Mg-alloy AZ91 is extensively used in medical applications due to its excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, the low mechanical properties and corrosion resistance limit its uses in medical field. In present research work, the thermal plasma irradiation effects for various exposure times ranging from 5 to 25 min on surface morphology, structural, mechanical properties and corrosion rate of AZ91 have been investigated. Optical and SEM analyses show the growth of craters, pores, cavities, bumps and particulates structures on surface of exposed samples, whose density and size increase with increasing exposure time. The growth of these structures is attributed to plasma-induced sputtering, surface tension gradients and localized mass evaporation. The microhardness, yield stress and UTS along with dislocation line density initially decrease from 80 to 72 HV, 445-441 MPa, 488-480 MPa and 30 × 1014 m−2 to 7 × 1014 m−2 with increasing exposure time from 5 to 15 min and then increase up to 94 HV, 464 MPa, 520 MPa and 16 × 1014 m−2, respectively, with further increasing exposure time up to 25 min, which are well correlated with the initially decreasing and then increasing trend of crystallite size. The minimum corrosion rate is observed after the 10-min exposure time. The variation in mechanical properties and corrosion rate is attributed to variation in the density and size of β-phase Mg17Al12 particles as function of exposure time. Our finding is that at lower exposure times AZ91 exhibits the more ductile behavior (softening), whereas at higher exposure times it shows the less ductile behavior with enhanced hardness which makes it more suitable for the medical applications, auto industry and aerospace applications.

Nd: YAG laser-carbon interaction was employed to develop the plasma followed by the implantation of 6.4 keV C ions in Mo at fluence ranging from 5.1 x 1015 to 1.5 x 1016 ions/cm2 for modification the structural, compositional, morphological, and field emission properties. The ion range in Mo, the electronic and nuclear stoppings as evaluated using Stopping and Range of Ion in Matter (SRIM) software were found to be 112 & Aring;, 15.6 eV/& Aring; and 13.5 eV/& Aring; respectively. FTIR and EDX analyses confirmed the formation of carbides within the Mo lattice. XRD results revealed no new phase formation but showed systematic peak shifts towards higher angles, attributed to ion-induced compressive stress. Pronounced variations in crystallite size, dislocation density, interplanar spacing and peak intensities were observed, indicating ion-induced lattice distortion and microstructural evolution. Optical, AFM and SEM analyses identified particulates, hillocks and agglomerates attributed to ion-induced stress accumulation, amorphous carbon clustering and surface mass transport mechanisms. The Field Emission (FE) properties of structured Mo investigated by using Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) theory, revealed improvement in the turn-on field (Eo), maximum current density (Jmax) and field enhancement factor (beta) from 8.0 to 2.0 V/mu m, 8-99079 nA/cm2 and 41-110 respectively. These improved characteristics are strongly correlated to geometrical nature and density of emission sites generated by morphological features. The findings suggest the potential of C+ ions-structured Mo for advanced electron emission applications.

In this study, effects of laser irradiation on morphological, structural, electrical and mechanical properties of Cadmium (Cd) have been examined. A second harmonic of Nd: YAG laser (532 nm, 6 ns) has been employed at several fluences ranging from 76.26 J/cm2 to 381.30 cm2 to expose Cd under oxygen environment at a constant pressure of 20 Torr. Ablation depth and crater width of the laser treated Cd targets were measured using depth profilometry with an optical microscope. The surface morphology of centrally ablated Cd regime observed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) indicates the hexagonal shaped networking channels at lower fluences, whereas, ridges and cones are formed at higher fluences. At the peripheral ablated areas, the ring-shaped channels and droplets are formed whose density increases with increasing fluence except at the highest fluence, where they are completely transformed into cavities. The compositional analysis obtained from XRD confirms the development of CdO. Debye scherrer formula, Williamson–Hall analysis, Size strain plot method and Wagner aqua models of X-ray diffraction patterns have been utilized to find out the key structural parameters. Lattice strain and crystallite size exhibited identical patterns for each case. The four-point probe method and Vicker hardness testing technique were conducted to investigate the variations in electrical conductivity and hardness of virgin and laser exposed Cd respectively. Initially, the decrease in electrical conductivity at lower fluence is confirmed and then significant increase up to highest fluence is observed. The hardness of laser-treated Cd in O2 increases as compared to unexposed Cd at lower laser fluence. The surface hardness obeyed the inverse Hall-Petch relation in all cases.

The growing interest in plant-derived compounds and synthesis of metallopolymer nanocomposites (MPNCs) especially silver chitosan nanocomposites (AgCS-NCs) emerges as a useful platform to encapsulate and deliver plant-based anticancer drugs. This work presents the synthesis of AgCS-NCs by using Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract (MOAE) and the effect of concentration of MOAE on physicochemical properties of AgCS-NCs followed by its anticancer effect on MCF-7 cell line. The results of UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed successful formation of AgCS-NCs. The formation of AgCS-NCs was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The average percentage of encapsulation efficiency (% EE) was calculated to be 60 %. The hydrodynamic size of AgCS-NCs using the Dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique was found to be 308 nm with an average percentage encapsulation efficiency of 60 %. The loaded microcarriers have shown significant cell viability for normal HEK-293 and also showed robust cytotoxicity against breast cancer (MCF-7) cell line (p < 0.001). It is concluded that Ag-CS-NCs utilizing MOAE are very effective and have significant potential against cancer cells without harming normal cells.

Laser produced plasma ions implantation has a great potential to change various characteristics of the polymer after irradiation, such as, surface, structural, optical and electrical properties. For this purpose, polymer CR- 39 is implanted by laser produced Ni plasma ions at various fluences ranging from 75 x 10(13) to 95 x 10(16) ions/cm(2). The ion energy estimated by Thomson parabola technique using CR-39 detectors was 540 KeV. Digital optical microscopic analysis illustrates the formation of granular morphology for all ion fluences. However, at the maximum fluence (95 x 10(16) ions/cm(2)), distinct and well organized grains with sub-granular morphology are observed. Confocal microscopic analysis shows the development of micro/nano sized caters, voids, ion tracks, clusters and bumps for various fluences of Ni ions ranging from 75 x 10(13) to 60 x 10(15) ions/cm(2). Whereas, at the maximum ion fluence (95 x 10(16) ions/cm(2)), hillock like features are observed. Raman spectroscopy analysis shows the formation of carbonaceous structures along with new bonds of Ni-C=O in implanted CR-39. Reduction in transmittance value from 92.2% to 60.8% is observed with increase in ion fluence from 75 x 10(13) to 95 x 10(16) ions/cm(2). The electrical conductivity of implanted CR-39 increases by increasing the ion fluence. Formation of conductive layer and carbonaceous structures are considered to be accountable for improvements in electrical conductivity of implanted target polymer. The observed stopping power or Linear Energy Transfer (LET) of 540 KeV Ni ions in CR-39 is 72.88 eV/angstrom ' and their corresponding depth is 686 nm.

Ar microplasma irradiation is used to induce morphological, structural, electrical and field emission modifications of brass for different treatment times. The ablation depth evaluated by optical microscopy analysis gradually increases and then decreases with the increase of treatment time. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis reveals the generation of microscale holes, blisters and fibrous structures which are explained on the basis of collisional/thermal sputtering, diffusion and bursting of gaseous bubbles. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals absence of new compositional phase however, variation in peak intensities, crystallite size, dislocation line density, and stress/ strain is observed. The potential of microplasma treated brass to be used as field emission cathode is evident from significantly improved field emission parameters. The correlation of field emission parameters with the structural density, work function and electrical conductivity measurements suggests geometrical field enhancement, increased number of emission sites and enhanced charge transport properties offered by the grown structures. The graphical abstract showing (a) schematic view of microplasma set up (b) Optical micrograph of treated Brass surface for the exposure time of 10 minutes showing fibrous morphology (c) High resolution SEM image of treated Brass surface for the exposure time of 10 minutes and (d) Correlation of structural density with corresponding maximum current density Jmax

The effect of environmental conditions and irradiances on femtosecond laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of Aluminum (Al) plasma has been investigated. For this purpose, a femtosecond laser (1030nm, 220 fs) was employed to irradiate the Al targets under air and vacuum environments at different laser irradiances ranging from 1.8 TWcm-2 to 5.4 TWcm-2. LIBS analysis shows that optical intensity of emission spectra and plasma parameters (electron temperature “Te” and electron number density “ne”) are increased with increasing the laser irradiances of Al plasma under both environments. The electron temperature is evaluated by using both Boltzmann and Saha Boltzmann distributions, whereas electron density is evaluated by using Stark broadening. With increasing laser irradiances, the values of Te of Al plasma increases from 8061K to 8745K under vacuum environment, whereas, for air Te increases from 8203K to 8874K. In case of Saha Boltzmann plot, the values of Te under vacuum vary from 8467K to 8949K and in air environment the estimated values of Te increases from the 8600K to 9027K. Likewise, the values of ne of Al plasma vary from 8.52 x 1018cm-3 to 9.22 x 1018cm-3 under vacuum environmental condition, while in case of air, the values of ne vary from 8.72 x 1018cm-3 to 9.38 x 1018cm-3. Slightly higher values of Al plasma parameters in air as compared to vacuum are explainable on the basis of confinement effect offered by 760Torr atmospheric pressure. The air environment restricts free expansion of Al plasma that results into enhanced rate of collisional excitation, recombination with increased life time of plasma that slows down the plasma plume. The laser-target interaction process of air also causes exothermic reactions of reactive gases (H2, O2, CO2 etc) which are responsible for enhanced energy coupling to target in addition to laser energy deposition which in turn increases ablation rate and evaporation of the target. The increasing trends of emission intensity and plasma parameters with the increasing laser irradiances are attributed to enhanced mass ablation rate due to more energy deposition that increases the excitation and de-excitation within the plasma. The higher values of Al plasma parameters under certain environments make it more beneficial for various applications including surface structuring, electron ion implantation, pulse laser deposition of thin films and other industrial applications.

The present work deals with the Argon (Ar) Thermal plasma-induced surface modification of Cu and its correlation with the electrical and field emission (FE) properties. Polycrystalline Cu targets were treated with Ar thermal plasma under atmospheric pressure at different treatment times ranging from 5 min to 30 min. XRD patterns revealed the absence of new phase in treated samples. However, significant variation in peak intensities and shifting is observed, which is explained on the basis of thermal plasma ions induced defect generation and annihilation processes. The electrical conductivity of processed Cu targets measured by four-probe method ranges from 1.9 MS/m to 70 MS/m and is well correlated with the crystallite size variation. Surface modification induced work function alternations investigated by employing Scanning Kelvin Probe (SKP) technique are in the range of 4.69 eV 4.97 eV. The irradiated morphology explored by optical and scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed the formation of localized melt pools, grains, hillocks, spheroids, and sputtered patches, which are explainable on the basis of Coulomb's explosion, thermal spike model, plasma-induced sputtering, and re-deposition. FE properties of thermal plasma-treated Cu are measured in diode configuration by measuring I-V characteristics of target under ultra-high vacuum condition. The improved FE parameters such as turn-on field (Eo), field enhancement factor (beta), and maximum current density (Jmax) come out to be in the range of 3-7.5 V/mu m, 1715-3223, and 284-872 nA/cm2, respectively and their correlation with plasma-induced surface structural, morphological and work function modifications is discussed.

Mechanically polished Gun-metal (G-metal) alloy specimens were irradiated using a 2 MeV Au+ beam of Pelletron Linear Accelerator. The range of Au+ fluence was 5 × 1011 to 1 × 1014 Au+/cm2. XRD patterns revealed the crystallographic peaks of Cu, Zn, and Sn. Harris analysis demonstrated that the Au+ fluence strongly influenced the preference of crystal plane alignment. The structural attributes like crystallite size, strain, etc. change as the Au+ fluence varies. Due to the low depth of ion-induced defects region, the estimation of ion irradiated material surface hardening is difficult. So, the technique of nanoindentation used in this work proves helpful for estimating the surface hardness of ion irradiated material. The surface hardness of specimens varied with the Au+ fluence and indentation depth. A significant increase in surface roughness, nanoindentation surface hardness, and elastic modulus values was observed at 5 × 1013 Au+/cm2 irradiation. Moreover, the surface hardness improves with decreasing crystallite size, reflecting the Hall-Petch relation. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) were used for elemental analysis of specimens before and after Au+ irradiation.

The effect of external electric field employment on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) of vanadium (V) plasma has been investigated. An external electric field of strength from 3 to 9 kV/cm was applied perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the plasma plume by using two circularly shaped brass electrodes and high-voltage dc power supply. The plasma is generated by employing a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm, 10 ns, and 10 Hz) at a pulse energy of 120 mJ at laser irradiance of 2.2 GWcm(-2) under argon (Ar) and neon (Ne) environments at various pressures ranging from 5 to 40 torr. LIBS analysis reveals that with increasing ambient gas pressure from 5 to 20 torr, the electron temperature "T-e" and electron density "n(e)" are increased due to the enhanced collisions and confinement effects. Further increase in pressure from 20 to 25 torr causes a drastic decrease in plasma parameters, which is attributed to the shielding effect. With further increase in pressure up to a maximum of 40 torr, the saturation with insignificant changes in both plasma parameters is observed, which is explainable on the basis of the formation of a self-regulating regime. It is also observed that emission intensity, electron temperature, and electron number density of vanadium plasma are higher in the presence of external electric field as compared to the field-free case under all pressures of both environmental gases, Ar and Ne. The externally applied electric field provides additional energy by accelerating the sheath of the plasma species. The higher electric field strength is responsible for higher T-e and n(e) due to more excitation, ionization, collisional frequency, and rate of recombination processes within plasmas. The emission intensity and plasma parameters are also found to be higher in Ar compared to Ne in the absence and presence of an externally applied electric field. For example, in field-free case, T-e of vanadium plasma varies slightly from 9121 to 9402 K, and n(e) varies from 1.06 x 1018 cm(-3) to 1.14 x 10(18) cm(-3) as a function of Ar pressure variation, whereas in the case of employment of external electric field with field strength of 9 kV/cm, these values of T-e are enhanced with the variation from 9445 to 9683 K, and n(e) varies from 1.29 x 10(18) cm(-3) to 1.34 x 10(18) cm(-3). Thus, the electric field strength of 9 kV/cm is responsible for a percentage increase of T-e from 2.9% to 3.6% and a percentage increase in n(e) of vanadium plasma from 17.5% to 21.6% in the case of Ar. Similarly, trends have been observed for Ne.

This paper reports the effect of a magnetic field on plasma parameters and surface structuring of the Mg alloy after laser irradiation. Femtosecond pulses of a Ti:sapphire laser system (800 nm, 35 fs, 1 KHz) are employed as the source of irradiation at various irradiances ranging from 0.011 PW / cm 2 to 0.117 PW / cm 2 to generate ablated Mg -alloy plasma. A transvers magnetic field (TMF) of strength 1.1 Tesla is employed to confine laser generated Mg plasma. All the measurements are performed with and without TMF. The two plasma parameters, i.e., excitation temperature (T exc ) and electron number density ( n e ) of Mg plasma, have been evaluated by laser -induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis. It is observed that the values of T exc and n e of laser produced plasma (LPP) of the Mg alloy are higher in the presence of a magnetic field as compared to the field free case. Both show initially an increasing trend with increasing laser irradiance and after attaining their respective maxima a decreasing trend is observed with the further increase of irradiance. The magnetic confinement validity is confirmed by analytically evaluating thermal beta ( beta t ), directional beta ( beta d ), confinement radius (R b ), and diffusion time (t d ) for LPP of the Mg alloy. To correlate the LPP parameters of the Mg alloy with surface modifications a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) analysis is performed. It was revealed that structures like laser -induced periodic surface structures (LIPSSs), agglomerates, islands, large sized bumps, along with channels and multiple ablative layers are observed. Distinct and well-defined surface structuring is observed in the presence of TMF as compared to the field free case. It is concluded that by applying an external magnetic field during laser irradiation, controlled material surface structuring is possible for fabrication of nanogratings and field emitters where spatial uniformity is critically important. (c) 2024 Optica Publishing Group

We report here the effect of the magnetic field on plasma parameters and the surface structuring of the Cu alloy after fs laser irradiation. A Ti:Sapphire (800 nm, 35 fs, 1 KHz) laser is employed at various irradiances (0.011–0.117 PW/cm2) to generate plasma. A Transvers Magnetic Field (TMF) of strength 1.1 T is employed for plasma confinement. All the measurements were performed with and without TMF. The Cu plasma parameters, i.e., excitation temperature (Texc) and electron number sensity (ne), determined by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis, are higher in the presence of TMF. This magnetic field confinement of Cu plasma was studied analytically by evaluating thermal beta (βt), directional beta (βd), confinement radius (Rb), and diffusion time (td). To correlate Cu-alloy plasma parameters with surface modifications, field emission scanning electron microscope analysis is performed. It reveals the formation of low-spatial-frequency laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSSs) and high-spatial-frequency LIPSSs, along with agglomers and nano-rims formation. Distinct and well-defined structures are observed in the presence of a magnetic field. It is concluded that controlled surface structuring can be achieved through magnetic confinement, which enhances key plasma parameters. The technique has the potential for enhancing the fabrication of nano-gratings and field emitters, where spatial uniformity is critically important.

The present study deals with the designing and fabrication of an experimental setup for argon (Ar) thermal plasma generation and its implementation for surface structuring along with modifications in morphological, compositional, electrical, contact angle and mechanical properties of Bismuth (Bi). Ar plasma parameters have been investigated by using a solid state nuclear track detector (SSNTD). In the present work, polycrystalline Bi has been treated at various Ar gas flow rates ranging from 10 to 25 L/min for a fixed time interval of 10 minutes. Bi targets were also treated at different treatment times ranging from 10 to 25 minutes at constant gas flow rate of 15 L/min. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses reveal the melting, evaporation, splashing, collisional sputtering, coalescence fusion and ejection of materials at different gas flow rates which are responsible for the formation of protrusions, cavities, cones, particulates, melt pools and agglomerates. At different treatment timings, ejection of materials, thermal desorption, reattachments, re-solidification and recrystallization are responsible for particulates, cavities and conical spike formation. XRD patterns reveal the slightly higher angular peak shifting and intensity enhancement at the lowest gas flow rate and treatment time. At the highest flow rate and treatment time, some new phases of Bi 2 O 3 are identified. However, an increasing trend in peak intensity, crystallite size, induced stresses and the decreasing trend in dislocation line density is observed with increasing the thermal plasma treatment time and flow rate which are attributed to improved crystalline nature. FTIR analysis shows a considerable increase in existing peak intensities of BiO without the identification of a new band in plasma-treated Bi. After thermal plasma treatment, the decreasing trends in electrical conductivity along with contact angle and increasing trends in hardness are attributed to enhancements in defect generation and surface roughness.

Spatial confinement effects offered by a blocker on the laser-induced plasma parameters of titanium (Ti) are evaluated using the Optical Emission Spectroscopy technique. Nd:YAG (1064 nm, 10 ns) laser is used as an irradiation source. To observe the spatial confinement effects, an Al blocker at different distances of 4, 6, and 8 mm from the target is placed along the plume path. All the measurements are performed under the Ar environment at different pressures. It is observed that with increasing laser irradiance plasma parameters such as excitation temperature (Te) and electron number density (ne) increase, whereas it is vice versa true for increasing blocker distances. Without the blocker, the maximum values of Te and ne are about 7000 K and 1.4 × 1018 cm−3, respectively, at an Ar pressure of 50 Torr. A significant increase in emission intensity along with Te ≈ 9810 K and ne ≈ 2.2 × 1018 cm−3 is achieved in the presence of blocker. The results show that spatial confinement is responsible for the enhancement of Te and ne, which is attributed to the increased collisional frequency of plasma species after compression by shockwaves. The ablation pressure and shock pressure are also analytically evaluated and vary from 0.15 to 0.25 GPa and from 0.1 to 0.2 GPa, respectively, with increasing laser irradiance. With increasing blocker distances from 4 to 8 mm, the work done by reflected shockwaves to compress the plume varies from 0.02 to 0.002 mJ.

This research paper reports an enhancement of thermal, optical, mechanical and antibacterial activities of the Polyvinyl alcohol-Nanodiamonds (PVA-NDs) composite required for the food packaging industry. The synthesis of composites was done by the wet processing method. The large surface area of NDs facilitated the robust interaction between the hydroxyl group and macromolecular chains of PVA to enhance the hydrogen bonding of PVA with NDs rather than PVA molecules. Thus, a reduction in PVA diffraction peak intensity was reported. NDs improved the thermal stability by preventing the out-diffusion of volatile decomposition products of PVA. The results also revealed an enhancement in tensile strength (similar to 60 MPa) and ductility (similar to 180 %). PVA-NDs composite efficiently blocked the UVC (100 %), most of the part of the UVB (similar to 85 % above 300 nm), and UVA (similar to 58 %). Furthermore, enhanced antibacterial activities were reported for PVA-NDs composite against E. coli and S. aureus. NDs accumulated around the bacterial cells prevented essential cellular functions and led to death. Hence, this composite could be a promising candidate for safe, thermally stable, strong, flexible, transparent, UV- resistant antibacterial food packaging material.

Electrochemical biosensors offer a cost-effective way to identify Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) (Hsp 60), responsible for stomach infections. The conductivity and surface area of the electrode were enhanced using Hap-Ag-ZnO composites on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) along with polythiophene (PP), as a conductive polymer to improve proficiency. The Hap-Ag-ZnO-PP composites have multiple functional group sites that facilitate aptamer immobilization on the GCE. This increases the sensitivity, stability, and dynamic range of the developed aptasensor. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and square wave voltammetry were employed to examine the performance of the aptasensor. A linear behavior was observed for the modified electrode against the concentration of Hsp 60, showing a detection limit of 0.429 nM and a wide dynamic range of 0.05–300 nM. Moreover, the Hap-Ag-ZnO-PP-based aptasensor exhibits exceptional reproducibility, repeatability, fast response time (20 min), good selectivity, and excellent stability (electrochemical and storage). Therefore, the prepared sensitive aptasensor provides a promising platform for clinical diagnostics and H. pylori detection in real-world applications.

The present study was conducted to develop highly ordered facile TiO2 nanotubes (TiNTs) at two different applied voltages using two-step electrochemical anodization for the application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The nanotube fabrication is carried out in an aqueous electrolyte containing ethylene glycol and ammonium fluoride at 40 V and 60 V fixed applied potentials. Nanotubes synthesized at 40 V are comparatively uniform and smoother, whereas a rough top surface is observed at 60 V. The photovoltaic efficiency achieved for the device based on TiNTs prepared at 40 V is 0.84% which is higher than the efficiency achieved for the 60 V device. This work highlights the importance of ordered nanotubes for efficient devices.

Two-dimensional diagnosis of laser-induced zirconium(Zr)plasma has been experimentally performed using the time-of-flight method by employing Faraday cups in addition to electric and magnetic probes.The characteristic parameters of laser-induced Zr plasma have been evaluated as a function of different laser irradiances ranging from 4.5 to 11.7 GW cm-2 at different axial positions of 1-4 cm with a fixed radial distance of 2 cm.A well-supporting correlation between the plume parameters and the laser-plasma-produced spontaneous electric and magnetic(E and B)fields was established.The measurements of the characteristic parameters and spontaneously induced fields were observed to have an increasing trend with the increasing laser irradiance.However,when increasing the spatial distance in both the axial and radial directions,the plasma parameters(electron/ion number density,temperature and kinetic energy)did not show either continuously increasing or decreasing trends due to various kinetic and dynamic processes during the spatial evolution of the plume.However,the E and B fields were observed to be always diffusing away from the target.The radial component of electron number densities remained higher than the axial number density component,whereas the axial ion number density at all laser irradiances and axial distances remained higher than the radial ion number density.The higher axial self-generated electric field(SGEF)values than radial SGEF values are correlated with the effective charge-separation mechanism of electrons and ions.The generation of a self-generated magnetic field is observed dominantly in the radial direction at increasing laser irradiance as compared to the axial one due to the deflection of fast-moving electrons and the persistence of two-electron temperature on the radial axis.

The tremendous utilization of plastics with inappropriate disposal is hazardous to the climate and the ecosystem. Microplastics (MPs), also known as global pollutants, having dimensions less than 5 mm are considered as the main cause of sea pollution. These microplastics (MPs) due to their hard, thin, and non-degradable nature cause adverse effects on the marine biota and consequently on human beings due to the consumption of seafood. Therefore, the identification of these MPs is highly important for environmental studies. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a simple and reliable technique for the identification and analysis of these MPs. By focusing Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm, 10 ns, 55 mJ) at an irradiance of 8.2 GW/cm 2 on the MP surface, plasma is generated. The experiment is conducted under 50 torr of Argon pressure to enhance emission intensities. For improving the reliability of quantitative elemental investigation through LIBS, the calibration-free LIBS (CF-LIBS) technique is utilized along with Boltzmann, Saha-Boltzmann, and Stark broadening profiles. Allyl diglycol carbonate or poly allyl diglycol (CR-39) is taken as a reference sample to confirm the validity and accuracy of the CF-LIBS method. In this study, six unidentified microplastic samples, collected from the coastal area and shallow waters of the Arabian Sea in Pakistan, are analyzed using LIBS and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The slight variations in carbon and oxygen concentrations are observed in different MPs. One representative MP sample, out of these six, is chosen for detailed analysis along with CR-39. The research demonstrates LIBS’ predictive capabilities for MP identification, providing profound insights into environmental conservation and sustainability. This innovative aspect of the present work significantly contributes to advancing our understanding and addressing the challenges caused by MP pollution.

Lahore (Pakistan), being an industrial city, has high emission of aerosols that affects and contaminates the air quality. Therefore, the abatement/inactivation of aerosols is necessary to restrict their infectious activities. In this project, ionic wind isolated from dielectric barrier discharge plasma (DBD plasma) has been utilized to abate the aerosols trapped in the Surgical Mask and KN95 Respirator. To infer the chemical and elemental detection of ambient aerosols, FTIR and LIBS have been employed. “From the results, it is noteworthy that abatement/removal of aerosols has been successfully carried out by the ionic wind irradiation and highlights the potential of DBD plasma technology in removing the aerosols pollution.”