Combustion synthesized TiO2 for enhanced photocatalytic activity under the direct sunlight-optimization of titanylnitrate synthesis

Optimized synthesis of Ti-precursor ‘titanylnitrate’ for one step combustion synthesis of N- and C-doped TiO₂ catalysts were reported and characterized by using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffused reflectance UV–vis spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD confirmed the formation of TiO₂ anatase and nano-crystallite size which was further confirmed by TEM. UV-DRS confirmed the decrease in the band gap to less than 3.0 eV, which was assigned due to the presence of C and N in the framework of TiO₂ as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution under the direct sunlight was carried out and typical results indicated the better performance of the synthesized catalysts than Degussa P-25.     

Application of natural receptors in sensors and assays

Biosensors are analytical devices that use a biological or biologically derived material immobilized at a physicochemical transducer to measure one or more analytes. Although there are a large number of reviews on biosensors in general, there has been little systematic information presented on the application of natural receptors in sensor technology. This perspective discusses broadly the fundamental properties of natural receptors, which make them an attractive option for use as biorecognition elements in sensor technology. It analyses the current situation by reference to typical examples, such as the application of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and G protein-linked receptors in affinity sensors and analyses the problems that need to be resolved prior to any commercialization of such devices.     

Wrapped statistics-based phase retrieval from interference fringes

We propose a wrapped statistics-based approach for phase estimation from noisy reconstructed interference fringes in digital holographic interferometry. The state space model required here is formed by Taylor series expansion of the phase function as state model and the wrapped dynamical system as measurement model. Prediction of the state using Kalman filter is straightforward since the state model is linear. However, the non-linearity issue induced due to the wrapping of the measurements is handled by changing the innovation correction step, which accounts for the probability of wrappings. Through the simulation and experimental study, we have shown that the proposed approach is robust to both, noise in fringe pattern as well as the dynamic range of the phase pattern, simultaneously. Moreover, it outperforms when compared with the other state-of-the-art phase retrieval approaches.     

Nanostructured, molecularly imprinted, and template-patterned polythiophenes for chiral sensing and differentiation

An innovation to thin-film molecular imprinting is presented for the sensitive detection and effective discrimination of chiral compounds using a portable quartz crystal microbalance transduction technique. The facile approach involves i) colloidal sphere layering of latex particles onto the surface via a Langmuir-Blodgett-like technique followed by ii) template molecular imprinting using electrodeposition of a single functional and cross-linking monomer.     

The effect of high energy mechanochemical processing on the microstructure, piezoelectric, ferroelectric and mechanical properties of PLZT ceramics

Lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) ceramics were synthesized using a high energy mechanochemical processing technique, using tungsten carbide grinding vials and balls. The ceramic powders were prepared using the constituent oxide powders, which were subjected to high energy milling, without the use of any excess PbO in the starting composition. TEM studies revealed the formation of very fine particles of the order of 30?nm, due to the milling effect. Highly dense ceramics could be prepared via sintering which resulted in ultra-high strains in these piezoelectric samples of up to 0.25%, a value which has not been reported hitherto by any other known process. The effect of the reduction in particle size on the microstructure, mechanical and electrical properties of PLZT ceramics were studied and are discussed herein.     

Composition-dependent structural, optical and electrical properties of In x Ga1−x N (0.5 ≤ x ≤ 0.93) thin films grown by modified activated reactive evaporation

In this report, we have studied the compositional dependence of structural, optical and electrical properties of polycrystalline In _x Ga_1?x N thin films grown by modified activated reactive evaporation. The growth was monitored by optical emission spectroscopy. The thickness of the films was in the range ~600–800 nm. The phase, crystallinity and composition of the films were determined by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The surface morphology was studied by atomic force microscopy. The band gaps of these films obtained from transmittance and photoluminescence measurements were found to vary from 1.88 to 3.22 eV. All the films show n-type conductivity. The carrier concentration was found to be decreasing with increase in gallium incorporation which is in good agreement with the free carrier absorption observed in transmittance spectra.     

Indium doped silver oxide thin films prepared by reactive electron beam evaporation technique: electrical properties

The indium doped silver oxide thin films have been prepared at 275 °C on soda lime glass and silicon substrates by reactive electron beam evaporation technique; the deposition rate has been varied (by varying the electron beam current) in the range 0.94–16.88 nm/s keeping the oxygen flow rate constant. These films are polycrystalline. The electrical resistivity for these films decreases with increasing deposition rate. The AIO films prepared with a deposition rate of 5.7 nm/s show near p-type conductivity. The work function has been measured on these films by contact potential method using Kelvin Probe. The surface morphology of the films has been evaluated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The roles of indium doping and oxygen vacancies in the electrical properties of these films have been analyzed; the ionized impurity scattering is the dominant mechanism controlling the electrical conduction in these films.     

Conductivity study of polyethylene oxide (PEO) complexed with sodium bicarbonate

Ion conducting thin film polymer electrolytes based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) complexed with NaHCO₃ salt has been prepared using solution-cast technique. The complexation of NaHCO₃ salt with PEO is confirmed by XRD and IR studies. DC conductivity in the temperature range 303–368 K has been evaluated. The conductivity is found to increase in the PEO complex with the NaHCO₃ salt and also with an increase in temperature. Using this polymer electrolyte, an electrochemical cell with the configuration Na/(PEO + NaHCO₃)/(I₂ + C + electrolyte) has been fabricated and its discharge characteristics studied. Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) and Short Circuit Current (SCC) are found to be 2.69 V and 1.28 mA, respectively. Other parameters associated with the cell are evaluated and presented in this paper.     

Effect of pH on the Crystallization of Homogeneously Precipitated Nanosized PZT Powder

Nanosized lead zirconate titanate (PZT) powder with Zr:Ti ratio in the morphotropic phase boundary region was synthesized by homogeneous precipitation of metal ions. The powder precipitated at 90°C and at pH 6.7 resulted single-phase perovskite lead zirconate titanate powder when calcined at 550°C and above for 4 hours in air. The solution pH and the precipitation temperature strongly affect the composition of the calcined powder. The results obtained by structural characterization of homogeneously precipitated powder were compared with that obtained from the conventional precipitation method using ammonia in terms of crystallization, homogeneity, and microstructure. The homogeneously precipitated powder showed smaller particle size, minimum agglomeration and uniform shape on calcination and annealing. Powdered samples that precipitated by homogeneous precipitation crystallized directly to perovskite PZT, without any intermediate pyrochlore phase formation. In contrast, the NH₃ precipitated powder converted to perovskite PZT via metastable pyrochlore and it showed phase segregation upon annealing at higher temperatures. The reaction kinetics has been studied by X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry.