Exploring luminescent carbon dots derived from syrup bottle waste and curcumin for potential antimicrobial and bioimaging applications.

In this study, we utilized a navel hybrid material, prepared by fusing fluorescent Carbon Dots SyCDs, derived from syrup bottles, with curcumin. This innovative approach not only offers significant advancements in antimicrobial activity and bioimaging but also represents a stride in sustainable and eco-friendly nanotechnology. The core of our study is the development of an efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious method for synthesizing SyCDs. This is achieved by repurposing waste syrup bottles, thus addressing the pressing issue of plastic waste. The incorporation of curcumin, renowned for its biological properties, enhances the luminescent characteristics of SyCDs and augments their functionality. This combination overcomes the inherent limitations of curcumin when used in isolation. The hybrid material exhibits enhanced antimicrobial properties and proves to be a potent alternative to conventional fluorescent dyes for bioimaging, marking a substantial leap in the field of sustainable nanomaterials. Our work not only demonstrates the versatile applications of luminescent SyCDs in health and environmental science but also underscores the potential of sustainable approaches in addressing global environmental challenges. This study, represents a significant contribution to the domain of sustainable nanotechnology, highlighting the transformative power of integrating waste management with advanced material science.

High-performance LPG sensing behaviour of CoCr2-xCexO4 (x = 0 to 0.02) for sensor applications.

For the first time, the influence of Cerium (Ce3+) on the structural, microstructural, Fourier infrared spectroscopy, and LPG sensing behaviour of CoCr2-xCexO4 (CoCrCe) is described in this study. The solution combustion technique was used to create the CoCrCe samples. All samples were sintered for 3 h at 600 °C to achieve a pure crystalline nature free of impurities. The production of cubic spinel structures with typical crystallite sizes smaller than 16 nm is confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Because compressive lattice strain is created when Ce3+ ions are replaced by Cr3+ ions, we discovered reducing the lattice parameter. Further samples were analysed using the FTIR technique to learn about the octahedral and tetrahedral stretching bands, which confirmed the ferrite structure was free of impurities. Scanning Electron microscopy was used to examine the samples' microstructures. All of the samples were determined to be very porous. Elemental analysis was performed using energy dissipative spectra, which confirmed the presence of all elements in the samples. 2-mol% Ce3+ has the best gas sensing characteristics of any Ce concentration. Furthermore, the thin film based on CoCr1.98Ce0.02O4 may be employed as a chemiresistive gas sensor to detect LPG (10-1000 ppb) at room temperature. On LPG exposure, the constructed gas sensor demonstrates greater gas sensitivity in the order of 98% at 500 ppb, with higher stability, rapid response, and recovery time in the order of 60 s and 75 s, respectively. This study reports for the first time on the creation of an LPG gas sensor device that operates at room temperature and has high sensitivity. Because of their high gas sensitivity, rapid reaction and recovery times, and long-term stability, these material gas sensors might be ideal materials for the manufacture of gas sensors devices for the detection of LPG low concentration (ppb level).

Weak ferromagnetism and magnetoelectric coupling through the spin-lattice coupling in (1-x)Pb(Fe2/3W1/3)O3-(x)BiFeO3 (x = 0.1 and 0.4) solid solution.

We report on the structure, spin-lattice and magneto-electric coupling in (1-x)Pb(Fe2/3W1/3)O3-(x)BiFeO3(where x = 0.1 and 0.4) (PBFW) solid solution synthesized through two-step solid-state reaction method. The room temperature (RT) crystallographic studies were carried out using x-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction measurements which show a single-phase Pseudocubic crystal system with Pm-3m space group. Rietveld refinement was carried out to obtain the structural parameters using Fullprof software and the observed structural parameters are in good agreement with the previous reports. Temperature-dependent neutron diffraction measurements reveal the presence of commensurate G-type antiferromagnetic structure. The magnetic structure was analyzed using the propagation wave vector k ∼ (½ ½ ½) for both the solid solutions. The obtained lattice constants increase linearly and the magnetic moment decrease with temperature, which shows a remarkable anomaly around the magnetic (T N ∼ 405 K for x = 0.1 and 531 K for x = 0.4) transition temperatures. This anomaly clearly indicates the existence of spin-lattice and magnetoelectric coupling. The magnetic susceptibility (ZFC and FC at 500 Oe) and M-H hysteresis loop measurements show spontaneous magnetic moment due to the Fe3+-O2--Fe3+ superexchange interaction coexisting with the weak ferromagnetism. Bifurcation of ZFC and FC curve reveals the strong anisotropic nature. Astonishingly, magnetic measurements show the non-zero magnetic moment above T N and broadening of the magnetic transition indicates the presence of short-range uncompensated sublattice weak ferromagnetic clusters in the paramagnetic region. The Mossbauer spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance studies exhibit the RT magnetically ordered system and confirm the +3 state of Fe along with the fraction of Fe2+ ions.