-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Undoped Bi(2)O(3) and single and double doped Bi(2)O(3) : M (where M = Tb(3+) and Eu(3+)) nanophosphors were synthesized through a simple sonochemical process and characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), EDS, diffuse reflectance (DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectrophotometry. The TEM micrographs show that resultant nanoparticles have a rod-like shape. Energy transfer was observed from host to the dopant ions. Characteristic green emissions from Tb(3+) ions and red emissions from Eu(3+) ions were observed. Interestingly, the Commission International de l'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of the double doped Bi(2)O(3) : Eu(3+)(0.8%) : Tb(3+)(1.2%) nanorods lie in the white light region of the chromaticity diagram and it has a quantum efficiency of 51%. The undoped Bi(2)O(3) showed a band gap of 3.98 eV which is red shifted to 3.81eV in the case of double doped Bi(2)O(3) : Eu(3+)(0.8%) : Tb(3+)(1.2%) nanorods. The photocatalytic activities of undoped nano Bi(2)O(3) and double doped nano Bi(2)O(3) : Eu(3+)(0.8%) : Tb(3+)(1.2%) were evaluated for the degradation of Rhodamine B under UV irradiation of 310 nm. The results showed that Bi(2)O(3) : Eu(3+)(0.8%) : Tb(3+)(1.2%) had better photocatalytic activity compared to undoped nano Bi(2)O(3). The evolution of CO(2) was realized and these results indicated the continuous mineralization of rhodamine B during the photocatalytic process. Thus double doped Bi(2)O(3) : Eu(3+)(0.8%) : Tb(3+)(1.2%) nanorods can be termed as a bifunctional material exhibiting both photocatalytic properties and white light emission.
Dalton Transactions 07/2012; 41(34):10238-48. · 3.84 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Green synthesis of gold nanospheres with uniform diameter and triangular nanoprisms with optically flat surface was carried out using a non-pathogenic bio-control agent Trichoderma asperellum for reduction of HAuCl(4). Kinetics of the reaction was monitored by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. No additional capping/complexing agent was used for stabilizing the gold nanoparticles. Evolution of morphology from pseudospherical nanoparticles to triangular nanoprisms was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It revealed that three or more pseudospheres fused to form nanoprisms of different shapes and sizes. Slow rate of reduction of HAuCl(4) by constituents of cell-free fungal extract was instrumental in producing such exotic morphologies. Isolation of gold nanotriangles from the reacting masses was achieved by differential centrifugation.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 10/2011; 367(1):148-52. · 3.07 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: ZnO nanotetrapods have been obtained in large quantities by carbothermal reduction of ZnO powder. These were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, UV-visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence. Electron microscopy revealed that the overall size of the tetrapods is 1.5-2 microm and legs are 30-50 nm in diameter. The size of tetrapods as well as diameter of the legs was found to increase with deposition temperature. Photoluminescence spectra revealed that green emission originating from oxygen vacancies overwhelmed that of the near-band-edge ultraviolet peak. A band gap of 3.27 eV was calculated from optical absorption spectra which agreed well with that estimated from PL spectra. Gas sensing properties of tetrapods were investigated and these were found to be 5 times more sensitive to H2S gas at room temperature in comparison to ZnO bulk polycrystalline material.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 09/2008; 8(8):4106-10. · 1.56 Impact Factor
-
Sensors and Actuators B Chemical 01/2008; 133(2):456-461. · 3.90 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Nickel nanorods with diameters ranging from 5 to 10 nm, encapsulated inside the carbon nanotubes, are prepared using microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) studies reveal the perfect crystalline nature of the rods with d-spacing closely matching the (111) interplanar spacing of Ni. The (111) planes of the Ni nanorods are always aligned at 39.6 degrees with respect to the graphite planes of the nanotubes. The cosine component of the d-spacing along the direction of the graphite planes is found to be 1.6 A; exactly half the d-spacing between the graphite planes. The electron diffraction pattern shows clear spots corresponding to Ni structure. The field cooled and zero field cooled magnetization data reveal the reversibility of the magnetization of the Ni nanorods and show a blocking temperature of 195 K, which correspond to energy barrier of 0.4 eV/(V).
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 05/2005; 5(4):596-600. · 1.56 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Surfactant outgrowth during dissolution as myelin figures, which happens on contact with water, is of prime importance in emulsification and detergency. Micro-Raman investigation of different lyotropic phases formed during dissolution of aerosol-OT (bis 2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate) in water during myelin formation reveals the flexible arrangement of the surfactant bilayers in myelin. The conformation around CC-CS bond and the hydrocarbon chains of aerosol-OT in the different liquid crystalline phases were identified from the fingerprints of CC-CS stretching, C-C stretching, C-H bending, and stretching frequencies. Existence of mixture of trans and gauche conformations around CC-CS bond and that of the hydrocarbon chains in myelin supports the fluid nature of bilayers by which it is made. Similar conformations of hydrocarbon chains in lamellar phase and in myelin support the concept of myelins being rolled up lamella. The observations are in line with the disorderness of the hydrocarbon chains in the bilayers of phospholipids that has been reported earlier. From the C-C stretching frequencies at the root of myelins, the kinked structure of the hydrocarbon chain is identified, and loose packing of molecules which would facilitate water transport across membranes is evident.
Langmuir 07/2004; 20(12):4816-22. · 4.19 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Multiwalled carbon nanotubes are grown by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition with CH4 and H2 as precursor gases. Ni and Ni/Pt electroplated layers are used as catalysts for the synthesis of the tubes. We observe that a very efficient filling of the tubes takes place with Ni. In some cases Ni/Pt filling is also observed inside the tubes. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) studies, coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analyses of the tubes, indicate Ni nanorods with a highly symmetrical cylindrical structure. The diameter of the cylindrical nanorods is on the order of 40 nm, and their length is 660 nm. The nano area diffraction pattern of the nanorods reveals the cubic structure of nickel, and electron diffraction spots corresponding to (111), (200), (220) planes are evident. The lattice constant of Ni measured from the diffraction spots was found to be 0.347 +/- 0.0013 nm. This should be compared with 0.352 nm, the value of "a" in bulk Ni. The decrease in the lattice constant may be due to the strain experienced inside the tubes. Raman spectroscopy shows the typical signature of the tangential breathing mode present in the tubes at 1580 cm-1 that shifts to a new position when the C12 is replaced by 13C. The shift, however, is too small and is difficult to explain on the basis of mass difference. HRTEM experiments indicate the presence of Ni3C in the samples dominantly in the interfacial region.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 3(1-2):165-70. · 1.56 Impact Factor
