The Himalayan species of water strider Ptilomera laticaudata (Hardwicke, 1823) is recorded for the first time in Pakistan, as well as the genus Ptilomera, whose distribution range is extended westward. Additional records of other species of Gerridae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) are provided, improving knowledge of this family in the country. These include five other species recorded from the Islamabad Capital Territory for the first time: Aquarius adelaidis (Dohrn, 1860), Limnogonus fossarum fossarum (Fabricius, 1775), Chimarrhometra orientalis (Distant, 1879), Heterobates bilobatus (Esaki, 1927) and Metrocoris communis (Distant, 1910).

A ternary composite SnO2/Fe2O3/GO has been successfully synthesized through the incorporation of Fe2O3 and SnO2 onto GO to optimize its performance in photocatalytic application. The SnO2/Fe2O3/GO nanocomposites with ratios (1,1:1) and (1:1:2) were synthesized through a facile Co-precipitation method and characterized by physicochemical techniques including SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, PL and UV-Vis spectroscopy to evaluate morphological, elemental composition, structural, chemical and optical properties. The SEM analysis of optimal sample of SnOi/FeiOs/GO (1:1:2) exhibited mixed morphology comprising of SnO2 granular nanospheres, Fe2O3 crumpled flaky structure uniformly anchored on the layered sheets of GO which enhances the surface area and facilitates efficient charge transfer during photocatalysis. XRD analysis confirms the successful formation of a multiphase crystalline structure of (1:1:2) nanocomposite having 14.4 nm crystallite size which is less than the pure material's crystallite size. The bandgap of SnOi/FeiOs/GO composite, acknowledged by UV-Vis spectroscopy, decreases from 2.50 eV to 2.22 eV upon GO loading which highlights the GO's role in tuning the material's electronic properties. Degradation of methylene blue is observed up to 90.4% for (1,1,1) and 95.7% for (1,1:2) nanocomposite which is higher than the individual counterpart of SnOi/FeiOs/GO ternary composite. Furthermore, the cyclic test also give testimony about the stability and reusability of the optimum sample SnOi/FeiOs/ GO (1,1,2), by maintaining its efficiency up to 87.7% after 5 cycles.

Mn-doped SnO2 nanoparticles were prepared by an eco-friendly green synthesis method, with different doping concentrations (1 %, 3 %, 5 %, and 7 %) using orange peel extract as a natural reducing and capping agent. Morphological, elemental, Structural, vibrational, optical, conductivity and surface area were examined in detail. Both pure and Mn-doped SnO2 nanoparticles were tested for their photocatalytic and antimicrobial activity. The Optimal sample (5 % Mn-doped SnO2) exhibited a tetragonal phase with a crystallite size of approximately 13 nm and an aggregated quasi-spherical morphology. The band gap was narrowed by incorporating Mn to 2.2 eV, and the electron-hole recombination was inhibited. Mn doping reduced charge-transfer resistance and increased the surface area from 111 m2/g to 140 m2/g, contributing to superior photocatalytic performance for the optimal sample. The 5 % Mn-doped SnO2 catalyst showed the best photocatalytic activity with 86.2 % degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye and 75.9 % degradation of Ciprofloxacin in 120 min. Furthermore, 5 % Mn-doped SnO2 nanoparticles showed notable antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains through ROS-induced membrane damage. Remarkably, the catalyst was highly reusable with only a 16 % decrease in the efficiency of MO degradation and 10 % decrease in the efficiency of Ciprofloxacin degradation after six sequential runs. Mn-doped SnO2 nanoparticles prepared with plant extracts have potential applications in environmental and biomedical fields.

Increase in antimicrobial resistance among pathogens and release of advanced pollutants with complex molecular structure into water, has lead to increase in fruit wastage and increased environmental pollution that needs to be tackled. In this research, Pure and Cu-doped SnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using hydrothermal approach by using varied Cu-dopant concentration (2%,4%,6%,8%). In order to address structural, morphological, vibrational and optical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles, different characterization techniques such as UV-Vis, PL, FTIR, XRD and SEM were carried out. 6%Cu-doped SnO2 was found to have highest photocatalytic efficiency of 84.3% for MB dye and 58% for Ciprofloxacin. The optimal 6%Cu-doped SnO2 was then applied to Vitis vinifera fruit as coating and shelf life analysis was performed for 5 days using different techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Total soluble solid and Titration acidity test. Cu-doped SnO2 nanoparticles showed remarkable ability for shelf life enhancement of Vitis vinifera in comparison to untreated control. These findings thus demonstrates potential use of Cu-doped SnO2 nanoparticles for shelf life enhancement of fruits by its incorporation in storage environment and its use as promising photo catalyst.

Developing nanomaterials with multifunctional properties that can address both biomedical and environmental challenges is the focus area of this research study. This work presents Mg and Mn co-doped CdS synthesized in a controlled way by a co-precipitation method utilizing ammonia hydroxide as both a capping and stabilizing agent. While fixing the Mn concentration at 2%, the Mg concentration was varied from 1% to 7% based on prior studies of the optical and electronic properties of CdS at these doping concentrations. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed lattice expansion and a hexagonal phase along with crystal size reduction from 49.08 nm (pure CdS) to 42.94 nm for Mg5%-Mn2%-CdS, which is evidence of successful substitution. The reduction in the optical bandgap from 2.80 eV (pure CdS) to 2.19 eV (optimally co-doped sample) is evidence of the absorption enhancement of visible light. Methylene blue exhibited 84.79% degradation under visible-light irradiation within 125 min, following psuedo-first-order kinetics with a rate constant of 0.014 min-1 (R 2 = 0.98). The dominant reducing species, ˙O2 - and ˙OH, were confirmed by scavenger experiments. The same sample exhibited strong antibacterial activity by producing inhibition zones of 17 ± 0.2 mm against E. coli and 40 ± 0.3 mm against S. aureus, which surpassed the activity of pure CdS, approaching the standard antibiotic efficiency. These results suggest that Mg-Mn-co-doped samples are stable, dual-functional, and suitable for both wastewater purification and antimicrobial applications.

For the enhancement of degradation of methylene red dye pure BiVO4 NPs have been synthesized. For this purpose, a simple, inexpensive, and efficient co-precipitation has been used to synthesize pristine BiVO4 NPs. The two basic precursors such as bismuth nitrate and ammonium metavanadate were utilized for synthesis and sodium hydroxide was utilized to maintain the pH of the synthesized nanostructures. Using various characterization techniques for instance UV-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-rays, and, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis, the optical properties, morphological characteristics, elements analysis, structural properties, and information about functional groups have been termed. An indirect band gap (2.5 eV) of the synthesized BiVO4 has been observed. Because NPs are smaller reduced, they have a higher advanced surface-to-volume ratio, which adds additional active adsorption sites and increases the catalyst's photocatalytic activity. The degradation efficiency of the photocatalysts is 88.2%. The photocatalytic activity of the medicine Synflex was also performed, and it was experimental that the dye has much degradation efficiency compared to the medicine. This excellent degradation efficiency of the synthesized photocatalyst makes it acceptable for the degradation of organic pollutants. The antimicrobial activity of pure BiVO4 against two different bacteria showed outstanding results.

In this work, zinc oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized by facile co-precipitation method and characterized by various analysis techniques to study characteristic properties that are essential for photocatalytic studies. ZnO achieved average particle size of about 37 nm as confirmed by SEM and XRD JPCDS card. The UV–Visible analysis confirmed the bandgap of 3.33 eV of ZnO whereas BET analysis showed a specific surface area, pore diameter and pore volume of 8.20 m2g−1, 19.45 nm and 0.0821 cm3g−1, respectively. The synthesized nanoparticles were then used for degradation of MB dye and Glucophage pharmaceutical. By the findings of UV–Visible spectroscopy for the pollutants, it was observed that ZnO degraded MB and Glucophage up to 92.3

The utilization of semiconductor nanomaterials is seeking significant attention for the light activated photocatalytic applications. In this quest, this potent study investigates the composites of WO3/Bi2O3 and explores their multifunctional activities against the methyl Red (MR) and pharmaceutical phenol. The binary composites are synthesized through facile Green method and elucidates through various characterizations. The structural properties are performed through analytical techniques of X ray diffraction method (XRD). The absorbance has been performed through Ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV) through which bandgap of WO3 reduced to 2.58 eV. The optical properties measured through PL shows 1:1 WO3/Bi2O3 sample has low recombination rate. Energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy (EDX) shows no impurities found in the synthesized sample. The morphology measured through Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The combat formation of tungsten oxide (WO3) and Bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) effectively introduce the synergistic approach. This strategy enhances the charge carriers and reactive species which perform the Redox reaction to improve the catalytic applications. Additionally, the junction of WO3 and Bi2O3 exhibits the notable array of phenol degradation. The binary formation underscores strong potential against a myriad of model pollutants. Finally, the composite shows 91 % degradation of MR dye and 82 % degradation of Phenol dye.

Pure BiVO 4 , PVA, and BiVO 4 /PVA (1 : 3) nanocomposite were synthesized using a straightforward coprecipitation technique to improve the photocatalytic degradation of reactive yellow dye.

Cobalt-doped BiFeO3 nanomaterials were fabricated using the co-precipitation method, and their photocatalytic efficiency is evaluated in treatment of wastewater. The specific pollutant used in this study is methyl orange (MO). The impact of doping on optical, structural, morphological, electrical, and elemental properties is investigated by different concentrations of cobalt ranges from 1

The basic research problem addressed is the effective degradation of pollutants, such as methyl orange (MO) dye, using photocatalysts in wastewater treatment. The problem lies in improving the photocatalytic efficiency and stability of these catalysts. The objective of this study is to synthesize and evaluate the photocatalytic performance of tungsten trioxide (WO3) and silver-doped WO3 nanoparticles (NPs) for the degradation of MO dye under visible light. A convenient and effective coprecipitation technique was employed to synthesize WO3 and Ag-WO3 NPs. The optical, structural, and spectral properties of the NPs were thoroughly examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The role of silver in reducing the photogenerated electron/hole pair recombination rate and reducing the band gap from 2.94eV to 2.08eV for direct bandgap transitions was also investigated. The synthesized NPs demonstrated a higher photocatalytic activity due to their smaller size, which have higher surface area-to-volume ratio and provides more active adhesion sites. The 4% Ag-doped WO3 catalyst achieved a remarkable 90% degradation of MO dye within 180minutes. This enhancement in performance is attributed to the Burstein-Moss effect that show the most promising results. The exceptional photocatalytic activity of the 4% Ag-doped WO3 catalyst show its possible applications in wastewater treatment.