V. R. Pai Verneker

Bio: V. R. Pai Verneker is an academic researcher from Indian Institute of Science. The author has contributed to research in topics: Thermal decomposition & Ammonium perchlorate. The author has an hindex of 17, co-authored 109 publications receiving 1997 citations. Previous affiliations of V. R. Pai Verneker include Colorado State University.

Synthesis and Characterisation of Metal Hydrazine Nitrate, Azide and Perchlorate Complexes

Abstract: Metal hydrazine nitrate complexes of the type M(N2H4)Nn (NO3)2 where M = Mg, n = 2; M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn and Cd and n = 3; metal dihydrazine azide complexes of the type M(N2H4)2 (N3)2 where M = Mg, Co, Ni and Zn; and Mg(N2H4)2 (C1O4)2 have been prepared by dissolving the respective metal powders in the solution of corresponding ammonium salts (NO3, N3 and C1O4) in hydrazine hydrate. These hydrazine complexes were also prepared by the conventional method involving the addition of alcoholic hydrazine hydrate to the aqueous solution of metal salts. The hydrazine complexes have been characterised by chemical analysis, infrared spectra and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Impact sensitivities of hydrazine complexes were determined by the drop weight method. The reactivity of these hydrazine complexes does not change with the method of preparation.

Solution Combustion Synthesis of Nanoscale Materials

Abstract: Solution combustion is an exciting phenomenon, which involves propagation of self-sustained exothermic reactions along an aqueous or sol–gel media. This process allows for the synthesis of a variety of nanoscale materials, including oxides, metals, alloys, and sulfides. This Review focuses on the analysis of new approaches and results in the field of solution combustion synthesis (SCS) obtained during recent years. Thermodynamics and kinetics of reactive solutions used in different chemical routes are considered, and the role of process parameters is discussed, emphasizing the chemical mechanisms that are responsible for rapid self-sustained combustion reactions. The basic principles for controlling the composition, structure, and nanostructure of SCS products, and routes to regulate the size and morphology of the nanoscale materials are also reviewed. Recently developed systems that lead to the formation of novel materials and unique structures (e.g., thin films and two-dimensional crystals) with unusual...

Mechanism of photocatalytic water splitting in TiO2. Reaction of water with photoholes, importance of charge carrier dynamics, and evidence for four-hole chemistry.

Abstract: We show for the first time that the photogenerated hole lifetime in TiO2 is a strong determinant of the ability of TiO2 to split water. Hole lifetimes were measured using transient absorption spectroscopy over a range of excitation intensities. The lifetimes of the holes were modulated by the use of exogenous scavengers and were also found to vary systematically with the excitation intensity. In all cases the quantum yield of oxygen production is found to be linked to the light intensity used, ranging from below 1 sun equivalent to nearly 1 sun equivalent. We also provide evidence that oxygen production requires four photons for each molecule of oxygen, which is reminiscent of the natural photosynthetic water-splitting mechanism. This in turn suggests a mechanism for oxygen production which requires four-hole chemistry, presumably via three, as yet unidentified intermediates. It is also shown that at excitation densities on the order of 1 sun, nongeminate electron−hole recombination limits the quantum yie...

Photocatalytic bactericidal effect of TiO2 thin films : dynamic view of the active oxygen species responsible for the effect

Abstract: The role of active oxygen species in the photocatalytic bactericidal effect was investigated using a thin transparent titanium dioxide (TiO2) film. The viable number of Escherichia coli (E. coli) significantly decreased on the illuminated TiO2 film, and the bactericidal effect was observed even when E. coli was separated from the TiO2 surface with a 50 μm porous membrane. Mannitol, a hydroxyl radical scavenger, inhibited the effect only in the absence of the membrane. In contrast, catalase inhibited the effect in all cases. On the basis of these results, the long-range bactericidal effect of hydrogen peroxide was proposed, together with a cooperative effect due to other oxygen species. © 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.