Engineering of Solar Energy Harvesting Tb-Ion-Doped CdS Quantum Dot Glasses for Photodissociation of Hydrogen Sulfide.

The photocatalytic properties of CdS quantum dots (Q-dots) and Tb-doped CdS Q-dots dispersed in a borosilicate glass matrix were investigated for the photodissociation of hydrogen sulfide (HS) into hydrogen (H) gas and elemental sulfur (S). The Q-dot-containing glass samples were fabricated using the conventional melt-quench method and isothermal annealing between 550 and 600 °C for 6 h for controlling the growth of CdS and Tb-ion-doped CdS Q-dots. The structure, electronic band gap, and spectroscopic properties of the Q-dots formed in the glass matrix after annealing were analyzed using Raman and UV-visible spectroscopies, X-ray powder diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy.

The synthesis and super capacitive characterization of microwave-assisted highly crystalline α-FeO/FeO nanoheterostructures.

A facile microwave-assisted solvothermal process for the synthesis of narrow-size distributed α-FeO, α-FeO/FeO, and FeO nanostructures was demonstrated using PVP as a surfactant. During the reaction, the influence of the reaction media, such as the mixture of ethylene glycol and water on the formation of α-FeO, α-FeO/FeO, and FeO was systematically studied. Interestingly, pure aqueous medicated solvothermal reaction conferred phase pure rhombohedral FeO (hematite) and linearly upsurging the formation of cubic FeO (magnetite) with the increasing concentration of EG and further, in pure EG, it deliberated cubic FeO.

Efficient solar light-driven hydrogen generation using an SnO nanoflake/graphene nanoheterostructure.

Herein, we report SnO and SnO nanoflake/graphene for photocatalytic hydrogen generation from HO and HS under natural "sunlight" irradiation. The SnO/graphene composites were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method at relatively low temperatures (150 °C). The incorporation of graphene in SnO exhibits remarkable improvement in solar light absorption, with improved photoinduced charge separation due to formation of the heterostructure.

Unique hierarchical SiO@ZnInS marigold flower like nanoheterostructure for solar hydrogen production.

The novel marigold flower like SiO@ZnInS nano-heterostructure was fabricated using an hydrothermal method. The nanoheterostructure exhibits hexagonal structure with marigold flower like morphology. The porous marigold flower assembly was constructed using ultrathin nanosheets.

Nanostructured gold in ancient Ayurvedic calcined drug 'swarnabhasma'.

Background: Swarnabhasma (calcined gold) is a famous ancient Ayurvedic medicine. However, its detail characteristic investigations are very limited.

Objective: Herein, investigation of swarnabhasma is demonstrated using ancient and ultramodern techniques to understand the physicochemical nature of this drug, and to understand whether the mercury [Parada] used during preparation method marks its presence in swarnabhasma.

Plasmonic Ag decorated CdMoO as an efficient photocatalyst for solar hydrogen production.

The synthesis of Ag-nanoparticle-decorated CdMoO and its photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen generation under sunlight has been demonstrated. The CdMoO samples were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal approach in which Ag nanoparticles were decorated on the surface of CdMoO. A morphological study showed that 5 nm spherical Ag nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed on the surface of CdMoO particles.

Fragmented lignin-assisted synthesis of a hierarchical ZnO nanostructure for ammonia gas sensing.

In the present study, we demonstrated the use of fragmented lignin in the synthesis of a hierarchical-type structure of ZnO nanorods. Lignin was isolated from bagasse by the microwave assisted method and its fragmentation was achieved in alkaline conditions along with hydrogen peroxide. Lignin and fragmented lignin were purified by crystallisation followed by column chromatography and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Frontier infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), H-NMR and high resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS).

Correction: Unique perforated graphene derived from Bougainvillea flowers for high-power supercapacitors: a green approach.

Correction for 'Unique perforated graphene derived from Bougainvillea flowers for high-power supercapacitors: a green approach' by Rajendra P. Panmand et al., Nanoscale, 2017, 9, 4801-4809.

Surface modified LiTiO by paper templated approach for enhanced interfacial Li charge transfer in Li-ion batteries.

The LiTiO (LTO) and lithium silicate (LS) surface modified LTO have been demonstrated by a unique paper templated method. Comparative study of structural characterization with electrochemical analysis was demonstrated for pristine and modified LiTiO. Structural and morphological study shows the existence of the cubic spinel structure with highly crystalline 250-300 nm size particles.

Hierarchical CdMoO nanowire-graphene composite for photocatalytic hydrogen generation under natural sunlight.

Herein, a facile solvothermal technique for the synthesis of a CdMoO/graphene composite photocatalyst is reported. Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesised by an improved Hummers' method and was further used for the synthesis of graphene GO reduction and the formation of a CdMoO nanowire/graphene composite. The structural phase formation of tetragonal CdMoO was confirmed from X-ray diffraction measurements.

Nanostructured N-doped orthorhombic NbO as an efficient stable photocatalyst for hydrogen generation under visible light.

The synthesis of orthorhombic nitrogen-doped niobium oxide (NbON) nanostructures was performed and a photocatalytic study carried out in their use in the conversion of toxic HS and water into hydrogen under UV-Visible light. Nanostructured orthorhombic NbON was synthesized by a simple solid-state combustion reaction (SSCR). The nanostructural features of NbON were examined by FESEM and HRTEM, which showed they had a porous chain-like structure, with chains interlocked with each other and with nanoparticles sized less than 10 nm.

Growth study of hierarchical AgPO/LaCOOH heterostructures and their efficient photocatalytic activity for RhB degradation.

We have demonstrated the synthesis of AgPO/LaCOOH (APO/LCO) heterostructured photocatalysts by an in situ wet chemical method. From pre-screening evaluations of photocatalysts with APO/(x wt% LCO) composites with mass ratios of x = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 wt%, we found that the APO/LCO (20 wt%) exhibited a superior photocatalytic activity for organic pollutant remediation. Therefore, an optimised photocatalyst APO/LCO (20 wt%) is selected for the present study and we investigate the effect of a mixed solvent system (HO:THF) on the morphology, which has a direct effect on the photocatalytic performance.

Unique perforated graphene derived from Bougainvillea flowers for high-power supercapacitors: a green approach.

Herein, we demonstrated a green approach for the synthesis of high surface area (850 m g) mesoporous perforated graphene (PG) from Bougainvillea flower for the first time using a template free single-step method. The existence of PG was confirmed by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FESEM, and FETEM. Surprisingly, FETEM clearly showed 5-10 nm perforation on the graphene sheets.

Nanostructured CdS sensitized CdWO nanorods for hydrogen generation from hydrogen sulfide and dye degradation under sunlight.

In this report, CdS nanoparticles have been grown on the surface of CdWO nanorods via an in-situ approach and their high photocatalytic ability toward dye degradation and H evolution from HS splitting under visible light has been demonstrated. The structural and optical properties as well as morphologies with varying amount of CdS to form CdS@CdWO have been investigated. Elemental mapping and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis proved the sensitization of CdWO nanorods by CdS nanoparticles.

Growth of Bi2Te3 quantum dots/rods in glass: a unique highly stable nanosystem with novel functionality for high performance magneto optical devices.

Magneto optical materials are currently of great interest, primarily for modern applications in optical isolation, modulation and switching in telecommunication. However, single crystals are the benchmark materials still used in these devices which are rather expensive and very difficult to fabricate. In this context, we are reporting herewith a stable and novel Bi(2)Te(3) quantum dot-glass nanosystem obtained using a controlled thermo-chemical method.