A low‐temperature, efficient and effective method was investigated for phytochemical hydroethanolic extraction of Nasturtium officinale (Brassicaceae). The phytocompounds of the selected plant leaves ...were identified by high‐performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy. Acetic acid, d‐alanine, octodrine, decanoic acid, and cyclohexylethylamine were the major phytocompounds identified in N. officinale leaves with high similarity match and spectral purity. The reducing and stabilizing potential of the extracted phytochemicals was demonstrated by synthesizing the metal oxide nanoparticles (MoO3) by treating ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate (H4MO7N6O24.4H2O) aqueous complex with bioactive compounds of the leaves. The bio‐synthesized MoO3 nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, field emission‐scanning electron microscopy, and gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy. Gas chromatography‐mass spectroscopy identified acetic acid, d‐alanine, and octodrine as stabilizing agents in the synthesis of MoO3 nanoparticles.
Alachlor interaction with soil has been evaluated by batch equilibrium method on nine soils, geographically distant, from hilly to desert areas. Different soil samples have been investigated for ...sorption and removal mechanism of Alachlor. Linear and Freundlich soil–pesticide sorption isotherms were used to study the adsorption phenomena. Distribution coefficient (
K
d
) shifted extraordinarily from 94.9 to 6.15 µg mL
−1
. Statistical analysis showed a negative correlation between soil pH and
K
d
(
R
2
= − 0.70) and a positive relationship with organic matter content (
R
2
= 0.80). The adsorption results gave a C-type isotherm. The results were additionally investigated by univariate ANOVA and their accuracy was checked through residual plots. Activated carbon prepared from walnut shells (
Juglans regia
) was utilized for green remediation of Alachlor-contaminated soils, proved to be a cost-effective absorbent. The influence of two parameters including pesticide concentration and contact time for the abatement of Alachlor were investigated. Most prominent removal in 5 ppm Alachlor concentration was 84% while in 7.5 ppm most astounding removal was 72% from soils. The utilization of
Juglans regia
shells for decontamination of soils makes this technique environmental friendly, economical and easily applicable.
The dearth of adsorption studies on aminothiazole carboxamide-based fungicide Ethaboxam has eventuated to its current investigation of sorption behavior on soil samples utilizing standard batch ...equilibrium method. Ethaboxam-based sorption studies have never been reported in the selected regions. Linear adsorption coefficient (
K
d
) ranged from 3.2 to 16.74 μg mL
−1
. The highest value of
K
d
was observed for soil rich in organic matter. Low Gibbs free energy values indicated the weak interaction between soil particles and Ethaboxam resulting in physiosorption and an exothermic reaction. Statistical analysis expressed a negative correlation between soil pH and
K
d
(
R
2
= − 0.85 and
p
< 0.05) and positive correlation with organic matter (
R
2
= 0.94). The data was further analyzed by univariate ANOVA, and accuracy was checked by residual plots for investigating the statistical significance of the results. Cost effective Ethaboxam remediation from soils was performed by
Juglans regia
(walnut) shells-derived activated carbon on different pesticide concentrations (5 ppm and 7.5 ppm) in soils. Consummate removal percentages were obtained in 5 ppm (99%) and 7.5 ppm concentrations (89%). The use of
Juglans regia
shells for the removal of Ethaboxam makes this method environmental friendly, economical, and easily applicable.
The present study has for the first time reported Prunus cerasifera leaf extract-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in a green and one-pot synthetic mode without utilization of any chemical ...reducing agents. Synthesized nanoparticles were analysed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). UV-Vis peak was detected at 380 nm due to surface plasmon resonance. A variety of biomolecules were revealed by FTIR involved in reduction cum stabilization of ZnO NPs. Wurtzite hexagonal geometry with an average crystallite size of 12 nm was obtained from XRD diffraction pattern. SEM exhibited size ranges of 80-100 nm and 60-100 nm for 200°C and 600°C calcination temperatures. Synthesized nanoparticles were used as bio-cleaning photocatalysts against organic pollutants, i.e. bromocresol green, bromophenol blue, methyl red and methyl blue, which yielded pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics (R
2
= 0.98, 0.92, 0.92 and 0.90, respectively). Pollutants expressed higher degradation percentages in less than 14 min in direct solar irradiance. Moreover, synthesized nanoparticles were tested against resistant microbes, i.e. Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus terreus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Fusarium solani, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri and Psuedomonas syringae for the development of a new generation of antimicrobial agents.
Benzimidazole-based fungicide methyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate (MBC) has been assessed for its adsorptive pattern in seven soils of variable composition via batch equilibrium process. Adsorbed MBC ...expressed variable affinity towards the soil with linear adsorption coefficient (
K
d
) ranging between 11 and 59 µg mL
−1
and Freundlich adsorption coefficient (
K
f
) ranging between 2.55 and 6.22 µg mL
−1
. Weaker bonding between MBC and selected soils was reflected via negative values of ∆
G
. Furthermore, statistical evaluation exhibited that soil organic matter and adsorption varied in a direct proportionality (
R
2
= 0.75) while pH of the soils and adsorption expressed an inverse relationship for all soils (
R
2
= − 0.81 and
p
= 0.02). MBC-adsorbed soils were further remediated in a cost-effective assay through the utilization of concentrated sulphuric acid-activated
Saccharum officinarum
biomass. Remediation assays showed 51% and 68% of MBC removal achieved with 5 and 7.5 ppm. Furthermore, microbial communities were also utilized for biodegradation of MBC in which
A. niger
and
P. chrysogenum
succeeded all microbes in removing MBC in water samples (89%). One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed the significance of the results. Current investigation presents a complete account of MBC surficial behaviour in soils, its sustainable management at macro scale and MBC biodegradation at microscale. This investigation can be further extended to the metabolite exploration and use of current managerial modes for those metabolites’ removal.
Utilization of efficient nanomaterials in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) for effectual conversion of solar energy to electrical energy has prompted the extensive progression of PSCs as a suitable ...alternative to silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) technologies. Most recent progressions are inclusive of nanoscale materials incorporation particularly nanocrystals (NCs) and quantum dots (QDs) with unique sizes, morphological and compositional aspects aimed at PSCs modification. In all conventional architectures of the PSCs, there are number of interfaces between the transport layers and active absorber perovskite layer. Nanocrystals and quantum dots have been employed for the interfacial engineering in PSCs owing to their remarkable optoelectronic and photo-physical characteristics favoring the facile and efficient power generation and reducing dependence on silicone-based PVs. Myriad of NCs and QDs having inorganic and/or inorganic perovskite composition have been investigated, however, the overall synthetic costs, procedural complications, current, and voltage (J-V) hysterical response and stability toward air and light needs further meticulous investigations due to which PV community has been disseminating experimental results rapidly since last few years. Considering the potential of perovskite NCs and QDs, current review has for the first time explored the most recent progressions done in utilization of these nanoscale materials in augmenting PSCs PV functionality through interface modification. Magnifying extent of nanoscale materials for PSCs modification and current investigation signifies the future candidacy of perovskite NCs and QDs as humanity gallants for provisioning of cheaper and sustainable power sources.
In recent times, tremendous efforts have been devoted to the efficient and cost-effective advancements of electrochemically active metal oxide nanomaterials. Here, we have synthesized a facile ...nanomaterial of ZnO@PdO/Pd by employing extracted fuel from
E. cognata
leaves following a hydrothermal route. The phyto-fueled ZnO@PdO/Pd nanomaterial was fabricated into a supercapacitor electrode and was scrutinized by galvanostatic charge-discharge, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry to evaluate its energy storage potential, and transport of electrons and conductivity. Substantial specific capacitance
i.e.
, 178 F g
−1
was obtained in the current study in aKOH electrolyte solution. A specific energy density of 3.7 W h Kg
−1
was measured using the charge-discharge data. A high power density of 3718 W Kg
−1
was observed for the ZnO@PdO/Pd electrode. Furthermore, the observed low internal resistance of 0.4 Ω suggested effective electron- and ion diffusion. Thus, the superb electrochemical behavior of the ZnO@PdO/Pd nanocomposite was exposed, as verified by the significant redox behavior shown by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge.
In recent times, tremendous efforts have been devoted to the efficient and cost-effective advancements of electrochemically active metal oxide nanomaterials.
Currently, the sustainable fabrication of supercapacitors with enhanced properties is one of the significant research hotspots. Nevertheless, the performances of energy storage devices critically ...depend on their electrode materials. Accordingly, herein, we report the synthesis of a ZnO–Co3O4 nanocomposite using organic compounds of E. cognata, which was obtained via sol–gel synthesis. According to the synthesis strategy, the precursor solution was treated with a plant organic complex, and the consequent transformation to ZnO–Co3O4 was achieved via annealing a metal phyto-organic framework-derived complex in air. Furthermore, we tailored the surface chemistry of ZnO–Co3O4 using organic molecules of E. cognata. The present study successfully synthesized ZnO–Co3O4 nanocomposite with a particle size of 20 nm, which was subsequently investigated as an electrode material for supercapacitors. Consequently, it was revealed that the nano-features and phyto-organic functional groups provided abundant active sites for charge storage with a specific capacitance of 165 F g−1, as calculated by the cyclic voltammetry. The phyto-functionalized nanocomposite exhibited an energy density of 4.1 W h kg−1 and a power density of 7.5 kW kg−1, which were calculated using charge discharge data. Therefore, all the findings effectively demonstrate the potential of the functionalized ZnO–Co3O4 nanocomposite as an effective electrode material for application as a supercapacitor on a practical scale.
Highly stable semiconducting silver doped zinc oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized via facile, biomimetic and sustainable route, through utilization of Zinc acetate dihydrate (C
Zn · 2H
O) as ...host, Silver nitrate (AgNO
) as dopant and phytochemicals of angiospermic medicinal plant
as the reducing agents. Synthesis of Ag doped ZnO nanoparticles was done in a one pot synthetic mode by varying the amount of dopant from 0.2 – 2.0%. Synthesized photocatalyst nanoparticles were analyzed via UV-vis, FTIR, XRD and SEM. Commendable alleviation in the direct band gap i.e. 2.81 eV was achieved as a result of doping. Silver doped zinc oxide nanoparticles size ranged between 72.11 – 100 nm with rough surface morphology and higher polydispersity degree. The XRD patterns revealed the hexagonal wurtzite geometry of crystals with an average crystallite size of 2.99 nm. Persistent organic dyes Methyl Orange, Safranin O and Rhodamine B were sustainably photodegraded in direct solar irradiance with remarkable degradation percentages up to 81.76, 74.11 and 85.52% in limited time with pseudo first order reaction kinetics (
=0.99, 0.99 and 0.97). Furthermore, efficient inhibition against nine microbes of biomedical and agriculturally significance was achieved. Synthesized nanoparticles are potential green remediators of polluted water and perilous pathogens.