Electron spin resonance spectra of some phosphonyl radicals and related species

The isotropic ESR spectra of a number of phosphonyl radicals (X₂$\text{P}$O), the dimethylphosphinyl radical, and the phosphoranyl radical (MeO)₃$\text{P}$OBu-t, are described, and accurate values of the phosphorus hyperfine splittings and g-factors are reported. For X₂$\text{P}$O, the value of a(P) increases and the g-factor decreases as the electronegativity of X increases. There is a linear relationship between a(P) for X₂$\text{P}$O and ¹J(PH) for X₂P(O)H, but the same relationship does not hold for Me₂P- and Me₂PH. The spectrum of the di-n-hexylphosphonyl radical shows coupling to two pairs of α-methylene protons, and this non-equivalence is attributed to the pyramidal structure of the phosphonyl radical.     

Effect of collimator size and absorber thickness on gamma ray attenuation measurements for bakelite and perspex

The mass attenuation coefficient (μ _m) of 662 keV gamma rays have been measured in the extended media of bakelite and perspex under different collimation conditions. The increase in attenuation coefficient is seen with increase in sample thickness as well as with collimator size due to the contribution of multiple scattered photons in the uncollided beam of 662 keV gamma rays.     

A Novel Method for the Synthesis of MOF-199 for Sensing and Photocatalytic Applications

Multifunctional Cu (II)-based Metal Organic Framework (MOF) [Cu₃(BTC)₂] has been synthesized by a facile electrochemical method. Crystallographic and morphological characterizations of synthesized MOF have been done using Powder X-ray Diffractometer and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), respectively, whereas Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), UV–Vis Absorption Spectroscopy and Energy Resolved Luminescence Spectroscopic studies have been used for the detailed qualitative, quantitative as well as optical analyses. Sharp PXRD peaks indicate the formation of highly crystalline MOF with face centered cubic (fcc) structure. Flakes (average length?=?0.71 µm and width?=?0.10 µm) and rods (average aspect ratio?=?((0.1:8.3) µm) like morphologies have been observed in SEM micrographs. The presence of C, O and Cu has been confirmed by EDS analysis. Photocatalytic activity potential of the synthesized MOF has been tested using methylene blue dye (MB) as a test contaminant in aqueous media under sunlight irradiation. Selective and sensitive fluorescent sensing of different Nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) like 4-Nitroaniline (4-NA), 2-Nitroaniline (2-NA), 3-Nitroaniline (3-NA), 4-Nitrotoulene (4-NT), 2,4-Dinitrotoulene (2,4-DNT), 1,3-Dinitrobenzene (1,3-DNB), 2,6- Dinitrotoulene (2,6-DNT) has been done by exploring the photoluminescent behaviour of chemically stable Cu₃(BTC)₂. Synthesized MOF is extremely sensitive towards 4-NA, which is having PL quenching efficiency of 82.61% with highest quenching rate till reported. Indeed, a large quenching coefficient KSV?=?34.02?×?10^–7 M^?1 and correlation coefficient R²?=?0.9962 in K_SV plot have been elucidated with limit of detection (LOD)?=?0.7544 ppb. The possible ways of luminescence quenching are successfully explained by the combination of Photoinduced Electron Transfer (PET) and Resonance Energy Transfer (RET) mechanisms. Additionally, the Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations have been employed to support the experimental results. Cu₃(BTC)₂ fully demonstrates the power of a multi component MOF, which provides a feasible pathway for the design of novel material towards fast responding luminescence sensing and photocatalytic degradation of pollutants.

Graphical Abstract

     

Photo-physical studies of pyridine capped ZnO nanostructures

Pyridine capped ZnO nanocrystals with different sizes were synthesized at room temperature by wet chemical synthesis. Pyridine provides the control over the morphology of final product. X-ray study confirms the crystalline hexagonal structure of the capped and uncapped ZnO nanocrystals. The particle size was found to decrease with increase in capping concentration. Electron microscopy investigation reveals the uniform morphology of the product. Optical absorption studies indicate the blue shift effect for pyridine capped ZnO as compare to uncapped ZnO.     

Photoluminescence studies of Cd1−xZnxS nanocrystals

Cd_1−xZn_xS (0?x?0.5) nanocrystals have been synthesized using a simple chemical precipitation method. Morphological and crystallographic analyses have been done using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Room temperature energy and time resolved photoluminescence spectra of these synthesized nanophosphors have been studied using xenon lamp spectroflourometer and high peak power, pulsed N₂-laser excitation, respectively. Photoluminescence spectra are composed of broad peaks ranging from green to red region of the visible spectrum. Important optical parameters: excited state lifetime, trap-depth and decay constant values have been calculated from recorded luminescence decay curves. These nanophosphors show typical lifetime shortening and high quantum yield with increasing concentration of Zn.     

Effect of weight fraction of different constituent elements on the total mass attenuation coefficients of biological materials

The mass attenuation coefficients, μ _m, of biological materials have been studied as a function of weight fraction of constituent elements (hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and nitrogen). A considerable change in μ _m is seen only in low energy region whereas no change is observed with the increasing percentage of constituent elements in high energy region up to 10 MeV. The results have been presented in graphical form.     

Novel Electrochemical Synthesis and Characterization of Zn(II) Metal Organic Framework for Photo-catalytic and Sensing Applications

Multidentate 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (organic linker), Zn (II) based Zn-BTC has been synthesized via electrochemical method. Quantitative and Qualitative analyses of synthesized metal–organic framework (MOF) have been done using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Energy Dispersive X- Ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and Photoluminescence (PL). Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) have been used for crystallographic and morphological & topographical analyses, respectively. Crystallographic studies confirm the formation of face-centered cubic (fcc) crystal structure with good crystallinity. Photo-catalytic activity of synthesized MOF has been tested using Methylene Blue (MB) dye as a test contaminant in aqueous media under sunlight irradiation. Recorded results reveal that the synthesized MOF efficiently degrade MB dye upto 96% under sunlight exposure after 270 min. Photoluminescence studies indicate that Zn-BTC could be used as an efficient material for sensing of nitroaromatic compounds (NACs): 4-Nitroaniline (4-NA), 2-Nitroaniline (2-NA), 3- Nitroaniline (3-NA), 2,4-Dinitrotoulene (2,4-DNT), 4-Nitrotoulene (4-NT) in N,N’-Dimethylformamide (DMF) by fluorescence quenching and shows maximum quenching efficiency towards 3-NA (72.80%). Notably, the variation in luminescence intensity of 3-NA@Zn-BTC shows a linear relationship over its different concentrations from 0–1000 ppb range with K_SV?=?2.7?×?10⁴ M^?1 and R²?=?0.9924 with limit of detection 0.889 ppb (6.43 µM) (LOD). The possible ways of luminescence quenching are successfully explained by the combination of Photoinduced Electron Transfer (PET) and Resonance Energy Transfer (RET) mechanisms. Additionally, the Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations have been employed to support the experimental results. Zn-BTC fully demonstrates the power of a multi component MOF, which provides a feasible pathway for the design of novel material towards fast responding luminescence sensing and photocatalytic degradation of pollutants.

Graphical Abstract

     

Photoluminescence properties of Eu3+-doped Cd1−x Zn x S quantum dots

Eu³⁺-doped Cd_1−x Zn _x S (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) quantum dots (QDs) have been synthesized using wet chemical precipitation method. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope have been used for the crystallographic and morphological characterization of synthesized nanomaterials. In order to understand the spectral characteristics of doped QDs, N₂-laser induced time resolved spectra have been recorded. Excited state lifetime values for dichromatic emission (red and violet) attributed to ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_J (J = 1, 2) transitions of Eu³⁺ and host lattice transitions have been calculated from the recorded luminescence decay curves. Decay time dependence on the dopant concentration (0.01–10 at. wt% of Cd²⁺) has been studied in detail.     

Energy absorption buildup factor studies in water, air and concrete up to 100 mfp using G-P fitting formula

The energy absorption buildup factors for water, air and concrete have been calculated up to a penetration depth of 100 mean free paths using 5-parameter Geometric Progression formula, in the energy range of 0.015–15.0 MeV. The results up to 40 mfp have been compared with the available standard data, whereas the buildup factors of these materials beyond 40 mfp and up to 100 mfp are new to the available literature.