Copper oxide nanostructures have garnered significant attention in nanotechnology for their diverse applications. This study presents a green synthesis approach using an aqueous
leaf extract-based ...medium to produce copper oxide (Cu
) nanoparticles. Optimisation was achieved through a simplified Taguchi L9 orthogonal array, investigating critical parameters such as temperature, surfactants (AOT and Tween 80), and additives (ascorbic acid and chitosan). Under optimised conditions (AOT: 0.0012 mM, ascorbic acid: 10 mM, chitosan: 1 %, temperature: 80 °C), near-spherical nanoparticles of ~200 nm were obtained. Comprehensive characterisation through UV-Vis, DLS, electron microscopy, XRD, and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the nanoparticles’ properties, while antibacterial assays showed promising results against
bacteria.
The proliferation of water hyacinths (
Eichhornia crassipes
), recognized as one of the most invasive aquatic plants worldwide, presents profound ecological and socioeconomic challenges across ...diverse ecosystems, particularly in rural communities. This systematic review examines the extensive global impacts and explores various mitigation strategies to manage and utilize this pervasive species. Ecologically, water hyacinth disrupts aquatic ecosystems by depleting oxygen levels, obstructing sunlight, and displacing native species, which in turn compromises water quality and biodiversity. Economically, its rapid spread affects agriculture, fishing, and navigation, imposing significant costs on local economies and livelihoods. In response, this review assesses integrated management approaches combining mechanical, chemical, and biological controls that have been implemented to curb its growth. Moreover, innovative strategies that repurpose the biomass for bioenergy, handicrafts, and bio-remediation are discussed, highlighting their potential to transform an ecological menace into an economic resource. These strategies not only mitigate the plant’s negative impacts but also contribute to sustainable development by providing economic opportunities and enhancing ecosystem services. This review stresses the necessity for a holistic approach to water hyacinth management that is adaptive, sustainable, and beneficial to affected communities.
The plant mediated biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles is of magnificent concern due to its eco-benign and single pot nature. Here,
(
) aqueous leaf extract was utilised for the silver nanoparticles’ ...(Ag NPs) synthesis. The phytoconstituents in the leaf extract were analysed by standard methods. These metabolites, especially carbohydrate polymers reduce Ag ions to Ag NPs accompanied by a reddish-brown coloration of the reaction mixture. The visual observation of intense brown colour is the first indication of the formation of Ag NPs. Various spectro-analytical techniques further characterise the Ag NPs. The green synthesised spherical Ag NPs were crystalline with an average size of 38 nm. The Ag NPs were scrutinised for antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity and obtained good results. The free radical scavenging was studied by 2, 2-Diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The antibacterial activity of Ag NPs was assessed against human pathogens, and it shown to have good antibacterial potency against a wide spectrum of bacteria. The cytotoxic activity against HEK-293T (human embryonic kidney) cell line was evaluated by 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assay. These potent biological activities enable
capped Ag NPs to be suitable candidates for the future applications in various fields, predominantly clinical and biomedical.
Rising demand for lubricants and temperamental government policies hastened the need for a renewable base stock for petroleum-based lubricants. The environment-friendly alternative for conventional ...lubricants can be developed from non-edible vegetable oils due to its abundance all over the world and biodegradability. The present study focuses on the feasibility study of utilizing Cashew nut shell oil (CNSO) as a lubricant base stock, which is one of the cheap and abundant non-edible oil. Two different types of CNSO are being synthesized-mechanically expelled oil from the boiled cashew shell (MEO) and the oil extracted from raw cut shells (SEO). Lubricating properties such as physicochemical, tribological, thermal, corrosive, and oxidative properties are being evaluated for MEO and SEO samples. It was observed that MEO being more abundant compared with SEO, possesses a low wear scar diameter of 714 μm, better thermal properties, viscosity index, and oxidative stability. Hence MEO is a better option to be considered as a lubricant comparing SEO.
•Cashew nut shell oil (CNSO) is an excellent lubricant base stock possessing better corrosive and oxidative stability.•CNSO is a superior pour point depressant for biobased lubricants.•Mechanically expelled CNSO (MEO) is well suited for biolubricant formulations.•MEO possesses better wear resistance, superior thermal properties, and improved oxidative stability than SEO.
Recent researches focus on the development of lubricants from non-edible vegetable oil which are environment friendly and renewable. In the current work, an industrial lubricant is formulated from a ...non-edible vegetable oil viz. pongamia oil (PO) by blending it suitable additives. The additives such as silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles, tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) were selected as antiwear, antioxidant and viscosity improver additives respectively for the study. Various lubricant properties of the formulated oil (FO) are studied and comparisons were made against neat PO and popularly available mineral oil lubricant viz. SAE 20W40. It is found that the FO possesses superior viscosity index, and lower coefficient of friction than the commercial SAE 20W40. Moreover, the viscosity range, oxidative stability and the wear scar diameter of the FO is also in the range of SAE 20W40. This work is done with an aim of promoting Pongamia agriculture and reducing soil pollution.
