Long term testing of Microbial Fuel Cells: Comparison of different anode materials.

This paper focuses on the long term operation and testing of three Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) having three different anode materials: commercial carbon felt (C-FELT), polyaniline-deposited carbon felt (C-PANI) and carbon-coated Berl saddles (C-SADDLES). A mixed consortium from seawater was used as inoculum and acetate was used as substrate. Tests were conducted for four months under 1000Ω external load. The maximum power generation was obtained by C-SADDLES (102mWm(-2)) followed by C-FELT and C-PANI, respectively. A similar trend was obtained with the evaluation of electrical energy produced: C-SADDLES (2222J), C-PANI (2183J) and C-FELT (2114J). However, the performance of C-PANI decreased over time, most evidently due to degradation or deactivation of deposited polyaniline by the microorganisms' activity. These results provide evidence that the three-dimensional structure, C-SADDLES, offers excellent biocompatibility, high specific surface area, high conductivity and most importantly these properties are maintained for a long period of time.

Bioactive compound synthesis of Ag nanoparticles from leaves of Melia azedarach and its control for mosquito larvae.

Larvicidal activity of synthesized Ag nanoparticles using 2,7.bis[2-[diethylamino]-ethoxy]fluorence isolate from the Melia azedarach leaves against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Six fractions were collected and concentrated, fraction three showed a single spot on TLC which was found to be a pure compound. The structures were elucidated by analyses of UV, MS, and NMR spectral data. The maximum mortality was fluorence against A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus (LC50 = 7.94, LC90 = 23.82 ppm and LC50 = 13.58 and LC90 = 40.03 ppm). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized and confirmed as Ag nanoparticles by using UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD and HRTEM analysis. The maximum activity was observed in synthesized AgNPs against A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus (LC50 = 4.27 and 3.43 µg/mL; LC90 = 12.61 and 10.29 µg/mL). Rephrase test was studied to analyze the toxicological effects of Mesocyclops pehpeiensis for 24 h at synthesized AgNPs. This method is considered as an innovative alternative approach that can be used to control mosquitoes.

Efficient phyto-synthesis and structural characterization of rutile TiO2 nanoparticles using Annona squamosa peel extract.

In the present study, the biosynthesis of rutile TiO(2) nanoparticles (TiO(2) NPs) was achieved by a novel, biodegradable and convenient procedure using fruit peel Annona squamosa aqueous extract. This is the first report on the new, simple, rapid, eco-friendly and cheaper methods for the synthesis of rutile TiO(2) NPs at lower temperature using agricultural waste. Rutile TiO(2) NPs were characterized by UV, XRD, SEM, TEM and EDS studies. The UV-Vis spectrophotometer results were promising and showed a rapid production of TiO(2) NPs with a surface plasmon resonance occurring at 284 nm. The formation of the TiO(2) NPs as observed from the XRD spectrum is confirmed to be TiO(2) particles in the rutile form as evidenced by the peaks at 2θ=27.42°, 36.10°, 41.30° and 54.33° when compared with the literature. The TEM images showed polydisperse nanoparticles with spherical shapes and size 23±2 nm ranges.

Fungus-mediated biosynthesis and characterization of TiO2 nanoparticles and their activity against pathogenic bacteria.

In the present study, the biosynthesis of TiO(2) nanoparticles (TiO(2) NPs) was achieved by a novel, biodegradable and convenient procedure using Aspergillus flavus as a reducing and capping agent. Research on new, simple, rapid, eco-friendly and cheaper methods has been initiated. TiO(2) NPs were characterized by FTIR, XRD, AFM, SEM and TEM studies. The X-ray diffraction showed the presence of increased amount of TiO(2) NPs which can state by the presence of peaks at rutile peaks at 100, 002, 100 and anatase forms at 101 respectively. SEM observations revealed that synthesized TiO(2) NPs were spherical, oval in shape; individual nanoparticles as well as a few aggregate having the size of 62-74 nm. AFM shows crystallization temperature was seen on the roughness of the surface of TiO(2). The Minimum inhibitory concentration value for the synthesized TiO(2) NPs was found to be 40 µg ml(-1) for Escherichia coli, which was corresponding to the value of well diffusion test. This is the first report on antimicrobial activity of fungus-mediated synthesized TiO(2) NPs, which was proved to be a good novel antibacterial material.