Nanotechnology is a promising field of interdisciplinary research. It opens up a wide array of opportunities in various fields like medicine, pharmaceuticals, electronics and agriculture. The potential uses and benefits of nanotechnology are enormous. The current global population is nearly 7 */billion with 50% living in Asia. A large proportion of those living in developing countries face daily food shortages as a result of environmental impacts or political instability, while in the developed world there is surplus of food. For developing countries, the drive is to develop drought and pest resistant crops, which also maximize yield. The potential of nanotechnology to revolutionise the health care, textile, materials, information and communication technology, and energy sectors has been well publicized. The application of nanotechnology to agriculture and food industries is also getting attention nowadays. Investments in agriculture and food nanotechnologies carry increasing weight because their potential benefits range from improved food quality and safety to reduced agricultural inputs and improved processing and nutrition. While most investment is made primarily in developed countries, research advancements provide glimpses of potential applications in agricultural, food, and water safety that could have significant impacts on rural populations in developing countries. This review is concentrated on modern strategies used for the management of water, pesticides, limitations in the use of chemical pesticides and potential of nano-materials in sustainable agriculture management as modern approaches of nanotechnology. 
 
   
 
 Key words: Agriculture, nanotechnology, nanofertilizer, nanoencapsulation, nanoherbicides.

Nanotechnology in sustainable agriculture: Present concerns and future aspects

Application of Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm model at the solid/solution interface: A theoretical analysis

Recently, research on novel and low cost batteries has been widely conducted to realize large-scale energy storage systems. However, few of the battery systems have delivered performance equal to that of Li-ion batteries. Herein, we propose non-aqueous K-ion batteries by developing hexacyanoferrate(II) compounds (so-called Prussian blue analogues), K1.75Mn[FeII(CN)6]0.93·0.16H2O and K1.64Fe[FeII(CN)6]0.89·0.15H2O, as affordable positive electrode materials. In particular, K1.75Mn[FeII(CN)6]0.93·0.16H2O prepared by a simple precipitation process delivers a high capacity of 141 mA h g−1 at 3.8 V as the average operating potential, resulting in a comparable energy density to that of LiCoO2, with excellent cyclability and rate performance in K half-cells. Operando X-ray diffraction measurements reveal that the excellent electrochemical performance of this material is attributed to its open and flexible framework, which can realize fully reversible K+ extraction/insertion and a structural change from monoclinic to tetragonal via cubic phases. For the first time, we demonstrate an inexpensive high-voltage K-ion full cell with a K1.75Mn[Fe(CN)6]0.93·0.16H2O/graphite configuration to prove its feasibility as a new promising battery system for an environmentally friendly future.

A Novel K-Ion Battery; Hexacyanoferrate(II)/Graphite Cell

We aimed to obtain magnesium/iron (Mg/Fe)-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) nanoparticles-immobilized on waste foundry sand-a byproduct of the metal casting industry. XRD and FT-IR tests were applied to characterize the prepared sorbent. The results revealed that a new peak reflected LDHs nanoparticles. In addition, SEM-EDS mapping confirmed that the coating process was appropriate. Sorption tests for the interaction of this sorbent with an aqueous solution contaminated with Congo red dye revealed the efficacy of this material where the maximum adsorption capacity reached approximately 9127.08 mg/g. The pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models helped to describe the sorption measurements, indicating that the physical and chemical forces governed the removal process.

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Waste foundry sand/MgFe-layered double hydroxides composite material for efficient removal of Congo red dye from aqueous solution.

https://krishi.icar.gov.in/jspui/bitstream/123456789/28481/1/Nanotherapy_BIOPHA_2017.pdf

Nanotherapeutics: An insight into healthcare and multi-dimensional applications in medical sector of the modern world

This study investigated the performance of fluoride adsorption onto a specific tetrametallic oxide adsorbent Fe–Al–Ce-Ni (FACN) and the effect of temperature on adsorption performance. The adsorption performance was determined by adsorption equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamic parameters. The adsorption, kinetic, and thermodynamic parameters were compared alternatively. The fluoride adsorption capacity was obtained from four different adsorption isotherm models, namely, Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R), and Freundlich was found to best fit model. Fluoride removal rate using adsorption (0.27 min–1) was obtained faster than reactive adsorption (0.04 min–1). Several thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, entropy (ΔS > 0), and adsorption activation energy were calculated which demonstrated the feasibility and spontaneity (ΔG < 0) and exothermic nature of (ΔH < 0) the fluoride adsorption process. The adsorption process was controlled by a physical mechanis...

Adsorption Equilibrium, Kinetics, and Thermodynamic Studies of Fluoride Adsorbed by Tetrametallic Oxide Adsorbent

Comparative kinetics and thermodynamic studies of fluoride adsorption by two novel synthesized biopolymer composites.

Biopolymer scaffold of pectin and alginate for the application of health hazardous fluoride removal studies by equilibrium adsorption, kinetics and thermodynamics

This research details the synthesis and application of a novel pectin–hydroxyapatite (PHAp) composite for fluoride (F–) adsorption from aqueous solutions. To determine the efficiency of the adsorpt...

Cubical-Shaped Rods of Pectin-Hydroxyapatite Composite for Adsorption Studies of Fluoride by Statistical Method and Adsorption Experiments.

In this study, novel adsorbent ceria nanoparticles (CeNPs) entrapped in tamarind powder (Tm@CeNPs) were efficiently utilized for the simultaneous adsorption of aqueous mercury [Hg(II)] and aqueous lead [Pb(II)]. Surface interactions between the adsorbent and heavy metal ions play an important role in the adsorption process, and the surface morphology can significantly improve the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent. The Langmuir adsorption capacity of Tm@CeNPs for Hg(II) and Pb(II) was found to be 200 and 142.85 mg/g, respectively. The surface area of utilized adsorbent was found to be very high, that is, 412 m2/g. The adsorption kinetics of Tm@CeNPs for both ions follow pseudo-second-order, and the adsorption process is also thermodynamically feasible. Column study favors multilayer adsorption of the heavy metal ion. The spectral analysis of the adsorbent revealed that hydroxyl, carboxylic, and ester groups, as well as CeNPs, are responsible for Hg(II) and Pb(II) adsorption. The cost-benefit analysis confirms the economic viability of the synthesized Tm@CeNPs composite for heavy metal removal. The adsorbent is best suited for Hg(II) adsorption as compared to Pb(II). This is a novel study on the utilization of tamarind leaf powder with CeNPs for heavy metal ion adsorption and its adsorption mechanism, which has not been reported to date.

Sapna Raghav

Papers

Adsorption Equilibrium, Kinetics, and Thermodynamic Studies of Fluoride Adsorbed by Tetrametallic Oxide Adsorbent

Comparative kinetics and thermodynamic studies of fluoride adsorption by two novel synthesized biopolymer composites.

Biopolymer scaffold of pectin and alginate for the application of health hazardous fluoride removal studies by equilibrium adsorption, kinetics and thermodynamics

Cubical-Shaped Rods of Pectin-Hydroxyapatite Composite for Adsorption Studies of Fluoride by Statistical Method and Adsorption Experiments.

Kinetics and Adsorption Studies of Mercury and Lead by Ceria Nanoparticles Entrapped in Tamarind Powder.