A non-destructive dielectric based approach for the rapid determination of tributyl phosphate in dodecane.

Reliable determination of tributyl phosphate (TBP) in suitable diluents is indispensable in studies related to nuclear fuel reprocessing. Herein, we present a rapid and non-destructive dielectric based approach to determine TBP in mixtures of TBP and n-dodecane in the quality control as well as research laboratories associated with nuclear fuel reprocessing. The measurement is based on an in-house developed new class of sensors called pulsating sensors.

Thermal neutron sensitive inorganic compound loaded thin-film composite plastic scintillators.

The paper describes the preparation and characterization methodology of thermal neutron sensitive inorganic compound loaded polystyrene based thin-film Plastic Scintillators (PS). Inorganic compounds with thermal neutron sensitive elements such as BO, LiF, GdOS:Tb, GdO, Gd(BO):Tb is loaded in plastic scintillators, at predetermined weight percentage in a solvent-based fabrication method. The PS base solution is prepared by dissolving required quantities of polystyrene, 2,5-Diphenyloxazole (PPO), 1,4-bis(5-Phenyloxazol-2-yl) Benzene (POPOP) in the p-xylene solvent.

Comparison of Indian BOMAB and ICRP voxel phantom for calibration of shadow shield whole body counter.

In-vivo whole body monitors are calibrated with various types of phantoms like Bottle Mannikin absorption phantom (BOMAB), IGOR phantom, Masonite cut sheet phantom, realistic numerical phantoms (NORMAN, ICRP voxel phantom). These phantoms contain either point sources, rod sources, uniform source or radionuclides distributed in soft tissues etc. In this study the efficiency values of Shadow Shield wholebody counter (SSC) for Cs and Co obtained theoretically using ICRP adult voxel male reference phantom (ICRP-AM) having sources distributed in soft tissues and muscles ICRP-AM(S) are compared with the measured efficiencies of Indian BOMAB phantom having mid axial source distribution (BOM-I(A)).

Distribution, annual committed effective dose, and health safety assessment of Po in marine biota from Kalpakkam coast, Bay of Bengal.

Seafood, intertidal biota, beach sediment, and seawater from Kalpakkam coast, Bay of Bengal were analyzed for Po to evaluate the internal exposure and other radiological safety aspects. Kalpakkam houses various nuclear power generation facilities on its coast. The activity concentration of Po was more pronounced in the intertidal organisms.

Molecular and Spectroscopic Insights into a Metal Salt-Based Deep Eutectic Solvent: A Combined Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules, Noncovalent Interaction, and Density Functional Theory Study.

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) based on metal halide salts are highly catalytic, low toxic, reusable, cost-effective, and have higher thermal stability than their analogue ionic liquids (ILs). In this work, we have reported the formation mechanism of metal salt-based DESs at the molecular level along with their charge-transfer analysis and thermodynamics associated with their formation using density functional theory. The DES systems analyzed in the present work were choline chloride and tin(II)chloride (DES1) and choline chloride and zinc(II)chloride (DES2), both in a molar ratio of 1:2, respectively.

Influence of interstitial UO doping on the valence control of Eu and energy transfer to substitutional Eu and Sm in SrBPO.

Controlling the valence mixing of Eu/Eu and energy transfer between activator ions in solid solution is an important process to improve the efficiency and specificity of phosphors. In this work, the structural and optical properties of stillwellite type SrBPO doped with uranium/europium/samarium, as prepared by conventional solid-state reaction synthesis, were investigated. PXRD studies and Rietveld analysis were carried out to determine the structure, phase purity, and coordination environment of the dopants in the host matrix.

Electronic and Vibrational Decoupling in Chemically Exfoliated Bilayer Thin Two-Dimensional VO.

The synthesis of high-quality two-dimensional (2D) transition metal oxides is challenging compared to 2D transition metal dichalcogenides as a result of the exotic surface changes that can appear during formation. Herein, we report the synthesis of bilayer 2D VO nanosheets with a thickness of ∼1 nm using the chemical exfoliation method and a comprehensive study on the vibrational and optical properties of bilayer 2D VO. We report, for the first time, a thickness-dependent blue shift of 1.

Inter-droplet force between magnetically polarizable Pickering oil-in-water nanoemulsions stabilized with γ-AlO nanoparticles: Role of electrostatic and electric dipolar interactions.

Hypothesis: The presence of nanoparticles at oil-water interface influences the interaction forces between Pickering emulsions. When charged nanoparticles are at the oil-water interface of an electrostatically stabilized emulsion, in addition to the screened Coulombic interaction, electric dipolar force also influences the total inter-droplet force profiles. An in-depth understanding of the effects of such electric dipolar forces is essential for designing colloidally stable Pickering nanoemulsions for various applications.

Rapid detection strategies for the ultra-level chemosensing of uranyl ions.

A simple and reliable colorimetric probe ,'-bis-(4-diethylamino-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-carbohydrazide (L) has been synthesised by reacting 4-(diethylamino)salicylaldehyde with 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarbohydrazide. The sensing ability of L was studied by its interactions with various f-block metal ions and other selected metal ions from s- and d-block by colorimetry, UV-visible spectrophotometry, and smartphone integrated red-green-blue (RGB) model in DMSO : HO (7 : 3, v/v). The pale-yellow colour of L turns to wine-red upon interaction with uranyl ions (UO) and yellow-orange in the presence of Th, Zr, Fe, and Lu ions.

Translocation dose-response curve for Cs γ-rays: Dose validation at various dose rate and changing dose rate conditions.

A Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (FISH) based translocation dose-response curve has been constructed for biodosimetry application in our nuclear establishment at Kalpakkam, India. Peripheral blood sample from a healthy male donor (27 years) was exposed to nine different doses (0.1 Gy-5 Gy) of Cs γ-rays (100 mGy/min) in an automated calibration facility with a linear distancing system and subjected to FISH assay using chromosome 1, 2 and 4 specific fluorescent probes.

Novel Strategy for Gallium-Substituted Hydroxyapatite/ Fiber Extract/Poly(-vinylcarbazole) Biocomposite Coating on Titanium for Biomedical Applications.

The current work mainly focuses on the innovative nature of nano-gallium-substituted hydroxyapatite (nGa-HAp)/ fiber extract (PDFE)/poly(-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) biocomposite coating on titanium (Ti) metal in an eco-friendly and low-cost way through electrophoretic deposition for metallic implant applications. Detailed analysis of this nGa-HAp/PDFE/PVK biocomposite coating revealed many encouraging functional properties like structure and uniformity of the coating. Furthermore, gallium and fruit extract of PDFE-incorporated biocomposite enhance the antimicrobial, cell viability, and bioactivity studies.

Ocular surface temperature measurement in diabetic retinopathy.

Infrared thermography provides functional imaging by picturing the temperature pattern of the region imaged. The temperature correlates to the blood flow pattern and is used in the diagnosis of diseases like breast cancer, peripheral vascular disorders, diabetic neuropathy and fever screening. In the present study, the usage of ocular thermography for diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy is explored.

Probe decorated porous silica and polymer monoliths as solid-state optical sensors and preconcentrators for the selective and fast recognition of ultra-trace arsenic ions.

In this work, we manifested a new approach in designing solid-state colorimetric sensors for the selective optical sensing of As. The sensor fabrication is modulated using, (i) a cubic mesopores of ordered silica monolith, and (ii) a bimodal macro-/meso-porous polymer monolith, as hosting templates that are immobilized with a tailor-made chromoionophoric probe (DFBEP). The surface morphology and structural dimensions of the monolith templates and the sensor materials are characterized using p-XRD, XPS, FE-SEM-EDAX, HR-TEM-SAED, FT-IR, TGA, and BET/BJH analysis.

Surface modified and functionalized graphene oxide membranes for separation of strontium from aqueous solutions.

Graphene oxide-strontium (GO-Sr) composites prepared under different ambient conditions were characterized using morphological and spectroscopic techniques to optimize the uptake of Sr from aqueous solutions. These studies indicated that interactions among GO and Sr ions are highly sensitive to size and aging of GO sheets, as well as pH of the ambience. Further, the extent of Sr uptake on GO sheets was found to be largely influenced by relative fractions of the associated -COOH, -OH, C-O-C functional groups and sp-C domains.

Synthesis and characterization of polyphenols functionalized graphitic hematite nanocomposite adsorbent from an agro waste and its application for removal of Cs from aqueous solution.

In this study, Polyphenols functionalized Graphitic Hematite Nanocomposite (PGHN) was used as an adsorbent to remove Caesium (Cs) ions from a simulated solution. The nanocomposite was produced by synthesizing iron oxide nanoparticles using orange peel extract (OPE) as the reducing and capping agent in the presence of graphite produced from sugarcane bagasse. The nanocomposite exhibited a scaly morphology and the mean particle size of rhombohedral structured hematite nanoparticles was found to be 148.

Structural and spectroscopic investigations of neodymium-doped strontium borophosphate glass.

Neodymium-doped glass finds application in lasers with high energy and low pulse width. In the present study, a series of Nd ions (0-2 mol%)-doped strontium borophosphate (SBP) glass samples was prepared through the conventional melt quench method. A broad peak in the X-ray diffraction spectrum confirmed the formation of a single-phase amorphous borophosphate glass.

Effects of Pb assisted cation chemistry on the superconductivity of BSCCO thin films.

Thin films of Bi-based superconductors, highly c-axis oriented, were deposited on single crystalline substrates of SrTiO3, LaAlO3, and MgO using a pulsed laser deposition technique with a Bi-2223 target of nominal composition Bi1.75Pb0.25Sr2Ca2Cu3O10±δ prepared by the solid state reaction method.

Spatial and seasonal variations in coastal water characteristics at Kalpakkam, western Bay of Bengal, Southeast India: a multivariate statistical approach.

A study was carried out in the coastal waters of Kalpakkam with the objectives to evaluate the seasonality in hydrobiological parameters in surface and bottom waters, and assess the anthropogenic stress and monsoonal flux on a spatiotemporal scale. The study covered an area of approximately 100 km in the coastal environment. Relatively high values for pH, temperature, and TP were observed during the post-monsoon (POM) season.

Core-Shell Structured Antimicrobial Nanofiber Dressings Containing Herbal Extract and Antibiotics Combination for the Prevention of Biofilms and Promotion of Cutaneous Wound Healing.

Burn wounds are susceptible to microbial invasion from both resident and exogenous bacteria, which becomes a critical public health issue and causes substantial economic burden. There is a perceived demand to produce new antimicrobial wound dressings that hinder bacterial colonization while accelerating the healing process and hence would provide an improved standard of care for patients. Since ancient times, herbal extracts from medicinally important plants have extensively been used for treating burn injuries.

Nd(III) hypersensitive peak as an optical absorption probe for determining nitric acid in aqueous solution: An application to aqueous raffinate solutions in nuclear reprocessing.

A new method using Nd(III) absorption peak as a probe is described for the measurement of nitric acid concentration in aqueous solution. The hypersensitive peak of Nd(III) at 575.1 nm shows a substantial enhancement in the absorbance in comparison to other absorption peaks with increasing nitric acid concentration.

Construction of dose response curve for 6 MV LINAC X-rays using Premature Chromosome Condensation assay for radiation dosimetry.

Quantification of chromosomal aberrations in the exposed personnel blood samples is considered as a 'gold standard' and sensitive biomarker in biological dosimetry. Despite technological developments, culture of cells for 48-52 h remains an unmet need in case of triage biodosimetry. Moreover, it is difficult to get sufficient number of metaphase spreads for scoring after high doses of exposures.

Influence of size polydispersity on magnetic field tunable structures in magnetic nanofluids containing superparamagnetic nanoparticles.

We probe the influence of particle size polydispersity on field-induced structures and structural transitions in magnetic fluids (ferrofluids) using phase contrast optical microscopy, light scattering and Brownian dynamics simulations. Three different ferrofluids containing superparamagnetic nanoparticles of different polydispersity indices (PDIs) are used. In a ferrofluid with a high PDI (∼0.

Ethyl Cellulose-Assisted Host-Guest Framework for Depositing Solution-Processed Yttria Films on the Inner Surface of a Narrow Quartz Tube.

Straightforward deposition protocols to coat flat surfaces are widely available. However, there are multiple constraints in coating a concave or convex surface, especially on the inner surface of narrow tubes. Coated surface helps in corrosion protection, internal cleanliness, strength, and alloy casting, and it also enhances product aesthetics.

Gas sensing materials roadmap.

Gas sensor technology is widely utilized in various areas ranging from home security, environment and air pollution, to industrial production. It also hold great promise in non-invasive exhaled breath detection and an essential device in future internet of things. The past decade has witnessed giant advance in both fundamental research and industrial development of gas sensors, yet current efforts are being explored to achieve better selectivity, higher sensitivity and lower power consumption.

Interface of GO with SnO quantum dots as an efficient visible-light photocatalyst.

Graphene oxide (GO) with beneficial functional groups regulates the surface chemistry for catalytic applications. However, the low electrical conductivity of GO invokes further treatments that compromise the above-valued properties. We report an interfacial engineering of GO decorated with SnO quantum dots (QDs) for the visible-light-driven catalysis of dye degradation.