CuO–TiO_(2) based self-powered broad band photodetector

An efficient room-temperature self-powered,broadband(300 nm–1100 nm)photodetector based on a CuO–TiO_(2)/TiO_(2)/p-Si(100)heterostructure is demonstrated.The CuO–TiO_(2)nanocomposites were grown in a two-zone horizontal tube furnace on a 40 nm TiO_(2)thin film deposited on a p-type Si(100)substrate.The CuO–TiO_(2)/TiO_(2)/p-Si(100)devices exhibited excellent rectification characteristics under dark and individual photoillumination conditions.The devices showed remarkable photo-response under broadband(300–1100 nm)light illumination at zero bias voltage,indicating the achievement of highly sensitive self-powered photodetectors at visible and near-infrared light illuminations.The maximum response of the devices is observed at 300 nm for an illumination power of 10 W.The response and recovery times were calculated as 86 ms and 78 ms,respectively.Moreover,under a small bias,the devices showed a prompt binary response by altering the current from positive to negative under illumination conditions.The main reason behind this binary response is the low turn-on voltage and photovoltaic characteristics of the devices.Under illumination conditions,the generation of photocurrent is due to the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs within the built-in electric field at the CuO–TiO_(2)/TiO_(2)interface.These characteristics make the CuO–TiO_(2)/TiO_(2)broadband photodetectors suitable for applications that require high response speeds and self-sufficient functionality.

Antibacterial activities and corrosion behavior of novel PEO/nanostructured ZrO_2 coating on Mg alloy

Plasma electrolytic oxidation（PEO） was developed as a bond coat for air plasma sprayed（APS） nanostructure ZrO2 as top coat to enhance the corrosion resistance and antibacterial activity of Mg alloy. Corrosion behavior and antibacterial activities of coated and uncoated samples were assessed by electrochemical tests and agar diffusion method toward Escherichia coli（E. coli） bacterial pathogens, respectively. The lowest corrosion current density and the highest charge transfer resistance, phase angle and impedance modulus were observed for PEO/nano-ZrO2 coated sample compared with those of PEO coated and bare Mg alloys. Nano-ZrO2 top coat which has completely sealed PEO bond coat is able to considerably delay aggressive ions transportation towards Mg alloy surface and significantly enhances corrosion resistance of Mg alloy in simulated body fluid（SBF） solution. Moreover, higher antibacterial activity was also observed in PEO/nano-ZrO2 coating against bacterial strains than that of the PEO coated and bare Mg alloys. This observation was attributed to the presence of ZrO2 nanoparticles which decelerate E. coli growth as a result of E. coli membranes.

Co-inoculation of indigenous Pseudomonas oryzihabitans and Bradyrhizobium sp.modulates the growth,symbiotic efficacy,nutrient acquisition,and grain yield of soybean

Soil microbes play a vital role in improving plant growth,crop productivity,and soil health through solubilization of essential nutrients.Present investigation was conducted to access the efficacy of Bradyrhizobium sp.LSBR-3 and the indigenous phosphate-solubilizing Pseudomonas oryzihabitans LSE-3 in improving the symbiosis,nutrient accumulation,and yield of soybean.The isolate LSE-3,selected on the basis of phosphate solubilization,was screened for beneficial traits,antagonistic activities,and pathogenicity.The levels of indole acetic acid production(50.34±2.35μg mL^(-1)),phosphate solubilization(184.4±7.4 mg L^(-1)),biofilm formation(optical density at 560 mm,1.3896±0.04),siderophore production(121.46±1.61μg mL^(-1)),and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity(0.51±0.07 mmolα-ketobutyrateμg^(-1) protein h^(-1))were significantly higher with the dual inoculants(LSBR-3 and LSE-3)than with the single inoculant LSBR-3.The plant growth-promoting traits of single and dual inoculants were evaluated for the synergistic effects on soybean under field conditions.Soybean plots treated with LSBR-3+LSE-3 exhibited improvement in seed germination,plant height,plant biomass,and chlorophyll content compared with the uninoculated control.Dual inoculant treatments resulted in significantly higher symbiotic efficacy evidenced by increased nodulation(40.0±0.75 plant^(-1)),nodule biomass(188.52±6.29 mg plant^(-1)),and leghemoglobin content(11.02±0.83 mg g^(-1) fresh nodule),and significantly increased activities of phosphatase(75.16±3.17 and 58.77±6.08μg p-nitrophenol g^(-1) h^(-1) for alkaline and acid phosphatase,respectively)and dehydrogenase(32.66±1.92μg triphenylformazan g^(-1) h^(-1))compared with the control.Dual inoculation with LSBR-3 and LSE-3 enhanced the uptake of macro-and micronutrients,reduced Na content in shoots,and resulted in 10.85%higher grain yield and ca.US$96.80 ha^(-1) higher profit compared with the control.This is the first report on the effectiveness of combined inoculation of LSE-3 and LSBR-3 in promoting the growth,symbiotic efficacy,and yield of soybean for sustainable agriculture.