Advanced Nanomaterials and Their Applications

Table of Contents

1. Frontmatter

2. Ion Beam Synthesis of Germanium Nanocrystals—A Fluence Dependence Study

   V. Saikiran, G. Neelima, N. Srinivasa Rao, A. P. Pathak

   Abstract

   The synthesis of Ge nanocrystals (NCs) by using ion implantation method is reported here along with the results from different spectroscopic and microscopic characterizations such as Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Various fluences of 1 MeV Ge ions have been implanted into SiO₂, and then, as-implanted samples were annealed using rapid thermal annealing system for the synthesis of Ge NCs. The Ge NCs presence was confirmed from Raman spectroscopy and XRD measurements. The low-fluence implanted sample did not show any signature of Ge NCs, whereas Ge NCs presence has been observed in the high-fluence implanted sample after annealing. The mechanism of Ge NCs formation in the as-implanted samples after annealing has been discussed.

3. Graphene Oxide–Agar–Agar Hydrogel for Efficient Removal of Methyl Orange from Water

   Tufan Ghosh

   Abstract

   We report the preparation of graphene oxide (GO)–agar–agar hydrogel and its utilization toward the removal of methyl orange (MO) dye from water. Graphene oxide–agar–agar composite hydrogel has been prepared from a mixture of chemically synthesized GO and agar–agar powder in hot water followed by cooling at room temperature. To study the dye removal property of the prepared composite hydrogel, we placed the GO–agar hydrogel into an aqueous solution of MO. The dye adsorption was apparent as the color of the solution started disappearing immediately after the addition of the GO–hydrogel. To quantify this effect further, the dye removal efficiency was evaluated and the results suggest that the removal efficiency could reach up to 99% depending on the pH of the medium and the dose of GO used. In an acidic medium (pH ~ 2), the removal efficiency was found to be relatively higher, compared to that of an alkaline medium. The removal efficiency was improved as the dose of GO in the hydrogel was increased. Further, the kinetics of the dye adsorption onto the GO surface has been examined by plotting the experimental data according to Lagergren pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. The results from these analyses suggest that the pseudo-second-order model gives a better fit for the experimental data, than the first-order model. Our results show that GO–agar gel can be efficiently used for the removal of various toxic dyes from wastewater.

4. Numerical Analysis of Novel Cs2AuBiCl6-Based Double Perovskite Solar Cells with Graphene Oxide as HTL—A SCAPS-1D Simulation

   Titu Thomas, Davis Johny, B. Sudakshina

   Abstract

   Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising candidates to address today’s energy crisis. The most challenging obstacles to the commercialization of PSCs are their volatility toward environmental conditions and the presence of lead (Pb). To solve this, the scientific community has come up with double perovskites having a general molecular formula of A₂BB′X₆. In this study, we introduce a novel structure Cs₂AuBiCl₆ as an absorber due to its non-toxic nature and stable performance. Also, the electron transport layer (ETL) and hole transporting layer (HTL) play key roles in the performance and stability of PSCs. But most of the widely used HTL and ETL materials are very costly and have complex synthesizing process. Here, we use a novel HTL material graphene oxide (GO) as HTL and ZnSe as ETL, both of them being cheap, non-toxic, and easily available. We investigate for the first time ever the performance of a ZnSe/Cs₂AuBiCl₆/GO structure using the Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS-1D) software. Results indicate that the optimized thickness was 1 μm for absorber and 0.1 μm for HTL. The device efficiency improved with increasing the shunt resistance to 50 Ω, while it deteriorated with series resistance. Finally, all the output parameters declined with the rise in the operating temperature beyond 300 K. The elicited results suggest that Cs₂AuBiCl₆ and GO can play a momentous role in achieving highly efficient lead-free, inorganic perovskite solar cells.

5. Nanoscopic Pd(II)-Based Complexes with Poly-Ether Functionalized Ligand: The Crown Ether Analog

   Debakanta Tripathy, Soumya Lipsa Rath, Srabani Srotwosini Mishra, Dillip Kumar Chand

   Abstract

   Mononuclear cis-protected Pd(II) complexes 1–4 with general formula [Pd(N-N)L](NO₃)₂ ((N-N) is cis-protecting units such as en, tmeda, bpy, and phen) were synthesized by combining pyridine appended poly-ether functionalized ligand (1,11-bis(4-pyridylcarboxy)-3,6,9-trioxaundecane) L with suitable palladium(II) components. These assemblies were characterized by NMR and ESI-MS. DFT calculation was undertaken to establish structure of these complexes. A clear concentration-dependent dynamic equilibrium in the solution state was observed. The existence of dynamic equilibrium was supplemented by variable concentration ¹H NMR study. DNA binding potential of these complexes was studied using molecular docking tool.

6. Preparation of Hydrotalcite–CdPS3 Hybrid Solid from the Exfoliated Inorganic Nanosheets

   Rajesh Chalasani

   Abstract

   The delamination of layered solids, hydrotalcite (layered double hydroxides-LDH) clay, and cadmium thiophosphates (CdPS₃), has been achieved by intercalating a surfactant followed by dispersing in a nonpolar solvent. A anionic surfactant dodecyl sulfate (DDS) and the cationic surfactant dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODMA) have been used for the intercalation of LDH and CdPS₃, respectively. In dispersion, LDH and CdPS₃ nanosheets are electrically neutral as surfactant chains remain tethered to the layers. It is shown that the 1:1 mixtures of dispersions of CdPS₃–DODMA with LDH-DDS nanosheets can self-assemble, on solvent evaporation, to give a new layered solid with periodically alternating CdPS₃ and LDH layers. The driving force for the self-assembly to form periodic alternating layered structure could be the attractive force between the neutral exfoliated nanosheets.

7. Deposition Time-Dependant Properties of PbS Thin Films

   Srinivasa Reddy Tippasani, S. Vijaya Krishna, M. C. Santhosh Kumar

   Abstract

   PbS thin films are deposited on soda-lime glass substrates using simple and inexpensive chemical bath deposition (CBD) method. We investigated the structural, morphological, and optical properties of PbS thin films as a function of deposition time. XRD and Raman analysis confirm the phase of PbS thin films. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examined to study the morphological properties of the films. The optical properties such as transmission, absorption, and band gap of the films were investigated by UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer. The optical direct band gap values (1.10–0.93 eV) are estimated using the absorption data.

8. Investigation on Surface Trap Characteristics of Water-Diffused Al–Epoxy Nanocomposites

   Chillu Naresh, Ramanujam Sarathi

   Abstract

   During the operation of an HVDC cable in an offshore long-distance power transmission mode, the insulation on the cable’s accessories could age and degrade if they absorbed moisture from the surrounding air, such as the diffusion caused by rain or fog condensation. Surface characteristics of water-diffused insulating materials should be studied since the degradation commences there. Surface potential measurements are employed to characterise the surface of water-diffused Al–epoxy nanocomposites, and these nanocomposites are compared to their unaged counterparts to provide a reference for surface characterisation. The diffusion coefficients of aged nanocomposites were found to decrease experimentally with the controlled addition of nanofiller. In spite of the fact that water diffusion nanocomposites have substantially reduced the surface potential characteristics, the incorporation of nanofillers has been shown to slightly improve these characteristics.

9. A Study on Impact of Hydrophobic Effect on Al2O3 Coated Glass by Sol–Gel Dip Coating Method for Automobile Windshield Application

   K. Chandru, R. Elansezhian

   Abstract

   This work aimed to achieve hydrophobic effect on aluminum based on nano/micro hierarchical surface structure through sol–gel coating technique. A hydrophobic coating for glass substrates was developed using Tetraethyl orthosilicate Si(OC₂H₅)₄ synthesized with Al₂O₃ nanoparticles. The sol was prepared by adding the Al₂O₃ nanoparticles to sol just before the coating process and dispersing. The coating process was conducted using a sol–gel dip coating deposition method. The effect of functionalization of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles to prepare the highly dispersed nanoparticles has been investigated in detail. The surface morphology was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and surface roughness were measured. The effect of Al₂O₃ on the hydrophobicity of the coating was evaluated using contact angle measurements. The results reveal that water contact angles improved with the addition of Al₂O₃ nanoparticle wt% 0.5, 1, and 1.5 g. The glass coated with higher wt% of Al₂O₃ nanoparticle exhibits a water contact angle of 113° with an effect to lower surface roughness value of 0.011 μm. A water repelling coating on the glass is developed with the incorporation of Al₂O₃ nanofiller via sol–gel synthesis method.

10. Design and Analysis of Chalcogenide GeAsSe Waveguide for Dispersion Properties

    V. Hitaishi, K. Jayakrishnan, Nandam Ashok

    Abstract

    This paper reports the design and analysis of a Ge_11.5As₂₄Se_64.5 chalcogenide optical waveguide. The structure consists of Ge_11.5As₂₄Se_64.5 as a core material and Ge_11.5As₂₄S_64.5 is considered as cladding material. Dispersion, mode, profile, and propagation loss analysis of the waveguide are considered in the near and mid-infrared spectral regions. The designed structure reports a −37.96 ps/nm km at 3 µm wavelength and 0.716 ps/nm km dispersion at 4 µm wavelength. The propagation loss of fundamental mode is 1.84, 2.20, and 1.97 dB/cm at 3, 4, and 6 µm wavelengths, respectively. These results show that the proposed optical waveguide design should find applications in supercontinuum generation.

11. Detection of Pathological Conditions in Nail Samples Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

    K. Rithika, R. Sowmya, G. Rithick kumar, M. Thangaraja, Pauline John, V. Sathiesh Kumar

    Abstract

    In this paper, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique is used to analyze human fingernails using nanosecond laser pulses from an neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser (Nd:YAG) at 1064 nm. Nail as a biosample has various advantages when compared to other biological samples. Ca, Mg, Fe, and other elements found in the body can also be found in the nail, but in varying concentration. The emission spectrum from nail samples was collected in the spectral range of 180–900 nm, and it revealed the presence of elements like Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn, P, I, Na, Ca, K. Nail samples were collected from different subjects based on age, gender, and medical conditions. A total of 27 samples were collected; 17 of them were collected from normal people, and 10 of them were collected from people with different pathological conditions like diabetes, thyroid, PCOS, wheezing, etc. The results obtained in abnormal samples were analyzed and verified.

12. A Review of mRNA Vaccines with the Aid of Lipid Nanoparticles

    Simran Saikia, Shreya Barman, S. Sudhimon, M. Mukesh Kumar, G. Shanmugasundaram, J. Sudagar

    Abstract

    This review article highlights the importance of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines and how it has been developed to fight against various diseases such as, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), rabies, cancer treatments, and coronavirus (Covid-19). During the past two years, covid-19 has become a worldwide pandemic, and the mRNA has played a major role in the manufacturing of its vaccine. We have highlighted the technology behind the development of mRNA vaccine, synthesis, and working of the lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). This mRNA vaccine produces a duplicate of a molecule that corresponds to a viral protein for producing an immune response, and these are given to us in a series of shots designed to protect us from developing a disease. The LNPs which carry the mRNA protein prevent the degradation of it and maintain more constant serum levels. In addition, this review article specifically mentions HIV, rabies, cancer, covid-19 and how these are important in the treatment of these diseases. This review article further highlights the mRNA vaccines for the survival of human beings against various deadly diseases in the near future.

13. Metal–Organic Framework for Antibiotic Sensing Application

    Krupa U. Patel, Dashrathbhai B. Kanzariya, Tapan K. Pal

    Abstract

    Due to the harmful environmental threat posed by antibiotics, there has been a significant increase in research interest in developing appropriate chemo-sensors for specific quantification and detection of antibiotics. Creating proper sensors is required because the excessive buildup of antibiotics inside the soil, caused by high human consumption and animal activity, might harm biological systems. Among the several sensing methodologies, the fluorescence-based technique has emerged as an alternative and efficient way to identify antibiotics. Numerous fluorescence sensors have been developed for the discriminative detection of antibiotics in solution and vapor phases. Recently, it has been observed that a novel category of hybrid materials, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), is a promising material for the selective and sensitive detection of antibiotics. The MOF comprises metal ions (metal node or secondary building unit) with precisely articulated organic ligands. It possesses excellent qualitative structural features such as various topology, flexibility, highly stable porosity, and automatically located functional sites, which bestow them to perform as an efficient luminescent sensor. In this book chapter, we have methodically summarized the current developments using luminescent MOFs as fluorescence sensors for the discriminative detection of various antibiotics. Finally, this chapter describes this conclusive remark of this chapter.

14. Metal Organic Framework (MOF)-Based Membranes for Separation Applications

    Dashrathbhai B. Kanzariya, Krupa U. Patel, Rudra Desai, Tapan K. Pal

    Abstract

    Hybrid organic–inorganic porous crystalline materials, i.e., metal organic frameworks (MOFs), are constructed of bridging organic ligands and metal connectors. However, as synthesised MOFs, they are in powder or crystalline form, which is incompatible with real-field applications. To make MOFs most efficient for real field application, it is necessary to embed or load MOF materials with other support materials to use them as in desired applications. MOF-based mixed-matrix polymeric membranes (MMPMs) are taking keen interaction in the field of membrane-based separations because of their high stability and multicyclic ability. MOFs are widely used in gas separations, waste water treatment, marine oil–water separations, desalination, and many more applications. In this chapter, we addressed MOFs-based MMPM-driven separation processes in various areas. We also described the recent report findings that give vital insights into these membrane materials, particularly at separation and their mechanisms to give better insight of MOFs interactions with other foreign analytes, which leads to finding more sustainable and efficient solutions to the current separation technologies.

15. Control of Dissolved Oxygen in Wastewater Treatment Plant Using NN Adaptive PID Controller

    S. M. Tharani, A. Ganesh Ram, M. Vijayakarthick

    Abstract

    The concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) within the aeration tank(s) of an activated sludge system is one among the foremost important process control parameters. To maintain the DO level in the aeration tank(s) is one of the controlled parameters in wastewater treatment plant. In this paper, the neural network-based adaptive PID algorithm is proposed to control the DO level to neutralize an activated sludge process-based wastewater treatment. The NNPID control algorithm has good tracking, anti-disturbance, and strong robustness performances as compared to the conventional PID controller.

16. Correction to: Advanced Nanomaterials and Their Applications

    N. Madhusudhana Rao, Giribabu Lingamallu, Mangilal Agarwal