ZnO nanoparticles as efficient sunlight driven photocatalyst prepared by solution combustion method involved lime juice as biofuel.

We have prepared high purity Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) by solution combustion synthesis (SCS) method with the aid of lime juice extract. From powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra, it is observed that the ZnO NPs possess single phase, hexagonal wurzite structure with sharp intense peak at (101) plane, agrees with the planes of SAED pattern. Further, the crystallite size is found to be around 18 nm. UV-Vis analysis shows strong UV absorbance band at 381 nm and PL measurements reveals the presence of strong UV emission at 347 nm along with few weak visible emissions. Optical studies infer the existence of lower recombination rate of electron-hole pair, influence the photocatalytic activity of ZnO. From XPS measurements, presence of oxygen rich states on surface are also confirmed (O 1 s states). The degradation performance and reusability of four different dyes (methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), rhodamine B (RhB), Pararosaniline (PRA)) under UV and sunlight irradiations are carried out to illustrate the photo-catalytic activity in presence of a catalyst like ZnO NPs. Comparatively, about 98.8% of PRA and MB dyes are photodegraded at 90 and 75 min of sunlight irradiation, respectively. Among these two, PRA dye shows maximum degradation performance with shorter irradiation time along with good stability, which can be extend very well to minimize the pollution issues happening in society especially, industrial wastes.

Electron microscopy identification of microsporidia (Enterocytozoon bieneusi) and Cyclospora cayetanensis from stool samples of HIV infected patients.

Microsporidia (Enterocytozoon bieneusi) and Cyclospora cayetanensis have been reported worldwide causing diarrhoea in AIDS patients. Stool samples from HIV infected patients were subjected to routine examination for parasites, followed by special staining techniques to detect microsporidia and Cyclospora cayetanensis. Confirmed positive cases of these parasites were further processed for electron microscopy identity of the parasites and characteristic details. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed better morphological and structural details of the parasites.