Grass waste was used for transform an inexpensive waste into health. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized using waste material (dried grass). The average size of silver nanoparticles observed in transmission electron images was estimated to be about 15 nm. The anticancer, antifungal and antibacterial effect of AgNPs were studied in vitro. The minimum inhibitory concentration of AgNPs against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii was calculated about 3 µg/ml. The highest level of inhibitory effect of AgNPs against Fusarium solani was close to 90% at a concentration of 20 μg/ml of AgNPs. An inhibitory effect on the cancer cell growth is reach, by increasing the concentration of AgNPs to 5 µg/ml; the cancer cells’ survival decreases about 30%. Western results showed that the expression of Cyclin D1 protein of MCF-7 cell line decreased after treatment with the effective concentration of AgNPs. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

The electric and dielectric properties of the grain boundary of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{\text{0.85}}{\mathrm{Li}}_{\text{0.15}}{\mathrm{NbO}}_3$ lead-free ferroelectric-semiconductor perovskite were investigated. The impedance spectroscopy was carried out as a function of a thermal cycle. The sodium lithium niobate was synthesized by a chemical route based on the evaporation method. Dense ceramic, relative density of 97%, was prepared at 1423 K for 2 h in air atmosphere. ac measurements were carried out in the frequency range of 5 Hz–13 MHz and from 673 to 1023 K. Theoretical adjust of the impedance data was performed to deriving the electric parameters of the grain boundary. The electric conductivity follows the Arrhenius law, with activation energy values equal to 1.55 and 1.54 eV for heating and cooling cycle, respectively. The nonferroelectric state of the grain boundary and its correlation with symmetry are discussed in the temperature domain.

The electrical properties of the grain boundary region of electroceramic sensor temperature based on inverse spinel ${\mathrm{Zn}}_7{\mathrm{Sb}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$ were investigated at high temperature. The zinc antimoniate was synthesized by a chemical route based on the modified Pechini method. The electric properties of ${\mathrm{Zn}}_7{\mathrm{Sb}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_{12}$ were investigated by impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range from 5 Hz to 13 MHz and from 250 up to 600 °C. The grain boundary conductivity follows the Arrhenius law, with two linear branches of different slopes. These branches exhibit activation energies with very similar values; the low-temperature (⩽350 °C) and high-temperature (⩾400 °C) regions are equal to 1.15 and 1.16 eV, respectively. Dissimilar behavior is observed on the relaxation time (τ) curve as a function of temperature, where a single slope is identified. The negative temperature coefficient parameters and nature of the polarization phenomenon of the grain boundary are discussed.

Nanoparticles of copper/cuprous oxide (Cu/Cu ₂ O) were successfully synthesised by a green chemistry route. The synthesis process was carried out using an extract of Stachys lavandulifolia as both reducing and capping agents with a facile procedure. The nanoparticles were characterised by different techniques including X‐ray diffraction, indicating that the synthesised sample comprised both copper and cuprous oxide entity. The nanoparticles had a mean size of 80 nm and represented an impressive bactericidal effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa .