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The cost of polymer precursors and high energy need in carbonization for the preparation of carbon materials are two limiting factors in the commercialization of carbon‐based materials. In this study, carbon nanofiber films were prepared by adding a very small concentration of polymer polyacrylonitrile in nanocellulose (extracted from agro waste i.e., rice straws) with an overall aim of producing carbon nanomaterials with cost effective, renewable and sustainable carbon source. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) added nanocellulose solution was drop‐casted to prepare Nanocellulose/Polyacrylonitrile‐based nanofibers film (NC/PAN). It was further stabilized in air atmosphere at 280 °C followed by carbonized in nitrogen atmosphere at 700 °C. It was found that addition of NC/PAN have 18 % lower activation energies than PAN. Results of tunneling electron microscopy showed that polyacrylonitrile/nanocellulose films carbonized at 700 °C temperature exhibited amorphous carbon nanofibers structure similar to bare polyacrylonitrile based carbon film carbonized at higher temperature of 1000 °C‐1200 °C. Furthermore, polyacrylonitrile/nanocellulose based carbon nanofibers have showed high degree of carbonization ((ID)/(IG)=0.87) as compared to bare polyacrylonitrile based carbon nanofibers film ((ID)/(IG)=1.02). This may be attributed to chiral nature of nanocellulose which served as a template to orientation of graphene planes and showed efficient carbonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bi0.85La0.15FeO3, a Lanthanum (La) modified form of bismuth ferrite (BFO) crystallizes to crystal structure which is free from any impurity, which improves the multiferroic properties of BFO. To achieve the enhanced multiferroic characteristics, the composition of Bi0.85La0.15FeO3 has been optimized with the Mn substitution which increases magnetization more effectively than those of magnetic cations. Therefore, Bi0.85La0.15Fe1−xMnxO3 polycrystalline samples were synthesized using a tartaric acid modified sol–gel technique for x = 0.000, 0.025, 0.050, and 0.100. The effects of substitution of Mn (non-magnetic in nature) at the Fe site on crystal structure, magnetic properties, and optical properties were then investigated. The formation of crystalline phases was checked by using X-ray diffraction. The structural transition from rhombohedral (R3c, space group) to orthorhombic (Pbnm, space group) is strongly supported by the Rietveld refinement of the XRD pattern as well as analysis of Raman spectra. As Mn substitution increases, the intensity of Raman peak at about 650 cm−1 increases as well, indicating an increase in the contribution of orthorhombic phase. Magnetic properties of Bi0.85La0.15Fe1−xMnxO3 polycrystalline samples were assessed at room temperature. In Bi0.85La0.15Fe1−xMnxO3, the Mn substitution at the Fe site produced the highest magnetic moment for x = 0.025. Magnetic hysteresis loops show a substantial change in the magnetization with the increase in Mn substitution. Using the Kubelka–Munk (K–M) function and Tauc plot, the band gap energies of all the samples were calculated from UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra and it was observed that the band gap energy decreases with the increase in Mn substitution in Bi0.85La0.15Fe1−xMnxO3. These findings provide better understanding for tuning of the multiferroic properties of Mn substituted Bi0.85La0.15FeO3 ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Nowadays, Herbal products attract the world's whole population because of their safety features. For the efficient delivery of herbal compounds in various health conditions, many technologies have been tried, denominated NDDS. Ferulic acid has many biological activities, but due to low bioavailability caused by high elimination rates, conventional drug delivery carriers fail to reach their objectives. Phytosomal gel of ferulic acid may be proven as the best drug carrier to enhance bioavailability and lower the elimination rate. This study aimed to formulate Ferulic acid-lipid phytosome gel to enhance stability and bioavailability. Material and method: Phytosomal complex of ferulic acid was prepared using solvent displacement methods, and the ferulic acid-lipid phytosome gel was prepared using carbazole as a gelling agent. The complex was characterized by UV, SEM, and FTIR analysis. The gel was evaluated for its pH, viscosity, spreadability, SEM, and FTIR. Result: The result highlighted the potential use of ferulic acid and the benefits of phytosomes as a drug carrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]