Quantification of the short-range order in amorphous silicon has been formulized using Raman scattering by taking into account established frameworks for studying the spectral line-shape and size dependent Raman peak shift. A theoretical line-shape function has been proposed for representing the observed Raman scattering spectrum from amorphous-Si-based on modified phonon confinement model framework. While analyzing modified phonon confinement model, the term "confinement size" used in the context of nanocrystalline Si was found analogous to the short-range order distance in a-Si thus enabling one to quantify the same using Raman scattering. Additionally, an empirical formula has been proposed using bond polarizability model for estimating the short-range order making one capable to quantify the distance of short-range order by looking at the Raman peak position alone. Both the proposals have been validated using three different data sets reported by three different research groups from a-Si samples prepared by three different methods making the analysis universal.
Size-dependent asymmetric low-frequency Raman line shapes have been observed from silicon (Si) nanostructures (NSs) due to a quantum confinement effect. The acoustic phonons in Si NSs interact with an intraband quasi-continuum to give rise to Fano interaction in the low-frequency range. The experimental asymmetric Raman line shape has been explained by developing a theoretical model that incorporates the quantum-confined phonons interacting with an intraband quasi-continuum available in Si NSs as a result of discretization of energy levels with unequal separation. We discover that a phenomenon similar to Brillouin scattering is possible at the nanoscale in the low-frequency regime and thus may be called "Fano scattering" in general. A method has been proposed to extract information about nonradiative transitions from the Fano scattering data where these nonradiative transitions are involved as an intraband quasi-continuum in modulation with discrete acoustic phonons.
A suitably designed heterostructured TiO2–Co3O4 core–shell nanorod array has been found to exhibit improved supercapacitive as well as electrochromic properties as compared to the nanowires of either of the oxides when used individually. The core–shell nanostructures have been grown on an FTO coated glass substrate by preparing TiO2 nanorods through hydrothermal reaction followed by growing a Co3O4 shell layer by electrodeposition. The core–shell electrode shows high specific and areal capacitance of ∼342 F/g and ∼140 mF/cm2 (at scan rate of 100 mV/s), respectively. Such an improvement in supercapacitive behavior, as compared to the behavior of the existing ones, is likely due to increased surface area and modified charge dynamics within the core–shell heterojunction. Additionally, these core–shells also exhibit stable and power efficient bias induced color change between transparent (sky blue) and opaque (dark brown) states with coloration efficiency of ∼91 cm2/C. Porous morphology and strong adhesion to the surface of transparent conducting glass electrode give rise to superior cyclic stability in both energy storage and electrochromic applications, which make these core–shell structures suitable candidates for future electronic devices.
A fast and flexible all-organic electrochromic device, fabricated using polythiophene and PCBM as active materials and plastic substrate, which shows very good power efficiency as well, has been reported here. The device shows quantifiable improvement in electrochromic performance using parameters like switching speed, coloration efficiency, color contrast, and cycle life. Spectroscopic investigations have been carried out using Raman and UV–vis to establish a bias induced redox switching based mechanism for the reported improvement in the performance. The device shows switching between magenta (OFF) and transparent states (ON) with a very small bias of ±1 V, an optical modulation of 50% and an absorbance switching contrast of 91%. An enhanced stability for a duration of longer than 2500 s and 250 cycles has been reported with an ultrafast response of few hundred milliseconds. A very high coloration efficiency of 321 cm2/C is achieved, making the proposed device one of the best reported P3HT-based electrochromic devices.
Fano resonance is reported here to be playing a dual role by amplifying or compensating for the quantum confinement effect induced asymmetry in Raman line-shape in silicon (Si) nanowires (NWs) obtained from heavily doped n- and p-type Si wafers respectively. The compensatory nature results in a near symmetric Raman line-shape from heavily doped p-type Si nanowires (NWs) as both the components almost cancel each other. On the other hand, the expected asymmetry, rather with enhancement, has been observed from heavily doped n-type SiNWs. Such a system (p- & n-) dependent Raman line-shape study has been carried out by theoretical line-shape analysis followed by experimental validation through suitably designed experiments. A dual role of Fano resonance in n- and p-type nano systems has been observed to modulate Raman spectra differently and reconcile accordingly to enhance and cease the Raman spectral asymmetry respectively. The present analysis will enable one to be more careful while analyzing a symmetric Raman line-shape from semiconductor nanostructures.
Theoretical Raman line shape functions have been studied to take care of quantum confinement effect and Fano effect individually and jointly. The characteristics of various Raman line shapes have been studied in terms of the broadening and asymmetry of Raman line shapes. It is shown that the asymmetry in the Raman line-shape function caused by these two effects individually does not add linearly to give asymmetry of lineshape generated by considering the combined effect. This indicates existence of interplay between the two effects. The origin of interplay lies in the fact that Fano effect itself depends on quantum confinement effect and in turn provides an asymmetry. This can not be explained by considering the two effects contribution independent of each other. arXiv:1508.00388v1 [cond-mat.mes-hall] 3 Aug 2015
Glucose sensing properties of mesoporous well-aligned, dense nickel oxide (NiO) nanostructures (NSs) in nanopetals (NPs) shape grown hydrothermally on the FTO-coated glass substrate has been demonstrated. The structural study based investigations of NiO-NPs has been carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron and atomic force microscopies, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray photospectroscopy (XPS). Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) measurements, employed for surface analysis, suggest NiO’s suitability for surface activity based glucose sensing applications. The glucose sensor, which immobilized glucose on NiO-NPs@FTO electrode, shows detection of wide range of glucose concentrations with good linearity and high sensitivity of 3.9 μA/μM/cm2 at 0.5 V operating potential. Detection limit of as low as 1 μΜ and a fast response time of less than 1 s was observed. The glucose sensor electrode possesses good anti-interference ability, stability, repeatability & reproducibility and shows inert behavior toward ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA) and dopamine acid (DA) making it a perfect non-enzymatic glucose sensor.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s11671-018-2435-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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