Search

A facile approach to synthesise V2O5 nanoflowers are adopted through the microwave-assisted method. The as-prepared V2O5 was characterised by the X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy analyses. The X-ray diffraction spectra confirmed the formation of the orthorhombic crystal structure of V2O5 nanoflowers with an average crystallite size of 20 nm. FTIR results showed the V-O-V stretching mode vibration at 442 cm−1. The above material has studied as cathode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIB) at C/10 rate and the results showed, V2O5 nanoflowers delivered the specific capacity of 241 mAh g−1 than the commercial V2O5 of 98 mAh g−1 at 1.5–4.0 V apart from this, better cycle stability over 100 charge-discharge cycles and reasonable discharge capacities obtained at high C-rates. These results suggest enhancement of LIB capacity due to high surface area and good porosity of mesoporous V2O5 nanoflowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2-phenylethylaminium 5-sulfosalicylate (2PE5S) compound was successfully synthesised and single crystals were grown by slow evaporation method. High resolution X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the crystal perfection of the grown crystal. The presence of functional groups of 2PE5S compound was confirmed by FTIR analysis. The thermal stability was examined for the grown crystal. UV-visible and photoluminescence studies were carried out for the grown crystal to estimate the optical transmittance, lower cut-off wavelength, band gap and emission region respectively. The laser damage threshold and third order nonlinear optical susceptibility (χ3) of 2PE5S crystal were evaluated by LDT and Z-scan techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Good-quality new single crystals of 4-methylpyridinium 4-nitrobenzoate were grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique at room temperature using methanol as solvent. The structure of the crystal confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and it revealed that the grown crystal crystallised into triclinic system with the space group P. The presence of various functional groups was identified by FT-IR analysis. Transmission range of the crystal was determined by UV-vis-NIR spectra and cut-off wavelength was found to be 395 nm. Photoconductivity studies of 4M4N divulged its negative photoconducting nature. The crystal is thermally stable up to 105.74 °C as determined by thermo gravimetric-differential thermal analysis. The third-order non-linear optical parameters (non-linear refractive index, non-linear absorption coefficient and real and imaginary parts of the third-order non-linear optical susceptibility) measured by Z-scan technique proved that 4M4N crystal possesses two-photon absorptions. The positive refractive index value indicates the self focusing nature of the crystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceria and gadolinium (Gd) doped ceria nanowires have been synthesised by hydrothermal technique with mild reaction conditions. The structure and morphology of as-prepared nanowires were studied by X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) techniques. The FE-SEM analysis revealed the formation of nanowires with an average diameter of 10–15 nm. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis for the annealed samples confirms the existence of well defined nanorods of 120–150 nm diameter and 1–1.3 μm length. Fluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy techniques have been used to study the optical properties of the prepared nanowires. The observed red shift in the ultraviolet–visible absorption spectra confirmed the promoted electron–phonon interaction in CeO2and Gd:CeO2nanowires compared to bulk structures. The prepared nanowires/rods were thermally stable at up to 350 °C, as revealed by thermogravimetric analysis. The electrical properties were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance spectroscopy. The CV results demonstrated that Gd:CeO2exhibited a higher electro-oxidation than CeO2nanowires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZnS nanoparticles have been synthesised at low temperature by short reaction (80°C for 2 h) via wet chemical route. The nanoparticles were stabilised using hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) as surfactant in aqueous solution. The average particle size calculated from X-ray diffraction studies was about 4 nm with cubic zincblende structure. The presence of HMTA in the synthesised ZnS nanoparticles was confirmed by FTIR studies. A significant blue shift was observed in the optical absorption band edge for the ZnS nanoparticles as compared to the bulk, indicating a strong quantum confinement. The room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectrum showed a broad green emission peak at around 502 nm. The photocatalytic property of HMTA-stabilised ZnS nanoparticles were investigated on the decolourisation of methylene blue aqueous solution under UV light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]