We report Electrically reduced graphene oxide (GO) and n-type Si heterostructure junction-based photovoltaic cell. The transition of the insulating properties of GO to that of semi-conducting was achieved by applying electric voltages using 5, 10, and 15 V biasing. The photovoltaic device I–V characteristics corresponding to the increasing (5–15 V) reduction voltages, obtained on exposure of 25 mW/cm2 visible light, showed approximately same fill factor with increased efficiency. The maximum efficiency of 1.12% was observed under ultraviolet light exposure for photovoltaic cell consisting GO reduced using 15 V reduction voltage. GO was synthesized using the modified Hummers’ technique and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The GO characteristic XRD peak corresponding to plane (001) was observed at 9.16°. The UV-Vis spectrum for GO displayed an absorption peak at 228.5 nm, and the corresponding Tauc plot analysis provided a band gap of 4.74 eV. The FTIR analysis showed presence of C=O (1713 cm−1), C=C (1627 cm−1), C–OH (1418 cm−1), C–O–C (1252 cm−1), C–O (1030 cm−1), and C–H (827 cm−1) functional groups in GO.

We report the first synthesis of highly homogenous Ce-doped YAG/ZnO core/shell nanoparticles (YAG:Ce/ZnO CSN) based on the hydrolysis/condensation of Zn(OAc)2 on the surface of YAG:Ce nanoparticles (NPs). Results show that YAG:Ce NPs of about 100 nm diameter are homogenously surrounded by a multilayer of highly crystallized ZnO nanocrystals (ZnO NCs) of 10–15 nm diameter with a core/shell structure. The as-prepared nanostructures have been used in the photocatalytic degradation of sulfathiazole (STZ), which is a molecule widely used as antibiotic, under UV-vis and visible light. The effect of YAG:Ce/ZnO weight ratio and YAG:Ce particle size on the photocatalytic efficiency of YAG:Ce/ZnO core/shell structures has been studied. The YAG:Ce/ZnO weight ratio of 1/1 was found to yield the optimal photocatalytic activity. Results also showed that YAG:Ce/ZnO CSN with 100 nm core size exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity compared to YAG:Ce/ZnO CSN with micro-sized YAG;Ce core. The recyclability of YAG:Ce/ZnO CSN photocatalyst was also demonstrated over at least 10 photocatalytic degradation cycles.

This paper discusses the unique patterns evolved through phase separation of a bulk liquid crystal (LC) from the self-assembly of lysozyme induced by evaporation of de-ionized water only. Each domain shows a central dark region surrounded by bright regions (randomly oriented LC droplets). The birefringence intensity reveals three regimes (a slow increase, rapid rise, then saturation) not seen without LC droplets. The textural study exhibits a simple exponential behavior that changes as a function of LC concentration. Furthermore, in the presence of LC, the crack patterns are found to be different near the drop edge than those in the central region.

In this study, a rapid powder consolidation method combining powder compact hot pressing and extrusion was utilized to consolidate relatively cheap, high impurity blended powder mixture Ti–6Al–4V alloy. The purpose of this work was to investigate whether a suitable microstructure deriving from a particular heat treatment balance out or compensate for the presence of high interstitial impurity contents. From mechanical property data attained, it was clear that annealing in high α–β region gave a much better combination of mechanical properties: impact toughness (14 J), yield strength (878 MPa), ultimate tensile strength (1092 MPa), and ductility/plastic strain (6.2%) compared to as-extruded material despite the presence of 0.44 wt% oxygen. Therefore, it can be concluded that optimization of microstructures provides improvement to the fracture related properties and Ti–6Al–4V produced in this way is suitable for less demanding applications. For further enhancement in properties, utilization of low oxygen starting powders is vital.