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The fabrication of hydrophobic graphite-siloxane composite coating on low carbon steel (LCS) substrate using electrophoretic deposition is reported. At a critical concentration (~ 20 wt. %) of methyl hydrogen polysiloxane (trade name KF-99), it achieved the highest hydrophobicity of the composite coating (Contact angle ~122°). The corrosion resistance of the hydrophobic composite coating is examined in 3.5 wt--% NaCl solution. The potentiodynamic curves demonstrate that the corrosion rate is drastically reduced to 79.3 % for graphite-siloxane composite coating (cured at 400 °C) than bare LCS substrate. Both grain refinement due to heat treatment and increment in water contact angle significantly contribute to increased corrosion resistance. Additionally, it is observed that graphite-siloxane composite coating shows good antibacterial properties, which may enable the coating to combat microbial corrosion of metals. To support the experimental findings, we have studied the interactions of water molecules on low-carbon steel and the hybrid structure of LCS/graphite and tri-layer LCS/graphite/siloxane using sophisticated Density Functional Theory simulations. The adsorption energy data reflect that water strongly interacts with LCS, but interactions become weak with LCS/graphite and hydrophobic for LCS/graphite/siloxane, supporting the experimental data. There is a reduced interaction between the O 2p orbital of H2O with LCS with the addition of graphite, which further shows a drastic reduction with siloxane. The low H2O adsorption energy and reduced charge transfer from H2O to LCS in the presence of graphite-siloxane composites can confirm this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A galaxy of new two‐dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides (MXenes) have outperformed other 2D nanomaterials in numerous promising applications due to their extraordinary properties. However, the synthesis of MAX phase is pertinent as it is the only precursor for the development of 2D MXenes. As many conventional MAX phase synthesis procedures are complex, time‐ and power consuming, we have introduced a novel electric‐field‐assisted flash sintering technique for a rapid synthesis of Ti3SiC2 MAX phase in both air and vacuum, facilitated by Joule heating effect. The flashing event was observed with an uncontrollable rise in current flow (∼255 mA/mm2) on the application of voltage in a range of 35–42 V/cm. Experimental outcome predicted that Ti3SiC2 MAX phase was synthesized by applying an electric field. Here we support the experimental findings through computational approach by using density functional theory calculations. We also report the synthesis of 2D Ti3C2TX MXene from flash‐synthesized Ti3SiC2 MAX phase. The scientific innovation discussed here could be a breakthrough in the rapid synthesis of different MAX phases with great potential for implementation in industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have shown that it is possible to realize multifunctional Bi1-xDyxFeO3 (BDFO) nanorods by coating BDFO film on ZnO nanorods. These BDFO coated ZnO (BDFO/ZnO) nanorods are obtained by depositing BDFO on vertical ZnO nanorods grown on Si substrate by using pulsed laser deposition technique. The BDFO/ZnO rods exhibit coexistence of ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties with significant coupling between two order parameters at room temperature. Moreover, the piezoresponse of these nanorods is found to be even superior to pure ZnO nanorods. The unique multifunctional behavior of these nanorods at room temperature could find different applications in nanodevices like sensors, power generators, etc. with ease and flexibility in operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Home Accidents have been identified as the largest single cause of death after the age of one year and are among the most severe health problems facing the world today. Keeping the toddler safe is a major priority for parents. Kid source online categories about toddler's accidents were home safety from poisoning, electrical appliances, environmental safety from fall and drowning and safety play from injurious toys. Injury prevention at home is an important concern of parents of toddlers. situations that can result in injury In both the industrialized world and developing countries, accidents remain one of the major five leading causes of death. The objective of the study was to assess the level of knowledge regarding prevention of domestic accidents A quantitative approach with descriptive research design was selected for the study. 50 number of mothers were selected by convenience sampling techniques from paediatric OPD. After obtaining the permission from institutional authority the consent from the mothers were taken the knowledge was assessed by using a self administered structured questionnaire. The result showed that greater than 54% of mother are having average knowledge, 30% of mother having poor knowledge and 16% of mother are having good knowledge regarding the prevention of domestic accident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate how the morphology of a simple metal-oxide system (e.g., Cu2O) controls catalytic activity. Cu2O catalysts were synthesized with a highly uniform nanocube and nano-octahedra morphology under PVP surfactant-assisted reaction conditions. A series of structural, morphological, optical and electrical characterizations are done to optimize the growth of nanostructures with different morphologies. Finally, the nanostructures are exploited as photo- and electrocatalysts. Interestingly, we find dissimilitude behaviour of nano-octahedra and nano-cube samples towards photo and electrocatalytic activities. The nano-octahedra samples are ∼57% more photocatalytically active (half-life timeoctahedra∼ 10.7 minutes) than the nanocube samples, which is one of the highest reported photocatalytic efficiencies reported to date. However, the same nano-octahedra samples show lower electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as compared with the nanocube sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]