Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU), formerly Marathwada University, is located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. It is named after B. R. Ambedkar, an Indian jurist, political leader, academic and the father of the Indian Constitution. The university was established on 23 August 1958. This university has contributed to the progress of adjoining regions and people in innumerable ways. Since its inception, the university has around 456 colleges affiliated to it, which come under four districts (Aurangabad, Jalna, Beed and Osmanabad) of Maharashtra State. R.
The advancement of semiconductor nanomaterials for optoelectronic applications becomes choice in nanotechnology research. Herein, we report simple facile hydrothermal synthesis route for copper sulfide (CuS) and Fe-doped CuS (Fe:CuS) nanostructures, aimed to enhance photocatalytic efficiency under solar irradiation. By adjusting Fe dopant, crystallographic strain, band structure and defect chemistry of CuS were modulated. XRD with Rietveld refinement, SEM-EDX, Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and photoluminescence study revealed precise structural and electronic transformations. Fe incorporation was found to enhance light-harvesting capability and suppress electron-hole recombination. Photodegradation of methylene blue dye by as synthesized nanomaterials are analyzed. Notably, 4% Fe:CuS achieved an outstanding degradation efficiency of 99.31% within 280 min under natural sunlight. These results underscore the strategic role of transition-metal doping in tailoring chalcogenide-based photocatalysts, offering a scalable and energy-efficient route for optoelectronic applications.
Methane (CH4) is a highly flammable and environmentally significant gas, and its reliable detection at low operating temperatures is essential for industrial safety and environmental monitoring. Present work In2O3-doped WO3 thick film gas sensors were successfully developed and systematically investigated for methane sensing applications. Thick films with varying In2O3 concentrations (1–9
Despite extensive analytical work on Indo-Islamic lime plasters, the material logic governing plaster stratification and long-term performance in funerary architecture remains insufficiently understood from a building pathology perspective. In particular, it remains unclear whether durability and surface stability were historically achieved through hydraulic modification of lime binders or through functional material layering controlled by binder purity, aggregate grading, and carbonation dynamics. This study addresses this gap through a multi-analytical diagnostic investigation of lime plasters from a Turkish-style Indo-Islamic tomb at Khultabad, near Daulatabad. Stratigraphically resolved analyses integrating X-ray fluorescence, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, particle-size distribution, and stepwise thermal mass-loss measurements reveal a deliberately engineered, non-hydraulic air-lime composite system. Binder-rich finishing layers are characterised by elevated calcium content, fine particle-size distribution, and well-developed calcite crystallinity consistent with natural atmospheric carbonation, while underlying plaster layers incorporate graded siliceous and ferruginous mineral aggregates consistent with lateritic soil-derived materials, that contribute to mechanical stability and dimensional control. No mineralogical, spectroscopic, or thermal evidence for pozzolanic, gypsum-based, or organic binders was detected. The results indicate functional differentiation within a stratified air-lime system. While preservation suggests long-term stability, durability was not quantitatively assessed. By elucidating the technological logic underlying layered air-lime plasters in a Turkish-style Indo-Islamic funerary context, this study provides diagnostically relevant insights for the interpretation, conservation, and compatible rehabilitation of historic lime-based masonry systems.
In the present work, 5% Ni-doped ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized via a coprecipitation method to investigate their potential for sunlight-assisted photocatalytic degradation of RhB dye. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed a hexagonal crystal structure with an increase in crystallite size upon the incorporation of TiO2 and Ni into the ZnO lattice. Morphological studies revealed uniformly distributed, well-separated, and nearly spherical particles with an average size of 36.4 nm. Raman spectroscopy indicated enhanced structural defects and the presence of local surface distortions in the Ni-doped samples. The 5% Ni-doped ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposites exhibited a remarkable photodegradation efficiency of 93.3% for RhB dye under 120 min of natural sunlight irradiation, outperforming both pure ZnO and TiO2-based ZnO counterparts. Scavenger analysis confirmed that hydroxyl radicals (center dot OH) are the major reactive species responsible for the photocatalytic degradation process. The enhanced photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the synergistic effects of Ni doping, increased crystallite size, and defect-induced active sites, making the material a promising candidate for environmental remediation applications.
The magnetic nanoparticles of Y3+ doped cobalt ferrite (CoFe2 − xYxO4, x = 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05) were synthesized by sol-gel auto combustion method using green synthesis approach by utilizing Piper Nigrum (black pepper) extract. The structural, surface, thermo-elastic and mechano-elastic properties were investigated using Rietveld X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer Emmitt Teller (BET) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the single phase production of the nanoparticles. The XRD patterns of all the samples were successfully refined using Rietveld analysis, yielding goodness-of-fit (χ2) values in the range of1.83-3.03.The average particle sizeobtained from histogram plots was in the range of 45 –47 nm. The surface area calculated through BET analysis was found to be 1.555 m2/g, 8.796 m2/g and 17.509 m2/g for x = 0.00, 0.03 and 0.05 respectively. The thermo-elastic properties namely Debye temperature found todecreases from 690 K to 675 K with Y3+ doping. The mechano-elastic properties such as Young’s modulus decreases from 149.31 GPa to 143.31 GPa, bulk modulus decreases from 106.11 GPa to 101.85 GPa, the modulus of rigidity decreases from 71.87 GPa to 68.98 GPa on doping Y3+ ions. However, thePoisson’s ratio remains almost constant to 0.224. Thus, the doping of Y3+ ions in cobalt ferrite strongly affects the structural, surface, thermo-elastic, mechano-elastic properties.
