Molecular self-assembly is the spontaneous association of molecules under equilibrium conditions into stable, structurally well-defined aggregates joined by noncovalent bonds. Molecular self-assembly is ubiquitous in biological systems and underlies the formation of a wide variety of complex biological structures. Understanding self-assembly and the associated noncovalent interactions that connect complementary interacting molecular surfaces in biological aggregates is a central concern in structural biochemistry. Self-assembly is also emerging as a new strategy in chemical synthesis, with the potential of generating nonbiological structures with dimensions of 1 to 10(2) nanometers (with molecular weights of 10(4) to 10(10) daltons). Structures in the upper part of this range of sizes are presently inaccessible through chemical synthesis, and the ability to prepare them would open a route to structures comparable in size (and perhaps complementary in function) to those that can be prepared by microlithography and other techniques of microfabrication.

Molecular self-assembly and nanochemistry: A chemical strategy for the synthesis of nanostructures

A review on bidirectional analogies between the photocatalysis and antibacterial properties of ZnO

Tin disulfide (SnS2) has been considered as a prospective counter electrode (CE) material for dye-sensitized solar cells due to its good electrocatalytic properties. However, its low electronic and ionic conductivities pose challenges for using it in high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Herein, doping is utilized to improve the properties of SnS2 for application as a DSSC counter electrode. Ag-doped SnS2 samples with various doping amounts are prepared via a facile one-step solvothermal route. It is found that the DSSC based on a 5% Ag-doped SnS2 CE demonstrates the best performance showing an impressive photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.70% which exceeds the efficiency of a Pt-based DSSC (7.88%) by 10.41%, while the DSSC consisting of undoped SnS2 only exhibits a PCE of 6.47%. Such an enhanced efficiency of the DSSC is attributed to the effectively improved electrocatalytic activity and mixed conductivity resulting from the Ag dopant. Therefore, the Ag-doped SnS2 CE proves to be a promising alternative to the expensive Pt CE in DSSCs and may pave a new way for large-scale production of new-generation DSSCs.

High-performance dye-sensitized solar cells based on Ag-doped SnS2 counter electrodes

Synthesis, structural and optical analysis of surfactant assisted ZnO–NiO nanocomposites prepared by homogeneous precipitation method

In this article we report the synthesis of CuS nanoparticle with distinguishable surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) peaks in near infrared region. For this purpose in situ synthesis (one-step fabrication) has been used to prepare CuS nanoparticles in PMMA polymer matrix at room temperature. The X-ray diffraction spectrum confirms the formation of CuS nanoparticles. The transmittance spectra of nano-composite samples reveal that the samples have a good transparency. The absorption spectra show a broad absorption peak in the wavelength region from 570 to 980 nm which is a characteristic SPR peak for CuS nanoparticle. An increase of refractive index was observed for the samples containing CuS nanoparticles. The linear relationship between the refractive index and volume fraction was observed. The appearance of SPR peak in refractive index spectra was attributed to CuS nanoparticles. Shifting of absorption edge to lower photon energy has been observed for nano-composite samples. The direct energy bandgap of nano-composite samples are reduced compare to pure PMMA polymer. The plot between the direct energy band gap and refractive index reveals that the decrease in bandgap energy is associated with the increase in index of refraction. The increase of optical dielectric constant can be ascribed to the formation of CuS nanoparticles. The low band gap of CuS nanoparticles in the present work reveals their importance for applications in optoelectronic devices.

In situ synthesis of CuS nanoparticle with a distinguishable SPR peak in NIR region

Structural, Photoabsorption and Photocatalytic Characteristics of BiFeO3-WO3 Nanocomposites: An Attempt to Validate the Experimental Data Through SVM-Based Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Single crystals of sodium chloride (NaCl) of dimension 1 × 1 cm2 have been successfully grown from various solution growth methods like slow evaporation, fast evaporation, and slow cooling techniques. The crystalline qualities of the samples grown from the above methods were assessed using X-ray rocking curve and 2θ scan measurements. The grown crystals were also characterized for its optical transmission in IR region. Infact the crystal possesses ~ 76% optical transparency in the IR regime and it approaches the transparency value of the commercially available crystal. The cost estimation of laboratory grown crystal and as well as the standard NaCl optical window wafer (Commercial sample) has been compared, so as to ensure the feasibility of growing NaCl wafers at an affordable price. The obtained results have been discussed in detail.

J. Gajendiran

Papers

Structural, Photoabsorption and Photocatalytic Characteristics of BiFeO3-WO3 Nanocomposites: An Attempt to Validate the Experimental Data Through SVM-Based Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Preparation of low cost NaCl single crystal for IR optical window applications

Synthesis and Investigation of Structural behaviour and Optical properties of BiFeO3, YMnO3 and BiFeO3-YMnO3 Nanostructures

Structural, magnetic, antimicrobial and hemolysis properties of sol–gel derived iron manganese tri oxide (FeMnO3) nanostructures

Experimental investigation of structural, surface, optical and electrical properties of gallium sesquioxide doped tausonite compounds