http://ore.immt.res.in/handle/2018/4 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 14:15:32 GMT 2026-04-04T14:15:32Z http://ore.immt.res.in/handle/2018/3931 Multifunctional Superwetting Sea-Urchin-Mimetic Nanosheet-Based Interface for Remote Oil-Water Separation Ghadei, S. K.; Bhaskaran, M.; Sriram, S.; Sakthivel, R.; Rahman, M. A. Rapid and large-scale oil spill remediation remains an urgent environmental and technological challenge. Here, we present a transformative, multifunctional bio-inspired platform for on-site, remotely actuated, and contactless oil-water separation that integrates an advanced membrane with electronics deployment. Here, we present a sea-urchin-mimetic, fluorine/silane-free composite that enables remote, on-site oil-water separation through molecular-level modulation of surface energy and hierarchical roughness through micro/nano structures. The architecture integrates oleic acid-functionalized barium carbonate (FBC) with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets, where FBC introduces polar-nonpolar asymmetry and spine-like protrusions, while rGO contributes ultra-low surface energy and electron-delocalized reinforcement. This dual design stabilizes a metastable Cassie-Baxter state by coupling air entrapment with pi-pi-driven energy minimization at the solid-liquid interface, resulting in extreme water repellency (WCA > 150 degrees) and instantaneous oil affinity (OCA approximate to 0 degrees). The coating exhibits exceptional corrosion inhibition (>90%) in simulated seawater, self-cleaning against complex biofluids and beverages, and high-capacity oil uptake (15-65 g/g) with >97% efficiency and recyclability after repeated use. Integrated into a dolphin-inspired, Wi-Fi-controlled mini-bot system, this material enables remotely controlled, contactless oil recovery, establishing a new paradigm in adaptive, non-messy, hazard-free oil-spill remediation in contaminated zones. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://ore.immt.res.in/handle/2018/3931 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ore.immt.res.in/handle/2018/3930 High optical transparency, electrical conductivity and NO2 gas response of spray pyrolytic fluorine doped ZnO thin films Pradhan, A.; Sahoo, B.; Sankaran, K. J.; Sharma, R. R.; Padvi, M. N.; Sheikh, A. D.; Rout, S.; Behera, D. Fluorine doped zinc oxide (FZO) thin films with doping concentration in the range 0-20 at.% were prepared by following a simple thin film deposition process like spray pyrolysis. Optimum electrical properties [Conductivity 22.12 S.cm(-1), Carrier concentration 1.637 x 10(17) cm(-3), Carrier mobility 8.446 x 10(2) cm(2)/Vs] with high optical transparency (> 80% at 550 nm) was obtained for 15 at.% F-doping concentration, measured at room temperature (similar to 27 degrees C). The sample (15 at.% FZO thin film) demonstrated superior NO2 gas sensing ability compared to undoped ZnO. The gas response was found to be similar to 10 times better to NO2 gas (40 ppm in air) with lowering of operating temperature from 200 degrees C to 150 degrees C. It also showed better selectivity towards NO2 gas than C3H6O, NH3, CO2, LPG and SO2. Formation of larger crystallites and orientation along (002) direction was favoured as found from XRD analysis. XPS analysis revealed increase of oxygen-defect site binding energy by similar to 0.76 eV, while decrease of Zn 2p(3/2) and Zn 2p(1/2) binding energies by similar to 0.16 eV. This indicated the change in chemical environment around zinc and oxygen ions, as expected owing to difference of oxidation state and electronegativity between oxygen and fluorine. The optical bandgap of ZnO increased from 3.11 eV (for undoped case) with F-doping and found optimum (3.20 eV) at 15 at.% doping level. FESEM micrographs depicted merger of grains, having a positive impact on electrical conductivity. Water contact angle measurement indicated better hydrophobic nature of the FZO thin film. These results proved effectiveness of FZO thin films as NO2 gas sensor and also indicate the possibility of preparation of a low-cost TCO material by spray pyrolysis technique. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://ore.immt.res.in/handle/2018/3930 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ore.immt.res.in/handle/2018/3928 Exposure assessment of respirable free silica in coal mining areas Yadav, M.; Singh, N. K.; Saha, S. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified free silica/quartz as a Group 1 carcinogen, indicating sufficient evidence of its carcinogenicity in humans. In the present study, suspended particulate matter (SPM), respirable dust (PM10), and free silica content in dust were assessed to determine the associated exposure risk in three mega coal mines (Bharatpur, Kaniha, and Lingaraj OCP) located in the Talcher Coalfield, Odisha, India. The respirable dust samples collected on filter paper were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) to characterize their composition and morphology. The highest concentrations of SPM and PM10 were observed at Bharatpur OCP, with mean values of 394 & micro;g/m3 and 136 & micro;g/m3, respectively. In contrast, Kaniha OCP exhibited slightly lower concentrations of SPM and higher concentrations of PM10, with mean values of 230 & micro;g/m3 and 193 & micro;g/m3, respectively. When compared with Bharatpur OCP, the highest concentration of free silica was observed at Kaniha OCP, with values ranging from 5.94 to 114.89 & micro;g/m3 and a mean concentration of 41.59 & micro;g/m3. The health risk assessment, conducted using USEPA methodology, indicates that Kaniha OCP poses the highest risks of exposure to respirable silica, with both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic outcomes, followed by Bharatpur OCP. In contrast, the Lingaraj OCP exhibited comparatively lower health risk levels. The SEM/EDS analysis revealed clear evidence of respirable free silica particles at all three mining sites. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://ore.immt.res.in/handle/2018/3928 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ore.immt.res.in/handle/2018/3927 Co-Catalyst Free Efficient Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Using Facet-Engineered Polyhedral CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals Biswas, S.; Mishra, R. P.; Satra, J.; Sewak, R.; Rath, J.; Mondal, A.; Chaudhary, Y. S.; Mishra, N. In the quest for efficient photocatalysts, cancrystal shape engineering outperform size reduction in enhancing photocatalytic performance? This is investigated using CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals (PNC) by comparing conventional amine-capped, 6-facet cubic morphology with newly developed 26-facet polyhedral nanocrystals synthesized via an amine-free approach. Surprisingly, the larger polyhedral PNCs are far better at converting CO2 into CO, despite their lower surface-to-volume ratio than the 6-facet cubic PNCs. They achieve a total CO yield of 394 mu mol g(-1) with a conversion rate of 35.81 mu mol g(-1) h(-1) without any help from extra co-catalysts. To the best of the author's knowledge, this represents the highest reported CO evolution rate using 3-dimensional PNCs as the sole photocatalyst, with performance comparable to or exceeding systems employing co-catalysts. This enhanced activity arises from longer excited-state lifetimes, improved charge transport, larger electrochemical surface area (ECSA), and a higher density of charge carriers, as confirmed by optical and electrochemical studies. Computational studies show that some specific facets of this polyhedra bind CO2 molecules more strongly and provide the optimized binding energy to efficiently release the final product(CO). With excellent 12-h stability, these shape-controlled nanocrystals enable a pathway toward sustainable energy technology applications worldwide. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://ore.immt.res.in/handle/2018/3927 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z