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At least 1,693 records · Page 94
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Novel synthesis of Ni-ferrite (NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}) electrode material for supercapacitor applications

Novel nanocrystalline NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} has been synthesized through combustion route using citric acid as a fuel. Phase of the synthesized material was analyzed using powder X-ray diffraction. The XRD study revealed the formation of spinel phase cubic NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} with high crystallinity. The average crystallite size of NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanomaterial was calculated from scherrer equation. The electrochemical properties were realized by cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrode material shows a maximum specific capacitance of 454 F/g with pseudocapacitive behavior. High capacitance retention of electrode material over 1000 continuous charging-discharging cycles suggests its excellent electrochemical stability. The results revealed that the nickel ferrite electrode is a potential candidate for energy storage applications in supercapacitor.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2013

Effect of reinforcing particle type on morphology and age-hardening behavior of Al–4.5 wt.% Cu based nanocomposites synthesized through mechanical milling

The effects of reinforcing particle type (SiC and TiC) on morphology and precipitation hardening behavior of Al–4.5%Cu based nanocomposites synthesized via mechanical milling were investigated in the current work. In order to study the microstructure and morphology of mechanically milled powder, X-ray diffraction technique, scanning electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy were utilized. Results revealed that at the early stages of mechanical milling, when reinforcing particles are polycrystal, the alloying process is enhanced more in the case of using the TiC particles as reinforcement. But, at the final stages of mechanical milling, when reinforcing particles are single crystal, the alloying process is enhanced more in the case of using the SiC ones. Transmission electron microscopy results demonstrated that Al–4.5 wt.%Cu based nanocomposite powders were synthesized and confirmed that the mutual diffusion of aluminum and copper occurs through the interfacial plane of (200). The hardness results showed that not only does introducing 4 vol.% of reinforcing particles (SiC or TiC) considerably decrease the porosity of the bulk composite samples, but also it approximately doubles the hardness of Al–4.5 wt.%Cu alloy (53.4 HB). Finally, apart from TEM and scanning electron microscopy observation which are localized, a decline in hardness in the TiC and SiC contained samples, respectively, after 1.5 and 2 h aging time at 473 K proves the fact that the size of SiC particles is smaller than the size of the TiC ones. - Highlights: ► HRTEM results show mutual diffusion of Al and Cu occurs through the (200) planes. ► TiC particles enhance alloying process more than the SiC ones at the early stages of MM. ► SiC particles enhance alloying process more than the TiC ones at the final stages of MM.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Distinguishing tautomerism in the crystal structure of (Z)-N-(5-ethyl-2,3-di-hydro-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylidene) -4-methylbenzenesulfonamide using DFT-D calculations and {sup 13}C solid-state NMR

The crystal structure of (Z)-N-(5-ethyl-2,3-di-hydro-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylidene) -4-methylbenzenesulfonamide contains an imine tautomer, rather than the previously reported amine tautomer. The tautomers can be distinguished using dispersion-corrected density functional theory calculations and by comparison of calculated and measured {sup 13}C solid-state NMR spectra. The crystal structure of the title compound, C{sub 11}H{sub 13}N{sub 3}O{sub 2}S{sub 2}, has been determined previously on the basis of refinement against laboratory powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) data, supported by comparison of measured and calculated {sup 13}C solid-state NMR spectra [Hangan et al. (2010 ▶). Acta Cryst. B66, 615–621]. The mol@@ecule is tautomeric, and was reported as an amine tautomer [systematic name: N-(5-ethyl-1,3,4-thia@@diazol-2-yl)-p-toluene@@sulfonamide], rather than the correct imine tautomer. The protonation site on the mol@@ecule’s 1,3,4-thia@@diazole ring is indicated by the inter@@molecular contacts in the crystal structure: N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds are established at the correct site, while the alternative protonation site does not establish any notable inter molecular inter@@actions. The two tautomers provide essentially identical Rietveld fits to laboratory PXRD data, and therefore they cannot be directly distinguished in this way. However, the correct tautomer can be distinguished from the incorrect one by previously reported qu@@anti@@tative criteria based on the extent of structural distortion on optimization of the crystal structure using dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D) calculations. Calculation of the {sup 13}C SS-NMR spectrum based on the correct imine tautomer also provides considerably better agreement with the measured {sup 13}C SS-NMR spectrum.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Crystal and electronic structures of two new iron selenides: Ba{sub 4}Fe{sub 3}Se{sub 10} and BaFe{sub 2}Se{sub 4}

The new ternary selenides, Ba{sub 4}Fe{sub 3}Se{sub 10} and BaFe{sub 2}Se{sub 4,} were synthesized from a reaction of appropriate amounts of elements at high temperature in a silica sealed tube, and their structures were resolved using X-ray single crystal diffraction. BaFe{sub 2}Se{sub 4} crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4/m with a=8.008(9) Å and c=5.483(3) Å as cell parameters. It is a new compound with a structure isotypical to the sulfide BaFe{sub 2}S{sub 4} which belongs to the infinitely adaptive structures series Ba{sub 1+x}Fe{sub 2}S{sub 4}. The second compound, Ba{sub 4}Fe{sub 3}Se{sub 10}, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2{sub 1}/n with a=8.8593(1) Å, b=8.8073(1) Å, c=12.2724(1) Å and β=109.037(6)° as cell parameters. It exhibits an original structure with a new type of iron selenide polyhedra. These data were consistent with the powder X-ray diffraction and TEM analyses. Their electronic structures point towards metallicity and electronic correlations for both selenides. - Graphical abstract: Experimental [010] oriented ED pattern and corresponding HREM image of Ba{sub 4}Fe{sub 3}Se{sub 10}. Image calculated with a focus and thickness to 15nm and 8 nm respectively is inserted. Bright contrasts are correlated to Se rows belonging to FeSe{sub 3}(Se{sub 2}){sup 2−}–FeSe{sub 6}–FeSe{sub 3}(Se{sub 2}){sup 2−} trimers. The corresponding structure projection is also shown. - Highlights: • Two new barium iron selenide compounds. • An original structure type Ba4Fe3Se10. • Electronic structure calculations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Electrochemical preparation of poly(methylene blue)/graphene nanocomposite thin films

Highlights: • Poly(MB)/graphene thin films are prepared by a simple electrochemical approach. • Graphene layers in the film show a broad band in visible region of absorbance spectra. • Morphology of composite films indicates both disordered and ordered regions. • XRD reveals that nanocomposite films include rGO layers after electropolymerization process. • Chemically prepared graphene is better than electrochemically prepared graphene for electrooxidation of nitrite. - Abstract: Poly(methylene blue)/graphene nanocomposite thin films were prepared by electropolymerization of methylene blue in the presence of graphene which have been synthesized by two different methods of a chemical oxidation process and an electrochemical approach. Synthesized nanocomposite thin films were characterized by using cyclic voltammetry, UV–vis. absorption spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and scanning tunneling microscopy techniques. Electrocatalytical properties of prepared poly(methylene blue)/graphene nanocomposite films were compared toward electrochemical oxidation of nitrite. Under optimized conditions, electrocatalytical effect of nanocomposite films of chemically prepared graphene through electrochemical oxidation of nitrite was better than that of electrochemically prepared graphene.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Kinetics of hydrogen adsorption on MgH{sub 2}/CNT composite

Highlights: • Hydrogen adsorption comparisons of commercial, milled, and MgH{sub 2} composite. • Hydrogen adsorption capacity and kinetics improves tremendously by CNT embedding. • Unsteady state modeling and simulation of adsorption kinetics. - Abstract: Magnesium hydride (MgH{sub 2})–carbon nanotubes (CNT) composite has been prepared by high-energy ball milling method and their experimental and kinetic hydrogen adsorption studies was assessed. Hydrogen adsorption studies were performed by Sievert’s volumetric apparatus and kinetic evaluation was conducted by surface chemistry and Langmuir–Hinshelwood–Hougen–Watson (LHHW) type mode. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were performed. Hydrogen adsorption capacity of commercial MgH{sub 2}, milled MgH{sub 2}, and MgH{sub 2}/CNT composite are found to be 0.04, 0.057, and 0.059 g (H{sub 2})/g (MgH{sub 2}) at 673 K and hydrogen pressure of 4.6 MPa. Addition of 5 wt% of CNTs to MgH{sub 2} proved to be very critical to enhance hydrogen adsorption as well as to improve its kinetics. It was observed that hydrogen adsorption is not in quasi-state equilibrium and is modeled using kinetic rate laws.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

NIR to visible upconversion emission in Tm{sup 3+} doped Na{sub 2}Y{sub 2}B{sub 2}O{sub 7} powder phosphor

Tm{sup 3+} ions doped Na{sub 2}Y{sub 2}B{sub 2}O{sub 7} powder phosphor has been synthesized through combustion method. Crystal structure and phase of the prepared sample have been investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Upconversion emission bands in the 400-900 nm range under the excitation of 980nm diode laser have been acquired, and involved upconversion mechanism has been discussed with the help of a suitable energy level diagram. The colour coordinate of developed phosphor has been calculated by CIE chromaticity diagram. Present phosphor can be used in fabrication of upconverting LEDs.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Synthesis, characterization and conductivity studies of ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles

Transition metal ferrites with general formula AB{sub 2}O{sub 4} (A=Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, B=Fe{sup +3}) could be used as an anode materials in lithium ion battery (LIB), because, lithium ion batteries fabricated using ferrite materials show the high capacity than commonly used graphite. The ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} with cubic spinel structured material was prepared by acrylamide assisted citrate combustion process. Phase, structural coordination and thermal behavior of the prepared ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} were confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectra and TG/DTA thermogram respectively. Morphology and specific surface area of the ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} were identified by SEM and BET surface analyzer respectively and its conductivity studies were made through impedance spectroscopy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Effect of Ni diffusion annealing temperature on crucial characterization of Bi-2223 superconducting system

In this current work, influence of diffusion annealing temperature (650-850°C) on the electrical, superconducting and structural characterizations of pure and Ni diffused Bi-2223 materials produced by conventional solid-state reaction route is surveyed by dc electrical resistivity (ρ-T), transport critical current density (J{sub c}) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. All the experimental findings indicate that the curial characteristics, being responsible for the novel and feasible applications, improve significantly with the enhancement of the diffusion annealing temperature up to the certain value of 700 °C after which they degrade dramatically, meaning that the properties initially get better and better as a consequence of the penetration of more and more Ni concentrations into the superconducting grains or over grain boundaries in the Bi-2223 crystal matrix. From the diffusion annealing temperature value of 700 °C onwards, the excess penetration of the Ni nanoparticles along with consecutively stacked layers in the Bi-2223 crystal structure is, however, unfavorable for the attractive and feasible applications due to new induced disorders, local structural distortions and artificial dislocations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Crystal growth and characterization of new semiorganic nonlinear optical single crystals

An organic material of a L-histidine monohydrochloride single crystal was grown in a distilled water solution using the slow evaporation method at 40–45°C. The grown crystal was transparent and colourless, with a size of about 20 × 9 × 5 mm{sup 3}, obtained within a period of 21 days. The solubility of grown crystals have found out at various temperatures. The UV-visible transmittance studies show that the grown crystals have wide optical transparency in the entire visible region It is observed that the crystal has transparency window from 255nm to 700nm and its energy gap (Eg) found to be is 3.1eV. The grown crystal was subjected to powder X-ray diffraction analysis, confirming that the orthorhombic crystalline nature of the crystal. To identify the surface morphology, the as grown crystal was subjected to FE-SEM technique. The chemical composition of the grown crystal was estimated by Energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The optical behaviour of the grown crystal was analyzed by PL study.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Single crystal growth of Yb doped NaGd(WO{sub 4}){sub 2} and structural and spectroscopic studies

High quality single crystals of NaGd(WO{sub 4}){sub 2} doped with 5 mol % Yb and oriented along <001> have been grown by the Czochralski technique in Ar atmosphere. The tetragonal space group I41/a accounts for all the reflections observed in the powder X-ray diffraction analysis. Polarized optical spectroscopy at room temperature revealed a direction dependence of absorption at different wavelength. As a novel uniaxial laser host for Yb{sup 3+}, NaGd(WO{sub 4}){sub 2} is characterized with respect to its transparency and band-edge. The emission spectrum of Yb{sup 3+} (excitation: 980-990 nm diode laser) was also recorded.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Structural, vibrational, thermal and optical studies of organic single crystal: Benzotriazolium p-toluene sulfonate (BTPTS)

Benzotriazolium p-toluene sulfonate (BTPTS) was grown by solution growth technique. The powder X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out to evaluate crystal system of the compound. LeBail Profile fitting analysis was performed to extract the individual peak intensities. FTIR spectrum analysis was recorded to study vibration frequencies of the prepared organic salt. Thermal studies were carried out using TG-DSC analysis. Optical absorption and energy band gap of the title compound was evaluated by UV-Vis spectral study.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Novel ethylenediamine-gallium phosphate containing 6-fold coordinated gallium atoms with unusual four equatorial Ga–N bonds

A novel ethylenediamine-gallium phosphate, formulated as Ga(H{sub 2}NCH{sub 2}CH{sub 2}NH{sub 2}){sub 2}PO{sub 4}·2H{sub 2}O, was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The crystal structure, including hydrogen positions, was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (monoclinic, a=9.4886(3) Å, b=6.0374(2) Å, c=10.2874(3) Å, and β=104.226(3)°, space group Pc) and the bulk was characterized by chemical (Ga–P–C–H–N) and thermal analysis (TG–MS and DSC), including activation energy data of its thermo-oxidative degradation, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SS-NMR) measurements, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM, SAED/NBD, and STEM BF-EDX). The crystal structure is built up of infinite zig-zag chains running along the c-axis, formed by vertex-shared (PO{sub 4}) and (GaO{sub 2}N{sub 4}) polyhedra. The new compound is characterized by unusual four equatorial Ga–N bonds coming from two nonequivalent ethylenediamine molecules and exhibits strong blue emission at 430 nm (λ{sub ex}=350 nm) in the solid state at room temperature. - Graphical abstract: Single crystals of a new ethylenediamine-gallium phosphate, Ga(H{sub 2}NCH{sub 2}CH{sub 2}NH{sub 2}){sub 2}PO{sub 4}·2H{sub 2}O, were obtained and the structural features presented. This structure is one of the scarce examples of GaPO with Ga–N bonds reported. - Highlights: • A novel ethylenediamine-gallium phosphate was hydrothermally synthesized. • The new compound is characterized by unusual four equatorial Ga–N bonds. • Void-volume analysis shows cages and channels with sizes ideally suited to accommodate small molecules. • The new compound exhibits strong blue emission.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Synthesis and electrochemical assessment of Ce{sub 0.5}Yb{sub 0.5}O{sub 1.75} ceramics and derived composite electrolytes

Highlights: • Ce{sub 0.5}Yb{sub 0.5}O{sub 1.75} prepared for the first time through solid state reaction. • High energy milling needed to assist the ceramic route. • Ce{sub 0.5}Yb{sub 0.5}O{sub 1.75} is oxide-ion conductor in air and n-type conductor at low pO{sub 2}. • Ce{sub 0.5}Yb{sub 0.5}O{sub 1.75} decomposes slightly when exposed to alkaline carbonates. • Composites based on Ce{sub 0.5}Yb{sub 0.5}O{sub 1.75} show standard electrical performance. - Abstract: Ce{sub 0.5}Yb{sub 0.5}O{sub 1.75} was prepared for the first time through high temperature (1600 °C for 5 h) solid state reaction, after high energy milling to enhance the mechano-chemical interaction of precursor oxides (CeO{sub 2} and Yb{sub 2}O{sub 3}). Single phase formation was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction. Impedance spectroscopy data obtained under wide temperature (300–800 °C) and oxygen partial pressure (0.21 to about 10{sup −25} atm) ranges indicates that this material exhibits predominant oxide-ion conductivity under oxidizing conditions while n-type electronic conductivity prevails at low oxygen partial pressure. The mixed oxide shows modest ionic conductivity (1.1 × 10{sup −3} S cm{sup −1} at 800 °C) with activation energy of 1.3 eV in the 600–800 °C temperature range. When combined with molten carbonates (Li{sub 2}CO{sub 3} + Na{sub 2}CO{sub 3}, 1:1 molar ratio) to produce composite electrolytes, Ce{sub 0.5}Yb{sub 0.5}O{sub 1.75} slightly decomposed. However, the composite electrical performance is still acceptable and closely matches the conductivity of similar materials (>0.1 S cm{sup −1} immediately above 500 °C)

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Ancillary ligand-assisted assembly of C{sub 3}-symmetric 4,4′,4″-nitrilotribenzoic acid with divalent Zn{sup 2+} ions: Syntheses, topological structures, and photoluminescence properties

4,4′,4″-nitrilotribenzoic acid (H{sub 3}L), a C{sub 3}-symmetric ligand, was found to self-assemble into two polymorphs driven by intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions. Reactions of this ligand with Zn{sup 2+} under solvothermal conditions resulted in four new coordination polymers bearing interesting structural motifs: [Zn{sub 2}(L){sub 2}(py){sub 2}]·2(H{sub 2}NMe{sub 2}){sup +}·DMF·2H{sub 2}O (1), [Zn{sub 2}(L)(H{sub 2}L)(bipy)]·1.5H{sub 2}O·Guest (2), [Zn{sub 2}(L){sub 2}(bipy)]·2(H{sub 2}NMe{sub 2}){sup +}·2DMF (3), and [Zn{sub 3}(L){sub 2}(bpa)]·2H{sub 2}O·Guest (4) (H{sub 3}L=4,4′,4′′-nitrilotribenzoic acid, DMF=dimethylformamide, py=pyridine, bipy=4,4′-bipyridine, bpa=1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)diazene). Single-crystal structural analysis revealed that compound 1 exhibits a rare example of twofold interpenetrating anionic 3D (3,3)-net framework containing helical channels, whereas in 2, the 3D pillar-layer structure generated from bipy-pillared Zn{sub 2}(L)(H{sub 2}L) layer is further reinforced by intermolecular hydrogen bonding among pairs of free –COOH units. Compound 3 shows an interesting entangled architecture of 2D→3D parallel polycatenation consisting five-coordinated Zn{sup 2+} ions. Compound 4 displays a 3D pillar-layer framework with trimeric Zn{sub 3}(CO{sub 2}){sub 6} serving as secondary building unit (SBU). The syntheses, structures, thermal stabilities, powder X-ray diffractions and solid-state photoluminescence properties for these crystalline materials have been carried out. In addition, supramolecular assembly of H{sub 3}L under solvothermal conditions will also be addressed. - Graphical abstract: Supramolecular assembly of 4,4′,4′′-nitrilotribenzoic acid and its ligand behavior toward Zn{sup 2+} were investigated, which exhibit two polymorphs of the free acid and four metal coordination polymers bearing interesting structural motifs. - Highlights: • Two polymorphs of H{sub 3}L showing different hydrogen-bonded network were obtained. • Tune over the structure of MOFs was achieved. • 1 has a 2-fold interpenetrating anionic 3D network containing helical channels. • Structures bearing free carboxylic acid (–COOH) unit are constructed in 2. • 3 represents a rare 2D+2D→3D catenation array containing five-coordinated Zn{sup 2+}.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Intercalation of organic molecules in 2D copper (II) nitroprusside: Intermolecular interactions and magnetic properties

This contribution discusses the intercalation of imidazole and its 2-ethyl derivative, and pyridine in 2D copper nitroprusside. In the interlayer region, neighboring molecules remain interacting throu gh their dipole and quadrupole moments, which supports the solid 3D crystal structure. The crystal structure of this series of intercalation compounds was solved and refined from powder X-ray diffraction patterns complemented with spectroscopic information. The intermolecular interactions were studied from the refined crystal structures and low temperature magnetic measurements. Due to strong attractive forces between neighboring molecules, the resulting π–π cloud overlapping enables the ferromagnetic coupling between metal centers on neighboring layers, which was actually observed for the solids containing imidazole and pyridine as intercalated molecules. For these two solids, the magnetic data were properly described with a model of six neighbors. For the solid containing 2-ethylimidazole and for 2D copper nitroprusside, a model of four neighbors in a plane is sufficient to obtain a reliable data fitting. - Highlights: • Intercalation of organic molecules in 2D copper (II) nitroprusside. • Molecular properties of intercalation compounds of 2D copper (II) nitroprusside. • Magnetic properties of hybrid inorganic–organic solids. • Hybrid inorganic–organic 3D framework.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Development of High-Pressure Multigrain X-Ray Diffraction for Exploring the Earth’s Interior

The lower mantle comprises >55% by volume of our planet and enigmatic seismic features in the deep lower mantle call for interperations from high pressure-temperature (P-T) petrological experiments. Studying phase changes in a realistic bulk composition or with addition of volatiles requires in situ phase identification and structure analysis in a multiphase assemblage under corresponding high P-T conditions. In a powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, however, peaks of new structures and minor phases are often overshadowed by the diffraction of coexisting major phases. In the past 5 years, we have overcome the difficulties and successfully studied new structures and minor phases in great detail in situ under deep lower manlte conditions applying the multigrain XRD technique that treats each individual 100-500 nm-size grains as a single-crystal in a sample consisting of multiple phases and multiple crystals. This paper summarized the advantages of the multigrain XRD technique and provided an example of identification of hydrous phases with average ~100 nm grain size in a multiphase assemblage through combination of in situ phase identification and ex situ microscopic analysis.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Reduced graphene oxide/CeO{sub 2} nanocomposite with enhanced photocatalytic performance

In this work, reduced graphene oxide /cerium oxide (RGO/CeO{sub 2}) nanocomposite was synthesized by in situ reduction of cerium nitrate Ce(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}·6H{sub 2}O in the presence of graphene oxide by hydrazine hydrate (N{sub 2}H{sub 4}.H{sub 2}O). The intrinsic characteristics of as-prepared nanocomposite were studied using powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) was employed as a model reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the RGO/CeO{sub 2} nanocomposite. The as-obtained RGO/CeO{sub 2} nanocomposite displays a significantly enhanced photocatalytic degradation of MB dye in comparison with bare CeO{sub 2} nanoparticles under sunlight irradiation, which can be attributed to the improved separation of electron-hole pairs and enhanced adsorption performance due to presence of RGO.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗