@article { ISI:000257271600056, title = {Electrochemical sensing of sulphur dioxide: a comparison using dodecanethiol and citrate capped gold nanoclusters}, journal = {Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology}, volume = {8}, number = {6}, year = {2008}, month = {JUN}, pages = {3184-3190}, publisher = {AMER SCIENTIFIC PUBLISHERS}, type = {Article}, address = {26650 THE OLD RD, STE 208, VALENCIA, CA 91381-0751 USA}, abstract = {

A comparison of cyclic voltammograms of dodecanethiol (DDT) capped Au nanoclusters (5.0 +/- 0.5 nm) and trisodium citrate (Cit) capped Au nanoclusters (similar to 10-15 nm) modified glassy carbon electrode shows a dramatic variation in the current when exposed to a small amount of sulphur dioxide. This is explained using the electrocatalytic properties of Au nanoclusters towards the oxidation of SO2, thus facilitating the fabrication of electrochemical sensors for the detection of SO2. The intrinsic redox changes observed for gold nanocluster-modified glassy carbon electrodes disappear on passing SO2, despite a dramatic current increase, which indeed scales up with the amount of dissolved SO2. Interestingly, a complete rejuvenation of the redox behavior of gold is also observed on subsequent removal of SO2 from the solution by passing pure nitrogen for 15 minutes. Further, these nanoclusters when characterized with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) after SO2 passage reveal a variety of SO2 adsorption modes on gold surface. XP spectra also show a shift of 1.03 eV towards higher binding energy indicating a strong adsorption of SO2 gas, while FTIR gives conclusive evidence for the interaction of SO2 with gold nanoparticles.

}, keywords = {cyclic voltammetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, monolayer protected gold nanoclusters (Au-MPCs), SO2 sensor, X-ray photoelectron spectra}, issn = {1533-4880}, doi = {10.1166/jnn.2008.094}, author = {Sathe, Bhaskar R. and Risbud, Mandar S. and Mulla, Imtiaz S. and Pillai, Vijayamohanan K.} } @article { ISI:000257231200057, title = {Enhanced field emission from hexagonal rhodium nanostructures}, journal = {Applied Physics Letters}, volume = {92}, number = {25}, year = {2008}, month = {JUN}, pages = {253106}, publisher = {AMER INST PHYSICS}, type = {Article}, address = {CIRCULATION \& FULFILLMENT DIV, 2 HUNTINGTON QUADRANGLE, STE 1 N O 1, MELVILLE, NY 11747-4501 USA}, abstract = {

Shape selective synthesis of nanostructured Rh hexagons has been demonstrated with the help of a modified chemical vapor deposition using rhodium acetate. An ultralow threshold field of 0.72 V/mu m is observed to generate a field emission current density of 4 x 10(-3) mu A/cm(2). The high enhancement factor (9325) indicates that the origin of electron emission is from nanostructured features. The smaller size of emitting area, excellent current density, and stability over a period of more than 3 h are promising characteristics for the development of electron sources. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.

}, issn = {0003-6951}, doi = {10.1063/1.2943657}, author = {Sathe, Bhaskar R. and Kakade, Bhalchandra A. and Mulla, Imtiaz S. and Pillai, Vijayamohanan K. and Late, Dattatray J. and More, Mahendra A. and Joag, Dilip S.} } @article { ISI:000278592400024, title = {Effect of Fe3O4 on morphology of Fe-SnO2 hyperbranched heterostructures}, journal = {Chemical Physics Letters}, volume = {493}, number = {1-3}, year = {2010}, month = {JUN}, pages = {121-125}, publisher = {ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV}, address = {PO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS}, abstract = {

A simple modified thermal evaporation technique is employed for the synthesis of microstructured Fe:SnO2 system and their plausible growth mechanism has been proposed based on the results from various characterization techniques. Such structures grow in two steps; initially, growth of Fe core takes place from Fe3O4 source which acts as nucleating site for SnO2 growth on its surface as per the vapor-liquid- solid progression. Moreover, the composition of Fe/Sn source and temperature are found to have key roles in governing their morphology. XPS studies clearly demonstrate the presence of Fe species, which acts as a catalyst along with source for hetero-structure growth with SnO2. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V.

}, issn = {0009-2614}, doi = {10.1016/j.cplett.2010.05.019}, author = {Sathe, Bhaskar R. and Walke, Pravin S. and Mulla, Imtiaz S. and Pillai, Vijayamohanan K.} } @article { ISI:000287924700049, title = {Enhanced electrocatalytic performance of interconnected Rh nano-chains towards formic acid oxidation}, journal = {Energy \& Environmental Science}, volume = {4}, number = {3}, year = {2011}, month = {MAR}, pages = {1029-1036}, publisher = {ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY}, address = {THOMAS GRAHAM HOUSE, SCIENCE PARK, MILTON RD, CAMBRIDGE CB4 0WF, CAMBS, ENGLAND}, abstract = {

A chain-like assembly of rhodium nanoparticles (5-7 nm mean diameter) has been synthesized from rhodium chloride with the help of polydentate molecules like tartaric and ascorbic acids (1 : 3 in mM scale) as capping agents at room temperature. Subsequent characterization using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals a unique inter-connected network like features, while their electrochemical behavior using cyclic voltammetry and current-time transient suggests potential applications as electrocatalysts in fuel cells. A significant negative shift in the onset potential as well as higher anodic peak current density for formic acid oxidation on Rh-tartaric acid (Rh-TA) as compared to that of bulk Rh metal confirms their higher electrocatalytic activity. Interestingly, the enhancement factor (R) with respect to that of bulk metallic Rh towards formic acid oxidation ranges up to 2000\% for Rh-TA and 1200\% for Rh-AA (Rh-ascorbic acid) respectively. The composition of Rh nano-chains has been further analyzed with thermogravimetry and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy to demonstrate the importance of controlling the chain topology using polyfunctional organic molecules. These findings open up new possibilities for tailoring nanostructured electrodes with potential benefits since the development of a better electrocatalysts for many fuel cell reactions continues to be an important challenge.

}, issn = {1754-5692}, doi = {10.1039/c0ee00219d}, author = {Sathe, Bhaskar R. and Balan, Beena K. and Pillai, Vijayamohanan K.} }