A comparison of the band gap energy estimated from UV–vis reflectance spectra of TiO2 powders prepared by sol–gel route versus commercial TiO2 powders, nanopowder, bulkpowder and P25 is reported. The experimental results obtained from the optical absorption spectra were reported for all the TiO2 samples. Graphic representations were used to calculate Eg: absorbance versus λ; F(R) versus E; (F(R) hν)n versus E, with n = ½ for an indirect allowed transition and n = 2 for a direct allowed transition. From the results, it could be seen that Eg strongly varied according to the equation used for the graphic representation. Differences in Eg up to 0.5 eV for the same semiconductor depending on the transition chosen were observed. Accurate Eg estimation in the four semiconductors studied was obtained by using the general equation α (hν) ≈ B (hν − Eg)n (where α ~ F(R)) and indirect allowed transition.

Band-gap energy estimation from diffuse reflectance measurements on sol–gel and commercial TiO2: a comparative study

High-performance electrode materials are the key to advances in the areas of energy conversion and storage (e.g., fuel cells and batteries). In this Review, recent progress in the synthesis and electrochemical application of transition metal carbides (TMCs) and nitrides (TMNs) for energy storage and conversion is summarized. Their electrochemical properties in Li-ion and Na-ion batteries as well as in supercapacitors, and electrocatalytic reactions (oxygen evolution and reduction reactions, and hydrogen evolution reaction) are discussed in association with their crystal structure/morphology/composition. Advantages and benefits of nanostructuring (e.g., 2D MXenes) are highlighted. Prospects of future research trends in rational design of high-performance TMCs and TMNs electrodes are provided at the end.

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Transition Metal Carbides and Nitrides in Energy Storage and Conversion

The ability to generate homogeneous particulate thin films of highly oriented and highly porous microparticles of a post transition metal oxide onto polycrystalline and single-crystalline substrates, at low cost, by a template-free, aqueous low-temperature coating process is demonstrated by the fabrication of a large three-dimensional array of perpendicularly oriented hexagonal microtubes of crystalline zincite ZnO from an aqueous solution of zinc nitrate and methenamine.

Three-dimensional array of highly oriented crystalline ZnO microtubes

Laser ablation of solid targets in the liquid medium can be realized to fabricate nanostructures with various compositions (metals, alloys, oxides, carbides, hydroxides, etc.) and morphologies (nanoparticles, nanocubes, nanorods, nanocomposites, etc.). At the same time, the post laser irradiation of suspended nanomaterials can be applied to further modify their size, shape, and composition. Such fabrication and modification of nanomaterials in liquid based on laser irradiation has become a rapidly growing field. Compared to other, typically chemical, methods, laser ablation/irradiation in liquid (LAL) is a simple and “green” technique that normally operates in water or organic liquids under ambient conditions. Recently, the LAL has been elaborately developed to prepare a series of nanomaterials with special morphologies, microstructures and phases, and to achieve one-step formation of various functionalized nanostructures in the pursuit of novel properties and applications in optics, display, detection, and biological fields. The formation mechanisms and synthetic strategies based on LAL are systematically analyzed and the reported nanostructures derived from the unique characteristics of LAL are highlighted along with a review of their applications and future challenges.

Nanomaterials via Laser Ablation/Irradiation in Liquid: A Review

Palladium-Based Nanomaterials: Synthesis and Electrochemical Applications

Structural and optical properties of pulsed laser deposited V2O5 thin films

Laser-assisted metal deposition from liquid-phase precursors on polymers

Laser-induced oxidation of metals: state of the art

Laser direct writing of copper on polyimide surfaces from solution

https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00000831/document

László Nánai

Papers

Structural and optical properties of pulsed laser deposited V2O5 thin films

Laser-assisted metal deposition from liquid-phase precursors on polymers

Laser-induced oxidation of metals: state of the art

Laser direct writing of copper on polyimide surfaces from solution

Enhancement of exciton emission from ZnO nanocrystalline films by pulsed laser annealing