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This study investigates the characteristics of laser annealed thin films of Al–Ga co-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al–Ga) nanoparticles on top of SiO2/glass. The samples are synthesized using simple sol–gel, spin coating and radio frequency magnetron sputtering methods. The studies on the structural, optical and electrical properties of the pre-annealed sample and samples annealed at different power densities are conducted using a variety of characterization techniques. The samples exhibit a hexagonal wurtzite structure. Spectroscopic and nano-imaging techniques confirm that by increasing the laser power density, the crystallinity of the samples is improved and the nanoparticle size is enhanced from ∼10 nm to ∼35 nm. Spectroellipsometry is employed to calculate the refractive index, extinction coefficient, and real and imaginary components of the dielectric constant. The resistivity exhibits a minimum value at 440 mJ cm−2. Results demonstrate that the optical band gaps of the samples are between 3.29 and 3.41 eV, which are greater than that of pure bulk ZnO (band-gap of 3.21 eV). Several vibrational modes occur as a result of the dopant combination in the ZnO lattice. A discussion on the origins of modes and their intensity changes is provided. This work suggests that a laser annealing process can be an effective tool to fabricate various thin films with enhanced crystallinity. The optical and electrical properties can also be adjusted by varying the power density.

Polysulfone-based polyaniline–TiO2 containing hollow fiber membranes were prepared via a dry wet spinning method. Polyaniline (PANI) coated TiO2 nanotubes were prepared via chemical oxidative polymerisation and were incorporated into the hollow fiber membranes at different compositions. The hollow fibers were fabricated by varying the air gap distance during the spinning process. The effects of the addition of PANI coated TiO2 and the variation in the air gap distance on membrane performance, such as morphology and the permeability of the membranes, were analysed. The addition of the PANI–TiO2 nanocomposite enhanced the hydrophilicity and antifouling ability of the prepared membranes. The polysulfone hollow fiber membranes were examined for their dye rejection of Reactive Black 5 and Reactive Orange 16. The results indicated that the polysulfone hollow fibers containing 1.0 wt% of PANI–TiO2 fabricated using a 5 cm air gap can be used as a potential candidate for industrial dye rejection and showed a maximum rejection of 81.5% and 96.5% for Reactive Black 5 and Reactive Orange 16, respectively.