Sulfate Monohydrate Research Articles

Does Foliar Zinc Application Boost Leaf Photosynthesis of ‘Wichita’ Pecan Fertigated with Zinc-EDTA?

Many growers fertigating their orchards with zinc–ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Zn-EDTA) are still using supplemental zinc foliar sprays because of a lack of confidence that soil-applied Zn-EDTA is supplying enough Zn to the trees. A field study was conducted in a pecan orchard located near San Simon, AZ, on 8-year-old ‘Wichita’ trees growing in an alkaline, calcareous Vekol loam soil to evaluate the effectiveness of supplemental foliar Zn sprays. All trees were fertigated with 6.0 kg⋅ha–1 Zn in the form of Zn-EDTA in 2018 and 11.0 kg⋅ha–1 Zn in 2019 and did not exhibit visible signs of Zn deficiency. Foliar treatments of 3.75 mL⋅L–1 urea–ammonium nitrate (UAN), 3.6 g⋅L–1 zinc sulfate monohydrate (ZnSO4·H2O), 3.6 g⋅L–1 ZnSO4·H2O with 3.75 mL⋅L–1 UAN, 11 mL⋅L–1 Zn-EDTA, and water alone were applied to individual fruiting shoot terminals of trees on two dates each in 2018 and 2019. Treatments were sprayed directly onto the leaves of the selected terminals. Zn-EDTA was included as a foliar treatment in 2019 only. Leaf photosynthesis was measured to determine the impact of leaf Zn concentrations on plant function. Midday stem water potential (MDSWP) was measured to verify that water stress was not limiting photosynthesis. Both measurements were taken about 2 to 4 weeks after the application of foliar treatments. MDSWP measurements indicated a lack of water stress and therefore no effect on photosynthesis. Leaf samples collected from untreated branches indicated that the average foliar Zn concentration of untreated leaves was 21.3 mg⋅kg–1 in 2018 and 15.7 mg⋅kg–1 in 2019. No differences were observed in photosynthesis rates of treated branches. No additional benefit to leaf photosynthetic function or appearance was observed from spraying Zn on foliage of trees fertigated with Zn-EDTA.

Punicalagin and zinc (II) ions inhibit the activity of SARS-CoV-2 3CL-protease in vitro.

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has now been declared as a worldwide pandemic. Currently, no drugs have been endorsed for its treatment; in this manner, a pressing need has been developed for any antiviral drugs that will treat COVID-19. Coronaviruses require the SARS-CoV-2 3CL-Protease (3CL-protease) for cleavage of its polyprotein to yield a single useful protein and assume a basic role in the disease progression. In this study, we demonstrated that punicalagin, the fundamental active element of pomegranate in addition to the combination of punicalagin with zinc (Zn) II, appear to show powerful inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2. The 3CL protease assay kit was used to quantify 3CL protease action. The tetrazolium dye, MTS, was used to evaluate cytotoxicity. Punicalagin showed inhibitory action against the 3CL-protease in a dose-dependent manner, and IC50 was found to be 6.192 μg/ml for punicalagin. Punicalagin (10 µg/mL) demonstrated a significant inhibitory activity toward 3CL-protease activity (p < 0.001), yet when punicalagin is combined with zinc sulfate monohydrate (punicalagin/Zn-II) extremely strong 3CL-protease activity (p < 0.001) was obtained. The action of 3CL-protease with punicalagin/Zn-II was decreased by approximately 4.4-fold in contrast to only punicalagin (10 µg/mL). Likewise, we did not notice any significant cytotoxicity caused by punicalagin, Zn-II, or punicalagin/Zn-II. We suggest that these compounds could be used as potential antiviral drugs against COVID-19.

Angle-independent plasmonic substrates for multi-mode vibrational strong coupling with molecular thin films

Vibrational strong coupling of molecules to optical cavities based on plasmonic resonances has been explored recently because plasmonic near-fields can provide strong coupling in sub-diffraction limited volumes. Such field localization maximizes coupling strength, which is crucial for modifying the vibrational response of molecules and, thereby, manipulating chemical reactions. Here, we demonstrate an angle-independent plasmonic nanodisk substrate that overcomes limitations of traditional Fabry-Pérot optical cavities because the design can strongly couple with all molecules on the surface of the substrate regardless of molecular orientation. We demonstrate that the plasmonic substrate provides strong coupling with the C=O vibrational stretch of deposited films of PMMA. We also show that the large linewidths of the plasmon resonance allow for simultaneous strong coupling to two, orthogonal water symmetric and asymmetric vibrational modes in a thin film of copper sulfate monohydrate deposited on the substrate surface. A three-coupled-oscillator model is developed to analyze the coupling strength of the plasmon resonance with these two water modes. With precise control over the nanodisk diameter, the plasmon resonance is tuned systematically through the modes, with the Rabi splitting from both modes varying as a function of the plasmon frequency and with strong coupling to both modes achieved simultaneously for a range of diameters. This work may aid further studies into manipulation of the ground-state chemical landscape of molecules by perturbing multiple vibrational modes simultaneously and increasing the coupling strength in sub-diffraction limited volumes.

High levels of copper and zinc supplementation in broiler diets on growth performance, carcase traits and apparent ileal mineral absorption

ABSTRACT 1. This study investigated the effects of hydroxy trace minerals (HTM) compared to sulphate trace minerals (STM) supplementation on growth performance, carcase parameters and mineral retention in broilers. 2. A total of 1792 male Cobb 500 d-old were allocated in a completely randomised trial design to one of eight dietary treatments with eight replicates per treatment. The HTM sources used were two levels of Cu hydroxychloride (CHC) (low and high), combined with three levels of Zn hydroxychloride (ZHC) (low, med and high) and two additional treatments STM; Cu sulphate monohydrate (CSM) (low and high) combined with high Zn sulphate monohydrate (ZSM). At 21 and 42 d-old growth performance was evaluated. Additionally, at 42 d-old the carcase traits, meat quality, apparent ileal absorption and activity of antioxidant enzymes were accessed. 3. A data showed that broilers receiving high-CHC had higher body weight, weight gain and better feed conversion ratio as compared to low-CHC at 21 d-old. On day 42, the feed conversion ratio was improved for birds supplemented with high-CHC in diets containing med-ZHC, as compared to low-CHC. 4. Dietary Cu increased the redness of breast colour at the level of high-CHC compared to low-CHC. Greater results were observed on carcase traits for the med-ZHC group as compared to low- or high-ZHC. The ceruloplasmin activity in serum increased in the high-CSM diets containing high-ZSM as compared to low-CSM. The AIA of Cu was higher in broilers supplemented with high-CHC containing med-ZHC as compared to low-CHC. Otherwise, the AIA of Zn increased in broilers fed low-CHC containing low- or med-ZHC as compared to high-CHC. 5. The trial showed that mineral trace supplementation of broilers diets with high-CHC (150 mg/kg) and low-ZHC (80 mg/kg) was a good alternative to replace sulphate mineral sources in diets.

Nature of the chemical interactions in the multifunctional ionic liquid tris(2-aminothiazolium) hydrogen sulfate sulfate monohydrate

Nature of the chemical bonds and intermolecular interactions in the multifunctional ionic liquid tris(2-aminothiazolium) hydrogen sulfate sulfate monohydrate ([tr(2-AT]+[HSO4]−.SO42−.H2O) are investigated in the current work by means of a density functional theory at B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p) level. For that purpose, detailed structural, natural bond orbital (NBO), Hirshfeld surface (HS) and reduced density gradient (RDG) analyses are employed. In addition, the Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) is applied as well. Structural, NBO and HS analyses showed that the bond lengths in the title compound depend strongly on the intermolecular O···H interactions between amine ((NH)am) and thiazole ((NH)thzl) hydrogen atoms in cationic ([tr(2-AT]+) fragments with oxygen atoms in anionic ([HSO4]− and SO42−) and H2O moieties. Moreover, hydrogen bonds between H2O with [HSO4]− and SO42− are also observed. QTAIM and RDG data revealed that the (NH)am···(OS)s and (NH)thzl···(OS)s bonds are partly covalent in nature. In contrary, the interactions (NH)am···(OS)hs, (NH)thzl···(OS)hs and (NH)am···(OH)w are define as electrostatic, being observed in a greater extent for (NH)am···(OH)w.

Responses of Intestinal Microbiota and Immunity to Increasing Dietary Levels of Iron Using a Piglet Model.

Iron is an essential metal for both animals and microbiota. In general, neonates and infants of humans and animals are at the risk of iron insufficiency. However, excess dietary iron usually causes negative impacts on the host and microbiota. This study aimed to investigate overloaded dietary iron supplementation on growth performance, the distribution pattern of iron in the gut lumen and the host, intestinal microbiota, and intestine transcript profile of piglets. Sixty healthy weaning piglets were randomly assigned to six groups: fed on diets supplemented with ferrous sulfate monohydrate at the dose of 50 ppm (Fe50 group), 100 ppm (Fe100 group), 200 ppm (Fe200 group), 500 ppm (Fe500 group), and 800 ppm (Fe800), separately, for 3 weeks. The results indicated that increasing iron had no significant effects on growth performance, but increased diarrheal risk and iron deposition in intestinal digesta, tissues of intestine and liver, and serum. High iron also reduced serum iron-binding capacity, apolipoprotein, and immunoglobin A. The RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that iron changed colonic transcript profile, such as interferon gamma-signal transducer and activator of transcription two-based anti-infection gene network. Increasing iron also shifted colonic and cecal microbiota, such as reducing alpha diversity and the relative abundance of Clostridiales and Lactobacillus reuteri and increasing the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Lactobacillus amylovorus. Collectively, this study demonstrated that high dietary iron increased diarrheal incidence, changed intestinal immune response-associated gene expression, and shifted gut microbiota. The results would enhance our knowledge of iron effects on the gut and microbiome in piglets and further contribute to understanding these aspects in humans.

Crystal and electronic structure, thermochemical and photophysical properties of europium-silver sulfate monohydrate AgEu(SO4)2·H2O

In order to synthesize single crystals of europium-silver double sulfate monohydrate, a hydrothermal reaction route was used. It was found that the crystallization cannot be performed under standard conditions. The compound AgEu(SO4)2·H2O crystallizes in the trigonal crystal system, space group P3221 (a ​= ​6.917(1), c ​= ​12.996(2) Å, V ​= ​538.53(17) Å3). The structure consists of triple-capped trigonal prisms [EuO9], in which one oxygen atom belongs to crystalline water, silver octahedra [AgO6], and sulfate tetrahedra [SO4]. The hydrogen bonds in the system additionally stabilize the structure. The electronic band structure wasstudied by density functional theory calculations which show that AgEu(SO4)2·H2O is an indirect band gap dielectric. Temperature dependent photoluminescence spectroscopy shows emission bands of transitions from the 5D0 state to the spin-orbit components of the 7FJmultiplet (J ​= ​0–6).The ultranarrow transition 5D0 - 7F0 shows a red shift with respect to other europium-containing water-free sulfates that is ascribed to the presence of OH group in the crystal structure in the close vicinity of the Eu3+ ion. An effect of abnormal sensitivity of the Ω4 intensity factor to minor distortions of the local environment is detected for the observed low local symmetry of C2.

Hydrometallurgical preparation of high-grade industrial manganese compound from a low-grade spessartine ore by Cyanex®272 extractant

ABSTRACT This study highlights a hydrometallurgical method for the purification, extraction, and beneficiation of a multi-elemental leach liquor obtained via reductive leaching of spessartine ore, for the production of high-grade manganese compound. During these treatments, the effect of Cyanex®272 concentrations, pH, aqueous: organic (A/O) was quantified. At optimal conditions (Temperature = 27 ± 2°C, 0.2 mol/L Cyanex®272, pH = 4.5, A/O = 1:1), manganese extraction efficiency was >90%. The stripping of the loaded organic phase by 0.1 mol/L sulphuric acids yielded 95.7% in a single stripping stage. The resulting aqueous solution was appreciably beneficiated to produce manganese sulphate monohydrate (MnSO4.H2O: 49–315-9500, melting point = 702.8°C) via precipitation and crystallisation methods. Finally, a flow sheet summarising the analytical treatment steps was provided.

Crystal structure of hyoscyamine sulfate monohydrate, (C17H24NO3)2(SO4)(H2O)

The crystal structure of hyoscyamine sulfate monohydrate has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data and optimized using density functional techniques. Hyoscyamine sulfate monohydrate crystallizes in space group P21 (#4) with a = 6.60196(2), b = 12.95496(3), c = 20.93090(8) Å, β = 94.8839(2)°, V = 1783.680(5) Å3, and Z = 2. Despite the traditional description as a dihydrate, hyoscyamine sulfate crystallizes as a monohydrate. The two independent hyoscyamine cations have different conformations, which have similar energies. One of the cations is close to the minimum-energy conformation. Each of the protonated nitrogen atoms in the cations acts as a donor to the sulfate anion. The hydroxyl group of one cation acts as a donor to the sulfate anion, while the hydroxyl group of the other cation acts as a donor to the water molecule. The water molecule acts as a donor to two different sulfate anions. The cations and anions are linked by complex chains of hydrogen bonds along the a-axis. The powder pattern has been submitted for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).

Chemical reactivity of the ionic liquid tris(2-amino-1,3-thiazolium) hydrogen sulfate sulfate monohydrate (TAHSSM) and surface effects in the TAHSSM/α-Al2O3 system

The chemical reactivity of the ionic liquid tris(2-amino-1,3-thiazolium) hydrogen sulfate sulfate monohydrate (TAHSSM) and its surface interaction with α-Al2O3 support are studied experimentally and theoretically in the current paper. To analyze the chemical reactivity of TAHSSM, molecular electrostatic potential surface, natural charge population analysis, global and local reactivity descriptors are used. A combination of vibrational (FT-IR) and electronic absorption (UV–vis) spectroscopies is applied for investigation the surface effects in TAHSSM/α-Al2O3. The results are connected with the possibility TAHSSM to be used as a catalyst under homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions. It is found that the chemical reactivity of the title compound depends mainly on the SO42− and [HSO4]− fragments. These and the 2-aminothiazolium moieties are involved in the surface interactions between TAHSSM and α-Al2O3. The experimentally registered vibrational modes and absorption wavelengths are compared with the corresponding calculated ones. As a consequence, a good correlation is distinguished. Results revealed that both the vibrational frequencies and the electronic transitions in the supported ionic liquid are notably affected by the observed surface interactions. TAHSSM and TAHSSM/α-Al2O3 samples were referred as promising acid catalytic systems.

Growth and Various Characterizations of Lithium Sulfate Monohydrate Single Crystals after Eu3+ and Tb3+ Ion Doping

AbstractA slow evaporation solution growth technique is used to grow rare earth (Eu3+ and Tb3+) doped lithium sulfate monohydrate (LSMH) single crystals. X‐ray diffraction analysis of these crystals confirms the monoclinic crystal structure with P21 space group. Energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy is used to check the incorporation of dopants into the crystal lattice of these LSMH crystals. Dielectric, UV–vis photoluminescence spectroscopy studies are carried out to study the electrical and optical behavior of these crystals. The optical bandgap decreases by doping and the current material follows the direct allowed transition. The dielectric constant and ac conductivity slightly increase with the incorporation of Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions in the crystal matrix. The effect of doping on the functional groups of LSMH crystals is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The micro‐Raman spectroscopic technique is carried out on these samples, confirming the stress experienced by the crystal with dopants, and further leading to the degradation of the crystal structure. The photoluminescence emission with a large decay time of the as‐grown crystals is dominated by the 5D0 → 7Fj transitions of Eu3+ and 5D4 → 7Fj transitions of Tb3+ ions, and further provides a possibility of using them as potential optical materials.

Processing of ferromanganese fumes into high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate

ABSTRACT A novel process for recovering manganese (Mn) values from two types of ferromanganese (FeMn) fumes (wastes from smelters) was developed incorporating several stages of leaching, roasting, and precipitation. Fumes containing high K (as K2O) were first leached in water at ambient conditions to recover K, purified to remove metal impurities, and precipitated as 99.9% pure K2SO4. The residues containing Mn and remaining impurities were then leached in sulfuric acid at 80 °C using oxalic acid as reductant yielding Mn sulphate liquors. The leach liquors were then purified to remove Fe at 95°C as jarosite at pH 2.8 and Fe(III) hydroxides at pH 5.5. Base and transition metal impurities were removed as sulfides. K, Na, Ca, and Mg were separated from Mn in a novel step based on precipitation of Mn hydroxide from the Mn sulphate liquors. Subsequent redissolution of Mn hydroxide in sulfuric acid under reducing conditions using oxalic acid produced a high purity Mn sulphate liquors containing <5 ppm of these impurities. After evaporation by boiling manganese sulphate monohydrate (MSM) was crystallized, achieving purity >99.5%. Another fume containing oil contaminants having low K was subjected to sulfation roasting to produce Mn sulphate. The calcine was water leached to produce Mn sulfate liquors and treated in a similar process to make high purity MSM. Novelty aspects of the proposed process include the recovery of K as a by-product and separation of Mn2+ from other impurities by its selective precipitation to produce a high purity Mn sulphate solution for MSM recovery. Implications: Ferro-manganese smelters discharge wastes (fumes) that are collected by bag filters or electrostatic precipitators and then store them on the ground with coverage to prevent their dispersion into the surrounding atmosphere. The work presented propose a process to reprocess these wastes into high purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (MSM). Processing of wastes containing high potassium as KOH also yields high purity potassium sulfate used as fertilizers. Some smelters spray oil onto the fume dumps to prevent material being blown onto the surrounding area. The oil-contaminated fumes have to be first roasted to burn off the oil, before they can be processed. The process developed therefore converts a hazardous waste into high purity MSM and potassium sulphate used in many applications.

Conversion of Moroccan phosphogypsum waste into nano-calcium fluoride and sodium hydrogen sulfate monohydrate

The phosphoric acid production in the world generates a large amount of phosphogypsum with the emission of toxic acid fluorine gas into the atmosphere, which forms a significant source of environmental contamination. In this work, a novel and a simple procedure allows converting phosphogypsum waste by using hydrofluoric acid and sodium fluoride into valuable products. The obtained results confirm well the efficiency of this procedure, which permits to synthesize at room temperature, the sodium hydrogen sulfate monohydrate and a relatively pure nano-calcium fluoride from the exact stoichiometric proportions of the phosphogypsum, hydrofluoric acid, and sodium fluoride. The total phosphogypsum conversion is achieved after reaction time equal to 1.5 h. Generally, this procedure offers not only a solution for reducing phosphogypsum waste but also permits to obtain valuable products, which interest several sectors of industry.

Development of a Low-Cost and High-Efficiency Culture Medium for Bacteriocin Lac-B23 Production by Lactobacillus plantarum J23.

At present, De Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) broth is the medium of choice for promoting bacteriocin production. However, this medium is expensive and not applicable for large-scale production. Therefore, a low-cost and high-efficiency culture medium for bacteriocin Lac-B23 production by Lactobacillus plantarum J23 was developed. First, the effects of the composition of MRS broth on bacteriocin Lac-B23 production and bacterial growth were researched by a one variable at a time approach. Then, a Plackett-Burman design was used to screen significant components for production. Finally, the steepest ascent and central composite designs were used to obtain an optimum medium. The final composition of the modified MRS was much simpler than MRS broth, and the modified MRS contained only glucose, yeast extract, dipotassium phosphate, manganese sulfate monohydrate, Tween 80 and sodium acetate anhydrous. The highest bacteriocin Lac-B23 production reached 2560 activity units (AU)/mL in the modified MRS, which is nine times higher than that in MRS broth (280 AU/mL). Meanwhile, the cost per liter of the modified MRS (8.56 Ren Min Bi (RMB)/L) is 34.70% the cost of MRS broth (13.11 RMB/L), and the cost per arbitrary units of bacteriocin Lac-B23 in the modified MRS is approximately fourteen times more convenient (3.34 RMB/106 AU) than in the MRS broth (46.82 RMB/106 AU).

Kinetic and thermodynamic study of magnesium obtaining as sulfate monohydrate from nickel laterite leach waste by crystallization

According to the European Union, magnesium is considered as a critical metal, which can also be found in nickel laterite waste processing, where it is a strategic element with nickel, copper, and cobalt. For this reason, the goal of this work was to study the parameters for crystallization of magnesium sulphate under pressure based on nickel laterite leach solution through a reactor designed with separation system where monohydrate crystals were not decomposed. A magnesium monoelementary solution was used for the present study. After the reaction, the solid phase was separated with the reactor still under pressure to avoid crystals decomposition. Magnesium sulphate solubility was determined to complement the data already published in the literature and to define the solubility product from 30 to 230 °C. Pitzer interaction model made possible the Kps values were obtained at high-temperatures. The crystallization of magnesium sulphate reached the equilibrium in 5 h. At pH 5.7 and 230 °C, 81% of the magnesium crystallized. The particles presented a spherical morphology. The reactor here designed allowed the realization of crystallization at high-temperature, without crystals decomposition. The flowchart here proposed represents the novelty since it could be used for critical metals recovery from mining waste.

Functional biodegradable protein‐based matrices as a potential candidate for micronutrients and water supply

AbstractThe excessive use of fertilizers in horticulture applications generates subsoil and groundwater contamination due to their high solubility. A possible solution to this problem is the incorporation of nutrients in biodegradable matrices, allowing nutrients to be released in a controlled manner depending on the needs of the crops. The principal objective of this work was the evaluation of the incorporation of different salts into soy protein‐based matrices to develop devices that could release micronutrients in a controlled manner. Thus, the processability of matrices with different incorporated salts such as zinc sulfate heptahydrate (ZnSO4·7H2O), zinc sulfate monohydrate (ZnSO4·H2O), zinc carbonate (ZnCO3), and zinc perchlorate (Zn(ClO3)2), as well as their integrity and functionality have been evaluated. Results show the great potential of soy protein‐based matrices for the incorporation of micronutrients such as zinc. However, salt incorporation has a detrimental effect on the water uptake capacity of the matrices.

Evaluation of Superabsorbent Capacity of Soy Protein-Based Bioplastic Matrices with Incorporated Fertilizer for Crops

Recent studies proposed the use of soy protein-based bioplastic matrices with incorporated micronutrient to mitigate against the excessive use of fertilizers in horticulture. However, the micronutrient incorporation reduced the superabsorbent capacity of these bioplastic matrices. All this reduces their use as a source of water for crops in times of drought, among other possibilities. The objective of this study was to evaluate different alternatives in order to incorporate the desired micronutrient (Zn) in soy protein-based bioplastics without losing the superabsorbent capacity of the latter. For this, three salts were used: zinc sulphate monohydrate (ZnSO4·H2O), zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and zinc chelated with 2,2′,2′′,2′′′-(Ethene-1,2-diydinitrilo)tetraacetic acid (Zn-EDTA). Considering the possible factors that can affect the absorption of these bioplastic matrices, modifications were made in their pH, ionic strength and complex character of the salt. Thus, the amount of load micronutrient, mechanical and morphological properties, as well as water uptake capacity of the bioplastic matrices with different salts incorporated were evaluated. The results of this study helped to understand the effects of the loss of the superabsorbent capacity of soy protein-based bioplastic matrices with incorporated zinc.

Evaluation of yield performance and establishment methods of drought tolerant rice genotypes under rainfed condition in drought prone areas of Bangladesh

Two field experiments were carried out at farmer’s field of Rajshahi and Chapainawabgonj under the Department of Agronomy, BINA during aman season of 2017 and 2018 consecutively to evaluate the drought tolerant rice varieties under different establishment methods in rain fed condition. First experiment (E1) was conducted to find out the performance of varieties and second experiment (E2) was to find out the suitability of method of transplanting/sowing in combination with short duration aman varieties. Different methods were as direct seeding, puddled and un-puddled transplanting and cultivars were used to cultivate BRRI dhan56, Binadhan-7, Binadhan-17 (except in second experiment) and Huttra (local cultivar). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The recommended fertilizer doses applied for the experiment were 80 kg N ha-1, 15 kg P ha-1, 50 kg K ha-1, 20 kg S ha-1 and 2 kg Zn ha-1. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and zinc were supplied from urea, TSP, MoP, gypsum and zinc sulphate monohydrate respectively while urea was applied in three equal splits. Among the cultivar Binadhan-17 produced statistically higher grain yield (5.62 t ha-1) at Chapainawabgonj. Among methods Binadhan-7 statistically higher grain yield 5.32 t ha-1 and 5.21 t ha-1, respectively) in puddle transplanting method both Chapainawabgonj and Rajshahi region during 2017. Among the cultivar Huttra (local) produced statistically higher grain yield (5.43 t ha-1) at Chapainawabgonj. Among methods, BRRI dhan56 statistically higher grain yield 6.37 t ha-1 and 6.19 t ha-1, respectively) in puddle transplanting method bothat Rajshahi and Chapainawabgonj during 2018. Overall results indicates that BRRI dhan56, Binadhan-7, Binadhan-17 performed better in puddled transplanting, Huttra (local) in direct seeding method in drought prone region of Bangladesh.

A brief study on structural, optical, and photovoltaic properties of lithium sulfate monohydrate single crystals

In the current study, single crystals of lithium sulfate monohydrate (LSMH) were grown by slow evaporation method. For structural analysis, these crystals were characterized by X-Ray diffraction, the optical properties were studied by UV–Vis–NIR and photoluminescence spectroscopy, and vibrational studies were studied by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. The XRD analysis reveals that this understudy crystal belongs to monoclinic system with P21/a space group. The FT-IR data indicate various functional groups associated with the established crystal structure of the crystal. From the optical absorption studies of these crystals, various parameters, such as optical band gap, disorder coefficient, disorder energy, nature of transition etc. These grown samples show good optical transmittance with wide optical band gap. This crystal shows PL emission lines in green, orange, and red part of visible spectrum when excited by the ultraviolet photons. Further, a simple diode of this crystal was also developed, and this prepared device was subjected to Current–voltage characterizations in dark and in the presence of various colors of light photons. The present material shows negative photoconductivity. Effect of light on photocapacitance of this prepared device was also studied. The defects or traps in the band structure of this material could be the best reason for this observed behavior. The present material also shows good thermal stability in the considerable range of temperature. A good interrelation among these various studied parameters was observed. The observed optical, electrical, and thermal properties of this crystal project it as a good candidate for modern electronic applications.

Investigation on the growth and complex impedance spectroscopy studies of pure and Mn2+ doped lithium sulphate monohydrate single crystals of various concentrations

Investigation on the growth and complex impedance spectroscopy studies of pure and Mn2+ doped lithium sulphate monohydrate single crystals of various concentrations