Publications by authors named "Anantha-Iyengar Gopalan"

In this work, a simple and facile approach was employed for the preparation of the ternary hybrids comprising of titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and graphitic nitride (designated as TZG-TH) with varying compositions of the components. In the context of complex and multi-stages involved for preparation of many of the THs in the literature, the present work uses the much simpler mythology for the preparation of TH. Nanofluids (NF) were formulated in ethylene glycol: water base fluid using TZG TH as the solid particles.

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In the present work, a new kind of nanocomposite (NC)-based solid component was prepared for formulating nanofluids (NFs). The NC comprised metal oxide (titanium dioxide, TiO) dispersed in a conducting polymer with polyaniline (PANI) and chemically linked silyl-alkyl units in it (PSA) that were designated as T-PSA NC. The NFs with ethylene glycol (EG) as a base fluid were prepared with T-PSA NCs with various compositions of TiO and PSA as well for various concentrations of T-PSA NCs.

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The introduction of toxic chemicals into the environment can result in water pollution leading to the degradation of biodiversity as well as human health. This study presents a new approach of using metal oxides (AlO and SiO) modified with a plasmonic metal (silver, Ag) nanoparticles (NPs)-based nanofluid (NF) formulation for environmental remediation purposes. Firstly, we prepared the AlO and SiO NFs of different concentrations (0.

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Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are widely used materials for biomedical applications owing to their intriguing chemical, biological and magnetic properties. The evolution of MNP based biomedical applications (such as hyperthermia treatment and drug delivery) could be advanced using magnetic nanofluids (MNFs) designed with a biocompatible surface coating strategy. This study presents the first report on the drug loading/release capability of MNF formulated with methoxy polyethylene glycol (referred to as PEG) coated MNP in aqueous (phosphate buffer) fluid.

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Titanium dioxide (TiO), the golden standard among the photocatalysts, exhibits a varying level of photocatalytic activities (PCA) amongst the synthetically prepared and commercially available products. For commercial applications, superior photoactivity and cost-effectiveness are the two main factors to be reckoned with. This study presents the development of simple, cost-effective post-treatment processes for a less costly TiO to significantly enhance the PCA to the level of expensive commercial TiO having demonstrated superior photoactivities.

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Titanium dioxide (TiO) has been extensively investigated in interdisciplinary research (such as catalysis, energy, environment, health, etc.) owing to its attractive physico-chemical properties, abundant nature, chemical/environmental stability, low-cost manufacturing, low toxicity, etc. Over time, TiO-incorporated building/construction materials have been utilized for mitigating potential problems related to the environment and human health issues.

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We report the detailed microstructural, morphological, optical and photocatalytic studies of graphene (G) and manganese (Mn) co-doped titanium dioxide nanowires (TiO(G-Mn) NWs) prepared through facile combined electrospinning-hydrothermal processes. The as-prepared samples were thoroughly characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). XRD studies reveal the formation of mixed anatase-rutile phases or rutile phase depending on the dopant (Mn) precursor concentrations in the electrospinning dope and calcination temperature.

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In this work, we developed an effective voltammetric immunosensing platform for the sensitive detection of prostate specific antigen (PSA) utilizing a graphene oxide (GO) modified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) hybridized with the ex-situ prepared silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a probe and signal transducer. The sensing platform comprises a direct-type immunoassay involving the selective interaction of PSA with anti-PSA. The surface morphology and analytical performance of the modified SPCE were characterized through relevant instrumentations.

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Developing a highly active, stable, and efficient non-noble metal-free functional electrocatalyst to supplant the benchmark Pt/C-based catalysts in practical fuel cell applications remains a stupendous challenge. A rational strategy is developed to directly anchor highly active and dispersed copper (Cu) nanospecies on mesoporous fullerenes (referred to as Cu-MFC ) toward enhancing oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysis. The preparation of Cu-MFC involves i) the synthesis of ordered MFC via the prevalent nanohard templating technique and ii) the postfunctionalization of MFC with finely distributed Cu nanospecies through incipient wet impregnation.

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We investigated the role of a functional solid additive, 2,3-dihydroxypyridine (DHP), in influencing the optoelectronic, morphological, structural and photovoltaic properties of bulk-heterojunction-based polymer solar cells (BHJ PSCs) fabricated using poly(3-hexylthiophene): indene-C bisadduct (P3HT:ICBA) photoactive medium. A dramatic increase in the power conversion efficiency (~20%) was witnessed for the BHJ PSCs treated with DHP compared to the pristine devices. A plausible explanation describing the alignment of pyridine moieties of DHP with the indene side groups of ICBA is presented with a view to improving the performance of the BHJ PSCs via improved crystalline order and hydrophobicity changes.

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A new titanium dioxide (TiO)-based heterojunction nanohybrid (HJNH) composed of TiO, graphene (G), poly[3-aminophenylboronic acid] (PAPBA), and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) was synthesized and designated as TiO(G) NW@PAPBA-Au HJNH. The TiO(G) NW@PAPBA-Au HJNH possesses dual-mode signal photoelectrochemical (PEC) and electrochemical transduction capabilities to sense glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) independently. The synthesis of the HJNH material involved two sequential stages: (i) simple electrospinning synthesis of G-embedded TiO nanowires [TiO(G) NWs] and (ii) one-step synthesis of Au NP-dispersed PAPBA nanocomposite (NC) in the presence of TiO(G) NWs.

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Article Synopsis
  • PEDOT:PSS is commonly used in solar cells, but its drawbacks include poor electrical conductivity and stability due to its hygroscopic and acidic properties.
  • The study introduces a new additive, 2,3-dihydroxypyridine (DOH), which enhances the properties of PEDOT:PSS, resulting in improved electrical conductivity and overall performance in solar cells.
  • With the addition of DOH, solar cells demonstrated a significant power conversion efficiency of 3.49%, a 20% increase over standard PEDOT:PSS, along with better thermal and air stability.
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Objective: Microbial aggregation around dental implants can lead to loss/loosening of the implants. This study was aimed at surface treating titanium microimplants with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to achieve antibacterial properties.

Methods: AgNP-modified titanium microimplants (Ti-nAg) were prepared using two methods.

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Hydrogels find applications in various fields, and the ever-growing spectrum of available monomers, crosslinking, and nanotechnologies widen the application of polymer hydrogels. Herein, we describe the preparation of a new graphene (G)- and polyaniline (PANI)-containing functional polymer gel (G/PANI/FG) through a facile crosslinking copolymerization approach. Several characterization techniques such as field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to understand the physicochemical characteristics of the G/PANI/FG.

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The separation of chiral compounds is an interesting and challenging topic in analytical chemistry, especially in environmental fields. Enantioselective degradation or bioaccumulation has been observed for several chiral pollutants. Polycyclic musks are chiral and are widely used as fragrances in a variety of personal care products such as soaps, shampoos, cosmetics and perfumes.

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In this report, titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles decorated multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) nanocomposite is fabricated via a two-step process. These two steps involve the decoration of titanium dioxide nanoparticles onto the MWCNTs surface and a subsequent thermal nitridation. Transmission electron microscopy shows that TiN nanoparticles with a mean diameter of ≤ 20 nm are homogeneously dispersed onto the MWCNTs surface.

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Graphene and metal nanoparticles were incorporated into titanium dioxide nanowires. The heterojunction generated in the titanium dioxide nanowires was beneficially utilized for photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine-B.

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Stimuli-responsive gels have widespread attraction due to their potential applications. In this work, we have demonstrated the preparation of new multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT) incorporate multi-responsive (pH and thermal) gels (MWNT-IPN-MRG) though network formation with functional macromolecules that interact each other via hydrogen bonds, covalent networking and temporary associative forces. A simple strategy has been developed to prepare MWNT-IPN-MRG.

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This study investigated the influence of Ni doping and thermal treatment (600, 800 degrees and 1000 degrees C) on the physiochemical properties of a commercially available low cost KA100 TiO2. Ni containing KA100 samples were prepared with different loading of Ni (3%, 6% and 9% wt to KA100) and subjected to heat treatement at 600 degrees, 800 degrees and 1000 degrees C. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Diffuse reflection UV-Visible spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy and nitrogen-adsorption-desorption measurements to observe the nanophase changes in the particle characteristics following Ni modification and thermal treatment.

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In this work, we prepared new poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) based magnetic-pH responsive smart gels comprised of nickel nanoparticles and cross-linked PVA with a pH responsive poly(methyl methacrylic acid) (PMAA) (designated as (PVA-PMAA/Ni-NCGs). We developed a strategy based on the modification of PVA with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) groups, which has the advantage of being highly efficient in preparing cross-linked PVA with pH responsive polymer chains. The PVA(GMA)-PMAA/Ni-NCGs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, magnetic measurements and thermogravimetric analysis.

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New nanocomposites, poly(diphenylamine-co-3-aminobenzonitrile)/palladium (P(DPA-co-3ABN)/Pd) and poly(diphenylamine)/palladium (PDPA/Pd), have been prepared by pulse potentiostatic method and used as electrocatalysts for borohydride oxidation. Linear sweep voltammogram of P(DPA-co-3ABN)/Pd-ME exhibited the oxidation wave between -0.8 V and 0.

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In this work, a new hybrid nanocatalyst, namely titanium dioxide (TiO2) composite nanowires, encapsulated with graphene (G) and palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) (designated as G-Pd@TiO2-CNWs), was prepared. In preparing the nanowires, a combination of electrospinning and hydrothermal approaches was employed. The visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance of G-Pd@TiO2-CNWs was investigated using the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) as a model reaction.

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A "modular approach" has been demonstrated for the preparation of nanodiamond (ND) based sponges (NS) with entrapped enzyme (horseradish peroxidase, HRP) (ND-NS(HRP)) and utilization as an electrochemical probe for detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). ND-NS comprises ND, porous poly(aniline)-poly(2-acrylamido 2-methyl propane sulfonic acid) (PANI-PAMPSA) network and entrapped HRP. Field emission scanning electron microscope image of ND-NS(HRP) reveals sponge like suprastructure comprising interconnected nanospheres with numerous openings/pinholes/cavities.

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