Water pollution is a serious concern for developing and undeveloped countries. Photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants is an effective degradation method to restrain the green ecosystem. This research article presents a green, low-cost, and benevolent eco-friendly biosynthesis of cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄) nanoparticles using Curcuma longa plant extract. The UV and visible region absorbance of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles estimated the Co²⁺ and Co³⁺ transitions on the lattice oxygen, and their bandgap of 2.2 eV was confirmed from the UV-DRS spectroscopy. The cubic structure and spherical shape of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles were estimated by using XRD and TEM characterizations. Plant molecules aggregation and their agglomerations on the nanoparticles were established from FTIR and EDX spectroscopy. Multiple cobalt valences on the oxygen surfaces and their reaction, bonding, and binding energies were analyzed from XPS measurements. The biogenic Co₃O₄ nanoparticles were executed against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus—S. aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli—E. coli) bacteria. A gram-positive bacterial strain exhibited great resistivity on Co₃O₄ nanoparticles. Degradation of organic dye pollutants on the Co₃O₄ nanoparticles was performed against methylene blue (MB) dye under the conditions of visible light irradiation. Dye degradation efficiency pseudo-first-order kinetics on the pseudo-first-order kinetics denotes the rate of degradation over the MB dye. This research work achieved enhanced degradation potency against toxic organic dye and their radicals are excited from visible light irradiations. Absorption light and charged particle recombinations are reformed and provoked by the plant extract bio-molecules. In this process, there is no inferior yield development, and electrons are robustly stimulated. Furthermore, the biosynthesized Co₃O₄ nanoparticles determined the potency of bacterial susceptibility and catalytic efficacy over the industrial dye pollutants.

The green synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles is an efficient, simple, and chemical-free method of producing nanoparticles. The present work reports the synthesis of Murraya koenigii-mediated ZrO₂ nanoparticles (ZrO₂ NPs) and their applications as a photocatalyst and antibacterial agent. Capping and stabilization of metal oxide nanoparticles were achieved by using Murraya koenigii leaf extract. The optical, structural, and morphological valance of the ZrO₂ NPs were characterized using UV-DRS, FTIR, XRD, and FESEM with EDX, TEM, and XPS. An XRD analysis determined that ZrO₂ NPs have a monoclinic structure and a crystallite size of 24 nm. TEM and FESEM morphological images confirm the spherical nature of ZrO₂ NPs, and their distributions on surfaces show lower agglomerations. ZrO₂ NPs showed high optical absorbance in the UV region and a wide bandgap indicating surface oxygen vacancies and charge carriers. The presence of Zr and O elements and their O=Zr=O bonds was categorized using EDX and FTIR spectroscopy. The plant molecules’ interface, bonding, binding energy, and their existence on the surface of ZrO2 NPs were established from XPS analysis. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using ZrO₂ NPs was examined under visible light irradiation. The 94% degradation of toxic MB dye was achieved within 20 min. The antibacterial inhibition of ZrO₂ NPs was tested against S. aureus and E. coli pathogens. Applications of bio-synthesized ZrO₂ NPs including organic substance removal, pathogenic inhibitor development, catalysis, optical, and biomedical development were explored.

Undoubtedly, throughout the past half-century, environmental quality has emerged as a significant obstacle to both economic and social endeavors. Recent local and international policy debates have focused on environmental deterioration and global warming, but how governments balance economic growth and environmental sustainability is still enigmatic. For this reason, we have examined the determinants of environmental quality in India from 1972 to 2021. More specifically, we have investigated whether the fiscal deficit is ‘curse’ or ‘haven’ for environmental quality (CO2) in India. Moreover, this study deliberated four other predictors, comprising technological development (TIN), fossil fuel consumption (FFC), urbanization (Ub), and human capital index (HCI). In order to attain this objective, a range of econometric estimation techniques are employed to ensure the validity and reliability of the outcomes. For instance, we have employed a battery of ARDL approaches, such as standard ARDL, nonlinear ARDL, and multiple threshold NARDL approaches. In light of our research findings, we will be focusing directly on the examination of the NARDL and MTNARDL outcomes. This is due to the empirical evidence indicating the existence of asymmetric effects resulting from FD on CO2 emissions in India. The NARDL approach reveals that the consequence of fiscal deterioration is more pronounced, and the influence of fiscal progress is mild in terms of CO2 emission growth. Further, the outcomes of the MTNARDL approach revealed that the size of the extremely low changes in FD is much higher than the extremely high changes in FD in both models. This implies that as the FD rises, CO2 ascends more significantly, and when the FD lowers, CO2 declines progressively. In a nutshell, FD has a long-run positive and asymmetric impact on CO2 in India; thus, we may conclude that FD is considered the ‘curse’ for CO2 in India. Furthermore, TIN, HCI, and Ub have detrimental effects on CO2, whereas FFC stimulates CO2 in India. This research work provides some important policy implications for environmentalists, economists and macroeconomic policymakers to promote a green and healthy environment.

Microfinance, over the years, has evolved from the traditional joint liability method to the new innovations such as individual lending and differential banking. Institutes which initially focussed only on production loans are now also attempting to provide consumption loan to the existing and potential customers. Group lending, which was once considered as the fundamental stone of the microfinance model, has now become obsolete and new models are emerging. Through this paper, with the help of existing literature, an attempt has been made to find the reason of the diminishing importance of group lending. The writer has also find that there is an absence of empirical research analyzing the impact of individual lending in India. It has also been found that several microfinance institutes have now started operating as a small finance bank, the impact of which on customers has not been established yet.

Reviewing the research on ‘financial inclusion,' ‘adoption,' and ‘blockchain in India,' the authors of this chapter find that addressing financial exclusion necessitates overcoming four obstacles: limited geographical accessibility, poor banking products, exorbitant charges, and a lack of financial literacy. Blockchain technology can solve the majority of these problems. The authors have planned a research agenda on implementation experience, agreement patterns, and approved outcomes to help direct the development of this understanding. Finding the answers to these study questions would help us understand how blockchain-based technology is being adopted in rural India differently. This study makes a practical contribution by discussing how blockchain might diminish the problem of financial exclusion in rural India and create a global network system that could link rural India. The authors tried to reveal the gaps in knowledge that need to be filled in order for rural Indians to be financially included constitutes the theoretical contribution. Request access from your librarian to read this chapter's full text.

In the awakening of persistent environmental issues and upsurged societal pressures constantly seeking attention from corporate stakeholders, the integration of investment decisions with the spectrum of environmental, social, and governance has gained significant momentum. This chapter aims to unfold the intricacies of the relationship between the mindset of an investor while investing in the companies that are on the upper end of ESG scores. In the beginning, the fundamentals of ESG and ESG investing have been explored. Investors' preferences and risks associated with a particular investment are the major twin aspects affecting the expected returns for corporates carrying robust ESG ratings. Lower cost of capital is one benefit enjoyed by these companies. Further, future trends and challenges have also been discussed. The chapter aims to provide the readers with a comprehensive understanding of an investor's behavior thus paving the way for responsible decision-making and fostering a transition to a green economy.