Synthesis, electron microscopy and anti-microbial properties of Fe3O4-Ag nanotubes

Electrodeposition was used for synthesizing 200 nm diameter Fe3O4-Ag nanotubes. Compositional analysis at the single nanotube level revealed a fairly uniform distribution of component elements in the nanotube microstructure. As-synthesized Fe3O4-Ag nanotubes were superparamagnetic in nature. Electron diffraction revealed the ultrafine nanocrystalline microstructure of the nanotubes. The effect of Ag on the anti-microbial response of the nanotubes was investigated by comparing the effect of sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) on Fe3O4-Ag and Fe3O4 nanotubes. Fe3O4 nanotubes were also electro-deposited in the present study. It was observed that the Fe3O4-Ag nanotubes exhibited good resistance to sulphate reducing bacteria which revealed the anti-microbial nature of the Fe3O4-Ag nanotubes.

Oriented nanometric aggregates of partially inverted zinc ferrite: One-step processing and tunable high-frequency magnetic properties

In this work, it is demonstrated that the in situ growth of oriented nanometric aggregates of partially inverted zinc ferrite can potentially pave a way to alter and tune magnetocrystalline anisotropy that, in turn, dictates ferromagnetic resonance frequency (f(FMR)) by inducing strain due to aggregation. Furthermore, the influence of interparticle interaction on magnetic properties of the aggregates is investigated. Mono-dispersed zinc ferrite nanoparticles (<5 nm) with various degrees of aggregation were prepared through decomposition of metal-organic compounds of zinc (II) and iron (III) in an alcoholic solution under controlled microwave irradiation, below 200 degrees C. The nanocrystallites were found to possess high degree of inversion (>0.5). With increasing order of aggregation in the samples, saturation magnetization (at 5 K) is found to decrease from 38 emu/g to 24 emu/g, while coercivity is found to increase gradually by up to 100% (525 Oe to 1040 Oe). Anisotropy-mediated shift of f(FMR) has also been measured and discussed. In essence, the result exhibits an easy way to control the magnetic characteristics of nanocrystalline zinc ferrite, boosted with significant degree of inversion, at GHz frequencies. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.

Effect of Manganese (II) Oxide on microstructure and ionic transport properties of nanostructured cubic zirconia

Effect of MnO addition on microstructure and ionic transport properties of nanocrystalline cubic(c)-ZrO2 is reported. Monoclinic (m) ZrO2 powders with 10-30 mol% MnO powder are mechanically alloyed in a planetary ball mill at room temperature for 10 h and annealed at 550 degrees C for 6 h. In all compositions m-ZrO2 transforms completely to nanocrystalline c-ZrO2 phase and MnO is fully incorporated into c-ZrO2 lattice. Rietveld's refinement technique is employed for detailed microstructure analysis by analyzing XRD patterns. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis confirms the complete formation of c-ZrO2 phase. Presence of stoichiometric Mn in c-ZrO2 powder is confirmed by Electron Probe Microscopy analysis. XPS analysis reveals that Mn is mostly in Mn2+ oxidation state. A correlation between lattice parameter and oxygen vacancy is established. A detailed ionic conductivity measurement in the 250 degrees-575 degrees C temperature range describes the effect of MnO on conductivity of c-ZrO2. The ionic conductivity (s) of 30 mol% MnO alloyed ZrO2 at 550 degrees C is 0.04 s cm(-1). Electrical relaxation studies are carried out by impedance and modulus spectroscopy. Relaxation frequency is found to increase with temperature and MnO mol fraction. Electrical characterization predicts that these compounds have potentials for use as solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte material. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Noble metal ion substituted CeO2 catalysts: Electronic interaction between noble metal ions and CeO2 lattice

In last 40 years, CeO2 has been found to play a major role in the area of auto exhaust catalysis due to its unique redox properties. Catalytic activity is enhanced when CeO2 is added to the noble metals supported Al2O3 catalysts. Reason for increase in catalytic activity is due to higher dispersion of noble metals in the form of ions in CeO2. This has led to the idea of substitution of noble metal ions in CeO2 lattice acting as adsorption sites instead of nanocrystalline noble metal particles on CeO2. In this article, a brief review of synthesis, structure and catalytic properties of noble metal ions dispersed on CeO2 resulting in noble metal ionic catalysts (NMIC) like Ce1-xMxO2-delta, Ce1-x-yTixMyO2-delta, Ce1-x-yZrxMyO2-delta, Ce1-x-ySnxMyO2-delta and Ce1-x-yFexMyO2-delta (M = Pt, Pd, Rh and Ru) are presented. Substitution of Ti, Zr, Sn and Fe in CeO2 increases oxygen storage capacities (OSC) due to structural distortion, whereas dispersion of noble metal ions in Ti, Zr, Sn and Fe substituted CeO2 supports increase both OSC and catalytic activities. Electronic interaction between noble metal ions and CeO2 in NMICs responsible for higher OSC and higher catalytic activities is discussed. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Strengthening and weakening by repeated dynamic impact in microcrystals and nanocrystals

Experiments on micrograined (mg) and nanocrystalline (nc) Ni revealed strengthening and weakening following repeated dynamic impact. The strengthening in mg-Ni arises from intragranular dislocations without a significant change in grain size, whereas the weakening in nc-Ni is due to concurrent grain growth. The strength of mg and nc-Ni samples after deformation settles at similar to 900 MPa, with differing contributions from intragranular dislocations and grain sizes. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Growth of TiO2 Films by RF Magnetron Sputtering for MOS Gate Dielectrics: Influence of Substrate Temperature

Titanium dioxide thin films were deposited by RF reactive magnetron sputtering technique on p-type silicon(100) substrates held at temperatures in the range 303-673 K. The influence of substrate temperature on the core level binding energies, chemical bonding configuration, crystallographic structure and dielectric properties was investigated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies and Fourier transform infrared transmittance data confirmed the formation of stoichiometric films with anatase phase at a substrate temperature of 673 K. The films formed at 303 K were nanocrystalline with amorphous matrix while those deposited at 673 K were transformed in to crystalline phase and growth of grains in pyramidal like structure as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy respectively. Metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors were fabricated with the configuration of Al/TiO2/Si structures. The current voltage, capacitance voltage and conductance voltage characteristics were studied to understand the electrical conduction and dielectric properties of the MOS devices. The leakage current density (at gate voltage of 2 V) decreased from 2.2 x 10(-6) to 1.7 x 10(-7) A/cm(2), the interface trap density decreased from 1.2 x 10(13) to 2.1 x 10(12) cm(-2) eV(-1) and the dielectric constant increased from 14 to 36 with increase of substrate temperature from 303 to 673 K.

One pot auto-ignition based synthesis of novel Sr2CeO4: Ho3+ nanophosphor for photoluminescent applications

Ho3+ (0.25-7 mol%) doped Sr2CeO4 nanophosphors were synthesized by solution combustion method using urea as fuel. The structural properties of the nanophosphors were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction studies (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. UV-Visible and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopic techniques were used for analysing the optical properties of the nanoparticles. PXRD and TEM results revealed the formation of Sr2CeO4: Ho3+ nanocrystalline particles with orthorhombic crystal structure. From the UV-Vis studies the optical band gap energy found to decrease from 5.9 to 5.74 eV with increase in dopant concentration. The PL spectra exhibit the broad excitation band from 200 to 400 nm which concurs well with the commercial near UV LED. The PL spectra vary with the dopant content due to energy transfer from the host to the activator. In this present work we demonstrate that color tuning of phosphor can be achieved by merely varying the Ho3+ ions concentration. The CIE and CCT chromaticity coordinates suggests Sr2CeO4: Ho3+ nanophosphors may be potentially applicable as promising single - phased phosphors for lighting applications. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Strain-Induced Hierarchy of Energy Levels in CdS/ZnS Nanocrystals

Aside of size and shape, the strain induced by the mismatch of lattice parameters between core and shell in the nanocrystalline regime is an additional degree of freedom to engineer the electron energy levels. Herein, CdS/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals (NCs) with shell thickness up to four monolayers are studied. As a manifestation of strain, the low temperature radiative lifetime measurements indicate a reduction in Stokes shift from 36 meV for CdS to 5 meV for CdS/ZnS with four monolayers of overcoating. Concomitant crossover of S- and P-symmetric hole levels is observed which can be understood in the framework of theoretical calculations predicting flipping the hierarchy of ground hole state by the strain in CdS NCs. Furthermore, a nonmonotonic variation of higher energy levels in strained CdS NCs is discussed.

Noble metal ions in CeO2 and TiO2: synthesis, structure and catalytic properties

In the past four decades, CeO2 has been recognized as an attractive material in the area of auto exhaust catalysis because of its unique redox properties. In the presence of CeO2, the catalytic activity of noble metals supported on Al2O3 is enhanced due to higher dispersion of noble metals in their ionic form. In the last few years, we have been exploring an entirely new approach of dispersing noble metal ions on CeO2 and TiO2 matrices for redox catalysis. In this study, the dispersion of noble metal ions by solution combustion as well as other methods over CeO2 and TiO2 resulting mainly in Ce1-xMxO2-delta, Ce1-x-yTixMyO2-delta, Ce1-x-ySnxMyO2-delta, Ce1-x-yFexMyO2-delta, Ce1-x-yZrxMyO2-delta and Ti1-xMxO2-delta (M = Pd, Pt, Rh and Ru) catalysts, the structure of these materials, their catalytic properties toward different types of catalysis, structure-property relationships and mechanisms of catalytic reactions are reviewed. In these catalysts, noble metal ions are incorporated into a substrate matrix to a certain limit in a solid solution form. Lower valent noble metal-ion substitution in CeO2 and TiO2 creates noble metal ionic sites and oxide ion vacancies that act as adsorption sites for redox catalysis. It has been demonstrated that these new generation noble metal ionic catalysts (NMIC) have been found to be catalytically more active than conventional nanocrystalline noble metal catalysts dispersed on oxide supports.

Effect of Sm3+-Gd3+ on structural, electrical and magnetic properties of Mn-Zn ferrites synthesized via combustion route

Nanocrystalline Mn0.4Zn0.6SmxGdyFe2-(x+y)O4 (x = y = 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05) were synthesized by combustion route. The detailed structural studies were carried out through X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results confirms the formation of mixed spine phase with cubic structure due to the distortion created with co-dopants substitution at Fe site in Mn-Zn ferrite lattice. Further, the crystallite size increases with an increase of Sm3+-Gd3+ ions concentration while lattice parameter and lattice strain decreases. Furthermore, the effect of Sm-Gd co-doping in Mn-Zn ferrite on the room temperature electrical (dielectric studies) studies were carried out in the wide frequency range 1 GHz-5 GHz. The magnetic studies were carried out using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) under applied magnetic field of 1.5T and also room temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra's were recorded. From the results of dielectric studies, it shows that the real and imaginary part of permittivities are increasing with variation of Gd3+ and Sm3+ concentration. The magnetic studies reveal the decrease of remnant, saturation magnetization and coercivity with increasing of Sm3+-Gd3+ ion concentration. The g-value, peak-to-peak line width and spin concentration evaluated from EPR spectra correlated with cations occupancy. The electromagnetic properties clearly indicate that these materials are the good candidates which are useful at L and C band frequency. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Room temperature ferromagnetism and white light emissive CdS:Cr nanoparticles synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method

Undoped and Cr (3% and 5%) doped CdS nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method. The synthesized nanocrystalline particles are characterized by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence (PL), Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and Raman spectroscopy. XRD studies indicate that Cr doping in host CdS result a structural change from Cubic phase to mixed (cubic + hexagonal) phase. Due to quantum confinement effect, widening of the band gap is observed for undoped and Cr doped CdS nanoparticles compared to bulk CdS. The average particle size calculated from band gap values is in good agreement with the TEM study calculation and it is around 4-5 nm. A strong violet emission band consisting of two emission peaks is observed for undoped CdS nanoparticles, whereas for CdS:Cr nanoparticles, a broad emission band ranging from 420 nm to 730 nm with a maximum at similar to 587 nm is observed. The broad emission band is due to the overlapped emissions from variety of defects. EPR spectra of CdS:Cr samples reveal resonance signal at g = 2.143 corresponding to interacting Cr3+ ions. VSM studies indicate that the diamagnetic CdS nanoparticles are transform to ferromagnetic for 3% Cr3+ doping and the ferromagnetic nature is diminished with increasing the doping concentration to 5%. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Study on Low Temperature DC Electrical Conductivity of SnO2 Nanomaterial Synthesized by Simple Gel Combustion Method

Nanocrystalline tin oxide (SnO2) material of different particle size was synthesized using gel combustion method by varying oxidizer (HNO3) and keeping fuel as a constant. The prepared samples were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Analysis X-ray Spectroscope (EDAX). The effect of oxidizer in the gel combustion method was investigated by inspecting the particle size of nano SnO2 powder. The particle size was found to be increases with the increase of oxidizer from 8 to 12 moles. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the calcined product showed the formation of high purity tetragonal tin (IV) oxide with the particle size in the range of 17 to 31 nm which was calculated by Scherer's formula. The particles and temperature dependence of direct (DC) electrical conductivity of SnO2 nanomaterial was studied using Keithley source meter. The DC electrical conductivity of SnO2 nanomaterial increases with the temperature from 80 to 300K and decrease with the particle size at constant temperature.

Incorporation of Cr3+ ions in tuning the magnetic and transport properties of nano zinc ferrite

Cost effective and low temperature synthesis methods namely solution combustion and hydrothermal methods were used to prepare chromium incorporated nanocrystalline zinc ferrites. The effect of incorporation of low concentration Cr3+ ions on the structural, morphological, magnetic and transport properties of the zinc ferrite compounds were investigated. The crystalline nature and size variation with chromium content were valid from powder x-ray diffraction. Particles size and crystallite size variation were valid from scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy respectively. With the increase in chromium incorporation, the crystallite and particles sizes were decreased. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies confirmed the presence of strong metal-oxygen bonds. The elastic properties of the materials in both the methods were estimated by FTIR studies. Magnetic properties namely saturation magentization, remanent magnetization and coercivity values were decreased with increase in Cr3+ ions concentration. The dielectric properties of the samples decreased with increase in the Cr3+ ions. The dielectric constant was observed to be of the order of 10(6) at low frequency and almost 1 at higher frequency range. The activation energy estimated using Arrhenius plots was of the order of 0.182 eV and 0.368 eV respectively for the compounds prepared by solution combustion and hydrothermal methods. The emission spectra of the samples excited at 344 nm were reported using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Further, the approximate energy band gap(E-g) was estimated from PL studies. The E-g of the materials were lie in the range of 2.11-1.98 eV. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

On the Structural Stability of Melt Spun Ribbons of Fe95-x Zr (x) B4Cu1 (x=7 and 9) Alloys and Correlation with Their Magnetic Properties

Melt spun ribbons of Fe95-x Zr (x) B4Cu1 with x = 7 (Z7B4) and 9 (Z9B4) alloys have been prepared, and their structure and magnetic properties have been evaluated using XRD, DSC, TEM, VSM, and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The glass forming ability (GFA) of both alloys has been calculated theoretically using thermodynamical parameters, and Z9B4 alloy is found to possess higher GFA than that of Z7B4 alloy which is validated by XRD results. On annealing, the amorphous Z7B4 ribbon crystallizes into nanocrystalline alpha-Fe, whereas amorphous Z9B4 ribbon shows two-stage crystallization process, first partially to bcc solid solution which is then transformed to nanocrystalline alpha-Fe and Fe2Zr phases exhibiting bimodal distribution. A detailed phase analysis using Mossbauer spectroscopy through hyperfine field distribution of phases has been carried out to understand the crystallization behavior of Z7B4 and Z9B4 alloy ribbons. In order to understand the phase transformation behavior of Z7B4 and Z9B4 ribbons, molar Gibbs free energies of amorphous, alpha-Fe, and Fe2Zr phases have been evaluated. It is found that in case of Z7B4, alpha-Fe is always a stable phase, whereas Fe2Zr is stable at higher temperature for Z9B4. (C) The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International 2015