Williamson Hall Research Articles

Structural Parameters of CVD Synthesized Ga2O3 Nanostructures from X-ray Diffraction Analysis Derived by Scherrer, Williamson-Hall, Size-Strain Plot and Halder-Wagner Methods- A Comparative Study

Gallium oxide () nanostructures (NSs) have been synthesized by hydrogen-reducing chemical vapor deposition method at various substrate angles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study confirms the polycrystalline nature of the NSs with monoclinic structure. Here, a series of X-ray peak profile analysis models such as Scherrer method, Monshi-Scherrer (M-S) plot, Williamson-Hall (W-H) plot, Size-Strain plot (S-S-P) and Halder-Wagner (H-W) technique have been utilized to estimate the crystallite size and lattice strain. All the models are evaluated with their merits and demerits in detail, and the structural parameters determined from different models are compared. Among the X-ray peak profile analysis methods, S-S-P method is the most suitable since the data points more accurately fit in this method with the highest average goodness of fit, value. It has also been suggested that the anisotropic strain could have increased and shifted to lower angles crystallographic reflections as the substrate angle was 67.5 .

Green-mediated sol-gel fabrication of CuO/ZnO nanoparticles from orange peel extract for environmental remediation: insights from x-ray diffraction analysis using various models

Abstract This study introduces an eco-friendly and simple approach for synthesizing zinc oxide (ZnO), copper oxide (CuO), and ZnO-CuO composite nanoparticles using orange peel extract, minimizing the use of harmful chemicals while enhancing their antibacterial and photocatalytic properties. The nanoparticles were annealed at 400 °C for 2 h in the air. Characterization was conducted using x-ray Diffraction (XRD), Dynamic Light Scattering, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-visible Spectroscopy. XRD revealed that ZnO and CuO nanoparticles crystallized in hexagonal wurtzite and monoclinic structures, respectively, with crystallite size and lattice strain analyzed through Williamson–Hall, Size-Strain Plot, Halder-Wagner, and Wagner-Aqua methods. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of Zn-O and CuO bonds, verifying successful synthesis. The optical bandgaps measured were 3.07 eV for ZnO, 2.702 eV for CuO, and 1.842 eV for the ZnO-CuO nanocomposite. Antimicrobial efficacy, assessed via the disc diffusion method, showed the ZnO-CuO composite exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative strains compared to individual ZnO and CuO. Photocatalytic experiments demonstrated that under sunlight, the ZnO-CuO nanocomposite achieved 78% degradation of 10 ppm methylene blue within 90 min, outperforming individual ZnO (55%) and CuO (38%). These results highlight the ZnO-CuO composite’s potential for effective dye degradation and environmental remediation applications.

Microstructural, morphological, and optical properties of Fe2O3 nanoparticles obtained from Fe-MIM MOF

Abstract This study explores the microstructural, morphological, and optical properties of Fe2O3 nanoparticles synthesized from the pyrolysis of ZIF-8 like Fe-MIM metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Using X-ray diffraction (XRD) profile analysis methods, including the modified Scherrer, Williamson-Hall (W-H), size strain plot, and Halder-Wagner methods, the impact of annealing temperature on the microstructural parameters and crystal defects of the obtained Fe2O3 nanoparticles was investigated. The nanoparticles exhibited high crystallinity and a rhombohedral α-Fe2O3 phase. Morphological analysis through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed distinct structural features, while UV-vis spectroscopy was employed to examine their optical properties. The results indicated that higher annealing temperatures enhance crystallinity, reduce defect density, and improve atomic mobility. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into the synthesis-structure-property relationships of Fe2O3 nanoparticles, highlighting their potential applications in many applications.

Structural changes in honeycomb layers of Mn3NiTa2O9 under pressures up to 14 GPa using in situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction

Changes in the structural parameters of trigonal honeycomb layers of Mn3NiTa2O9 are reported under pressures up to 14 GPa by in situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction employing a diamond anvil cell with a 4:1 methanol–ethanol mixture as the pressure transmitting medium (PTM). The lattice parameters a, c, the ratio c/a, and the volume V of the unit cell all decrease almost linearly with an increase in pressure P up to a critical pressure PC = 9.2 GPa. The fit of the V vs P data for P < PC to the expression for the equation of state yields the bulk modulus = 144.5 GPa for the trigonal Mn3NiTa2O9. For P > PC, the widths of the Bragg lines increase, and their intensities decrease rapidly. By employing the Williamson–Hall analysis of the linewidths, the observed changes above P > PC can be interpreted as due to rapidly increasing strain together with a decrease in the effective micro-crystallite size D. However, at this critical pressure, the hydrostatic conditions change due to the solidification of the PTM. The observed significant effects on the broadening of the Bragg lines and their rapid intensity reduction, together with an increasing trend seen in the lattice parameter, may be due to interstitial defects produced by shear stress (as a result of non-hydrostaticity) present for P > PC with the parameter D reflecting mean defect-free distance.

Enhanced biocompatibility and antibacterial efficacy of CuO-HAp nanocomposite for hard tissue regeneration and repair

This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of CuO-decorated HAp composites for potential biomedical applications, particularly in hard tissue regeneration. XRD analysis confirmed the coexistence of CuO and HAp phases, with CuO influencing the crystallinity of HAp without altering its lattice parameters. Williamson-Hall (W-H) method analysis showed a significant increase in the crystallite size of CuO by approximately 92.7%, while the crystallite size of HAp decreased by 19.4% in the CuO-HAp composite. FTIR spectroscopy verified the successful integration of CuO and HAp in the nanocomposite while SEM and TEM revealed the morphological interaction between CuO nanoflakes and HAp nanorods. The antimicrobial activity of CuO-HAp demonstrated an 8.7% larger zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli compared to Staphylococcus aureus. The composite also exhibited superior antioxidant properties compared to ascorbic acid and showed improved hemocompatibility. Zebrafish embryo toxicity assays confirmed the non-toxic nature of the composite. Although in vitro cytotoxicity assays with Saos-2 cells indicated slightly reduced viability and proliferation due to CuO’s inherent cytotoxicity, the CuO-HAp composite enhanced cellular responses, highlighting its potential for tissue engineering and other biomedical applications.

Influence of surface chemical modifications on enhancing the aging behavior of capacitor biaxially-oriented polypropylene thin film

Modern power electronic systems require appropriate metallized polypropylene capacitors (MPCs) to operate in harsh environments. Due to their limited operating capabilities, commercial biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films—the primary component of MPCs—are susceptible to degradation in high electric fields and at high temperatures. In order to enhance the aging behavior of BOPP, this work proposes one-sided phosphorylation at optimum and excessive acid concentrations of 8 % and 15 % for 24 hours at a [high] temperature of 60 °C. The proposed surface modifications' success in enhancing the aging behaviors of BOPP is confirmed by DC electrothermal aging. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis reveals changes in surface morphology resulting from phosphorylation. The changes in crystal structure of the original and phosphorylated samples are evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The average crystallite size, dislocation density, and microstrain during aging are also characterized using the Williamson-Hall (W-H) analysis method. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is used to identify changes in the chemical composition and functional groups resulting from phosphorylation and aging, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is used to analyze changes in the surface chemical elements of the original, phosphorylated, and aged samples. The charge-thermally stimulated discharge (C-TSD) technique and broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) are used to verify the electrical performance. Mechanical properties, including thermal stability, are measured using the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) technique. The results indicated that the optimized phosphorylation improved the BOPP film's electrical and mechanical properties. As a result, the surface charge stability was found to increase under thermally stimulated discharge by 74 % and the dielectric constant by 2 %, while the dielectric losses decreased by 20.2 %. Under aging, for the first time, the dielectric constant was found to increase by 4.8 %, while dielectric losses decreased by 8.9 %. In return, deformation resistance, ductility, and lower energy dissipation demonstrated enhanced mechanical performance.

Determination the crystallographic information of hexagonal magnesium via X-ray diffraction profiles

Researching the crystallographic information is imperative in hexagonal magnesium. In this paper, the comparative evaluation on the crystallite size and shape, strain and texture are carried with semi-quantitively techniques, such as Williamson-hall function, Halder-Wagner function, March-Dollase function, ellipsoid model and the Rietveld method. Both the Williamson-hall function and Williamson Hall function are suitable to determine the crystallite size and strain, while ellipsoid model is suitable to reveal the crystallite shape. With conformed by the classical texture analysis, the Rietveld method and quantitively texture is suitable to determining the texture with fiber typed texture.

Mechanical properties of MoW–HfN surrogate cermet fuel for nuclear thermal propulsion

AbstractThe mechanical performance of MoW‐HfN, a surrogate cermet for MoW‐UN Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) fuel, was characterized from room temperature to 1600°C. The modulus of elasticity and flexure strength were obtained from four‐point bend tests. Those tests revealed a loss of stiffness with increasing temperature and systematic increase in ultimate strength up to about 1400°C. This was followed by loss of ultimate strength and the onset of plastic deformation, attributed to the increased ductility of the MoW matrix above 1400°C. Chevron notch tests show that failure originates from features with a critical flaw size of ∼30 εm, which is comparable to the mean particle size of the ceramic phase. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Williamson–Hall (WH) analysis suggest that residual stress may contribute to the observed strength‐versus‐temperature behavior.

The impact of heating rate on the synthesis of Ca3Co4O9 using rice starch as a soft template

This study examines how the heating rate at calcination temperature (5 °C/min, 10 °C/min, 15 °C/min, and 20 °C/min) on the synthesis of Ca3Co4O9 (CCO) material using soft template (rice starch) affects the thermal conductivity (κ), electrical resistivity (ρ), particle size, and crystallite size in addition to the Ca3Co4O9 phase. The sol-gel combustion method uses the precursor compounds CaCO3, Ca(NO3)2∙4H2O, and Co(NO3)2·6H2O. The Rietveld refinement technique verified the crystal structure, and the Williamson-Hall (WH) plot was used to calculate crystallite size. The heating rate variations were related to the phase transition, reaction rate, and combustion energy that affected the crystal size and p-type thermoelectric (TE) capabilities. Using calcium nitrate as the precursor yields a higher purity of CCO than calcium carbonate. With an increase in heating rate temperature, the values of κ and ρ tend to rise; they vary from 1.7414 to 1.9827 W/m·K and 90.8222–194.1667 mΩ cm, respectively. The occurrence of CaCO3 in the final product and the anomaly of crystallite size at 20 °C/min are discussed.

Unravelling the effect of crystal lattice compression on the supercapacitive performance of hydrothermally grown nanostructured hollandite α-MnO2 induced by incremental growth time

Manganese oxide (α-MnO2) nanoparticles are highly recognised for their use in supercapacitor applications. This study demonstrates the successful synthesis of flower-like and nanorods hollandite α-MnO2 by a simple one-pot hydrothermal technique at various reaction times. The synthesised nanoparticles were characterised by various physicochemical and electrochemical characterisation techniques. The influence of the various reaction times on the structural and morphological properties was evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope. XRD patterns revealed that the synthesized MnO2 nanoparticles are tetragonal structures with crystallite sizes ranging from 13.69 to 20.37 nm estimated from the Williamson–Hall method. Moreover, the functional groups and surface area were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Bruner–Emmert–Teller, respectively. Furthermore, the compositional elements were studied by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Finally, the electrochemical performances were studied using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The GCD characteristics revealed that the optimised α-MnO2 has a good capacitive behaviour, which predicts the potential application in energy storage. Electrochemical studies revealed that the 3 h-MnO2 sample exhibited a superior electrochemical behaviour and demonstrated a high specific capacitance of 132 F/g at a current density of 1A/g.

Investigation of Structural, Elastic and Magnetic Properties of CoCr2-xZrxO4 Nanoparticles.

This study investigates the impact of zirconium substitution on the structural, elastic and magnetic properties of CoCr2O4 nanoparticles. A series of CoCr2-xZrxO4 nanoparticles, x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20, are synthesized via the co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns affirm the formation of single-phase cubic structure with the space group Fd3m. Special attention is given to accurately calculating the average crystallite size (D) and lattice parameter (a) using Williamson-Hall (W-H) analysis and the Nelson-Riley (N-R) extrapolation function, respectively. The increase in Zr4+ content leads to a reduction in crystallite size and an increase in the lattice parameter. Elastic properties are estimated from force constants and the lattice constant, determined from FTIR and XRD, respectively. The observed changes in the elastic constants are attributed to the strength of interatomic bonding. The stiffness constants decrease, while Poisson's ratio increases with increasing Zr4+ content, reflecting the increase in the ductility of the prepared samples. As the Zr4+ content increases, the stiffness constants decrease, and Poisson's ratio increases, reflecting enhanced ductility of the samples. Furthermore, as Zr4+ content rises, Young's modulus, the rigidity modulus and Debye temperature decrease. The magnetic hysteresis loop measurements are carried out at room temperature using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) over a field range of 25 kg. Unsubstituted CoCr2O4 exhibits ferrimagnetic behavior. As Zr4+ content increases, saturation magnetization (Ms) and magnetic moment decrease, while remanent magnetization (Mr) and coercivity (Hc) initially decrease up to x = 0.10, then increase with further increases in x. The novel key of this study is how Zr4+ substitution in CoCr2O4 nanoparticles can effectively modify their elastic moduli and magnetic properties, making them suitable for various applications such as flexible electronics, protective coatings, energy storage components and biomedical implants.

Exploring the Multifunctional Properties of (Sr, Ni)‐Co‐Doped BaTiO3: Structural Characterization and Electromagnetic Characteristics

The structural and electromagnetic properties of various Ba1−x(Sr0.5Ni0.5)xTiO3 are extensively investigated. X‐ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement are used to perform a structural study. With doping substances, bulk and theoretical densities decrease. The crystallite size is calculated using Scherrer and Williamson–Hall method. The microstructural properties are examined using images from field‐emission scanning electron microscope. The observed values of dielectric constants are found to agree with the porosity‐corrected dielectric constants. The nonlinear modified Debye equation (NLMDE) displays a reasonable goodness of fit value for the first five samples. A small polaron hopping mechanism may be responsible for the frequency‐dependent AC conductivity observed in all samples confirming the Jonscher power law. It is discovered that permeability initially increases and then decreases with doping substances. Initial permeability, experimental data from the magnetic hysteresis (M–H) curve, and law‐of‐approach‐to‐saturation techniques show that Ba0.85(Sr0.5Ni0.5)0.15TiO3 and Ba0.75(Sr0.5Ni0.5)0.25TiO3 ceramics have enhanced electromagnetic properties. These ceramics are useful for fabricating electromagnetic sensors.

Synergy of photoluminescence emission and antibacterial activity of Ag-Cu2O nanocomposite

Conglomerate nanocomposites comprising metal and metal oxide hold significant potential for exhibiting properties that surpass the combined characteristics of their individual components, owing to the interactions occurring at the interfaces between the metal and metal oxide elements. In this study, we present the synthesis of Cu2O nanoparticles (NPs) (with diameters ranging from 40 to 53 nm) and Ag-Cu2O nanocomposites using an aqueous solution method at room temperature, employing varying concentrations of Ag NPs. Through optical absorption studies, we determined the optical band gap of Cu2O NPs in 0.5Ag-Cu2O, 1Ag-Cu2O, and 1.5Ag-Cu2O nanocomposites samples to be 2.13 eV, 2.25 eV, 2.34 eV, and 2.41 eV, respectively. The x-ray diffraction data are analysed using the Williamson–Hall technique and revealed noteworthy variations in microstructural characteristics such as strain and stress within the Cu2O nanocrystallites fabricated under different Ag concentrations. The nanocomposites amplified the intensities of violet-blue, blue, and green photoluminescence (PL) emissions, attributable to the interfaces between Ag and Cu2O, lattice mismatches, and the induced microstructural parameters lattice strain, and stress of Cu2O nanocrystallites. The enhanced PL intensities can be attributed to the influence of the local electric field on the Ag core composites. The Ag-Cu2O nanostructure exhibits potential applications in water purification technologies, while the PL emission properties and low band gap (∼2.13 eV) hold promising applications in optoelectronic devices. The antibacterial activities of Cu2O and Ag-Cu2O nanomaterials against Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia fergusonii are examined using MH agar well plate diffusion methods. Here, Ag NPs enhance bactericidal effectiveness through enhanced interaction with bacteria and the release of Ag+ ions, while the Cu2O shell discontinuity on Ag NPs contributes to their unique antibacterial properties.

Determination of Structural Elements of Hydrothermally Synthesized CeO₂ Nanoparticles by Monshi, Williamson–Hall, Halder–Wagner, and Size–Strain Plot Methods, and Effect of Annealing Temperature

AbstractCeO₂ nanoparticles are synthesized hydrothermally using CTAB as a surfactant, cerium nitrate hexahydrate (Ce(NO3)3·6H₂O) as a precursor and urea. The synthesized CeO₂ nanoparticles are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction peak profile analysis (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV–vis. The X‐ray diffraction results revealed that the sample is crystalline with a face centered cubic (fcc) phase having cubic fluorite structure. The structural elements of prepared samples have been investigated by various methods. The Monshi, W–H analysis, size–strain plot, and H–W methods are used to study crystallite sizes and lattice strain on the peak broadening of CeO₂ nanoparticles. Further, the lattice constant of the cubic fluorite has also been estimated from the Nelson–Riley plot. The parameters, including strain, stress, and energy density value, are calculated for all the reflection peaks of X‐ray diffraction corresponding to cubic fluorite phase of CeO₂ lying in the range 20°–80° and at different temperatures.

Tunable annealing effect to enhance structural and magnetic properties of spinel cobalt magnesium ferrite nanoparticles

Cobalt magnesium ferrite nanoparticles, with the chemical formula Co0.5Mg0.5Fe2O4 (CMFO), were synthesized via co-precipitation and subjected to annealing at 200–800 °C with a step size of 200. Thermal analysis for the as-dried sample was investigated through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The presence of a plateau region in the DTA curve above 366 °C, combined with the slight weight loss noted in the TGA curve, indicates that the ferrite sample, specifically CMFO, has successfully transitioned into its final phase. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis unveiled the formation of spinel CMFO NPs belonging to the Fd-3m space group. The Williamson–Hall method showed particle size increasing from 8.20 to 52.15 nm and tensile microstrain decreasing from 6.90 to 1.84 × 10−3 with higher annealing temperatures, noted by the shift of the (311) plane. TEM images confirmed the formation of smaller nanoparticles with minimal agglomeration. Particles of nearly uniform size are achieved at the optimum annealing temperature of 600 °C, owing to its narrow distribution profile. The experimental magnetization data were analyzed using the Langevin function and the law of approach to saturation to determine the saturation magnetization, spanning from 15.46 to 43.90 emu/g. The magnetic characteristics of the annealed samples exhibited a rise in coercive force, reaching up to 349.74 Oe with the elevation of the annealing temperature. The range of attributes exhibited by CMFO makes it highly advantageous for various applications, including sensor technology, high-frequency devices, and energy storage devices.

Synthesis, spectral analysis, and DFT studies of the novel pyrano[3,2-c] quinoline-based 1,3,4-thiadiazole for enhanced solar cell performance

In this study, we synthesized a novel compound, 3-(5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)-6-ethyl-4-hydroxy-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]quinoline-2,5(6H)-dione (ATEHPQ), through a condensation reaction between 6-ethyl-4-hydroxy-2,5-dioxo-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyrano [3,2-c]quinoline-3-carboxaldehyde and thiosemicarbazide, followed by oxidative cyclization. We characterized ATEHPQ using elemental analysis, IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations with the B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p) basis set were employed to optimize the molecular geometry and analyze global reactivity descriptors, including HOMO-LUMO energies. The Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) map was used to identify reactive sites, and drug-likeness studies indicated potential pharmaceutical applications. Notably, ATEHPQ showed a higher first hyperpolarizability (βtot) compared to urea, suggesting its suitability for nonlinear optical applications. We also determined the Miller indices for ATEHPQ's preferred orientations using a specialized program. Williamson–Hall analysis revealed an average crystal size of 26.08 nm and a lattice strain of 6.3 × 10−3. The thin films exhibited three distinct absorption peaks at 2.8, 3.41, and 4.21 eV, with a direct energy gap of 2.43 eV. Dispersion parameters from the single oscillator model provided oscillator and dispersion energies of 3.12 eV and 14.21 eV, respectively, with a high-frequency dielectric constant of 4.71. The ATEHPQ thin films, when combined with n-Si, demonstrated significant improvements in photovoltaic performance: the open-circuit voltage (Voc) rose from 0.13 V to 0.521 V, the short-circuit current (Isc) increased from 0.253 mA to 2.94 mA, the fill factor (FF) improved from 0.238 to 0.33, and the efficiency (η) grew from 0.71 % to 4.64 % with increased illumination intensity. These results highlight the excellent photovoltaic and photodetection capabilities of ATEHPQ thin films, underscoring their potential for advanced optoelectronic and solar cell applications.

Synthesis and Characterization of Zn-doped SnO2 Nanoparticles through Co-Precipitation Technique: A Comprehensive Analysis

Tin oxide (SnO₂) nanoparticles are of significant interest due to their unique properties and diverse applications. In this study, pristine and Zn-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles (with Zn doping levels of 1.9 wt% and 3.7 wt%) were successfully synthesized using the co-precipitation method, followed by annealing at 500 °C for 5 hours. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that all samples exhibited a tetragonal cassiterite structure, with crystallite sizes ranging from 22.5 nm to 28.2 nm, consistent with values obtained from the Williamson-Hall (W-H) plot. The nanoparticles demonstrated preferential orientation along the (110), (101), and (211) planes. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that the Zn-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles had a denser microstructure compared to the pristine samples. The energy band gap, as determined by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, was found to be in the range of 3.10 eV to 3.16 eV. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed characteristic peaks at 459 cm⁻¹, 604 cm⁻¹, 924 cm⁻¹, 1976 cm⁻¹, 2117 cm⁻¹, and 3651 cm⁻¹, corresponding to the vibrations of various functional groups present in the material.

Unveiling the influence of synthesis techniques on crystallite size of CuInS2 nanostructures

Copper indium disulfide (CuInS2) nanostructures are synthesized by wet precipitation and sol–gel techniques. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis exhibits nanorods (NR) and nanocubes (NC) of CuInS2 resulting from wet precipitation and sol–gel methods, respectively. Their characterizations are accomplished by UV–vis-NIR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The particle size is obtained from HRTEM, UV–vis-NIR, and DLS analyses. Average crystallite size is estimated via Scherrer’s method (graphical and analytical), Monshi-Scherrer method, Williamson–Hall relations (uniform deformation, uniform stress deformation, and uniform deformation energy-density models), size-strain plot method, and Halder-Wagner relation using XRD profile which is also compared with as-obtained particle size. Moreover, the XRD pattern reflection peaks are used to assess more accurately energy density, lattice stress, and microstrain values. The results affirm NR have higher crystallite size (∼22 nm) than NC (∼16 nm). The outcomes demonstrate outstanding agreement of predicted average crystallite sizes using the different approaches.

Assessing the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of coconut coir composites with varying iron particle concentrations

This study investigates the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of Coconut Coir-based Porous Carbon (CCPC) composites with varying iron (Fe) particle concentrations, specifically focusing on four different weight ratios of CCPC/Fe-80, CCPC/Fe-60, CCPC/Fe-40, and CCPC/Fe-20. The novelty of this work lies in the use of sustainable coconut coir as a base material, emphasizing its eco-friendly and cost-effective attributes for Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. The significance of varying iron particle concentrations is highlighted to optimize electromagnetic shielding effectiveness. Comprehensive analyses were conducted on these composites. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the presence of crystalline Fe particles and amorphous carbon, with crystalline sizes determined via Williamson-Hall (W-H) plot, Scherrer Equation, and Strain Size Plot (SSP) ranging from 17.33 nm to 18.01 nm for the former. Raman spectroscopy revealed distinctive D and G bands, with intensity ratios indicating a slight increase in structural disorder with higher Fe content. UV-Visualization spectroscopy demonstrated distinct absorption peaks, with higher Fe content resulting in more pronounced absorbance and lower band gap energies. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses provided detailed insights into the material's microstructure and elemental composition, confirming the successful integration of Fe particles within the porous carbon matrix. Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) testing measured the reflection loss (RL), showing values in the range of −26.4 dB to −20.2 dB, for 2 mm thick samples, corresponding to electromagnetic wave attenuation of over 99%. These results underscore the potential of CCPC/Fe composites, particularly in applications requiring effective Electromagnetic (EM) wave attenuation. This research offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution, contributing significantly to the field of materials science by enhancing electromagnetic compatibility in various technological applications.

Impact of Zn-Ion Doping on the Structural and Optical Properties of Cobalt Chromite System

The structural and optical properties of Zn-ion doped CoCr2O4 multiferroic materials were investigated in this work. We successfully synthesized Co[Formula: see text]ZnxCr2O4 ([Formula: see text], 0.2 and 0.4) polycrystalline samples using the conventional solid-state reaction route method. The XRD pattern confirmed the cubic spinel structure of the Zn-doped CoCr2O4 samples, with the Fd3m space group. The Williamson–Hall (W–H) and Debye–Scherrer techniques were employed to determine the crystalline size of the cobalt chromite system. The average crystalline sizes, calculated using the Debye–Scherrer formula, were found to be 35[Formula: see text]nm, 34[Formula: see text]nm and 32[Formula: see text]nm, for the CoCr2O4, Co[Formula: see text]Zn[Formula: see text]Cr2O4, and Co[Formula: see text]Zn[Formula: see text]Cr2O4 samples, respectively. These results show that the crystalline size calculated using the Debye–Scherrer formula decreased with an increase in Zn doping. We observed from the Raman spectra, the presence of three distinct bands at 188[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] (F2g), 504[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] (F2g), 662[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] (A1g) and one weak band at 434[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text](Eg). These Raman bands are also present in the Zn-doped CoCr2O4 system, indicating structural stability even with doping. The energy band gap, calculated using the tauc plot, was determined as 3.15[Formula: see text]eV, 3.24[Formula: see text]eV and 3.27[Formula: see text]eV for CoCr2O4, Co[Formula: see text]Zn[Formula: see text]Cr2O4 and Co[Formula: see text]Zn[Formula: see text]Cr2O4 samples, respectively. The formation of the cobalt chromite spinel system was further confirmed by the FT-IR spectra.