The present finding describes an efficient facile approach for the fabrication of nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) as a "fluorescent nanoswitch". Highly fluorescent blue-light-emitting N-CDs have been synthesized via a simpler hydrothermal method using 2,2′-(ethylenedioxy)-bis(ethylamine) and malic acid as the precursors. N-CDs showed excitation-dependent and pH-independent emission along with a quantum yield of ∼25%. The blue fluorescent emission of N-CDs has been selectively "turned off" (quenching of fluorescence (FL)) during the sensing of Cr(VI) with 0.02 μM limit of detection and further been selectively "turned on" (restoration of FL) on sensing ascorbic acid, compared with other metal cations and biomolecules tested. For testing the practical applicability of N-CDs, the switchable reversibility of the fluorescent nanoswitch has been tested for up to four cycles on the basis of FL "on−off−on". Furthermore, the toxicological test showed the antibacterial effect of the N-CDs on the tested Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli cells. Additionally, these N-CDs can also be used as a fluorescent ink for imaging purposes.
Nanohexaconazole is a highly efficient fungicide against Rhizoctonia solani. Nanoparticles are alleged to adversely affect the non-target organisms. In order to evaluate such concern, the present study was carried out to investigate the effect of nanohexaconazole and its commercial formulation on sensitive nitrogen fixing blue green algae (BGA) and bacteria. Various activities of algae and bacteria namely growth, N-fixation, N-assimilation, Indole acetic acid (IAA) production and phosphate solubilization were differently affected in the presence of hexaconazole. Although, there was stimulatory to slightly inhibitory effect on the growth measurable parameters of the organisms studied at the recommended dose of nanohexaconazole, but its higher dose was inhibitory to all these microorganisms. On the other hand, the recommended as well as higher dose of commercial hexaconazole showed much severe inhibition of growth and metabolic activity of these organisms as compared to the nano preparation. The uses of nanohexazconazole instead of hexaconazole as a fungicide will not only help to control various fungal pathogens but also sustain the growth and activity of these beneficial microorganisms for sustaining soil fertility and productivity.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.