Yasmina Khane

1. Currently, nanotechnology is regarded as one of the fastest-growing emerging technologies. It primarily aims to synthesize and characterize samples within a size range of 1 to 100 nm.[1,2] Nanop...

In this research, we developed a novel slow-release biofertilizer by utilizing an environmentally friendly method to synthesize ZnO-NPs using sodium hydroxide, zinc acetate salt, and Lepidium sativum seed extract. The commercial fertilizer urea 46% was encapsulated in the nano-ZnO/alginate beads. The structural and morphological characteristics of the nanocomposites were confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy, which confirmed the successful creation of nanocomposite alginate beads. The results indicated that the ZnO/alginate/urea beads exhibited a steady and continuous release of urea for up to one hour and extended nutrient availability over time. This research demonstrates the potential of ZnO-NP/alginate composites as a promising platform for developing slow-release biofertilizers, combining the beneficial properties of ZnO nanoparticles with the controlled-release capabilities of alginate matrices. This research highlights the potential of ZnO-NP/alginate composites as a sustainable and efficient solution for agricultural applications, providing a controlled release of nutrients that could minimize their environmental impact and enhance crop productivity.

This study investigates the synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene succinate) (PES) thin films and their composites with copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles. CuO nanoparticles were synthesized using a chemical synthesis method, achieving an average size of 20 nm. PES/CuO composites were prepared by incorporating CuO at various concentrations of 0, 1, 3, and 5 wt%. The thin films were produced through solution polymerization followed by casting. Mechanical testing revealed that the tensile strength of pure PES was 25 MPa, while incorporating 1 wt% CuO increased the tensile strength to 30 MPa. At 3 wt%, the tensile strength reached 35 MPa, and at 5 wt%, it peaked at 40 MPa, demonstrating a significant enhancement in mechanical properties. The elongation at break also improved, increasing from 200% for pure PES to 250% for the 5 wt% CuO composite. Characterization of the materials was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze structural and morphological properties. The results confirm that the PES/CuO composites exhibit enhanced mechanical properties, indicating their potential for diverse applications in sustainable materials and biomedical fields.

The Electron Beam Induced Current (EBIC) technique, when combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), offers valuable insights into the electronic properties of semiconductor materials at the nanoscale. This study leverages EBIC and Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the behavior of Schottky diodes, particularly focusing on the influence of gold layer thickness on current gain and backscatter electron (BSE) yield. The simulation results reveal the significant effects of depletion depth and minority carrier diffusion length on the diode’s performance. A key finding is that the EBIC current decreases with increased gold layer thickness, due to a higher BSE fraction. Additionally, at low beam energies, the current is negligible when the interaction volume is confined within the metal layer, while at higher energies, some penetration into the semiconductor occurs, generating a measurable EBIC current. These findings provide a better understanding of the interplay between metal layer thickness and semiconductor performance, which is crucial for optimizing semiconductor devices.

The current study proposed a novel simple and environmentally friendly approach for producing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using an extract of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) and optimizing the different experimental factors required for the formation and stability of AgNPs. The formation of nanoparticles was confirmed by a color change from yellow to reddish-brown with a surface plasmon resonance band at 412 nm. The morphology, size, and elemental composition of AgNPs were investigated by zeta potential dynamic light scattering, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy analysis, which showed crystalline and spherical AgNPs. The identification of functional groups was supported by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of AgNPs were assessed in the degradation of organic Malachite green (MG) dye in the aqueous solution. Two kinetic adsorption models, the pseudo-first-order model and the pseudo-second-order model, and three isotherm models, the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin, were used to mathematically characterize the MG degradation process. The pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Freundlich isotherm model were found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. As a result of their synergistic interaction with the MOL extract solution, the photocatalytic activity of AgNPs increases and they can successfully adapt to the photodegradation of organic dyes in industrial effluents.