TiO2/ZnO core/shell nano-heterostructure arrays as photo-electrodes with enhanced visible light photoelectrochemical performance

The present article reports a facile method for preparing the vertically-aligned 1D arrays of a new type of type II n-n TiO2/ZnO core/shell nano-heterostructures by growing the nano-shell of ZnO on the electrochemically fabricated TiO2 nanotubes core for visible light driven photoelectrochemical applications. The strong interfacial interaction at the type II heterojunction leads to an effective interfacial charge separation and charge transport. The presence of various defects such as surface states, interface states and other defects in the nano-heterostructure enable it for improved visible light photoelectrochemical performance. The presence of such defects has also been confirmed by the UV-vis absorption, cathodoluminescence, and crystallographic studies. The TiO2/ZnO core/shell nano-heterostructures exhibit strong green luminescence due to the defect transitions. The TiO2/ZnO core/shell nano-heterostructures photo-electrode show significant enhancement of visible light absorption and it provides a photocurrent density of 0.7 mA cm(-2) at 1 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which is almost 2.7 times that of the TiO2/ZnO core/shell nano-heterostructures under dark conditions. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results demonstrate that the substantially improved photoelectrochemical and photo-switching performance of the nano-heterostructures photo-anode is because of the enhancement of interfacial charge transfer and the increase in the charge carrier density caused by the incorporation of the ZnO nano-shell on TiO2 nanotube core.

MRT Letter: Two-Photon Excitation-Based 2pi Light-Sheet System for Nano-Lithography

We propose two-photon excitation-based light-sheet technique for nano-lithography. The system consists of 2 -configured cylindrical lens system with a common geometrical focus. Upon superposition, the phase-matched counter-propagating light-sheets result in the generation of identical and equi spaced nano-bump pattern. Study shows a feature size of as small as few tens of nanometers with a inter-bump distance of few hundred nanometers. This technique overcomes some of the limitations of existing nano-lithography techniques, thereby, may pave the way for mass-production of nano-structures. Potential applications can also be found in optical microscopy, plasmonics, and nano-electronics. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:1-7, 2015. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Agglomeration front dynamics: Drying in sessile nano-particle laden droplets

The drying of sessile, nano-silica laden water droplet is studied under ambient conditions, in the absence of any convection. The drying process can be divided into two distinct regimes. During regime 1, the outer edge of the droplet remains pinned and particles agglomerate at the droplet periphery similar to the traditional coffee ring. However in regime 2, with further evaporation, both the liquid contact line and the agglomeration front starts moving radially inwards from the initial contact edge. The contact between the liquid and the agglomerate is maintained throughout regime 2 and the vaporisation driven liquid edge recession essentially drives the inward growth of the particle deposition. Fast kinetics of particle aggregation results in rapid growth of this agglomeration front as seen from the experiments. A theoretical formulation involving a simplistic model of the agglomeration front growth based on particle mass balance has been proposed. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved,

Properties of the chalcogenide-carbon nano tubes and graphene composite materials

Composite can deliver more than the individual elemental property of the material. Specifically chalcogenide- multi walled carbon nano tubes and chalcogenide- bilayer graphene composite materials could be interesting for the investigation, which have been less covered by the investigators. We describe micro structural properties of Se55Te25Ge20, Se55Te25Ge20 + 0.025% multi walled carbon nano tubes and Se55Te25Ge20 + 0.025% bilayer graphene materials. This gives realization of the alloying constituents inclusion/or diffusion inside the multi walled carbon nano tubes and bilayer graphene under the homogeneous parent alloy configuration. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV/Visible spectroscopy and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy have also been carried out under the discussion. A considerable core energy levels peak shifts have been noticed for the composite materials by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The optical energy band gaps are measured to be varied in between 1.2 and 1.3 eV. In comparison to parent (Se55Te25Ge20) alloy a higher infrared transmission has been observed for the composite materials. Subsequently, variation in physical properties has been explained on the basis of bond formation in solids. (C) 2014 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

One-pot synthesis of a TiO2-CdS nano-heterostructure assembly with enhanced photocatalytic activity

An unprecedented morphology of a titanium dioxide (TiO2) and cadmium sulfide (CdS) self-assembly obtained using a `truly' one-pot and highly cost effective method with a multi-gram scale yield is reported here. The TiO2-CdS assembly, comprising of TiO2 and CdS nanoparticles residing next to each other homogeneously self-assembling into `woollen knitting ball' like microspheres, exhibited remarkable potential as a visible light photocatalyst with high recyclability.

Extremely High Near Field Enhancement in a Novel Plasmonic Nano Material used for Photovoltage Generation

Enhancement of localized electric field near metal (plasmonic) nanostructures can have various interesting applications in sensing, imaging, photovoltage generation etc., for which significant efforts are aimed towards developing plasmonic systems with well designed and large electromagnetic response. In this paper, we discuss the wafer scale fabrication and optical characterization of a unique three dimensional plasmonic material. The near field enhancement in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum obtained in these structures (order of 106), is close to the fundamental limit that can be obtained in this and similar EM field enhancement schemes. The large near field enhancement has been reflected in a huge Raman signal of graphene layer in close proximity to the plasmonic system, which has been validated with FEM simulations. We have integrated graphene photodetectors with this material to obtain record photovoltage generation, with responsivity as high as A/W. As far as we know, this is the highest sensitivity obtained in any plasmonic-graphene hybrid photodetection system till date.

Ni Nano-particle Encapsulated in Hollow Carbon Sphere Electrocatalyst in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolyzer

The present study evaluates the synthesis by solvo-thermal method and electrocatalytic activity of nickel nano-particles encapsulated in hollow carbon sphere, in hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction in PEM water electrolyzer. The XRD patterns have ascertained the formation of nickel metal with different planes in face centered cubic (fcc) and hexagonal closed pack (hcp) form. SEM and TEM images have confirmed the nickel nano-particles with diameter of 10-50 nm inside the 0.2 mu m sized hollow carbon spheres. The BET surface area values gradually decreased with greater encapsulation of nickel; although the electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) values have been calculated as quite higher. It confirms the well dispersion of nickel in the materials and induces their electrocatalytic performance through the active surface sites. The cyclic voltammetric studies have evaluated hydrogen desorption peaks as five times more intense in nickel encapsulated materials, in comparison to the pure hollow carbon spheres. The anodic peak current density value has reached the highest level of 1.9 A cm(-2) for HCSNi10, which gradually decreases with lesser amount of nickel in the electrocatalysts. These electrocatalysts have been proved electrochemically stable during their usage for 48 h long duration under potentiostatic condition. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mg/BN nanocomposites: Nano-BN addition for enhanced room temperature tensile and compressive response

The present study elucidates the effects of nanoscale boron nitride particles addition on the microstructural and mechanical characteristics of monolithic magnesium. Novel light-weight Mg nanocomposites containing 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2vol% nano-size boron nitride particulates were synthesized using the disintegrated melt deposition method followed by hot extrusion. Microstructural characterization of developed Mg/x-boron nitride composites revealed significant grain refinement due to the uniform distribution of nano-boron nitride particulates. Texture analysis of selected Mg-1.2 boron nitride nanocomposite showed an increase in the intensity of fiber texture alongside enhanced localized recrystallization when compared to monolithic Mg. Mechanical properties evaluation under indentation, tension and compression loading indicated superior response of Mg/x-boron nitride composites in comparison to pure Mg. The uniform distribution of nanoscale boron nitride particles and the modified crystallographic texture achieved due to the nano-boron nitride addition attributes to the superior mechanical characteristics of Mg/boron nitride nanocomposites.

Wide-Range Thermometry at Micro/Nano Length Scales with In2O3 Octahedrons as Optical Probes

We report the temperature-dependent photoluminescence and Raman spectra of In2O3 octahedrons synthesized by an evaporation condensation process. The luminescence obtained here is due to the defect-related deep level emission, which shows highly temperature-dependent behavior in 83-573 K range. Both the position as well as the intensity varies with temperature. Similarly, Raman spectroscopy in 83-303 K range shows temperature-dependent variation in peak intensity but no change in the peak position. Interestingly, the variation of intensity for different peaks is consistent with Placzek theory which invokes the possibility of temperature sensing. We demonstrate the reversibility of peak intensity with temperature for consecutive cycles and excellent stability of the octahedrons toward cryogenic temperature sensing. Overall, both the temperature-dependent photoluminescence and Raman spectra can be explored to determine temperature in the cryogenic range at micro/nano length scales. As an example, we evaluate the temperature-dependent Raman spectra of WO3 that undergoes a phase transition around 210 K and temperature-dependent luminescence of Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) where intensity varies with temperature.

A novel in-situ polymer derived nano ceramic MMC by friction stir processing

Fiction stir processing (FSP) is a solid state technique used for material processing. Tool wear and the agglomeration of ceramic particles have been serious issues in FSP of metal matrix composites. In the present study, FSP has been employed to disperse the nanoscale particles of a polymer-derived silicon carbonitride (SiCN) ceramic phase into copper by an in-situ process. SiCN cross linked polymer particles were incorporated using multi-pass ESP into pure copper to form bulk particulate metal matrix composites. The polymer was then converted into ceramic through an in-situ pyrolysis process and dispersed by ESP. Multi-pass processing was carried out to remove porosity from the samples and also for the uniform dispersion of polymer derived ceramic particles. Microstructural observations were carried out using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) of the composite. The results indicate a uniform distribution of similar to 100 nm size particles of the ceramic phase in the copper matrix after ESP. The nanocomposite exhibits a five fold increase in microhardness (260HV(100)) which is attributed to the nano scale dispersion of ceramic particles. A mechanism has been proposed for the fracturing of PDC particles during multi pass FSP. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Rational molecular dynamics scheme for predicting optimum concentration loading of nano-additive in phase change materials

The present study deals with the diffusion and phase transition behaviour of paraffin reinforced with carbon nano-additives namely graphene oxide (GO) and surface functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). Bulk disordered systems of paraffin hydrocarbons impregnated with carbon nano-additives have been generated in realistic equilibrium conformations for potential application as latent heat storage systems. Ab initio molecular dynamics(MD) in conjugation with COMPASS forcefield has been implemented using periodic boundary conditions. The proposed scheme allows determination of optimum nano-additive loading for improving thermo-physical properties through analysis of mass, thermal and transport properties; and assists in determination of composite behaviour and related performance from microscopic point of view. It was observed that nanocomposites containing 7.8% surface functionalised SWCNT and 55% GO loading corresponds to best latent heat storage system. The propounded methodology could serve as a by-pass route for economically taxing and iterative experimental procedures required to attain the optimum composition for best performance. The results also hint at the large unexplored potential of ab-initio classical MD techniques for predicting performance of new nanocomposites for potential phase change material applications. (C) 2015 Author(s).

Prediction and validation of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) on plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR): a step toward development of nano-biofertilizers

Several soil microbes are present in the rhizosphere zone, especially plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), which are best known for their plant growth promoting activities. The present study reflects the effect of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) at various concentrations on the growth of PGPR. GNPs were synthesized chemically, by reduction of HAuCl 4, and further characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), etc. The impact of GNPs on PGPR was investigated by Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommended Broth-Microdilution technique against four selected PGPR viz., Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis, Paenibacillus elgii, and Pseudomonas putida. Neither accelerating nor reducing impact was observed in P. putida due to GNPs. On the contrary, significant increase was observed in the case of P. fluorescens, P. elgii, and B. subtilis, and hence, GNPs can be exploited as nano-biofertilizers.

Electrolithography- A New and Versatile Process for Nano Patterning

We report a new lithography technique based on electromigration driven material transport for drawing patterns at nanometer scales in ambient conditions. We use a thin metal film as a masking layer and a polymer layer beneath it as a pattern transfer layer. The desired pattern is drawn in the metal layer by etching the metal with a conducting scanning probe assisted by liquid electromigration. The pattern drawn on the metal layer is transferred to the polymer layer by etching the polymer with an appropriate solvent. Subsequently, the pattern is transferred to the desired material layer using a film deposition technique followed by conventional lift-off process. Using this simple technique, we have achieved pattern resolutions of 9 nm on the polymer and 40 nm on transferring the pattern to another material. Based on the ease of use and process costs, this technique promises to be competitive to e-beam lithography that employs high energy and ultra-high vacuum, or the industrial standard ultra-violet light photolithography that employs extremely expensive implements to reach nano-scale resolutions. We also demonstrate direct mask writing using this technique and explain the fundamentals behind the workings of the developed method.

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.

YIn0.9Mn0.1O3-ZnO nano-pigment exhibiting intense blue color with impressive solar reflectance

The current study reports on the synthesis and characterization of a new inorganic nano-pigment with an intense blue color and high solar radiation reflective properties (70%). The nano-pigment YIn0.9Mn0.1O3-ZnO was synthesized by a sol-gel combustion method and characterized with the aid of X-Ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Magnetic susceptibility, Transmission electron microscopy, UV ndash;vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and CIE-1976 L*a*b* color measurements. The Rietveld refinement of the XRD patterns of the developed nano-pigment disclosed the existence of YIn0.9Mn0.1O3 and ZnO in a 1:1 ratio with hexagonal crystal structures. For comparison, YIn0.9Mn0.1O3 was also synthesized by the sol gel combustion route and its optical properties compared with that of YIn0.9Mn0.1O3-ZnO. It is interesting to note that the developed YIn0.9Mn0.1O3-ZnO nano-pigmeht exhibits superior blue hue (b* = -40.55) and solar reflectance (R* = 70%) values as compared to the YIn0.9Mn0.1O3 nano-pigment (b* = -22.28, R* = 50%). Most importantly, the potential utility of the nano-pigment as a ``Cool Pigment'' was demonstrated by coating onto roofing materials like aluminum roofing sheets. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.