This thesis covers two topics of latest research in the field of nanotechnology. One topic covers the development of nanomaterials for spintronic devices and the other one is about degradation of organic dye using various semiconductor photocatalysts. The aim of this thesis is to investigate and explore the physics behind TM on different applications in the field of spintronics and photocatalysis. The role of rare earth, Gadolinium (Gd) concentration on magnetization behavior is studied at length in rare earth doped transition-metal (RE:TM) thin films. RE:TM alloys of composition GdxCo100-x, GdxFe100-x and Gdx(Co50Fe50)100-x (30 nm each) deposited on silicon substrates were prepared by magnetron sputtering, where x ranged from 4 to 13 atomic%. The magnetization, uniaxial anisotropy, coercivity and Kerr rotation were investigated as a function of composition. It was found that ferrimagnetism in Gd doped transition metals alloys is considerably influenced by varying concentration of Gd content. At the same time, the magnetic easy axis remains in the film plane whereas the coercivity is strongly reduced after Gd substitution in case of GdxFe100-x and Gdx(Co50Fe50)100-x thin films. Results reveal that RE:TM thin films with dilute Gd doping of up to 8% are promising building block in soft magnetic devices for spin-transfer-torque applications, where an enhanced damping is required. Second topic presents a comprehensive study on degradation of organic dye using metal sulfide nanoparticles. In this research, a series of metal sulfide nanoparticles, such as zinc sulfide (ZnS), cadmium sulfide (CdS) and transition metal ions (Ni, Co, Fe) doped ZnS and CdS nanoparticles were developed through facile co-precipitation method using 2-mercaptoethanol as a surfactant for evaluation of their catalytic and photocatalytic activity potential. The synthesized nano powders were characterized using various analytical chemistry as well as image visualizing techniques like, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission spectroscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy to elucidate the changes in structure and shape of nanomaterials. Photocatalytic activity experiments show that doped nanoparticles bleach out methylene blue effectively than undoped samples. This research also highlights effect of prepared nanoparticles in degradation of methylene blue by catalytic agent NaBH4. The research at its present stage of development appears to offer the best avenue to remove hazardous pollutants from water. Without additional chemicals and energy input, this technique can be employed in large-scale water treatment technology, which will have a significant impact on the water purification industry.
Qur’an and Ḥadith as fundamental and primary sources of Shariah stand as hall mark of Islam. Ḥadith called traditions as the second fundamental source of Islam embodies sayings, actions and expressions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) explicit or implicit. Mainly there have been two trends of rejecting the status of Ḥadith. One is rejecting the authority of Ḥadith and other rejects the authenticity of Ḥadith especially “Khabar-al-wahid” or solitary tradition. Other group does not completely reject the authority of Ḥadith rather text of Ḥadith especially in case of weak traditions. This paper discuss the opinion of rejecters of Ḥadith and contribution of Muslim scholars along with their arguments from Qur’an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to highlight the importance and significance of authority and authenticity of Ḥadith in all disciplines of Islamic thought.
Field trials were conducted in Abbotabad-Balakot tract (Pakistan), during April 2004 to January 2007 to select cheap, locally available and suitable bait formulations for Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) and tested these for their potentials to carry lethal quantities of rodenticides. Results of no-choice, multiple-choice and paired-choice tests revealed that groundnut was preferred, both in the whole and cracked forms, over maize, wheat, millet, rice, gram and oats. All the food items were consumed in significantly higher quantities than in their whole form, except for rice. Consumption of all the food grains significantly increased with increasing length of its exposure to the novel food, indicating a careful nature of the species in selecting new food. No-choice tests revealed that groundnut - maize 1:1 mixture can be cost effective bait base and its consumption was not signiifcantly different from that of pure groundnut. Saccharin (5%) supplemented groundnut – maize (1:1) bait was consumed in significantly higher quantities, while all other aditives (common salt, egg yolk, egg shell powder, fish meal, peanut butter, mineral oil, bone meal, coconut oil and yeast powder) at both 2% and 5% concentrations and saccharin at 2% concentration did not significantly increase the intake of groundnut – maize (1:1) bait. Consumption of bait, offered after 3 days of pre-baiting, significantly declined when poisoned with 3% zinc phophide and such effects were delayed with 2% and 1% zinc phosphide. Groundnut – maize (1:1) poisoned with 2% zinc phosphide resulted in maximum decrease (55%) in porcupine burrow activity. Strychnine alkaloid (2%) added groundnut – maize (1:1) bait was seriously shuned by porcupine and caused minimum reduction (25%) in burrow activity. Coumatetralyl (0.0375%) added bait caused the highest reduction (80%) in burrow activity. Saccharin (5%) supplemented poison baits were more acceptable and caused some 10% higher reduction in burrow activity using allpoison cereal bait formulations. Field trials on fresh food items suggested that guava was preferred over potato, carrot and sweet potato. Peanut butter did not significantly increase consumption of guava. Consumption of zinc phosphide impregnated guava, offered after 3 days of pre- baiting, exhibited a decline and no bait was consumed on 3 rd day of poison baiting. Decline was the most rapid with 3% zinc phosphide and minimum with 1% zinc phosphide. Maximum reduction in burrow activity (55%) was recorded with 2% zinc phosphide, followed by 1% (35%) and 3% (25%). Fumigation of porcupine burrows with aluminium phosphide tablets produced 100% reduction in burrow activity, by applying 8 tablets per burrow, 85%, by 6 tablets and 75% by 4 tablets per burrow. A 100% reduction in burrow activity was recorded by applying 4 tablets of aluminum phosphide per burrow in small, 6 tablets in medium and 8 tablets in large burrows. The present study suggested that initial control of the porcupine can be achieved by applying 2% zinc phosphide using guava or 1:1 groundnut – maize mixture supplemented with 5% saccharin. Coumatetralyl (0.0375%) poisoned bait can give a higher control of porcupine, yet involves a higher labour cost and can used as a second line of action. Fumigation of burrows with aluminum phosphide is though cost effective and can be used in the porcupine management programme, yet is non- specific in its action and hence can be pressed into action under emergent conditions only.