Zinc-exchanged montmorillonite clay: A promising slow-release nanofertilizer for rice (Oryza sativa L.).

This study is to examine zinc exchanged montmorillonite (Zn-MMT) as a potential slow release nanofertilizer for rice crop. The effective intercalation of zinc within the montmorillonite inter layers was firmly established via analytical techniques including Zeta potential, FE-SEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy) with Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The efficacy of Zn-MMT was examined by evaluating its ability to facilitate controlled zinc release, as confirmed through an incubation study.

Antibacterial activity of carbon nanoparticles isolated from chimney soot.

Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) are isolated from chimney soot and characterised by various tools such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction studies confirm the presence of C nanoparticles in the isolated sample. The thermal properties of the prepared CNPs are recorded using thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis.