ZnO-based nanomaterials have been increasingly recognized for their use in medical and environmental fields. The current study includes a simple wet-chemical development of ZnO-based multilayered architectures having Ag2O and Ag2S. In specific, ZnO/Ag2O/Ag2S and ZnO/Ag2S/Ag2O were developed and their response against Rhodamine B (RhB) dye as well as gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, namely Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli was measured. Both architectures produced a noticeable increase in absorbance and photoluminescence properties of pristine ZnO, ensuing 100 % increase in the dye degradation efficiency of ZnO under light. While, both multilayered architectures exhibited two times higher antimicrobial performance than ZnO without exposure of light, showing their mutability and effectuality regardless of the order of presence of Ag2O and Ag2S on ZnO. Antibacterial assay was performed as per the agar-well diffusion test standards to endorse that ZnO/Ag2O/Ag2S as well as ZnO/Ag2S/Ag2O both proved better than ZnO alone.

ZnO-based mutable Ag2S/Ag2O multilayered architectures for organic dye degradation and inhibition of E. coli and B. subtilis

Pseudo-SILAR assisted unique synthesis of ZnO/Ag2O nanocomposites for improved photocatalytic and antibacterial performance without cytotoxic effect

Comparative investigation of ZnO morphologies for optimal CdS quantum-dot deposition via pseudo-SILAR method

Improved CdS quantum dot distribution on a TiO2 photoanode by an atomic-layer-deposited ZnS passivation layer for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells

PbS (lead sulfide) colloidal quantum dots consist of crystallites with diameters in the nanometer range with organic molecules on their surfaces, partly with additional metal complexes as ligands. These surface molecules are responsible for solubility and prevent aggregation, but the interface between semiconductor quantum dots and ligands also influences the electronic structure. PbS quantum dots are especially interesting for optoelectronic applications and spectroscopic techniques, including photoluminescence, photodiodes and solar cells. Here we concentrate on the latter, giving an overview of the optical properties of solar cells prepared with PbS colloidal quantum dots, produced by different methods and combined with diverse other materials, to reach high efficiencies and fill factors.

Recent Developments of Solar Cells from PbS Colloidal Quantum Dots

Tactical modification of pseudo-SILAR process for enhanced quantum-dot deposition on TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles for solar energy applications

Magnesium is a suitable material for structural and aerospace applications owing to its high strength to weight ratio, yet the wide usage of Mg alloys is restricted due to their poor corrosion and mechanical properties. In this study, cold gas spraying method was used to produce pure Al, Al-Al2O3 and Al-Al2O3-CNTs coatings with feedstock powder containing Al admixed with 5 wt.% Al2O3 and 1 wt.% CNTs to improve electrochemical and tribological properties of Mg-LA43M alloy. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were performed for compositional and microstructural analysis of feedstock powders as well as coatings. Furthermore, corrosion properties of coatings were examined by photodynamic polarization, electrochemical spectroscopy and long-term immersion test in 3.5% NaCl solution. The obtained results were correlated with microstructural analysis and we found that reinforcement of hard particles, especially CNTs, resulted in better corrosion resistance of MMC coatings as compared to Mg substrate and pure Al coatings. Reinforcements of Al2O3 and CNTs also improved the sliding wear resistance of the coatings. Al-Al2O3-CNTs exhibited lower coefficient of friction and wear rate than the Mg substrate, pure Al, and Al-Al2O3 coatings due to the denser microstructure.

Enhancement of Corrosion Resistance and Tribological Properties of LA43M Mg Alloy by Cold-Sprayed Aluminum Coatings Reinforced with Alumina and Carbon Nanotubes

Usman Ahmed

Papers

Tactical modification of pseudo-SILAR process for enhanced quantum-dot deposition on TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles for solar energy applications

Enhancement of Corrosion Resistance and Tribological Properties of LA43M Mg Alloy by Cold-Sprayed Aluminum Coatings Reinforced with Alumina and Carbon Nanotubes