Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Commons^™

Electrocatalytic Activity Of Palladium Nanocatalysts Supported On Carbon Nanoparticles In Formic Acid Oxidation, Jie Huang, Zhiyou Zhou, Yang Song, Xiongwu Kang, Ke Liu, Wancheng Zhou, Shaowei Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

Palladium nanostructures were deposited onto carbon nanoparticle surface by a chemical reduction method. Transmission electron microscopic studies showed that whereas the resulting metal-carbon (Pd-CNP) nanocomposites exhibited a diameter of 20 to 30 nm, the metal components actually showed a cauliflower-like surface morphology that consisted of numerous smaller Pd nanoparticles (3 to 8 nm). Electrochemical studies showed that the effective surface area of the Pd-CNP nanoparticles was about 40% less than that of Pd black, possibly because the Pd nanoparticles were coated with a layer of carbon nanoparticles; yet, the Pd-CNP nanocomposites exhibited marked enhancement of the electrocatalytic activity in formic …

Adsorption And Electrooxidation Of Carbon Monoxide On Platinum Surfaces Modified With Sulfur, A. Mattox Mathew, W. Henney Matthew, Johnson Adam, Zou Shouzhong

Journal of Electrochemistry

Adsorbed sulfur is commonly considered as a reaction poison. However, small amounts of sulfur on platinum significantly increase the surface reactivity toward carbon monoxide (CO) electrooxidation. For the solution CO oxidation, the onset potential was shifted up to over 300 mV negative to that on S-free surface, and the extent of the negative potential shift increases with the sulfur coverage (X_s) up to about 0.6. The enhanced CO oxidation also depends on the solution pH. For the adsorbed CO, at low sulfur coverages (X_s < 0.3), the oxidation peak potential is about 40 mV negative to that of the corresponding clean Pt. However, at higher coverages, the peak potential is about 30 mV more positive. Surface-enhanced Raman spectra show that the adsorption of sulfur significantly redshifts the Pt-CO stretching frequency. These observations are explained by the weakening of the Pt-CO bond and the hindrance of CO diffusion by Sads.

Kinetic Study Of Photoelectrochemical Oxidation Of Lignin Model Compounds On Tio2 Nanotubes, Min Tian, Daniel Liba, Aicheng Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

In this study, TiO₂ nanotubes were prepared via the electrochemical oxidation of titanium substrates in a non-aqueous electrolyte and their morphology and microstructures were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photoelectrochemical oxidation of two lignin model compounds, 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenoxy)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-1,3-propanediol (DMP) and 3-hydroxy-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenoxy)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-1,3-propanone (HDM), was investigated. A new band appeared at ~304 nm during the photoelectrochemical oxidation of DMP. The rate of DMP intermediate formation was amplified with the increase of initial concentrations, while it was diminished with increased temperature. Despite the similarity in structure between HDM and DMP, there are only small increases in absorbance …

The Impact Of Controlled Solvent Exposure On The Morphology, Structure And Function Of Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells, Raghavendra R. Hegde Dr

Raghavendra R Hegde Dr

Films of poly(3-hexyl thiophene) (P3HT):[6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) were controllably exposed to CS2 vapor in a column with a linear solvent vapor pressure gradient. Changes in the morphology of the P3HT:PCBM thin film were monitored and correlated to the ability of this thin film to act as the active layer in an organic solar cell. The results show that the crystallinity and crystal size of the P3HT increase initially with solvent vapor pressure and annealing time, but longer exposure to solvent decreases P3HT crystallinity and photovoltaic efficiency. Neutron reflectivity indicates that the PCBM segregates to the Si substrate …

Modeling, Fabrication And Characterization Of Scalable Electroless Gold Plated Nanostructures For Enhanced Surface Plasmon Resonance, Gyoung Gug Jang

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The scientific and industrial demand for controllable thin gold (Au) film and Au nanostructures is increasing in many fields including opto-electronics, photovoltaics, MEMS devices, diagnostics, bio-molecular sensors, spectro-/microscopic surfaces and probes. In this study, a novel continuous flow electroless (CF-EL) Au plating method is developed to fabricate uniform Au thin films in ambient condition. The enhanced local mass transfer rate and continuous deposition resulting from CF-EL plating improved physical uniformity of deposited Au films and thermally transformed nanoparticles (NPs). Au films and NPs exhibited improved optical photoluminescence (PL) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR), respectively, relative to batch immersion EL (BI-EL) …

Refractive Index Chemical Sensing With Noble Metal Nanoparticles, Phillip Blake

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Chemical sensing is a key component in modern society, especially in engineering applications. Because of their widespread impact, improvements to chemical sensors are a significant area of research. One class of sensors, plasmonic sensors, is being heavily researched because of their ability to detect low levels of analyte in near real time without destroying the analyte. This work studies a new class of plasmonic sensor that utilizes diffractive coupling to improve sensor performance. Specifically, this work outlines the first study of diffractive coupling sensors with typical nanoparticle shapes. Sensitivity of this new class of sensor is directly compared to typical …

The Oxidation Of Hydrogen Peroxide On Nanostructured Rhodium Microelectrodes, N. Bartlett Philip, F. Esterle Thomas

Journal of Electrochemistry

Mesoporous Rh films were deposited onto platinum microelectrodes from the H₁ lyotropic liquid crystalline phase of C₁₂EO₈ (octaethyleneglycol monododecyl ether). The electrodes show well defined voltammetry for the oxidation and the reduction of hydrogen peroxide at low concentrations (<10 mmol•L-1) with excellent stability for operation at neutral pH. Based on the hysteresis in the current and the potential dependence the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide occurs through a CEE mechanism involving Rh(OH)₃ on the mesoporous Rh electrode surface. At higher hydrogen peroxide concentrations the current reaches a plateau that is due to either saturation of the binding sites for hydrogen peroxide or limitation of the reaction due to acidification of the solution within the pores. For the thin films (below 200 nm) the hydrogen peroxide calibration curves we …

Electrochemical Synthesis Of Silver-Tetracyanoquinodimethane Nanorods At Agar Supported Water/1,2-Dichloroethane Interface, Li Huang, Yixian Wang, Michael V. Mirkin, Bin Ren, Dongping Zhan

Journal of Electrochemistry

Silver-tetracyanoquinodimethane (AgTCNQ) is an important charge transfer salt due to its high conductivity and other electronic properties. In this communication, we report the synthesis of AgTCNQ at the liquid/liquid interface. Agar was used as a gelling agent to support water/1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) interface. Silver ions were transferred from the hydrogel into DCE phase, where they combined with TCNQ^- to form AgTCNQ nanorods. The developed method can provide a new route for synthesis of functional materials based on the electrochemistry at the liquid/liquid interface.

Temperature Dependence Anomalous Dielectric Relaxation In Co Doped Zno Nanoparticles, Sajid Ali Ansari

Sajid Ali Ansari

We have reported temperature and frequency dependence of dielectric behaviour of nanocrystalline Zn1-xCoxO (x = 0.0, 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1) samples prepared by gel-combustion method. The synthesized samples were examined by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and LCR-meter, respectively. The XRD analysis reveals that ZnO has a hexagonal (wurtzite) crystal structure. The morphology and size of the nanoparticles (∼10-25 nm) were observed by SEM for 5% Co doped ZnO sample. In dielectric properties, complex permittivity (ɛ* = ɛ’-jɛ”), loss tangent (tanδ) and ac conductivity (σac) in the frequency range 75 kHz - 5 MHz were analyzed with temperature …

Electrochemical Performances Of Layered Polypyrrole/Chemically Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites As Supercapacitor Electrodes, Si-Zhe Xu, Xue-Jiao Zhou, Kun Wu, Yong-Qiang Yang, Hai-Xia Wu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Nanocomposites of polypyrrole (Ppy) and chemically reduced graphene oxide (CRGO), Ppy/CRGO, have been fabricated through in-situ polymerization of pyrrole on graphene oxide (GO) sheets. The as-synthesized Ppy/CRGO composites were characterized complementarily using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). By controlling the initial ratio of the GO to pyrrole, the layered composites could be obtained and their thickness could be tuned properly. The Ppy/CRGO electrodes were prepared using a mechanical compressing technique and their electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties were characterized systematically. We demonstrated that as electrodes for supercapacitor, the Ppy/CRGO composites with Ppy …

Peptoid Based Slide Coatings For Disease Detection Via Elisa Microarray Analysis, Melissa Lea Hebert

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Poly-N-substituted glycines (peptoids) are a very versatile family of synthetic molecules that can be customized for any number of applications. In this study, we chose to use peptoids as a foundation for sandwich ELISA microarray analysis with a long term goal of creating an early detection device for complex diseases such as cancer. The peptoids were designed to self-assemble into microspheres to be used in coatings on the surface of the microarray substrates to increase the surface area available for antibody attachment. This increased antibody density would lead to an increase in the microarray analysis sensitivity and dynamic range. Studies …

Plasmonic Pervaporation Via Gold Nanoparticle-Functionalized Nanocomposite Membranes, Aaron Russell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Butanol derived from biological feedstocks has significant potential as a liquid fuel source, but the separation methods used in its production can be prohibitively expensive and are therefore currently the subject of extensive research. Pervaporation is a promising membrane process that is effective in butanol separations, but involves a large energy demand. This study examines the possibility of increasing flux and energy efficiency in pervaporation via plasmonic heating of gold nanoparticle-functionalized, polymer nanocomposite membranes (AuNCMs) in lieu of conventional feed heating. An economic analysis demonstrated that plasmonic pervaporation could achieve significant reductions in energy usage and utility cost in butanol …

Electrochemical Preparation Of Nanostructural Pt-Ni And Pd-Ni Films For Ethanol Electro-Oxidation, Chen-Zhong Yao, Hui-Xuan Ma, Bo-Hui Wei

Journal of Electrochemistry

The Pt-Ni and Pd-Ni films were successfully prepared on Ti substrates by electrodeposition method. The porous Pt-Ni nanoflakes appeared to be uniform with the thickness of the slices about 10 ~ 20 nm. The porous Pd-Ni nanoparticles with a flower shape appeared to be uniform with the diameters of 50 ~ 60 nm. The XRD patterns also indicated that the Pd-Ni and Pt-Ni nanostructures have the poor crystallinity. The onset potentials of ethanol oxidation were negatively shifted to –0.74 V on Pt-Ni electrodes and –0.71 V on Pd-Ni electrodes, respectively. Addition of Ni could enhance catalytic activities and antitoxic properties …

Controlling Nanoparticles Formation In Molten Metallic Bilayers By Pulsed-Laser Interference Heating, Mikhail Khenner, Sagar Yadavali, Ramki Kalyanaraman

Mathematics Faculty Publications

The impacts of the two-beam interference heating on the number of core-shell and embedded nanoparticles and on nanostructure coarsening are studied numerically based on the non-linear dynamical model for dewetting of the pulsed-laser irradiated, thin (< 20 nm) metallic bilayers. The model incorporates thermocapillary forces and disjoining pressures, and assumes dewetting from the optically transparent substrate atop of the reflective support layer, which results in the complicated dependence of light reflectivity and absorption on the thicknesses of the layers. Stabilizing thermocapillary effect is due to the local thickness-dependent, steady- state temperature profile in the liquid, which is derived based on the mean substrate temperature estimated from the elaborate thermal model of transient heating and melting/freezing. Linear stability analysis of the model equations set for Ag/Co bilayer predicts the dewetting length scales in the qualitative agreement with experiment.

Monitoring Exposure To Airborne Ultrafine Particles In Lisbon, Portugal, João F. Gomes

João F Gomes

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Deposited Surface Area Of Airborne Ultrafine Particles Generated From Two Welding Processes, João F. Gomes

João F Gomes

No abstract provided.

Capturing Ultrasmall Emt Zeolite From Template-Free Systems, Eng-Poh Ng Dr.

Eng-Poh Ng

No abstract provided.

Phosphate Protected Fluoride Nano-Phosphors, Joanna Cybinska, Chantal Lorbeer, Anja V. Mudring

Anja V. Mudring

A fast and easy 2-in-1 step microwave reaction procedure to phosphate coated nanofluorides allows for the formation of phosphate protected fluoride nanoparticles from simple lanthanide precursors in ionic liquids. The phosphate shell efficiently prevents the fluoride particle from decomposition in an atmosphere (containing oxygen and water) at elevated temperatures.

Controlling Nanoparticles Formation In Molten Metallic Bilayers By Pulsed-Laser Interference Heating, Mikhail Khenner, Sagar Yadavali, Ramki Kalyanaraman

Mikhail Khenner

The impacts of the two-beam interference heating on the number of core-shell and embedded nanoparticles and on nanostructure coarsening are studied numerically based on the non-linear dynamical model for dewetting of the pulsed-laser irradiated, thin (< 20 nm) metallic bilayers. The model incorporates thermocapillary forces and disjoining pressures, and assumes dewetting from the optically transparent substrate atop of the reflective support layer, which results in the complicated dependence of light reflectivity and absorption on the thicknesses of the layers. Stabilizing thermocapillary effect is due to the local thickness-dependent, steady- state temperature profile in the liquid, which is derived based on the mean substrate temperature estimated from the elaborate thermal model of transient heating and melting/freezing. Linear stability analysis of the model equations set for Ag/Co bilayer predicts the dewetting length scales in the qualitative agreement with experiment.

Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis Of Mesoporous Β-Ni(Oh)2 And Nio Nano-Sheets Using Ionic Liquids, Tarek Alammar, Osama Shekhah, Jonas Wohlgemuth, Anja V. Mudring

Anja V. Mudring

Via a facile ultrasound synthesis from nickel acetate and sodium hydroxide with ionic liquids as the solvent and template it is possible to obtain nano-β-Ni(OH)2 of various dimensionalities depending on the reaction conditions with the ionic liquid (IL) being the most important factor. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging showed β-Ni(OH)2 to form as nanosheets, nanorods and nanospheres depending on the IL. ILs with strong to moderate hydrogen bonding capability like [C3mimOH][Tf2N] (1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonylamide)), [C4mim][Tf2N] (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonylamide)) and [Edimim][Tf2N] (1-ethyl-2,3-diemethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonylamide)) lead to the formation of nanosheets whilst [Py4][Tf2N] (butyl-pyridinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonylamide)) leads to nanoparticles and [N1888][Tf2N] (methyltrioctylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonylamide)) to nanorods. Subsequent …

Nanoparticle Additives For Multiphase Systems: Synthesis, Formulation And Characterization, Vinod Kanniah

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Study on nanoparticle additives in multiphase systems (liquid, polymer) are of immense interest in developing new product applications. Critical challenges for nanoparticle additives include their synthesis, formulation and characterization. These challenges are addressed in three application areas: nanofluids for engine lubrication, ultrathin nanocomposites for optical devices, and nanoparticle size distribution characterization.

Nanoparticle additives in oligomer mixtures can be used to develop extended temperature range motor oils. A model system includes poly(α-olefin) based oligomers with a modest fraction of poly(dimethylsiloxane) oligomers along with graphite as nanoparticle additive. Partition coefficients of each oligomer are determined since the oligomer mixture phase separated at …

Polymeric Nanocarriers For The Regional And Systemic Delivery Of Therapeutics To And Through The Lungs, Balaji Bharatwaj

Wayne State University Dissertations

The lungs are considered as one of the fastest portals of entry to the bloodstream and oral inhalation (OI) has long been accepted as the preferred mode of administration of therapeutics to the respiratory tract. However, despite its advantages, the lungs have been largely underutilized to target ailments not only of systemic relevance but also several other grave conditions including lung cancer and tuberculosis. Polymeric nanocarriers (PNCs) have several advantages over other drug delivery vehicles including sustained release of moieties, ease of cellular internalization and improved targeting, and hence hold the promise to greatly augment the potential of OI therapies. …

Determination Of Airborne Nanoparticles From Welding Operations, João F. Gomes

João F Gomes

The aim of this study is to assess the levels of airborne ultrafine particles emitted in welding processes (tungsten inert gas (TIG), metal active gas (MAG) of carbon steel and friction stir welding (FSW) of aluminium) in terms of deposited area in pulmonary alveolar tract using a Nanoparticle Surface Area Monitor (NSAM) analyzer. The obtained results showed the dependence from process parameters on emitted ultrafine particles and demonstrated the presence of ultrafine particles compared to background levels. Data indicated that the process that resulted in the lowest levels of alveolar deposited surface area (ADSA) was FSW, followed by TIG and …

Exposure To Airborne Ultrafine Particles From Cooking In Portuguese Homes, João F. Gomes

João F Gomes

No abstract provided.

Assessment Of Exposure To Airborne Ultrafine Particles In The Urban Environment Of Lisbon, Portugal, João F. Gomes

João F Gomes

The aim of this study was the assessment of exposure to ultrafine in the urban environment of Lisbon, Portugal, due to automobile traffic, and consisted of the determination of deposited alveolar surface area in an avenue leading to the town center during late spring. This study revealed differentiated patterns for weekdays and weekends, which could be related with the fluxes of automobile traffic. During a typical week, ultrafine particles alveolar deposited surface area varied between 35.0 and 89.2 mm2/cm3, which is comparable with levels reported for other towns such in Germany and the United States. These measurements were also complemented …