The cardanol based bio-epoxy resin was formed with the addition of Palash (Butea monosperma) bark fibre and Tamarind seed gum for the purpose of developing sustainable hybrid composites. The formulations were varied by changing the amount of tamarind seed gum from 4 to 20 wt
The Li0.5Fe2.5O4 powder samples have been synthesized using auto-combustion technique with varying metal to fuel (urea) ratios (i.e., 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2). The effect of varying metal to fuel ratios on structural and optical properties was analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS). XRD analysis has confirmed that there is cubic spinel ferrite structure formed in all samples. From the fitting analysis of (311) diffraction peak, it was observed that there is a systematic increase in avg. crystallite size (19.92 to 31.48 nm) with the increase in metal to fuel ratios. There was a slight increase in the lattice parameter from 0.829 to 0.832 nm, which indicated slight lattice distortion with stable spinel framework. FTIR spectroscopy was used to confirm the metal-oxygen vibration bands of tetrahedral and octahedral sites in the spinel ferrite structure. The optical band gap value (1.99, 1.92 and 1.93) were estimated using tauc relation with increasing metal-fuel ratio.
Promising piezoelectric polymer for artificial basilar membranes is a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), but its electroactive β phase must be promoted over the non-polar α phase. In this work, pristine PVDF and PVDF with graphene oxide (GO) or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) composites were fabricated from the same solvent (DMF) by spin coating (S) and electrospinning (E) method. The samples were compared using X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Micro System Analyzer (MSA d33) and impedance spectroscopy. The sharper and more intense XRD reflections were showed by spin-coated samples at 2θ 20.4◦ than electrospun samples, which were broader and weaker. The β-phase fraction, calculated from the FTIR bands at 763 cm− 1 and 840 cm− 1 (Gregorio–Cestari method), rose from 56.7
Groundwater quality assessment is critical for the sustainable use of groundwater resources, especially in rapidly urbanising areas where anthropogenic activities pose a potential threat. This study evaluates groundwater quality in Chandigarh, India, using a comparative Water Quality Index (WQI) method. Groundwater samples from selected sites were collected and analysed them for physicochemical and other parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate-N + nitrite-N, total coliform, faecal coliform, total dissolved solids, and fluoride. The observed concentrations were compared with relevant drinking-water quality standards to assess parameter-wise compliance and identify potential water-quality concerns. A weighted arithmetic water quality index (AWQI) was calculated to combine individual parameters into a composite measure of overall groundwater quality. An entropy-weighted WQI (EWQI) was also computed to evaluate how data-driven weighting affects groundwater quality classification. The descriptive statistics and correlation analysis was used to characterise parameter variability and interrelationships, and parameter-contribution analysis was also conducted to determine which parameters contribute most to the overall WQI. The results support a comparative evaluation of groundwater quality across the investigated locations and identify the main parameters driving variations in water-quality status. The impact of the weighting method on groundwater-quality classification is further illustrated by comparing WQI and EWQI. The proposed framework provides a scientific basis for identifying priority parameters and monitoring locations and supports evidence-based groundwater-quality management in Chandigarh, India.
The selected target contaminant for the evaluation of a biomass-derived activated carbon prepared from the shell of Moringa oleifera was Reactive Black 5 (RB5), a water-soluble anionic dye which is commonly found in textile effluents. The study aimed at investigating the ability of the prepared Moringa seed-shell activated carbon (MOSAC) to adsorb RB5 in aqueous media in batch operation mode. The adsorption performance was investigated by systematically changing the contact time, the amount of MOSAC used, the initial concentration of RB5 and the pH of the solution. The dye removal efficiency increased from about 61.0
