Results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies of Se₈₅Te_15−xPb_x (x = 4, 6, 8 and 10) glasses have been reported and discussed in this paper. The results have been analyzed on the basis of structural relaxation equation, Matusita’s equation and modified Kissinger’s equation. The activation energies of structural relaxation lie in between 226 and 593 kJ/mol. The crystallization growth is found to be onedimensional for all compositions. The activation energies of crystallization are found to be 100–136 kJ/mol by Matusita’s equation while 102–139 kJ/mol by modified Kissinger’s equation. The Hruby number (indicator of ease of glass forming and higher stability) is the highest for Se₈₅Te₉Pb₆ glass while S factor (indicator of resistance to devitrification) is highest for Se₈₅Te₇Pb₈ glass at all heating rates in our experiment. Further the highest resistance to devitrification has the highest value of structural activation energy and the activation energy of crystallization is maximum for the most stable glass by both Matusita’s equation and the modified Kissinger’s equation.

Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) is employed to study the crystallization kinetics of irradiated (at three different fluences with high-energy heavy ion; Ni¹¹⁺ of 150 MeV) specimens of two Co-based metallic glasses. It is found that the crystallization process in both the glasses is completed in two phases. The DSC data have been analysed in terms of kinetic parameters viz. activation energy (𝐸_𝑐), Avrami exponent (𝑛), dimensionality of growth (𝑚), using two different theoretical models. The results obtained have been compared with that of virgin samples. The lower activation energy in case of second crystallization occurring at higher temperature indicates the easier nucleation of second phase. The abnormally high value of Avrami exponent in Co–Ni glass indicates very high nucleation rate during first crystallization.

We report the optimization and usage of surfactantless, water dispersible Ag and Au-coated 𝛾 –Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles for applications in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). These nanoparticles, with plasmonic as well as super paramagnetic properties exhibit Raman enhancement factors of the order of 10⁶ (10⁵) for Ag (Au) coating, which are on par with the conventional Ag and Au nanoparticles. Raman markers like 2-naphthalenethiol, rhodamine-B and rhodamine-6G have been adsorbed to these nanoparticles and tested for nonresonant SERS at low concentrations. Further, to confirm the robustness of Ag-coated nanoparticles, we have performed temperaturedependent SERS in the temperature range of 77–473 K. The adsorbed molecules exhibit stable SERS spectra except at temperatures >323 K, where the thermal desorption of test molecule (naphthalenethiol) were evident. The magnetic properties of these nanoparticles combined with SERS provide a wide range of applications.

The main objective of this study is to show the effect of TiO₂ nanotube length, diameter and intertubular lateral spacings on the performance of back illuminated dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The present study shows that processing short TiO₂ nanotubes with good lateral spacings could significantly improve the performance of back illuminated DSSCs. Vertically aligned, uniform sized diameter TiO₂ nanotube arrays of different tube lengths have been fabricated on Ti plates by a controlled anodization technique at different times of 24, 36, 48 and 72 h using ethylene glycol and ammonium fluoride as an electrolyte medium. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed formation of nanotube arrays spread uniformly over a large area. X-ray diffraction (XRD) of TiO₂ nanotube layer revealed the presence of crystalline anatase phases. By employing the TiO₂ nanotube array anodized at 24 h showing a diameter ∼80 nm and length ∼1.5 𝜇m as the photo-anode for back illuminated DSSCs, a full-sun conversion efficiency (𝜂) of 3.5%was achieved, the highest value reported for this length of nanotubes.

In contrast to the conventional DSSC systems, where the dye molecules are used as light harvesting material, here a solid-state absorber was used as a sensitizer in conjunction with the dye. The materials like ZnO and Al₂O₃ : C, which will show optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) upon irradiation were used as extremely thin absorber layers. This novel architecture allows broader spectral absorption, an increase in photocurrent, and hence, an improved efficiency because of the mobility of the trapped electrons in the absorber material after irradiation, to the TiO₂ conduction band. Nanocrystalline mesoporous TiO₂ photoanodes were fabricated using these solid-state absorber materials and after irradiation, a few number of samples were co-sensitized with N719 dye. On comparing both the dye loaded photoanodes (ZnO/TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ : C/TiO₂), it can be concluded from the present studies that, the Al₂O₃ : C is superior to ZnO under photon irradiation. Al₂O₃ : C is more sensitive to photon irradiation than ZnO and hence there can be more trap centres produced in Al₂O₃ : C.

Cadmium selenide quantum dots (CdSe QDs) were synthesized in aqueous phase by the freezing temperature injection technique using different capping agents (viz. thioglycolic acid, 1-thioglycerol, L-cysteine). Absorption spectra of CdSe QDs exhibited a blue shift as compared to its bulk counterpart, which is an indication of quantum confinement effect. The photoluminescence spectra of CdSe QDs confirmed that the particles are poly-dispersed and possess enhanced luminescent property, depending upon the chemical nature of capping agents. The QDs have been characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Further, antimicrobial activity of as-prepared QDs has also been investigated using the disk diffusion method.

Spherical mesoporous hollow core-shell silica nanoparticles (HCSNs) of size $200 \pm 50$ nm with tunable thickness from 20 to 60 nm are synthesized using a sacrificial sulphonated polystyrene (PS, particle size 160 nm) template. A facile method is adopted for the sulphonation of PS using sulphuric acid, which enhanced the negative charge on the surface of PS as confirmed by zeta potential analysis and Fourier transform infrared radiation analysis. The thickness of the silica shell is tuned by altering the concentration of the silica precursor and is found to increase due to the use of the sulphonated PS template. N$_2$ adsorption/desorption studies reported the variation of specificsurface area of HCSNs from 644.1 to 197.8 m$^ 2$ g$^{-1}$ and average pore size from 1.55 to 3.4 nm. The drug release behaviour of HCSNs with different shell thicknesses is investigated using doxorubicin as the model drug. A delay inthe drug release for $\sim$300 min is successfully achieved by employing HCSNs with enhanced thickness of 60 nm. Application of HCSNs in targeted drug delivery was further supported by the in-vitro cytotoxicity studies carried out on lung adenocarcinoma cells.

The high activation energy required for graphite–diamond transition limits its applicability in novel areas. To exploit fully the multifunctional properties of diamond in diverse fields, there is a necessity to explore more efficient waysfor its synthesis. In this study, we have demonstrated a new approach for nanodiamonds formation by employing a commercially available low power 10 W continuous-wave fibre laser. The laser system is modulated to generate the highpressure high temperature environment necessary for the phase conversion of graphite to diamond. The microsecond pulse duration combined with liquid confinement effect on plasma provide scope for a lower rate of supercooling, which restricts the epitaxial growth of the crystals. The sample is characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscope and Raman spectroscopy, confirming the presence of different types of nanodiamonds including newly discovered n-diamond. The process offers many important advantages like scalable process, non-catalyst-based eco-friendly and cost-effective synthesis of metastable nanodiamonds. The results demonstrate the effectuality of inexpensive commercial lasers towards attaining the localized extreme environment necessary for direct phase conversion of diamond materials.