Manoj Balachandran

Bio: Manoj Balachandran is an academic researcher from Christ University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Graphene & Coal. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 62 publications receiving 749 citations. Previous affiliations of Manoj Balachandran include St Woolos Hospital & Bharathiar University.

Study of Stacking Structure of Amorphous Carbon by X-Ray Diffraction Technique

Abstract: decreases with increase in carbon content, aromaticity and coal rank. The number of layers and average number of carbon atoms per aromatic graphene are found to be varying from 7 to 8 and 16-21 for the coal samples with carbon content of 72- 77.4%. A good linear relationship exists between number of layers and stacking height of the aromatic lamellae in coal.

Effect of extracapsular cataract extraction and phacoemulsification performed after trabeculectomy on intraocular pressure.

Abstract: Purpose To determine whether there is a difference in intraocular pressure (IOP) control between extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and phacoemulsification performed after successful trabeculectomy. Setting Eye Unit, St. Woolos Hospital, Newport, United Kingdom. Methods This retrospective study comprised 55 patients with glaucoma who had had trabeculectomy and subsequently had cataract surgery. Extracapsular cataract extraction was performed in 34 eyes and phacoemulsification in 21. The IOP before cataract surgery was used as a baseline for comparison with the IOP at 6 and 12 months and at the last follow-up visit (mean 44.26 months in the ECCE group and 15.09 months in the phacoemulsification group). At the 3 postoperative examinations, the IOP was recorded before and after institution of medical treatment. Results In the ECCE group, the IOP exceeded the target pressure in 7 eyes and required medical treatment; it remained uncontrolled in 1 eye at the final visit. In the phacoemulsification group, the IOP was less than 18 mm Hg without any medication and within the target pressure in all 21 eyes. The IOP increase after ECCE was statistically significant (mean IOP was 13.61 mm Hg before and 15.53 mm Hg after ECCE; P = .0297). After treatment was instituted, there was no statistically significant difference in the IOP compared with the preoperative value ( P = .0796 at 6 months, .677 at 1 year, and .4419 at the final visit in the ECCE group and .0703, .2220, and .1035, respectively, in the phacoemulsification group). Conclusion The findings indicated that IOP was better controlled by phacoemulsification than by ECCE in patients who had had filtration surgery.

A comprehensive analysis of various structural parameters of Indian coals with the aid of advanced analytical tools

Abstract: An exhaustive structural analysis was carried out on three Indian coals (ranging from sub-bituminous to high volatile bituminous coal) using a range of advanced characterization tools. Detailed investigations were carried out using UV–Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled energy dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The X-ray and Raman peaks were deconvoluted and analyzed in details. Coal crystallites possess turbostratic structure, whose crystallite diameter and height increase with rank. The H/C ratio plotted against aromaticity exhibited a decreasing trend, confirming the graphitization of coal upon leaching. It is also found that, with the increase of coal rank, the dependency of I20/I26 on L a is saturated, due to the increase in average size of sp2 nanoclusters. In Raman spectra, the observed G peak (1585 cm−1) and the D2 band arises from graphitic lattices. In IR spectrum, two distinct peaks at 2850 and 2920 cm−1 are attributed to the symmetric and asymmetric –CH2 stretching vibrations. The intense peak at ~1620 cm−1, is either attributed to the aromatic ring stretching of C=C nucleus.

Synthesis and Characterization of Carbon Nanospheres from Hydrocarbon Soot

Abstract: Foreseeing the upcoming era of the carbon nanomaterials and their revolutionary applications, we have identified and explored the structural parameters of five effective precursors of the same -carbon black, soot obtained by the thermal decomposition of kerosene, diesel, paraffin wax and lubricant oil. MicroRaman spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy, Electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and elemental analysis are employed for the structural and morphological characterization of the nanomaterials formed. The average lateral size (La), stacking height (Lc) and interlayer spacing (d002) of the crystallite structures calculated from the X-ray intensities are found to be ranging from 4.3-5.9 nm, 0.63-2.40 nm and 3.10- 3.68 A respectively. La values determined by Raman and XRD analysis are in very good agreement thereby reinforcing the nanocrystalline structure of the samples. The very low I20/I26 ratio obtained reveals a relatively low amount of disorder in the nanostructures. Nanomaterials formed have the morphology of non-uniform nanospheres with diameter varying between 26-100 nm. EDS and elemental analysis confirms the absence of metal impurities. FTIR spectra of the samples shows the presence of stretching vibrations of –OH bonds, aliphatic –CH, –CH2 and –CH3 absorptions, C=C and –CH absorptions of aromatic structures.

Role of Infrared Spectroscopy in Coal Analysis—An Investigation

Abstract: Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is a widely used analytical technique for determining the different functional groups of a coal structure. This method, being able to reveal carbo-hydrogenated structures (aromatic and aliphatic) and heteroatomic functions (mainly oxygenated), as well as to detect the presence of minerals, is currently one of the most powerful techniques for coal characterization and thus is of paramount importance in the various utilization procedures of coal (industrial combustion, coke production processes, etc.). FT-IR study shows the presence of aliphatic -CH, -CH2 and -CH3 groups, aliphatic C-O-C stretching associated with -OH and -NH stretching vibrations and HCC rocking. It is conjectured that, the two-stage leaching using HNO3 followed by HF remarkably reduced the ash content as well as the minerals including Al, Si and Ca. The solubilization of samples with buffered EDTA could not eliminate the minerals in coal. The silicate and kaolinite bands showed a systematic lowering on EDTA and carboxylic acid treatment. The fungal leaching was most beneficial for aromatic molecules with different degrees of substitution. The intensity of bands due to carbonyl groups was increased, when treated with fungi, whereas that due to oxygen functional groups showed a reverse trend. The mineral bands due to silicates also decreased in intensity, on post treatment with fungal culture.

Environmentally-Friendly Aqueous Li (or Na)-Ion Battery with Fast Electrode Kinetics and Super-Long Life

Abstract: Environmentally-friendly aqueous Li (or Na)-ion battery with super-long life is built for large-scale energy storage. Current rechargeable batteries generally display limited cycle life and slow electrode kinetics and contain environmentally unfriendly components. Furthermore, their operation depends on the redox reactions of metal elements. We present an original battery system that depends on the redox of I−/I3− couple in liquid cathode and the reversible enolization in polyimide anode, accompanied by Li+ (or Na+) diffusion between cathode and anode through a Li+/Na+ exchange polymer membrane. There are no metal element–based redox reactions in this battery, and Li+ (or Na+) is only used for charge transfer. Moreover, the components (electrolyte/electrode) of this system are environment-friendly. Both electrodes are demonstrated to have very fast kinetics, which gives the battery a supercapacitor-like high power. It can even be cycled 50,000 times when operated within the electrochemical window of 0 to 1.6 V. Such a system might shed light on the design of high-safety and low-cost batteries for grid-scale energy storage.