloroplast genome. In contrast, the gene sequences for the other two miRNAs (AecpmiRNA2 and AecpmiRNA3) are exclusively present in the chloroplast genome. Target prediction revealed many potential mRNAs as targets for AecpmiRNAs. Further analysis using 5' RACE-PCR determined the AecpmiRNA3 binding and cleavage site at the photosystem II protein N (psbN). These results indicate that AecpmiRNAs are generated from the chloroplast genome, possessing the potential to regulate mRNAs arising from chloroplast gene(s). On the other side, the possibility of nuclear genome-derived mRNA regulation by AecpmiRNAs cannot be ruled out., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© 2024 Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences.)

Laser-driven liquid crystal displays (LCDs) comprising metal halide perovskites (MHPs) as the blue-to-green/red color converters are at the forefront of ongoing intense research on the development and improvement of display devices. However, the inferior high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of MHPs under the excitation of high-power blue light and photoluminescence deterioration at high temperatures remain major concerns. Herein, we design a kind of octylamine-modified MHP via binding energy engineering, and the synthesized materials show PLQY of 97.6% under the excitation of a blue laser at 450 nm. Meanwhile, this design endows a structural self-healing ability to achieve a high PLQY and luminescence stability under high temperature (90 °C) and high flux excitation (386 mW cm -2 ). The blue light-excitable MHPs with a near unity PLQY, strong stability, and low PLQY deterioration are further encapsulated into a laser-driven LCD device. This prototype demonstrates excellent color gamut (132% NTSC, 98% Rec. 2020), illuminance intensity (>10 000 lux), and energy consumption (47.5% of commercial consumption), and hence is expected to be beneficial for the reduction of energy consumption in backlight display devices, particularly in large-screen outdoor displays.

The current investigation focused on the synthesis and characterization of Zn 1-x Ho x O (X = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.08) materials. The rare-earth Ho 3+ -doped ZnO materials have been prepared using a chemical precipitation process. The phase pure hexagonal structured ZnO crystal system has been observed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization. The detailed structural analysis of prepared materials has been investigated by the Rietveld refinement method. The surface morphology and elemental composition of the prepared materials have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDAX). The presence of vibrational links associated with various functional groups has been displayed by FTIR spectroscopy. The energy gap of synthesized materials has been studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy. To study the luminescence activity of produced materials, photoluminescence (PL) analysis has been utilized. The light-green emission at around 507 nm has been obtained by synthesized materials under 380-nm excitation. In addition, the electron density distribution has been accomplished in synthesized materials. At 6% of Ho 3+ , substituted ZnO exposes the maximum covalent and ionic nature between Zn-O bond along with horizontal and vertical axis, respectively. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of synthesized materials has been done through Proteus vulgaris and Enterococcus faecalis. Following that the destruction of human red blood cells has been examined by hemolysis investigation. All experimental results suggested that the 6% of Ho 3+ dopant is the optimized level of ZnO host lattice. The present work paves a promising path to get efficient material for biomedical applications., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Magnetorheological fluid (MRF) is a smart responsive fluid, when exposed to the magnetic field, reflects a noticeable transformation in fluid viscosity due to the presence of field responsive particles in the fluid. MRF has been utilized in variety of applications, which despite possess significant concerns regarding on sedimentation due to the density mismatch between the carrier fluid and the suspended magnetic particles. To improve the resistance of rapid sedimentation, this research aims to incorporate one of the component (additive/surfactants) blended into the fluid. The objective of the study focuses to determine the efficient incorporate-infused fluid for further application and sedimentation resistance. In this study, MRF is infused with siloxane, lithium, oleic acid and SDBS (Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate) as additive and surfactants along with silicon oil as a carrier fluid. The significant repercussion parameters such as rheology behavior of the samples, temperature and particle sedimentation has been examined and interpreted. Substantially, the effective sample and performance has been comprehended with the insightful comparative results obtained., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, SIF and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The recent studies in Morphometric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) have investigated the abnormalities in the brain volume that have been associated diagnosing of the Alzheimer's Disease (AD) by making use of the Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM). The system permits the evaluation of the volumes of grey matter in subjects such as the AD or the conditions related to it and are compared in an automated manner with the healthy controls in the entire brain. The article also reviews the findings of the VBM that are related to various stages of the AD and also its prodrome known as the Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). For this work, the Ada Boost classifier has been proposed to be a good selector of feature that brings down the classification error's upper bound. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) had been employed for the dimensionality reduction and for improving efficiency. The PCA is a powerful, as well as a reliable, tool in data analysis. Calculating fitness scores will be an independent process. For this reason, the Genetic Algorithm (GA) along with a greedy search may be computed easily along with some high-performance systems of computing. The primary goal of this work was to identify better collections or permutations of the classifiers that are weak to build stronger ones. The results of the experiment prove that the GAs is one more alternative technique used for boosting the permutation of weak classifiers identified in Ada Boost which can produce some better solutions compared to the classical Ada Boost.

Aims: To determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of a range of cleanroom fungi against three disinfectants common to the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors: biguanide (chlorhexidine) and two quaternary ammonium compounds (benzalkonium chloride and cetrimide)., Methods and Results: The in vitro fungicidal activities of the three biocides were studied against 112 cleanroom fungal isolates using broth microdilution technique (CLSI M38-A2 standard)., Conclusions: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for all three biocides against hyaline fungi showed results of not more than 16 μg ml(-1). Alternaria showed <32 μg ml(-1) and other dematiaceous fungi reported that 8-16 μg ml(-1) for biguanides and QACs. This study clearly demonstrates that the most frequently isolated micro-organisms from an environmental monitoring programme may be periodically subjected to broth microdilution testing with cleanroom disinfectant agents used in the disinfection programme confirm their sensitivity profile., Significance and Impact of the Study: No large collection of data exists on the activity of biocides on pharmaceutical cleanroom fungal isolates. This is the first study report with large collection of cleanroom fungal isolates tested against common biocides using the broth microdilution antifungal susceptibility testing to determine the MIC value. The data presented support a quality control procedure for cleanroom disinfection., (© 2014 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

We report the synthesis of TiO2 nanowires with high aspect ratio using a two step hydrothermal process using TiO2 nanoparticles and 10 M NaOH solvent at a reaction temperature of 180 degrees C. These nanowires are characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), micro-Raman and X-ray photo emission spectroscopy (XPS). Phase of the nanowires are found to be anatase, confirmed from both XRD and Raman spectroscopic measurements. High resolution electron microscopy (HREM) further supports the anatase structure and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern indicate the single crystalline nature of the nanowires. Addition to these techniques, XPS and EDS refutes the presence of any impurity elements like Na as reported in the literatures. The electronic structures of the nanoparticles and nanowires are studied with maximum entropy method (MEM) using the XRD tools. Nanowires are found to be more ionic than the nanoparticles evidenced from the MEM simulations.