Pure Metals Research Articles

Machine Learning-Accelerated High-Throughput Computational Screening: Unveiling Bimetallic Nanoparticles with Peroxidase-Like Activity.

Bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) with peroxidase-like (POD-like) activity play a crucial role in biosensing, disease treatment, environmental management, and other fields. However, their development is impeded by a vast range of tunable properties in components and structures, making the establishment of structure-effect relationships and the discovery of active materials challenging. Addressing this, we established robust scaling relationships by meticulously analyzing the catalytic reaction networks of pure metal NPs, which laid the volcano-shaped correlation between the activity and O* adsorption energy. Utilizing these relationships, we introduced an innovative and versatile descriptor of the NPs, which was then integrated into a machine learning-accelerated high-throughput computational workflow, significantly boosting the predictive accuracy for the POD-like activity of bimetallic NPs. Our methodological approach enabled the successful prediction of activities for 1260 bimetallic NPs, leading to the identification of several highly effective catalysts. Furthermore, we distilled several strategies for designing efficient bimetallic NPs based on our screening results.

Morphostructural studies of pure and mixed metal oxide nanoparticles of Cu with Ni and Zn

Nano-scale interactions between pure metal or metal-oxide components within an oxide matrix can improve functional performance over basic metal oxides. This study reports on the synthesis of monometallic (CuO), bimetallic (CuO–NiO) and trimetallic (CuO–NiO–ZnO) oxide nanoparticles (NPs) via the co-precipitation method and investigation of morphostructural properties. All of the synthesized metal oxide NPs were calcined at 550 °C temperature and annealed under vacuum. In this work, we applied Scherrer formula, modified Scherrer equation, Williamson-Hall plots, and Halder-Wagner plots to calculate the average crystallite size. The XRD data analysis showed that average crystallite sizes of the as-synthesized metal oxide phases were between 4 nm and 76 nm and average diameters calculated from SEM image were between 15 nm and 83 nm. The XRD studies also disclosed that average crystallite size and lattice microstrain of the CuO phases remain almost same (43 nm–46 nm and 2.074×10−3 to 2.665×10−3) for pure CuO and mixed CuO–NiO; but in case of mixed CuO–NiO–ZnO it is found to decrease in size to 11 nm where lattice microstrain increases to 9.653×10−3. Line broadening of diffraction peaks from microstrain contribution was between 0.02 and 0.01. Degree of crystallinity (%) of CuO phases found to decrease from 81 to 71. Dislocation density of CuO phases found to increase from 6.63×10−4nm−2 to 12.68×10−3nm−2. X-ray density of CuO phases increased from 6.48 to 6.53 g/cm3. Where this calculated small dislocation density well agreed with the high crystallinity. Crystal structure and specific surface area were determined from lattice constants and X-ray density. These synthesized nanopowders showed the existence of monoclinic, cubic, and hexagonal phases. The obtained NPs of multi-metal oxide explained more than one phases with different size, shape, and morphology at nano scale.

From 2D to 3D electrochemical microfabrication of nickel architectures at room temperature: Synthesis and characterization of microstructure and mechanical properties

Recent development in direct electrochemical 3D microprinting allows the fabrication of 3D metallic micro-components of predominantly noble metals with the positive standard reduction potentials (e.g., Cu, Au, or Pt). These pure metals (e.g., Cu, Au, or Pt) have a small shear modulus up to 60 GPa, which limits one of the important strengthening mechanisms, Taylor hardening. Hence, their mechanical strength is relatively low and limits the application in a structural component. 3D printing of mechanically high-strength metals (e.g., Ni), specifically, printing of microscale parts by direct electrodeposition using a voxel-by-voxel printing technique, is so far very challenging due to the negative standard reduction potential, which leads to hydrogen evolution and unstable printing. In this paper, we demonstrate the stable and successful room temperature (RT) electrochemical printing of Ni micro-architectures by using a newly formulated Ni ink and supporting electrolyte, which were developed through 2D voltammetry and deposition analysis. The micro manufacturing of Ni succeeds at a high deposition speed up to ∼61 nm/s, which is the fastest speed reported so far for microprinting of Ni. 3D printed micropillars feature a heterogeneous nanostructure from ∼13 nm at the center to ∼27 nm at the perimeter. By performing micropillar compression tests, the printed pillars exhibit a high compressive yield-strength of 2.3 ± 0.1 GPa, only ∼15 % lower than 2D processed samples (2.7 ± 0.1 GPa) featuring a homogeneous nanostructure of 27 ± 16 nm. Thus, by deposition of stronger, but less noble metals we show a new pathway to enhance the mechanical robustness of 3D-printed structures, opening up new applications where mechanical rigidity is essential.

Interactions between irradiation-induced defects and dislocations in concentrated solid solution alloys

Dislocation is a common structural feature in metallic alloys. Under irradiation, interactions between dislocations and irradiation-induced defects play a crucial role in governing various microstructural changes and the irradiation response of materials. Though such interaction has been intensively studied in elemental metals, little is known about it in concentrated solid solution alloys (CSAs). In this work, we study defect-dislocation interactions in NiFe CSAs through both elastic theory and atomistic simulations. Unexpectedly, we find that dislocations interact more strongly with defects in CSAs than in pure metals due to their higher elastic moduli, which is adverse to their irradiation performance based on conventional understanding. By comparing random models (Rand) and average atom models (Ave) for NiFe, we show that the random occupancy of atoms in the Rand model compared to the Ave model can reduce the interaction between dislocations and defects, thereby diminishing the dislocation bias factor. We further perform defect kinetic simulations and find that the complex energy landscape for defect motion in NiFe tends to restrict the movement of defects and weaken the ability of dislocations to absorb interstitials. Therefore, the chemical disorder in CSAs can partly reduce the defect-dislocation interaction strength thermodynamically and, more importantly, limit the movement of defects kinetically, both of which suppress the absorption ability of dislocations toward defects. Our integrated efforts shed light on the mechanisms governing defect-dislocation interactions in CSAs, providing insight into the reasons for the superior irradiation resistance of CSAs and offering possible directions to tune their irradiation performance.

Equilibrium structure and shape of Ag and Pt nanoparticles grown on silica surfaces: From experimental investigations to the determination of a metal-silica potential.

A combination of experimental and numerical investigations on metallic silver and platinum nanoparticles deposited on silica substrates is presented, with a focus on metal-substrate interactions. Experimentally, the nanoparticles, obtained by ultra-high vacuum atom deposition, are characterized by grazing-incidence small-angle x-ray scattering and high resolution transmission electronic microscopy to determine their structure and morphology and, in particular, their aspect ratio (height/diameter), which quantifies the metal-substrate interaction, from the as-grown to equilibrium state. Numerically, the interactions between the metal and the silica species are modeled with the Lennard-Jones (12, 6) potential, with two parameters for each metal and silica species. The geometric parameters were found in the literature, while the energetic parameters were determined from our experimental measurements of the aspect ratio. The parameters are as follows: σAg-O = 0.278nm, σAg-Si = 0.329nm, ɛAg-O = 75meV, and ɛAg-Si = 13meV for Ag-silica and σPt-O = 0.273nm, σPt-Si = 0.324nm, ɛPt-O = 110meV, and ɛPt-Si = 18 meV for Pt-silica. The proposed Ag-silica potential reproduces quantitatively the unexpected experimental observation of the variation of the aspect ratio for Ag nanoparticles larger than 5nm, which has been interpreted as a consequence of the silica roughness. The nanoparticle orientation, structure, and disorder are also considered. This metal-silica potential for Ag and Pt should be helpful for further studies on pure metals as well as their alloys.

Ultra-homogeneous dense Ag nano layer enables long lifespan solid-state lithium metal batteries

The unstable electrolyte/lithium (Li) anode interface has been one of the key challenges in realizing high energy density solid-state lithium metal batteries (LMBs) applications. Herein, a dense and uniform silver (Ag) nano interlayer with a thickness of ∼35 nm is designed accurately by magnetron sputtering technology to optimize the electrolyte/Li anode interface. This Ag nano layer reacts with Li metal anode to in-situ form Li-Ag alloy, thus enhancing the physical interfacial contact, and further improving the interfacial wettability and compatibility. In particular, the Li-Ag alloy is inclined to form AgLi phase proved by cryo-TEM and DFT, effectively preventing SN from continuously “attacking” the Li metal anode due to the lower adsorption of succinonitrile (SN) molecules on AgLi than that of pure Li metal, thereby significantly reinforcing the interfacial stability. Hence, the enhanced physical and chemical stability of electrolyte/Li anode interface promotes the homogeneous deposition of Li+ and inhibits the dendrite growth. The Li-symmetric cell maintains stable operation for up to 1700 h and the cycling stability of LiFePO4|SPE|Li full cell is remarkably improved at room temperature (capacity retention rate of 91.9% for 200 cycles). This work opens an effective way for accurate and controllable interface design of long lifespan solid-state LMBs.

Remote Activation of H-H Bonds by Platinum in Dilute Alloy Catalysts.

With heterogeneous catalysts, chemical promotion takes place at their surfaces. Even in the case of single-atom alloys, where small quantities of a reactive metal are dispersed within the main host, it is assumed that both elements are exposed and available to bond with the reactants. Here, we show, on the basis of in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy data, that in alloy catalysts made from Pt highly diluted in Cu the Pt atoms are located at the inner interface between the metal nanoparticles and the silica support instead. Kinetic experiments indicated that these catalysts still display better selectivity for the hydrogenation of unsaturated aldehydes to unsaturated alcohols than the pure metals. Density functional theory calculations corroborated the stability of Pt at the metal-support interface and explained the catalytic performance as being due to a remote lowering of the activation barrier for the dissociation of H2 at Cu sites by the internal Pt atoms.

REASONS AND REGULARITIES OF THE INFLUENCE OF MAGNETIC FIELDS ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND STRUCTURE OF DEFORMABLE METALS

Background. The strength of metals greatly limits the possibility of obtaining products by plastic deformation. The electromagnetic nature of the processes of structure formation and plastic deformation provided the basis for the application of additional influence of the magnetic field. A fairly large volume of research material has been accumulated on the topic of additional influence of the magnetic field on ferro-, dia- and paramagnetic metals. The researches of recent years have an applied nature of studying the magnetoplasticity of technical alloys. Their generalization will make it possible to move from laboratory research to the development of equipment and technologies for combined pressure processing of metal products in a weak magnetic field. Objective. Generalization and analysis of the results of laboratory and theoretical studies of the additional application of the magnetic field in the processes of mechanical testing of metals and alloys.Methods. Literary review of materials of articles, monographs, dissertations. Results. Reasonable use of a magnetic field for plastic deformation of metals. The explanation of the mechanism of the influence of the magnetic field on the structural elements of metals based on the effect of magnetoplasticity has been made. The description of changes in the mechanical properties of metals and alloys under the additional influence of a magnetic field is given. Conclusions. The phenomenon of magnetoplasticity has been studied for a wide range of materials such as pure metals and their alloys, including industrial steels and alloys. Various types of positive effects of a magnetic field on the mechanical properties of metals have been established: a decrease in the yield strength and deformation resistance, an increase in strain, relaxation of internal stresses, and a decrease in dislocation density. There is also a reverse, negative effect of the influence of a magnetic field: increased rate of hardening, embrittlement, increased creep of metals. What will be the effect of a magnetic field on a specific metal cannot be guaranteed with high accuracy.

Ocimum sanctum-mediated co/cu/zn-doped magnesium oxide nanoparticles: Photocatalytic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties for environmental remediation

This research intends to formulate Ocimum sanctum mediated pure and transition metal (Co2+/Cu2+/Zn2+) doped magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs). The cubic structure of so synthesized MgO NPs was confirmed by XRD analysis. As per UV–visible spectral analysis, band gap (Eg) is tuned upon doping; doping with Co, Cu and Zn, their respective Eg are 1.65 eV, 1.96 eV and 3.66 eV in relation to MgO, Eg = 3.50 eV. The average particle size decreased from 17 nm for MgO NPs to 8–13 nm for doped MgO NPs, based on TEM analysis. EDX and XPS analysis verified the presence of Mg, O and dopants, Co, Cu and Zn in synthesized NPs. SEM investigations showed that NPs are agglomerated and spherical. Zn–MgO NPs outperform Co/Cu doped MgO NPs in their photocatalytic efficacy and comparative degradation of methyl orange (MO) and malachite green (MG) dyes confirmed that they are more efficient in degrading MG. Antibacterial investigation revealed that Cu and Zn doped MgO NPs are efficient antibacterial agents against B. subtilis and E. coli than MgO NPs. In this study, Co–MgO NPs were ineffective as antibacterial agents. S. aureus was found resistant to all NPs. Using the DPPH radical scavenging technique, these biosynthesized nanoparticles displayed 62–69 % antioxidant activity.

Enhancing mechanical properties of surface hardness and abrasion resistance of Fe-Mn-Al alloy by using atmospheric pressure plasma jet nitriding

This study investigates the use of a N2/H2 mixture gas and an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) for nitriding Fe-Mn-Al alloy. Pure metals, iron, manganese, and aluminum, were used as the reference metallic substrates. Various characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Vickers hardness test, and optical emission spectroscopy (OES), were employed to analyze the material properties and plasma species. XRD analysis revealed the formation of nitride compounds on metals after the nitriding process. The plasma-nitrided Fe-Mn-Al alloy showed the mixture phases of Fe4N and Al, while plasma-nitrided pure metals possessed their specific metal nitrides. After nitriding process, the surface hardness increased to approximately 596 ± 6 HV0.025 for the Fe-Mn-Al alloy, 1307 ± 9 HV0.025 for manganese, 467 ± 4 HV0.025 for aluminum, 646 ± 5 HV0.025 for iron, and, compared to the pristine values of around 346 ± 4 HV0.025, 972 ± 6 HV0.025, 145 ± 3 HV0.025, and 125 ± 3 HV0.025, respectively. After the nitriding process, the Fe-Mn-Al alloy exhibited notable enhancements in both its resistance to abrasion and its capacity to endure impact loads, as indicated by the conducted tests. The OES test results identified NH radicals generated by the atmospheric pressure plasma jet beam as the active chemicals responsible for the success of the nitriding process. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the strengthening of metal surfaces through nitriding using an N2/H2 mixture gas and APPJ. The results demonstrate significant improvements in surface hardness and surface free energy for iron, manganese, aluminum, and Fe-Mn-Al alloy, highlighting the effectiveness of NH radicals in the nitriding process.

Frustrated metastable-to-equilibrium grain boundary structural transition in NbMoTaW due to segregation and chemical complexity

Grain boundary structural transitions can lead to significant changes in the properties and performance of materials. In multi-principal element alloys, understanding these transitions becomes complex due to phenomena such as local chemical ordering and multi-component segregation. Using atomistic simulations, we explore a metastable-to-equilibrium grain boundary structural transition in NbMoTaW. The transition, characterized by structural disordering and reduced free volume, shows high sensitivity to its local chemical environment. Most notably, the transition temperature range of the alloy is more than twice that of a pure metal. Differences in composition between coexisting metastable and equilibrium structures highlight the change in local site availability due to structural relaxation. Further examination of grain boundaries with fixed chemical states at varying temperatures reveals that the amount of segregation significantly influences the onset temperature yet has minimal effect on the transition width. These insights underscore the profound effect of chemical complexity and ordering on grain boundary transitions in complex concentrated alloys, marking a meaningful advancement in our understanding of grain boundary behavior at the atomic level.

Composition templating for heterogeneous nucleation of intermetallic compounds.

Refinement of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) through enhancing heterogeneous nucleation during casting process is an important approach to improve the properties of aluminium alloys, which greatly increases the economy value of recycled Al-alloys. However, heterogeneous nucleation of IMCs is inherently more difficult than that of a pure metal or a solid solution. It requires not only creation of a crystal structure but also the positioning of 2 or more different types of atoms in the lattice with specific composition close to that of the nucleated IMCs. Previous understanding on heterogeneous nucleation is based on structural templating, usually considering the small lattice misfit at the interface between the nucleating solid and substrate. In this work, we proposed a hypothesis and demonstrated that composition templating plays a critical role in heterogeneous nucleation of IMCs. The experimental results revealed that segregation of Fe atoms on the AlB2 surface, i.e., the Fe modified AlB2 particle, provides the required composition templating and hence enhances heterogeneous nucleation of α-Al15(Fe, Mn)3Si2, resulting in a significant refinement of the α-Al15(Fe, Mn)3Si2 particles in an Al-5Mg-2Si-1.0Mn-1.2Fe alloy.

Thermodynamic modeling and electronic properties of CsPb1−xSnxI3 as a polymorphic alloy

We performed first-principles calculations combined with a statistical approach based on the generalized quasichemical approximation (GQCA) to study the polymorphic features of CsPb1−xSnxI3 alloy. Our analysis explored the impact of these polymorphic features on electronic properties, statistical attributes, and thermodynamic stability. Our findings indicate that a0a0a0 (Pm3¯m) polymorph makes only a minor contribution to alloy, while a−a+a− pattern has the highest probabilities at room temperature. Encompassing multiple polymorphic degrees within the same generalized ensemble, we found an increase in composition range where phase segregation becomes thermodynamically favored, albeit with a relatively low critical temperature (28.8 K). Despite this, our GQCA-PCE results obtained from the Spectroscopic Limited Maximum Efficiency (SLME) model reveal that the efficiency of alloy-based solar cells could be a little smaller than that of CsSnI3 pure metal halide perovskite (MHP), in range 26.6 % → 30.7 % for CsPbI3 → CsSnI3 at 300 K, which would be compensated by the presence of Pb reducing the tendency of Sn-based MHPs to oxidize in air, favoring the fabrication of photovoltaic devices with enhanced long-term stability.

SWARN BHASM IS A TRADITIONAL AYURVEDIC MEDICINE, SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND USES OF SWARN BHASM AS A NANOPARTICLES

Nanotechnology is an emerging technology which involve advance study of particles having size between 1 to 100 nm. In Indian continents an advanced medical science exists from a very long-time 7th century AD. During ayurvedic treatment mostly bhasm was used, these were prepared reducing by particle size by calcination process. In calcination process pure metal that are zero valent changed into multi- valent. in this study gold bhasm was prepared and particle size was studied by using XRD, FTIR, UV-VIS and SEM spectra and confirmed by laser particle size distribution, and it has found it was 10 nm. elemental analysis of bhasm (ash) was done by atomic absorption spectrophotometer for the determination of gold purity. During study the size of gold particles was 45 nm and purity of gold was 99 %.

Clean and sustainable elimination of arsenic–aluminum slag from smelted crude tin via vacuum volatilization – Fractional condensation

In high–tech industries, Sn is an indispensable strategic metal. However, the pyrometallurgical refining process of crude Sn is marred by the production of a substantial amount of hazardous solid waste, primarily As–Al slag, which poses a direct threat to the ecological safety of production areas. To address this problem, this study developed a novel process for that eliminates As–Al slag from a source of crude Sn by employing a vacuum volatilization – fractional condensation process, which was validated by theoretical calculations and laboratory experiments. Theoretically, at system pressures in the 1–10 Pa, the initial volatilization temperatures of Sn, Sb, and As vary significantly. However, the formation of intermetallic compounds can induce the volatilization of Sn. Experimentally, the condensation temperature for Sb was predominantly between 603 K and 810 K, and that for As was between 331.7 K and 484.7 K, which are significantly different ranges. Under optimal experimental conditions, the separation rate of Sb in the Sn–Sb alloy was 93.92%, and the resultant Sn product contained 0.0143% Sb. During the volatilization of the Sn–As alloy, the presence of Sn4As3 compounds impeded the volatilization of As; hoewver, the As content in the Sn product was 0.0053%. In the directional condensation of the As–Sb alloy, the condensation temperatures for As and Sb were similar to those of the pure metals, yielding As and Sb products with purities of 99.99% and 99.95%, respectively. Industrial production trials treating HACT via a continuous vacuum separation – intermittent vacuum separation process achieved direct recovery rates of 72.99% for Sn and 71.15% for Sb, with a total energy consumption as low as 1086 kWh/t. Similarly, the treatment of LACT via a multi–stage continuous vacuum separation process yielded residues that satisfied production standards at a treatment cost of 1187 RMB/t. This entire process requiresno additives, and substantially mitigates the generation of As–Al slag at the source.

Recent advances in synchrotron X-ray studies of the atomic structures of metal alloys in liquid state

Research into the atomic structures of metal materials in the liquid state, their dynamic evolution versus temperature until the onset of crystal nucleation has been a central research topic in condensed matter physics and materials science for well over a century. However, research and basic understanding of the atomic structures of liquid metals are far less than those in the solid state of the same compositions. This review serves as a condensed collection of the most important research literature published so far in this field, providing a critical and focused review of the historical research development and progress in this field since the 1920s. In particular, the development of powerful synchrotron X-ray sources and the associated experimental techniques and sample environments for studying in-situ the atomic structures of different metallic systems. The key findings made in numerous pure metals and metallic alloy systems are critically reviewed and discussed with the focus on the results and new understandings of structural heterogeneities found inside a bulk liquid, at the liquid surface or liquid-solid interface. The possible future directions of research and development on the most advanced experimental and modeling techniques are envisaged and briefly discussed as well.

Decoration of atomic PdxAuy (1 ≤ x + y ≤ 4) clusters on polyaniline in electrochemical sensing of 1-propanol

Atomic PdxAuy (1 ≤ x + y ≤ 4) clusters are decorated on polyaniline to be used as the catalytic electrode in electrochemical sensors. The current responses in the oxidation of 1-propanol are used to reveal the catalytic activity. Effects of the size, decoration sequence, and composition of the atomic metal clusters decorated on the PANI on the catalytic activity are evaluated. Regarding the size, an odd-even size effect is observed in the atomic pure metal clusters, which the even-numbered pure metal clusters show a higher catalytic activity than the odd-numbered pure metal clusters. For the decoration sequence, the catalytic activity is high when the same metal is decorated in the first two cycles of the cyclic atomic electrodeposition process. For the composition effect, the atomic metal clusters show a high catalytic activity in the oxidation, in the region of second oxidation peak, when there are more Au in the atomic metal clusters.

Ag nanoparticles modified sea urchin-like W18O49 microstructures for sensitive surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has gained significant attention in various fields, including biomedical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety. This technique offers many advantages such as label-free detection and the ability to detect analytes at low concentrations. In this study, we present a variety of tungsten oxide (W18O49) microstructures as solid SERS substrates using various solvents realized by a simple hydrothermal approach. Among them, the well-defined sea urchin-like W18O49 microstructures support greater light scattering and confinement to enhance the SERS signal when compared to other W18O49 structures. The surface of well-defined sea urchin-like W18O49 microstructures was then modified with uniformly distributed silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The combination of the unique morphology of the Ag and sea urchin-like W18O49 microstructures (W18O49@Ag) led to improved detection capabilities for analytes such as rhodamine 6 G (R6G) and thiram molecules. The SERS enhancement factor (EF) of sea urchin-like W18O49@Ag microstructures was estimated to be as high as 1.53×106 with the lowest detectable concentrations of 1 nM and 1 μM for R6G and thiram, respectively. Thus, the well-defined sea urchin-like W18O49@Ag microstructures are excellent choice to replace the pure noble metal SERS substrates in the fields of rapid detection and trace analysis due to their high sensitivity, repeatability, and long-term stability.

Study the effect of cobalt chloride (CoCl2) on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of polymer electrolyte (PVA-CoCl2) films

A study of non-ionic polymer Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) in pure and transition metal salt Cobalt Chloride (CoCl2) incorporated films with different weight percentages to change the optical, electrical, structural, and chemical structure also to make electrically conductive. To prepare the material in terms of film desired weight percentage of polymer PVA alone and for doped polymer different weight percentages of transition metal salts are dissolved in deionized water at a certain temperature and a solution cast technique is followed to get the desired thickness of film. Obtained films were transparent and achieved micro-thickness film. Experimentally confirmed for betterment in optical property to enhance in terms of absorbance, transmittance, direct and indirect energy band gap, extinction coefficient, reflectance property, refractive index, number of carbon clusters, and dielectric constant. The prepared film thickness is measured by using a Mittometer. Surface morphology studies are achieved by SEM analysis in terms of top view and sectional view also thickness of the sample is confirmed. Surface roughness and Maximum Height of the Profile are confirmed by profilometry studies. Electrical property is measured to find the desired range of IV value and to understand the sample behaviour as a resistor.

Situ synthesis and characterization of polypyrrole/ZnO Nanocomposites for optical and photocatalytic activity

In situ polymerisation process used for manufacturing polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticle-reinforced various doping concentration of zinc oxide (ZnO NPs) nanocomposites. Fourier transform infrared(FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy(SEM), Photo luminescence (PL) and UV-vis spectroscopy was used to characterise the polymer nanocomposite. The ZnO nanoparticles are distributed throughout PPy matrix as shown in the SEM pictures of the nanocomposites. Distinctive peaks of Pure PPy and metal oxide bond of ZnO are as displayed in the FTIR spectra. Optical property of PPy, ZnO and PPy/ZnO was studied by using PL and UV-DRs spectrophotometer. These outcomes demonstrated that the synthesised PZ30 nanoparticles could potentially use in the treatment of wastewater.