Muhammad Ikram

Bio: Muhammad Ikram is an academic researcher from Government College University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy & Absorption spectroscopy. The author has an hindex of 22, co-authored 120 publications receiving 1317 citations. Previous affiliations of Muhammad Ikram include Bahauddin Zakariya University & University of the Punjab.

Green Synthesized Phytochemically ( Zingiber officinale and Allium sativum ) Reduced Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles Confirmed Bactericidal and Catalytic Potential

Abstract: Phyto-synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) having reduced chemical toxicity have been focused globally and become essential component of nanotechnology recently. We prepared green phytochemically (ginger and garlic) reduced NiO-NPs to replace synthetic bactericidal and catalytic agent in textile industry. NPs were characterized using ultra-violet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The synthesis of NPs was confirmed by XRD and UV-Vis having strong absorption at 350 nm with size ranged between 16–52 nm for ginger and 11–59 nm for garlic. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy confirmed pleomorphism with cubic- and more spherical-shaped NPs. Moreover, exact quantities of garlic and ginger extracts (1:3.6 ml) incorporated to synthesize NiO-NPs have been successfully confirmed by FTIR. Phytochemically reduced NPs by garlic presented enhanced bactericidal activity against multiple drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at increasing concentrations (0.5, 1.0 mg/50 μl) and also degraded methylene blue (MB) dye efficiently. Conclusively, green synthesized NiO-NPs are impending activists to resolve drug resistance as well as environment friendly catalytic agent that may be opted at industrial scale.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Silver Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) Nanoflakes with Effective Photocatalytic Activity for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract: Graphene oxide (GO) was obtained through modified hummers method, and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was acquired by employing heat treatment. Various concentrations (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt. %) of silver (Ag) were incorporated in GO nanosheets by adopting hydrothermal approach. Synthesized Ag decorated rGO photocatalyst Ag/rGO was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine phase purity and crystal structure. XRD patterns showed the formation of GO to Ag/rGO. Molecular vibration and functional groups were determined through Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Optical properties and a decrease in bandgap with insertion of Ag were confirmed with UV-Visible (Uv-Vis) spectrophotometer and photoluminescence (PL). Electronic properties and disorders in carbon structures were investigated through Raman spectroscopy that revealed the existence of characteristic bands (D and G). Surface morphology of prepared samples was examined with field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Homogeneous distribution, size, and spherical shape of Ag NPs over rGO sheets were further confirmed with the help of high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM). Dye degradation of doped and undoped samples was examined through Uv-Vis spectra. Experimental results indicated that photocatalytic activity of Ag@rGO enhanced with increased doping ratio owing to diminished electron-hole pair recombination. Therefore, it is suggested that Ag@rGO can be used as a beneficial and superior photocatalyst to clean environment and wastewater.

Enhanced industrial dye degradation using Co doped in chemically exfoliated MoS 2 nanosheets

Abstract: Cobalt concentrations of 7.5 and 10 wt% were incorporated in chemically exfoliated molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets using hydrothermal route. Various characterization techniques were employed to evaluate the Co-doped MoS2 for structural, physiochemical, optical, and morphological properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique confirmed the increase in crystallinity and crystallite size with doping ratios. The presence of functional groups and vibrational characteristic peak of Mo–O was determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) micrographs showed surface morphology and interlayer spacing. Absorption spectra and bandgap energy decreased with conjugation of Co ascribed to quantum confinement and edge effects as investigated using UV–visible spectroscopy. Thermal properties of prepared samples depicted weight and thermal stability as confirmed by differential scanning calorimeter and thermogravimetric analysis (DSC-TGA). Photoluminescence (PL) spectra confirmed the presence of doped species and revealed the growth of MoS2 monolayer. Dye degradation of doped and undoped MoS2 was tested in the presence of catalyst sodium borohydride (NaBH4) and it was observed that the methylene blue (MB) removal process increased with doping concentration. These nanocatalysts may prove useful in the removal of industrial contaminants, especially leather, and tanneries pollutants.

Quantitative Analysis of Culture Using Millions of Digitized Books

Abstract: L'article, publie dans Science, sur une des premieres utilisations analytiques de Google Books, fondee sur les n-grammes (Google Ngrams) We constructed a corpus of digitized texts containing about 4% of all books ever printed. Analysis of this corpus enables us to investigate cultural trends quantitatively. We survey the vast terrain of "culturomics", focusing on linguistic and cultural phenomena that were reflected in the English language between 1800 and 2000. We show how this approach can ...

Recent Advances, Design Guidelines, and Prospects of All-Polymer Solar Cells.

Abstract: All-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) consisting of polymer donors (PDs) and polymer acceptors (PAs) have drawn tremendous research interest in recent years. It is due to not only their tunable optical, electrochemical, and structural properties, but also many superior features that are not readily available in conventional polymer-fullerene solar cells (fullerene-PSCs) including long-term stability, synthetic accessibility, and excellent film-forming properties suitable for large-scale manufacturing. Recent breakthroughs in material design and device engineering have driven the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of all-PSCs exceeding 11%, which is comparable to the performance of fullerene-PSCs. Furthermore, outstanding mechanical durability and stretchability have been reported for all-PSCs, which make them stand out from the other small molecule-based PSCs as a promising power supplier for wearable electronic devices. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the important work in all-PSCs, in which pertinent examples are deliberately chosen. First, we describe the key components that enabled the recent progresses of all-PSCs including rational design rules for efficient PDs and PAs, blend morphology control, and light harvesting engineering. We also review the recent work on the understanding of the stability of all-PSCs under various external conditions, which highlights the importance of all-PSCs for future implementation and commercialization. Finally, because all-PSCs have not yet achieved their full potential and are still undergoing rapid development, we offer our views on the current challenges and future prospects.