Simple one-pot sonochemical synthesis of copper sulphide nanoparticles for solar cell applications

AbstractCopper sulphide nanoparticles for solar cell applications were synthesized by a single step sonochemical method using copper acetate and thiourea as precursors. The effects of sonication time, ultrasonic bath temperature and annealing temperature on particle properties were studied. Synthesized particles were characterized using scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction spectrophotometer and UV–visible spectrophotometer. The particles were found to be a mixture of chalcocite, covellite and djurleite. The optical band gap of the particles was found to be in the range of 1.6–2.1eV. Heat treatment of the particles was found to give rise to needle shaped particles while a bath temperature of 55°C yielded few nanoplates

Studies on corrosion inhibitory action of<em> Ocimum sanctum</em> (Tulsi) leaves extract in mild steel corrosion induced by<em> Desulfovibrio desulfuricans</em>

441-450Studies on the effect of Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) leaves extract as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel corrosion caused by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans has been carried out. The extract provides 74% inhibition efficiency and is effective up to two weeks. Potentiodynamic polarization studies show the occurrence of pitting corrosion. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies reveal that the nature of the biofilm formed changes continuously. The scanning electron microscopy studies on samples immersed for different durations indicate two layers of different morphologies formed at the end of third and fourth weeks in the uninhibited sample. Energy dispersive x-ray diffraction studies show an increase in sulfide content in uninhibited sample indicating formation of corrosion products

<em>Murraya koenigii</em> as green corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in nitric acid medium

94-100The inhibition behaviour of Murraya koenigii (curry) leaves extract on the corrosion resistance of mild steel (MS) in nitric acid medium has been studied by gravimetric (or weight loss) measurements and scanning electron microscopy. The inhibition efficiency increases with inhibitor concentration and decreases with increase in immersion time period. The temperature effect on the corrosion behaviour of mild steel without and with inhibitor has been studied. Temperature studies reveal that the activation energy increases to 18 kJ/mol with the addition of 500 ppm inhibitor. Mild steel corrosion inhibition efficiency of 62% is obtained with 600 ppm of extract in 0.1N HNO3. The adsorption isotherm studies and the thermodynamic analysis of the results indicate physical adsorption of the inhibitor molecules on the mild steel surface. Scanning electron microscopic studies show the presence of pitting corrosion in uninhibited sample. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy studies reveal higher carbon content in the inhibited sample which attributs to the presence of adsorbed inhibitor molecules

Single Step Sonochemical Synthesis of Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide Nanoparticles

102-105Single step ultrasound assisted synthesis of CZTS for solar cell applications has been studied using glycine as the complexing agent. The particles closer to the required stoichiometry of 2:1:1:4 were obtained. Annealing the samples at higher temperatures showed change in composition. The analysis of the product by X-ray diffraction indicated that the particles formed at pH 5 were polycrystalline whereas amorphous products formed when the reaction was conducted at pH 4.2. UV-vis spectrophotometer studies indicated that the particles had lower transmittance value with significant absorbance in the entire visible spectrum indicating suitability for solar cell applications. The bandgap of the particles was found to be 1.6 eV. The Fourier transform Raman analysis also confirmed the formation of CZTS nanoparticles