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Pure ZnO and Al-doped ZnO nanomaterial have been successfully fabricated using zinc acetate dihydrate in a basic aqueous solution of KOH through solution precipitation method then treated at 600°C in air. The XRD analysis confirms the Wurtzite hexagonal crystal structure of the product with crystallite size in 32-53 nm range. The morphology of the product has been studied under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyses were used to investigate thermal decomposition temperature and different phase transitions up to 800°C. The optical properties and variation in band gap of ZnO by Al doping were investigated by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy.

The aggregation of CuS nanoparticles during synthesis by a hassle-free aqueous route under microwave irradiation gave remarkable spherical shape, utilizing Cu(CH 3 COO) 2 ÁH 2 O as the source of copper and Na 2 S 2 O 3 Á5H 2 O, as sulfur source; these materials were used without assistance of any surfactant or template. An X-ray powder diffraction pattern proved that the product is hexagonal CuS phase. The morphologies of the product were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Thermal behavior, different solid state, and chemical conversion in CuS with respect to temperature were studied by DSC/TGA, which confirmed the thermal oxidation of CuS and its conversion into CuO then to Cu 2 O.

In a low energy (2.3 kJ) Mather-type plasma focus with stainless steel anode, neutron and x-ray emission is investigated by employing time-integrated and time resolved detectors. A neutron yield of 3.5 × 108 is observed, which is almost double the yield when a copper anode is used. It is speculated that a low sputtering yield of the anode material lowers the impurity concentration in the plasma and thus enhances the neutron yield. One may therefore conclude that a proper choice of electrode material is essential to achieve enhanced radiation yield from plasma focus devices. At a pressure of 2.0 mbar, the neutron yield is found to be the highest and almost isotropic. Further, multiple foci are also observed. The neutron fluence isotropy and the high yield are attributed to trapping of magnetic flux lines and of energetic deuterons between the two current sheaths.

This is a vital extension of our previously published work. Thermo-responsive copolymer coated superparamagnetic MnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles are tested for cell viability and affinity on HeLa carcinoma cells under different conditions. Nanoparticles were loaded with anticancer drug doxorubicin. Composite nanoparticles of average diameter 45 nm were of core-shell structure having magnetic core of about 18 nm. Magnetic hyperthermia effects on cell viability and drug delivery were studied by exposing the cell suspension to high frequency magnetic field, and living cells were quantified using MTT method. There was almost absence of drug release at 37°C. Drug was released at temperatures above lower critical solution temperature (LCST) by magnetic heating. LCST of the thermo-responsive copolymer was observed to be around 39°C. Below this temperature, copolymer was hydrophilic and swelled. But above LCST, copolymer could become hydrophobic, expel water and drug and shrink in volume. Combination of hyperthermia and drug delivery effectively treated cancer cells.