Ellagic acid - a novel organic electrode material for high capacity lithium ion batteries

Ellagic acid, a naturally occurring polyphenol, extracted from pomegranate husk, is found to be a very good organic electrode material for rechargeable lithium batteries with high reversible capacities of similar to 450 and 200 mA h g(-1) at C/10 and C/2.5 discharge rates, respectively; ex situ NMR studies reveal possible lithiation-delithiation modes at different stages of the charge-discharge process.

Charge Injection through Nanocomposite Electrode in Microfluidic Channel for Electrical Lysis of Biological Cells

Several concepts have been developed in the recent years for nanomaterial based integrated MEMS platform in order to accelerate the process of biological sample preparation followed by selective screening and identification of target molecules. In this context, there exist several challenges which need to be addressed in the process of electrical lysis of biological cells. These are due to (i) low resource settings while achieving maximal lysis (ii) high throughput of target molecules to be detected (iii) automated extraction and purification of relevant molecules such as DNA and protein from extremely small volume of sample (iv) requirement of fast, accurate and yet scalable methods (v) multifunctionality toward process monitoring and (vi) downward compatibility with already existing diagnostic protocols. This paper reports on the optimization of electrical lysis process based on various different nanocomposite coated electrodes placed in a microfluidic channel. The nanocomposites are synthesized using different nanomaterials like Zinc nanorod dispersion in polymer. The efficiency of electrical lysis with various different electrode coatings has been experimentally verified in terms of DNA concentration, amplification and protein yield. The influence of the coating thickness on the injection current densities has been analyzed. We further correlate experimentally the current density vs. voltage relationship with the extent of bacterial cell lysis. A coupled multiphysics based simulation model is used to predict the cell trajectories and lysis efficiencies under various electrode boundary conditions as estimated from experimental results. Detailed in-situ fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy studies are performed to validate various hypotheses.

Tuning ultrafast photoresponse of gold nanorods

Nondegenerate pump probe differential transmission experiments on gold nanorods with varying longitudinal surface plasmon resonance have revealed a new phenomenon where the polarity of the transient transmission signal can be reversibly switched between photo bleaching and photo-induced absorption by controlling probe fluence. Under the usual case where probe fluences are nominal, photo bleaching effect is observed for the nanorods with longitudinal surface plasmon resonance energy smaller than the probe photon energy. The laser-induced melting of the nanorods or change in their shape is ruled out for the observed optical switching effect. A quantitative understanding of the results is attempted by invoking a cascaded two-photon absorption dominant beyond a threshold probe fluence of similar to 75 mu J/cm(2).

Photoluminescence decay rate engineering of CdSe quantum dots in ensemble arrays embedded with gold nano-antennae

We discuss experimental results on the ability to significantly tune the photoluminescence decay rates of CdSe quantum dots embedded in an ordered template, using lightly doped small gold nanoparticles (nano-antennae), of relatively low optical efficiency. We observe both enhancement and quenching of photoluminescence intensity of the quantum dots varying monotonically with increasing volume fraction of added gold nanoparticles, with respect to undoped quantum dot arrays. However, the corresponding variation in lifetime of photoluminescence spectra decay shows a hitherto unobserved, non-monotonic variation with gold nanoparticle doping. We also demonstrate that Purcell effect is quite effective for the larger (5 nm) gold nano-antenna leading to more than four times enhanced radiative rate at spectral resonance, for largest doping and about 1.75 times enhancement for off-resonance. Significantly for spectral off-resonance samples, we could simultaneously engineer reduction of non-radiative decay rate along with increase of radiative decay rate. Non-radiative decay dominates the system for the smaller (2 nm) gold nano-antenna setting the limit on how small these plasmonic nano-antennae could be to be effective in engineering significant enhancement in radiative decay rate and, hence, the overall quantum efficiency of quantum dot based hybrid photonic assemblies.

Polymer template-assisted microemulsion synthesis of large surface area, porous Li2MnO3 and its characterization as a positive electrode material of Li-ion cells

Lithium-rich manganese oxide (Li2MnO3) is prepared by reverse microemulsion method employing Pluronic acid (P123) as a soft template and studied as a positive electrode material. The as-prepared sample possesses good crystalline structure with a broadly distributed mesoporosity but low surface area. As expected, cyclic voltammetry and charge-discharge data indicate poor electrochemical activity. However, the sample gains surface area with narrowly distributed mesoporosity and also electrochemical activity after treating in 4 M H2SO4. A discharge capacity of about 160 mAh g(-1) is obtained. When the acid-treated sample is heated at 300 A degrees C, the resulting porous sample with a large surface area and dual porosity provides a discharge capacity of 240 mAh g(-1). The rate capability study suggests that the sample provides about 150 mAh g(-1) at a specific discharge current of 1.25 A g(-1). Although the cycling stability is poor, the high rate capability is attributed to porous nature of the material.

Synthesis, characterisation and application of an exfoliated graphite-diamond composite electrode in the electrochemical degradation of trichloroethylene

A composite electrode made up of exfoliated graphite (EG) and diamond was prepared for the electrochemical oxidation of trichloroethylene (TCE). The SEM images of the EG-diamond material showed that diamond powders were dispersed on the surface of EG materials. The N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherm of EG-diamond material resulted in a poor adsorption capability due to the insertion of diamond powders into the porous matrix of EG. Raman spectroscopy revealed the presence of characteristic sp(3) bands of diamond confirming good interaction of diamond with EG. Electrochemical characterisation of EG-diamond in 0.1 M Na2SO4 resulted in an enhanced working potential window. The EG-diamond electrode was employed for the electrochemical oxidation of trichloroethylene (0.2 mM) in a Na2SO4 supporting electrolyte. The EG-diamond, in comparison to the pristine EG electrode, exhibited a higher removal efficiency of 94% (EG was 57%) and faster degradation kinetics of 25.3 x 10(-3) min(-1) showing pseudo first order kinetic behaviour. Under the optimised conditions, 73% total organic content (TOC) removal was achieved after 4 h of electrolysis. The degradation of TCE was also monitored with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) was identified as a major intermediate product during the electrochemical oxidation of TCE. The electrochemical degradation of TCE at the EG-diamond electrode represents a cost effective method due to the ease of preparation of EG-diamond composite material without the necessity of diamond activation which is normally achieved through doping.

Tuning the parameters to establish Quenching and enhancement regimes in hybrid Gold nanoparticles and CdSe Quantum dots monolayer

The multi-component nanomaterials combine the individual properties and give rise to emergent phenomenon. Optical excitations in such hybrid nonmaterial's ( for example Exciton in semiconductor quantum dots and Plasmon in Metal nanomaterials) undergo strong weak electromagnetic coupling. Such exciton-plasmon interactions allow design of absorption and emission properties, control of nanoscale energy-transfer processes, and creation of new excitations in the strong coupling regime.This Exciton plasmon interaction in hybrid nanomaterial can lead to both enhancement in the emission as well as quenching. In this work we prepared close-packed hybrid monolayer of thiol capped CdSe and gold nanoparticles. They exhibit both the Quenching and enhancements the in PL emission.The systematic variance of PL from such hybrid nanomaterials monolayer is studied by tuning the Number ratio of Gold per Quantum dots, the surface density of QDs and the spectral overlap of emission spectrum of QD and absorption spectrum of Gold nanoparticles. Role of Localized surface Plasmon which not only leads to quenching but strong enhancements as well, is explored.

Organic device electrode fabricated by aluminum in nanopowder and bulk form and effect on device properties

Schottky barrier devices of metal/semiconductor/metal structure were fabricated using organic semiconductor polyaniline (PANI) and aluminium thin film cathode. Aluminium contacts were made by thermal evaporation technique using two different forms of metals (bulk and nanopowder). The structure and surface morphology of these films were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Grain size of the as-deposited films obtained by Scherrer's method, modified Williamson-Hall method, and SEM were found to be different. Current-voltage (I-V) characteristic of Schottky barrier device structure indicates that the calculated current density (J) for device fabricated from aluminium nanopowder is more than that from aluminium in bulk form.

Atomic Structure of Quantum Gold Nanowires: Quantification of the Lattice Strain

Theoretical studies exist to compute the atomic arrangement in gold nanowires and the influence on their electronic behavior with decreasing diameter. Experimental studies, e.g., by transmission electron microscopy, on chemically synthesized ultrafine wires are however lacking owing to the unavailability of suitable protocols for sample preparation and the stability of the wires under electron beam irradiation. In this work, we present an atomic scale structural investigation on quantum single crystalline gold nanowires of 2 nm diameter, chemically prepared on a carbon film grid. Using low dose aberration-corrected high resolution (S)TEM, we observe an inhomogeneous strain distribution in the crystal, largely concentrated at the twin boundaries and the surface along with the presence of facets and surface steps leading to a noncircular cross section of the wires. These structural aspects are critical inputs needed to determine their unique electronic character and their potential as a suitable catalyst material. Furthermore, electron-beam-induced structural changes at the atomic scale, having implications on their mechanical behavior and their suitability as interconnects, are discussed.

Polymer Template Assisted Synthesis of Porous Li1.2Mn0.53Ni0.13Co0.13O2 as a High Capacity and High Rate Capability Positive Electrode Material

A porous layered composite of Li2MnO3 and LiMn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3O2 (composition: Li1.2Mn0.53Ni0.13Co0.13O2) is prepared by reverse microemulsion method employing a soft polymer template and studied as a positive electrode material. The precursor is heated at several temperatures between 500 and 900 degrees C. The product samples possess mesoporosity with broadly distributed pores of about 30 nm diameters. There is a decrease in pore volume as well as in surface area by increasing the temperature of preparation. Nevertheless, the electrochemical activity of the composite increases with an increase in temperature. The discharge capacity values of the samples prepared at 800 and 900 degrees C are about 250 mAh g(-1) at a specific current of 40 mA g(-1) with an excellent cycling stability. A value of 225 mAh g(-1) is obtained at the end of 30 charge-discharge cycles. Both these composite samples possess high rate capability, but the 800 degrees C sample is marginally superior to the 900 degrees C sample. A discharge capacity of 100 mAh g(-1) is obtained at a specific current of 1000 mA g(-1). The high rate capability is attributed to porous nature of the composite samples. (C) 2013 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.

Preparation and electrochemical performance of porous hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) nanostructures as supercapacitor electrode material

Porous alpha-Fe2O3 nanostructures have been synthesized by sol-gel route. The effect of preparation temperature on the morphology, structure, and electrochemical stability upon cycling has been studied for supercapacitor application. The discharge capacitance of alpha-Fe2O3 prepared at 300 A degrees C is 193 F g(-1), when the electrodes are cycled in 0.5 M Na2SO3 at a specific current of 1 A g(-1). The capacitance retention after 1,000 cycles is about 92 % of the initial capacitance at a current density of 2 A g(-1). The high discharge capacitance as well as stability of alpha-Fe2O3 electrodes is attributed to large surface area and porosity of the material. There is a decrease in specific capacitance (SC) on increasing the preparation temperature. As iron oxides are inexpensive, the synthetic route adopted for alpha-Fe2O3 in the present study is convenient and the SC is high with good cycling stability, the porous alpha-Fe2O3 is a potential material for supercapacitors.

An in situ carbon-grafted alkaline iron electrode for iron-based accumulators

An in situ carbon-grafted alkaline iron electrode prepared from the active material obtained by decomposing the alpha-FeC2O4 center dot 2H(2)O-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite at 600 degrees C in a vacuum is reported. The active material comprises a mixture of a-Fe and Fe3O4 with the former as the prominent component. A specific discharge capacity in excess of 400 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1) is obtained with a faradaic efficiency of 80% for the iron electrode made from carbon-grafted active material (CGAM). The enhanced performance of the alkaline iron electrode is attributed to the increased amount of metallic iron in the active material and its concomitant in situ carbon grafting.

Reduced Graphene Oxide-Polypyrrole Composite as a Catalyst for Oxygen Electrode of High Rate Rechargeable Li-O-2 Cells

Polypyrrole (PPY) is grown on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and the composite is studied as a catalyst for O-2 electrode in Li-O-2 cells. PPY is uniformly distributed on the two dimensional RGO layers. Li-O-2 cells assembled in a non-aqueous electrolyte using RGO-PPY catalyst exhibit an initial discharge capacity as high as 3358 mAh g(-1) (3.94 mAh cm(-2)) at a current density of 0.3 mA cm(-2). The voltage gap between the charge and discharge curves is less for Li-O-2(RGO-PPY) cell in comparison with Li-O-2(RGO) cell. The Li-O-2(RGO-PPY) cell delivers a discharge capacity of 550 mAh g(-1) (0.43 mAh cm(-2)) at a current density of 1.0 mA cm(-2). The results suggest that RGO-PPY is a promising catalyst of O-2 electrode for high rate rechargeable Li-O-2 cells. (C) 2014 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.

Formation and Thermal Stability of Gold-Silica Nanohybrids: Insight into the Mechanism and Morphology by Electron Tomography

Gold-silica hybrids are appealing in different fields of applications like catalysis, sensorics, drug delivery, and biotechnology. In most cases, the morphology and distribution of the heterounits play significant roles in their functional behavior. Methods of synthesizing these hybrids, with variable ordering of the heterounits, are replete; however, a complete characterization in three dimensions could not be achieved yet. A simple route to the synthesis of Au-decorated SiO2 spheres is demonstrated and a study on the 3D ordering of the heterounits by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) tomography is presentedat the final stage, intermediate stages of formation, and after heating the hybrid. The final hybrid evolves from a soft self-assembled structure of Au nanoparticles. The hybrid shows good thermal stability up to 400 degrees C, beyond which the Au particles start migrating inside the SiO2 matrix. This study provides an insight in the formation mechanism and thermal stability of the structures which are crucial factors for designing and applying such hybrids in fields of catalysis and biotechnology. As the method is general, it can be applied to make similar hybrids based on SiO2 by tuning the reaction chemistry as needed.

Voltammetric detection of arsenic on a bismuth modified exfoliated graphite electrode

We present the application of a bismuth modified exfoliated graphite electrode in the detection of arsenic in water. Bismuth film was electrodeposited onto an exfoliated graphite (EG) electrode at a potential of -600 mV. The modification of EG resulted in an increase in the electroactive surface area of the electrode and consequently peak current enhancement in Ru(NH3)(6)(2+/13+) redox probe. Square wave anodic stripping voltammetry was performed with the modified electrode (EG-Bi) in As (III) solutions at the optimum conditions of pH 6, deposition potential of -600 mV and pre-concentration time of 180s. The EG-Bi was able to detect As (III) to the limit of 5 mu g L-1 and was not susceptible to many interfering cations except Cu (II). The EG-Bi is low cost and easy to prepare. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.