Microwave mediated synthesis and characterization of CeO2-GO hybrid composite for removal of chromium ions and its antibacterial efficiency

A facile fabrication and processing of cerium oxide-graphene oxide(CeO_2-GO) hybrid nanocomposites without the use of any surfactant or any organic solvents using chemical method and treatment with microwave irradiation technique are reported. In-situ hexagonal nano cerium oxide particles embedded on the layered surface of GO sheets were investigated for the photodegradation of dyes, removal of chromium Cr(VI) ions and against antibacterial studies. The results imply that hybrid nanocomposites shows enhanced 5-folds of photocatalytic activities in UV(ultraviolet) light irradiation and exhibited rapid efficiency in the elimination of chromium ion better than the pure GO and CeO_2, which are inhibited by competent photosensitive electron inoculation and controlling the electron–hole recombination. The synergetic effect of CeO_2-GO composites played a vital role in showing better results against model bacterium than GO and CeO_2 are due to higher physical interaction endorsed to the stress of membranes acute by piercing edges,large surface area, and higher adsorptive conditions of graphene oxide sheets tailored with ceria particles. The amount of charge transferred at the interface increases with the concentration of O atoms, demonstrating the interaction between CeO_2 and GO is much stronger than CeO_2 and GO are due to the decrease of the average equilibrium distance between the interfaces. The CeO_2-GO interface staggered band alignments existing between the CeO_2 surfaces and GO which shows an excellent synergism. The structure and morphology of composites were tested by X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier transform infrared(FTIR), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscope(HR-TEM).     

Physico-chemical characteristics of water samples of Bantwal Taluk, south-western Karnataka, India

Quality of water is an important criterion for evaluating the suitability of water for irrigation and drinking. In the present study the analysis of water samples from different sources like open wells, bore wells, farm ponds and streams/rivers of twenty villages of Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, South-western Kamataka has been carried out. The physico-chemical characteristics of this water showed that it is suitable for irrigation and agricultural purposes.