Spin glass behaviour and extrinsic origin of magnetodielectric effect in non-multiferroic La(2)NiMnO(6) nanoparticles

We report magnetization, dielectric and dc transport properties of La(2)NiMnO(6) nanoparticles. Both dc and ac magnetization measurements indicated a metastable magnetic behaviour with random ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions below 110 K; critical slow-down, memory and rejuvenation properties signify the spin glass nature. The dc resistivity shows a semiconducting nature but the temperature dependent magnetoresistance (MR) shows a peak at the spin glass transition. The colossal dielectric property and its frequency dependence were interpreted using the Maxwell-Wagner (MW) interfacial polarization model. Impedance analysis along with magnetodielectric (MD) and magnetoresistance (MR) indicates that the observed MD originates from the combined effect of MR and MW interfacial polarization.     

A Cosmological Model with Negative Constant Deceleration Parameter in a General Scalar-Tensor Theory of Gravitation

Spatially homogeneous and anisotropic LRS Bianchi type-I metric is considered in the framework of Nordtvedt-Barker’s general scalar-tensor theory of gravitation when the source for the energy momentum tensor is a perfect fluid. With the help of a special law of variation for Hubble’s parameter proposed by Berman (Nuovo Cim. B. 74:182, 1983) a cosmological model with negative constant deceleration parameter is obtained. Some physical and kinematical properties of the model are also discussed.     

Photosensitization of Imidazole Derivative by ZnO Nanoparticle

A sensitive imidazole based fluorescent sensor like 4, 5-diphenyl-2(E)-styryl-1H-imidazole, for ZnO has been designed and synthesized via simple steps. The absorption, fluorescence, SEM, EDX and IR studies indicate that imidazole derivative is bound on the surface of ZnO semiconductor. Based on photo-induced electron transfer (PET) mechanism, fluorescent enhancement has been explained and apparent binding constant has been calculated. Ligand adsorption on ZnO nanoparticle lowers of the HOMO and LUMO energy levels of imidazole derivative and the chemical affinity between the nitrogen atom of the imidazole and zinc ion on the surface of the nano oxide may be a reason for strong adsorption of the ligand on nanoparticle. The electron injection from photo excited imidazole derivative to the ZnO conduction band (S(*)→S(+) + e (CB) (-) ) accounts for the enhanced fluorescence.     

Laser-Patterned Carbon-Supported Graphitic Carbon Nitride Quantum Dots for Flexible Nanozyme-Based Fluoride Sensor

Graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (g-CNQDs)-based colorimetric sensors are typically solution-based and hence incompatible with wearable electronics. Today's competitive technology demands safe and reliable, high-performance sensors suitable for integration with sophisticated electronics—all at a low cost. Herein, a flexible and reusable solid-state fluoride ion sensor manufactured by combining the intriguing surface properties of laser-patterned carbon (LP-C) with the sensitivity of g-CNQDs is reported. LP-C is obtained by direct IR-laser writing onto polyimide films, and g-CNQDs are synthesized via a solvent-free and zero-waste green process. The hybrid of LP-C and g-CNQDs (g-CNQDs/LP-C), mimics the natural enzyme horseradish peroxidase and oxidizes the chromogenic substrate 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine in the presence of H₂O₂ in acidic media. The highly selective and user-friendly nanozyme sensors feature a lower limit of detection of 0.568 ± 0.006  × 10⁻⁶ m (23.8 ± 1.5 µg L⁻¹) with linearity in the range of 0.5 × 10⁻⁶ to 100  × 10⁻⁶ m . A sensing mechanism based on the electronic transitions of g-CNQDs and LP-C, the two variants of nitrogen-containing carbon used in this work, is established. Finally, the device is tested for fluoride ion sensing in natural water samples collected from the Uhl river in Mandi, India.     

Effect of Boundaries on Pattern Formation in a Monolayer of Interacting Dipoles

Self-organization can be defined as a process of arrangement of entities that start out in an irregular arrangement and evolve into a stable, regular pattern without the aid of an external agent. A system of magnetic particles that are constrained to move only in a plane is reported. The individual components in the system have dipole moments in an orientation perpendicular to the plane of motion and the interaction between components is purely repulsive. For such a system, it is attempted to understand the influence of the boundary of the monolayer on the patterns that emerge. A system with a small number of magnets is found where the range of the magnetic interactions is of the size of the boundary; the symmetry of the boundary imposed on the monolayer plays a crucial role in determining the pattern types, the number of different pattern types, and the frequency of appearance of a particular pattern type. The effect of scaling up the size of the system while maintaining the characteristics of individual components as well as the component areal density is also discussed.     

Facile synthesis of Mn-Ni bimetal organic framework decorated with amine as an electrode for a high-performance supercapacitor

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In the recent years, the whole world is looking for better energy storage devices. Supercapacitors are among the most promising high-capacity...