Patna: Researchers at the Aryabhatta Knowledge University (AKU) in Patna have developed six new magnetic nanomaterials using a low-cost and environmentally friendly technique that uses lemon juice as a natural green medium.
The research was conducted by scientists from AKU’s School of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and has received international recognition, with the study published in the reputed international journal Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics.
The researchers developed neodymium (Nd)-doped cobalt ferrite magnetic nanomaterials using lemon juice as a green medium during the synthesis process. According to the researchers, the approach makes the preparation process more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
Research led by Dr Rakesh Kumar Singh
The research was conducted under the leadership of Dr Rakesh Kumar Singh, head of the Nanotechnology Centre at AKU.
Former M.Tech Nanotechnology students and technical team members Anuradha Muskan, Nishant Kumar, Monalisa and Prince Kumar also contributed to the research.
The newly developed nanomaterials were found to possess distinctive structural, magnetic and ferroelectric properties. Researchers said these characteristics could make the materials useful in future applications involving advanced electronic devices, biomedical technologies and nanomedicine.
Potential applications in electronics and nanomedicine
The usefulness of a material is largely determined by its internal and crystalline structure. Researchers said the crystalline and other scientific data generated during the study could therefore serve as a reference for further research into these materials.
The study examined the structural stability, magnetic properties and ferroelectric behaviour of the neodymium-doped cobalt ferrite nanomaterials.
The combination of these properties could potentially support research into applications in modern electronics as well as biomedical and nanomedicine technologies.
Study published in international journal
The scientific novelty and potential applications of the research led to its publication in Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, an international research journal.
The paper details the structural, magnetic and ferroelectric characteristics of the newly developed neodymium-containing cobalt ferrite nanomaterials.
ICDD recognises six new crystalline data entries
The research has also received recognition from the International Centre for Diffraction Data (ICDD), based in the United States.
The ICDD has accepted the crystalline data of all six nanomaterials as new entries in its international scientific database.
According to the research team, the submitted data underwent review by scientists and editorial experts from the United States, United Kingdom and Germany before being accepted.
Data could help researchers and students
The inclusion of the six new crystalline structures in the international database is expected to provide a useful reference for scientists and students working with these materials.
The data can help researchers identify the materials, study their crystal structures and design further experiments.
The researchers said the information could potentially be used across different levels of scientific work, ranging from undergraduate studies and PhD research to post-doctoral research and industrial technology development.
Recognition for scientific research in Bihar
The development is being seen as a significant achievement for researchers and students in Bihar, particularly in areas such as green nanotechnology, magnetic nanomaterials and advanced materials research.
The international recognition of the crystalline data is also expected to strengthen the research profile of Aryabhatta Knowledge University and highlight scientific work emerging from Bihar.
AKU Vice-Chancellor Prof Sharad Kumar Yadav congratulated the research team on the achievement and encouraged the researchers to continue pursuing innovative research with potential societal applications.
The research team expressed gratitude to the Bihar government’s Education Department and Aryabhatta Knowledge University for their institutional support and cooperation.
