Papers by Author: D. Prabhakaran

Abstract: Citric acid assisted auto combustion method was used in the synthesis of BiFeO₃ nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterised using X-ray powder diffraction, Scanning electron Microscope, BET surface area analysis, UV-Visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectrometer and Vibratory Sample Magnetometer. The photocatalytic behaviour of the BFO nanoparticles has been studied by the degradation of the direct blue dye. It is observed that BFO shows a good photocatalytic degradation of dye in the visible light irradiation. The effect of pH, catalyst quantity has been studied. The optimum condition is identified as pH 2 and 150mg of the photocatalyst in 10ppm of the dye solution. The magnetic property of BiFeO₃at room temperature helps in the efficient removal of them from the treated dye solution. The ability of BiFeO₃ nanoparticles to absorb the solar energy and using it for the treatment of water gives it an upper hand over other photo catalysts like Titanium Oxide (TiO₂) and Zinc Oxide (ZnO).

Abstract: We present resonant x-ray scattering experimental data from YVO3. By scattering at the vanadium K edge we are able to observe diffraction from the anisotropic tensor of susceptibility at the Bragg forbidden (010). The resonant energy spectra from these reflections are unusually complex, giving an indication of the crystal field distortions around the vanadium site.