Effect of 100 MeV O8+ swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation on phonon properties of Ba1‐xSrxTiO3 (x = 0.10, 0.15) ceramics are probed using Raman spectroscopy. Temperature‐dependent Raman spectra in the range (100 °C to −190 °C) have been investigated, and deconvoluted Raman modes parameters are used in pristine and irradiated ceramics to understand the effect of ion irradiation on phonon modes. Raman bands are successfully identified that discern changes in band parameters during transition from cubic → tetragonal → orthorhombic → rhombohedral phases. Raman spectral analysis reveals that the phase transition sequence remains almost unaffected after SHI irradiation; however, band parameters (band positions, band intensity, and line widths) of some phonon modes show changes after SHI irradiation. Results are interpreted in terms of grain reorientation and oxygen vacancies annihilation due to irradiation. Comparisons of ferroelectric properties in pristine and irradiated ceramics unambiguously reveal that surface or near surface material modifications influence the bulk properties of these polar materials.
Nickel Cobalt Sulfide (NCS) along with Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) are used here for the Counter Electrode (CE) to replace the conventional Pt in a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC). The usefulness of this system in the design of supercapacitors is also investigated. Various analytical tools are used to explore the crystallinity, morphology, and valence states of the synthesized nanocomposites. A short circuit current (J SC ) of 11.57 mA/cm 2 , an open-circuit voltage (V OC ) of 0.74 V, and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.84% are achieved for GQDs embedded NCS/MWCNT nanocomposite which is 39% higher compared to the pristine NCS (3.52%). The obtained PCE is compared with the standard Pt CE (∼6.88%) based DSSCs. Besides, cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge−discharge characteristics are also done to study the supercapacitor performance. The specific capacitance of 448 F/g and 361 F/g at 2 A/g have been achieved with and without a GQDs implanted NCS/MWCNT nanostructure. This research suggests that GQDs implanted NCS/MWCNT is not only a Pt-free DSSC replacement but also has storage capability.
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