Search

The present study depicts, synthesis and physicochemical investigations of zinc oxide nanoflowers (ZnO NFs). X-ray diffraction (XRD) profile of ZnO NFs revealed that ZnO NFs exhibit hexagonal wurtzite-type structure of crystallinity with P63mc space group. Microstructural analysis displays a uniform flower-like shape of ZnO NFs with petals ranging from 1 to 2 μm and an overall size of 12 µm. The absorption spectrum of ZnO NFs showed characteristic peak at 365.7 nm with an optical energy band gap of 3.40 eV. The photocatalytic activity of the ZnO NFs was evaluated by exposing crystal violet (CV) dye to UV light in the presence of the ZnO NFs. The UV–Vis spectra showed a significant decrease in the intensity of the absorbance peak at ~ 590 nm, corresponding to the degradation of the dye. The degradation followed a first-order rate equation with a rate constant of 0.0404 min−1 and excellent fit to the experimental data (R2 = 0.987). Furthermore, the ZnO NFs displayed excellent reusability, with more than 90% removal efficiency after 5 cycles. These findings demonstrate the potential of ZnO NFs as an effective photocatalyst for removing toxicity from aqueous solutions. Hall effect measurements revealed the n-type character of ZnO NFs and their resistivity, carrier concentration and Hall mobility were found to be 29 Ω cm, 7.53 × 106 cm−3, and 2.48 cm2/V s, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present manuscript portrays environmental benign, cost‐effective and energy efficient green route way to synthesize Mg−Zn ferrite nanoparticles [Mg0.05Zn0.05Fe2O4 NPs] using Ocimum Basilicum leaf extract [OBLE]. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that Ocimum Basilicum leaf extract mediated Mg−Zn ferrite nanoparticles [OBLE@Mg−Zn NPs] exhibit face centred cubic crystallinity with space group Fd3‾m ${{\rm F}{\rm d}\bar{3}{\rm m}}$ as confirmed by Rietveld refinement studies. Microstructural analysis illustrated uniform surface morphology with well interlinked grain with an average grain size of 35.6±0.12 nm. FTIR spectra showed existence of hydroxyl −OH group at 3403 cm−1 and C=C vibration at 2345 cm−1. Magnetic hysteresis loop (M−H loop) confirmed the superparamagnetic behaviour of OBLE@Mg−Zn NPs. Cytotoxic activity of OBLE@Mg−Zn NPs was carried out against breast cancer cell line MDA‐MB‐231. Dose dependent cell viability of cancerous cells depicted cytotoxic potential of OBLE@Mg−Zn NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present report, pristine and Ni2+ modified Manganese Zinc ferrites (Mn–Zn ferrites) [Mn 0·5 Zn 0.5 Ni x Fe 2-x O 4 , where x = 0.0, 0.025, 0.05] were synthesized using combustion method. Structural characterization revealed all the composition exhibit face-centered cubic crystallinity with space group F d 3 ‾ m without any secondary phases. FTIR spectra showed high frequency bend located at 652 cm−1 which confirmed the formation of Mn 0·5 Zn 0.5 Ni x Fe 2-x O 4 (x = 0.0, 0.025, 0.05) NPs as the high frequency kink attributes to Fe/Ni–O stretching vibration in cubic ferrite structure. Surface morphology and granular microstructure of all the compositions was determined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and it was observed that compositions possessed porous micro-grains with average size of ∼20 μm. The average particle size increased from 5.5 ± 0.34 nm to 11.29 ± 0.12 nm with Ni2+ substitution in Mn–Zn ferrites. The optical energy band (Eg) slightly increased from 1.925 to 2.036 eV with increasing Ni2+ content as derived from UV–Visible spectral studies. The saturation magnetization enhanced with increasing Ni2+ concentration in the crystal framework of Mn–Zn ferrites. The real part of dielectric constant also increases with increasing Ni2+ concentration in the Mn–Zn ferrites. The gas sensing response of all the compositions was also analyzed for liquified petroleum gas (LPG). The sensitivity of all the compositions was also investigated on LPG, carbon monoxide (CO), and acetone gases and it was observed that the composition with higher concentration of Ni2+ depicted maximum response against all the gases, but in case of LPG the sensor showed maximum response. The sensing response was also checked at different operating temperature and time. The observed results support the potential candidature of Mn 0·5 Zn 0.5 Ni x Fe 2-x O 4 , where x = 0.0, 0.025, and 0.05 NPs as LPG gas sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]