The preparation and characterization of innovative nanocomposites based on zinc oxide nanorods (ZNR) encapsulated by graphene (Gr) nanosheets and decorated with silver (Ag), and cupper (Cu) nanoparticles (NP) were studied. The prepared nanocomposites (ZNR@Gr/Cu-Ag) were examined by different techniques including Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-Vis spectrophotometer and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results showed that the ZNR has been good cover by five layers of graphene and decorated with Ag and Cu NPs with particles size of about 10-15 nm. The ZNR@Gr/Cu-Ag nanocomposites exhibit high absorption behavior in ultraviolet (UV) region of spectrum. In comparison with ZNR, the ZNR@Gr/Cu-Ag nanocomposites reveal superior absorption in the entire region of 387–1000 nm. Moreover, the band gap decreases from 3.2 eV of ZNR to 1.2 eV for ZNR@Gr/Cu-Ag nanocomposites. Taking into account the superiority of ZNR@Gr/Cu-Ag nanocomposites in terms of easy fabrication, low cost method, and environmental friendliness which made it favorable for huge-scale preparation in many applications such as water splitting, sensor, solar cell, antibacterial and optoelectronic devices.
This study aimed to explore whether green synthesized copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) can function as an anti-biofilm agent produced by P. mirabilis. The nanoparticles were synthesized from cells free extract of P. mirabilis. Characterization of biosynthesized copper nanoparticles was carried out to determine the chemical and physical properties of the product using atomic-force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-visible spectroscopy. The hexagonal structure was confirmed by XRD, size range was marked 13-19nm by TEM. FESEM was used to confirm the surface morphology. AFM analysis was used to reveal the roughne
... Show MoreIn this study a composite materials were prepared containing matrix of polymer blend (Epoxy (EP) 90% + unsaturated polyester (UPS) 10%), (Epoxy (EP) 80% + unsaturated polyester (UPS) 20%), reinforced with Kevlar (K) or, and iron woven (Fe) with one value of volume fraction (30) %. This composite are from: (EP 90%, UPE 10% +K), (EP 90%, UPE 10% +K+Fe), (EP 80%, UPE 20% +K), (EP 80%, UPE 20% +K+Fe). All samples were prepared using hand layup method and then impact test was done in both normal condition and after immersion in tap water for the same period time (eight weeks) also diffusion test was done for period's time (three months). The results showed that had been effected differently after immersion, but specimen (EP80%+UPS20%+K+Fe) ha
... Show MoreLeishmaniasis is an endemic disease in Iraq, where both forms of the disease, cutaneous and visceral, are found. The effect of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with mean particle size less than 100 nanometer (nm) on viability and growth rate of Leishmania donovani promastigotes was evaluated. The anti-leishmanial activity of different concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 μg/ml) of ZnO NPs was investigated on promastigotes growth rates and viability in comparison to promastigotes exposed to the same concentrations of sodium stibogluconate (Sb) (pentostam).The inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of ZnO NPs were calculated after 24 , 48 and 72 hr which were (0.871, 0.156 and 0.120 μg/ml) respectively with significant (p< 0.05
... Show MoreBentonite is widely used in industrial applications. The present study reports the effect of adding different weights of ZnO to the Iraqi bentonite, on surface area, pore volume and real density. These surface properties were evaluated for pure and modified bentonite. The modification was made by adding different ZnO weights such as; ( 0.5%, 1%, 5%, 10% ). The effect of heat exposing for all modified clay samples at 500 ?C have been also evaluated. The results show that the addition of 0.5% ZnO leads to increase the surface area percentage about 36%, increase pore volume percentage about 5.48% and increase the real density percentage about 27.116%. When the samples exposed to 500 ?C, their surface area and pore volumes have been decreased a
... Show MoreThe aim of this study was to evaluate the biological importance of the magnitude of oxidative stress, antioxidant and the levels of nitric oxide (NO) in the female patients infected with Toxoplasma gondii by analyzing the levels of erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA) as an indicator for the oxidative stress and erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) level as indicator for the antioxidant status and serum nitric oxide levels. This prospective study was conducted on fifty female patients with toxoplasmosis and thirty normal healthy females of comparable age and sex were considered as normal control. A statistically significant difference was found between patients and control group in terms of MDA, GSH and NO levels. A decrease i
... Show MoreNanostructured Al2O3has been applied as a protective coating against corrosion of the carbon steel (C.S) in seawater environment (3.5% NaCl) at temperatures range (298-328)K. Aluminananoparticles were deposited on carbon steel substrates by cathodic electrophoretic deposition (EPD) with ethanol as suspension medium and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as polymeric charging agent. Meanwhile, thesurface morphology was examined using Atomic-force microscopy (AFM). The cross-section AFM showed that the particles sizes for the Al2O3 NPs is around 60-80 nm. The anticorrosion behaviour of coated C.S was investigated in 3.5% NaCl at temperature range 298-328 K by potentiodynamic polarization measurements. Results show that using PAA in suspension coat incr
... Show MoreZinc oxide films (ZnO) are prepared by an electrolysis technique and without vacuum and then annealed atvarious temperatures (300,400,500)OC for an hour. The structural analysis performed by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) shows,dominant orientation of this films is plane (101), has a hexagonal structure and polycrystalline pattern and it was is found that the crystal size increases(24,29) nm at annealing temperatures (300, 400)° C, but the crystal size decreases to (20 nm) at annealing temperature (500 ° C). As the results of a surface nature study of these films showed by examining the atomic force microscope (AFM), the grain size increases from (60.79 to 88.11) nm, and the surface roughnes
... Show MoreThe optical energy gap and optical constants such as the reflective index, dielectric constant have been evaluated due to The optical transmission and UV-VIS absorption spectra have been recorded in the wavelength (200 - 1100 nm) for PVA/PANI polymer blends and PVA/PANI/ZnO nanocomposites with different concentrations of ZnO (0.02, 0.05, 0.07, 0.1and 0.2) wt %. The results indicate that the materials have allowed direct transition. The reflection index and dielectric constant are increase with wavelength