Papers by Author: Umapada Pal

Abstract: ZnO nanorods (NRs) have been synthesized by a chemical bath deposition (CBD) method on simple glass substrate that had been precoated by successive ionic layer absorption and reaction (SILAR) with a thin ZnO film. ZnO NR array was obtained by using zinc acetate and hexamethylenetetramine as aqueous solutions at optimized pH concentration and deposition time. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and SEM analysis were used to confirm the growth of ZnO nanorods. The pH and deposition time of the solution was found to influence the growth behavior of ZnO NRs. PL analysis also reflected the growth behavior of ZnO NRs.

Abstract: Developing new semiconductor materials with improved photocatalytic activity is a promising technology for the remedy of environmental pollution. Here we report on the synthesis of Yb containing TiO2 nanoparticles and their catalytic activity under visible light. Highly monodispersed, spherical TiO2 and TiO2 :Yb nanoparticles of 27- 40 nm size range were prepared through controlled hydrolysis of titanium tetrabutoxide (TTB) and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), high angle annular dark field (HAADF), and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS) techniques. Average size of the nanoparticles was found to decrease with the increase of Yb doping concentration. The photocatalytic activity of Yb doped TiO2 was evaluated by measuring the degradation rates of methylene blue (MB) under UV and visible lights. Doping with ytterbium ions enhanced significantly the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticles for MB oxidation under visible light.

Abstract: Cathodoluminescence (CL) quenching was observed in ZnO nanostructures when doped with Yb by both chemical and physical methods. CL spectra of the samples revealed a defect emission at 2.25 eV in samples prepared by the chemical method, and an emission at 2.5 eV in samples prepared by the physical method. From the thermal treatment studies, it was found that oxygen vacancies are responsible for the 2.5 eV emission. Observed CL quenching in ZnO is explained through the participation of point defects in the energy transfer process from ZnO to Yb3+.

Abstract: Conducting Polyaniline (Pani)-crooked Gold nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ chemo-oxidative polymerization of aniline with previously made crooked gold nanoparticles by using ammonium per oxidisulphate as oxidizing agent and p-toluene sulphonic acid (p-TSA) as dopant. The formation of nano gold was established by UV-visible spectroscopy with a SPR peak at 512 nm and crooked morphology was confirmed by TEM. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed the formation of the conducting emeraldine salt phase of the polymer. Due to clustering of composite nanoparticles, the polymer composite formed one-dimensional rod-like morphologies. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed a typical three-step decomposition pattern pertaining to polyaniline emeraldine salt. The conductivity of the nanocomposite was found to be lower (2.47 S/cm) than the virgin p-TSA doped polyaniline (5.55 S/cm).

Abstract: Nanocrystalline CaTiO3 powders doped with Fe2O3 have been prepared using a soft chemical route. Precipitation of CaTiO3 nanocrystals has been studied by monitoring the exothermic peak in their DSC spectra. The crystal growth temperature of the samples depends on the concentration of iron. Surface morphology, crystal structure, optical and electrical properties of the nanostructures are investigated. X-ray diffraction study shows that the as-prepared powders are amorphous in nature and CaTiO3 phase formation starts at around 500 0C. Rietveld analysis revealed that the particle size of iron substituted CaTiO3 is in nanometer range. Optical bandgap of the nanostructures varies from 4.3 to 3.7 eV for the variation of iron concentration from 0.05 to 0.2 mole %.