Structural and electrochemical properties of Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) synthesised using an improved modified hummers method as electrode material for electronics applications

High quality reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets were prepared from natural graphite using an improved modified Hummers method. The morphological, structural and electrochemical properties of the RGO were characterised by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) analysis and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. The SEM image of the RGO showed that, there was a small increase in the number of grain boundaries, indicating a collapse of the surface coalescence of the graphene oxide. The XRD peak at 24.56˚ corresponds to the (002) diffraction plane with the interlayer spacing along the c-axis of 2.0989 Ǻ. The Raman shift for the reduced graphene oxide gives the ID/IG intensity ratio of 1.04. The RGO exhibited good electrochemical characteristics with energy density and power density of 19.2 Whkg-1 and 149.3 Wkg-1 respectively.Keywords: Reduce Graphene Oxide, Structural Properties, Morphological Properties, electrochemical propertie

How Reliable is the Cuprates System to Recent Technology?

The emergence of cuprates as a high Tc superconductor gave high hopes in the discovery of a room temperature superconductor. It is almost three decades and the highest critical temperature attained on the cuprates is about 135K. A brief overview was conducted on the progress made so far on the cuprates. A mathematical approach was used to design a formula which could determine the experimental results of critical temperature of versed cuprates superconductors. The result of our findings shows that the possibility of attaining the experimental room temperature cuprates superconductor seems very narrow. The study recommended an elaborate approach on the hybridization of cuprates for future research. Hence, there is possibility of having cuprates with wide engineering application

Impact of Competition on the Financial Performance of Listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

The impact of bank competition on bank performance remains a widely debated issue. At present, scholars investigate either the competition-stability or the competition-fragility relationships. The traditional competition-fragility view equates bank competition with instability as competition reduces market power and profit margins which in turn encourages bank managers to take higher risks. In contrast, the competition-stability view stipulates that competition leads to lower loan interest rates and consequently lower moral hazard and adverse selection problems and less risky loan portfolios. This study examines both paradigms using panel data from deposit money banks in Nigeria over a period of ten years (2005-2014). Results show that the overall relationship between competition and financial performance of banks is negative. The study, therefore, concludes that competition has a negative effect on the financial performance of banks in Nigeria. The study suggests that regulators should promote healthy competition among deposit money banks so as to reduce the negative effect of competition on bank financial performance. Managers should take measures to enhance profit margin by reducing expenses. Current efforts of the government in terms of improved power generation may help to cut cost of power borne by the banks. Managers should also ensure healthy loan portfolio by ensuring that only customers with high credit scores get loans. Keywords: Bank, competition, financial performance, loan, market share, Nigeria, profit margin, risk.