Surface modification of a biomass-derived self-supported carbon nano network as an emerging platform for advanced field emitter devices and supercapacitor applications.

Herein, a self-supported carbon network is designed through the sole pyrolysis of Carica papaya seeds (biomass) without any activation agent, demonstrating their field emission and supercapacitor applications. The pyrolysis of seeds in an argon atmosphere leads to the formation of interconnected, rod-like structures. Furthermore, the hydrofluoric acid treatment not only removed impurities, but also resulted in the formation of CaF nanocrystals with the addition of F-doping.

Dramatic Enhancement in Photoresponse of β-In2S3 through Suppression of Dark Conductivity by Synthetic Control of Defect-Induced Carrier Compensation.

We report on the synthesis of dense and faceted indium sulfide (β-In2S3) nano-octahedron films on fluorine-doped tin oxide-coated glass by the hydrothermal method and their photoresponse properties in a flip chip device configuration. We have examined the temporal evolution of the phase constitution, morphology, and optoelectronic properties for films obtained after growth interruption at specific intervals. It is noted that, initially, an In(OH)3 film forms, which is gradually transformed to the β-In2S3 phase over time.

Self-powered UV-vis photodetector based on ZnIn2S4/hydrogel interface.

The photosensing properties of vertically aligned ZnIn2S4 nanopetal films grown hydrothermally on FTO coated glass are examined without and with surface dispensed agarose gel. For the ZnIn2S4 nanopetals photodetector (without gel) there is no photoresponse for zero bias. Most interestingly, with surface dispensation of agarose gel, the hybrid electronic-iontronic interface system shows a strong photoresponse even under zero bias, a highly efficient self-powered UV-visible light photodetector.

Nanostructured N-doped TiO₂ marigold flowers for an efficient solar hydrogen production from H₂S.

Nitrogen-doped TiO₂ nanostructures in the form of marigold flowers have been synthesized for the first time using a facile solvothermal method. The structural analysis has shown that such an N-doped TiO₂ system crystallizes in the anatase structure. The optical absorption spectra have clearly shown the shift in the absorption edge towards the visible-light range, which indicates successful nitrogen doping.

Hierarchical nanostructured ZnO with nanorods engendered to nanopencils and pin-cushion cactus with its field emission study.

In the present investigation, we report the synthesis of highly crystalline ZnO nanorods engendered to pin-cushion cactus and 1D nanopencil like nanoforms on zinc (Zn) foil via a simple sonochemical assisted hydrothermal route. The work reported herewith is attractive for two reasons: (i) the facile one step solution approach assisted by prior ultrasonication converts nanorods/nanobelts into nanopencils, and (ii) the sharp and quasi-aligned ZnO nanopencils are potential field electron emitters. In addition, the controlled growth of pinhole like ZnO nanopencils and aligned hexagonal ZnO nanodisc was obtained.