Zinc oxide can be called a multifunctional material thanks to its unique physical and chemical properties. The first part of this paper presents the most important methods of preparation of ZnO divided into metallurgical and chemical methods. The mechanochemical process, controlled precipitation, sol-gel method, solvothermal and hydrothermal method, method using emulsion and microemulsion enviroment and other methods of obtaining zinc oxide were classified as chemical methods. In the next part of this review, the modification methods of ZnO were characterized. The modification with organic (carboxylic acid, silanes) and inroganic (metal oxides) compounds, and polymer matrices were mainly described. Finally, we present possible applications in various branches of industry: rubber, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, textile, electronic and electrotechnology, photocatalysis were introduced. This review provides useful information for specialist dealings with zinc oxide.

Zinc Oxide-From Synthesis to Application: A Review.

The growth of microbes on textiles during use and storage negatively affects the wearer as well as the textile itself. The detrimental effects can be controlled by durable antimicrobial finishing of the textile using broad-spectrum biocides or by incorporating the biocide into synthetic fibers during extrusion. Consumers' attitude towards hygiene and active lifestyle has created a rapidly increasing market for antimicrobial textiles, which in turn has stimulated intensive research and development. This article reviews the requirements for antimicrobial finishing, qualitative and quantitative evaluations of antimicrobial efficacy, the application methods of antimicrobial agents and some of the most recent developments in antimicrobial treatments of textiles using various active agents such as silver, quaternary ammonium salts, polyhexamethylene biguanide, triclosan, chitosan, dyes and regenerable N-halamine compounds and peroxyacids. Examples of commercial antimicrobial products are presented to illustrate...

Recent Advances in Antimicrobial Treatments of Textiles

Selective toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles toward Gram-positive bacteria and cancer cells by apoptosis through lipid peroxidation.

We report the synthesis and characterization of nanosized zinc oxide particles and their application on cotton and wool fabrics for UV shielding. The nanoparticles were produced in different conditions of temperature (90 or 150 °C) and reacting medium (water or 1,2-ethanediol). A high temperature was necessary to obtain small monodispersed particles. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) were used to characterize the nanoparticles composition, their shape, size and crystallinity. The specific surface area of the dry powders was also determined. ZnO nanoparticles were then applied to cotton and wool samples to impart sunscreen activity to the treated textiles. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed through UV–Vis spectrophotometry and the calculation of the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). Physical tests (tensile strength and elongation) were performed on the fabrics before and after the treatment with ZnO nanoparticles.

Synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles: application to textiles as UV-absorbers

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by aloe barbadensis miller leaf extract: Structure and optical properties

Nanotechnology, according to the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), is defined as utilization of structure with at least one dimension of nanometer size for the construction of materials, devices or systems with novel or significantly improved properties due to their nano-size. The nanostructures are capable of enhancing the physical properties of conventional textiles, in areas such as anti-microbial properties, water repellence, soil-resistance, anti-static, anti-infrared and flame-retardant properties, dyeability, colour fastness and strength of textile materials. In the present work, zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared by wet chemical method using zinc nitrate and sodium hydroxide as precursors and soluble starch as stabilizing agent. These nanoparticles, which have an average size of 40 nm, were coated on the bleached cotton fabrics (plain weave, 30 s count) using acrylic binder and functional properties of coated fabrics were studied. On an average of 75%, UV blocking was recorded for the cotton fabrics treated with 2% ZnO nanoparticles. Air permeability of the nano-ZnO coated fabrics was significantly higher than the control, hence the increased breathability. In case of nano-ZnO coated fabric, due to its nano-size and uniform distribution, friction was significantly lower than the bulk-ZnO coated fabric as studied by Instron® Automated Materials Testing System. Further studies are under way to evaluate wash fastness, antimicrobial properties, abrasion properties and fabric handle properties.

/pdf/functional-finishing-in-cotton-fabrics-using-zinc-oxide-372gj56xmh.pdf

Functional finishing in cotton fabrics using zinc oxide nanoparticles

Spiraling prices of onions in India undermine the sustainability of current economic growth process and raised the question of price integration among the spatially separated markets. Co-integration test has been used to identify whether onion markets in India share a common linear deterministic trend and the law of one price holds true in view of rising prices in the recent past. The study sourced the wholesale daily prices of major onion markets across the country from January 2010 to March 2011. Augmented Dickey Fuller test statistic has been used to check the presence of a unit root in the time series data. Empirical results indicated the presence of unit root and a strong spatial integration between major markets. The study also confirms the law of one price in Indian onions.

	 

	Key words: Co-integration, onion, law of one price.

Testing market integration and convergence to the law of one price in Indian onions

The extensive urbanization and intensive tourism coupled with heavy siltation have adversely affected fisheries in the lakes of Kashmir. The study has found the trends in fish production and the stakeholders willingness to pay (WTP) for growth and sustainability of traditional and choiced Schizothorax fish species in these lakes. The logit model has been fitted to 8 sets of stakeholders independently while the Tobit model has been used to identify the variables that influenced the WTP of the stakeholders across the two lakes. Both the models have yielded comparable results. Income, time spent on lakes and traders have emerged significant across primary stakeholders and income, education and consumers have emerged significant in the case of secondary stakeholders with expected signs. On the whole, income has emerged as the single most important variable that determined WTP of stakeholders. This study has addressed the issues involved in fish production in Kashmir lakes in the context of decline in fish production, misplaced priorities in terms of species patronage, use priorities and the policy issues involved.

Truncated Growth and Compromised Sustainability: The Case of Lake Fisheries in Kashmir

The study has examined integration and price transmission in the cotton-based textile value chain, using Johansen multivariate co-integration and error correction model. Although price adjustment mechanism is slow, the findings have provided a clear indication of the price transmission along the chain, and also the existence of a long-run equilibrium. The raw cotton price has been found exogenous, but has significant influence on the prices of cotton yarn and cloth. The textile value chain has been found effectively integrated; hence the policies should take into account the effect of impact on the entire value chain as to enable the cotton producers capture benefits of value addition.

/pdf/price-transmission-along-the-cotton-value-chain-2hnc1sl7mj.pdf

Price Transmission along the Cotton Value Chain

English) 118 Abstract (Hindi) 119Hindi) 119

C. Sundaramoorthy

Papers

Functional finishing in cotton fabrics using zinc oxide nanoparticles

Testing market integration and convergence to the law of one price in Indian onions

Truncated Growth and Compromised Sustainability: The Case of Lake Fisheries in Kashmir

Price Transmission along the Cotton Value Chain

Analysis of price dynamics and market integration in cotton value chain under different trade regime